• ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro reorganized senior executives’ responsibilities amid Bob Iger’s return as CEO of the Walt Disney Co., giving oversight of content and newsgathering to veteran ESPN executive Burke Magnus, now president of content, and naming Disney veteran Rosalyn Durant, who previously oversaw facilities in Disney’s parks division, as executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, according to a memo reviewed by Variety. Magnus will supervise several departments such as studio shows, live events, talent and social media, while Durant will be responsible for negotiating live sports rights, per the memo. (Variety)
• Madison Square Garden Entertainment Co. will launch this summer MSG+, a direct-to-consumer streaming service, which will broadcast the New York Knicks and Rangers, Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils. The digital offering, which will only be available to fans in areas where MSG Networks is carried on cable TV, will cost $29.99 a month or $309.99 per year. (CNBC)
• The PGA Tour is shifting to an elite schedule in 2024 featuring 16 designated events in which half will include at most 80-man fields and no cuts, while players outside the field will have a chance to play their way in for a spot, according to a memo to players from Commissioner Jay Monahan obtained by The Associated Press. The memo, which didn’t specify which events will receive a $20 million prize fund, stated the Player Impact Program bonus pool will now distribute $50 million to 10 players instead of 20 players, among other changes. (The Associated Press)
• Top NFL draft prospect Jalen Carter turned himself into police in Athens, Ga., after he was charged with reckless driving and racing related to the deaths of his Georgia teammate Devin Willock and football staff member Chandler LeCroy in a Jan. 15 crash. Authorities said that Carter, who was booked and released according to local jail records, was driving a separate vehicle as he and LeCroy appeared to be racing after the Bulldogs celebrated their national championship win. (CNN)

LeBron injury ill-timed as Lakers continue to draw

Sports Media Watch

Federal Judge Grants Michael Irvin’s Request to Obtain Video Footage

A.J. Perez, Front Office Sports

A Texas federal judge granted NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin’s request for expedited discovery on Wednesday and gave Marriott until Tuesday to hand over footage of the alleged incident days before Super Bowl LVII in a Phoenix hotel.

Out of darkness, Aaron Rodgers says decision on future coming soon

Rob Demovsky, ESPN

Aaron Rodgers said he found an inner peace during his four-day darkness retreat last week with whatever his football future holds, but he did not reveal what that decision is — or even whether he has made one.

NFLPA player survey: Vikings, Dolphins voted best working conditions, Commanders worst

Mike Jones, The Athletic

For prospective NFL free agents in search of the best working conditions, the Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders may rank among the most desirable destinations. But players may want to steer clear of the Arizona Cardinals, L.A. Chargers and Washington Commanders.

Joe Montana’s ‘The Drive’ jersey sells for record $1.212 million

Dan Hajducky, ESPN

The jersey worn by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana in not one, but two Super Bowl victories by the San Francisco 49ers has sold for $1.212 million with buyer’s premium, obliterating the record paid for a football jersey at auction.

NFL Loses Bid to Arbitrate Ex-Miami Coach’s Race-Bias Claims

Chris Dolmetsch, Bloomberg

Former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores can proceed with a lawsuit accusing the National Football League and several of its teams of racial bias in hiring for coaching and front-office positions.

NBA star Ja Morant accused in police reports of punching teen, making threats

Molly Hensley-Clancy, The Washington Post

Ja Morant is among the brightest young stars in the NBA, with a new signature Nike shoe, a top-selling jersey and a team, the Memphis Grizzlies, poised for a deep postseason run. But in a string of incidents dating from last summer, Morant and people close to him have been accused of threatening and even violent behavior, according to previously unreported police records obtained by The Washington Post.

Powerade Signs Ja Morant to Multiyear Deal to Be Its New Face

Kim Bhasin, Bloomberg 

Powerade has signed a multiyear endorsement deal with NBA star Ja Morant to be its new face as the sports-drink label undergoes a comprehensive overhaul under new management.

‘Nervous’ Kevin Durant excels in Suns debut with 23 points

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 

The Durant era in Phoenix got off to solid start Wednesday night with the 13-time NBA All-Star scoring 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting, adding an explosive offensive element to an already dangerous offense in his Suns debut.

NBA Invests in AI-Driven Video-Tracking Firm, Extends Deal

Kim Bhasin, Bloomberg

Videocites can track clips across social media, and the league wants more data.

MLB Creates Local Media Department to Address RSN Challenges

Doug Greenberg, Front Office Sports

MLB has hired three staff members with decades of regional sports experience to join the league’s newly created Local Media department, led by media industry executive Billy Chambers.

Baseball’s new rules to speed up games get mixed reception

Alanis Thames, The Associated Press 

Faced with criticism of dwindling cultural relevance and a laggardly product compared to other major sports, Major League Baseball introduced a set of new rules this year to speed up games and attract younger fans.

LeBrun: Inside the NHL’s deadline-week defense carousel — how the big trades went down, and why some didn’t

Pierre LeBrun, The Athletic 

It’s been a wild couple of weeks, with surprise pivots, heated negotiations and top blueliners on the move. Here’s how it’s all played out.

NCAA’s new president Charlie Baker talks student athletes becoming employees, NIL laws

Steve Berkowitz, USA Today

Former Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker formally replaces Mark Emmert as the NCAA’s president Wednesday, and during a roughly 30-minute interview with USA TODAY Sports earlier this week, what Baker didn’t say was just as notable as what he did say.

NCAA Sends Letter to Remind Schools They Cannot Compensate Athletes

Ross Dellenger, Sports Illustrated 

Two weeks after Texas A&M announced a first-of-its-kind name, image and likeness initiative through its fundraising foundation, the NCAA sent a memo to member schools Monday that appears to be directed at the Aggies’ new model.

An Unheralded Player May Break College Basketball’s Scoring Record

Victor Mather, The New York Times

Pete Maravich’s career mark has stood for more than 50 years, but the pandemic and the 3-pointer have Detroit Mercy’s Antoine Davis 26 points away from taking the crown.

Hedge Fund Seeks to Raise $500 Million to Invest in Football

Giles Turner, Bloomberg

Fasanara Capital, which oversees $4 billion of assets, will work with boutique Tifosy Capital & Advisory to lend to clubs, targeting a maximum fund size of $500 million. Investors will be paid back from future income streams, such as player transfers or ticket sales. 

FIFA appointment of supermodel Lima ‘baffling’ – ex-Council member Dodd

Hritika Sharma, Reuters

FIFA’s appointment of supermodel Adriana Lima as its global fan ambassador in a Women’s World Cup year is “baffling” and sends the wrong message to players and fans, former FIFA Council member Moya Dodd said.

St. Louis MLS Stadium Brings Next-Gen Tech To Scaled-Down SoFi

Jacob Feldman, Sportico 

When fans walk into Citypark on Saturday for St. Louis City SC’s home MLS debut, few will likely draw comparisons to SoFi Stadium, where the onetime St. Louis Rams now play.

Saudi Director Majed Al Sorour Leaves Newcastle United Board

David Hellier, Bloomberg 

Majed Al Sorour, until recently the head of the Saudi Golf Federation, has exited the board of Newcastle United, the Saudi-controlled Premier League football club. Al Sorour stepped down as director on Dec. 14, according to a Newcastle United Ltd. filing on Wednesday.

Venus Williams joins private equity firm Topspin Consumer Partners

Abigail Summerville, Reuters

Venus Williams has joined private equity firm Topspin Consumer Partners as an operating partner, the latest endeavor in the world of business by a top tennis champion who has emerged as a prolific entrepreneur.

NBA Top Shot CEO’s decadent lifestyle, ‘public shaming’ led to toxic culture as Dapper flails

RT Watson, The Block

Dapper Labs CEO and co-founder Roham Gharegozlou’s extravagant spending and habit of bullying employees, is said to have resulted in high employee turnover as the company struggled in a bear market.

JOTA reveals Hertz WEC livery, partnership with NFL legend Tom Brady

Gary Watkins, Motorsport.com

The JOTA team has unveiled the livery in which its Porsche 963 will race in this year’s World Endurance Championship and announced a partnership with NFL legend Tom Brady.

Judge nixes Nike’s attempt to close the courtroom as key details are discussed in lawsuit filed by former NFL player Odell Beckham Jr.

Matthew Kish, Insider

A lawyer for the company on Tuesday took the extraordinary step of asking a judge to have a Portland, Oregon, courtroom closed to an Insider reporter covering a hearing in a lawsuit between the two parties. The request was the latest effort by Nike to limit access to legal proceedings against the company. 

How PlayStation Is Building Its Creator Strategy With LeBron James

Stephen Lepitak, Adweek 

The brand’s worldwide marketing chief Eric Lempel talks about the Playmakers.

How Aflac Is Closing the Sports Gender Gap by Prioritizing Women’s Teams in March Madness

Mollie Cahillane, Adweek 

The campaign starring Dawn Staley and Coach K comes after the brand shifted its spend to the women’s tournament.

F1 Posts $2.5B In 2022 Revenue Ahead Of Season’s Start In Bahrain

Eric Jackson, Sportico 

Formula One is heading into a new season on Sunday with plenty in the tank and more in reserve. Liberty Media, F1’s parent company, reported on Wednesday that the racing promotion posted $2.5 billion in revenue in 2022, a 20% increase from 2021’s total of $2.1 billion.