Top Stories

  • The Athletic co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann tried to acquire the licensing rights to the Sports Illustrated media business last month once it became clear that the legacy publication’s incoming operators, TheMaven Inc., planned to cut full-time staff in favor of freelancers to drive traffic, sources familiar with the Athletic’s offer said. Sources said Mather and Hansmann got in touch with bankers handling Maven’s deal with Authentic Brands Group LLC around the time of the planned layoffs, offering to pay $50 million for the licensing rights — 11 percent more than Maven — only to be declined by ABG. (NBC News)
  • Former world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather said in two late-night Instagram posts that he is coming out of retirement in 2020 and will be working with UFC president Dana White to “bring the world another spectacular event.” Big paydays have drawn the undefeated boxing legend out of retirement several times before, including in 2017 to fight MMA star Conor McGregor. (CNN)
  • MLB owners unanimously approved the sale of the Kansas City Royals by David Glass to an ownership group led by former Cleveland Indians minority owner John Sherman for $1 billion, a deal first made public in August. Sherman, who will be formally introduced at a news conference Tuesday once the financial transaction becomes official, agreed to divest his interest in the Indians in order to take a controlling interest in the Royals. (The Kansas City Star)

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Events Calendar (All Times Local)

11/22/2019
SOCCEREX USA 2019 – Day 2 9:30 am
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The Influencer Report: Engaging Gen Z and Millennials

Based on over 2,000 survey interviews with 13-38 year-olds, Morning Consult’s “The Influencer Report” explores the scale and nature of influencer engagement. We look at where young Americans follow influencers, who they like to follow, why they follow, how much trust they have in influencers, and how much interest they have in becoming influencers themselves.

Download the Free Influencer Report.

General

Derek Jeter’s Players’ Tribune Gets New Owner
Lukas I. Alpert, The Wall Street Journal

The Players’ Tribune, the digital media venture launched by former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter, is joining a new team. The website, which was introduced in 2014 as a platform for athletes to tell their stories, has been acquired by Minute Media, a digital publishing platform founded in Israel that operates a network of sports-media sites around the world, the companies said.

Stadium to Become a Part of the Sinclair Conglomerate
John Wall Street

JohnWallStreet has learned Sinclair (SBGI) will be “increasing its stake in Stadium” (as CEO Chris Ripley hinted at during the company’s Q3 earnings call) and that the digital television network will become a part of the larger telecommunications conglomerate. Expect the deal to be announced within the next week or two.

CFL scores ‘US$37m a year’ in domestic TV rights renewal
Michael Long, SportsPro Media

The Canadian Football League (CFL) has announced a long-term extension of its domestic media rights deal with TSN and RDS ahead of this weekend’s season-ending Grey Cup. The renewal sees the Bell Media-owned pay-TV networks, which air English and French-language coverage  respectively, retain exclusive broadcast rights all pre-season, regular season, and playoff games, as well as exclusive radio rights.

USA Gymnastics Was Investigating Larry Nassar. Nobody Told Simone Biles.
Louise Radnofsky, The Wall Street Journal

On July 27, 2015, USA Gymnastics dispatched its future superstar, Simone Biles, on a round of promotional appearances in the federation’s hometown of Indianapolis. It was part of a hectic marketing tour into which then-chief executive Steve Penny also squeezed an appearance by Biles at a party for his daughter’s gymnastics group the night before.

Why Visa is putting its brand trust in Olympic athletes
Ron Leuty, San Francisco Business Times

Visa Inc. is landing at Olympic courts, courses, pools and fields for the 2020 Games in Tokyo — and the San Francisco-based financial giant is hoping to get more out of it than market share. Visa (NYSE: V) has rolled out a roster of athletes from 43 countries that will represent its brand at next year’s Summer Olympics.

DraftKings Is About To Get A New Hampshire Sports Betting Contract: Is It Getting A Monopoly, Too?
Matthew Waters, Legal Sports Report

It looks like DraftKings Sportsbook will be the only mobile sports betting operator in the state of New Hampshire – at least for now. That’s according to the agenda for the state’s Governor and Executive Council meeting on Monday.

Unhappy fans cannot sue over Mayweather-Pacquiao fight: U.S. court
Jonathan Stempel, Reuters

A U.S. appeals court on Thursday said boxing fans who felt cheated after learning that Manny Pacquiao had been injured before fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. cannot pursue class-action litigation because the 2015 welterweight bout dubbed the “Fight of the Century” proved a letdown.

Doping: Russian athletics federation president provisionally suspended: AIU
Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber, Reuters

The president of Russia’s athletics federation and several other federation officials were suspended on Thursday by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for serious breaches of anti-doping rules, adding to the federation’s woes ahead of next year’s Olympics.

NFL

Myles Garrett’s indefinite ban upheld; Maurkice Pouncey now suspended 2 games
ESPN

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett’s indefinite suspension has been upheld and Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey’s ban has been reduced to two games following appeals, the NFL announced Thursday. The Garrett decision, made by appeals officer James Thrash, means he will be suspended without pay for at least the remainder of the 2019 season.

Nike’s value is up $26.2B since Colin Kaepernick endorsement. Now it’s close to unveiling his shoe
Charles Robinson, Yahoo Sports

Roughly 14 months since Nike signed Colin Kaepernick to a new star-level endorsement deal, the signature shoe that was the centerpiece of the agreement is set to be rolled out in December, shoe industry sources told Yahoo Sports. The inclusion of a shoe and a Kaepernick branded “Icon” jersey was first reported by Yahoo Sports in 2018, with his footwear rollout speculated to be on track for the 2019 holiday season.

Inside the Rams-Chargers marriage as the NFL fights for Los Angeles
Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr., ESPN

The skeleton of a stadium sits at the center of a construction site three times the size of Disneyland. It is a futuristic mass of steel and concrete that appears to have both risen from the earth and descended from space.

Levi’s Stadium dispute sends 49ers and Santa Clara to arbitration
Ryan Fernandez, Silicon Valley Business Journal

The city of Santa Clara and the San Francisco 49ers are at it again, now taking part of their continuing conflict over Levi’s Stadium into arbitration. San Jose Spotlight reports that the two are dealing with a part of their dispute that involves purchasing rights for the stadium, with the 49ers filing a demand for arbitration now after the City Council voted in September to strip away the team’s ability to execute purchases for the stadium.

NBA

Phoenix Suns unveil renderings of $230 million Talking Stick Resort Arena renovation project
Jabari Young, CNBC

The Phoenix Suns unveiled renderings and provided more details Thursday night surrounding the team’s $230 million renovation project of Talking Stick Resort Arena. Labeled “Project 201: PHX Reimagined,” the 27-year-old venue, one of the oldest in the NBA that hasn’t been remodeled, will see an entire transformation.

Dwyane Wade Announces Li-Ning’s Signing Of D’Angelo Russell
Sneaker News

Not exactly the best kept secret considering the backcourt star had been wearing the brand’s footwear since pre-season, but D’Angelo Russell of the Golden State Warriors has signed with Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning. Officially announced by brand figurehead Dwyane Wade on Instagram, this partnership will see the former number-2 overall pick wear the Way Of Wade 7 signature shoe, while the possibility of a Russell signature shoe is very likely.

Nzinga Shaw Leaving Hawks To Lead Diversity For Starbucks
John Lombardo, Sports Business Daily

Nzinga Shaw is leaving her job as Hawks Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer to become Starbucks Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer. Shaw, an ’18 SBJ Forty Under 40 and ’17 Game Changers honoree, will leave the NBA team on Dec. 9. No replacement has yet been named.

MLB

MLB unveils plan for drastic cut in minor league teams
Ken Davidoff, New York Post

In order to run a sport, one must be able to wage battle on multiple fronts. Exhibit A occurred Thursday as, just seconds after running down the Players Association, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred turned his gaze toward the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, known to commoners as Minor League Baseball.

Astros’ investigation widens to 2018-19
Reuters

The investigation of the Houston Astros’ alleged sign-stealing scandal has been extended beyond 2017 to include the 2018 and 2019 seasons, commissioner Rob Manfred disclosed Thursday. “We are talking to people all over the industry, former employees, competitors, whatever,” Manfred said as the owners meetings concluded Thursday in Arlington, Texas.

NHL

Maple Leafs sign new coach Sheldon Keefe through 2022
Sportsnet

The Toronto Maple Leafs have inked new head coach Sheldon Keefe to a new three-year deal, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Keefe’s new contract will include the current 2019-20 campaign as well as the next two seasons, leaving the 39-year-old signed through 2022.

Soccer

Italian football club AS Roma in talks over possible sale
Miles Johnson, Murad Ahmed and Arash Massoudi, Financial Times

The owners of AS Roma have said they are in talks to sell the Italian football club in what would be the latest top Serie A team to change hands in the past three years. In a statement to the Italian stock exchange, AS Roma, which is currently controlled by a group of American investors, responded to reports in the Italian media about a sale by disclosing that it was holding preliminary discussions with a group of unnamed investors.

U.S.-Hosted World Cup in 2026 Spurs $50 Million Soccer Fund
Scott Soshnick, Bloomberg

With the U.S. preparing to host the World Cup in 2026, one Major League Soccer owner is leading a $50 million investment in what he called “the most important decade” for the sport in the country. “American soccer has a voice, and that voice is getting louder,” said Richie Graham, a part-owner of the Philadelphia Union.

Fire unveil new logo, tweaked name
Brian Sandalow, Chicago Sun-Times

Along with their revised official name of Chicago Fire Football Club, the Fire unveiled the first new primary logo in franchise history. Designed by New York-based Doubleday & Cartwright, the badge was created after the Fire underwent a process of more than 18 months of consultation, focus groups and surveys.

Comcast Xfinity adds TUDNxtra access for more soccer coverage
Christopher Harris, World Soccer Talk

Just in time for the next round of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League games, Comcast Xfinity has added access to TUDNxtra, the overflow soccer streaming service from TUDN (previously known as Univision Deportes). TUDNxra offers 11 separate channels of additional soccer coverage. 

Racing

Advance Auto Parts to sponsor Ryan Blaney in four 2020 Cup races
Daniel McFadin, NBC Sports

Advance Auto Parts will be a primary sponsor for Ryan Blaney in four Cup Series races next year and an associate sponsor for the full 2020 season as part of a multi-year deal, Team Penske announced Thursday morning. The auto parts store company will be on Blaney’s No. 12 Ford at Atlanta Motor Speedway (March 15), Richmond Raceway (April 19), Watkins Glen International (August 16) and the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway (Sept. 19).

Golf and Tennis

New ATP chief Massimo Calvelli will continue power shift to Italy
Simon Briggs, The Telegraph

Italy’s status as the ATP Tour’s new centre of gravity will soon be underlined by the appointment of Massimo Calvelli as the organisation’s new chief executive, Telegraph Sport understands. Calvelli has been in charge of Nike’s tennis marketing since 2014, which means that he has negotiated deals with superstars like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

NCAA’s surprising decision leaves many questions about what it means for amateur golf
Lance Ringler, Golfweek

Back in September, news out of California stirred up a college athletics debate across the country. When California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that will make it easier for college athletes in the Golden State to profit from their name, image and likeness, it wasn’t simply a matter of opening the door for students to make some extra cash.

College Sports

Tom Izzo leaves board after NCAA denies waiver for Joey Hauser
ESPN

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo was taught by his mentor, the late Jud Heathcote, to give back to the game by being part of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The Hall of Famer is choosing not to do that anymore.

James Wiseman case has everyone piling on the NCAA — including Andrew Yang
Des Bieler, The Washington Post

James Wiseman may or may not be a member of the #YangGang, but the suspended University of Memphis freshman has the Democratic presidential candidate in his corner. “Oh my gosh, come on! Let James Wiseman freaking play,” Andrew Yang exclaimed Thursday (via TMZ Sports).

Penn State child sex abuser Jerry Sandusky to seek reduced sentence
David DeKok, Reuters

Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky, convicted in 2012 of abusing his position to sexually assault teenage boys, is due in court on Friday to seek a shorter sentence after his current one was ruled unconstitutional. After his conviction, Sandusky, 75, was sentenced to 30 to 60 years, with a mandatory minimum that has become illegal since a trial judge imposed it seven years ago.

Esports

The NFL Invests in Mobile Esports Platform Skillz
Andrew Cohen, SportTechie

The NFL has made an investment into mobile esports platform Skillz. The investment was made through 32 Equity, the league’s strategic investment arm. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Cavs Legion GC Team Up With City of Cleveland to Open New Recreational Esports Facility
Kevin Hitt, The Esports Obsever

The Legion Lair Lit by TCP is now the home of Cavs Legion GC, the NBA 2K League team of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cavs Legion also announced that the 2,700+ square foot esports facility would host the new Cleveland Rec Esports Club, which serves the local youth in partnership with the City of Cleveland. The facility has twenty-six gaming stations featuring Alienware and MSI gaming desktops, along with Raynor gaming chairs, SteelSeries peripherals, and portable WebAround green screens.

Opinions, Editorials, Perspectives and Research

Can the XFL really make spring football work? How its draft showed the way
Kevin Seifert, ESPN

Oliver Luck took his seat at the table in a conference room decorated with artificial green turf and guarded by a sign that read “XFL Draft In-Progress. Silence Upon Entry!” Luck cleared his throat to kick off the most important event yet in the birth of a new football league.

Jake Burton Carpenter, who outfitted snowboarders and championed their sport, dies at 65
Emily Langer, The Washington Post

Jake Burton Carpenter, a self-described punk who became the multimillionaire owner of Burton Snowboards, a company he founded in a Vermont barn in 1977 and that has been credited with transforming snowboarding from a renegade diversion into one of the most popular winter sports, died Nov. 20 at a hospital in Burlington, Vt. He was 65.

Morning Consult