May 26, 2023
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Former top-ranked tennis player Jim Courier explains how changes to the pay structure at the French Open and other tournaments will help grow the game and extend careers on the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today podcast.
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Lawyer Questions Authenticity of Brian Davis’ Claims [[link removed]]
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
A lawyer representing Bank of America raised the possibility that the documents at the center of Brian Davis’ lawsuit against the bank are “fictitious” at a hearing on Friday.
Davis’s Urban Echo Energy sued [[link removed]] Bank of America last Friday and has since sought an injunction for the return of the $5.1 billion funds allegedly sent to the bank as part of the former Duke men’s basketball player’s quixotic attempt to purchase the Washington Commanders.
“The documents we have in our possession raise considerable concerns about their genuineness,” Ava E. Lias-Booker, one of Bank of America’s lawyers, said during the hearing.
Davis’ attorney, Jeff Martin, filed the lawsuit that originally sought $500 billion in damages. The award amount sought was eventually reduced to $999,000. On Monday, Martin filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order.
When confronted with the possibility that the bank documents [[link removed]] at the center of the case could be bogus, Martin shifted course from his injunction request.
“He quickly pivoted to his backup remedy — a request for the return of the bank drafts,” said sports law attorney Daniel Wallach.
U.S. District Court Judge Deborah L. Boardman questioned [[link removed]] whether Davis’ case met the threshold for an injunction in a Wednesday order since a group led by Josh Harris had already secured an agreement [[link removed]] to purchase the Commanders on May 12.
Wallach, co-host of the Conduct Detrimental podcast, said if the documents are fake, Davis and his company face some legal risk.
“The bank may have an obligation to report this to federal regulators,” Wallach said.
YouTube TV Calls Audible, Now Allows Unlimited NFL Sunday Ticket Streams [[link removed]]
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
NFL fans received some good news from YouTube, which will allow unlimited [[link removed]] simultaneous streams of Sunday Ticket this fall at a user’s home.
YouTube TV only allows three simultaneous streams per account so there had been concerns among hardcore football fans that they would not be able to keep up with the NFL’s action-packed Sunday afternoon slates that often include eight or more games in the 1 p.m. ET window.
Now the unlimited streams will apply to both the YouTube TV and YouTube versions of the NFL Sunday Ticket package, which until June 6 cost $249 (if you subscribe to YouTube TV for $72.99 per month) and $349 on YouTube.
If YouTube hadn’t been willing to make the adjustment, fans would have had to purchase a second and even third subscription to view every NFL game simultaneously. The season kicks off Sept. 7 with the Detroit Lions visiting the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions.
Still In The Game
Even though YouTube is taking over Sunday Ticket from DirecTV in a $2 billion annual deal [[link removed]], the satellite provider will still have a presence with the NFL’s out-of-market package this season, retaining [[link removed]] distribution rights for commercial establishments.
Most bars and restaurants that want to offer Sunday Ticket are already equipped with DirecTV and would not yet be able to handle the streaming demands associated with offering YouTube’s package.
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Manfred: A’s Relocation Vote Could Happen In Mid-June [[link removed]]
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network
Major League Baseball is poised to vote on the relocation of the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas as soon as mid-June, said league commissioner Rob Manfred.
If such a vote happens at owners’ meetings slated for June 13-15 in New York, it would certify the league’s first franchise move since the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals in 2005.
Manfred, however, cautioned much still needs to be done before a vote happens.
The A’s and Nevada lawmakers earlier this week reached [[link removed]] an agreement on a $1.5 billion, retractable-roof ballpark in Las Vegas (see the latest renderings here [[link removed]]). The state legislature has yet to approve the package.
Nevada’s legislative session ends June 5, but Gov. Joe Lombardo could call a special session to provide more time to hash out the deal.
“It’s very difficult to have a timeline for Oakland until there’s actually a deal to be considered,” Manfred said. “There is a relocation process internally they need to go through, and we haven’t even started the process.”
Approval of the relocation requires 75% support from the 30 MLB team owners.
More Stadium Issues Brewing
Manfred, meanwhile, visited Milwaukee and advanced the rising need for the Brewers and Wisconsin officials to upgrade American Family Field. The club has detailed [[link removed]] $448 million worth of needed renovations, work that under the current lease falls to the state’s Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District.
“It’s really important that the existing obligation under the lease be funded so that this great ballpark is maintained,” Manfred said.
Conversation Starters Penn State has unveiled plans for the ‘Beaver Stadium Tunnel Club’ which will include an open bar, complimentary food, and tunnel views. The cost: $10,000 for four annual passes. Take a look [[link removed]]. Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler launched his high-end coffee brand Big Face in the NBA bubble with a plan to charge $100 for a cup of coffee. Hear him tell the story [[link removed]]. Red Bull has a particular way it likes to celebrate victories at the Monaco Grand Prix, but this year a water shortage is changing its plans [[link removed]].
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Editor's Picks Commanders’ Sale to Josh Harris, 20 Limited Partners Remains On Course [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]Any tweaks to $6.05 billion bid to buy the Commanders are easily addressable. Fifth Lions Player Reportedly Being Investigated for Gambling Violation [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]The NFL is reportedly investigating another potential gambling violation. ESPN’s Mike Greenberg Opens Up on Aaron Rodgers, Pat McAfee [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]The longtime ESPN host touched on a number of topics. What to Watch
The San Diego Padres take on the New York Yankees Friday night at Yankee Stadium.
How to watch: 7:05 p.m. ET, Apple TV+
Betting odds: Padres -1.5 || ML Padres -116 || O/U 9
Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Pro [[link removed]] Written by A.J. Perez [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]]
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