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Afternoon Edition

April 21, 2025

As the NBA braces for a defining summer, Cooper Flagg is emerging as its next potential superstar. The Duke freshman declared for the draft Monday, setting the stage for a franchise-altering No. 1 pick—and possibly the new face of American basketball.

— Colin Salao [[link removed]], Ryan Glasspiegel [[link removed]], Michael McCarthy [[link removed]], and David Rumsey [[link removed]]

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

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Cooper Flagg, who declared for the NBA draft Monday, is about to completely change the trajectory of a franchise.

The Duke freshman is the consensus No. 1 pick this June, and several teams battled for better lottery odds [[link removed]] to hopefully secure the 18-year-old. When the lottery is complete in three weeks, Flagg could become the savior for franchises including the Wizards, Hornets, and Pelicans that have struggled to get out of the NBA’s cellar, or he could provide new life for teams such as the Sixers and Mavericks after disastrous seasons.

However, Flagg’s arrival may alter more than just an NBA franchise and its city. After a 2% dip in regular-season ratings [[link removed]]—which is relatively minor but continues a downward trend [[link removed]]—he could be exactly what the league needs as it begins its new media deal. He is also a leading candidate to be the next torchbearer for U.S. men’s basketball players, especially as LeBron James’s and Steph Curry’s careers come to a close, and the league’s hierarchy shifts with the influx of stars from around the world.

When it comes to the globalization of a U.S. professional sports league, the NBA is the gold standard. Entering the 2024–2025 season, rosters featured 125 international players [[link removed]] (about a fourth of the league) from 43 countries. The NBA has also established a professional basketball league in Africa and is exploring a new league in Europe [[link removed]] that could include parts of the Middle East.

International growth spells big business for the league, as a broader audience means additional sponsorships and international TV deals.

The U.S. has been known as the definitive powerhouse in the sport for decades, but even after winning the gold medal in men’s and women’s basketball at the Paris Olympics, there is a growing sentiment that the rest of the world is catching up.

Flagg is the best U.S. prospect in the NBA draft since Zion Williamson in 2019 and perhaps even Anthony Davis in 2012. Last summer, before even playing for Duke, Flagg became the first teenager in more than a decade to join a U.S. select team that trained against Team USA. According to The Washington Post, Flagg, then 17 years old, stole the show [[link removed]] for the select team that nearly defeated the lead U.S. squad.

There is a notion that American players drive better ratings than international stars, not only in the NBA, but even across other sports like tennis or golf. This is ostensibly true when looking at the NBA’s viewership numbers.

At least one of James or Curry was in the Finals between 2012 and 2020. The NBA Finals viewership numbers have also taken a slight dip since that stretch, with the most-watched championship series since being the 2022 Finals that featured Curry and the Warriors. The 2021 and 2023 Finals were won by teams led by international stars (Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić, respectively).

Fortunately for the NBA, regardless of what happens with its ratings, it’s already locked in a historic 11-year, $77 billion media-rights deal [[link removed]] that kicks in next season.

If the NCAA is any indication, Flagg, the 2025 Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year, will be a ratings darling [[link removed]] in the NBA, assuming he finds similar success.

For more on what Cooper Flagg’s arrival could mean for the NBA, you can read Colin Salao’s full story here [[link removed]].

NILOSOPHY

Coach Yo Talks NIL and Leadership

Hosted by Deja Kelly, NILOSOPHY [[link removed]] is an original series by Front Office Sports spotlighting the athletes and leaders reshaping college sports through the lens of NIL.

In Episode 3 [[link removed]], Deja sits down with Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin—better known as Coach Yo—for a wide-ranging conversation on how NIL and the transfer portal are transforming women’s college basketball.

From recruiting and roster-building to personal branding and business, Coach Yo breaks down how she’s adapting to the new era—and what it takes to lead through change.

Watch Episode 3 on YouTube [[link removed]].

Shannon Sharpe Accused of Rape in Civil Lawsuit [[link removed]]

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Shannon Sharpe has been accused of rape in a lawsuit filed in Nevada.

A woman, filing under the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” claimed that the two met at a gym in Los Angeles and ultimately began a “rocky consensual relationship that lasted nearly two years.” The suit, filed Sunday evening, says that the woman was 19 when they met in 2023. Sharpe is 56.

The suit alleged that the relationship grew tense when Sharpe went on Instagram Live [[link removed]] last year, apparently while having sex with another woman. (Sharpe later said he went live by mistake.)

“Sharpe flew into fits of anger when Plaintiff noted his infidelity to their relationship, or called him out about his extraneous activities,” the suit said. “What had once been manipulation, control, and intimidation now became something far more dangerous and sinister. Sharpe even figured out how to get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission. Sharpe made it clear that what Doe wanted was of no moment, that Sharpe would get what he wanted, when he wanted it. In October 2024, Shannon Sharpe violently sexually assaulted and anally raped Plaintiff two different times in Las Vegas, Nevada, blatantly ignoring her requests for him to stop. He did it again in January.”

The plaintiff is being represented by Tony Buzbee, the attorney who won settlements on behalf of dozens of Houston-area massage therapists who alleged they were sexually assaulted by then-Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

The lawsuit, which seeks $50 million in damages, was first reported by ProFootballTalk [[link removed]].

Sharpe is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the top stars in sports media. Last week, Front Office Sports reported he was seeking a contract in excess of nine figures [[link removed]] for a new podcast deal. Sharpe is also a regular cohost on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith.

Sharpe appeared on the program in his regular time slot Monday. His agent and a spokesperson for ESPN could not be reached for comment.

Buzbee, the plaintiff’s attorney, recently represented a client who accused Jay-Z of raping her as a minor, and dropped the suit in February. The rapper responded by suing Buzbee, accusing the lawyer of extorting him. That case is still ongoing. Buzbee is also representing a litany of people who have accused Diddy of sexual abuse.

“I’m extremely proud to represent Jane Doe,” Buzbee said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “It takes a great deal of courage to stand up against those with power, fame and money. I look forward to pressing this case in court.”

Serie A Postpones Four Matches Following Death of Pope Francis [[link removed]]

Daniele Mascolo-Imagn Images

Serie A, Italy’s top soccer league, postponed four matches scheduled to be played Monday, following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88.

The move came as the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) suspended all sporting events Monday.

All four Serie A games have been rescheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. local time:

Cagliari-Fiorentina Genoa-Lazio Parma-Juventus Torino-Udinese

With five match-days remaining this season, Inter Milan and Napoli are tied atop Serie A with 71 points each.

Other Leagues Pause Play

Additionally, 10 games in the second-flight Serie B; 10 in the third-flight Serie C; and 3 matches in the under-20 competition, Primavera 1; were postponed. Makeup dates for those contests are still to be determined.

Inter Milan and AC Milan will play the second leg of their Coppa Italia semifinal as planned Wednesday, and Bologna-Empoli in the other semifinal will follow Thursday.

No Italian teams have any UEFA Champions League matches scheduled this week. Inter Milan, the lone Serie A team remaining in the elite European tournament, will play the first leg of its semifinal against Barcelona on April 30.

CONI announced a minute-long moment of silence will be held at all sporting events this week, in remembrance of Pope Francis.

STATUS REPORT One Up, Three Down

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Landry Fields ⬇ The Hawks fired their GM and promoted assistant GM Onsi Saleh to fill the role after missing the playoffs for the second straight season. Atlanta also announced it will begin a search for a president of basketball operations [[link removed]].

Pinehurst ⬆ The North Carolina golf resort is building yet another new course, Pinehurst No. 11, set to open in 2027. It will be the second 18-hole course at the Pinehurst Sandmines property, after Pinehurst No. 10 opened there last year ahead of the U.S. Open at the iconic Pinehurst No. 2 [[link removed]]. There is also enough land at the Sandmines for two additional short courses [[link removed]] and up to 40 golf cottages.

Chicago Sky ⬇ The franchise’s $38 million practice facility [[link removed]], which was expected to be completed by October, has been delayed to April 2026, according to the Chicago Tribune. The delay is because of, in part, an expansion of the plans for the building. The adjusted timeline means the facility is expected to be ready in time for training camp in 2026.

Leicester City ⬇ The 2016 Premier League champion has been relegated to the second-tier EFL Championship after its loss to Liverpool on Sunday. It’s the second time in the past three seasons Leicester has been relegated from England’s top flight, after earning promotion just a year ago.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS LIVE

Redefining the Future

As a proud extension of the Mizuho Americas Open, Excel Sports Management and Front Office Sports present the Breaking Barriers Summit [[link removed]], with official partners Versant Health and Delta Air Lines—designed to celebrate and empower female leaders across industries.

Inspired by the excellence, resilience, and ambition seen in women’s golf, this exclusive event unites trailblazers and changemakers for meaningful conversations about leadership, innovation, and empowerment.

Through dynamic panel discussions and networking opportunities, the summit fosters collaboration among industry leaders, inspiring the next generation of women in business.

The Breaking Barriers Summit will take place May 8 in New York City. Learn more or request to attend here [[link removed]].

Conversation Starters The Rays are selling pieces of the roof of Tropicana Field [[link removed]], which was destroyed by Hurricane Milton, for $15. Phillies fans signed a giant card for the 47th birthday of the Phillie Phanatic, their team mascot. Check it out [[link removed]]. The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s expansion team, are hiring a mascot ahead of the 2025 season with a pay range of $130 to $160 per hour. Take a look [[link removed]] at the job listing. Editors’ Picks Sharon Lokedi Wins $200K for Smashing Boston Marathon Record [[link removed]]by Dennis Young [[link removed]]Lokedi broke the old course record by more than two minutes. Cavs Game 1 Hero Ty Jerome Is Among NBA’s Cheapest Deals [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Ty Jerome had 28 points Sunday while making $2.5 million this year. ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth [[link removed]]by Annie Costabile [[link removed]]“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Shows [[link removed]] Written by Colin Salao [[link removed]], Ryan Glasspiegel [[link removed]], Michael McCarthy [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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