May 20, 2024

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The WNBA generates more record-setting numbers in its ongoing business boom, but the growth is not entirely a straight line for the league. … Manchester City’s Premier League title, a record-setting fourth in a row, elongates the climb for the U.S.-based owners of other English soccer clubs. … Nelly Korda extends her domination of the LPGA. … Plus: More on the Jaguars, the Cincinnati Open, Sports Illustrated, and the PGA Tour.

Meanwhile, in a Front Office Sports exclusive [[link removed]], writer Robert Silverman details the chaos enveloping the Arena Football League in its latest reboot attempt, and it chronicles the devolving into what is described as a “semi-pro” operation.

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

WNBA’s Boom Time: Record Growth, Clark’s Debut, a Controversial Deal [[link removed]]

The Indianapolis Star

The 2024 WNBA season has already been seen for some time as an economic watershed [[link removed]] for the league, and not just because of the Caitlin Clark (above, left) effect. The early days of the new campaign have helped confirm that notion, but not entirely in positive ways.

Since the May 14 start of the season, the WNBA has seen:

A new single-game ticket revenue record as the New York Liberty generated more than $2 million from their Saturday win over the Indiana Fever at Barclays Center, according to the Associated Press [[link removed]] An average attendance of 8,730, a figure up by nearly one-third from the league’s full-season average [[link removed]] in 2023 of 6,615 An ESPN viewership record [[link removed]] for the WNBA with an average draw of 2.1 million for the Fever–Connecticut Sun game on May 15

The league’s ongoing growth, however, still contains some elements of controversy. The WNBA is now investigating [[link removed]] a sponsorship deal between the Aces and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in which each player will receive $100,000—a figure higher than the salaries of six players on the team. The basis of the probe, and underlying concern, is whether the Aces will receive an unfair advantage in free agency due to deals such as this.

Aces star A’ja Wilson, however, said the investigation could set an improper tone and impair the broader mission for the WNBA.

“When we’re talking about growing the game. We’re talking about taking that next step; it can’t always be ‘investigate, investigate, investigate,’” Wilson said. “It has to be like, ‘We’re trying to move the needle. We’re trying to make things better for franchises, for players, for teams.’”

Overmatched in Indy?

On the court, the start of the Clark era with the Fever has often been ugly, with the team losing its first three games by an average of 23 points and the former Iowa star struggling [[link removed]] at numerous points as she adjusts to the higher level of competition.

As that process continues, the secondary market for the Fever continues to show some marked pockets of softness. Tickets to several upcoming Indiana games can easily be purchased for $5 or less, and in some cases just $1 [[link removed]], a situation also fueled by extra seating inventory that the team opened up the entire upper deck of Gainbridge Fieldhouse for home contests. If the Fever continue to be dominated by the rest of the league, the previously white-hot ticket market [[link removed]] to see Clark will likely see further softening.

Historic Premier League Season Closes As U.S. Influence Expands [[link removed]]

Green Bay Press-Gazette

The English Premier League season ended with a record performance from Manchester City on Sunday, becoming the first club to win the title four years in a row. That first-place finish comes with a nice bonus this year, too. Man City can expect to receive roughly $79 million from the EPL’s system of merit payments, according to The Athletic [[link removed]].

An American Affair

Man City, which is owned by the Abu Dhabi–based City Football Group, had some strong competition throughout the season from several clubs owned by notable American businesspeople and owners of U.S.-based sports franchises. Here’s how EPL clubs with significant U.S. investors ended in the standings:

2nd: Arsenal, Stan Kroenke (Rams, Nuggets, Avalanche, Mammoth) 3rd: Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group (Red Sox, Penguins) 4th: Aston Villa, Wes Edens (former Bucks co-owner) 6th: Chelsea, Todd Boehly (investments in Dodgers, Sparks, Lakers) 8th: Manchester United, Glazer family (Buccaneers) 10th: Crystal Palace, John Textor (multiclub portfolio Eagle Football Holdings) 12th: Bournemouth, Bill Foley (Golden Knights) 13th: Fulham, Shad Khan (Jaguars) 19th: Burnley, New York–based ALK Capital

Everton, which is currently going through a rocky takeover [[link removed]] attempt by Miami-based firm 777 Partners, finished 15th.

Next Up

This weekend, Leeds United, the club controlled by the same group that owns the NFL’s 49ers, will face Southampton in a winner-take-all playoff match to earn the final promotion slot into the EPL next season. Leicester City and Ipswich Town have already secured the other two coveted spots, which can be worth [[link removed]] roughly $200 million each over a three-year period, for clubs that remain in the top flight.

Meanwhile, Manchester City and Manchester United will face off in the FA Cup final Saturday for the second year in a row. This year, the victorious club will earn roughly $2.5 million in prize money.

The Dark Side

Drawing the short end of the stick and being relegated from the EPL are Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United. The fall down to the second-tier EFL championship comes with a reduction of at least $100 million in revenue distribution that EPL clubs receive annually.

SPONSORED BY MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY

Promise, Growth Define Rugby’s Journey

A century and a half after the first rugby match was played on U.S. soil, Major League Rugby [[link removed]] is guiding the game into the future. In its seventh season of play, the premier professional league in North America is enjoying consistent growth fueled by competitive play on the pitch, committed partners off it, and passionate fans cheering everywhere in between.

Corporate partners like Globant, RTIC, American Airlines, and more are investing in the growth of the game, while The Rugby Network [[link removed]], MLR’s OTT platform, streams league matches for free, ensuring fans don’t miss a moment of the action.

Get your tickets [[link removed]] and discover why now is rugby time, America.

ONE BIG FIG Korda’s Hot Streak

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

$2.91 million

Total prize money LPGA golfer Nelly Korda (above) has won in her last seven tournaments, which includes six victories and one tie for seventh place. On Sunday, she won the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Course in New Jersey. Next up, Korda will look to win her second major championship of the year, and seventh event this season, at the Women’s U.S. Open. The tournament, which begins May 30 at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania, will offer a total purse of $12 million—the highest in women’s golf.

STATUS REPORT Two Up, Two Down

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Orlando and Gainesville ⬆ The Florida cities are among the favorites [[link removed]] to land the Jaguars for the 2027 season, should they temporarily relocate during the final year of construction on their stadium plan [[link removed]] that is estimated to cost $1.4 billion.

Cincinnati Open ⬆ The ATP and WTA tennis tournament formerly known as the Western & Southern Open has unveiled [[link removed]] the next steps of a $260 million facility renovation.

Sports Illustrated ⬇ The media outlet will reportedly not publish a magazine edition in May, marking the first time in 70 years it will skip a month, according to the New York Post [[link removed]].

PGA Tour ⬇ Another member of the policy board has resigned. Mark Flaherty, who was one of five independent directors, stepped down Sunday. That came less than a week after Jimmy Dunne, the architect of the PGA Tour’s deal with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, walked away [[link removed]] from the PGA Tour policy board, which now has six player members and just three non-player members.

SPONSORED BY DURACELL

Buy and Play for a Chance to Win Big

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Duracell [[link removed]] challenges you to a game of skill where players have the chance to compete to win a weekend experience at the races and other prizes, including a framed autographed Williams Racing jersey and Williams Racing apparel. Here’s how to participate:

Purchase Duracell batteries between April 15 and Sept. 27, and star/check the item(s) and the date on your receipt. Snap a clear photo of the entire receipt with your phone. Unlock gameplay for the Duracell Racing Game to compete for prizes.

Click here [[link removed]] to accept the challenge today.

Conversation Starters Simple but to the point: Adidas’s ad for Anthony Edwards after he led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals was a play on his nickname. Look here [[link removed]]. After Joey Logano won the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, Fox’s interview with him was interrupted by a scuffle between Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Watch here [[link removed]]. When Alex Rodriguez became a co-owner of the T-Wolves in 2021, Anthony Edwards once remarked, “I don’t know who that is.” Following Minnesota’s Game 7 win, the two shared a celebratory moment. Check it out [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks MLB Officially Investigating Gambling Allegations Against Ohtani’s Close Friend and Longtime Teammate [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]David Fletcher reportedly used the same bookmaker as Ohtani’s former interpreter. Fanatics Sues Marvin Harrison Jr., Says He Leaked ‘Misleading’ Info to ESPN [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]Harrison’s side says the two sides don’t have a contract, which Fanatics disputes. ‘A Breathtaking Lobbying Campaign’: The NCAA’s Sophisticated Effort to Save Amateurism [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]Inside the carefully coordinated, multimillion-dollar operation to end the athletes’ rights era. 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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