October 3, 2023

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Even after nearly three decades in and around the business of sports, most days bring something new or unexpected. After heavy preparation [[link removed]] by the MLS’ Chicago Fire for tomorrow’s arrival of Inter Miami and Argentinian legend Lionel Messi, uncertainty surrounding Messi’s playing status has led the club to offer $250 account credits toward 2024 season tickets or a $50 account credit to single-game buyers who still attend Wednesday’s game.

Teams traditionally avoid staking ticket guarantees or refunds on specific players or their injury status — but such is the singular power of Messi.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

Tiger’s TGL Continues To Gain Investors And Attract Big Business [[link removed]]

TGL

The cultural clout of the soon-to-launch virtual golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy continues to grow.

TGL, which was first announced [[link removed]] last August, has built an impressive and still-growing list of stakeholders, players, team owners, and other business partners.

Last week, reports emerged that ESPN was close to sealing a media rights deal [[link removed]] with TGL, which will begin play on Monday nights in January. A partnership with ESPN would expose the league to more general sports fans, as opposed to a more niche audience from a network like Golf Channel.

Matches will be played in South Florida on the campus of Palm Beach State College at a new 2,000-seat venue [[link removed]], which was just christened the SoFi Center as part of a wide-ranging deal with TGL parent company TMRW Sports.

Best known in sports for its affiliation with the $5 billion SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the digital finance company brings crucial backing for TGL, although the deal terms are unknown.

Big Names Backing TGL

Three months ahead of its debut, TGL has announced four of its six founding team ownership groups. They include Steve Cohen [[link removed]], Arthur Blank [[link removed]], Serena Williams, and Fenway Sports Group.

Beyond the majority owners, TGL teams have attracted a slew of well-known minority investors including Giannis Antetokounmpo [[link removed]], Michelle Wie West, and Alex Morgan. TMRW Sports has an even larger list of athlete and celebrity investors [[link removed]] across the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, Formula 1, tennis, and more.

EXCLUSIVE

Another Complaint Aimed At NCAA’s Amateurism Model Is Filed

An advocacy group called the College Basketball Players Association has filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board against the Ivy League, Front Office Sports has learned. The charge alleges that the Ivy League misclassified athletes as amateurs, rather than professionals.

Read more in this exclusive report [[link removed]] from FOS reporter Amanda Christovich.

Manchester United Bidder Ratcliffe May Shift Focus To Minority Stake [[link removed]]

Manchester United

Disgruntled Manchester United fans hoping the Glazer family would eventually sell the Premier League club have been dealt another discouraging blow.

One of the two remaining bidders still interested in purchasing Manchester United is now reportedly shifting gears and looking for a minority stake in the team instead.

Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire who had bid upward of $6 billion for Manchester United, could now be seeking a 25% stake in the storied club, according to Sky News [[link removed]]. That minority stake could still be valued at $1.5 billion or higher.

The news follows recent reports that Ratcliffe had been working on retooling [[link removed]] his bid for Manchester United to appease other minority shareholders who would remain on board if the Glazers sold.

However, there could still be hope for unhappy Manchester United supporters: Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani isn’t interested in a minority stake and still wants to acquire 100% of the club, per Sky.

Writing On The Wall

Recent business deals [[link removed]] surrounding Manchester United have seemed to suggest that the Glazers are operating as normal — and potentially no longer considering giving up control of the team.

This year, Manchester United signed a record kit deal with Adidas ($115 million annually) and a record shirt sponsorship with Snapdragon ($75 million annually).

SPONSORED BY CHEVROLET

My Other Passion: Zaire Wade

[[link removed]]

Zaire Wade is mostly known as one of basketball’s most promising young players and the son of a basketball legend. But like many professional athletes – Zaire has his own passions off the court.

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 biking helps Zaire Wade move forward, find peace off the court, and gain the mental freedom he needs to succeed in pursuit of his dream.

Watch episode three [[link removed]] now.

Ballmer Nears Decade-Long Reign As Richest Sports Owner [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has easily held [[link removed]] his status as the wealthiest owner in U.S. pro sports, topping Forbes’ rankings [[link removed]] for a ninth consecutive year.

But some of the newest team owners are finding cracking that list difficult — even as it now requires more wealth than ever to buy a team.

Ballmer’s estimated net worth of $101 billion — built heavily through Microsoft stock and his prior status as that company’s CEO — represents a 21.7% jump from a year ago, handily beating the second-ranked owner on the list, Denver Broncos owner Rob Walton, and his $67.4 billion.

Still chasing their first title and historically existing in the long shadow of the neighboring Los Angeles Lakers, the Ballmer-led Clippers are set to begin a bold new era next year with the planned opening of the $2 billion Intuit Dome.

Earlier this year, Josh Harris led a $6.05 billion purchase [[link removed]] of the Washington Commanders that set a new record for the largest-ever sale of a pro sports team, while Mat Ishbia’s $4 billion acquisition [[link removed]] of the Phoenix Suns set a new league record. But neither Harris nor Ishbia could breach the top 20 of wealthiest sports team owners. Their respective net worths — $6.9 billion and $6.7 billion — fall below the 20th-ranked $7.2 billion of Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti.

Also lining up behind Ballmer and Walton were the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dan Gilbert (third, $21.3 billion), the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC’s David Tepper (fourth, $20.6 billion), and the New York Mets’ Steve Cohen (fifth, $19.8 billion).

Though the Forbes rankings have been fairly static in recent years, more change is likely as franchise values continue to escalate, leading an increasing number of leagues to allow [[link removed]] new ownership models.

Conversation Starters None of MLB’s three most expensive [[link removed]] teams will play postseason baseball this year. After selling the Charlotte Hornets, Michael Jordan’s net worth [[link removed]] is now an estimated $3 billion. The race to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is down to two stadiums: New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium and Texas’ AT&T Stadium. Who ya got? [[link removed]]

SPONSORED BY WSC SPORTS

Content Personalization With Machine Learning

“WSC lets us really lean into the personalization and localization of our content. We can cut and filter our video content by key attributes, which is crucial in helping us expand the level of personalization that we deliver to our fans.” – Chris Foster, VP of Digital Business Development at the NHL in a recent interview [[link removed]] with Front Office Sports.

WSC Sports [[link removed]] automates the instant creation and distribution of video highlights by giving you access to sport-specific AI technology for over 20+ sports with robust editing capabilities.

In addition to the NHL, over 400 partners, including the NBA, NASCAR, LaLiga, MLS, and more rely on WSC Sports to build the premier modern fan experience.

You can’t provide the best experience without automation. Your most creative people need time to craft stories for fans. Stay ahead of the curve and click here [[link removed]] to learn more.

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 October 4, 2023. See full contest terms and conditions here [[link removed]].

Editor's Picks Brett Favre to Give First Sworn Testimony in Mississippi Welfare Case [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]A deposition of Brett Favre has been scheduled for Oct. 26. Colorado Ratings Bonanza Continues Despite Two Consecutive Losses [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]The Buffs’ least-watched game this season was still the most-watched this week. Cris Collinsworth ‘Lost a Lot of Sleep’ Over Pro Football Focus Leadership Issues [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]New book details why it’s no longer a “happy place to work.” Get in on the Action

Front Office Sports is partnering with Splash Sports to bring you Weeks 6-8 Pick X Contest [[link removed]]!

Attempt to select the winner for 16 games per slate, and get one point for each correct selection. Select the most correct answers and be one of three winners to be awarded a cash prize! Deadline to sign up is October 15, 2023.

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