September 26, 2023

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NBC’s record rating [[link removed]] for Ohio State’s last-second win over Notre Dame shows the continued value of big brands in college sports — and it’s probably making network execs very happy to be part of the Big Ten’s new media deal, which is bringing in $1 billion a year.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]]

NFL Owners’ Debt Limit Could Increase To $1.6B [[link removed]]

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

More concessions to the NFL’s long-standing policies on team ownership structures appear to be on the way as rising franchise values make it increasingly difficult to acquire clubs and fund operations.

The NFL owners’ finance committee may soon suggest upping the allowed debt for an incoming owner from $1.1 billion to $1.6 billion, according [[link removed]] to Forbes. Josh Harris’ group used $1 billion in debt to facilitate the $6.05 billion purchase of the Washington Commanders.

Additionally, the amount of debt existing owners could have against their team may increase from $600 million to $1 billion.

The new rules, which would require approval from 24 of the NFL’s 32 owners, would be the latest in the league’s evolving approach to ownership framework.

Earlier this month, a new NFL finance committee was created [[link removed]] to explore the possibility of letting private equity firms and other investment funds take minority ownership stakes in franchises, as is allowed in other major U.S. sports.

Harris’ acquisition of the Commanders — a record price for an NFL franchise — and the $4.65 billion sale of the Denver Broncos to the Walton-Penner family group have shown [[link removed]] just how expensive and difficult it will be for any future buyers interested in NFL teams.

All the recent moves appear to be part of team owners’ strategy to make sure the money can keep flowing into the league — and that interest in acquiring franchises remains at an all-time high.

PODCAST

🎙️ They Said What?

“I idolized Pelé and Maradona, but Messi eclipses both of them in his achievements … and he keeps on bewitching us here in South Florida — in my backyard. How surreal is that?”

— Ray Hudson, soccer analyst for CBS Sports, on Messi coming to play for Inter Miami CF. To hear more from the legendary commentator on Messi’s impactful career, check out the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today.

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

ESPN’s Reported Studio Closures Could Mean More Layoffs [[link removed]]

Melissa Rawlins / ESPN Images

ESPN has been in the news a lot this year, with most of the items pointing to a cloudy future for the Disney-owned sports network — a trend that won’t stop after more revelations about the company’s plans.

The network has reportedly decided to close its Seaport studios in New York by 2025 and will likely do the same for its Los Angeles studios that reside in the same complex as Crypto.com Arena, according [[link removed]] to Puck News.

Current ESPN shows filmed and produced at the Seaport facility include [[link removed]]:

“First Take” “Get Up” “NBA Countdown” “Around The Horn”

Those shows will need new homes, and staff based at the Seaport facility will move to a new ABC building in Hudson Square. Should the L.A. studios close, those employees could work remotely or relocate.

This summer, ESPN completed a round of layoffs [[link removed]], severing ties with longtime on-air talent like Jeff Van Gundy and Steve Young. While the Puck News report doesn’t specifically suggest more layoffs are coming, the eventual downsizing could make it difficult to retain every employee currently working at those studios.

Latest Change For ESPN

Beyond the layoffs earlier this year, Disney has started to look for a potential partner to buy equity [[link removed]] in ESPN. Several leagues have had discussions [[link removed]] about buying a portion of ESPN, and reports have also linked technology giants like Amazon and Verizon.

At the start of the current NFL and college football seasons, a carriage dispute [[link removed]] with Charter Spectrum kept ESPN channels out of 14 million homes as Disney sought to retain its high rights fees for ESPN.

SPONSORED BY ISOS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The Sports Equity Shift

Sports has quickly evolved from a conversation about athleticism to one that encompasses concepts of equity and ownership [[link removed]] with equal levels of intrigue. Just a few years into the 2020s and we’ve already witnessed a tremendous shift.

From the rise of streaming and its effect on media deals and team valuations to the explosion of women’s sports and niche sports like pickleball and lacrosse, the sports industry as a whole continues to present new opportunities.

Join Front Office Sports on September 27 at 1 p.m. ET for The Future of Sports: Equity [[link removed]]. Sponsored by ISOS Capital Management, this virtual summit will feature speakers from ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, NWSL, Roku, and more of the most influential businesses in the space.

Register now [[link removed]]!

Commanders Still Face Legal Fight Over Former Name [[link removed]]

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

More than three years after shedding their former nickname, the Washington Commanders are still facing legal hurdles in connection with it.

The Native American Guardian’s Association — a nonprofit organization aimed at advancing cultural and ethnic awareness — has filed a defamation lawsuit against the team in U.S. District Court in North Dakota, claiming a “coordinated and willful effort” by the team to defame and delegitimize the organization both verbally and in writing.

NAGA previously started a Change.org petition [[link removed]] seeking to restore the Redskins name — partly a response to what it perceived as cancel culture — that gained more than 132,000 signatures.

The group is seeking $1.6 million in monetary damages. A key part of the lawsuit stems from a prior comment by Commanders sales manager Matthew Laux, who allegedly said in a text message that NAGA was “fake.” The lawsuit names the Commanders, Laux, team owner Josh Harris, and the National Congress of American Indians as defendants.

“NAGA’s members were huge Redskin fans precisely because they were the Redskins,” the lawsuit reads in part. “It was the only team in the NFL to honor an actual Native American. They were proud to watch professional football players engage in a different kind of battle, with the stoic face of Chief White Calf on their helmets.”

The Commanders said they “believe the complaint is without merit, and we will address the matter in court.”

Despite a home drubbing on Sunday to Buffalo, the Commanders remain in the midst of an organizational renaissance [[link removed]] under Harris, with a wide range of commercial possibilities and potential facilities open to the franchise.

Oakland-MLB Relationship Devolves Into Next-Level Toxicity [[link removed]]

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland A’s now appear ready [[link removed]] to leave Oakland for Las Vegas as soon as possible.

The team might not play another game at the Coliseum after the current lease expires following the 2024 season, as the already-strained relationship between the city of Oakland and MLB has now reached an unprecedented level of toxicity.

Speaking with the San Francisco Chronicle, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred accused [[link removed]] Oakland mayor Sheng Thao of misrepresenting the substance of a July meeting [[link removed]] between the two and failing to deliver a truly substantive stadium proposal to keep the A’s.

“I understand that is a rough time for Mayor Thao,” Manfred said. “It looks like she’s going to lose yet another franchise from the Bay Area. That’s unfortunate. That’s a tough spot to be in. But I think we’ve kind of gotten to the point where we need to point out that she’s not telling people the truth. All of this is about covering your ass at this point.”

Unsurprisingly, the mayor’s office strongly disputed Manfred’s characterization. Thao’s chief of staff, Leigh Hanson, told the Chronicle, “We will leave it to the fans to decide who’s telling the truth, Mayor Thao or Manfred. At this point, their reputations speak for themselves.”

Interim Impacts

The deteriorating relationship between the league and city could diminish the likelihood of Oakland returning to the Coliseum to play for the 2025-27 seasons while the team’s planned Las Vegas stadium is developed.

MLB and the A’s are also considering [[link removed]] the neighboring Oracle Park and Las Vegas Ballpark, the home of the A’s Triple-A minor league affiliate, with the league driving the selection process.

The disagreement between Manfred and Thao also extends to a proposed Coliseum lease extension. Thao’s office said [[link removed]] it was absolutely discussed at the July meeting, while Manfred said the session was entirely about the city’s push to keep the A’s permanently.

The A’s finished their 2023 home schedule on Sunday with a final attendance of 832,352 — up by 5.6% from a year ago, but still by far the lowest in the league.

Conversation Starters Call it The Swift Effect: Travis Kelce just surpassed [[link removed]] 3 million Instagram followers. He’s added over 325,000 in a week — more than he gained after winning last season’s Super Bowl. Mike McDaniel got his first job [[link removed]] in sports as a ball boy with the Broncos. Now the Dolphins’ head coach, he hung a franchise-record 70 points on his first team this weekend. The Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars unveiled their new 360-degree, $10 million video board — and it’s 30% larger than the previous one. Take a look [[link removed]].

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My Other Passion: Elena Delle Donne

[[link removed]]

As one of the WNBA’s biggest stars in the last decade, Elena Delle Donne is mostly known for her work on the court. But like many professional athletes – Elena has her own passions off the field.

In our new series, My Other Passion, presented by Chevrolet, we hit the outdoors [[link removed]] with some of the most recognizable athletes in sports to explore their interests outside the arena.

Learn how hiking helps Elena Delle Donne find peace away from the court, the importance of always moving and staying active, and how her family inspires her to push through adversity.

Watch episode two [[link removed]] now.

Editor's Picks Ohio State-Notre Dame Scores Historic 10.5M Viewers for NBC [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]It was NBC’s second-most-watched regular-season college football game ever. Vegas Golden Knights Launch New Streaming Model Amid RSN Fallout [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]The KnightTime+ streaming service will offer 69 regular-season games. Jacksonville Jaguars President Walks Back Stadium ‘Threat’ [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]"Viewing those comments as a threat to leave Jacksonville isn't correct." GIVEAWAY

We’re giving away TEN (10) slots to ask Tony Reali a live one-on-one question and snap a selfie with him. Enter here to win [[link removed]]! The contest ends on Oct. 4, 2023. See full contest terms and conditions here [[link removed]].

Question Of The Day

Have you ever participated in a dry January or sober October type challenge?

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