October 13, 2023

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There’s big money, and then there’s Saudi money. The recent ranking [[link removed]] of Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s top-paid soccer player only reinforces Saudi Arabia’s financial might — his $260 million haul playing in the Saudi Pro League this year nearly doubles that of even Lionel Messi.

It’s yet another reminder that as the Saudis work their way into numerous pro sports — despite continued concerns over the country’s human rights record — their financial resources are essentially unmatched.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

With 100-Win Teams Out, Manfred Defends MLB Playoff Format [[link removed]]

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

MLB’s playoff format has been the subject of increasing controversy, but league commissioner Rob Manfred is stressing caution.

Already featuring [[link removed]] a series of upstart teams in this year’s postseason, the upset wave has continued as the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Rays — who each won at least 99 games during the regular season — collectively won just a single playoff game and failed to advance beyond the division series.

Instead, the league championship series matchups of the Houston Astros-Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies-Arizona Diamondbacks feature three wild card teams and a combined 354 regular-season wins — the lowest total ever for an MLB final four.

The current, 12-team postseason format emerged from the labor deal struck early last year with the MLB Players Association.

“It’s only Year 2,” Manfred said prior to Game 4 of the division series between the Phillies and Braves. “I’m sort of the view [that] you need to give something a chance to work out. And I know some of the higher-seeded teams didn’t win. If you think about where some of those teams were, there are other explanations than a five-day layoff.”

Viewership Down, Prices Up

The wild card round ended with a television viewership decline [[link removed]], and the league faces more potential ratings struggles with the remaining teams — even if they include the nation’s fourth-, fifth-, seventh-, and 11th-largest markets. The national followings of the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, or Los Angeles Dodgers will be missed.

On a local level, though, the Phillies’ upcoming LCS matchup against the Diamondbacks has already driven the most expensive list prices ever on the secondary ticket market for that playoff round, according to ticket aggregator TicketIQ — an average of $1,488 per ticket.

NHL Sees Big Opportunity In Mexico For Future Games [[link removed]]

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Add another international target — and a decidedly unconventional one — for the NHL in its fast-growing global ambitions.

The league is now looking to stage games in Mexico, a significant expansion of its activities outside the U.S. and Canada.

Since restarting its Global Series tour in 2017, the league has played in Australia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. Compared to most of those countries, Mexico would be a less fertile hockey market, but the NHL still sees big opportunities in America’s southern neighbor.

“Mexico City is on a short list because our teams are very interested in going there and exploring that market,” said [[link removed]] Steve Mayer, NHL chief content officer, on ESPN’s “The Drop” podcast. “There are teams that would really love to go to Mexico.”

Not surprisingly, one of those is the Arizona Coyotes, who have marketed to local Latino fans for many years and are now in the midst of significant business transition [[link removed]]. Other logical candidates would include the Los Angeles Kings and Dallas Stars, each of which play in states bordering Mexico and have previously held hockey camps in Mexico City.

The league’s potential plans for Mexico could notably include both indoor and outdoor settings.

“Mexico City, because of the climate, might be a little more difficult to go with an outdoor game,” Mayer said. “But those things are challenges for us that we love to take on.”

Popular Destination

The NHL would be the last of the four major U.S.-based pro leagues to stage games in Mexico, as the NFL, MLB, and NBA have all been there multiple times.

As each of these leagues looks to expand their business, overseas games have taken on even more importance to overall operations. Most recently, the NFL expressed [[link removed]] interest in playing in Spain and Brazil.

FUTURE OF SPORTS

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.

In our latest virtual event, The Future of Sports: Equity [[link removed]], sponsored by ISOS Capital Management, we explored these topics with representatives from ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, NWSL, Roku, and more of the most influential businesses in the space.

Watch on demand [[link removed]] now.

Legal Dispute Brewing Between UFC And Anti-Doping Agency [[link removed]]

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

UFC’s next big fight may be outside the Octagon as it escalates a bitter rift with a leading anti-doping agency.

The MMA property is creating its own drug-testing program and threatening legal action against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after the latter claimed UFC did “an about-face” on the status of Conor McGregor, as well as on their future relationship.

USADA has said that McGregor, like any other fighter, must spend six months in a drug-testing pool and pass two tests before competing. Having been out of the pool since 2021, he made his reentry on Sunday. McGregor was previously expected to fight in December, but his status has been in question because of the testing rules.

“We do not currently know whether UFC will ultimately honor the six-month-or-longer requirement,” the agency said. “The UFC’s move imperils the immense progress made within the sport under USADA’s leadership.”

That prompted an angry reply from UFC, which objected to both the public announcement of McGregor’s entering the testing pool — something not normally done in order to protect athletes’ privacy — and the attacks on its organizational credibility. UFC also insisted that McGregor won’t be fighting until next year.

“It was a dirty move by them,” UFC president Dana White said of USADA on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “That was straight scumbag-ism what happened. … The you-know-what is about to hit the fan on that one.”

The property will begin working with Drug Free Sport International in January, when its current USADA deal ends.

Defying a UFC request for a public retraction and apology, USADA responded that it “stands by our statement and our credibility.”

Conversation Starters The New England Patriots are worth $7 billion — but Robert Kraft will never sell [[link removed]]. The WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury are getting one of the largest sports headquarters in the country. Take a tour [[link removed]] of the $100 million facility. Check out the all-new Fresh Foam x 1080 [[link removed]]. The Fresh Foam X 1080v13 brings a new experience with supreme soft cushioning, elevated comfort, and an improved fit for all who run.*

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS AWARDS

Are You One of The Best Employers in Sports?

Whether it’s great leadership, focus on diversity, equity and inclusion or commitment to employee wellbeing, the Front Office Sports Best Employers in Sports Award [[link removed]]recognizes organizations who do right by their employees.

How do we determine who wins the award? We don’t — employees do! The award is based entirely on anonymous survey results from sports industry professionals.

Responses will be evaluated in collaboration with our primary research partner, Canvs [[link removed]], using patented AI technology free from all subjectivity and human bias. There is no word count limit and you can even use slang, text abbreviations, sarcasm or emojis to complete the survey.

There is only one week remaining to take the 2023 employee survey! Take the survey [[link removed]] by October 20 for a chance to recognize your company as one of the best in the business.

Editor's Pick Microsoft Finalizes $69B Acquisition of Activision Blizzard [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]The company beat numerous antitrust concerns to get the deal done. WNBA Finals Viewership Falters in Game 2 [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]After a very strong start, the 2023 WNBA Finals viewership fell. NFL’s Appeals Hearing in Jon Gruden Case Could be Must-See TV [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]The NFL's appeal in Jon Gruden's lawsuit will be heard on Nov. 7. 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.

ENTER HERE [[link removed]]

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