April 4, 2024

Read in Browser [[link removed]]

POWERED BY

The A’s have finally made their choice for a temporary home, selecting Sacramento, but it’s going to be anything but easy for the club. … Bridge tolls are the latest flash point in a long-running debate about public-sector support for private sports entities. … A WTA deal to play in Riyadh will result in record-level prize money. … The mayor of Dallas wants the Chiefs to return to North Texas, but there are more than a few problems with that idea. … Plus: More on the NCAA, Cleveland, Inter Miami, and the Brewers.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]] and David Rumsey [[link removed]]

A’s Leave Problems Behind in Oakland—But Questions Await in Sacramento [[link removed]]

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The A’s are officially ending their time in Oakland after 57 seasons, announcing [[link removed]] Thursday a plan to move to Sacramento for the 2025–27 seasons. But in exiting one difficult, increasingly toxic situation in their current home, the MLB club is introducing a whole other set of complications in the California state capital.

A decision about the temporary home of the A’s was for months a closely watched situation. [[link removed]] Oakland seemed [[link removed]] the favorite in recent weeks, in part due to the Coliseum’s existing standing as a facility approved for MLB play, and also because staying in the market would preserve a local media-rights deal with NBC Sports California that paid the club $67 million last year.

But the deliberation materially changed in recent days. After a meeting Tuesday with Oakland city officials, the A’s said they were “far apart” on deal terms to return to the Coliseum. And the start of the 2024 season for the A’s has been marked by fan protests [[link removed]] and a further drop in what was already by far the league’s worst attendance. The impending departure also means that Oakland will have lost the A’s, Raiders, and Warriors—all in a five-year period.

“Even with the long-standing relationship and good intentions on all sides in the negotiations with Oakland, the conditions to reach an agreement seemed out of reach,” A’s owner John Fisher said.

Five Big Questions

Among the issues now confronting the A’s as they now plan to play at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, also the home of the Giants’ top minor-league affiliate, the River Cats:

Will the MLB Players Association sign off on the plan? The union will particularly assess the stadium amenities used by the players, and what is being done there to promote their health and safety. Thus far, the union has said it has had “preliminary discussions with MLB about a range of issues related to the temporary relocation and we expect those discussions to continue.” Much like how the Blue Jays used Buffalo’s Sahlen Field during the pandemic, facility upgrades will be required. How will the A’s share Sutter Health Park with the River Cats? Though mock schedules for 2025 are already in development, that question hasn’t yet been fully answered. Triple A teams, meanwhile, typically play extended individual series—often six games—in a single location to cut down on travel, representing a different cadence than how the MLB schedule operates. How will this affect A’s attendance? The 14,000-seat capacity of Sutter Health Park can easily accommodate the current per-game average of 6,438 the A’s have in Oakland. But this is still a minor league park with a capacity well below the normal MLB average, leaving the ability for future attendance and revenue growth significantly limited. What will be the impact on A’s staff? It’s possible that some team and ballpark functions will be handled by existing River Cats staff, potentially resulting [[link removed]] in layoffs. And for those that survive any potential cuts, a hefty commute or relocation is also in the offing to account for the 80-mile distance between Oakland and Sacramento. How much of that local media-rights deal will the A’s sacrifice with the shift to Sacramento? It’s expected the club will be able to retain a majority—but not all—of that revenue.

The Sacramento placement will also serve as something of a test case for the city to show its ability to support an MLB franchise, particularly as the league intends to pursue expansion once the stadium issues for the A’s and Rays are fully resolved. The deal there also includes a team option for 2028 should a planned ballpark in Las Vegas fall behind its intended schedule. While in Sacramento, the A’s will drop any geographic identifier in its name and just be known as the A’s or Athletics.

Meanwhile, those plans to build a new A’s ballpark in Vegas face their own challenges, with questions persisting about the stadium site [[link removed]] along the Strip and a newly released set of ballpark renderings [[link removed]].

NYC Marathon Bridge Dispute Spotlights Debate Over Public Support for Sports [[link removed]]

The Record

Public-sector support for privately held sports organizations usually comes in the form of bond assistance or various taxes—whether it be a sales tax, hotel tax, rental car tax, ticket tax, or some other similar mechanism. But the latest episode in the long-running debate about the proper application of that support within sports is instead centered on bridge tolls or, more specifically, the loss of them.

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is now demanding roughly $750,000 per year from New York Road Runners, which organizes the famed TCS New York City Marathon. The money is seen by the MTA as compensation for toll revenue lost due to the closure of Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the picturesque site of the race’s start.

The marathon has used both the upper and lower spans of the bridge since 1988. But absent a compromise, the NYRR now faces a trio of primary options, each less than ideal for the organization:

Make the payment and then increase the entrance fees for runners. Use only one span of the bridge and cut down the number of entrants. Use only one span but elongate the duration of the race to allow a similar number of participants—a choice that would require longer street closures along the rest of the course.

“New Yorkers love Marathon Sunday, but taxpayers cannot be expected to subsidize a wealthy non-government organization like the New York Road Runners,” said Catherine Sheridan, president of the MTA’s department of bridges and tunnels.

The dispute closely follows a rejection [[link removed]] of proposed stadium funding for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals by voters in Jackson County, Mo.

The NYRR’s response to date has been to cite the extensive boost to tourism and overall economic impact on New York that the race generates.

“The impact of the MTA’s request would represent a material change to the cost structure and would require an increase to how much runners pay to run the marathon, making it less affordable for local runners, and those who travel to New York City from around the world—both of whom contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to the city’s and state’s economy,” said NYRR spokesperson Crystal Howard.

The TCS New York City Marathon—and elite-level distance running overall—is in the midst of a large-scale renaissance [[link removed]]. Last year’s race featured 51,402 finishers, marking the third-largest edition in the event’s history, and a similar figure is again expected this year.

SPONSORED BY ORACLE

Stadium Tech That Pays Off

In the realm of sports, Oracle [[link removed]] is spearheading a transformation in stadium experiences through innovative technology solutions.

Recognizing the importance of fan satisfaction, Oracle’s focus on efficient payment processing ensures fans never miss crucial moments of the game.

Oracle has elevated operational efficiency, offering grab-and-go options and mobile ordering to reduce wait times. Exemplified by the adoption of their technology at UBS Arena, Oracle targets sports leaders through their emphasis on speed, accuracy, and guest satisfaction.

With versatile solutions and transparent payment systems, Oracle is reshaping sports venues, promising an immersive future for fans worldwide. Read more [[link removed]].

ONE BIG FIG Notable Raise

Desert Sun

$15.25 million

The record amount of prize money the WTA Finals will pay out this year as part of a new three-year deal with the Saudi Tennis Federation to hold the event in Riyadh through 2026. Last year’s WTA Finals purse was $9 million, and this year’s increase is expected to match the payout at the men’s ATP Finals.

Despite some strict laws in Saudi Arabia, WTA Ventures CEO Marina Storti told The Telegraph [[link removed]] that everybody would be welcome, and same-sex couples would be allowed to share rooms, which is typically not allowed. Earlier this week, No. 5–ranked Jessica Pegula spoke to Front Office Sports [[link removed]] about the pros and cons of tennis accepting more money from the Saudis. “They seem to kind of know that they want to get involved,” she said.

AWARDS

Every year, Front Office Sports’ awards program recognizes the best and most accomplished in the business of sports.

The 2024 Best Venues Award celebrates the venues that have met and exceeded the evolving demands of fans and that set the new industry standard for success.

🏆 Nominations are open through April 8. Submit your venue [[link removed]] now.

THE TAKEAWAY Chiefs to Dallas? Uh, Not So Fast

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The famous Wayne Gretzky quote, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” (later appropriated [[link removed]] by Michael Scott on The Office) can even apply to football. Dallas mayor Eric Johnson was quick to take his shot in the wake of the Chiefs’ ballot box defeat [[link removed]] in Jackson County, Mo., this week, calling [[link removed]] on the NFL team to return to its roots in North Texas. The Chiefs started as the AFL’s Dallas Texans, playing at the Cotton Bowl, before moving to Kansas City in 1963.

Johnson is no doubt advocating for his city and aiming to tap further into that area’s legendary devotion to football. It’s not even the first time he’s posited this idea, suggesting [[link removed]] two years ago that the NFL should place an expansion team in Dallas to join the Cowboys.

But there are more than a few issues with the notion. First, and perhaps foremost, is the power and influence of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. He’s already shot down [[link removed]] the prospect of a second NFL team in the area, indicating that league would be quite reluctant to do anything to threaten the Cowboys’ massive appeal that transcends the Dallas market as one of the world’s most valuable sports brands, even suggesting Johnson “doesn’t have the depth” to weigh in on the business of sports.

Additionally, the long history of cities that have added a second pro team inside of a given sport—in most every market, in every major league—is marked by the perpetually uphill climb, on and off the field, of the new team competing against its more popular neighbor. One need only look at MLB’s A’s, Angels, White Sox, and Mets; the NBA’s Clippers and Nets; the NFL’s Jets and Chargers; and the NHL’s Devils and Islanders for additional evidence.

Johnson will also likely be facing competition from the Chiefs’ current home market. As expected, other parts of the Kansas City area outside of Jackson County—including leaders across the border in Kansas—are beginning to mount [[link removed]] their own pitches for the team.

—EF

STATUS REPORT Two Up, Two Down

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA ⬆ Louisiana is set to ban prop betting on college sports, becoming the first state to do so since NCAA president Charlie Baker called [[link removed]] for just that last week.

Cleveland ⬆ A group hoping to bring professional women’s soccer to the city has secured [[link removed]?] 12,000 pledges to buy season tickets. A proposed stadium would fit 12,500.

Inter Miami ⬇ With Lionel Messi (above) missing his fourth straight match due to a hamstring injury, his team lost to Liga MX club Monterrey in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals. Winners of the Champions Cup will receive $5 million and a spot in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Brewers ⬇ The team has had to suspend [[link removed]] a QR code technology-based parking system after issues delayed fans trying to get to American Family Field earlier this week.

SPONSORED BY INVESCO QQQ

The Official ETF of the NCAA®

[[link removed]]

Investing has its own Cinderella story.

In March 1999, Invesco QQQ [[link removed]] was just getting started as an ETF that gave investors access to the innovative companies in the Nasdaq-100. For the next 25 years, Invesco QQQ established itself in the investing game by being a consistent player and drawing up a strong play: access to innovation.

So, as you chase the perfect bracket this season, consider chasing innovation, too. All with Invesco QQQ.

Let’s Rethink Possibility. Learn more [[link removed]].*

Conversation Starters MLB players and fans have criticized the new jerseys for their appearance and quality. The league has blamed Nike, not Fanatics or itself, in a statement to The Athletic [[link removed]]. The Mets’ Citi Field has a private outfield speakeasy. The membership fee? $25,000. Take a look [[link removed]]. New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu surprised members of the Iowa women’s basketball team with a bag full of Nike gear before the Final Four. Check it out [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks Ongoing NFL Network Cuts Hit On-Air Talent [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]The network also made cuts around the ‘Good Morning Football’ move to L.A. Iowa-LSU Was the Most Watched Women’s Basketball Game in Nearly 30 Years [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]It appears to have been the second-most-watched of all time. LeBron James Explains Why Women’s March Madness Has More ‘Star Power’ [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]James said Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark give women’s game ‘icons.’ DISCLAIMER

*DISCLOSURE

NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE

There are risks involved with investing in ETFs, including possible loss of money. ETFs are subject to risks similar to those of stocks. Investments focus in a particular sector, such as technology, are subject to greater risks and are more greatly impacted by market volatility, than more diversified investments. The Nasdaq-100 Index includes the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq. An investment cannot be made directly into an index.

NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletics Association. Invesco is not affiliated with the NCAA.

Before investing, consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Visit invesco.com [[link removed]] for a prospectus with this information. Read it carefully before investing.

Invesco Distributors, Inc.

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here [[link removed]].

Update your preferences [link removed] / Unsubscribe [link removed]

Copyright © 2024 Front Office Sports. All rights reserved.

460 Park Avenue South, 7th Floor, New York NY, 10016