July 26, 2023

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It’s football media day for the Big Ten, and while Northwestern’s hazing scandal dominates attention, our A.J. Perez details [[link removed]] another alleged pattern of abuse and toxicity at that conference’s University of Minnesota in a blockbuster exclusive report. Plus, Andrew Cohen offers exclusive, surprising news [[link removed]] from ESPN on the future of the popular podcast host Bomani Jones.

Elsewhere, Chicago looms large in the news. The Blackhawks face a crossroads after the death of Rocky Wirtz, while the Cubs make their own contribution to MLB’s push toward local streaming. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis faces federal charges in the U.S.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

Could Tottenham End Up For Sale After Owner’s Alleged Insider Trading? [[link removed]]

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a major blow just weeks before the new Premier League season starts, casting a dark cloud over the English soccer team.

Joe Lewis, the British billionaire and majority owner of Tottenham, has been charged [[link removed]] in the U.S. with insider trading. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan accused the 86-year-old of giving tips to friends, associates, and romantic partners from 2019 to 2021.

Lewis owns Tottenham via his investment company ENIC, along with Daniel Levy — the club’s executive chairman and minority investor. Tottenham is the ninth-most valuable soccer club in the world at $2.8 billion, according [[link removed]] to Forbes, and Lewis himself is worth more than $6 billion.

The team had no comment for the New York Times, calling the situation “unconnected to the club.” Should the situation worsen for Lewis, the club’s ownership structure could come under scrutiny.

Last year, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was forced to sell [[link removed]] fellow EPL club Chelsea due to U.K. sanctions stemming from his close ties to Vladimir Putin. Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly emerged from a long list of suitors to acquire the club for $5.4 billion.

If Tottenham hits the market, expect similar interest from the world’s wealthiest figures, including strong bids from more Americans. During the Chelsea bidding, the Ricketts family (owners of the Chicago Cubs), Jets owner Woody Johnson, and new Commanders owner Josh Harris all showed [[link removed]] interest in the club.

EXCLUSIVE

Ex-Gophers Outline Toxic Culture Under P.J. Fleck at Minnesota

Since taking over as the University of Minnesota football’s head coach in 2017, P.J. Fleck has secured regular praise for altering the climate within the program. Several former players and staff members, however, described the culture under Fleck as fraught with intimidation and toxicity in interviews with Front Office Sports — including workouts as punishments in violation of the school’s own rules and NCAA guidelines. The school pushes back on many of the allegations laid out.

Read more about this monthlong investigation [[link removed]] by FOS senior reporter A.J. Perez.

Blackhawks Face Uncertain Future Following Owner’s Death [[link removed]]

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz died at the age of 70, leaving a deeply complicated legacy — and big questions for the iconic Original Six NHL franchise.

After taking the reins of the Blackhawks in 2007 from his late father, the infamous “Dollar” Bill Wirtz, Rocky significantly modernized the franchise and helped steer the team back to glory.

In addition to getting the team’s games back on local TV and radio and leading a 13-year sellout streak at the United Center, he oversaw a dramatic on-ice revival for the Blackhawks, culminating in Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

But the final chapter of Wirtz’s ownership tenure badly tarnished his reputation, as the Blackhawks were found to have grossly mishandled prospect Kyle Beach’s allegations that he was assaulted by then-video coach Brad Aldrich. The NHL fined [[link removed]] the team $2 million, and Wirtz compounded the damage by berating [[link removed]] reporters asking about the issue at a 2022 town hall.

Following the session, Wirtz largely retreated from public appearances.

Chicago At Crossroads

A fourth-generation Wirtz — Rocky’s son, Blackhawks CEO Danny — will now lead the team. After winning the rights to draft top-overall pick [[link removed]] Connor Bedard, one of the NHL’s most popular teams hopes to repair its bond with fans after a spell in which it has missed the postseason five of the last six seasons.

“Our dad was a passionate businessman committed to making Chicago a great place to live, work, and visit,” Danny Wirtz said. “His passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of many, and we will miss him terribly.” The team hasn’t released medical details regarding Wirtz’s death.

SPONSORED BY PWCC

NFL Trading Card Training Camp Huddle Up

In the world of football cards [[link removed]], QB is king.

Just as many say quarterback is the most important position in sports, collectors and investors consider signal callers the most important football card targets.

Looking at the most impactful players from a secondary market football card sales volume perspective over 36 months, the top 11 are quarterbacks. Tom Brady accounts for 30% of that volume. But the next four are current superstars – Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen – who combine for 34.63% of secondary market football card sales volume over the last three years.

Take a look at all football cards now available at PWCC [[link removed]].

Cubs Collaborating With RSN For Different Swing At MLB Streaming [[link removed]]

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs are the latest MLB team to make a sizable move toward direct-to-consumer local streaming — but they’re taking a far different approach from recent emergency moves by the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.

One of the league’s most famous franchises and their Marquee Sports Network completed [[link removed]] long-discussed plans to introduce a local streaming subscription offering the team’s live games, studio programming, documentaries, and other content for $19.99 per month.

The Marquee streaming element resembles that of other team-owned regional sports networks such as the New York Yankees’ YES Network and Boston Red Sox’s NESN, both of whom have started selling digital in-market plans, albeit at higher monthly prices.

The collaborative effort is a stark contrast from the situations in Arizona [[link removed]] and San Diego [[link removed]].

With relatively little notice, MLB took over production of those teams’ games due to the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of Bally Sports parent Diamond Sports Group, with a temporary structure offering games for a local streaming fee of $19.99 per month.

As cord-cutting continues to fundamentally reshape the entire U.S. media landscape — slashing [[link removed]] the number of traditional pay-TV households from 102.1 million in 2014 to 63.2 million in 2023, but without replacing the lost revenue from linear TV — teams continue to search for answers on how to reach fans.

“Ultimately, I hope the league comes up with a system where any fan can watch any game anywhere, but there’s legacy systems we’re going to have to work out,” Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said [[link removed]].

EXCLUSIVE

ESPN Not Expected To Bring Bomani Jones Back

Bomani Jones, who signed a contract extension with ESPN last fall to host his podcast, “The Right Time with Bomani Jones,” will not see his deal renewed by ESPN, Front Office Sports has learned. His current contract with ESPN expires at the end of this month.

Read more about this FOS exclusive [[link removed]] by reporter Andrew Cohen.

Conversation Starters Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron has officially [[link removed]] hung up his skates. Playing all of his 19 seasons in Boston, Bergeron won a Stanley Cup and a record six Selke Trophies, amassed 1,040 career points, earned $98 million in salary, and captained the team to the best regular-season finish in NHL history. Experience the MLS All-Stars’ recent matchup with Arsenal through the POV [[link removed]] of referee Ted Unkel. Bristol Motor Speedway released a new look [[link removed]] at restoration plans for the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, which will include a “Speedway Alley” fan district, suites at the fourth turn, and a 20-foot sound barrier.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY

Ravens Star On Life In The NFL

Mark Andrews, the Baltimore Ravens’ tight end, has become one of the top players at his position — despite living with type 1 diabetes.

Andrews joined Front Office Sports Today to talk about a number of NFL-related topics, including Lamar Jackson’s $260 million contract, the Ravens’ game in London this season, and the devaluing of the running backs position by NFL teams.

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

Editor's Picks Chargers’ Justin Herbert Signs NFL Record $262.5 Million Deal [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

Herbert's five-year deal has $218 million guaranteed.

Multiple Legal Battles Brewing Over Northwestern Abuse Allegations [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]

Four lawsuits have now been filed over hazing allegations.

The 15 Highest-Paid Players at the Women’s World Cup [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

Alex Morgan ranks first at $7.1 million, followed by Megan Rapinoe.

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