December 19, 2023

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Winter is almost upon us, but we’re already thinking about spring as the field for the 2024 Masters Tournament takes shape (albeit an odd shape). … Winning comes with big costs for Detroit Lions fans. … And Sean Stellato isn’t the most powerful figure among NFL player agents, but he’s certainly the most talked-about right now.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

The Case of the Shrinking Masters Field. (Shhh: LIV Golf Did It) [[link removed]]

Arizona Republic

The Masters is the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, but even Augusta National isn’t immune to the disruption caused by LIV Golf.

In April, what is likely to be one of the smallest Masters fields in decades will vie for the Green Jacket, as fewer professional players are receiving the necessary world rankings points to become eligible. Heading into the new year, just 77 players are set to qualify [[link removed]] for the 2024 Masters once the final world rankings for 2023 are official. Since 2000, the Masters field has ranged from 87 to 99 players.

A 78th player will qualify for Augusta at the Latin America Amateur Championship, but no further spots are guaranteed. Now, the only other way to qualify is by winning one of the 14 PGA Tour events before the Masters, or entering the top 50 in the world rankings the week prior to the tournament.

The last time the Masters had fewer than 80 participants was in 1985, when the field size dipped to 77. In October, LIV Golf was denied [[link removed]] its latest attempt to earn world rankings points for its events. Augusta National subsequently announced that it would not make special exemptions for LIV players.

Earlier this year, 18 LIV members competed at the Masters, but just half of those players are exempt (through Masters or other major championship victories) for 2024. The other nine have seen steep drops in the world rankings — such as Kevin Na, who was in the top 50 a year ago and now ranks No. 620 — and they can’t make up any more ground. Jon Rahm, who just joined LIV, won the 2023 Masters and its $3.24 million prize, drawing in more than 12 million viewers for the final round.

The Masters typically brings by far the smallest field of golf’s four majors. The PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and Open Championship annually have up to 156 players, and they allow more qualifying methods than the Masters.

Victory Has Its Costs As Lions Raise Ticket Prices Dramatically [[link removed]]

Detroit Free Press

Winning comes with a hefty dose of inflation in Detroit.

The Lions have notified season-ticket holders that 2024 pricing will come with an average 30% increase, and as much as an 85% bump for certain Ford Field seats. The price hikes arrive as the 10-4 Lions close in on their first division title since 1993 and their first playoff berth since 2016.

Pro teams across numerous sports frequently impose price increases following winning seasons. But the dynamics in Detroit are particularly stark, as the Lions have kept their prices essentially flat since 2018. The Lions also have supply-and-demand factors working strongly in their favor: The 65,000-seat Ford Field features one of the league’s smallest seating capacities, and in 2023 the team sold out [[link removed]] its season tickets for the first time since moving into the downtown Detroit stadium, in 2002.

The Lions are averaging 65,081 in attendance this season. Their average capacity percentage of 100.9 ranks sixth in the league, up from 17th in 2022, and is coupled with the advent of a ticket waiting list for the first time in Ford Field history.

In the Spotlight

The increases also follow an extended run of national showcases for the Lions. After starring in the 2022 training camp version of HBO Sports’ Hard Knocks, the Lions’ 2023 schedule includes four primetime games, plus their traditional Thanksgiving game. Next up nationally is a Dec. 30 primetime clash – and potential postseason preview – against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Lions have also steadily improved their odds of a championship at major U.S. sportsbooks since the preseason. The team now carries an implied probability of 5.3% to claim their first championship in the Super Bowl era.

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Pizzeria to Giants QB, Agent: A $20,000 Pizza Party? Fuhgeddaboudit [[link removed]]

The Record

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito and his headline-stealing agent, Sean Stellato, have been making the best of their newfound fame — until there was a mix-up at a New Jersey pizzeria.

DeVito — who along with Stellato has leaned into his Italian-American heritage — was scheduled to appear at Coniglio’s Old Fashioned on Tuesday and sign autographs, but Stellato allegedly doubled the quarterback’s asking price as his fame grew, leading to the event’s cancellation. Coniglio’s posted [[link removed]] on Instagram that after last week’s win over the Green bay Packers on Monday Night Football, Stellato raised DeVito’s appearance fee from $10,000 to $20,000, which the owners couldn’t afford.

The situation led to a back-and-forth between the pizza shop and Stellato, each of whom eventually shared [[link removed]] their side of the story with sports business reporter Darren Rovell. Stellato said there was no contract, but Coniglio’s insisted that an agreement had been made, and shared a text as evidence. DeVito, who is earning the rookie-minimum $750,000 this season, hasn’t publicly commented on the matter.

Last week, Stellato [[link removed]] was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame alongside Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and six others. Next up for DeVito, who is 3-2 as the Giants’ starter, is a Christmas Day matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Conversation Starters Maryland has unveiled a new $11 million women’s lacrosse and field hockey facility. The space, which will be three times the size of its predecessor, will boast larger locker rooms, a Hall of Champions, sports medicine and weight areas, and more. Check it out [[link removed]]. A star quarterback at Missouri and a second-round draft pick, Drew Lock found himself benched in Denver, then in Seattle. But after three years as a backup, Lock stepped in [[link removed]] and led the Seahawks’ comeback win over the Eagles. Watch [[link removed]] the Lakers unveil their In-Season Tournament Championship banner. The Front Office Sports Today podcast [[link removed]] has been nominated as a 2024 finalist for The Sports Podcast Group’s “Best Sports Business Podcast.” Vote here [[link removed]]. SPONSORED BY INVESCO QQQ Between unprecedented conference realignments, historic media rights deals, the wild world of NIL, and high-stakes competition, this space couldn’t be more exciting right now, but you need someone to help you make sense of it all. That’s where we come in. USC’s Lawyer Calls Football and Basketball ‘Extracurricular Activities’ [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]The NCAA's amateurism model is on trial in L.A. labor court. The NCAA’s Amateurism Model Is on Trial: Everything You Need To Know [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]A labor court in L.A. could reclassify some D-I athletes as employees. NCAA Agrees to Suspend Transfer Restrictions For Entire 2023-24 Season [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]The temporary restraining order has been extended. The Problem With 43 Bowl Games? Meaning and Name Recognition [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]Bowl games are changing as the College Football Playoff expands. DISCLAIMER

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