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Afternoon Edition

May 20, 2025

NFL players will be able to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, after a unanimous vote by owners—with some qualifications.

Also: Netflix just released Untold: The Fall of Favre, a documentary featuring reporting by FOS. You can watch it here [[link removed]].

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]], Colin Salao [[link removed]], and David Rumsey [[link removed]]

NFL Approves Active Player Participation in LA28 Olympics [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The U.S. Olympic flag football Dream Team can now be assembled.

NFL owners unanimously approved a provision Tuesday to allow active players to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, a highly anticipated move that will bring pro football stars into international competition. The decision, actively discussed for nearly two years [[link removed]], arrived after the development of a leaguewide insurance plan to protect players participating in the Olympics.

Additionally, the approval carried a series of other provisions, including the limit of one player per NFL team on each national team participating, and salary cap credits for any player who is injured at the Olympics.

In addition to the safety and injury concerns, some owners, such as the Cowboys’ Jerry Jones, previously expressed worries about the late July timing [[link removed]] of the 2028 Olympics and preparation for the NFL season that year.

Long before the owners’ vote at the league’s spring meeting in Minnesota, many individual stars publicly mentioned their interest in playing in the Olympics, meaning that Team USA will not have any problem fielding a team full of stars.

The NFL players’ participation in the Olympics is fundamentally intertwined with the league’s interest in advancing grassroots play of the sport, as well as developing professional flag leagues for both men and women [[link removed]]. That latter consideration has included some of the biggest names in sports [[link removed]].

“I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.

Flag football formally became part of the program for the Los Angeles Games [[link removed]] in 2023. The move, at last, provided the beginning of a path for NFL players to be part of the Olympics. NBA and NHL players have been Olympic competitors for decades. Major League Baseball operates its own World Baseball Classic in partnership with the MLB Players Association, and it also has had ongoing dialogue with LA28 organizers about its players participating there.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS HONORS

Redefining the Standard

The Most Innovative Venues Award [[link removed]] will recognize venues innovating nonstop to anticipate the evolving demands of modern fans.

They’re the arenas and stadiums tirelessly reinventing their facilities, services, and experiences—from ticketing to turnstile exit—to wow their guests and keep fans coming back time and time again.

Submissions for Most Innovative Venues will be evaluated on technology, fan experiences, environmental and social impact, cultural footprint, and more.

Think your venue deserves to be recognized? Nominate it now [[link removed]] before prices increase on May 26.

Caitlin Clark, Fever Draw Record 2.7M Viewers vs. Sky [[link removed]]

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

It’s a new WNBA season, but the results remain the same: Caitlin Clark continues to set ratings records.

The season opener between the Clark-led Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky drew 2.7 million viewers Saturday on ABC [[link removed]], the most-watched game on ESPN platforms (regular season or playoffs), the network announced. The game peaked at 3.1 million viewers. Clark’s pro debut last year against the Connecticut Sun averaged 2.1 million, though that game aired on ESPN2.

The Fever vs. Sky game Saturday tipped off at 3 p.m. ET following a matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, a 2023 Finals rematch, which also aired on ABC. That game drew 1.3 million viewers, bringing the total average of the Sunday afternoon ABC doubleheader to 2 million viewers—the most-watched WNBA opening weekend on ESPN platforms.

The record ratings come despite the Fever blowing out the Sky by 35 points, the second-largest margin of victory in franchise history. Last year’s most-watched regular-season game between the same two teams, which drew 2.3 million viewers, was a one-point win for Chicago.

Saturday’s game, however, was not without significant moments, including Clark’s third career triple-double and Fever newcomer DeWanna Bonner passing Tina Thompson to move to third all-time in career points.

The game also featured an incident between Clark and Angel Reese in the third quarter. Clark was issued a flagrant foul after shoving Reese, who had just pushed the Fever’s Natasha Howard as she was trying to go for a rebound. Reese received a verbal technical foul.

The WNBA announced Sunday that it’s investigating alleged racist comments made toward Reese [[link removed]] inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The two teams will meet four more times this season, all of which will air nationally. Their next meeting is June 7 at 7 p.m. ET on CBS and will be played at the United Center in Chicago, home of the NBA’s Bulls.

Did Juan Soto Really Want to Be a Met? Ex-Yankee Star Under Fire [[link removed]]

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Mets are tied for the National League’s second-best record, the club has by far the largest attendance increase [[link removed]] in Major League Baseball, and first baseman Pete Alonso is enjoying a resurgent year after a difficult free agency in the offseason [[link removed]]. All is not necessarily well, however, in Flushing, N.Y., particularly around star acquisition Juan Soto.

The last two days have been marked by two separate incidents, one Sunday against the Yankees and another Monday against the Red Sox, in which Soto was criticized for not hustling out of the batter’s box. The first resulted in an out, while the second turned a potential extra-base hit into a single.

Those situations were joined by extensive commentary across sports media about Soto, his record-setting $765 million contract [[link removed]], and whether he’s living up to that financial largesse. WFAN personality Boomer Esiason wrongly suggested that Soto doesn’t fly with the rest of the Mets on road trips, an assertion quickly debunked by the Mets. Yankees TV play-by-play man Michael Kay then said on his ESPN radio show that he believes Soto wanted to stay with that team.

“People that I talked to on the Mets side, and they can deny it publicly, because, of course, that’s what they have to do, he is very, very glum around the clubhouse,” Kay said. “He does not have a hop in his step. He does not smile much. I’m not going to say he is unhappy. Because how can you be unhappy with a $765 million contract? But money is not a guarantee that you are going to be comfortable somewhere.

“Why isn’t he happy? It comes down to this: I’ll say it now, and it will be denied. Of course, it has to be denied. But I have talked to people that I respect. He wanted to return to the Yankees. That was his preference,” Kay said, suggesting that Soto’s family proved heavily influential in his choosing to sign with the Mets.

Soto additionally made a late decision Sunday to not wear a microphone during the ESPN national broadcast of the team’s series finale against the Yankees after previously agreeing to do so [[link removed]]. Such last-minute player changes on that in-game element are not necessarily unusual, but given the spectacle of Soto and the teams involved, it was particularly noteworthy.

All of the current drama around Soto may be short-lived, particularly given the Mets’ ongoing success this season and the day-to-day nature of baseball. Soto, however, faced a new level of scrutiny from reporters after the team’s Monday loss to the Red Sox. He is hitting .246 with a .376 on-base percentage, eight home runs, and 20 runs batted in so far this season, and while more than two-thirds of the season remains and leaves plenty of time for a turnaround, he is well below his usual standards [[link removed]].

The Mets, meanwhile, have fallen a half-game behind the Phillies in the National League East division after spending nearly the entire season so far in first place.

“It’s a game of failure,” Soto said. “Sometimes, you’re going to fail.”

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY WNBA Can Maximize Clark vs. Reese and Protect Players

FOS illustration

The WNBA’s response to the racist comments made toward Angel Reese in Saturday’s matchup against Caitlin Clark and the Fever will set an important precedent for women’s sports going forward. FOS reporter Annie Costabile weighs in on the league’s response to the incident and how WNBA media can prevent these situations instead of contributing to them.

Plus, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant could be on the move this summer. NBA insider Chris Haynes joins with the latest insights on superstar movement, and what to expect from the meeting between Giannis and the Bucks this week.

Watch the full episode here [[link removed]].

STATUS REPORT Three Up, One Down

Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Indianapolis 500 ⬆ The race is expecting 350,000 fans Sunday after selling out the grandstand at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time since 2016, which was its 100th running. Organizers had already announced they would lift the local TV blackout that is typically in place unless the race sells out.

US Open ⬆ The USTA announced an $800 million project to renovate Arthur Ashe Stadium, the main arena at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Construction is expected to be completed ahead of the 2027 US Open.

Formula One ⬆ The U.S. broadcast of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday morning averaged 1.1 million viewers on ESPN2, up nearly 28% from the race’s TV ratings in 2024.

Preakness Stakes ⬇ TV ratings for Saturday’s race [[link removed]] were down nearly 16% compared to the 2024 edition. NBC averaged 5.9 million viewers this year, compared to 7 million a year ago.

Conversation Starters The White Sox commemorated Pope Leo XIV attending the 2005 World Series with a wall graphic in the section where he sat. Take a look [[link removed]]. Will NFL owners vote to ban the Tush Push this week? Front Office Sports Today cohost Renee Washington weighed in with her thoughts [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks Charlie Baker: Power Conferences Will Enforce House Settlement, Not the NCAA [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]The NCAA will cede enforcement of amateurism to the power conferences. The Sports Media Company That Went From $0 to $1M in Revenue in a Year [[link removed]]by Ben Horney [[link removed]]Theo Pinson and Charlie Villanueva are among investors in the business. The Face of the Knicks-Celtics Rivalry Is a Long Island Battery Salesman [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]Jason Dantona achieved internet fame for his viral interview disparaging Boston. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Shows [[link removed]] Written by Eric Fisher [[link removed]], Colin Salao [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Or Moyal [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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