April 26, 2024

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What a night: Record attendance in Detroit, an historic run on quarterbacks in the first round of the NFL draft and no defensive players picked in the first 14 selections. With QBs once again the hottest trend, what is the cost? … Once upon a time, another QB-centric draft ended up going down as an all-timer. … Pro hockey isn’t the only big sporting catch on the mind of Salt Lake City power brokers. … The NHL’s recent moves have more people thinking about further expansion. … And one punishment for an NFL owner’s wrongdoings ends tonight.

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

Record QB Haul Comes With High Hopes, Big Money, and No Guarantees [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The first round of the NFL draft is officially in the books, and a record-tying six teams have new quarterbacks to build their respective futures around. That’s the most since the talent-rich 1983 class (more on that below), but this year it took just 12 picks for those QBs to come off the board, as opposed to 27 four decades ago.

After the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots went mostly chalk with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye in the first three picks, the Falcons kicked off the second QB wave with the biggest shocker of Thursday night by taking Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8, despite having just signed free agent Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract (with $100 million fully guaranteed). The Vikings and Broncos wasted little time locking up their new franchise leaders in J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix with the 10th and 12th picks, respectively.

Collectively, those six teams are committing roughly $175 million in guaranteed salaries to the rookie passers. What’s different in this new era of college sports, however, is that most of the top draft prospects have already made millions through name, image, and likeness deals and other endorsement opportunities. At the end of the 2023 college football season, On3 estimated the NIL values of the six QBs were between $1.2 million and $2.7 million.

Here’s a closer look at the league’s newest field generals, their new NFL contracts, and some of their endorsement deals.

No. 1, Bears: Caleb Williams

Contract: $38.54 million (all figures via Spotrac estimations [[link removed]] over four years). After transferring from Oklahoma, the USC star earned $10 million through NIL deals while in college, according to The Athletic [[link removed]]. Major brand partners have included Dr Pepper, Nissan, Wendy’s, Postmates, and Topps—all of which have benefited from the more than 500,000 social media followers Williams boasts.

No. 2, Commanders: Jayden Daniels

Contract: $36.85 million. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner soared up NFL draft boards while leading LSU to a 10–3 record in the regular season. Along the way, and since leaving school, he’s racked up deals with Raising Cane’s, Bisquick, Neiman Marcus, Beats by Dre, and Powerade.

No. 3, Patriots: Drake Maye

Contract: $35.77 million. After the UNC standout’s successful 2022 season, a rival ACC coach claimed two schools offered Maye $5 million in NIL money to transfer. Tar Heels coach Mack Brown seemingly confirmed the rumor: “It’s uncomfortable for him,” Brown said [[link removed]]. Still, Maye has put together an endorsement portfolio involving the likes of Raising Cane’s, Lowe’s, and Bose.

No. 8, Falcons: Michael Penix Jr.

Contract: $22.88 million. Washington’s former quarterback was able to ink a deal with school uniform partner Adidas, as well as pacts with Seattle-based Amazon, Panini, Beats by Dre, Sharpie, and Starry soda while leading the Huskies to last season’s national title game.

No. 10, Vikings: J.J. McCarthy

Contract: $21.85 million. Despite often playing second fiddle to Michigan’s strong defense and run game during last season’s national championship run, McCarthy was able to collect 465,000 Instagram followers and lock in endorsements with the Brady Brand, Bose, Beats by Dre, and Topps—and he even recently promoted the new Bob Marley movie on social media.

No. 12, Broncos: Bo Nix

Contract: $18.61 million. Already 24 years old, the former Oregon Duck and Auburn Tiger is the oldest quarterback of the first-round draftees. Nix became the first college athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with Google Shopping, and he also struck deals with 7-Eleven, Topps, Bose, Bojangles, Old Spice, and USAA. Buyer Beware

In 2020, four franchises selected quarterbacks in the first round, and they are all heading into next season with those same players starting under center. However, only two of the six QBs taken in the first rounds of the ’21 and ’22 drafts are still with their original teams.

So, even though a multitude of quarterbacks being selected on Day 1 of a draft is often the most exciting scenario for TV, that gamble carries a huge financial risk for NFL clubs. Four teams will be writing checks for quarterbacks that they recently drafted but are now wearing different uniforms this season: The Jets have an $8.45 million dead-cap hit tied to Zach Wilson, the 49ers $5.45 million for Trey Lance (after $8.3 million last season), the Bears $2.77 million for Justin Fields, and the Steelers $3.7 million for Kenny Pickett.

But this year’s QB-takers are surely hoping for the same success found in 2020. Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert have already signed contract extensions collectively totaling more than $500 million, while Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love are hoping to secure long-term contracts after having earned more than $80 million combined.

TIME CAPSULE April 26, 1983: A Run on Quarterbacks

USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of record quarterback hauls, on this day 41 years ago: The start of the 1983 NFL draft featured an epic run on star passers, with John Elway going No. 1 to the Colts, followed in the first round by Todd Blackledge (Chiefs), Jim Kelly (Bills), Tony Eason (Patriots), Ken O’Brien (Jets), and Dan Marino (Dolphins). Elway’s rights were later traded to Denver, where he spent his entire 16-year playing career. But the group overall reshaped the league for nearly a generation, with 11 of the next 16 AFC teams in the Super Bowl helmed by one of these signal-callers, and Elway, Marino (above), and Kelly each inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The NFL’s shift to a passing-centric offensive culture—one popular with many fans both attending in person and watching on TV, and existing even stronger today—also has many of its roots with these players.

The business impact of this epic draft class features many additional extensions, including Elway later becoming president of football operations for the Broncos and crafting another Super Bowl winner as an executive, Marino serving as an adviser to the Dolphins after having a lengthy run as a broadcaster, and Blackledge becoming one of NBC Sports’ top college football announcers. ESPN also chronicled this draft class—widely considered one of the best in league history—with one of its most popular 30 for 30 documentaries, “Elway to Marino.”

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Drafting the Dream Together

College football stars everywhere are preparing for what could be the most pivotal moment in their life—a chance to live out their dreams and play in the NFL.

Behind every dream come true is a Dreammate™ who believed: the one cheering from the sidelines, encouraging them, challenging them, and pushing them to be better every day.

For Chop Robinson, his Dreammate is his father, John Robinson.

Watch [[link removed]] A Dreammate Story to learn more [[link removed]] about Chop’s story as he prepares to realize his dream.

Salt Lake City’s Rising Status: New NHL Team, Olympics Likely Next [[link removed]]

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Salt Lake City’s ascendancy as a top-tier sports market is receiving further boosts spanning pro and Olympic sports.

As scheduled, players and coaches from the NHL franchise newly relocated [[link removed]] there from Arizona made their first formal visit to the Delta Center to see their new home. Far from a simple meet-and-greet with team owner Ryan Smith (above, left), the event featured a free fan celebration at the arena, attended by more than 12,000, including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, with some fans turned away as capacity was reached. Those team members were also greeted [[link removed]] at the airport by about 100 players from local youth hockey programs.

The event was part of an ongoing effort by Smith and the NHL to further establish the franchise in its new locale. Already, more than 29,000 season-ticket deposits have been received, and Smith has indicated a bracket-style fan contest is being developed to select the team name. An anonymous applicant, rumored to be connected to Smith, has filed trademark applications for Mammoth, Ice, Yetis, Venom, Fury, Blizzard, Outlaws, Utah Hockey Club, and Utah HC.

“My first impression when I walk in the building is being sad to think I have to wait four, five months to get back,” said coach André Tourigny.

Olympic Push

Salt Lake City’s efforts to regain the Olympics, meanwhile, have moved further ahead as after being named [[link removed]] last fall as the preferred bidder for the 2034 Games, the city is now all but guaranteed [[link removed]] to get the event as no other city is bidding. And as the IOC has openly mused [[link removed]] for more than a year about creating a more standardized rotation of Olympics hosts, in part a response to sustainability and climate change, Salt Lake could ultimately become an even more regular site for the Games.

“We are in an environment here where we look for opportunities more than concerns,” Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said earlier this month at a site visit to Salt Lake. “For the next 10 years, we’re not so much looking at what is challenging, but what are the opportunities to work together.”

The city also hosted the 2002 Olympics, and, while the bid to win that event became mired in a bribery and fraud scandal, the locale still won praise for its facilities and compact event layout.

The sports development in Utah is intertwined with broader growth trends in the state. Utah led [[link removed]] the 2020 U.S. Census in population growth, with an 18.4% spike between ’10 and ’20 to nearly 3.28 million—more than double the national rate. More recently, a local technology boom and lower costs in Salt Lake City relative to many other major U.S. cities have helped position [[link removed]] the market as a high-growth area akin to Austin or Raleigh.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY As NHL Playoffs Heat Up, Expansion Is on the Horizon

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The first city that might get a new team is the same place that just lost one: Phoenix. ESPN hockey reporter Emily Kaplan joins the show to break down the league’s record-breaking attendance numbers, how commissioner Gary Bettman pushes for parity, and why Utah owner Ryan Smith’s “energy” is just what the NHL needs.

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

ONE BIG FIG The End Is Here

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

$5,680,875

Total estimated value of the four-year contract to be signed by the 86th pick in this year’s NFL draft. That selection, the 22nd in Friday night’s third round currently held by the Texans, would have originally been made by the Dolphins, but they are forfeiting it as the final part of the punishment for the tampering violations [[link removed]] levied against Miami owner Stephen Ross (above, right) last year. He was also fined $1.5 million, and the Dolphins lost last year’s first-round pick due to Ross having illegal communication with Tom Brady while he was with the Patriots and Buccaneers.

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The deadline to submit is June 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Submit your organization [[link removed]] today.

Conversation Starters Organizers are expecting as many as 400,000 people to converge on Detroit during the NFL draft this weekend. Check out [[link removed]] the scene on Thursday. Green Bay is expected to host the 2025 NFL draft, and Pittsburgh wants it in ’26. Where will it end up? [[link removed]] Sue Bird, a WNBA legend, has become a part-owner [[link removed]] of the Seattle Storm. “Supporting women’s sports is not just about passion; it’s also a wise business decision,” she said. Editors’ Picks NFL Draft Offers Detroit a Chance to Inspire Hope for City and Team [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]More than 300,000 people are expected to descend on the city for the major NFL event. Draft Night Has Been Incredibly Lucrative for A.J. Brown [[link removed]]by Dennis Young [[link removed]]Brown has made over $100 million in guarantees on draft night. Reggie Bush Got His Heisman Back. Here’s Why He’s Still Suing the NCAA [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]The former USC star will go forward with a 2023 defamation lawsuit against the NCAA. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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