October 11, 2023

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The Texas Rangers have been on a long, difficult road to rebuilding, one that includes six straight losing seasons, a 2020 opening of Globe Life Field marred by the the start of pandemic, and last year’s overhaul of its baseball operations leadership.

Now, backed with MLB’s fourth-largest payroll, the Rangers have quickly dismantled the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles in this year’s playoffs, are back in the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2011, and are poised to retake a spot as one of MLB’s most prominent franchises.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

Goodell On Track For Extension, $700M In Career Earnings [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Already one of the highest-paid executives in sports, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is at last closing in on a three-year contract extension that will bring him to about $700 million in career earnings.

Months in development [[link removed]], the new deal is expected to be discussed [[link removed]] at next week’s regularly scheduled league meetings in New York. But even if it isn’t finalized there, the extension is expected to keep Goodell in place until the spring of 2027, when he will be 68.

Goodell has held the post since 2006, and his most recent annual salary is believed [[link removed]] to be nearly $64 million.

Using the NFL’s tax filings [[link removed]] from 2006-15 and various reports since the league gave up its tax-exempt status, Goodell is already conservatively estimated to have earned about $500 million since becoming commissioner. A three-year extension could easily add another $200 million to that total haul, and prior reports pointed [[link removed]] to the new term being “the most lucrative deal ever given to any commissioner in any sport.”

Under Goodell’s watch, the league has soared to unprecedented heights, and in 2021, the NFL signed a set of domestic media deals worth about $110 billion and stretching through 2033.

It’s unclear what the final sticking points have been in completing the extension. In April, the normally reserved Goodell offered a more blunt assessment on the situation.

“The good news is I love the job, and I love what I’m doing,” Goodell said. “We have talked about an extension, and we’ll work towards that. If that’s possible, then great. If not, I’ve been really fortunate to be in this job.”

DSG Bankruptcy Woes Deepen With DirecTV Fee Dispute [[link removed]]

Diamond Sports Group

Already fighting for its corporate life on multiple fronts, the bankrupt Diamond Sports Group is now taking aim at major satellite television carrier DirecTV for unpaid distribution fees.

On Tuesday, DSG asked a U.S. bankruptcy court in Texas to compel DirecTV to make good on its owed fees and bring its existing distribution contract up to date. DSG alleges DirecTV began underpaying the regional sports network operator when it stopped [[link removed]] carrying the San Diego Padres in May, then continued that practice in July, when it also dropped [[link removed]] the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Despite no longer having access to those games through DSG’s Bally Sports, DSG claims DirecTV remains contractually obligated to pay in full. The amount in question has been redacted in court filings but certainly extends into the millions of dollars.

“DirecTV is pursuing an unlawful course of ‘self-help’ against the debtors,” DSG said. “DirecTV has no basis for withholding any portion of the payments due … Faced with this reality, and unable to point to any contractual provision entitling it to relief, DirecTV instead seeks to resort to supposed ‘equitable’ remedies.”

DirecTV has not yet responded to DSG’s motion.

The dispute arrives at a particularly delicate time, as the companies are also in the midst of negotiations on a new, long-term carriage agreement.

DSG continues to work [[link removed]] on a formal reorganization plan and has asked for additional time to complete it. The company has also dropped [[link removed]] its Arizona Coyotes rights, but signed [[link removed]] a new deal to retain the rights to the Los Angeles Kings.

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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.

Australia Could Challenge Saudi Arabia’s World Cup Hopes With Joint Bid [[link removed]]

FIFA

Despite the many signs that Saudi Arabia will ultimately host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the aid of three countries from Southeast Asia could boost Australia’s bid for the tournament.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore are interested [[link removed]] in collaborating with Australia on a joint bid in 2034. While Australia is geographically set in the Oceania region, it is a member of the Asian confederation, along with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, as well as Saudi Arabia.

FIFA has requested that nations from the Asian and Oceania Football Confederations submit bids, and Saudi Arabia is the only one [[link removed]] to do so so far. A newly relaxed stadium policy [[link removed]] brought up speculation that FIFA is favoring a Saudi Arabian bid.

Other interested parties must submit their proposals by the end of this month.

Australia hosted this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup with New Zealand and has expressed interest in the men’s tournament, too. New Zealand has also said it would like to be a part of a future men’s World Cup. Right now, it is unclear if Australia would move forward with any joint bid, or if New Zealand would join the Southeast Asian nations in support.

Joint bids have become a growing trend [[link removed]], with the next two World Cups and two future UEFA Euros set to take place across multiple countries. Saudi Arabia had originally bid [[link removed]] on the 2030 World Cup with Egypt and Greece, but it is vying for the 2034 event by itself.

Conversation Starters The Vegas Golden Knights raised [[link removed]] their 2023 Stanley Cup banner during Tuesday’s season-opening win — using a giant slot machine. No. 1 overall draft pick Connor Bedard started in his first NHL game at just 18. The referee was mic’d up as he welcomed [[link removed]] the highly-touted player to the league — as he was facing off against Sidney Crosby. The San Antonio Spurs have moved into their new $500 million headquarters and training campus. Take a first look [[link removed]] at the facility.

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Editor's Picks Charlotte Loses Western & Southern Open Bid Despite $400M Investment [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]The Western & Southern Open will remain in Cincinnati. The College Football Playoff Is Becoming One of the Hottest Media Properties [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]FOS confirmed CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery have expressed interest. ESPN Should Elevate Mark Messier To Succeed Barry Melrose [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]Barry Melrose has been a mainstay of ESPN's coverage - especially during the period the network did not have NHL media rights. Careers in Sports

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