July 1, 2024

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MLB salary deferments once again take center stage with the arrival of Bobby Bonilla Day, but there’s now a new twist to this long-running contract practice. … Quite a bit is on the line tonight with the U.S. men’s national team’s Copa América match against Uruguay. … It’s also the anniversary of the formal arrival of name, image, and likeness rights to college sports, and that landscape has changed dramatically in just three years. … Plus: More on Wilson Sporting Goods, LIV Golf, the Brewers, and MLB.

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

Bobby Bonilla Day: A Look at MLB’s Top Deferral Deals and Ohtani’s Pact [[link removed]]

RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

The ongoing salary deferrals for former MLB star Bobby Bonilla (above), kicking in once again Monday, have become something of an unofficial holiday. But the arrival of July 1 brings not only another seven-figure check for Bonilla, but serious money for several other former players—as well as an entirely new context for deferrals thanks to an active superstar.

As has been the case since 2011, Bonilla today will receive a $1.19 million annual payment from the Mets, a continuation of a deferral structure [[link removed]] created in 2000, and lasting until ’35. But he’s far from alone. Other prior stars getting paid today include:

Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. will receive [[link removed]] the final $3.59 million from a 16-year, $57.5 million deferral agreement with the Reds. Manny Ramirez will receive $2 million from the Red Sox as part of a 16-year, $32 million deferral pact running through 2026. Chris Davis will receive $9.1 million from the Orioles as part of deferrals contained within his prior $161 million contract. According to Spotrac [[link removed]], Davis has another $40 million due from the team between now and 2037. The 61-year-old Bonilla, meanwhile, has a second deferral agreement with the Orioles, who are paying him $500,000 each year from 2004–28. Bret Saberhagen will receive $250,000 annually from the Mets in his own deal running from 2004–28, with that pact helping inspire Bonilla’s agreements.

Some of these payments are well in excess of the 2024 salaries of many current MLB stars including the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson ($756,200), Reds’ Elly De La Cruz ($724,500), and Yankees’ Anthony Volpe ($810,100). Many more deferral payments are forthcoming as notable current players such as the Rangers’ Max Scherzer and the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have deferrals in their current or prior contracts, as such structures provide near-term financial flexibility for teams and longer-term security for players.

A New Look at Deferrals

All of these contract provisions, however, pale in comparison to the $680 million in total deferrals for Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese phenom agreed [[link removed]] to set aside $68 million of his $70 million annual salary to help keep his new team competitive, and he will be paid that money instead between 2034–43.

The unprecedented scale of Ohtani’s deferrals, however, has raised [[link removed]] the ire of some California legislators that fear missing out on nearly $100 million in critical tax revenue. Earlier this year, the state senate passed legislation urging the U.S. Congress to establish a “reasonable cap on deferred compensation,” in turn allowing individual states to capture more tax revenue. The measure is now moving to the state assembly for consideration.

Much at Stake for the U.S. in Copa América, On and Off the Pitch [[link removed]]

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The ongoing Copa América tournament has largely been seen as a test-run for the U.S. ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, both on and off the pitch.

Eight stadiums are hosting matches for both tournaments and Fox Sports is the broadcaster for each one. Additionally, the chance for the U.S. men’s national team to showcase its development on the biggest global stages and in front of a home audience has had soccer stakeholders over the moon about potential growth for the sport Stateside.

But as the group stage of Copa América concludes, the U.S. men face a do-or-die match against Uruguay on Monday night in Kansas City. Last week’s upset loss to Panama has the tournament’s hosts on the brink [[link removed]] of not reaching the eight-team knockout round—a result that would have severe implications away from the field.

Must-See TV

The first two U.S. matches produced Fox’s two most-watched non-World Cup soccer broadcasts ever: 3.189 million against Bolivia and 2.469 million for the Panama game. A trip to the quarterfinals would likely mean more record viewership for a matchup with either South American powerhouse Brazil or Coumbia on Saturday afternoon in Phoenix. Fox has Copa América media rights through 2026, the same year that its World Cup contract runs through.

Beyond TV audiences, this Copa América has already struggled [[link removed]] with high ticket prices and stadiums well under capacity for group stage matches. Most notably, fewer than 30,000 fans showed up in Santa Clara to watch Venezuela beat Ecuador, filling up less than half of the stadium that’s normally home to the 49ers.

Weight of the World

While an earlier-than-expected U.S. exit from Copa América would be frustrating for fans, it could be even more upsetting for key soccer officials hoping to lean on the hope of a strong national team heading into the World Cup.

Leaders at MLS and U.S. Soccer have been particularly bullish [[link removed]] on what the FIFA showcase in 2026 can do to accelerate the sport’s growth domestically. Part of the excitement comes from having top international stars playing across the country, but another underperforming U.S. squad would certainly be as much of a damper off the pitch as it would be on it.

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Enter Into Connor’s Athlete Archive

Front Office Sports and Upper Deck have joined forces to celebrate the nostalgia of sports, shining a spotlight on the childhood inspirations, career influences, and life milestones of the world’s most notable athletes.

In this episode of Athlete Archives [[link removed]], Connor Bedard shares captivating stories about the key figures—both past and present—who have shaped his journey, from his early playing days to the mentors who continue to inspire him.

Connor’s athletic perseverance, coupled with his cherished memories of hockey and its legendary players, beautifully illustrates the rich history of the game and hints at its future.

Check out [[link removed]] the full episode.

ONE BIG FIG Time Flies

The Herald-Times

3

Number of years since the NCAA began allowing college athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness. As soon as the new rules went into effect on July 1, 2021, stars like the Cavinder twins (above) immediately launched brand partnerships to kick off the next frontier of collegiate sports. Now, 36 months later, decision-makers are adapting to the still-shifting landscape.

In May, the NCAA and power conferences approved a potential $2.7 billion settlement [[link removed]] in the landmark House v. NCAA case that is set to eventually greenlight revenue-sharing with players. Meanwhile, NIL has also influenced big coaching moves like John Calipari leaving [[link removed]] Kentucky (despite his $33 million buyout) for Arkansas, as well as Florida’s Billy Napier becoming the first coach to be sued [[link removed]] by a player, quarterback Jaden Rashada, over an NIL dispute.

This coming year, the NIL market is projected to be worth $1.67 billion, according to Opendorse [[link removed]]. Front Office Sports reporter Margaret Fleming takes a look [[link removed]] at what’s next for NIL, as football and collectives remain the most influential aspects of the industry.

STATUS REPORT Two Up, One Down, One Push

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Wilson ⬆ The sporting goods company has extended its deal with the NFL to continue making the official football of the league (above), which it has done since 1941.

LIV Golf ⬆ Richard Bland won the U.S. Senior Open on Monday morning after a weather delay pushed the conclusion of the final round out of Sunday. Bland, 51, is a member of the LIV’s Cleeks GC team. This victory, which comes with an $800,000 winner’s check, comes a little over a month after Bland won the Senior PGA Championship in May.

Brewers ⬇ An an escalator accident [[link removed]] at American Family Field on Saturday resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to 11 fans in attendance for Milwaukee’s game against the Cubs. Six of those people were treated at hospitals.

MLB ⬆⬇ The league introduced [[link removed]] a new format for the Home Run Derby later this month, doing away from the bracket component of the competition of the first round. In the new structure, the top four hitters will advance to the semifinals. There are also changes to the timing format, with the introduction of a maximum number of pitches for each round and how bonuses are earned. The shifts will likely give ESPN a more predictable time window for the event, and are aimed in part to help prevent hitter fatigue. But there’s also the potential for some confusion among fans with the blending of recent rules and those from the pre-2015 format.

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Conversation Starters In 2019, Patrick Mahomes wore a Texas Tech shirt with Adidas taped over the school’s then-sponsor Under Armour. Now, Texas Tech has officially signed with Adidas, co-branded with Mahomes’ signature logo. Check it out [[link removed]]. Signing off: As of midnight Sunday night, the Pac-12 Network officially ceased operations [[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]]. Editors’ Picks NBA Champion Boston Celtics For Sale [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Wyc Grousbeck’s team just won the 2024 NBA Finals. The NHL’s Salary Cap Boost Kicks Off a Chaotic Offseason [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]Teams are seeing the largest increase since 2019, up $4.5 million. Nick Saban To Make $500K Annually in Alabama Advisory Role [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]The former Alabama coach retired after the 2023 season. 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]]

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