June 25, 2024

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Congratulations to the Florida Panthers on winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup, after fending off [[link removed]] the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.

Meanwhile, in today’s edition, a new, unlikely Olympic trend is developing around swimming and NFL venues. … One MLB team is taking drastic measures amid more regional sports network problems. … Front Office Sports Today breaks down the summer of soccer with the founder of Men in Blazers. … And on the eve of the NBA draft, we look back on one of the most influential top picks in league history.

One more thing: We’re giving away two copies of EA Sports College Football 25 video games. Reply to this email with which team you’ll use in the dynasty game mode for a chance to win. See rules here [[link removed]].

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

The U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Is Set. The Big Winner? NFL Stadiums [[link removed]]

The Indianapolis Star

One of the seemingly most unlikely marriages in sports may now be a staple for fans in the U.S. moving forward: swimming in NFL stadiums.

The 2024 U.S. Olympic swimming team trials drew a record attendance of 285,000 fans across 17 sessions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The nine-day event utilized the home of the NFL’s Colts in an unprecedented move. The previous attendance mark for the swimming trials was just under 200,000 at an arena in Omaha.

Following the success in Indianapolis, organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics announced that swimming events for those Summer Games would take place [[link removed]] at SoFi Stadium—the $5 billion venue that is home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers.

Lucas Oil Stadium’s swimming capacity was 30,000, but the largest crowd during the trials was 22,209, on Wednesday evening last week. SoFi Stadium will be able to fit 38,000 fans—the most ever for Olympic swimming—as athletes from all around the world battle in the water for gold medals.

NFL Swimming Tour?

USA Swimming selected Indianapolis to host this summer’s swimming trials as part of a bidding process that included several other cities. There will be another bid cycle for future Olympic trials, including 2028.

Patrick Talty, the president of local organizing body Indiana Sports Corp, previously told Front Office Sports [[link removed]] that Indianapolis and Lucas Oil Stadium will be interested in trying to host again. Given the hype around the developing trend, it won’t be surprising to see other cities with covered NFL stadiums raise their hand, too.

Marlins’ Free Streaming Offer to Fans Highlights RSN’s Financial Issues [[link removed]]

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Local media rights typically are one of the largest—if not the top overall—individual revenue sources for most MLB clubs. But such is the troubled state of the regional sports network business that the Marlins have inverted that and turned their local TV situation into a new expense.

Nearly two months into a bitter carriage impasse [[link removed]] between the bankrupt Bally Sports parent Diamond Sports Group and Comcast, the Marlins are now offering [[link removed]] fans two free months of DSG’s streaming service, Bally Sports+. Normally, the service costs $19.99 per month, and even with the relatively meager size of the Marlins’ fan base, this promotion could easily run well into six figures in total cost to the team, if not more.

The team’s promotion runs through the end of July, and fans who sign up closer to that expiration would essentially get the rest of the season for free.

The offer is also a further confirmation that the Comcast-DSG standoff [[link removed]] is not anywhere close to a resolution. The nation’s second-largest cable distribution has already placed several other RSNs, including those in the Mid-Atlantic [[link removed]] and Pittsburgh areas, on more expensive and less broadly distributed tiers. As it pursues a similar strategy elsewhere in the country, the company has shown a strong willingness to endure lengthy periods without certain sports networks.

Also making this deal possible is DSG holding the Marlins’ local streaming rights, a provision the company only holds in MLB with that team, the Brewers, Rays, Royals, and Tigers.

Larger Moves

The unexpected offer arrives as DSG is racing to prepare its reorganization plan in advance of a confirmation hearing scheduled for July 29. Several leagues, including MLB, have already cast doubts [[link removed]] on DSG’s ability to survive post-bankruptcy as a viable company.

The Marlins, meanwhile, are in the midst of a woeful season that has already seen the departure [[link removed]] of two-time batting champion Luis Arraez. At 27–50, Miami entered Monday with the worst record in the National League and MLB’s second-worst attendance [[link removed]], trailing only the soon-relocating [[link removed]] A’s.

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.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY A Sports Fan Like No Other

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

As Copa América and the Euros move through the group stages, the U.S. soccer fan is coming into focus. Roger Bennett, founder of the Men in Blazers media network joins the show to discuss those tournaments and recent findings from a survey of American soccer fans, who are younger and more willing to switch allegiances than fans of other major U.S. sports.

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

AWARD

The Front Office Sports Rising 25 Award has become one of the most competitive and prestigious awards in the business of sports—recognizing the next generation of rising talent in the industry.

The wait is over. Meet the Rising 25 class of 2024 [[link removed]].

TIME CAPSULE June 25, 1997 and 1999: The Big Fundamental

RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

On this day 27 and 25 years ago: The Spurs selected Tim Duncan (above, far right) with the first pick of the 1997 NBA draft, and the former Wake Forest phenom then led the team to its first league title two years later to the day. From the beginning, Duncan went against the grain, both in his game and his personality. He was anything but flashy on the court in an era when highlight-reel plays were becoming increasingly popular.

The often-stoic Duncan also stayed all four years in college when many of his contemporaries were leaving school early or skipping it altogether. Despite that lack of sizzle or brashness, Duncan immediately proved himself a force in the NBA with a dominant mix of low-post moves and staunch defense. He remained that way across a 19-year Hall of Fame career, all with the Spurs, in which he won two league MVP awards, three NBA Finals MVP awards, and was named three years ago to the NBA 75th anniversary team.

Even more dramatically, Duncan catapulted a Spurs franchise that had been to only four conference finals in franchise history before his arrival—losing them all—into one of the NBA’s top-performing franchises both on and off the court. The Duncan era included five NBA championships for San Antonio, ranking fifth in NBA history all-time behind the Celtics [[link removed]], Lakers, Warriors, and Bulls.

A Spurs team that was an ABA holdover and worth less than $125 million at the start of Duncan’s career—among the lowest in the league—now carries an estimated value of $3.25 billion. That success in the No. 31 U.S. media market also helped prove that the league could thrive in smaller cities, providing an influential model for others such as Memphis, Milwaukee, New Orleans, and Oklahoma City. From that strong base of local support solidified during the Duncan era, the Spurs now have even bigger aspirations for the current one [[link removed]] featuring Victor Wembanyama.

SPONSORED BY WENDY’S

[[link removed]]

The U.S. men’s national team had a great start at this year’s Copa América tournament with a 2–0 win against Bolivia on Sunday thanks to forward Christian Pulisic, who scored both goals for the team. In its next matchup, the U.S. will face Panama this Thursday. The winning team of the entire Copa América tournament will reportedly receive $16 million—equivalent to 5.3 million of Wendy’s $3 English Muffin Breakfasts. Tennessee State, the first HBCU to introduce college hockey, just unveiled its home jerseys for when the Tigers’ team debuts in 2025–26. Check them out [[link removed]]. Think you can make a dynasty out of a small school? We’re giving away two copies of the highly anticipated EA Sports College Football 25 video game. Enter here [[link removed]] for a chance to win. See rules here [[link removed]].

Breakfast Fun Fact

In honor of the U.S.’s next game against Panama, let’s explore a classic Panamanian breakfast. Many locals begin their day with thick tortillas made from deep-fried or grilled corn dough, topped with eggs and cheese. Panamanian tortillas are notably thicker than typical ones, adding a unique twist to this delicious morning meal.

Editors’ Picks Sports Betting Money Won’t Bail Out Cash-Hungry College Athletic Departments [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]Schools are desperate for money, but they won’t be partnering with gambling operators. New Manchester United Owner Admits He Hasn’t Focused on Women’s Team Yet [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Ratcliffe said his focus has been on the men’s team. Scheffler’s Season Earnings Could Surpass Top NFL, NBA, MLB Stars [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]The golfer has already won more than $27 million this season. 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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