October 6, 2023

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Retired athletes getting discounted prices is nothing new — even when acquiring franchise stakes (see David Beckham, Michael Jordan). So I’m a little surprised the NFL is playing hardball with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady’s efforts to invest in the Las Vegas Raiders. But I guess in the end, money always talks.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]]

Price Dispute Stalls Brady’s Bid For Raiders Equity [[link removed]]

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady’s purchase of a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders hasn’t advanced much since it became public in May — and it doesn’t look like it will be approved in the near future.

The NFL finance committee has balked at the discounted purchase price offered to Brady for a minority interest in the Raiders, The Washington Post reported [[link removed]] on Thursday. Raiders owner Mark Davis is selling Brady between 5% and 10% of the team. However, Davis reportedly may be giving the former Patriots star a discount — as much as 70%.

The feeling among the owners who comprise the finance committee is that it “can’t happen at that price,” according to the Post’s report.

The Raiders are valued at $6.2 billion by Forbes [[link removed]], although — as evidenced by the Washington Commanders’ purchase [[link removed]] earlier this year — teams can be worth more than such estimates. But if Brady agreed to purchase 10% of the Raiders at 70% off, that would be a $434 million discount with the Raiders’ current estimated valuation.

An NFL spokesperson declined to comment. Messages left with the Raiders were not immediately returned.

The process for approval of a minority owner is the same as a controlling owner, a grueling [[link removed]] process that Josh Harris had to maneuver to secure the Commanders for a record $6.05 billion.

The NFL reviews an ownership application before a recommendation is made to the finance committee. Then it heads to a full ownership vote, where at least 24 of the league’s 32 owners must vote in favor.

The issues with Brady’s application aren’t expected to be solved ahead of the next NFL owner’s meeting, which begins in New York on Oct. 17, according to The Washington Post.

Brady’s 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox was also cited as another reason for concern. Brady agreed [[link removed]] to that broadcast deal in May 2022, although it’s not expected Brady will head to the booth to call NFL games on Fox until next season at the earliest.

Brady’s minority purchase of another Davis-owned team — the Las Vegas Aces — was approved by the WNBA this week. Brady, who made an estimated [[link removed]] $332 million in salary and bonuses during his NFL career, has also invested [[link removed]] in Birmingham City FC, Major League Pickleball’s Las Vegas Night Owls, and a team in the electric boat racing E1 Series.

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🎙️ They Said What?

“We’ll find out where that audience is … but it’s going to be a major mess.”

— MLB play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson on what’s next for distribution of sports events — streaming or over the air — after the downfall of regional sports networks. To hear more from Anderson about television and the MLB playoffs, check out the latest episode of FOS Today.

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

Saudi Arabia Primed For 2034 World Cup. Can Australia’s Bid Top It? [[link removed]]

Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

We’re still about three years away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, but the host nations for the 2030 event have just been set — and there could already be a two-horse race shaping up for 2034.

With Morocco, Portugal, and Spain serving as the primary hosts [[link removed]] of the 2030 World Cup — which will also be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay — FIFA simultaneously invited nations from the Asian and Oceania Football Confederations to bid for 2034.

Saudi Arabia immediately announced its intentions to vie for the 2034 event, and Australia said it is still exploring the possibility before an Oct. 31 deadline [[link removed]]. Both nations fall under the Asian Football Confederation, despite Australia’s geographical similarity with many Oceania members. The AFC has already expressed its support for a Saudi Arabian bid, as have several [[link removed]] Arab nations.

During the success of this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, both nations expressed the desire [[link removed]] to eventually lure a men’s World Cup, too. Saudi Arabia has been trying to gain support [[link removed]] from European countries in its efforts to land the 2034 tournament.

Political Concerns?

A World Cup in Saudi Arabia would bring up further discussion of FIFA’s tolerance of human rights violations following complaints [[link removed]] surrounding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Saudi Arabia is one of the most criticized [[link removed]] nations when it comes to human rights.

The Qatar World Cup also had controversies regarding the host nation bribing [[link removed]] FIFA officials for the tournament. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia reportedly offered [[link removed]] to pay for new stadiums in Greece and Egypt if they teamed up for a joint World Cup bid.

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You invest Roots buy properties, fixes them up, and rents them out Renters get invested in the fund for paying on time, taking care of property and being good neighbors

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Jacksonville Mayor: ‘Buck Stops With Me’ on Jags’ Stadium Deal [[link removed]]

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars made no secret of their desire for much more public-sector engagement with their $2 billion project to upgrade the publicly owned EverBank Stadium.

Jacksonville mayor Donna Deegan says she’s up to the task but is still grappling with the sharply opposing ideologies of her electorate.

Days after Jaguars president Mark Lamping insisted [[link removed]] his assertion that “if Jacksonville loses an NFL team, they’re never going to get another one” was not a threat to leave, Deegan traveled to London to meet with him and team owner Shad Khan during their two weeks of games there. She insists on having a direct and active role in the ongoing stadium talks.

“Ultimately, I will have the final say on our team. The buck stops with me,” Deegan told [[link removed]] WJAX-TV.

Deegan has assumed that stance since taking office on July 1, but she also has seen a growing divide on the issue that will need to be resolved before any deal is finalized. The Jaguars have envisioned [[link removed]] a self-described “Stadium of the Future” and related development around the facility, with the $2 billion cost split between the team and public sector.

“The bottom line is 80% [of local citizens] say they don’t want to spend the money, 80% don’t want to lose the Jags,” she said. “Those two things are simply mutually exclusive, so an agreement must be reached. Hopefully, we can come up with one that we are pretty pleased with.”

Premier League’s $6B Media Rights Plan: Bigger Packages, Fewer Broadcasters [[link removed]]

Premier League

The English Premier League is looking to switch up how its U.K. fans watch matches on a weekly basis.

The EPL currently holds domestic media rights deals with Sky Sports, TNT Sports (a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery formerly known as BT Sport), and Amazon Prime Video that are bringing in more than $6 billion over the life of a three-year cycle ending in 2025.

As negotiations ramp up for the next set of media deals, the EPL appears to want to extend the deal cycles to four years and have fewer broadcasters with larger packages, according to the Financial Times [[link removed]]. Bidding could start within weeks and is expected to include the incumbent broadcasters, as well as DAZN.

The EPL wants to see a sizable increase [[link removed]] from this set of rights deals, which could be more feasible with longer, more lucrative contracts. The consolidation strategy contrasts with major U.S. leagues like the NFL or Big Ten conference, which continue to expand their partnership scopes.

Across The Pond

In the U.S., NBC has begun its second decade broadcasting the Premier League, reportedly paying [[link removed].] $2.7 billion for its most recent six-year pact.

When that deal expires in 2028, the EPL and English Football League are exploring [[link removed]] the idea of selling their overseas media rights together. The lower divisions would reportedly receive 14.75% of the net media revenue.

Conversation Starters Just days before his season opener, North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker was ruled ineligible as a two-time transfer, ultimately missing four games despite efforts from furious coaches, UNC officials, and even state leaders. Today, Walker found out he can play [[link removed]]. Kirk Herbstreit has a relatively light weekend of travel ahead of him compared to some other weekends. Check out [[link removed]] his itinerary. The Phoenix Suns and Mercury have unveiled [[link removed]] $100 million plans for a new headquarters and dedicated state-of-the-art facility for the Mercury. The 123,000-square-foot property — one of the largest sports HQs in the U.S. — will feature two practice courts, hot/cold pools, and underwater treadmills.

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My Other Passion: Zaire Wade

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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.​

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Editor's Picks Riding Ratings High, Amazon To Bring Back ‘The Shop’ Alt-Cast [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]'TNF in The Shop' is returning to Prime Video for a second season. ESPN To Air RedZone-Style NHL Whiparound Show [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]John Buccigross will moderate "Frozen Frenzy" from ESPN’s studios. Apple, Amazon Have Discussed Acquiring College Football Playoff Rights [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]] and Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]Both companies have yet to obtain top-shelf college sports rights. Question Of The Day

How much do you typically spend on your pet(s) per month?

Less than $50 [[link removed]] $50 - $100 [[link removed]] $100+ [[link removed]] N/A [[link removed]]

Thursday’s Answer

Of those with pets, 29% of respondents would consider purchasing pet insurance, and 20% already have it.

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