August 14, 2023

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It’s still a unique and special thing when the reality lives up to the hype. The numbers for Lionel Messi’s American adventure — five matches, five wins, and eight goals, often in dramatic fashion — have electrified fans, and opposing coaches are now openly fearing home-field takeovers by visiting Inter Miami supporters.

Meanwhile, Saudi money continues its real-time reshaping of international soccer with the reported signing of Brazilian star Neymar, and the Carolina Hurricanes are the latest pro team to join the mixed-use development boom for sports facilities.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

Neymar’s $300M Move Displays Saudi Pro League’s Impact [[link removed]]

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Saudi Pro League continues to make its impact felt across international soccer just one week into its new season.

Neymar is joining the upstart league in a deal that will cost nearly $300 million, including a $98.5 million transfer fee. Al-Hilal lured the Brazilian superstar from Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain with an $88 million annual salary for the next two seasons.

If it wasn’t already clear, the SPL has no plans to stop courting the sport’s top players. Cristiano Ronaldo has made the biggest headlines [[link removed]] thanks to a contract valued at more than $200 million with commercial incentives. He was followed by former Real Madrid teammate and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who is reportedly making [[link removed]] more than $100 million per year.

While the SPL couldn’t lure [[link removed]] Kylian Mbappe for even just one year — despite being willing to shell out at least $1 billion in total — Neymar is only 31, which still represents a coup for the Saudi League, as he is much younger than Ronaldo (38) and Benzema (35).

Expanding Media Reach

Some SPL coverage has been broadcast via Fox Sports’ digital channels since Friday. The network has signed on as the league’s English- and Spanish-language media rights partner in the U.S. and could reportedly show [[link removed]] several games per week on its FS2 cable channel.

While it’s unclear how much the rights are costing Fox, any media exposure from a major American company is a big step up for a league with little previous clout in international soccer.

Messi’s Impact on Ticket Sales Worries Opposing Coaches [[link removed]]

Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

The Messi Effect is now so strong that opposing coaches are looking to directly influence ticket sales to preserve home-field advantage in the wake of Lionel Messi’s transformational arrival to MLS.

A perfect 5-0 since the Argentinian star joined last month, Inter Miami plays the Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup semifinals on Tuesday. Messi’s immense appeal has compelled Union head coach Jim Curtin to plead with local fans not to resort to the resale market — and possibly create a pro-Inter Miami crowd at Subaru Park.

“Please don’t sell your tickets, no matter how much money they’re offering for them — please,” Curtin said.

Resale ticket prices for the match are beginning at about $300 each on major platforms.

“We know that we’re going to have a packed Subaru Park. It’s going to be the No. 1 ticket in the city, for sure. I’m sure some celebrities will be out here in Philly, so I’m excited for it,” Curtin added.

Messi has sparked substantial increases [[link removed]] in MLS League Pass subscriptions [[link removed]], merchandise sales [[link removed]], and social media audiences [[link removed]].

Another Messi Docuseries

Apple has solidified plans for a forthcoming six-part docuseries on Apple TV+ covering Messi’s time in MLS, promising “unprecedented access to Messi and his new Inter Miami family.”

The project is separate from the company’s previously announced four-part documentary, which focuses more on Messi’s overall career and his triumphant run with Argentina for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Apple will work with New York-based production company Smuggler Entertainment on both efforts.

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Hurricanes Nearing $300M for PNC Arena Upgrades [[link removed]]

James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Hurricanes are set to receive continued investment from their local government — nearly $300 million — to pay for more renovations at PNC Arena.

A special meeting has been scheduled [[link removed]] on Tuesday to discuss potential projects that would include a long-term lease for the team at the 24-year-old venue in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes averaged [[link removed]] the second-highest attendance in the NHL last season, drawing just over 19,500 fans across 41 home games.

Also on the table is a plan for Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon to build a multi-use development on 80 acres of what is mostly parking lots and undeveloped land. That project could include offices, shops, bars and restaurants, a sportsbook — sports betting will be fully legal [[link removed]] in North Carolina in 2024 — and a music venue.

Good For ‘Pack, Too

PNC Arena is adjacent to N.C. State’s football stadium, so any further development would serve both pro hockey and college football fans alike.

Specifics for the facility renovations are yet to be determined, as the process has been delayed several times reaching back to before the pandemic began in 2020. PNC Arena’s last significant upgrade was a new $4.2 million video board [[link removed]] in 2019.

Next week, the Wake County Commission could officially approve the renovation funding, greenlighting more moves.

Conversation Starters Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has signed [[link removed]] a multiyear footwear and apparel deal with Jordan Brand. Retired NFL lineman and inspiration for hit movie “The Blind Side” Michael Oher has filed a petition alleging [[link removed]] that his adoption was a “lie” concocted by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. Oher says he was tricked into making them his conservators — legally allowing them to make business deals in his name — and saw none of the proceeds from the film, which earned over $300 million. The average ticket price for Sunday’s 49ers-Raiders preseason game was $185, per TickPick — making it the most expensive [[link removed]] preseason game of the year and second-most on record.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY

Another MLB Team Ponders Moving

The Milwaukee Brewers’ stadium talks have stalled, and now there are rumblings that the team could leave its long-established home city. Eric Fisher joins guest host Doug Greenberg to explore how realistic the relocation talks are and where they could go in that scenario.

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

Editor's Picks UFC-WWE Merger Nears Completion With Murky Outlook, Potential Layoffs [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]The $9.3 billion merger is slated to be completed in September. Brady-Less Buccaneers Cut Raymond James Stadium Capacity [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]Following Tom Brady's retirement, the Bucaneers removed 3,600 seats. It’s Official: Doris Burke Joins ESPN’s No. 1 NBA Announce Team [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]Doris Burke will make history as the first woman to call a major men's pro championship. Orioles Announcer Brown Returns To Air, Seeks To Quell Controversy [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]Kevin Brown called the 2023 Women's College World Series for ESPN. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

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