July 17, 2023

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Congratulations to Carlos Alcaraz [[link removed]] and Marketa Vondrousova [[link removed]] — this year’s men’s and women’s Wimbledon champions. Both take home just over $3 million for the feat.

Meanwhile, the NFL remains king in the middle of the summer. Ads for Super Bowl LVIII in February are already selling fast and “Hard Knocks” starts filming as Netflix’s NFL series gets rave reviews.

— David [[link removed]]

Wimbledon Crowns New King, Brings Hope For American Tennis [[link removed]]

Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz dethroned Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon on Sunday — besting the Serbian in a five-set match that lasted nearly five hours. It’s the first time a man other than Djokovic has won Wimbledon since 2017 when Roger Federer took home the title.

At just 20 years old, Alcaraz earned a little more than $3 million for the Wimbledon victory — his second Grand Slam title and first with Djokovic in the field. Alcaraz won the 2022 U.S. Open that Djokovoc did not compete in.

Already the No. 1- ranked men’s player, Alcaraz appears to now have a stranglehold on the game, finally besting the 36-year-old Djokovic in a Grand Slam. With the win, Alcaraz denies Djokovic the opportunity to vie for the calendar Grand Slam at next month’s U.S. Open (Djokovic won this year’s Australian and French Opens) — a feat last accomplished in the men’s game by Rod Laver in 1969.

American Dream

Earlier in the tournament, Christopher Eubanks shocked the world by reaching the quarterfinals in his Wimbledon debut — nearly becoming the first American to reach the semifinals in their first run at the All England Tennis & Lawn Club since John McEnroe in 1977.

The 27-year-old was a bright spot for American tennis as Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe — both seeded in the top 10 — were ousted by the third round.

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“We had Spencer Dinwiddie talking about his grilling and his dry rubs … We had Iman Shumpert, Bones Hyland, and Lonzo Ball rapping … These passion projects give fans who may be casual sports fans a way in and a way for [players[ to build their audience.”

— Keisha Wright, Senior VP of Partnerships at THINK450, on how NBA players are using their passions to promote and market themselves. To hear more on how THINK450 is working to add value to the collective body of NBA players, check out the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today.

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

Is NFL At Crossroads With HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks,’ Netflix’s ‘Quarterback’? [[link removed]]

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

When New York Jets rookies begin reporting to training camp on Wednesday, cameras from HBO’s “Hard Knocks” will be rolling [[link removed]] — whether the team likes it or not.

“They forced it down our throats, and we’ve got to deal with it,” new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said [[link removed]] when asked about the show which first debuted in 2001. The Jets were one of just four teams the league could select for involuntary participation — along with the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Commanders.

“I understand the appeal with us,” Rodgers added. “Obviously, there’s a lot of eyes on me. There’s a lot of eyes on our team, a lot of expectations for our squad.”

This isn’t the first time an NFL team has been an unhappy subject for “Hard Knocks” — which has been losing its luster in recent years, averaging well under 500,000 viewers per episode. But this season comes at a time when sports documentaries covering everything from Formula 1 to golf to tennis are flourishing.

The Heir Apparent?

The NFL has even partnered with Netflix on a new series — “Quarterback” — which followed Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota during the 2022 season. The series, made in conjunction with production companies involving Peyton Manning and Mahomes himself, is earning rave reviews.

While the NFL appears to be testing the waters with Netflix for a new spin on football docuseries, it has also doubled down on “Hard Knocks,” following the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals for in-season series during the past two seasons.

The league hasn’t announced if “Hard Knocks” will follow a team midseason in 2023.

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Red Sox, Orioles Take Key Steps Toward Stadium-Related Projects [[link removed]]

WS-FENWAY-TWINS REALTY VENTURE LLC

Two longtime AL East rivals are closing in on separate deals that look to replicate the Atlanta Braves’ success with a mixed-use development.

Boston officials approved [[link removed]] Fenway Corners, a $1.6 billion project involving Red Sox parent company Fenway Sports Group along with partners WS Development and Twins Enterprises. The plan calls for eight buildings built around 111-year-old Fenway Park, ranging from two to 19 stories — and creating more than 2 million square feet of new space including offices, storefronts, residential units, street upgrades, and new pedestrian and public space.

The development proceeds as FSG, also the parent of Liverpool FC and Pittsburgh Penguins, remains on the hunt [[link removed]] for more teams.

The Baltimore Orioles, meanwhile, are finally nearing a lease deal with the Maryland Stadium Authority that would “expand and revitalize the Camden Yards campus,” according to a joint statement from the team and public body.

The deal — negotiated over more than three years and involving two different Maryland governors — would update the 31-year-old Oriole Park at Camden Yards and surrounding area.

Upon completing a new lease to replace the current one expiring this year, the Orioles would be able to access [[link removed]] $600 million in public funds for the development, similar to provisions available to the neighboring Baltimore Ravens.

The Braves — who are set [[link removed]] to split off from Liberty Media this week — have been a powerful influence across the entire sports industry with the resounding success of Truist Park and The Battery, and nearly every stadium or arena development now features variations on the same concept.

Super Bowl Ads Almost Gone, And Training Camp Hasn’t Started [[link removed]]

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

NFL training camps don’t open until later this week, but Super Bowl LVIII is already a hot seller for CBS Sports.

Nearly seven months before the Feb. 11 game in Las Vegas, the network has reportedly [[link removed]] sold a “significant” amount of ad inventory, with industry estimates pointing to at least 70% of available spots now gone.

Rates have also roughly held from the $6 million to $7 million range [[link removed]] per 30 seconds seen for the 2023 clash between Kansas City and Philadelphia.

Last year, Fox Sports sold 95% of available ads for Super Bowl LVII by September, while NBC Sports was also virtually sold out of ad inventory for Super Bowl LVI by the start of the 2021 season. But CBS Sports’ results are arguably even more impressive given the July timing, broader weakness [[link removed]] in the TV ad market, and lingering concerns about a potential U.S. economic recession.

NFL games represented 82 of the 100 most-watched television broadcasts in the U.S. last year, regardless of genre — a staggering figure beating the league’s 2021 record (75).

Las Vegas hosts the Super Bowl for the first time at the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium, an opportunity to draw even more attention to the city’s rising reputation as a sports mecca.

Super Bowl LVIII additionally represents a safe haven for advertisers amid the ongoing tandem strike [[link removed]] by Hollywood actors and writers, which has effectively shut down film and television production.

Conversation Starters Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium has unveiled [[link removed]] 16 new club suites — starting at $30,000 for each Raiders home game. Bulls star Zach LaVine has bought [[link removed]] a new $34 million mansion in Pelican Crest — the most-expensive ever sold in the LA-area gated community. FOS is giving away a one-year subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV — giving you access to every out-of-market NFL game. To enter, complete one or all of the actions on this page [[link removed]] before July 21. Good luck!

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Editor's Picks The NBA Wants Your Attention All Year Long [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]

The Association is battling the NFL for attention throughout the sports calendar.

MLB Rules Changes Are A Success. What Now? [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]

MLB's rules changes have boosted offensive stats across the board.

Marketa Vondrousova Claims First Grand Slam Title, $3M at Wimbledon [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]

The Czech national is the first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon.

WNBA At Midseason Reveals Successes and Unfinished Business [[link removed]]by Dorothy Gentry [[link removed]]

The WNBA has seen progress halfway through season but more work to be done.

Question Of The Day

Did you watch any of this year's Wimbledon tennis tournament?

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Friday’s Answer

38% of respondents would consider using a financial planner/wealth manager, and 44% already do.

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