October 26, 2023

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After the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers — two of last year’s title contenders — play tonight, all 30 NBA teams’ seasons will be underway. But my gut says this is the year for the Phoenix Suns, with Kevin Durant notching a third ring come June and Mat Ishbia winning a title in his first full season as the team’s new owner.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]]

Endeavor Looks At Strategic Options For Company Amid Lagging Stock [[link removed]]

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Endeavor Group Holdings could again become a private company in the wake of a long-lagging stock, a move that could ultimately render seismic impacts across the sports and entertainment industries.

The majority owner of TKO Group Holdings and parent of assets such as IMG, WME, and On Location said it has initiated a formal review to “evaluate strategic alternatives for the company.” The move arrives in the wake of a long-suffering stock for Endeavor, with shares down more than 16% this year on the New York Stock Exchange, and down nearly 36% since the company’s high-profile initial public offering in 2021.

That lack of stock appreciation — despite moves such as the formation [[link removed]] of TKO out of the landmark UFC-WWE merger and the marked elevation of On Location’s business with key NFL and Olympics assets — has long frustrated Endeavor executives, both privately and publicly.

“Given the continued dislocation between Endeavor’s public market value and the intrinsic value of Endeavor’s underlying assets, we believe an evaluation of strategic alternatives is a prudent approach to ensure we are maximizing value for our shareholders,” said Ari Emanuel, Endeavor CEO.

Silver Lake Support

Private equity giant Silver Lake, which controls about 71% of the voting power in Endeavor, said it is “currently working toward making a proposal to take Endeavor private,” but added it is not entertaining bids from outside parties.

“Silver Lake firmly believes in Endeavor’s business and is not interested in selling its shares in Endeavor to a third party,” the firm said.

Endeavor said the review process is operating without a deadline and without “assurances this process will result in any particular outcome,” though it did rule out the sale of any interest in TKO. Still, news of Endeavor’s review sent shares up more than 24% in after-hours trading, surpassing $22 per share.

The strategic review for Endeavor closely follows the $7 billion acquisition [[link removed]] of Creative Artists Agency by French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault.

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🎙️ They Said What?

“I also believe that defensive linemen are going to start getting paid second-highest out of everybody.”

— Gerald McCoy, former NFL All-Pro, tells Front Office Sports Today that he believes defensive linemen will begin seeing huge pay increases soon — second only to quarterbacks. To hear more from McCoy, check out the latest episode.

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

FIFA Admits Dallas Playing Surface A Concern For 2026 World Cup [[link removed]]

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

As Dallas continues its bid to host the 2026 World Cup Final, a late wrinkle has emerged: the field conditions of the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.

Like many other NFL facilities vying to host World Cup matches, AT&T Stadium plans to temporarily convert its artificial turf field to a natural-grass hybrid to comply with FIFA regulations. But even that plan is drawing scrutiny.

“We are looking at the pitch conversion and how that conversion is going to be done to make it a natural-grass surface that will actually survive the duration of the tournament, which is a huge challenge,” said [[link removed]] Heimo Schirgi, FIFA COO, to the Dallas Morning News.

The facility has used natural grass for other soccer events, but those temporary slabs of turf installed on cement have led to a series of complaints and injuries. For the World Cup, the Cowboys are planning a more complex system to allow for the planting of grass.

AT&T Stadium is said to be battling [[link removed]] against New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to host the event’s final match. Dallas officials are seeking to bolster their bid by positing [[link removed]] the unprecedented idea of a ticketed event for 200,000 people incorporating the Texas Rangers’ current and former ballparks neighboring AT&T Stadium and also part of Arlington’s sports and entertainment complex.

The NFL itself, which is similarly grappling [[link removed]] with a variety of field-related issues, is also looking to FIFA for advice.

Forthcoming Decisions

FIFA’s visit to Dallas this week was the last before the governing body is expected to announce its 2026 World Cup match sites and schedule before the end of the year.

“There is a lot of competition [for the final], which is always great,” Schirgi said. “We have the option that this great country has stadiums that could be a great potential venue for the final match.”

The 2026 World Cup will be the first with a 48-team format.

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Jets Riding Wave Of Record Revenues Despite Rodgers Injury [[link removed]]

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets’ playoff hopes are alive and well — a surprising development that’s boosting the team financially.

On Sunday, the Jets will be the away team at MetLife Stadium for a crosstown matchup with New York Giants. But when the Jets have played at home, the numbers have been staggering — even despite star quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ absence after tearing his Achilles.

Ticket and game day revenues are setting records for the Jets. “Everything is higher than it’s ever been,” team president Hymie Elhai told Front Office Sports.

The Jets wouldn’t disclose specific sales figures, but during the first three games — before a home upset of the Philadelphia Eagles — merchandise sales at MetLife Stadium were up 20% from last season and concessions up 9.3%. Online merch sales are up nearly 200%.

The Jets attributed the strong numbers in part to a new initiative they started in 2022 to get more fans in the stadium before kickoff — they averaged an entry rate above 90% for the first three games.

Next season, the Jets will reportedly raise [[link removed]] season ticket prices by an average of 10%. Rodgers, who is 39 and previously hinted at retirement, is under contract for 2024 and says he wants to return this season. “Aaron’s impact and influence on the team has been present, and it’s helped become a unifying thing,” Elhai said. “So, even when he’s been away, he’s not really away.”

Interest in Rodgers’ debut and a slate of strong opponents has led to the three most-watched games of this NFL season involving [[link removed]] the Jets. And on a local level, the Jets are seeing numbers spike for team-produced digital content.

The Tour De France Faces Major Disruption Due To Paris Olympics [[link removed]]

ASO/Pauline Ballet

Next summer’s Paris Olympics will cost organizers at least $4.5 billion — but the Games will also severely upend one of the most storied international events on the sporting calendar.

On Wednesday, the Tour de France released its official route [[link removed]] for the 111th edition of the cycling race in 2024, with a notable omission. For the first time since [[link removed]] 1905, the race won’t finish in Paris — and won’t even go through the French capital at all during the 23-day event.

The race will run from June 29 to July 21, ending five days before the Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26. Because of security and logistical concerns, the Tour de France won’t finish along the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, which it has done [[link removed]] since 1975, instead concluding in Nice along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

A break from tradition may end up benefiting the race overall thanks to an increased spotlight on France next summer that could lead to higher viewership for the Tour de France.

NBC is paying $7.65 billion for the U.S. media rights to the Olympics through 2032 and paying [[link removed]] at least $8 million annually to broadcast the Tour de France. The network will likely be promoting and previewing the Games throughout the race.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Tour de France will begin from Italy for the first time. Italian organizers are reportedly paying [[link removed]] more than $10 million to start the race in Florence.

Conversation Starters In Portugal, a stadium called The Quarry is literally carved into a granite hillside and is supported by cables stretching over the field. Take a look [[link removed]]. ESPN has surpassed Paris Saint-Germain as the most-followed [[link removed]] brand on all of TikTok — now with more than 41.6 million followers. Myles Garrett has purchased [[link removed]] a minority stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Cleveland Browns’ four-time Pro Bowler will also serve as an official Cavs brand ambassador.

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Editor's Picks Royals Stadium Urgency Rises As County Presses For Action [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]County executive given 48-hour deadline to respond to MLB club. IOC to Explore Packaging Media Rights for Olympic Qualifiers [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding, and sport climbing will feature first. The NBA Wants You to Watch Games With Creators [[link removed]]by Owen Poindexter [[link removed]]Podcasters and creators will host viewing options similar to “ManningCast” and ones that combine live streams with community chats. Army Will Join the AAC As Football-Only Member in 2024 [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]Other sports programs will continue to compete in the Patriot League. Question Of The Day

Do you drink alcoholic beverages while watching sports?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]] N/A [[link removed]]

Wednesday’s Answer

40% of respndents use an online software to file their taxes, 49% hire a professional, and 11% do it themselves.

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