• The NFL announced a new partnership with Apple Inc. that includes sponsorship rights to the 12-minute Super Bowl halftime show. Apple, which replaces PepsiCo Inc. after the beverage company served as the halftime sponsor for a decade, is paying the NFL nearly $50 million per year in a five-year deal, according to a person familiar with the terms. (Sportico)
• Amazon.com Inc.’s first “Thursday Night Football” broadcast on Prime Video on Sept. 15 averaged 13.03 million viewers, including local over-the-air telecasts in the home markets of the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, Nielsen said. The streaming-only audience was 11.87 million viewers, while Amazon’s own metrics put the game’s audience at 15.3 million including all devices. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• The Boston Celtics announced that it suspended coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 NBA season for violating team policies, according to a statement, which said Udoka’s future with the franchise beyond the upcoming campaign will be determined “at a later date.” In a statement, Udoka — who reportedly engaged in an improper relationship with a Celtics staffer — said he was “sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation.” (The Associated Press)
• Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff sent a three-page letter, obtained by The New York Times, to the UCLA Board of Regents ahead of the group’s meeting to discuss whether to stop the school’s move to the Big Ten. In the letter, which is considered one final effort to keep a college football presence in the Los Angeles market as the Pac-12 conference negotiates a new media rights deal, Kliavkoff attempted to quantify the effects of UCLA’s conference exit, citing increased travel costs and coaches salaries. (The New York Times)

Worth keeping an eye on today (all times local):

• 8:20 p.m. Roger Federer will play his final career match in a doubles session with Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup in London.

How many NFL fans have used new in-stadium betting

Axios

ESPN, Field Yates Extend Contract in Nod to Growth of Fantasy Sports

Brian Steinberg, Variety

Field Yates thinks fantasy football is catching up in popularity to the real thing. “If you watch ‘SportsCenter though to the end, I’d bet if you put on an hour, there’s a pretty good chance, better than 50-50 you’re going to see at least one segment of fantasy sports,” he says in a recent interview.”

Inside Chris Long’s growing media empire

Ryan Glasspiegel, New York Post 

Chris Long is living up to his last name — and playing the long game in building a media business. The two-time Super Bowl champion spoke to The Post about a wide range of business and football topics, and revealed exclusively that his “Green Light” podcast will be partnering with Amazon’s Amp live audio platform on Thursdays during the NFL season.

Yankees floating Michael Kay in trade push for Apple’s historic Aaron Judge game

Andrew Marchand, New York Post 

The Yankees have tried to facilitate a trade with Apple TV+ to put the Yankees’ game Friday on YES, The Post has learned. They have offered Michael Kay, David Cone and Paul O’Neill plus production support to Apple.

Brett Favre Linked to Welfare Scandal, Possible Charges

A.J. Perez, Front Office Sports

A plea deal with federal and state prosecutors is the latest twist in a scandal that could have major implications for Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. John Davis, the former director of Mississippi’s Department of Human Services, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court for his role in the misappropriation of more than $70 million in welfare funds. 

Rodgers admires Brady, doesn’t expect to play until he’s 45

Fred Goodall, The Associated Press 

While Aaron Rodgers has a deep appreciation for what Tom Brady has accomplished during an unparalleled NFL career, he doesn’t see himself following the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s lead of playing well into his 40s.

You Won’t See Beer Ads on Amazon’s ‘Thursday Night Football’

Gerry Smith, Bloomberg

To many viewers, Amazon.com Inc.’s first exclusive “Thursday Night Football” game last week looked like a typical NFL broadcast. There were pregame and halftime shows, sideline reporters and longtime NFL announcer Al Michaels calling the action.

How Robert Sarver’s Asking Price For The Suns Likely Makes The Knicks’ James Dolan A Richer Man

Mike Ozanian, Forbes 

Robert Sarver, who announced yesterday that he’s selling the Phoenix Suns, is telling those inquiring about buying the NBA team that he wants $4 billion (enterprise value), according to sources.

NBA All-Star Luka Dončić Turns Over TikTok Account to His AI Alter Ego

David Cohen, Adweek

The NBA superstar’s artificial intelligence alter ego was constructed using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine.

Judge Just Misses Record-Tying Homer as Yankees Clinch Playoff Spot

David Waldstein, The New York Times

Aaron Judge’s deep drive to center in the ninth inning caused a brief stir, but it was Josh Donaldson’s walk-off single that punched the Yankees’ ticket to the postseason.

Apple TV+ is about to have its first major sports moment with Yankees-Red Sox

Kif Leswing, CNBC

The most anticipated sports matchup on TV this Friday won’t be on TV. It’s streaming on Apple TV+.

Aaron Judge’s Home Run Chase Sends Outfield Ticket Prices Soaring

Lev Akabas, Sportico 

New York Yankees fans don’t just want to be in the stadium to witness Aaron Judge’s 61st home run of the season—they want a chance to catch the ball. The average secondary market list price for remaining home games has increased 121% from $114 to $252 since Judge hit his 50th home run in late August, according to data from TicketIQ.

Milestone balls leave fans with a choice: Return it or sell?

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 

If Aaron Judge passes Roger Maris, some lucky fan might become this generation’s Sal Durante. As a 19-year-old in 1961, Durante caught Maris’ record-breaking 61st home run. 

A Record the Mets Would Rather Not Have

Victor Mather, The New York Times 

Mets batters have been hit 106 times with 11 games still to play: “It’s like a broken record at this point.”

Czech government: NHL Russian players unwanted in Prague

Karel Janicek and Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 

NHL teams playing in the Czech capital next month have been told their Russian players are not welcome. The Czech Foreign Ministry has told the NHL of its stance because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ministry declined to say whether the NHL has replied.

Why NHL might buy local broadcasts from Sinclair, and what it could mean

Sean Shapiro, The Athletic 

The NHL’s ever-changing broadcasting landscape is potentially on the verge of another shift in direction. As first reported by the New York Post and confirmed by The Athletic, the NHL, MLB and the NBA could soon purchase the right to broadcast local games on regional sports networks (RSNs) owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group.

NCAA places LSU football on probation, accepts school’s self-imposed penalties over recruiting violations

Mark Schlabach, ESPN

The NCAA placed LSU’s football program on one year of probation and issued a three-year show cause against a former assistant coach, who it says admitted to meeting with a prospect and giving him team gear during a COVID-19 recruiting dead period.

Manchester United Revenue Hits $776M, Up 18%

Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico 

Manchester United reported an 18% increase for its 2021-22 full-year revenue to £583 million, or $776 million, based on average exchange rates during the 12 months. The increase was fueled by fans’ return to Old Trafford following a pair of COVID-19-impacted seasons.

Elevate Sports Ventures to Lead Everton Strategy in New Stadium Era

Emily Caron, Sportico 

Elevate will handle partnerships and sales for the club’s future home, leading the venue’s naming rights and founding sponsor searches, and support Everton’s premium hospitality sales and strategy for the Toffees’ new stadium, set to open in January 2025.

Pressing World Cup Question for U.S.: Who’ll Score the Goals?

Andrew Keh, The New York Times

An American team that cycled through strikers during the qualifying period needs to settle on one before heading to Qatar. The good news is some of the options are hitting their stride.

World Cup players to get FIFA data analysis app

Simon Evans, Reuters 

When the World Cup kicks off in Qatar on Nov. 20 fans can expect a flurry of stats and match footage on social media and FIFA is hoping that includes data and content from a new player app.

Hyundai uses BTS for its World Cup campaign

Jade Yan, Ad Age 

The Korean boy band remixed a song for the effort, which includes a range of influencers and a TikTok challenge.

Fifteen players threaten to quit Spain women’s team if coach is not fired

Fernando Kallas, Reuters

Fifteen players from the Spain women’s squad have threatened to quit international duty if their coach Jorge Vilda is not fired, the Spanish FA (RFEF) said on Thursday. Local media reported that the Spanish women’s team were in chaos last month, with players on the verge of a mutiny if the federation did not relieve Vilda of his duties.

In Germany, it’s time for final auditions for the USMNT ‘brotherhood’

Steven Goff, The Washington Post 

On the southwest edge of this striking city, in a training center tucked behind a thick veil of trees and linked by trails to Beethoven Park, a symphony of activity and emotion involving the U.S. men’s national soccer team has played out all week. With the curtain rising on the World Cup in two months, Gregg Berhalter is overseeing final live auditions.

Cycling’s Holiest Roller: The Vatican Enters the Sports World on Two Wheels

Joshua Robinson, The Wall Street Journal 

Rien Schuurhuis is set to represent the tiniest country in the peloton in the men’s world championship road race in Wollongong, Australia.

20 Grand Slams, $1.1 Billion In Earnings: Roger Federer’s Legendary Career By The Numbers

Brett Knight, Forbes 

The 41-year-old ace, taking the court one final time at the Laver Cup, is undoubtedly tennis’ greatest of all-time—off the court, at least.

The Presidents Cup Could Be Decided by the LIV Golf Battle

Andrew Beaton and Louise Radnofsky, The Wall Street Journal 

The event, which has been dominated by the U.S. team, appears more one-sided due to the absence of international stars, such as Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann.

US builds 4-1 lead over Internationals in Presidents Cup

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 

American red numbers filled the electronic scoreboards Thursday in the Presidents Cup, an outcome that surprised no one for these one-sided matches. “Somebody came on the radio and said, ‘Yeah, but we’re 1 up in three matches and those can flip real quick,’” U.S. captain Davis Love III said.

Greatness Skipped a Generation During Tennis’s ‘Big Three’ Era

Joshua Robinson, The Wall Street Journal 

Dozens of players came and went trying to crack Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Now their successors appear to be some of the youngest players on the men’s tour.

Andrew Tate Controversy Seemingly Leads Riot To Cut Valorant Esports Team Loose [Update]

Ethan Gach, Kotaku 

An esports CEO who doubled down on partying with a shithead could cost his company big time.

Barstool Will Host Its First Men’s College Basketball Tournament

Amanda Christovich, Front Office Sports 

Barstool’s many controversies don’t seem to be stopping it from making a major push into the mainstream college sports industry. It has already purchased the naming and broadcasting rights to a bowl game, the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl, and launched a massive name, image, and likeness marketplace called TwoYay.