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Morning Edition

January 30, 2026

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49ers All-Pro Kyle Juszczyk tells Front Office Sports he wants the team to study whether the nearby substation is fueling the squad’s chronic injury problems.

— Margaret Fleming [[link removed]] and Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]

Juszczyk Wants 49ers to Investigate Substation: ‘I’m Very Curious’ [[link removed]]

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All eyes are on Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, where the 49ers’ home stadium will host the Patriots and Seahawks in the Super Bowl next week.

Also drawing attention: the electrical facility next door.

A viral post last month claimed the substation was causing the notorious rash of injuries [[link removed]] that has slowed the 49ers in recent years. At least one 49ers All-Pro—one with a Harvard degree—wants the team to study it, and says players have talked about it for a long time.

“It’s definitely been a talking point for years,” Kyle Juszczyk told Front Office Sports in an interview Thursday [[link removed]?]. “It’s one of those things that it’s just so hard to say because the science is not clear behind it. And I’m very much a science-driven person. And I want to see the numbers and the statistics.”

The fullback has been with the team since 2017 and was a first-team All-Pro again this year.

Last week, 49ers GM John Lynch [[link removed]] said the team is investigating the theory [[link removed]] linking the substation to the team’s slew of ligament, tendon, and muscle injuries. “Because it deals with allegedly the health and safety of our players, I think you have to look into everything,” Lynch said.

In an interview with FOS alongside his wife, fashion designer Kristin [[link removed]]—the couple is campaigning with the pretzel company Flipz to get the Super Bowl coin toss changed to the “coin flip”—Juszczyk echoed Lynch’s sentiment.

“I mean, is it a coincidence that we’ve led the NFL in injuries for the last, like, decade?” Juszczyk said. “I don’t know, it very well could be. Because a lot of injuries simply come down to bad luck, bad timing, you’re in a bad position. But there’s a lot that goes into it. And if that may be some of it, I don’t know. I am very curious. I really am. I want to see what someone who truly understands that field, what they have to say about it, and just be curious to know.”

Medical experts have largely dispelled the theory—one told FOS that there is “no firmly established evidence” [[link removed]] to back it up—but it has still taken hold within NFL circles and the 49ers’ locker room. In a San Francisco Chronicle [[link removed]] article, edge rusher Bryce Huff joked about pulling up with his own gaussmeter to test electromagnetic levels at the facility, and center Jake Brendel said at least one of his teammates believes the theory.

The 49ers’ injuries have been staggering, both for how many players are injured and how many of their stars go down. Since 2016, 49ers players on injured reserve have missed the most games of any team in the league, according to SFGate [[link removed]].

Juszczyk fractured a rib and also dealt with a hip injury toward the end of the season. He still played every game for his injury-riddled team. Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle missed some or all of the 2025 season.

“As professional athletes, we’re always looking for every little tiny advantage, that little extra half a percent,” Juszczyk told FOS. “And even if maybe that’s just hurting us a quarter of a percent, whatever it is, that’s something that we want to know and we want to account for. So, I’m very curious to see what they find out this offseason.”

Kristin joked that Harvard should study the issue, to which Kyle responded: “I know some people.”

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NBC Lands Votto to Complete MLB Talent Triple Play [[link removed]]

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NBC Sports means business in its return to MLB coverage.

The network is finalizing deals to make Joey Votto [[link removed]], Clayton Kershaw, and Anthony Rizzo part of its baseball plans this spring, Front Office Sports has learned.

The move marks a clean sweep by NBC of the top three TV free agents on the board heading into 2026.

Votto, once dubbed “ the most interesting man in baseball [[link removed]],” has been eyed as the No. 1 TV prospect by MLB media partners NBC, Netflix, and ESPN, sources say.

As one sports TV producer previously told FOS about Votto, who spent 17 years with the Reds: “Joey Votto is, in my opinion, a no-brainer. He’s an MVP. He has a national name. He’s a natural in front of the camera.” Added another media source: “If NBC wants to make a splash with Sunday Night Baseball, Joey would be perfect.”

Several years ago, ESPN brass toyed with the idea of even building a Pat McAfee–type show around the former National League MVP, say sources.

The 37-year-old Kershaw recently retired from the Dodgers after winning his third World Series championship. But the legendary pitcher is expected to work a limited schedule.

The outgoing Rizzo has been the most aggressive about seeking a post-baseball media career. The 36-year-old former Yankee star was a hit with the media in the tough New York market.

“Rizz played the New York media better than anybody—and that’s not easy,” one source previously told FOS. “He always had a smile on his face.”

Back in November, FOS first reported that Votto [[link removed]], Kershaw, and Rizzo [[link removed]] were all being targeted by MLB media partners for the 2026 season. On Wednesday, Ryan Glasspiegel [[link removed]] of FOS reported NBC was closing in on a deal to make Kershaw part of its studio coverage.

NBC finalized a three-year, $600 million deal [[link removed]] last fall to return to MLB coverage for the first time in 26 years. As a result of the deal, NBC is taking over Sunday Night Baseball from ESPN as well as exclusive rights to the wild-card playoff round.

NBC declined to comment.

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$10 million

The highest price paid for a 30-second commercial [[link removed]] during the Super Bowl, according to NBC’s head of global advertising. The average price for a commercial for the NFL title game is $8 million, which is in line with last year. NBC began talking to advertisers [[link removed]] in 2024 and has sold packages that include a commercial spot for the Super Bowl, as well as features during the Winter Olympics and NBA All-Star Game. Some companies, like Pepsi [[link removed]] and Fanatics [[link removed]], have already released their commercials, while others have released teaser trailers for their final product.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS LIVE

Next Week in San Francisco

Breakfast Ball [[link removed]] is back for its second edition—and this year, we’re headed to the Bay Area with official partners Thomas’ Bagels and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, plus activation partners USGA, Flag & Anthem, Olukai, REAL, and Nomatic.

Breakfast Ball 2026 will be hosted by San Francisco legends and NFL Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. Featuring both a celebrity pro-am and hospitality space, this event will be the ideal weekend kickoff leading up to the Big Game.

In partnership with Excel Sports Management, last year’s inaugural event brought together athletes, executives, celebrities, and creators in New Orleans. Now, we’re taking things to the next level with an unforgettable day at the iconic TPC Harding Park Golf Course on Friday, Feb. 6.

Request to attend [[link removed]] for a chance to join.

Editors’ Picks Super Bowl Teams Will Wear ‘USA 250’ Jersey Patches [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]The NFL has already had “America 250” on sidelines and game balls. College Sports Enforcement Entity Builds Out Investigative Unit [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]The CSC has already launched inquiries into “several” schools for violations. Luka’s Injury Scare Opens Debate About Safety of Cavs’ Elevated Court [[link removed]]by Griffin Senyek [[link removed]]Elevated courts are seen more in college basketball. Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Games [[link removed]] Show [[link removed]] Shop [[link removed]] Written by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]], Michael McCarthy [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Dennis Young [[link removed]], Lisa Scherzer [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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