August 29, 2022

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The summer transfer window hasn’t yet closed, but Premier League clubs have already [[link removed]] spent a combined $1.8 billion. That’s an English top-flight record, and more than the league’s clubs spent all of last season.

French Grand Prix Cut from F1 Schedule, Belgium Uncertain [[link removed]]

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The French Grand Prix isn’t on the Formula 1 calendar next year — and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says there’s no guarantee [[link removed]] of European races going forward as the sport expands in other parts of the world.

The race, first held in 1906, acknowledged [[link removed]] F1’s decision in a statement. The most recent iteration took place last month and was won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

F1 says the French Grand Prix could return to the calendar on a rotating basis.The race was initially taken off F1’s calendar after 2008 and returned in 2018.The 2023 calendar will add races in Qatar, Shanghai, and Las Vegas. Regulations cap the number of annual races at 24.

France’s current deal, which expires this year, pays [[link removed]] F1 $22 million annually. New entrants are paying higher fees, with Qatar reportedly shelling out $55 million and China paying $50 million.

Spa or Kyalami?

The contract for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa ends this year, and there has been speculation the race would not be included in the 2023 schedule to make space for new events. However, negotiations with Kyalami in Midrand, South Africa, are proceeding [[link removed]] slowly, raising the possibility that Spa could return.

Red Bull team CEO Christian Horner has called for legacy races like Spa, Silverstone, and Monza to be protected from cuts.

Man United Ignores Offer from Britain’s Richest Man [[link removed]]

Manchester United FC

Is Britain’s richest man being ghosted by its richest soccer team?

Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently publicized [[link removed]] his interest in buying Manchester United, but the billionaire reportedly [[link removed]] hasn’t heard back from the team’s current owners, the Glazer family.

Worth an estimated $11.6 billion, Ratcliffe’s interest isn’t unwarranted. The Glazers, who purchased the team for a reported [[link removed]] $951 million in 2005, are currently seeking [[link removed]] at least $235 million in funding to make infrastructure improvements to the team’s Old Trafford stadium.

A loan and stake sale have reportedly been discussed.Funds in exchange for a part of the team’s media rights are likely, per The Times.

Ratcliffe owns [[link removed]'s%20richest%20man,%20is,a%20Swiss%20Super%20League%20club.] cycling team INEOS Grenadiers, as well as soccer clubs Nice and FC Lausanne-Sport. He also bid [[link removed]'s%20bid%20to,buy%20the%20Blues%20on%20Friday.] for Chelsea FC this year.

Outlets recently reported that the Glazers would seek a record $5.9 billion — at least — if they were to sell the team. Forbes last valued [[link removed]] the team at $4.6 billion.

Glazer Gossip

The Glazers are facing scrutiny from Man U fans, with mounting pressure to sell.

Under the family, who also owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Man U has paid around $1.1 billion in interest and debt repayments, while the family has collected $406 million in consulting fees, dividends, and share sales.

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Don’t Miss the US Open

Breathtaking aces. Unforgettable rallies. Top-ranked stars. Don’t miss out on your chance to experience the US Open [[link removed]] live.

You can still get tickets for the US Open, including 100% verified resale tickets offered by US Open subscribers — even for matches that have already started.

Grab your seats [[link removed]] at the Official Fan Ticket Marketplace of the US Open.

Find tickets now [[link removed]].

Top Saudi Soccer League Renamed in $127M Deal [[link removed]]

Roshn Saudi League

The Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia’s top-flight soccer competition, secured a naming rights deal with real estate developer Roshn that’s worth $127.5 million over five years.

Roshn CEO David Grover said he hopes the agreement will “intensify our efforts in supporting the Saudi sports scene.”

The league will be renamed the Roshn Saudi League.The deal was facilitated by Rise Group, the league’s exclusive sponsorship agency.

Between 2020 and 2021, the Saudi Pro League generated [[link removed]] $480 million in revenue.

The Public Investment Fund

The deal adds to a growing list of sports-related investments for Roshn and its largest backer, the Public Investment Fund — Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

Roshn secured a three-year deal [[link removed]] with Formula 1 in December 2021 to be named a sponsor of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The company also has deals with the Riyadh Marathon and the Saudi Sports for All Federation.

The Roshn Saudi League joins the LIV Golf Series and Aston Martin as recent sports-related investments by the PIF. In July, Aston Martin received an investment [[link removed]] of roughly $93 million from the PIF to help the car brand alleviate debt after it returned to F1 in 2021.

Beckham’s Inter Miami One Vote from $1B Stadium [[link removed]]

Inter Miami CF

A new $1 billion soccer stadium and complex is one vote away from becoming a reality for Inter Miami CF — an MLS club co-owned by David Beckham.

The project is pending [[link removed]] approval by Miami-Dade Aviation Department, which requires a review of construction plans in “special safety zones” that are in place to limit expansion around Miami International Airport.

The project would include a 25,000-seat stadium, shopping mall, hotel, and park.There are also plans to include office space.The project would redevelop the 131-acre Melreese Golf Course and Country Club.

The potential stadium and complex have received backlash from airlines operating out of Miami due to concerns that construction equipment could obstruct flights. Airlines believe the stadium’s lighting system could interfere with the vision of pilots.

However, the project received approval from the Miami City Commission in April.

In July, the commission approved the project’s zoning plans, which require developers to provide public benefits like cash and recreational parks in order to build.

Hot Commodity

Earlier this year, Authentic Brands Group purchased [[link removed]] a 55% stake in Beckham’s global brand management firm, DB Ventures. Financial terms were not disclosed, but CNBC reported [[link removed]] that the deal was worth $269 million.

ABG is also the largest stakeholder in Studio 99, a production company co-founded by Beckham three years ago.

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The NFL on CBS Returns on Paramount+

The wait for Week 1 [[link removed]] is almost over!

Teams are almost ready to kick off their pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy. Who will get off to a hot start?

Check out the NFL on CBS [[link removed]] schedule below for Week 1 and review your local listings for the games in your area.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

1 p.m. ET

Browns @ Panthers Steelers @ Bengals Colts @ Texans Ravens @ Jets Patriots @ Dolphins

4:25 p.m. ET

Chiefs @ Cardinals Raiders @ Chargers

Stream your local NFL on CBS game live all season long on Paramount+ [[link removed]]. Try it FREE!

Conversation Starters Who is NBA star Ja Morant’s new next-door neighbor? His dad [[link removed]]. ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is launching [[link removed]] a new podcast that will look beyond sports to tackle politics, business, and entertainment. Buffalo Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza was released [[link removed]] by the team after sexual assault allegations surfaced in a lawsuit obtained by Front Office Sports. Meet Murphy Hamm [[link removed]], a four-legged “Student-Athlete Wellness Supporter” for the UC Davis women’s soccer team. Today's Action

MLB

09:40 PM

Phillies (-180) at Diamondbacks (+155)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

MLB

06:40 PM

Cardinals (-210) at Reds (+180)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

MLB

09:45 PM

Padres (+115) at Giants (-135)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.

*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.

Question Of The Day

Do you think Formula 1 should always race in Europe?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]]

Friday’s Answer

33% of respondents work for a company with 0-50 employees; 18% with 51-200; 16% with 201-500; and 34% work for a company with 501+ employees.

If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here [[link removed]].

Written by Owen Poindexter [[link removed]], Abigail Gentrup [[link removed]], Justin Byers [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

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