• MLB has awarded international marketing and commercial rights to its teams in a process similar to one executed by the NFL in 2021, according to multiple people familiar with the plan. MLB invited each team to submit proposals for up to three international markets where they would like to secure sponsorship deals or host fan events, the people said. (Sportico)
• The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun 78-71 in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals to clinch the team’s first championship, as well as the first professional sports title for the city of Las Vegas. Aces’ Chelsea Gray averaged 18.3 points in the best of five series to earn Finals MVP honors. (The Associated Press) 
• Speaking on behalf of NBA players, NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio called for a lifetime ban of Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver, whom the league suspended for one year and fined $10 million following an independent investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct and racism. Tremaglio, who expressed her views to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, said Sarver “should not…be in a managerial position” during an interview on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” (ESPN)
• More than 32,000 fans watched the NWSL expansion team San Diego Wave FC defeat Angel City FC 1-0 at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday night, setting a league attendance record. The new mark beat the NWSL’s previous record of 25,000 at from a Portland Thorns game in 2019. (The Guardian)

Futures Bet

Sports Business Journal

The Underdog Streamer Betting Big on Overlooked Sports

Amanda Christovich, Front Office Sports 

Over the last 15 years, FloSports has almost quietly taken over niche sports streaming rights. Founded to elevate “underserved” sports properties, the Austin-based company initially received little funding or notoriety. 

Top NFL broadcast teams discuss how they develop chemistry

John Ourand, Sports Business Journal 

Every sports TV producer knows that the key to a top-notch broadcast booth — the single element that separates the good booths from the average ones — always has been chemistry. Still, it is instructive to hear the best NFL announcers talk about what they do to foster those relationships.

Why ESPN’s eventual direct-to-consumer price might be cheaper than you think

Andrew Marchand, New York Post 

ESPN will go direct-to-consumer, but also will remain on cable and satellite providers, giving the customer options.

NFL Sunday Ticket went down again, and fans were not happy

Cindy Boren, The Washington Post 

For the second straight week — and the NFL regular season is only two weeks old — fans were faced with Sunday Ticket frustration thanks to technical issues with digital viewing, online and through the app, which allows fans to watch all out-of-market games.

49ers QB Trey Lance out for season with broken ankle

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right ankle Sunday. Lance went down after running the ball on the second drive of a 27-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks. 

Week 2 provides a Comeback Sunday NFL hasn’t seen in years

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 

Call it a Comeback Sunday the NFL hasn’t seen in years. The Dolphins and Cardinals made history by overcoming 20-point halftime deficits to win on the same day while the Jets rallied from a 13-point deficit in the final two minutes.

Tyrod Taylor sues Los Angeles Chargers team doctor for medical malpractice, seeks at least $5 million after 2020 punctured lung

Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter, ESPN

The Los Angeles Chargers doctor who is caring for Justin Herbert’s fractured rib cartilage is being sued for medical malpractice by former Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who is seeking at least $5 million after suffering a punctured lung while being treated for a rib injury in 2020, according to copies of the original lawsuit and subsequent filings related to the case obtained by ESPN.

Their Dad Was Like a Brother. Now Pacman Jones is Family.

Jonathan Abrams, The New York Times 

Adam Jones and Chris Henry were once N.F.L. poster athletes for misdeeds. Raising Henry’s children alongside his own, Jones is hoping to help them all avoid the same mistakes.

PayPal says it will not continue its sponsorship if Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver returns after ban

Baxter Holmes, ESPN

PayPal, the jersey patch partner of the Phoenix Suns, said Friday it would not be renewing its sponsorship with the team should majority owner Robert Sarver continue in his role following his one-year suspension for racist and misogynist remarks.

The Art of Leaving Baseball Behind

David Gardner, The New York Times 

Blake McFarland had a big fastball and a bad shoulder. Undeterred, he pivoted to an unexpected role: professional artist.

62 and 700: Judge, Pujols closing in on home run milestones

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 

Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols could make this a milestone week for home runs. Judge hit two more Sunday, raising his season total to 59, two shy of Roger Maris’ American League record. 

The Dodgers’ Mastermind and His Love-Hate Relationship With October

Tim Brown, The Wall Street Journal 

Andrew Friedman has built a machine that destroys every regular season—and have 100 wins already this year. Playoff results have been less consistent.

As Judge Pursues Maris, He’s Chasing a Triple Crown as Well

James Wagner, The New York Times 

Aaron Judge’s monster season for the Yankees has him leading the majors in home runs and runs batted in by a wide margin. A batting title would be icing on the cake.

SF Giants explain selling Dodgers gear at Oracle Park: ‘Will not happen again’

Evan Webeck, The Mercury News 

Fans of the SF Giants took exception to a vendor inside Oracle Park this series selling Dodgers merchandise.

Evander Kane, San Jose Sharks settle contract grievance

Greg Wyshynski, ESPN

The NHLPA filed a grievance on behalf of Kane in January after the Sharks terminated his deal, citing a breach of his contract and a violation of AHL COVID-19 protocols. Kane was in the fourth year of a seven-year, $49 million contract that paid him $7 million on average annually.

Herm Edwards out as Arizona State Sun Devils football coach

Michelle Gardner, Arizona Republic 

The NCAA investigations into alleged recruiting violations might not have done Herm Edwards in. But Saturday night’s inexplicable 30-21 loss to Eastern Michigan at Sun Devil Stadium did so. 

Oregon, student section apologize to BYU football fans for offensive chant

Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune 

The University of Oregon and its student section have issued separate apologies to BYU fans after they were subjected to an offensive chant Saturday at Autzen Stadium.

FIFA keeps Ecuador in the World Cup field, dismissing claim from rivals

Steven Goff, The Washington Post 

Soccer’s global governing body Friday rejected claims by rivals that Ecuador fielded an ineligible player in World Cup qualifiers, clearing the way for the South American country to play in the men’s tournament this year.

How Soccer Players Became Fashion’s Latest ‘It’ Boys

Martino Carrera, WWD

Soccer and fashion may have sounded like an unlikely match until recently, but players worldwide are increasingly being noticed by fashion brands and, for their part, are embracing the fashion game more openly.

Their Sport Is on the Verge of Extinction. These Runners Won’t Give It Up.

Jared Beasley, The New York Times 

Last year, the ultramarathon governing body dumped many multiday races from their catalog. So a group of fringe runners created their own championship, and just kept running.

Aussie Smith wins LIV Golf event in second start

Frank Pingue, Reuters 

British Open champion Cameron Smith claimed his first LIV Golf victory in only his second start on the lucrative Saudi Arabia-backed circuit with a three-shot triumph over Dustin Johnson and Peter Uihlein just outside Chicago on Sunday. Smith, one of 12 major champions in the 48-player field at Rich Harvest Farms, shot a three-under-par 69 in the final round of the 54-hole event to reach 13 under and secure the $4 million first prize.

Time To Tee It Up

Eric Prisbell, Sports Business Journal 

The PGA Tour makes a statement with a grand Presidents Cup that sets a new standard for revenue, hospitality.

‘Gaming is very much here to stay’: Why Axe body spray is taking a bigger swing at esports marketing

Kimeko McCoy, Digiday 

Axe body spray is dedicating more ad dollars to esports, gaming and entertainment-based marketing channels to attract a bigger share of Gen Z shoppers.

Canelo defeats GGG, leaves no doubt; ‘Bam’ Rodriguez wins again

Mike Coppinger and Ben Baby, ESPN

Canelo Alvarez retained his undisputed super middleweight championship on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena with a unanimous-decision victory over his rival, Gennadiy Golovkin, in a trilogy fight. Two judges scored it 115-113, while a third judge turned in a 116-112 tally for Alvarez.

Erika Nardini Isn’t Here to Apologize

Annie Goldsmith, The Information 

The CEO of Barstool Sports has been integral to the company’s growth—and to its $550 million acquisition. But is she also enabling its worst tendencies?

Ex-Soccer Star Among Investors in LatAm Venture Capital Fund

Carolina Millan, Bloomberg 

Former Argentine soccer star Hernan Crespo, Despegar.com founder Roberto Souviron and a slew of Latin American companies are among the latest investors to put money into venture capital fund Alaya Capital. Argentine’s Grupo Supervielle, Grupo Murchison and Chile’s Grupo Kawen also invested in Alaya’s third fund, which has so far raised about $25 million, or 31% of its $80 million goal to fund Latin American companies, according to partner Juan Manuel Giner.

Erika Nardini Resigns From WWE Board, Citing Barstool Acquisition

Brendan Coffey and Scott Soshnick, Sportico  

Barstool Sports CEO Erika Nardini has resigned from the board of directors of World Wrestling Entertainment, according to a regulatory filing late Friday afternoon. The filing stated Nardini didn’t have any conflicts or disputes with the company in deciding to depart the WWE board.

Biden meets with relatives of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

Michael Crowley and Aishvarya Kavi, The New York Times 

Mr. Biden spoke with Mr. Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth, and then with Ms. Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, and her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, to discuss his “continuing commitment” to bringing both Americans home.