July 18, 2023
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Phoenix-area fans will see big changes to their TV coverage starting tonight, as Arizona Diamondbacks games are now being produced and distributed by MLB, leaving serious questions for Bally Sports Arizona.
Meanwhile, the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee looks to project a sense of calm amid growing turmoil, and the owners of the San Francisco 49ers are further advancing American investment in international sports teams.
— Eric [[link removed]]
49ers Owners Take Full Control Of Leeds United After Sale Approval [[link removed]]
Leeds-United
The sale of Leeds United to 49ers Enterprises has been approved by the English Football League — greenlighting an immediate transition of the soccer club’s ownership to the strategic investment arm of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.
Last month, Andrea Radrizzani agreed [[link removed]] to sell his majority investment at a reported $209 million after Leeds was relegated from the Premier League. 49ers Enterprises already owned a 44% stake in Leeds — which could have been valued at more than $600 million if it retained its spot in England’s top flight.
The York family, which owns the 49ers and controls 49ers Enterprises, will appoint Paraag Marathe — president of the company and executive VP of football operations for the NFL team — as Leeds United chairman.
This final step ends a process that began in 2018, when 49ers Enterprises first took a minority stake in Leeds.
The top priority for the new owners will be fielding a squad that earns promotion back into the Premier League. Enhancing all aspects of the club “both on and off the pitch” is another major initiative, 49ers Enterprises said.
Leeds has long planned to redevelop its Elland Road stadium — with plans to potentially expand capacity from 38,000 to 55,000 via a project [[link removed]] that could cost well north of $100 million.
Rejection of Diamondbacks’ Deal Leaves Bally Sports Arizona With Just Coyotes [[link removed]]
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Regional sports network Bally Sports Arizona is now down to just one major pro team.
On Tuesday, as expected [[link removed]], a Texas bankruptcy court judge approved a bid by Bally Sports and bankrupt parent Diamond Sports Group to reject their Arizona Diamondbacks rights deal.
MLB will produce and distribute the team’s games starting Tuesday night, as it has been [[link removed]] for the San Diego Padres. The league claims a 506% boost in local reach to about 5.6 million homes showing games on Cox, DirecTV, Spectrum, Xfinity, Fubo, and MLB.TV compared to prior distribution on Bally Sports Arizona.
“As we have done with the Padres, we will … work toward increasing access to better tell the story of the Diamondbacks,” said Billy Chambers, MLB EVP of local media.
With a minimum value of $1.5 billion and a term running through 2035, the Diamondbacks’ deal was a near-lock to be rejected without significant modifications, as DSG called it unprofitable. Talks toward a revised pact ended without agreement. MLB has pledged to backstop at least 80% the affected fees.
DSG’s move leaves Bally Sports Arizona with only one big-league team, the Arizona Coyotes. An NHL team — particularly one with just a single postseason appearance in the last decade — isn’t typically enough to carry an RSN, and the Coyotes also are battling arena instability [[link removed]].
The Phoenix Suns and Mercury left [[link removed]] the RSN last week for a new deal with Gray Television and Kiswe, while early this year, the USL’s Phoenix Rising opted to sign an agreement with Arizona’s Family Sports and Entertainment instead of renewing with Bally.
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Paris Organizers Say Olympic Budget ‘Under Control’ Amid Chaos [[link removed]]
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
After weeks of accelerating chaos and scandal both internally and across France, the Paris 2024 Olympic Organizing Committee is now attempting to project an air of calm.
Committee president Tony Estanguet said [[link removed]] the $4.5 billion operating budget for the Paris Olympics is “under control” — a marked change of tone for what has been to date a deeply troubled runup to the Opening Ceremonies.
With 53 weeks to go before the start of next year’s Games, the event has already been hit with serious corruption allegations [[link removed]] and controversy over alcohol restrictions [[link removed]], as well as issues [[link removed]] surrounding high ticket prices, highly ambitious event logistics, and the city’s planned treatment of its homeless during the Games.
Additionally, Paris and its suburbs have erupted in repeated riots and violent demonstrations over the past month following a deadly police shooting of a teenager at a traffic stop.
Estanguet said the committee has raised more than $1.1 billion in secured revenue from sponsors. The group aims to secure 92% of the total operating budget by the end of the year, with robust [[link removed]] ticket sales aiding that goal.
“We continue with enthusiasm and serenity in a bid to achieve this goal,” Estanguet said.
It could be years, however, before a final determination is made on Estanguet’s current optimism. The pandemic-impaired 2020 Tokyo Olympics saw its official costs fluctuate [[link removed]] significantly, and the Olympics generally have a long history [[link removed]] of overrunning budgets.
Conversation Starters This morning, more than 200 media members and multiple helicopters were on hand to cover Lionel Messi’s first training session [[link removed]] with Inter Miami. France’s brilliant ad [[link removed]] for the Women’s World Cup has social media talking. The Cleveland Cavaliers will receive rings for winning the NBA Summer League. Check them out [[link removed]].
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Editor's Picks WNBA ASG Shines in Primetime Debut, Draws Largest Audience in 16 Years [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]
The 2023 All-Star Game was the most watched in 16 years.
Fox Wants To Cash In On ‘Golden Era’ Of Women’s Sports [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]] and Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]
Hoping to capitalize on momentum, Fox Sports has prepared an ambitious plan.
J.J. Redick Emerges as Front-Runner for ESPN’s Top NBA Game Broadcast Team [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]
Ex-Duke star only joined ESPN two seasons ago.
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