June 7, 2024

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league’s long-awaited media rights deals are ideally arriving soon. … Cricket’s ongoing T20 World Cup continues to gain momentum in the U.S. … Front Office Sports Today explores the growth of a popular sports drink. … The NFL’s desire for an 18-game season isn’t sitting well with some players. … And we look back at the entry of an iconic MLB star, on and off the field.

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

NBA Media Rights Talks: Silver Says Deals Are Near, Wants to ‘Wrap It Up’ [[link removed]]

Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the elephant in the room, and said answers are hopefully coming soon.

Speaking Thursday night before Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Mavericks, Silver said the league is continuing to negotiate its next cycle of national media rights with both incumbent and potentially new partners, and added that final deals are ideally near.

“It’s been a long process, it’s ongoing, and we hope to wrap it up in the relative near term,” Silver said.

The subject of the next term of the league’s national media rights has been the subject of near-daily speculation for much of the season, and has been believed to be approaching [[link removed]] a dramatic conclusion in which the league will seal deals worth an estimated $76 billion combined over the life of the contracts.

Those expectations have been centered on ESPN and parent company Disney gaining [[link removed]] the lead package, including a retention of its exclusive hold on the Finals; NBC dramatically returning to NBA coverage and recalling its basketball glory days [[link removed]] of the 1990s; and Amazon further enlarging its already expansive position [[link removed]] in major pro sports streaming.

But while TNT Sports parent Warner Bros. Discovery has been squarely on the defensive [[link removed]] about the potential of losing its NBA relationship after four decades, there has been renewed talk [[link removed]] about the league potentially creating a fourth rights package to allow the network to stay involved.

Because of the factors involved in that potential network reshuffling of rights, the possible move of TNT Sports’ famed Inside the NBA, the likelihood of corporate fallout stemming from the NBA’s decisions, and outspokenness [[link removed]] that’s already happened on the subject, this is one of the most anticipated rights deals in U.S. sports history. It’s also a situation developing in the midst of unprecedented disruption in the media landscape.

“It’s complicated for several reasons,” Silver said. “One is the advent of new platforms, particularly streaming. It’s complicated with multiple partners all seeking similar assets and just trying to figure out the right way to balance those games as they go to different partners. And we tend to do long-term deals. We think that’s good for the stability of the league. But it means to a certain extent you’re trying to predict the future, which of course is impossible.”

Apology to an Iconic Show

Silver also made special mention of the talent and crew of Inside the NBA, widely acknowledged as the top studio show in all of sports and a long-term fixture of the league. He apologized for the uncertainty that the media rights negotiations have particularly placed on that show.

“No one likes this uncertainty,” Silver said. “It’s on the league office to bring these negotiations to a head and conclude them as quickly as we can.”

Silver continued on this theme, acknowledging that the rights talks will ultimately result in some losers.

“It’s fantastic to be liked and to be wanted and to have multiple suitors,” he said. “At the same time, it makes me uncomfortable that it’s zero-sum. At the end of the day, there’s only going to be so many television packages and only so many games to distribute.”

State of the Game

In other matters addressed by Silver:

He said expansion is not “preordained,” but he reiterated that consideration of such a move will follow the completion of the media rights deals, and added he is “looking forward” to exploring an issue in which there is “enormous amount of interest.” The commissioner said he hopes WNBA rookie star Caitlin Clark is treated [[link removed]] fairly and praised both her skills and temperament. He added that the current business boom around that league goes well beyond just one player and has been “a long time coming.” If Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore win an ongoing ownership arbitration [[link removed]] against Timberwolves majority owner Glen Taylor, there will ultimately be a vote on the leadership transfer by the NBA Board of Governors. Silver began his press conference with a lengthy tribute to the late Bill Walton, the beloved Hall of Fame player and broadcaster. Both Celtics and Mavericks players wore shooting shirts prior to Game 1 commemorating Walton.

“I can’t think of a better ambassador for the NBA than Bill,” Silver said.

Cricket Match Brings Super Bowl–Like Atmosphere to New York [[link removed]]

ICC

As one of cricket’s biggest global events—which is taking place partially in the U.S. [[link removed]]—heads into its second week, officials in New York are getting ready for an unprecedented affair. On Sunday, India and Pakistan will play in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Long Island.

“India vs. Pakistan is like the Super Bowl on steroids,” Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman told Reuters [[link removed]]. “We had no idea how huge it was.” Earlier this week, the ICC released additional tickets for the India-Pakistan match, which features the sport’s biggest rivalry. The game will be played at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, a 34,000-seat temporary venue that was built at a cost of $30 million solely for the T20 World Cup. On secondary markets, the cheapest tickets have been more than $700 this week.

Along with the ticket demand, security concerns have arisen after a potential threat [[link removed]] from a pro-ISIS group. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul instructed police to elevate security measures and increase law enforcement presence. Authorities have reportedly not yet found any corroborative evidence to back the threat, according to ESPNcricinfo [[link removed]].

Pakistan is coming off a stunning defeat to the U.S. on Thursday in Dallas. India won its first game against Ireland this week and will play the U.S. next week.

Watch Party

Viewership for India-Pakistan may not do big numbers in the U.S. (it’s available on only Willow, a niche cricket-focused cable channel), but it’s sure to garner plenty of interest worldwide. Last year, a match between the two nations in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup—the tournament that uses the sport’s classic format as opposed to the shorter T20 version— drew [[link removed]] a peak live concurrent viewership of 76 million on linear broadcast and 35 million on digital.

SPONSORED BY DURACELL

F1’s Unexpected Brand for the Fans

At first glance, a Duracell partnership with a Formula One [[link removed]] racing team would surprise anyone familiar with the sport and its historically luxurious group of sponsors. But when Duracell joined forces with Williams Racing in 2023, that was just step one for the household brand as it carved out a new and unique relationship between brand and fan.

Duracell made a quick splash through clever branding that created the appearance of a battery installed on top of the F1 cars. But where Duracell really connected with fans was through social media, via consistent engagement in real time, with a lighthearted tone that fans found fun and refreshing.

Read the full article [[link removed]] to learn more about how Duracell is winning fans over through the power of social media.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY The Co-Evolution of Sports and Sports Drinks

Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Sports drinks have a long relationship with athletes and leagues as their primary boosters. As changes in media have helped athletes develop individual brands separate from their teams and leagues, sports drink marketing has changed with it. BodyArmor CMO Tom Gargiulo joins the show to discuss how he works with athletes in a shifting market.

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

AWARD

In the modern age, athletic departments are faced with several new challenges unchartered by their predecessors of the decades before. Is your school leading the pack?

Now accepting early submissions for Best College Athletic Departments [[link removed]] through June 9 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

LOUD AND CLEAR Think Again

The Indianapolis Star

“Until you’re the one going out there and putting a helmet on for 18 of those games, yeah, then come talk to me.”

—Colts center Ryan Kelly (above, left), on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s comments about expanding the regular season beyond 17 games. Goodell touted the idea during the NFL draft, but there are still plenty of complications [[link removed]] surrounding the potential move. “Yeah, 18 games sounds great when Roger is saying it on Pat McAfee’s [show],” Kelly, a vice president at the NFL Players Association, said in an interview with The Athletic [[link removed]], referencing the latest remarks from Goodell.

TIME CAPSULE June 7, 2010: Arrival of a Superstar

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

On this day 14 years ago: The Nationals selected Bryce Harper with the No. 1 pick in the MLB draft, beginning the pro career of one of baseball’s most heralded prospects ever and, ultimately, one of its most economically impactful stars. Given the draft’s placement in early June before 2021, several Baseball Hall of Famers were also chosen on this day, including Reggie Jackson (1966), and Harold Baines and Paul Molitor (’77). But the selection of Harper would break new ground in multiple ways.

Just 17 when selected, Harper had already been a highly touted phenom, making the cover of Sports Illustrated the year before. After a protracted negotiation that ran up to the signing deadline, he agreed to an initial $9.9 million contract with Washington providing a $6.25 million bonus, setting a new record for a position player signed out of the draft who had not become a free agent. Harper ultimately became as good as advertised, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2012 and later, two Most Valuable Player Awards. He would break new monetary ground again in ’19, signing a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies that at the time was the largest free-agent contract in MLB history and, five years later, has been topped [[link removed]] in total value by only Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge.

SPONSORED BY WENDY’S

Wendy’s New $3 English Muffin Deal

[[link removed]]

With Wendy’s $3 English Muffin Deal [[link removed]], you get your choice of a tasty grilled sausage or applewood-smoked bacon English Muffin Sandwich with a fresh-cracked egg and gooey cheese. But wait! There’s more!

This breakfast wouldn’t be complete without a small side of crispy Seasoned Potatoes [[link removed]], which are truly worth waking up for. Oh, and did we mention you get all that for just three bucks? So, grab a proper breakfast with Wendy’s new $3 English Muffin Deal at your earliest, literally, convenience.

Limited time only. U.S. price and participation may vary. Select or request an English Muffin Deal [[link removed]] to obtain the discount. Not valid for à la carte or combo orders. Single item at regular price. Prices are higher in AK and HI.

Conversation Starters LSU’s athletics department recognizes [[link removed]] its team chefs by featuring them on the school’s website alongside head coaches, trainers, and executives. After 520,000 fan votes, Utah’s NHL team name [[link removed]] search has been narrowed down to six options: Utah Blizzard, Utah Hockey Club, Utah Mammoth, Utah Outlaws, Utah Venom, and Utah Yeti. From new to old, big to small, Autotrader has almost any car you can imagine. Find the car [[link removed][InsertCachebusterHere]PA__;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;ltd=;dc_tdv=1] you’re looking for on Autotrader.* Editors’ Picks Buzzer Beater? TNT Is Negotiating for Fourth NBA Rights Package [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]Warner Bros. Discovery’s in talks to secure a possible fourth rights package. NFL Debunks Security Concerns for Packers-Eagles Game in Brazil [[link removed]]by Daniel Kaplan [[link removed]]NFL denies uniform restrictions and security concerns for Packers-Eagles opener in Brazil. UFL Ratings Top XFL and USFL From 2023 in First Season of Merger [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Viewership increased roughly 200,000 more than either league had in 2023. DISCLAIMER

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