December 12, 2023

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Professional soccer in Greece is set to relive the kind of fan-less scenes the entire sports world dealt with during the pandemic. Spectators won’t be allowed to attend matches for the country’s top league until February after the government decided to crack down on violence at games.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]]

NFL Could Expand Global Presence to Nine Games: Owners to Vote [[link removed]]

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL made a strong push to expand its international footprint this season and could take yet another significant step this week.

Team owners are convening in Irving, Texas, on Tuesday and Wednesday for a special league meeting. A source confirmed to Front Office Spots that the agenda includes a vote, expected on Wednesday, to require all 32 clubs to play one designated home game outside the U.S. every four years. Right now, teams are required to do so once every eight years. Sports Business Journal initially reported [[link removed]] the news.

The NFL played five international games this fall — three in London and two in Frankfurt — and is exploring the possibility of playing future games in Madrid and Sao Paulo, Brazil, along with plans to eventually return to Mexico City. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has made multiple comments about expanding in Europe and even hinted at playing [[link removed]] a Super Bowl in London.

A source told NBC Sports’ Peter King that the new international measure should be easily approved [[link removed]], which could allow the NFL to start playing nine games abroad per season as soon as 2025.

New Package To Sell?

Currently, games in Europe are typically broadcast at 9:30 a.m. ET, mostly on NFL Network, and one per season on ESPN+ the past two years. Creating a larger slate of games could allow the NFL to sell those broadcasts as their own package.

Former NFL executives have told [[link removed]] Front Office Sports they expect the league to move toward a larger schedule of international games before considering placing a franchise abroad. Meanwhile, the NFL has been exploring the potential of putting an international game exclusively behind [[link removed]] the paywall of its streaming service NFL+.

PODCAST

🎙️ They Said What?

“If this falls apart, it’s very expensive to compete with a sovereign wealth fund that’s worth about $800 billion.”

— A.J. Perez, FOS senior reporter, on why the PGA Tour is considering an investment from Strategic Sports Group while working toward a deal with LIV Golf. Check out today’s episode of FOS Today to hear more about the chaotic negotiations for golf’s future.

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

Ohtani Aftermath: MLB Teams Forced To Rethink Strategies, Finances [[link removed]]

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers are dominating the headlines for winning the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes with a 10-year, $700 million mega-contract. But as that celebration continues, several other clubs across MLB are left to pick up the pieces in the wake of the superstar’s move.

The Los Angeles Angels, who were never seen as serious contenders to retain Ohtani, are now officially facing life without him. The Angels have generated millions of dollars per season via sponsorships [[link removed]] with Japanese companies that will likely no longer see the value in those deals. Now, the Halos will look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014 without the help of baseball’s best player.

When rumors that Ohtani would sign with the Toronto Blue Jays flared up late last week, the club’s World Series betting odds improved [[link removed]] from 15-1 to as short as 8-1, behind only the Atlanta Braves and Dodgers. The Blue Jays are believed [[link removed]] to have offered Ohtani a contract not much lower than the Dodgers’ deal.

The New York Mets were among the teams with an initial interest in Ohtani, but it turns out they never had much of a chance. “The agent never reached out to me personally,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said [[link removed]]. “And I think that’s pretty telling.” The Mets began last season with a record payroll, so offering Ohtani a record deal wouldn’t have been an issue.

Dodgers Fans Prepare To Pay Up

Ticket prices for Ohtani’s home debut with the Dodgers next spring are already skyrocketing.

On secondary marketplaces, some standing-room-only tickets were selling [[link removed]] for a minimum price of more than $400 in the wake of Ohtani’s signing.

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Foreign Investors Could Be Flocking to German Pro Soccer Soon. Here’s Why [[link removed]]

DFL

Germany’s top soccer teams aren’t allowed to be majority-owned by holding companies or investment entities like many of their counterparts throughout Europe. But private equity money appears to be on its way into the league thanks to an evolving media rights strategy.

A vote to allow a financial investor to take a stake in a German Football League media company narrowly received the necessary approval on Monday. Sources told Reuters that 24 of the 36 clubs across the top two Bundesliga divisions voted yes [[link removed]] to the measure, which required two-thirds approval.

The company or companies that will invest in German soccer are still to be determined, but potential suitors include [[link removed]] private equity firms like Advent International, Blackstone, Bridgepoint, CVC Capital Partners, and EQT. German officials are seeking more than $1 billion for an 8% stake in the new company.

Additional funding would help Bundesliga clubs start closing the gap with Premier League teams, which bring in double the revenue of Germany’s top clubs, according [[link removed]] to Deloitte. The most recent figures for Europe’s top five soccer leagues show annual EPL revenue at close to $7 billion, with the Bundesliga generating more than $3 billion.

An investment deal could be completed within the coming months, according to the Bundesliga.

Italy Might Need Help Hosting Winter Olympics: Lake Placid an Option? [[link removed]]

Harrison Hill-USA TODAY Sports

The U.S. will host the Olympics in 2028 and likely in 2034. But the Games could hit American soil even sooner.

A $100 million-plus budget error involving the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics has led organizers to explore the possibility of holding some events outside Italy — and the U.S. is among those ready to act if needed.

Milan-Cortina officials are facing [[link removed]] construction estimates for a sliding venue approaching $160 million, after originally proposing a roughly $60 million spend. Lake Placid, New York, host of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics, has submitted a proposal to host the 2026 sliding events, which include bobsled, skeleton, and luge.

American, German, Austrian, and Swiss Olympic committees have been contacted [[link removed]] to serve as potential sliding hosts if necessary. If Lake Placid ends up holding Olympic events, medal ceremonies could be held in New York City to honor winners on an even grander stage.

Holding some of the Milan-Cortina events nearly 4,000 miles away would be completely unprecedented for the Olympics. No portion of any edition of the Winter Games has ever been held outside the host country.

Lake Placid’s bid has the full support of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympic Committee, but the logistical challenges of transporting athletes over the Atlantic Ocean could make the European alternative options more feasible.

Conversation Starters Shohei Ohtani’s annual salary with the Los Angeles Dodgers will be greater than what the Oakland A’s paid their entire team last year. Find out more [[link removed]]. As for his former team, the Angels: They paid Ohtani and Mike Trout a combined [[link removed]] $230 million over six years — but never played a single postseason game in that time. Early projections for the 2024 NFL salary cap are coming in at more than $240 million. See how [[link removed]] that stacks up with recent years. Editor's Picks The End of 2023 Is Crucial for a PGA Tour, LIV Resolution [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]Jon Rahm's departure increases the sense of urgency for the PGA Tour. Why Ohtani’s Historic Contract Could Pay Off Even Bigger for the Dodgers [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]The Dodgers look to generate significant revenue lift from their new two-way phenom. Silver: NBA Could ‘Tweak’ Aspects of Future NBA In-Season Tournaments [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]The Los Angeles Lakers won the first-ever NBA Cup.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Top Picks From Your Favorite Athletes

Introducing the Front Office Sports inaugural Holiday Gift Guide! [[link removed]]

Elevate your gifting game with curated picks from premier athlete-owned and partnered brands in the world of sports. Featuring products from your favorite athletes and executives like Chris Paul, Renee Montgomery, Maria Sharapova, the Kelce Brothers and more.

Our guide is a slam dunk for sports enthusiasts and fans alike offering gift ideas for your corporate athlete friend, your PTO-loving coworker, or your most fashionable colleague.

Don’t miss out – explore [[link removed]] the FOS Holiday Gift Guide and make this gifting season a victory for every sports fan on your list!

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