June 21, 2023

Read in Browser [[link removed]]

POWERED BY

Good afternoon. Eric Fisher [[link removed]] here. There’s nothing like a comeback story in sports, and the return of SlamBall could be the next big-time revival. Originally positioned as an edgy curiosity for a pre-social media age, the full-contact form of basketball is back, this time on the biggest cable sports network.

The NFL, meanwhile, needs no comeback, but the league is clamping down on its gambling policy, and a major soccer tournament is headed back to the U.S.

NFL Doubles Down On Gambling Rules Amid Player Bans [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL is reinforcing its gambling policy after several players received punishments this offseason for violating league rules.

Officials have been visiting team practice facilities to reiterate gambling restrictions — and all rookies are required to attend these mandatory education sessions.

In a media session held Tuesday, the NFL identified six “ key rules [[link removed]]” of its gambling policy.

“I think the league has been doing a better job of explaining all the little details, because there have been some rules that fell through the cracks that even I didn’t know,” Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen told Front Office Sports.

Allen’s teammate Shaka Toney was one of five players [[link removed]] to receive suspensions in April for violating the league’s gambling policy. The defensive end was suspended indefinitely for reportedly betting on NFL games.

The NFL is also investigating Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers [[link removed]] for violations that reportedly include betting on Colts games — with a lifetime ban being considered. Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley missed the entire 2022 season after being suspended indefinitely and was reinstated back in March.

“I’m not into [betting] so it wouldn’t have affected me, but there’s been some rules where I was like, I’m glad they told us that,” said Allen, a two-time Pro Bowler. “You’re not even allowed to gamble on your sports app at the facility, even if it’s not on football games. Even if I’m in the car in my parking lot about to go into the facility, I’m not allowed to place a bet.”

In World Cup Primer, U.S. Ready To Capitalize on 2024 Copa America [[link removed]]

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The countdown is on for next summer’s Copa America tournament, which will bring World Cup champs Argentina and other South American powerhouses like Brazil to the U.S. to face off against top North American teams like the U.S. and Mexico.

South American soccer federation CONMEBOL announced that the 2024 tournament will be held June 20-July 14 at venues to be selected soon.

Last time the Copa America came to the U.S. in 2016, the Rose Bowl, MetLife Stadium, Gillette Stadium, and Lincoln Financial Field were among the 10 host stadiums. That tournament — a special 100th anniversary edition — broke attendance records with nearly 1.5 million fans [[link removed]] throughout the 32 games. The USMNT lost to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the semifinals.

Six teams from Concacaf — North America’s governing soccer body — will qualify for the 2024 tournament, including next year’s four Concacaf Nations League semi-finalists. This year’s final four were the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Panama.

Messi — who turns 36 on Saturday — hasn’t said whether he will play for Argentina next summer, at which time he’ll be nearly a year into his Major League Soccer tenure [[link removed]] with Inter Miami. But fans can expect to see Brazil’s top trio of Neymar, Vinicius Jr., and Gabriel Jesus.

The Copa America will provide an excellent rehearsal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America — which will bring [[link removed]] even more fans from across the globe to many of the same cities and venues.

SPONSORED BY BEEKEEPER'S NATURALS

Natural Relief for a Scratchy Throat

Tired of dealing with seasonal irritants? Look no further than Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Throat Spray [[link removed]]! Made with the natural goodness of propolis, this spray soothes your scratchy throat and supports your immune system with over 300 beneficial compounds, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Whether traveling, at school, or just feeling run down, four sprays a day of this delicious tasting and clean health solution will leave you feeling your best. Plus, it’s a great option if you don’t like swallowing pills or vitamins.

Unlike other over-the-counter products, Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Throat Spray is free of chemicals and sugar, and is made with only clean ingredients that are keto-certified, paleo-certified, gluten-free, and always third-party tested.

FOS readers get 20% off their first bottle with code SPORTS20 [[link removed]].

SlamBall Strikes Media Rights Deal With ESPN [[link removed]]

SlamBall LLC

SlamBall’s revival has received a sizable boost through a newly finalized, two-year media rights deal with ESPN that will provide unprecedented national reach for the upstart property.

Financial terms of the exclusive deal were not disclosed, but industry sources confirmed to Front Office Sports that SlamBall will receive a rights fee and handle production for the games.

The trampoline-based form of basketball — which also incorporates elements of football and hockey — will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ during its 2023 and 2024 seasons. Play this year begins July 21, and more than 30 hours of live coverage will be shown, concluding with the Aug. 17-19 playoffs and title game.

In its original early-2000s form, SlamBall was shown on networks such as Spike TV (now Paramount Network), CSTV (now CBS Sports Network), and the now-shuttered NBC Sports Network.

SlamBall’s return [[link removed]] was fueled in large part by a viral social media campaign generating more than 200 million views for the hashtag #BringBackSlamBall. “Live sports dominate the airwaves these days, and audiences are looking for the next big thing,” said Mike Tollin, famed television producer and SlamBall co-founder.

Tollin is joined in the SlamBall effort by a large and high-powered group of investors that participated in a recent $11 million Series A funding round, including Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment co-founder David Blitzer, Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils co-owner David Adelman [[link removed]], and Fanatics chief executive Michael Rubin [[link removed]].

SlamBall is also working with global premium experiences company Legends on retail, sponsorship strategy, and other revenue-related activities.

Conversation Starters The University of Illinois unveiled [[link removed]] its newly renovated, $40 million Ubben Basketball Complex, which boasts two new half-courts, larger locker rooms and lounges, an infrared sauna, cryotherapy and hydrotherapy, and a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The Tennessee Smokies — the Chicago Cubs’ Double-A affiliate — broke ground [[link removed]] on a multi-use, $114 million stadium district on 12 acres in downtown Knoxville’s Old City with capacity for 7,000 fans and apartments overlooking the field. It’s set to open in Spring 2025. Victor Wembanyama is set to take the NBA by storm, but in the past, a 19-year-old French athlete would’ve struggled to find a place in the league. On the latest Front Office Sports Today, four-time NBA All-Star Spencer Haywood stops by to discuss his role in making the NBA younger and more international over the last several decades. Listen and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Google [[link removed]], and Spotify [[link removed]].

SPONSORED BY ANHEUSER-BUSCH

Meet The Rising 25 Class of 2023

Over the past seven years, The Front Office Sports Rising 25 Award [[link removed]], presented by Anheuser-Busch, has become one of the most competitive and prestigious awards in the business of sports.

This year, we received hundreds of nominations showcasing young professionals not only dominating in the workplace, but taking their drive and influence beyond the office walls and into philanthropic causes.

Check out [[link removed]] the Rising 25 Class of 2023.

Editor's Picks The Phenom Who Paved the Way for Victor Wembanyama [[link removed]]by Owen Poindexter [[link removed]]

Spencer Haywood paved the path for Victor Wembanyama.

MASN Will Pay Nationals $100M To Settle Part Of Rights Fee Dispute [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

MASN will pay the Nationals about $100 million to resolve part of a legal dispute.

MLB Considers Hosting Games in Germany, Netherlands [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

MLB's European targets beyond London include Paris, Germany.

Refer Friends, Win Merch

Ready to rep your favorite newsletter? Refer your friends and colleagues to Front Office Sports and you could win FOS merchandise.

It’s easy to spread the word. Copy and paste your unique link below and share it in an email or on your timeline.

Referral Count: 0

Copy your invite link: [link removed] [[link removed]]

Or share on social media: [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20the%20Front%20Office%20Sports%20daily%20newsletter!&body=This%20newsletter%20from%20Front%20Office%20Sports%20summarizes%20the%20four%20biggest%20stories%20in%20the%20sports%20business%20world%20every%20weekday...all%20in%20five%20minutes%20or%20less.+[link removed]] Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here [[link removed]].

Update your preferences [link removed] / Unsubscribe [link removed]

Copyright © 2023 Front Office Sports. All rights reserved.

80 Pine Street Suite 3202 New York, NY 10005