Media
Advertisers Greet NBA Return With A Sold-Out Opening Night
Anthony Crupi, Sportico
If fan interest may be tempered by the short layoff, advertisers seem eager enough for the NBA to start anew. Tuesday night’s telecasts are sold out, with more than 40 brands having signed on for the TNT doubleheader. Along with CarMax, look for new Turner Sports/Bleacher Report marketing partner FanDuel to make a splash during in-game coverage and via the B/R app.
Chargers-Raiders gives TNF rare bump
Sports Media Watch
The latest edition of NFL Thursday Night Football (Chargers-Raiders) averaged a Nielsen-estimated 7.6 rating and 12.96 million viewers across FOX and NFL Network, up a tick in ratings and 7% in viewership from last year (Jets-Ravens: 7.5, 12.14M). It was the first TNF simulcast all season to post an increase in ratings and the second to do so in viewership.
End of the road: Golf Channel says goodbye to ‘Morning Drive’
Todd Kelly, Golfweek
2020 has been a year of transition for the network and on Sunday, Golf Channel’s long-running “Morning Drive” TV show came to the end of the road. The Golf Channel, owned by NBCUniversal, had been based in Orlando since its launch in 1995 but is pulling up stakes.
TV standoff ends: AT&T and Tegna reach deal bringing channels back to DirecTV in 51 markets across US
Mike Snider, USA Today
Just ahead of kickoff on Sunday NFL games, AT&T reached a deal bringing Tegna’s 64 stations back to DirecTV. The two companies had a standoff of more than two weeks that resulted in the removal of Tegna’s stations in 51 markets across the U.S. from AT&T’s satellite TV service, as well as AT&T U-verse and the AT&T TV streaming service.
NFL
Cuomo open to Bills Stadium hosting some fans if Buffalo makes playoffs
Bernadette Hogan and Lia Eustachewich, New York Post
Gov. Andrew Cuomo floated the idea of opening up Buffalo’s Bills Stadium to a limited number of fans — if the upstate New York team makes it to the NFL playoffs this year. The governor — an admitted Bills fan — said that decision depends on COVID-19 infection and hospital rates around that time.
Fight for Washington N.F.L. Team May Tighten Owner’s Grip on It
Ken Belson and Katherine Rosman, The New York Times
By the end of this summer, Daniel Snyder, the majority owner of the N.F.L.’s Washington Football Team, was facing fire from many sides. Fans had long blamed him for the team’s abysmal performance. Now civil rights groups were criticizing Snyder for waiting so long to jettison a team name and logo that they considered racist, and women’s activists were aghast after news media reports detailed a culture of sexual harassment in the team’s front office.
Tampa Won’t Get a Traditional Super Bowl, but It’s Still Spending Like Crazy
Ryan Barwick, Adweek
The pandemic may have put a damper on the 2021 Super Bowl, but it hasn’t stopped Visit Tampa from spending more on advertising for the city than ever before. The organization was able to use money from both the Cares Act and its own rainy day funds to reinvest in advertising, hoping to capitalize on frostbitten Northerners looking to move south, either to relocate permanently or just for a weekend.
San Francisco 49ers to finish season in Arizona after Santa Clara County extends COVID-19 restrictions
Nick Wagoner, ESPN
After moving their entire football operation to Arizona for what they initially hoped would be just a three-week stay, the San Francisco 49ers will finish the 2020 regular season in the desert. A team spokesman said the decision was made to remain in the Phoenix area through the end of the NFL season after Santa Clara County announced it would be extending its COVID-19 restrictions, including a ban on contact sports, through at least Jan. 8.
NFL, Nickelodeon Launch Kids Site With Sports Betting-Like Elements
Matthew Waters, Legal Sports Report
A website from the NFL and the children’s TV network Nickelodeon appears to expose kids to sports betting-like products and prediction games. The network launched NFLNickPlay.com, which includes more kids-themed cartoons, NFL trivia and a Pick’em contest.
NBA
NBA navigates path forward with most fans – and their money – stuck at home
Amy Tennery, Reuters
Most clubs aren’t ruling out the possibility of welcoming fans at some point this season – and a handful including the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz are allowing a limited number from the start – but the loss of ticket sales and in-arena revenue will hurt, as COVID-19 ravages North America.
Memphis Grizzlies, Tigers men’s basketball to play without fans at FedExForum
Evan Barnes, Memphis Commercial Appeal
After seating fans at 20% capacity, the Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers’ men’s basketball team will play games without fans at FedExForum until further notice. The news was announced Sunday in a release citing “pending recommendations from local public health officials.”
MLB
MLB payrolls drop nearly $2.5B in pandemic
Ronald Blum, The Associated Press
Major League Baseball payrolls plunged to $1.75 billion during the pandemic-shortened season from $4.22 billion, and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers led with $98.6 million — the smallest for the top spender in 20 years. Base wages for 40-man rosters tumbled to $1.54 billion, according to information sent from Major League Baseball to teams on Friday night.
How many games in the 2021 MLB season? Take the under
Jayson Stark, The Athletic
Of the 25 baseball people who answered, only five predicted a full, 162-game season. Three are players who know that’s the union’s position. Those five were in the vast minority.
NHL
Work remains before NHL can drop the puck for 2020-21 season
Frank Seravalli, TSN
There is still much work to be done. The plan is to play in all 31 NHL arenas, where possible. Some arenas will be able to host fans starting next month. Other arenas may not be able to host games at all – even without fans.
San Jose Sharks officially relocating to Arizona for training camp, and possibly longer
Curtis Pashelka, The San Jose Mercury News
General manager Doug Wilson announced Sunday that the San Jose Sharks will be holding training camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, presenting another challenge to a team that is looking to rebound from one of its most turbulent seasons in the last 20 years. With skating at their own facility in San Jose prohibited due to Santa Clara County’s ban on contact sports — the ban has been extended into January — the Sharks’ training camp will take place at Scottsdale Ice Den, a privately owned facility where the Arizona Coyotes usually practice.
Stars to host around 5,000 fans at home games during 2020-21 season
Erin Walsh, YardBarker
Dallas Stars CEO Brad Alberts says American Airlines Arena plans to host around 5,000 fans per game during the 2020-21 season. It’s unclear which other teams will host fans during the upcoming season.
College Sports
New Year’s Six bowls: Oklahoma-Florida in Cotton Bowl, Cincy-Georgia in Peach
The Athletic
The New Year’s Six bowl games outside of the College Football Playoff will be headlined by matchups between Big 12 champion Oklahoma versus Florida in the Cotton Bowl (Dec. 30) and unbeaten American Athletic Conference champion Cincinnati against Georgia in the Peach Bowl (Jan. 1). The Sooners and Gators were ranked Nos. 6 and 7 in the final CFP rankings. The Bearcats and Bulldogs were ranked Nos. 8 and 9.
Big Ten trims COVID-19 return time from 21 days to 17 days
Adam Rittenberg, ESPN
Big Ten players in all sports who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to miss a minimum of 17 days, a reduction from 21 days, according to new league guidelines. A document obtained by ESPN shows that the Big Ten’s medical subcommittee of the return to competition task force approved the changes Wednesday, which will go into effect Monday.
As cancellations and opt-outs swirl, 9-2 Army left without bowl game, opponent
Alex Scarborough, ESPN
Army, which went 9-2 this season, was unable to secure a partner to participate in a bowl game. Army had a primary agreement to play in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, but the game was canceled Sunday after the bowl said in a statement that “the opting out of possible teams created a lack of teams available to play in bowl games.”
USC chooses not to play in bowl game, bringing season to a close
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times
With its undefeated run over, its Pac-12 title dreams dashed, and the COVID-19 pandemic looming large in Los Angeles, USC has decided not to bother with bowling this season. The Trojans announced on Saturday night that they will turn down a bowl invite, effectively ending an arduous, pandemic-altered campaign which ended in a 31-24 loss Friday to Oregon in the conference title game.
Maryland football opts out of bowl consideration, ending its season after five games
Emily Giambalvo, The Washington Post
The Maryland football team told the Big Ten that it would decline a bowl invitation, a team spokesman said Sunday. It’s uncertain whether the Terrapins (2-3) would have been selected for a bowl game even if they had kept themselves in consideration.
Tennessee football program under internal investigation for alleged recruiting violations
Blake Toppmeyer, Knoxville News Sentinel
The University of Tennessee is conducting an internal investigation of the Tennessee football program for alleged recruiting violations and alleged impermissible benefits to athletes, a person with knowledge of the investigation told the Knoxville News Sentinel on condition of anonymity. The investigation pertains only to the football program and not other Tennessee athletic programs, the person said Sunday.
Soccer
LAFC upsets Club América for most important win in its short history
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times
Carlos Vela led a short-handed LAFC to a 3-1 win over Mexico’s most decorated club, the biggest victory in the team’s short history. LAFC will play Tigres of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, in Tuesday’s tournament final.
MLS Owner’s Investment Fund Buys Into U.S. Hispanic Soccer Ecosystem
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico
For Soccer Ventures, the investment fund backed by Philadelphia Union co-owner Richie Graham, has made its first acquisitions: a pair of companies that cater to Hispanic soccer communities in the U.S. The group bought Alianza de Futbol, which operates clinics, leagues and tournaments outside of the structured U.S. Soccer ecosystem, and JUGOtv, its content studio and media arm. Both were previously owned by billionaire Stephen Ross’s Relevent Sports.
Racing
Ineos becomes joint owner of Mercedes Formula One team
Murad Ahmed, Financial Times
Ineos has become a joint owner of the Mercedes Formula One team, as the chemicals group controlled by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe continues its spending spree in sport. The deal announced on Friday means Ineos will become an “equal partner” in the team alongside the German brand’s parent Daimler, which will reduce its 60 per cent shareholding, and team principal Toto Wolff, who slightly increases his 30 per cent ownership stake.
Sergio Perez to replace Alex Albon at Red Bull
Laurence Edmondson, ESPN
Sergio Pérez will drive alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull next year, replacing Alex Albon, who will be demoted to the role of reserve driver. The Mexican driver has signed a one-year deal with the team for the 2021 season.
Sports Personality of the Year 2020: Lewis Hamilton crowned winner
BBC
One of F1’s all-time great drivers, he equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles with his fourth consecutive championship in 2020. The 35-year-old, from Stevenage, also surpassed Schumacher’s total of 91 grand prix wins.
Golf and Tennis
LPGA reveals 2021 schedule: 34 events, plus Solheim Cup; Record prize money
Brentley Romine, Golf Channel
The tour plans to conduct 34 tournaments, plus the Solheim Cup, in 2021. This is up from just 18 events this year. There will also be a record $76.45 million in prize money up for grabs next season and a few new events, including a match-play tournament in May.
Australian Open: 14-day quarantine for players confirmed
The Associated Press
The Victorian state government has confirmed that all players at the Australian Open will be required to quarantine in Melbourne for 14 days before the delayed start of the Feb. 8-21 first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. The government said Saturday that quarantine plans have been endorsed by the Chief Health Officer and that it would work with Tennis Australia to finalize a COVID-safe plan that “ensures the safety of all parties . . . rigorous infection prevention and control measures will be central to these arrangements.”
Tiger’s son makes TV debut and looks just like he’s at home
Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press
Charlie Woods, the 11-year-old son of the 15-time major champion, made his national TV debut Saturday in the PNC Championship. He is the youngest to play in this 36-hole event that began in 1995 for major champions and their sons, and now includes all family members.
Esports
TheScore Esports To Broadcast League Of Legends LPL Demacia Championship Next Week
Shlomo Sprung, Forbes
Legends Pro League, or LPL, League of Legends’ Chinese outfit, will broadcast its preseason 24-team Demacia Championship in English on theScore esports’ YouTube and Twitch channels from Dec. 20-27, the companies announced Friday. It will be theScore’s first foray into live event broadcasting, with production operating from its headquarters in Toronto.
General
An Olympics Power Player Faces Scrutiny Over Dual Roles
Rachel Bachman, The Wall Street Journal
With high-ranking positions at two of the world’s top sports bodies, a sharp-tongued Australian lawyer named John Coates has long been one of the most powerful players in the Olympics universe. Now those two roles have intersected in the form of a court ruling that decided Russia’s near-term participation in the Olympics.
On LinkedIn, Pro Athletes Make Their Next Move
Jordan Teicher, The New York Times
Fans expect to see players sending petty tweets and posting photos of their latest fits on Instagram. Lately, though, more athletes have turned to social media to explore what’s possible outside of their day jobs.
Opinions, Editorials, Perspectives and Research
In Adam Silver’s words: Why the NBA is starting a new season amid COVID-19 pandemic
Adam Silver, USA Today
Our season opens Tuesday night and we recognize the journey won’t be without obstacles. It will require extraordinary commitment from players, coaches and staff. But we want to get back to work – safely and responsibly.
College Football Playoff 2020: The committee remains disappointingly predictable
Andrea Adelson, ESPN
That the committee actually says it “respects” the undefeated Group of 5 teams it is charged with evaluating smacks of so much hypocrisy you can only laugh (or cry if you are Cincinnati or Coastal Carolina or even San Jose State). There is no respect and never has been.
The Hall of Fame Tries to Contextualize Baseball’s Racist Past
Tyler Kepner, The New York Times
An enduring legacy of 2020, this painful year, has been a reconsideration of monuments to racist icons. The notion has echoed in Cooperstown, where Jane Forbes Clark, the chairman of the Hall of Fame’s board of directors, has heard from people asking to remove some of the more problematic members from the walls.
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