June 30, 2023

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Happy Friday. David Rumsey [[link removed]] here. Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman wants to make a decision on a new ballpark location by the end of the summer, and open it by 2028. In Arizona, the Coyotes continue their search for arena options in greater Phoenix.

Today, LIV Golf is back in action for its first event since the bombshell PGA Tour-PIF agreement, and NBA free agency begins on the heels of the league’s new CBA.

Royals Will Pick New Ballpark Site This Summer [[link removed]]

Kansas City Royals

The owner of the Kansas City Royals has provided an updated timeline for the club’s $2 billion ballpark construction project.

John Sherman forecasted a decision on a location by the end of the summer and a move-in date of 2027 or 2028.

After reviewing at least 14 ballpark sites [[link removed]] with architect partner Populous, the choice is down to a new downtown [[link removed]] location in partnership with Jackson County, Missouri, or a site in neighboring Clay County.

“We want them to give us their best shot,” Sherman said [[link removed]] of Jackson County, home to their current ballpark, Kauffman Stadium. “And we’re going to give them our best shot to do it there. But I think we should be clear that there is certainly an alternative to that area.”

Either way, the Royals will be leaving the Truman Sports Complex — almost 10 miles from downtown — that also houses the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium. “A new stadium will generate more revenue than this one does,” Sherman added [[link removed]]. “In addition to that, we will control surrounding real estate that will also generate revenue for the club.”

As for the $2 billion price tag, $350 million will come from taxpayer funding — and the final figure could be even higher. “Ownership will take the rest,” Sherman said. “It’s a $2 billion project, probably more when you think of infrastructure.”

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“When we talk about revenue sources, you’re looking at things like ticketing, sponsorships, media … The exciting thing is where we are in the women’s sports industry and the incredible interest in investment in women’s sports across the board.”

— USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort on creating financial sustainability for the upcoming soccer league. Download the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today to hear more about the new professional women’s competition coming to the U.S. in 2024.

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NBA’s CBA Contains New Investment Opportunities For Players [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NBA players can now invest in independent WNBA teams and sports betting operators thanks to a new collective bargaining agreement.

The league’s newly signed seven-year labor deal with the National Basketball Players Association — memorialized in a 676-page document [[link removed]] — will impose big changes on how the sport operates.

Agreed in principle in April, the deal creates a second luxury-tax level to curb spending by high-revenue teams, implements a new in-season tournament to elevate the six-month regular season, and establishes a 65-game minimum for players to be eligible for key awards such as All-NBA teams and MVP.

The agreement also details many other, lesser-known elements:

Individual players can own up to 4% of WNBA clubs not owned by a NBA team owner, and up to 8% of such a team collectively. On behalf of all players, the NBPA can invest in private funds acquiring equity stakes in NBA teams, with the union investment capped at 5% of the fund’s aggregate capital. Players may hold passive, non-controlling interests in sports betting or fantasy companies. Those equity stakes are limited to 1% for companies offering NBA-related bets or contests, and players can’t promote NBA-specific betting. Marijuana has been removed from the NBA’s banned substances list. Players may also promote and invest in companies producing CBD products.

The labor deal presents the league with a key element of certainty as it seeks a lucrative [[link removed]] new set of media rights deals.

Teams and player agents will also need to quickly absorb the document and its ramifications as the window for NBA free-agent negotiations opens at 6 p.m. ET Friday.

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Coyotes Eyeing Phoenix-Area Arena Despite Relocation Rumblings [[link removed]]

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes remain focused on Phoenix’s East Valley as the location for its desired new arena — but this time, they want to pursue it without a public referendum.

Less than six weeks after a stinging ballot box defeat in Tempe, Coyotes president/CEO Xavier Gutierrez said the team has “turned the page” and is now primarily focused on six different site possibilities with an aim toward solidifying a new option by early 2024.

“We’ve reengaged with multiple sites that we had talked to beforehand, and we feel quite confident that one of these many sites that we’ve put into play will come to fruition in the timeline that we’ve mentioned,” said Gutierrez, speaking to reporters at the NHL Draft [[link removed]].

What is clear, though, is that the Coyotes have no intention of pursuing a similar referendum approval as the rejected one in Tempe.

“What we’re looking at is opportunities where we wouldn’t face that type of public vote,” Gutierrez said. “Our goal is to try to get to a straight line and have a resolution as quickly as possible.”

The defeated proposal involved a $2.1 billion sports and entertainment district centered on a 16,000-seat arena. For now, the team remains [[link removed]] at Arizona State University’s 5,000-seat Mullett Arena.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has also repeatedly supported [[link removed]] a Coyotes stay in Arizona.

LIV Not Worried About How It Fits In Golf’s Future [[link removed]]

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

LIV Golf is back in action this weekend at Real Club Valderrama in Spain — but the league’s entire complexion has changed in the month since its last event outside Washington, D.C.

When Harold Varner III won at Trump National Golf Club in late May, LIV was still embroiled in a lawsuit with the PGA Tour and was reeling off the momentum of Brooks Koepka’s victory at the PGA Championship.

During the D.C. tournament, LIV officials were doing deposition prep work in their fight with the PGA Tour, a source told Front Office Sports. Now, the controversial circuit is awaiting next steps from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund’s framework agreement with the PGA Tour to combine forces.

Ahead of the Spain event, Phil Mickelson expressed confidence in the future of LIV, claiming that everything he’s been told by league management has come to fruition so far. “We don’t really feel the need to publicly posture our position,” Mickelson said.

Whether LIV will continue as a separate entity long-term is one of many unanswered questions surrounding men’s professional golf.

This week, PGA Tour executive vice president Tyler Dennis wouldn’t confirm [[link removed]] exactly how this desired unity in golf will be achieved. PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan reportedly told [[link removed]] a player that LIV is “my f—ing baby,” suggesting that the league won’t be shuttered altogether.

Dennis did clarify the Tour will be in control of the new entity, which is tentatively being called “PGA Tour Enterprises.”

Another source stressed to FOS that the forthcoming agreement will indeed address important details on a variety of subjects swirling throughout the sport.

Conversation Starters The NFL has suspended [[link removed]] four more players for violating the league’s gambling policy — three of them indefinitely. DraftKings has opened a sportsbook [[link removed]] at Wrigley Field as it pursues a license with the Illinois Gambling Board. No betting is allowed just yet. In 2024, Tennessee State University will field the first [[link removed]] hockey team of any HBCU.

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Editor's Picks YES Network’s Ryan Ruocco Talks Calling Yankees Perfect Game [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]

Ryan Ruocco opens up about calling Domingo German's perfect game.

NBA to Stream Pro-Am, Drew League Summer Games [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

200+ games will stream Pro-Ams in Seattle, Miami, other cities.

Rich Paul’s Klutch Athletics by New Balance Launches in 100 Stores [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

Paul's sportswear brand debuts in Dick's Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, other retailers.

Question Of The Day

How many vacations are you taking this summer?

0 [[link removed]] 1-3 [[link removed]] 4+ [[link removed]]

Thursday’s Answer

73% of respondents evaluate opening new credit cards based on their rewards programs.

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