May 9, 2023

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The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has begun an investigation [[link removed]] into the Hawkeyes baseball team, and Iowa State revealed it is aware of wagering allegations in its athletic department — just a week after the Alabama betting scandal. On Friday, four Iowa players were reportedly suspended from the team.

Derby Deaths Expose Ugly Side of $400B Horse Racing Industry [[link removed]]

The Courier-Journal

In the wake of the Kentucky Derby, questions are swirling regarding the racing industry’s treatment of horses.

Seven horses died in the leadup to the Derby, while five others were sidelined due to veterinarian concerns. A fifth was disqualified after Derby owner Churchill Downs suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely due to the “unexplained sudden deaths” of two of his horses.

“While each incident reported has been unique, it is important to note that there has been no discernible pattern detected in the injuries sustained,” Churchill Downs said [[link removed]] in a statement. “Our track surfaces are closely monitored by industry experts to ensure their integrity.”

There have been few answers as to who to blame for the spate of deaths and injuries.

The sport has faced issues around doping in recent years — most notably through the ban of trainer Bob Baffert, whose horses have won a record six Kentucky Derbies, seven Preakness Stakes, three Belmont Stakes, and three Kentucky Oaks.

The race, however, remains as popular as ever. Churchill Downs announced [[link removed]] a crowd of 150,335 and a record betting handle of $288.7 million — though total racing handle slipped from $15 billion in 2002 to $12 billion last year.

The number of registered thoroughbred foals has fallen by nearly half in that time, while the number of registered stallions has dropped to around a quarter of what it was 20 years ago.

However, the global horse racing market was estimated [[link removed]] to be worth $402.3 billion, with projections to reach $793.9 billion by 2030.

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🎙️ They Said What?

“We could talk about the Tennessee Titans getting $1.2 billion in public money, the Calgary Flames getting over $800 million, and the Oakland A’s need to secure over half a billion dollars in funding [to move to Las Vegas]. None of that exists here. We are paying for it.”

— Xavier Gutierrez, Arizona Coyotes president and CEO, on privately funding the Coyotes’ new arena pending approval from a public referendum. For more on the Coyotes future, check out the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today.

🎧 Listen and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Google [[link removed]], and Spotify [[link removed]].

San Diego Nears Finish Line For MLS Expansion Team [[link removed]]

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour is closing in on an MLS expansion club based in San Diego and is expected to begin play in 2025.

An official announcement on the league’s 30th franchise could come as soon as mid-May, according [[link removed]] to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The San Diego club’s expansion fee is expected to be around $500 million, surpassing the MLS record of $325 million reportedly paid by Charlotte FC in 2019.

San Diego State University’s Snapdragon Stadium, which is also home to the NWSL’s San Diego Wave, is close to finalizing a lease agreement with Monsour’s investment group. The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, a Native American tribe, is also part of Monsour’s ownership bid.

According to the report, the two sides are “working together to make the deal a reality.”

Reports emerged last month that San Diego had pulled [[link removed]] ahead of Las Vegas as the likeliest destination for a 30th franchise.

Snapdragon Stadium is set to host an international friendly between Mexico and Cameroon in June, followed by a Wrexham FC-Manchester City friendly match in July. The venue will also host the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship this summer.

Mansour is chairman of the Mansour Group, an Egyptian conglomerate valued at $6 billion that serves as an international distributor for brands such as McDonald’s, Chevrolet, Red Bull, and UPS.

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Miami GP, Formula 1 Mull Moving Race To Prime Time [[link removed]]

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

After another successful weekend that saw Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen again take the checkered flag, the Miami Grand Prix is exploring the possibility of starting its Formula 1 race at night.

“We’ve had some discussions about potentially doing that,” said [[link removed]] Miami GP managing partner Tom Garfinkel, who is also president and CEO of the Miami Dolphins.

Running the race after the sun goes down would prevent the track from getting too hot in the South Florida climate — the first two editions of the race have been staged at temperatures of more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Obviously at this time of year, the weather’s a little unpredictable,” Garfinkel said. “This year is pretty nice so far, and the breezes have helped a lot, but last year was unseasonably hot.”

However, a move to later in the day would cause complications for F1’s huge international audience.

A night start in the U.S.’s Eastern time zone would mean the race would get underway in the early-morning hours in most of Europe. In England — home base for many F1 teams — a race at 7 p.m. ET race would mean midnight local time.

“There are a lot of factors that go into that, with F1 and television, so we have to weigh all those things up,” said Garfinkel, “but we are certainly open-minded.”

World Cup Security Workers Reportedly Fired, Deported for Protesting [[link removed]]

Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

Months after the 2022 World Cup, questions linger amid new allegations over the treatment of migrant workers by tournament organizers.

Around 200 security workers were deported in January for participating in a protest calling for better pay and working conditions, according [[link removed]] to Reuters. Workers from Kenya, India, Pakistan, and Nepal were fired on the last day of the tournament.

Reports leading up to the tournament documented poor living conditions for migrant workers, construction jobs that required long hours in temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and an inability to legally quit or transfer jobs without employers’ permission.

One recruiting company, Stark Security — which reportedly fired at least 38 security guards – will face penalties for ignoring a month-long paid-notice period, per Qatar’s media office.

Having built seven new stadiums for the 2022 World Cup, Qatar is seeking [[link removed]] to host other big events including the 2036 Summer Olympics. The country is using the World Cup to showcase its ability to host events of that scale after failing bids for the 2016, 2020, and 2032 Summer Games.

Like the World Cup, the event would have to be shifted to later in the year due to Qatar’s scorching summer temperatures.

While the country is bidding alone, speculation has lingered that it will be asked to form a joint bid with Saudi Arabia, which has also targeted major international sporting events.

Conversation Starters Fresh off completing one of the largest interactive live sports viewing experiences on record, up-and-coming StreamLayer [[link removed]] is now attracting significant interest from major participants within the sports streaming industry.* Fenway Park’s latest amenity [[link removed]]: an outfield “Bleacher Pub” where fans can grab a drink and watch the Red Sox — without a ticket. After being traded from the Suns to the Nets, Mikal Bridges has listed [[link removed]] his $7 million Phoenix-area home. The 7,000-square-foot property has five bedrooms, a poolside guesthouse, and a backyard stacked with a casita, oversized pool, private hot tub, and built-in BBQ. The Toronto Blue Jays are starting to see the results of $300 million in renovations to their Rogers Centre ballpark — including a new weight room, a barbershop, and even a two-story treehouse for kids. Check it out [[link removed]].

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Editor's Picks Commanders Sale Could Prompt Three-Way Stadium Battle [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]As Commanders sale nears, lawmakers prepares for stadium push. Paul Bissonnette’s Curiosity Drives His Media Career [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]Bissonnette has gone from NHL fourth-liner to elite hockey media talent. Mat Ishbia Wants to Make Phoenix America’s Greatest Basketball City [[link removed]]by Ernest Baker [[link removed]]The new Suns owner plans to own the team for the rest of his life. Question Of The Day

Are you in the market for a new watch in the next 6 months?

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Monday’s Answer

67% of respondents watched Women’s March Madness this year.

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