July 16, 2024

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MLB commissioner Rob Manfred continues to back A’s owner John Fisher, even as questions arise about the team’s interim stay in Sacramento and planned relocation to Las Vegas. … Ingrid Andress explains her much-derided singing at MLB’s Home Run Derby. … Tiger Woods speaks about the hefty amount of work involved in the PGA Tour’s negotiations with LIV Golf. … Plus: More on the ACC and SEC, Tim Tebow, French soccer club Bordeaux, and England’s national soccer team.

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

Manfred ‘Comfortable’ With A’s Move to Vegas Despite Funding Hurdles [[link removed]]

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — MLB commissioner Rob Manfred (above) gave another endorsement for the pending relocation of the A’s to Las Vegas, despite questions mounting about both the club’s interim and future home.

Speaking Tuesday before the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, Manfred said he remains optimistic about the project, and particularly the ability of A’s owner John Fisher to amass the more than $1.1 billion in private financing for the planned $1.5 billion ballpark [[link removed]] along the famed Las Vegas Strip.

Funding beyond a previously approved $380 million in taxpayer money has not yet been finalized, and the A’s have hired [[link removed]] veteran sports finance company Galatioto Sports Partners to help raise $500 million for the project.

“I am comfortable … with his ability to put together the financing,” Manfred said of Fisher.

The Las Vegas Stadium Authority will meet [[link removed]] Thursday, and a draft development agreement is on the agenda [[link removed]] that could offer more clues on both the stadium financing and construction plan—both pertinent details that heretofore have been publicly unknown.

In the meantime, the plan [[link removed]] for the A’s to play the 2025–27 seasons in Sacramento is receiving its own fresh criticism [[link removed]] in the wake of the California capital reaching triple-digit temperatures. Discussions are ongoing about tweaking start times for some A’s home games there, among other measures, to stay out of the brunt of the heat.

In other key MLB matters addressed by Manfred:

All-Star Game uniforms: MLB’s current practice of having teams wear generic league-based uniforms [[link removed]] for the Midsummer Classic instead of their own team jerseys is once again generating widespread rebukes [[link removed]], and even current players such as the Phillies’ Bryce Harper are advocating [[link removed]] for wearing their own uniforms at the event. Manfred said he’s “aware of the sentiment” and that there “will be conversations” about returning to the traditional format. Olympics: There is rising interest among both the league and MLB Players Association about having major league players participate in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Negotiations are ongoing between MLB, the union, and the LA28 organizing committee, and participation could involve a pause or other adjustment in that year’s schedule. “When you’re in L.A., it is an opportunity we need to think about,” Manfred said. Regional sports network viewership: The commissioner said the Padres have nearly 40,000 subscribers for their streaming live broadcasts, tops among the three teams for which the league handles game production and distribution. Ultimately, MLB would like to develop [[link removed]] a streaming package involving roughly half the league, but it faces a challenge of getting large-market clubs to agree to give up their current situation. Robot umpires: After facing prior challenges with scaling automated ball-strike technology, Manfred said MLB could potentially test the use of robot umpires as part of a challenge system during 2025’s spring training, a step toward broader implementation as soon as ’26. Draft picks: MLB said there is growing receptivity to the notion of teams being able to trade picks, something that hasn’t been allowed since the formation of the draft in 1965. Such a shift, however, would need to be collectively bargained with the union.

“The clubs are really sophisticated now,” Manfred said. “I do think that there’s a really good argument for allowing them to decide how to use their resources.”

LOUD AND CLEAR A Different Tune

Journal Sentinel

“I was drunk last night. I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need.”

—Country singer Ingrid Andress (above) on Tuesday, responding [[link removed]] to her much-criticized and heavily off-key performance [[link removed]] of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Monday’s Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field. The country music singer-songwriter has a long pedigree of success in the music industry and has received four Grammy nominations. But her rendition of the national anthem at the derby immediately caused a palpable stir within the stadium, and then it went viral as one of the most poorly received performances at a major sporting event. The social media post from Andress included an apology to MLB and concluded with, “I’ll let y’all know how rehab is I hear it’s super fun.”

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‘Only So Many Hours in the Day’: PGA Tour–PIF Talks Piling Up for Tiger [[link removed]]

Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

Tiger Woods (above) is happy he can help craft a new, lucrative future for the PGA Tour by heading up negotiations with LIV Golf’s financial backer, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. But he won’t deny that the job at hand is daunting.

“I never would have foreseen myself doing this, no,” Woods said during his press conference Tuesday ahead of the Open Championship, which tees off Thursday at Royal Troon Golf Club. “It’s a lot of work. It’s enjoyable in the sense that I’m able to help the Tour and I’m able to help the next generation of players.”

The PIF is exploring a potential $3 billion investment that would give the Saudi fund an ownership stake in the newly formed for-profit entity, PGA Tour Enterprises, alongside [[link removed]] the Strategic Sports Group.

Oh Captain, My Captain

Last week, Woods cited [[link removed]] his ongoing off-course duties as a primary reason for turning down the chance to captain Team USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup. “I couldn’t devote the time,” he said Tuesday. “I barely had enough time to do what I’m doing right now, and add in the TGL [that] starts [[link removed]] next year, as well as the Ryder Cup. You add all that together and then with our negotiations with the PIF, all that concurrently going on at exactly the same time, there’s only so many hours in the day.”

While Woods said he’s grateful to have a way to give back to the game besides playing, it’s still a different kind of grind. “Yes, there are days I wish I had a sand wedge and I had a driver out and I was out hitting golf balls instead of sitting in the three-hour subcommittee meeting,” he said.

Time Will Tell

Woods once again said progress is being made in the PIF talks, reiterating his stance from last month’s U.S. Open. “We all want the same thing,” he said [[link removed]] at Pinehurst.

Now, the main focus is complying with DOJ oversight [[link removed]] and making sure both sides are set up to succeed financially. “They want to make money as well,” Woods said of the PIF. “They want to make that return. We’re now into not just charitable endeavors, we’re into a for-profit model. So we have to make returns.”

Lifetime Achievement

In June, the PGA Tour announced a new special exemption [[link removed]] for Woods that will qualify him for signature events, which this year had limited, 72-player fields and $20 million purses. Woods appreciates the gesture, but he wanted to clarify he won’t be taking anyone’s spot at future tournaments. “If I want to play, I’ll be the 73rd player,” he said.

STATUS REPORT Two Up, Two Down

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

ACC, SEC ⬆ The college conferences are the latest to strike deals for sideline tablets during football games, following the NCAA approving the technology for in-game video this spring. The ACC and SEC will use iPads. Last week, the Big 12 announced it will use Microsoft Surface devices.

Tim Tebow ⬆ The former Heisman Trophy winner is part of an ownership group that just bought the Charlotte Checkers, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Zawyer Sports & Entertainment owns several other minor league hockey and baseball teams, and it also counts former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick as an investor.

Bordeaux ⬇ Fenway Sports Group is no longer exploring buying the French soccer club. A team statement cited rising stadium costs as a major factor in the decision. Last week, FSG—which owns franchises like the Red Sox, Liverpool, and Penguins—was in discussions [[link removed]] to take over the club, which currently competes in Ligue 2.

England national team ⬇ After losing to Spain in the Euro 2024 final Sunday, Gareth Southgate has stepped down as manager. “It’s time for change and for a new chapter,” he said. Southgate, 53, may be considered as a candidate to coach the U.S., who could be looking to spend [[link removed]] big after firing Gregg Berhalter.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS AWARDS

Introducing: 2024 Most Impactful Award

Front Office Sports has partnered with Sports Innovation Lab to honor organizations making a significant impact in the business of sports.

The Most Impactful Award [[link removed]] celebrates organizations that leverage their power and platform to create positive change beyond generating revenue and expanding their business. These companies understand the importance of investing in people, communities, and causes to reach their full potential.

Consideration for this award is inclusive of:

DEI initiatives Youth sports programs Education programs Voter registration and voter access programs Community outreach Foundation work and charitable fundraising Messaging and communications

Early submissions are now open through July 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Submit now [[link removed]].

Conversation Starters Kirby Smart revealed [[link removed]] that Georgia’s name, image, and likeness collective has been issuing fines to players for driving violations, with Bulldogs football players involved in 24 speeding incidents since January 2023. Northwestern plans to transform [[link removed]] the Lake Michigan shoreline into a football festival and tailgating site. The event will feature VIP ’Cats Village, a DJ, video board, lakeside reserves for groups of 10–20, and two-story chalets for up to 50 people. Check out the views [[link removed]] of the 2024 Olympics’ temporary beach volleyball stadium from the Eiffel Tower. Editors’ Picks CONMEBOL, Hard Rock Stadium Continue Trading Blame Over Copa Disaster [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]Each blames the other for the security madness at Sunday’s final. James Dolan Goes Scorched Earth on NBA Plan for Media-Rights Billions [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]He said the league would pocket more cash while hurting RSNs. Jaylen Brown Doubles Down on Nike Blame for Olympic Snub [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]Brown said he thinks Nike influenced the decision to pick Derrick White. 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]], Or Moyal [[link removed]]

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