July 11, 2023

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Good morning. David Rumsey [[link removed]] here. If you’re looking for any weekend golf highlights this morning, don’t go to the Golf Channel — which will instead have full coverage of the Senate hearing examining the PGA Tour’s deal with Saudi Arabia.

Starting tonight, the MLB All-Star Game takes center stage as the fallout from the New York Times’ shock decision to shutter its sports desk continues. Meanwhile, Stan Kroenke’s real estate prowess isn’t slowing down, and a new sports and entertainment venue is turning heads.

MSG Sphere Lights Up Vegas, Could Transform Live Event Business [[link removed]]

Sphere Entertainment Co.

The most-talked-about venue in sports right now isn’t yet open and wasn’t designed for sports — and it could ultimately siphon lucrative events from team owners.

Located just near the Las Vegas Strip and billed as the world’s largest spherical structure, the $2.3 billion MSG Sphere became a viral sensation [[link removed]] on the Fourth of July, when it lit up the Exosphere — a 366-by-516-foot wraparound LED screen capable of displaying 256 million different colors.

Among the most prominent of the early high-end visuals were those promoting the NBA’s Summer League [[link removed]] and its upcoming In-Season Tournament [[link removed]] — events both hosted by Sin City.

The venue won’t open until late September, when U2 begins a 25-show residency there. The 17,500-seat arena is also capable of hosting sports such as boxing and mixed-martial arts, and Formula 1 will take it over during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Future Impact On Sports

But the MSG Sphere, a project led by New York Knicks and Rangers owner James Dolan and his newly spun-off Sphere Entertainment Co., was built with music foremost in mind — the entire building can effectively act as a video screen and speaker system. The innovative design and immersive technology could spell big changes for sports venues that rely on concerts and other performing arts events to supplement core revenue from games.

No other concerts have yet been announced for the MSG Sphere, but Sphere Entertainment already has plans to build an identical venue in London and more around the world.

PODCAST

🎙️ They Said What?

“It’s a big loss. I’ve competed against them for my entire career … from CTE and concussions to all the other big topics they cover. I think it’s a very big loss for the sports media as a whole.”

— Front Office Sports senior reporter A.J. Perez on the sudden disbandment of the New York Times sports desk. For more on this story, download the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today.

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

NewsGuild of New York Vows Labor Fight Against NYT [[link removed]]

USA Today Network

The New York Times is heading for a potentially nasty union fight in the wake of its decision [[link removed]] to shut down its sports department.

The NewsGuild of New York said late Monday that it intends to contest the Times’ decision to have its sports coverage handled by The Athletic, which the paper purchased [[link removed]] early last year for $550 million. The Athletic isn’t unionized and remains unprofitable.

“We will fight this flagrant attempt at union-busting with every tool we have,” the union said in a statement. “Our standard is clear: union work at The Times Company is performed by union workers.”

The roughly 35 journalists and editors are being reassigned [[link removed]] within the Times — as opposed to losing their jobs. But the transfers still represent a move to produce sports content with non-union labor instead of NewsGuild members.

“Times leadership is attempting to outsource union jobs on our sports desk … under the preposterous argument that the Times can ‘subcontract’ its sports coverage to itself,” The NewsGuild said.

Lately, the Times has had difficult relations with the NewsGuild. In May, the paper reached [[link removed]] a new contract with the union — a deal that ended more than two years of often-contentious talks and a 24-hour strike — granting employees numerous benefits, including a 73% boost in minimum salaries.

“I spent more than two years on the bargaining committee fighting for a strong and fair contract,” said Ken Belson, who covers the NFL for the Times. “The era of unilateral decision-making by management will not go unchallenged.”

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Legality of PGA Tour-Saudi Bombshell Deal Being Questioned By U.S. Senate [[link removed]]

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The controversial alliance between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will be laid bare on Tuesday when two Tour officials testify at a Senate hearing examining the bombshell agreement.

As part of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, the session titled “The PGA-LIV Deal: Implications for the Future of Golf and Saudi Arabia’s Influence in the United States” will look at the legality of the partnership.

Representing the PGA Tour are chief operating officer Ron Price and policy board member Jimmy Dunne — the man largely responsible for brokering the deal with PIF governor Yasir al-Rumayyan. Dunne has previously shared [[link removed]] his side of the deal and his thoughts on the future, while Price wrote [[link removed]] an op-ed for The Athletic asserting the deal is the best option for the PGA Tour.

The subcommittee requested al-Rumayyan and LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman attend the hearing, but both declined. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan — who will return [[link removed]] from a medical leave next week — reportedly would’ve considered testifying if the hearing was delayed.

Price and Dunne could offer new revelations about the deal and clues toward golf’s hazy future.

PGA Tour Exec Resigns

In the wake of the PIF deal, PGA Tour policy board member Randall Stephenson resigned, citing concerns over the tie-up with Saudi Arabia, which has a long record of human rights abuse allegations and political tensions with the U.S.

Beyond golf and the PGA Tour, the PIF’s efforts will continue with a new company [[link removed]] dedicated entirely to sports.

Kroenke Eyes Land Near MLS Stadium For Next Big Development [[link removed]]

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Stan Kroenke’s latest real estate project looks to bring new life to his struggling Major League Soccer team.

The Colorado Rapids — who have the worst record in MLS and finished the 2022 season second-to-last in attendance — play at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, about 10 miles from the other major professional sports venues in downtown Denver.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is owned by Commerce City, but Kroenke owns ​​a 269-acre plot of land surrounding the 18,000-seat venue and is now seeking [[link removed]] an additional 88 acres via a three-way land swap with the city and a county water plant.

Developing the land around the Rapids’ stadium with shops, bars, and restaurants would no doubt make it more attractive for consumers, but Commerce City is balking at the proposal. It says the 88 acres could be worth $50 million — and Kroenke is only offering to trade 9.7 acres of his land.

No timeline is in place for a potential deal, which would follow other recent sports facility projects involving Kroenke.

Hotel California

Last month, the Los Angeles Rams filed [[link removed]] paperwork to build a new training facility and team headquarters in the Woodland Hills neighborhood — much closer to SoFi Stadium than their current base in Thousand Oaks, California. It would also include restaurants, hotels, and retail spaces.

Kroenke has also taken over [[link removed]] a San Diego development project featuring a 16,000-seat arena that could potentially host an NBA or NHL team. The arena would be the centerpiece of a 48.6-acre site that would also include new housing units, a hotel, and retail spaces.

Conversation Starters Netflix has released the first four minutes [[link removed]] of its new NFL docuseries, “Quarterback.” Are you watching? Take our poll [[link removed]]. In September 2020, Patrick Mahomes bought an eight-acre plot of land near Belton, Missouri, for $400,000. The now-completed home [[link removed]] boasts a pool, a par-3 golf hole, a custom football field, and a private pond and fountain. Inter Miami owner David Beckham commissioned a Lionel Messi mural ahead of the Argentine legend’s arrival in Miami — then went to check it out [[link removed]] himself.

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Editor's Picks Northwestern Fires Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

Fitzgerald signed a 10-year, $57 million contract extension with Northwestern in 2021.

Sen. Schumer Calls For Investigation Into Logan Paul’s Prime Energy Drink [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

Schumer criticized Prime's caffeine levels and marketing towards children.

MLB Draft Slotting Increases, Still Lags Behind NBA, NFL [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

The Pirates' No. 1 pick Paul Skenes has a $9.7 million slot value.

Question Of The Day

Do you plan on traveling for any college football games this year?

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

Monday’s Answer

66% of respondents travel for business.

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