July 15, 2024

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Monday night’s Home Run Derby will once again offer a $1 million prize to the winner, but it is also showcasing a new format and a rising popularity relative to the All-Star Game. … The controversy that surrounded the final of the Copa América presents hard questions for the U.S. in advance of the country hosting other major soccer tournaments. … SEC commissioner Greg Sankey throws cold water on the prospect of more expansion for the conference. … Plus: More on the Open Championship, rugby, the Tour de France, and Diamond Sports Group.

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

The Home Run Derby Has Become a Big Business Opportunity [[link removed]]

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — A potentially massive payday awaits Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (above) if he wins Monday’s Home Run Derby, just one of several major developments surrounding the event that is an increasingly critical part of MLB’s All-Star Game events.

The league will again offer the champion a $1 million prize, the amount that has been in place since 2019, and $750,000 to the runner-up. Since that dramatic shift from the prior top prize of $125,000, the derby winnings have provided transformative income for prior winners such as the Mets’ Pete Alonso and Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Such is the case again for Henderson, who is earning [[link removed].] $756,200 for the 2024 season, and could surpass that in just a couple of hours Monday night. In just his second full season in Baltimore, Henderson currently leads all eight derby participants with 28 home runs, third best in MLB behind icons Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, and has the third-best betting odds [[link removed]] to win the event. But he has the lowest salary in the group, with the other seven competitors ranging from $2.7 million (the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr.) to $20.5 million (Alonso, following an offseason arbitration deal [[link removed]]).

“I’m doing this for the experience, and I’m looking forward to it,” Henderson said of the derby Monday afternoon at Globe Life Field. “I do have a wedding coming up this offseason and we’re looking for a house, and [the prize money] definitely would help.”

The $1 million top derby prize, meanwhile, has been recently equaled by the NHL for its All-Star skills competition, won [[link removed]] in February by Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, and is far in excess of the $105,000 award for winning the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest and $60,000 for the 3-Point Contest.

Adjusted Format

The 2024 derby will be the first with an adjusted format [[link removed]] that will employ a maximum number of pitches (40 pitches to each batter in the first two rounds and 27 to each of the two finalists). Those thresholds exclude bonus pitches, which are now on an outs-based system instead of a timer.

The combination of both outs and a timer (three minutes in the first two rounds, two in the final round) to govern the event could prove confusing for some viewers. But the tweaks are designed to help limit hitter fatigue during the event, which in turn could help prevent injuries and encourage more stars to participate in the future. ESPN, meanwhile, believes it will create a better flow for its derby broadcast.

“Guys aren’t going to be as exhausted. You’re going to see guys maybe take their time … feel like they can get in a groove,” said Todd Frazier, ESPN analyst and winner of the 2015 derby while playing for the Reds. “I think it does help out [with] the exhaustion level of the whole derby.”

Fan Metrics

The ongoing popularity of the derby is also helping position it as a near-equal to the All-Star Game itself, an event nearly 50 years older and the foundation of the league’s entire week of activities.

Last year’s average derby television audience [[link removed]'s%20main,drop%20from%202022's%206.88%20million.] of 6.11 million, while the lowest in five years, was 87% of the viewership [[link removed]] of 7.01 million for the All-Star Game. Compare that to 10 years ago, when the 2014 derby audience of 5.4 million was just 48% of the All-Star Game’s draw the following night.

Sports TV ratings expert Douglas Pucci predicts that the remaining gap won’t be closed just yet, in part because of the frenzy [[link removed]] around Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes, who will start Tuesday’s game for the National League. Pucci projects 5.3 million viewers this year for the derby and the All-Star Game remaining flat at 7 million. ESPN, meanwhile, sought to distance itself from any head-to-head matchup.

“The Home Run Derby continues to be one of the most-watched events of the summer, and it’s long been a staple of our schedule this time of year,” said Ashley O’Connor, ESPN vice president of programming and acquisitions. “We don’t view it as a competition.”

The parity can also be seen on the ticket resale market, where low-end, get-in prices for both the derby and All-Star Game were hovering around $130 each early Monday.

—Senior reporter Michael McCarthy contributed to this report.

Copa América Fallout: Greater Logistical Challenges Await 2026 World Cup [[link removed]]

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Copa América organizers are still dealing with the aftermath of the logistical chaos that hit Hard Rock Stadium for Sunday night’s Argentina-Colombia final, which was ultimately delayed by more than an hour after thousands of unruly fans breached security. But the spotlight will quickly shift to an even bigger—and potentially even more challenging—international soccer event set to be played in North America.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, less than 23 months away, will bring a supersized version of Copa América to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The newly expanded World Cup will be a 48-team competition—triple the 16 nations that competed in this summer’s tournament. And Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium is one of eight Copa América venues that will also host matches in ’26, along with another eight stadiums throughout the continent.

The expansion from the traditional 32 teams should shatter the World Cup attendance record of 3.58 million that is still standing from the last time the U.S. hosted in ’94. But, as fans from all around the world descend upon North America, there could be even more operational headaches for FIFA and local organizers in host cities.

A Sad Scene

This Copa América was run by South American soccer federation CONMEBOL, in partnership with Concacaf, its North American counterpart. Neither organization has released any official comment about Sunday evening’s events, but a statement [[link removed]] from Hard Rock Stadium released in the early hours of Monday morning did address the situation.

Some ticket holders, who paid [[link removed]] upward of $1,600 for the cheapest seats available on secondary markets last week, were not able to enter the venue after all gates were closed before kickoff, and Hard Rock Stadium said it will work with CONMEBOL to address individual concerns. The entry points were cut off after at one point being open to all fans, even those without tickets, to “prevent stampedes and serious injury at the perimeter,” according to Hard Rock’s statement.

Alcohol sales were stopped shortly after the match started, and police officers could be seen removing some fans who did not have tickets. Hard Rock Stadium will also have to repair damage [[link removed]] that was sustained throughout several areas of the venue, including some luxury suites.

Long Road Ahead

The Miami-Dade Police Department said [[link removed]] it dispatched more than 550 officers to Hard Rock Stadium, and it will conduct a full review with venue officials of what happened Sunday to create new policies and protocols for future events.

For the 2026 World Cup, Hard Rock Stadium is set to host four group-stage matches, a round-of-32 match, one quarterfinal, and the third-place game.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS EVENTS

From Fireside to Courtside

Summer is officially in full swing and Front Office Sports is headed to the Hamptons. On Aug. 2, Huddle in the Hamptons [[link removed]] will bring together business leaders in sports, entertainment, technology, and media for an afternoon of panels, networking, and racket sports.

The perfect way to spend a summer Friday, this invite-only event will begin with a series of fireside chats and conclude with a pickleball tournament.

To become a partner or learn more about the event, visit our website [[link removed]].

LOUD AND CLEAR A Texas-Sized Conference

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

“We’re focused on our 16.”

—SEC commissioner Greg Sankey (above), on more potential conference realignment in college sports. The SEC’s football media days began Monday in Dallas and are the first with Oklahoma and Texas as official members of the conference. Sankey was asked about Florida State’s and Clemson’s legal battle [[link removed]] with the ACC, and how it could impact college football’s future landscape. “Our presidents have been clear that I am not going to entangle us in litigation around expansion,” he added. “So I pay attention, but I’m not engaged in those conversations.”

STATUS REPORT Two Up, One Down, One Push

Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

Open Championship ⬆ The final major championship of the men’s golf season has increased its purse to a record $17 million, up from $16.5 million in 2023. This year’s winner will receive $3.1 million, also the highest ever for earning the Claret Jug. This week’s field comprises [[link removed]] 158 players, two more than the typical 156, due to several last-minute qualifications over the weekend. It’s the largest field since 159 competed at St Andrews in 1995.

Rugby ⬆ Dozens of U.S. cities sent representatives to a meeting [[link removed]] in Washington, D.C., on Friday, to receive details about potentially hosting men’s and/or women’s Rugby World Cup matches when the events are played in North America in 2031 and ’33, respectively.

Tour de France ⬇ Race organizers have reinstated [[link removed]] COVID-19 protective measures after several riders withdrew after contracting the virus. Media and guests are now required to wear masks when in contact with riders and team staff. Riders are not required to withdraw if they test positive, like Geraint Thomas, who is still competing.

Diamond Sports Group ⬆⬇ The embattled regional sports network operator has resumed carriage talks with Comcast, the country’s second-largest cable distributor. There is still no guarantee that a large divide [[link removed]] between the two will be bridged, but the sides even talking again is noteworthy. In the meantime, DSG has also tweaked the filing deadline for objections to its bankruptcy reorganization plan from a prior date of July 18 to a new one of July 24. A court hearing on that plan remains set to start July 29.

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Conversation Starters Carlos Alcaraz’s second-straight Wimbledon title adds to the 21-year-old’s already-impressive résumé, which includes more than $35 million in career earnings. Check out [[link removed]] what else he’s accomplished in his young career. Speaking of high-earning athletes, USA Basketball’s men’s roster for the Paris Olympics is the most expensive [[link removed]] ever. The NBA stars have raked in more than $2.5 billion in salaries. The Savannah Bananas sold out 42,000 seats at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., this weekend, the largest game in the team’s history. Take a look [[link removed]] at the scene. Editors’ Picks NBC Poised to Grab NBA All-Star Game Rights [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]The deal would be a major coup for the network. Why This Copa Title Netted Argentina an Extra $10 Million [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]The 2024 prize pool nearly quadrupled that of the ’21 tournament. MLB’s Continued Push to Make Young Stars, and the Draft, Matter [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]Several league initiatives have led to greater fan familiarity with top prospects. 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 Peter Richman [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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