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Front Office Sports
Lillard And Giannis Pairing Could Be Big For The NBA, Too
The trade sending NBA superstar Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks will potentially create another superteam — just as the league is in the market for a massive new domestic media rights deal. The Bucks were already a prominent franchise thanks to their 2021 championship and two-time league MVP...
NHL Backs Unified Women’s League, Though Without Money
The NHL has long advocated and pledged its support for a strong, unified women’s pro league. Now, commissioner Gary Bettman and his staff are making good on that promise. As the Professional Women’s Hockey League — formed this summer from a merger of two prior entities that was led by Los Angeles Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter — prepares to start play in January, the new league is working extensively with the NHL on various operational elements, including scheduling and crossover promotions.
Michigan State’s Firing of Mel Tucker Saves University $80M
Michigan State has fired head football coach Mel Tucker in a move that saves the school from paying about $80 million remaining on Tucker’s contract signed in 2021. Tucker was terminated over allegations that he sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, an activist and rape survivor who MSU paid $10,000 to share her story with the school’s football team. Michigan State said Wednesday that Tucker failed to present adequate reasons for why he should not be fired for cause after having what he described as consensual phone sex with Tracy in an April 2022 phone call.
Judge Dismisses Both of Patrick Reed’s Defamation Cases
A federal judge dismissed both of Patrick Reed’s defamation cases against 18 total defendants on Wednesday. Timothy J. Corrigan, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, listed several reasons for dismissing the litigation against Golf Channel, analyst Brandel Chamblee, the Associated Press, Bloomberg, and others that sought at least $1 billion in damages combined.
AAC Commissioner Open To CFP Format Change, Just Not Yet
Leaders of the College Football Playoff met in person on Tuesday and Wednesday but didn’t make any significant progress toward changing the format of the expanded, 12-team postseason to begin next year. With the Pac-12’s demise, and realignment downsizing the Power 5 to four power conferences, it has been...
Utah Jazz Launch Streaming Service Amid RSN Shakeup
The Utah Jazz have revealed subscription details for its new Jazz+ streaming service debuting this season as part of the NBA team’s revamped local broadcasting model. In June, the Jazz announced its plan to air future games on Sinclair Broadcast Group’s over-the-air Utah TV station KJZZ and leave its previous local broadcast partner AT&T SportsNet as its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery exits the regional sports network business. Local fans can stream games by Jazz+, offering annual subscriptions for $125.50, monthly subscriptions for $15.50, and a single-game pass for $5.
Will Sports Benefit From New Streaming Alliance?
Some of the largest sports streamers in the industry have united to create a lobbying unit amid a period of historic media disruption. A group of 17 entities including Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, NBCUniversal’s Peacock, Paramount+, and Netflix — which collectively hold live streaming rights with the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Premier League, PGA Tour, and numerous other properties, along with a big sports documentary presence — have formed the Streaming Innovation Alliance.
Bay Area WNBA Expansion Latest Step In League Growth
The WNBA’s quest to expand beyond the league’s current 12 teams appears to be off and running. Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob is reportedly leading a group that’s set to bring a new team to the Bay Area. The WNBA franchise would play at the Warriors’ Chase Center and have headquarters at the NBA team’s practice facility in Oakland. An announcement is expected in October.
Oregon State Projects 44% Athletics Revenue Loss From Pac-12 Realignment
One of the remaining two Pac-12 universities has revealed the potentially dire effects of conference realignment. In a letter to students, faculty, and alumni, Oregon State University president Jayathi Murthy and athletics director Scott Barnes said that the school’s athletic department is facing as much as a 44% decline in revenue for fiscal year 2025.
French Soccer Club Lyon Seeking $300M Capital Raise
Last year, the $842 million sale of Ligue 1 side Lyon set a record for French soccer clubs. Now, the team’s new ownership group is looking to raise $315 million from the bond market and continue to sell off some of its biggest assets, according to the Financial Times.
Magic Johnson Open To Knicks Minority Ownership Stake
Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson’s expansive sports ownership portfolio already includes stakes in the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Dodgers, LAFC, Los Angeles Sparks, and esports company aXiomatic. Now, he’s looking to return to NBA ownership — with a very specific team. Thirteen years after shedding his...
Warriors GM Feels ‘Targeted’ With NBA’s New Tax, Rest Rules
Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. recognizes the impact the NBA’s new second tax apron rule could have on his organization, which had an NBA record $346 million payroll last season when including salaries and luxury tax. “I think first and foremost for Joe [Lacob] and the...
Warriors Owner Reportedly Adding A Bay Area WNBA Franchise
An ownership group led by Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob is set to bring a WNBA franchise to the Bay Area, according to The Athletic. A deal between Warriors brass and the league has yet to be finalized, but the two sides are reportedly close, and an official announcement could come as soon as early October.
The NFL’s $1B Battle Over Concussion Settlement Heats Up
A medical expert for insurers battling the NFL over liability for player concussions — a settlement currently worth $1.2 billion and growing — suggested that up to 40% of the now 1,663 former players who have received payments may have overstated and even feigned their symptoms. The dramatic...
Taylor Swift Takes NFL to New Heights
Just when you thought the NFL couldn’t get any bigger, pop star Taylor Swift and her rumored relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce has brought in a new, more female-heavy audience. Plus, executive director of sports law and business at Villanova, Andrew Brandt, joins to discuss...
Panini Picks Up Legal Win, Will Still Make WWE Trading Cards
Panini has picked up a key legal win in its fight with WWE, as the embattled trading card company will still produce licensed cards for the pro wrestling property while their broader dispute continues. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York denied a temporary restraining order...
Miami Is A New Soccer Hub With FIFA, Argentina Moves
FIFA is starting to plant its roots in the U.S. — specifically in South Florida, continuing the trend of soccer organizations capitalizing on a hot market stoked by Lionel Messi. Since the Argentine legend decided to come to MLS and join Inter Miami, the area has been flooded with...
Coach Prime’s Colorado Changing College Football Viewing Habits
The Deion Sanders wave continues to lift all boats in college football—particularly those of TV networks. Despite the lopsided score, ABC’s telecast of Colorado’s 42-6 loss to Oregon on Saturday averaged 10.03 million viewers, according to Sports Media Watch. That made it the largest Nielsen-measured college football...
Fire Owner Mansueto Bets On Messi To Elevate His Own Team
Lionel Messi has created hordes of new Inter Miami fans. Now, Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto is looking to use the Argentinian legend to build broader support for his team, too. Inter Miami is set to face Chicago on Oct. 4 at Soldier Field, and the Fire are projecting a...
Arlington Heights Looks To Break Stadium Logjam With Bears
Despite a “stalemate” now entering its fourth month, leaders in the Illinois suburb of Arlington Heights are still trying to work out a development deal with the Chicago Bears. This month, the Arlington Heights Village Board unanimously supported a nine-point strategic priority list for 2024-25 — topped by...
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