October 4, 2023

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When the NBA began allowing jersey patch sponsors, I can’t say I ever imagined my hometown team would be repping something called Feastables. But the Charlotte Hornets have gone all-in [[link removed]] on the snack brand founded by YouTube sensation MrBeast — and now, I’m curious to see what new owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall do next.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]]

MLB Expansion Suitors Grow, Even Without Formal Process [[link removed]]

Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

While there isn’t yet a definitive process for MLB expansion — and the league is currently focusing on its new-look postseason [[link removed]] — that isn’t stopping potential candidate cities from being more vocal about becoming one of the chosen markets.

The expected completion of new stadium deals for the Tampa Bay Rays [[link removed]] and Oakland A’s [[link removed]] will satisfy long-stated requirements [[link removed]] by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and predecessor Bud Selig to consider adding new teams. In recent days, both Montreal and Raleigh, North Carolina, have become the latest cities to restate their desire for an expansion club.

Montreal had the Expos from 1969-2004, and a new report [[link removed]] from a Quebec radio station suggests the league will accelerate its expansion efforts within 12-to-18 months thanks to renewed MLB interest. The Canadian city is particularly leaning on its metro-area population of more than 4.3 million — far larger than any other MLB expansion candidate.

The Carolina Hurricanes’ Tom Dundon told [[link removed]] the North Carolina Sports Network that he wants “to try to bring another major asset to North Carolina” on the heels of completing [[link removed]] a new lease and redevelopment plan for the NHL team’s PNC Arena.

“I know I’m biased, but I think Raleigh is the best place in the country for a new MLB team,” Dundon said. “And when I say that, I think we have the facts to back that up.”

The pair joins other cities including Nashville [[link removed]], Salt Lake City [[link removed]], Charlotte, Orlando, and Portland in either making preliminary pitches or being discussed as potential candidates.

The new clubs are poised to bring at least several billion dollars in new money into MLB, and Dundon didn’t flinch when asked about a potential $2.2 billion price tag for an expansion franchise. “Sounds reasonable,” he said.

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🎙️ They Said What?

“It’s like the all-you-can-eat buffet that closes at midnight, and you get there at 11 p.m., and you want to eat as much as you can. That’s what a lot of teams are doing.”

— Bobby Marks, ESPN’s NBA Front Office Insider, on teams loading up on superstars before the new CBA takes effect next season. To hear more about the ins and outs of the NBA, check out the latest episode of FOS Today.

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

Messi Business Still Growing Despite Inter Miami’s Slim Playoff Hopes [[link removed]]

Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Inter Miami has four games left to pull off a miracle and make the MLS Cup Playoffs, but Lionel Messi is still dealing with a nagging leg injury. Some projections [[link removed]] give Miami just a 6% chance at succeeding even with him.

But after Messi’s incredible debut run in MLS, leading Inter Miami to the first-ever Leagues Cup title — interest is still high in the club that will certainly be among the favorites to win a championship in 2024.

Inter Miami season ticket prices for next year are reportedly close to double [[link removed]] what they cost in some sections this year. Current season ticket holders are reviewing their options for 2024. Additionally, season ticket applications have reportedly surged [[link removed]] by 1,215%.

In the meantime, fans with tickets to Inter Miami’s remaining matches — two home, two away — are left wondering whether they will get a glimpse of Messi as he recovers. The Chicago Fire, who host Miami on Wednesday night, have been anticipating [[link removed]] four times more fans than they typically see for home matches.

Final Farewell

Barcelona could get an official goodbye-to-Messi match in the coming years, so the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner can play in front of his longtime fans one last time.

“Inter Miami will go [to Barcelona] or we will have some kind of match,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said [[link removed]]. “Messi’s departure from Barcelona was not to his liking.”

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Real Madrid Rejects $137M League Deal Over Media Access [[link removed]]

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Real Madrid sits atop La Liga after eight matches this season — and all while forgoing an additional chunk of media rights revenue.

The top soccer league in Spain has huge media rights deals around the globe — including its $5.6 billion domestic pact [[link removed](Reuters),in%20a%20statement%20on%20Monday.] with Movistar and DAZN and its $1.4 billion contract [[link removed]] with ESPN for U.S. rights. It also has a $30 million deal [[link removed]] with EA Sports.

With the influx of revenue, La Liga has been trying to incentivize its clubs to be more open when it comes to media access, allowing for fans to get a better behind-the-scenes look at team and game operations.

While 19 of this season’s 20 clubs are complying, Real Madrid isn’t. Since the beginning of the season, the club hasn’t allowed extra cameras and microphones near coaches and players — costing [[link removed]] the team its $14.2 million share of the initiative’s $137 million pot.

“I would prefer to accept a pay cut for it not to come in,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said [[link removed]] recently of the extra camera access.

Alternate Plans?

Real Madrid was so opposed to the extra media access that it filed a legal complaint [[link removed]] ultimately thrown out by a judge.

In September, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited [[link removed]] Real Madrid executives, sparking speculation that the club could be interested in striking a deal with the tech giant, which is getting more involved in sports media deals.

Barclays Center Finances Struggling In Competitive NY Arena Market [[link removed]]

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The highly crowded New York-area arena market continues to deliver a financial crunch to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

Facing competition for events and fans, not only from Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden and New Jersey’s Prudential Center but now Long Island’s UBS Arena, Barclays Center reported [[link removed]] a $76 million loss for the fiscal year ended June 2023. The audited and newly released figure is on top of a $78 million loss for the prior fiscal year.

The arena posted an operating profit of $16 million in the most recent fiscal year and $14 million the year before, but that was offset by fierce battling for event bookings among the four arenas and ultimately was not enough to overtake 2023 depreciation expenses of $19.9 million and amortization expenses of $51 million.

In addition to the venue competition, the building received no fiscal favors from the primary tenant and building operator, the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. The Nets have been been swept in the first round of the NBA playoffs the past two seasons and have hosted only four total playoff games in that time.

Barclays Center is owned by the state of New York, but the operating rights are held by a company led by Joe Tsai — part of his then-record $3.2 billion purchase of the Nets in 2019. The WNBA’s New York Liberty, who face the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the Finals starting Sunday, are also owned by Tsai and play at the arena.

The latest financial report — a required filing since public bonds were used to finance the building’s construction — also detailed $99.1 million in total revenue during the fiscal year.

With the ongoing losses, equity in the building has steadily fallen to $138 million from $196 million a year ago and $236 million in June 2021.

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Editor's Picks Australian Open Adds Extra Day to Combat Late Finishes [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]The 2024 edition will begin on a Sunday for the first time. Ryder Cup Viewership Drops in U.S., Rises in U.K. [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]NBC’s event coverage attracted 1.32 million average viewers on Sunday. Advocacy Group Files Federal Labor Charge Against Ivy League [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]It’s the latest in a flurry of NLRB cases over amateurism. Question Of The Day

Do you own or wear a watch?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]] Not yet but I want to [[link removed]]

Tuesday’s Answer

58% of respondent have previously traveled to the Carolinas, and 24% of respondents haven’t yet but are interested in traveling to the Carolinas.

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