April 12, 2024

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The Indiana Fever take a more muted business approach in the days ahead of their expected selection of Caitlin Clark in the WNBA draft. … MLS will finally get a soccer-specific stadium in New York after more than a decade of pursuit. … Tom Brady (very lightly) teases the possibility of yet another comeback, but there are complicating factors. … Plus: More on Masters viewership, The CW, Northwestern, and Peacock.

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

Fever Keeping Plans Quiet (for Now), Unlike Spurs and Blackhawks [[link removed]]

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Even before college basketball phenom Caitlin Clark becomes a professional, there is a WNBA economy rapidly developing around her. But Clark’s expected team, the Fever, is thus far one of the more publicly restrained participants, marking a significant departure from the business of recent rookie phenoms in other leagues.

The Fever have the No. 1 pick in Monday night’s WNBA draft, and they are widely expected to select the Iowa superstar. In rising anticipation of that, the league is entering a broad-based inflection point of business growth [[link removed]], WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert (above) is aiming [[link removed]] to double the league’s media rights, tickets for many opposing teams are soaring [[link removed]] on resale markets, and the Fever are slated [[link removed]] for national broadcast exposure in 36 of their 40 regular-season games in 2024.

But what about the Fever franchise itself? The team’s sales strategy thus far has been comparatively muted. Indiana has created a presale [[link removed]] of two games per day over a 15-day period leading into Monday. But the team has not yet been marketing Clark by name, hasn’t disclosed any ticket sales metrics, and has only loosely discussed her impact on business operations, only saying there has been a “spike in ticket inquiries.”

“Since we won that first pick in the draft lottery, excitement in the team and interest in tickets has been significant,” Danny Lopez, Pacers Sports & Entertainment vice president, tells Front Office Sports. The company operates both the Fever and NBA’s Pacers. “We continue to field inquiries every day and are excited about the crowds we anticipate for games this season.”

Not So With Wemby, Bedard

The Fever’s approach to date differs from how the NBA’s Spurs operated leading up to their selection last year of Victor Wembanyama, and how the NHL’s Blackhawks did before drafting Connor Bedard. Both of those players, selected No. 1 in those respective drafts, are now leading favorites to win Rookie of the Year awards this year.

The Spurs openly disclosed [[link removed]] their initial season-ticket influx, as well as their organizational excitement, after winning [[link removed]] the draft lottery and the right to select Wembanyama. So, too, did the Blackhawks, which sold [[link removed]] $5.2 million worth of season-ticket packages in the first 12 hours of winning the 2023 NHL draft lottery.

Regardless of approach, Clark’s arrival is set to elevate the Fever significantly at the gate, where the team averaged 4,067 per game last year, 11th in the 12-team league, and 39% below the league average [[link removed]] of 6,615.

MLS Finally Gets Its Own Piece of the Big Apple [[link removed]]

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Nearly 30 years into its existence, MLS is officially getting a soccer-specific stadium in the largest U.S. city, ending more than a decade of the often-frustrating pursuit and rising questions about whether it could or would ever happen.

NYCFC gained Thursday formal land-use approval for a $780 million, 25,000-seat stadium at Willets Point in Queens, near both Citi Field and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The city council approval follows an initial announcement [[link removed]] of the stadium plan in November 2022. An opening is now targeted for ’27.

“This is just a rich moment of history,” said New York mayor Eric Adams (above). “Just think about how people said it was not possible. Everyone tried before. Willets Point has been an eyesore for so many years. … We scored a major goal for New York City.”

The vote gives a key sense of stability for the team, which since its 2013 debut has played home games at Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and Red Bull Stadium due to not having its own venue, all the while suffering through suboptimal sight lines playing in a baseball facility or competing in the home of its key local rival, the Red Bulls.

Extra Time for New York

During that time numerous other MLS markets have developed their own soccer-specific facilities, pushing the league forward both on and off the field. Among the key points in the long and winding road toward the new NYCFC stadium:

2011: Even before MLS formally awarded New York a second franchise to join the Red Bulls, the league looks at building at Pier 40 in Manhattan, but it runs into local opposition. 2012: The league looks at placing an “NY2” franchise at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, also in Queens. Again, area resistance scuttles the effort, with objections focused on building on existing parkland. 2013: A nine-acre complex in the Bronx, near Yankee Stadium, is proposed. This site is considered for nearly two years, and actually nears a formal agreement under then New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. But Bloomberg’s successor, Bill de Blasio, was far less enthusiastic. 2015: Soon after the demise of the Bronx plan, NYCFC turns its attention back to Manhattan, and looks at Columbia University’s Baker Athletics Complex. 2017: A site adjacent to Belmont Park, just outside city limits in Nassau County, is considered. Later that year, a competing bid from the NHL’s Islanders for the land prevails, and the site is used for what is now UBS Arena. 2018: The team looks again at the South Bronx, with separate parcels at the Harlem River Yards and Bronx Terminal Market considered. Community support again proves to be an issue, as are development specifics such as parking. 2022: NYCFC unveils the Willets Point stadium plan, including a 49-year lease and a $4 million annual payment by the team to the city.

MLS, however, has been no stranger to such elongated stadium efforts, and Audi Field in Washington, D.C., similarly required more than a decade from original proposals to formal opening.

“The approval of a new world-class stadium for NYCFC is a historic step for MLS and soccer in our country,” MLS commissioner Don Garber posted [[link removed]] on X. “As a native New Yorker, I couldn’t be prouder to bring more of our soccer to your doorstep.”

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Tom Brady Said He’s ‘Not Opposed’ to Playing Again, But ...

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady is once again stirring the pot by saying he’s open to the idea of returning to the NFL under the right circumstances. Former athletes speculating about unretiring is nothing new, but the business behind Brady’s headline-making comments is a fascinating example of today’s sports media landscape.

Brady made the comments at the very end of the first episode of a new podcast called DeepCut, which is backed by Brady’s creative studio Shadow Lion and sponsored by NoBull, the sports apparel maker that recently merged [[link removed]] with the Brady Brand and TB12. A savvy move no doubt by Brady the businessman to stoke interest in something he has a stake in. If you’re still intrigued, you can listen to the 40-second interaction here [[link removed]].

It’s still complicated: Beyond the brand motivation for Brady saying what he did, the idea of the quarterback returning to the NFL presents numerous problems.

First, there’s Brady’s 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox to serve as the network’s lead NFL game analyst. He has repeatedly talked about taking his preparation for that job seriously, including on the DeepCut podcast. Sure, Fox could sub back in Greg Olsen, who has served as the No. 1 analyst for the past two seasons, but the network would no doubt be less than thrilled to lose its $37.5 million–per-year man during the NFL season.

Then, there are Brady’s efforts [[link removed]] to become a minority owner of the Raiders. During the podcast, Brady said he was “not opposed” to returning, but he acknowledged he doesn’t know whether he’d even be allowed to return if he gets the green light as a team investor. If Brady is still serious about that purchase, which has had several issues of its own, then further complicating it by unretiring yet again would not be the best idea.

STATUS REPORT Two Up, Two Down

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Masters viewers ⬆ There’s plenty of wind in the forecast for Augusta over the next few days—but no rain. After a weather-delayed start to Thursday’s play, the first major championship of the year looks to have a clear path ahead for ESPN on Friday afternoon and CBS this weekend.

The CW ⬆ NASCAR’s Xfinity Series is moving to the network earlier than expected. The CW, which last year agreed to a seven-year, $805 million deal [[link removed]] that was set to begin in 2025, will now take over the series’ broadcast rights, which have been shared by Fox Sports and NBC Sports, in September.

Northwestern ⬇ The school said its football team for the next two seasons will play in a temporary stadium that will have a capacity that is “considerably less” than the 47,000-seat Ryan Field (above) the Wildcats are moving out of while a new $800 million venue [[link removed]] is being built.

Peacock ⬇ MLB’s package of Sunday morning game broadcasts are expected to head to a new service, according to The Athletic [[link removed]]. NBCUniversal is not interested in continuing to pay an annual fee of about $30 million for the games, per the report.

WEEKEND PRIZE POOL Fight for the Green Jacket

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Front Office Sports tees up every weekend sporting slate with a ledger of the purses and prize pools at stake. Here’s what’s up for grabs this weekend:

The Masters, Augusta National Golf Club

When: Thursday to Sunday Purse: $18 million (figures from 2023, officials expected to announce this year’s purse this weekend) First place: $3.24 million

ATP, Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters

When: April 7 to Sunday Purse: $6.33 million First place: $978,107

NASCAR Cup Series, Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, Texas

When: Sunday Purse: $9.39 million First place: Individual payouts are no longer published

FUTURE OF SPORTS

Sports Are Getting Greener

In recognition of Earth Day, we’ll be hosting conversations with a lineup of visionaries committed to eco-friendly initiatives and investments across the sports landscape.

Find out why green sports venues are one of the hottest trends in real estate, how sustainable efforts drive revenue and sponsorships, and learn insider details on motor sports’ zero-carbon future. The relationship between sports and environmental responsibility is stronger than ever.

Whether you’re looking to be entertained and inspired by success stories, learn about innovative green solutions, or gather insights on the economic benefits of adopting green practices in sports, Future of Sports: Sustainability has something for everyone. Join us [[link removed]] Monday, April 22 at 1 p.m. ET.

Conversation Starters LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson has signed lucrative name, image, and likeness deals with brands such as Puma, Experian, Powerade, JBL, and TurboTax. The Tigers’ star just purchased a new Mercedes AMG G 63 worth about $180,000. Check it out [[link removed]]. In 2022, Travis Kelce completed his remaining college credit hours and graduated from Cincinnati, but he chose not to participate in a ceremony. However, UC president Neville Pinto surprised Kelce and his brother, Jason, by delivering their diplomas at their live podcast event Thursday night. Watch here [[link removed]]. What a ride: John Smith arrived at Oklahoma State, where he won two NCAA titles, as well as two Olympic gold medals and four world championships. During his 33-year coaching tenure at OSU, he secured five team championships, won 33 individual titles, and set numerous NCAA records. Smith announced his retirement [[link removed]] Thursday. Editors’ Picks Bad Bunny’s Sports Agency Hit With Bribe Claims, per Report [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]The MLBPA stripped Rimas Sports’ top agent of his certification. Boston Marathon Organizers Still Owe Tens of Thousands to Former Winner [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Deba was named the winner in 2016 after the first-place finisher doped. Will Caitlin Clark Restore Olympics to TV Ratings Gold? [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]‘Clark is a one-person Dream Team,’ says one marketing expert. A Decade-Long Timeline of the Shohei Ohtani–Ippei Mizuhara Saga [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Ohtani’s former interpreter has been federally charged with bank fraud. 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]]

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