June 26, 2023

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Good morning, David Rumsey [[link removed]] here. This week begins with the Washington Commanders one step closer to officially welcoming new owner Josh Harris.

Meanwhile, Todd Boehly is growing his international soccer portfolio, Colorado takes a sigh of relief after Coach Prime’s emergency surgery, and big business is already impacting a hectic NBA offseason.

Josh Harris’ Commanders Takeover Only Weeks Away [[link removed]]

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Harris will have the keys to the Washington Commanders by the start of training camp after his group agreed [[link removed]] to purchase the franchise for a worldwide record last month.

The NFL finance committee was confident enough in its review of the $6.05 billion deal to schedule a July 20 special meeting where owners will meet to vote on the transaction, a source confirmed to Front Office Sports.

There’s close to zero chance that Harris won’t reach the 24-vote threshold for approval. By the time the Commanders begin training camp on July 27, Dan Snyder’s turbulent 24-year reign will be officially over, as the transaction becomes final in the days after the vote — barring any unforeseen setbacks.

Harris and Blitzer will have a few months to sell their 5% stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers after the vote. Dave Tepper’s purchase of the Carolina Panthers was approved in 2018 before he sold his slice of the Steelers.

No Immediate Changes Planned

When Harris and business partner David Blitzer took over the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011 and the New Jersey Devils in 2013, there weren’t major immediate changes to the front office or coaching staff.

The same approach is expected with the Commanders, making major changes unlikely until after the 2023 season.

“There’s going to be a really thoughtful analysis before implementing strategies — both on and off the field — that can help build a sustainable long-term winner,” a source close to the incoming ownership group told FOS.

EXCLUSIVE Inside NOBULL’s Growing Pains

Todd Meleney

In recent years, performance apparel company NOBULL experienced astronomical growth, becoming a social media standout and sealing sponsorships with the NFL and PGA Tour.

Then, things changed. Executives departed. Layoffs hit.

“I absolutely love NOBULL and didn’t expect to leave at this point,” former chief marketing officer Todd Meleney told Front Office Sports.

Click here [[link removed]] for a deep dive into NOBULL’s transitional state and what Meleney, an original NOBULL employee, is planning to do next.

Colorado Dealing With Coach Prime’s Health Amid Football Hype [[link removed]]

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders is recovering from successful emergency surgery to remove blood clots from his legs — just over two months ahead of his debut as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes.

The health of Sanders will continue to be monitored as he said there is still a clot in his right leg that will need to be removed soon.

Before Friday’s surgery, Sanders took to Instagram to explain the situation, noting he was confident in the decision and believed it would help him avoid having either leg amputated. He did have his left big toe and second toe amputated in 2021 due to similar issues.

The outspoken Pro Football Hall of Famer has thrust Colorado into the national spotlight after taking over a program that finished 1-11 in 2022. The school was the only one in the country to air its spring game on ESPN — a broadcast that drew [[link removed]] 551,000 viewers.

Any lingering health issues could be a huge blow to the hype surrounding the Buffaloes — ticket prices for Colorado’s home opener against Nebraska were soaring [[link removed]] after the school sold out its season-ticket inventory.

The Coach Prime boost Colorado is receiving is no doubt making it more attractive to the Big 12 as that conference considers possible expansion [[link removed]]. If Sanders isn’t able to coach long-term, Colorado could be a less appealing option.

The Pac-12 football media day is scheduled for July 21 in Las Vegas, where Colorado’s future and Sanders’ impact will no doubt be major topics.

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Chelsea Owner Adds Another Soccer Club To Growing Portfolio [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chelsea FC owner Todd Boehly has taken the next step in his attempt to build a multiclub portfolio in soccer by acquiring a majority stake in France’s Racing Club de Strasbourg.

Boehly — the American businessman who is also part of the ownership groups of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, and Sparks, as well as ticketing company Vivid Seats — acquired the stake through his BlueCo consortium in a deal pegged [[link removed]] at about $82 million.

Strasbourg competes in Ligue 1, finishing most recently in 15th.

The effort is a start toward replicating the global portfolio held by City Football Group — parent of 13 clubs including English treble [[link removed]] winners Manchester City and Major League Soccer’s NYCFC — as BlueCo looks for additional tools to aid Chelsea’s development.

“This strategic investment would further our presence in European football,” said a statement from BlueCo, which is now said to be scouting other potential club acquisitions on both that continent and South America.

But Boehly’s entry has been anything but well-received. Chelsea’s 12th-place finish in the Premier League last season sparked widespread fan outcry and a rare freeze [[link removed]] on ticket prices. In July, the turbulent Boehly era will also see the arrival of the club’s fifth manager in less than 10 months.

The negative press has traveled, too: Strasbourg fans have taken [[link removed]] to local streets holding “Boehly Not Welcome” banners.

NBA Teams Embark On Trade Season, Balancing Talent And Taxes [[link removed]]

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

As it does every summer, the NBA landscape is shifting. New stars are finding new homes, and teams are searching for fresh strategies to stay in championship contention — or get one step closer to it.

The move with the biggest business implications: Chris Paul landed with the Golden State Warriors in a trade sending guard Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards.

While adding Paul, 38, will certainly be an interesting fit for the Dubs on the court, the first big trade under new general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. looks like a cap-savvy move to maximize the team’s future spending.

Although the Warriors are currently projected to pay $48.5 million in luxury tax next season, per [[link removed]] Spotrac, moving Jordan Poole’s remaining $128 million over the next four years helps Golden State avoid [[link removed]] larger tax penalties down the line and sets them up with prime financial flexibility ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Two other trades will likely keep other championship contenders in the luxury tax, too.

After acquiring guard Bradley Beal from the Wizards, the Phoenix Suns are forecasted to pay about $16 million in tax next year. The Boston Celtics are estimated to owe $13 million after bringing on forward Kristaps Porzingis from Washington.

Meanwhile, the Wizards — at the center of all these deals — appear to be in rebuild mode [[link removed]] under Michael Winger, who became president of Monumental Basketball this offseason.

This comes as the Qatar Investment Authority is injecting [[link removed]] potentially $200 million of cash into Wizards owner Monumental Sports & Entertainment.

Conversation Starters The San Antonio Spurs are finishing [[link removed]] a new $500 million campus called The Rock at La Cantera. In addition to a new practice facility, the property will include a performance research center, a 22-acre park, a public plaza, and retail space. Phase I will be complete when No. 1-overall draft pick Victor Wembanyama arrives for training camp in October. Check out an FPV drone tour [[link removed]] of London Stadium, which was converted to host MLB’s second-ever London Series this past weekend. Yankees legend Jorge Posada put his mansion in Coral Gables, Florida, on the market at a $20 million listing. Take a tour [[link removed]].

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Editor's Picks Golf’s Uneasy Alliance Leaves Unfinished Business [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]

With the shock in the rearview, PGA Tour and LIV have unfinished business.

EA Sports and the Problem With NIL in Video Games [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]

The game has been shrouded in controversy.

U.S. Nabs Another Soccer Tournament With 2025 Club World Cup [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

The U.S. will host international soccer tournaments in '24, '25. and '26.

Question Of The Day

Did you watch any of this year's NBA Draft?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]]

Friday’s Answer

45% of respondents have played pickleball.

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