September 9, 2022

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Baseball is about to become a faster game. Starting in 2023 [[link removed]], MLB games will incorporate a 15-second pitch clock with the bases empty and a 20-second clock with runners on. And in great news for frustrated sluggers, there’s the end of the defensive shift: A fielder will be required on either side of second base, with both feet in the infield.

U.K. Sports Leagues Postpone Matches After Queen’s Death [[link removed]]

Premier League

Sports in the U.K. have come to a halt following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Virtually every sporting association across the country has made the decision to postpone at least their Friday schedules as a sign of respect for the monarch’s passing.

All of the nation’s soccer leagues have postponed their matches through the weekend.

“Her Majesty the Queen was a longstanding Patron of The Football Association and has left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game,” the FA wrote in a statement.

The governing bodies of Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish soccer expressed similar sentiments.

Because it fell under Matchday 7 like the rest of the postponed matches, Monday’s Premier League fixture between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest was also postponed.

The Show Goes On

Not all sports will be taking the whole weekend off, however.

The third test of the cricket match between England and South Africa will not be played Friday, but will resume Saturday.Premiership Rugby delayed the start of its season by postponing matches, but will play Saturday.

“The overwhelming opinions shared so far within the game are that teams and supporters want to come together to honour [sic] Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to be united in our grief as we express sorrow at her passing,” England’s Rugby Football Union wrote in a statement.

Legal Ruling Favors Oakland A’s $12B Ballpark Project [[link removed]]

Oakland A's

Another hurdle for the Oakland A’s proposed $12 billion ballpark on the Howard Terminal waterfront has been cleared.

In April, lawsuits were filed against the team by local organizations, alleging the plan’s 4,000-page Environmental Impact Report — approved by the Oakland City Council in February — didn’t represent proper environmental standards under the California Environmental Quality Act.

On Thursday, Alameda Superior Court judge Ronald Seligman rejected the claims.

Seligman approved [[link removed]] of the city’s decision to not build the stadium at the site of the A’s existing one. In response to concerns over waterfront traffic due to home run balls, Seligman highlighted that the nearest water would be 700 feet away — farther than any Major League player has ever hit one.

Lawsuits were filed by the East Oakland Stadium Alliance, Union Pacific Railroad, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, the International Longshore, and Warehouse Union, among others.

The organizations are reportedly considering an appeal, and Oakland still needs to negotiate a final deal with the A’s, including potential taxing districts.

The A’s have also reportedly [[link removed]] bid on multiple Las Vegas sites.

Ballpark Features

The Howard Terminal development would include a 35,000-seat ballpark, housing units, office and retail space, hotel rooms, a performance center, and new parks.

“Today’s order proves that the waterfront project, which will bring 18 acres of new public parks … will be built to California’s highest and most rigorous environmental standards,” said Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf.

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NBA Top Shot Investor Raises $110M, Valued at Over $5B [[link removed]]

Animoca

Software and venture firm Animoca Brands has raised $110 million, valuing the MotoGP partner and NBA Top Shot investor at more than $5 billion.

Led by global investment company Temasek, the strategic funding round included [[link removed]] existing investors Mirae Asset Management and True Global Ventures.

New investors Boyu Capital and GGV Capital also participated in the round and will serve as advisors to the Hong Kong-based firm as it expands its reach and capabilities.

The capital comes from the issuance of convertible notes to a group of institutional investors.The raise is subject to conditions [[link removed]] regarding a potential merger, sale, IPO, or equity round.

Animoca Brands — also an investor in Fan Controlled Football — will use the influx of capital to fund acquisitions, investments, product development, and secure new IP.

In January, Animoca Brands — which owns more than 340 gaming, social media, and finance companies — raised [[link removed]] $359 million in a funding round led by VC firm Liberty City Ventures.

In July, the firm closed a $75 million round to advance [[link removed]] its vision of an open metaverse.

To date, Animoca Brands has raised [[link removed]] $775.3 million across 21 funding rounds that included 15 lead investors, per Crunchbase.

For the Kids

In June, kid-focused social media app Zigazoo raised $17 million, valuing the business at around $100 million.

The round — led by Liberty City Ventures — included [[link removed]] the NBA, Animoca Brands, NBA Top Shot-creator Dapper Labs, and German soccer company OneFootball.

Conversation Starters Nike opened the LeBron James Innovation Center at its Oregon HQ this week. Here’s an inside look [[link removed]]. In The Leadoff, the NFL dominated Forbes’ list of most valuable sports teams, Disney isn’t looking to spin off ESPN, Cricket Australia ups its price for its next domestic media rights contract, and Fanatics launches the largest customizable jersey program in the country. Click here to listen [[link removed]]. ESPN is still exploring the launch [[link removed]] of its own branded sportsbook and has promoted “Daily Wager” host Doug Kezirian to “Sports Betting Insider.” Hyperice founder Anthony Katz built the athlete recovery business into a mainstay on NBA, NFL, and MLB sidelines over the past decade. He joined us for the latest episode of My Other Passion to talk about the company’s rise, how LeBron and Kobe helped put the brand on the map, and how ‘90s music and film inform his outlook. Listen or watch now on Apple [[link removed]], Spotify [[link removed]], and YouTube [[link removed]].

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Market Movers

U.S. stocks experienced gains across all three major indexes on Friday. Here’s a look at how sports-related stocks performed:

NKE [[link removed]]

Nike, Inc.

[[link removed]]

$110.97

[[link removed]]

+0.88%

[[link removed]] WWE [[link removed]]

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

[[link removed]]

$69.28

[[link removed]]

+1.32%

[[link removed]] ARMK [[link removed]]

Aramark

[[link removed]]

$37.68

[[link removed]]

+1.59%

[[link removed]] FL [[link removed]]

Foot Locker Inc

[[link removed]]

$38.02

[[link removed]]

+1.98%

[[link removed]] MTN [[link removed]]

Vail Resorts Inc.

[[link removed]]

$234.94

[[link removed]]

+2.43%

[[link removed]] PTON [[link removed]]

Peloton Interactive Inc

[[link removed]]

$10.30

[[link removed]]

+9.93%

[[link removed]] (Note: All as of market close on 9/9/22) What to Watch

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The event marks the fifth stop on the SailGP Season 3 calendar and features nine F50 boats that foil out of the water and are capable of racing at speeds in excess of 60 mph.

How to Watch: 8:30 a.m. ET on YouTube with a delayed broadcast on CBS Sports Network [[link removed]]*

*Sponsored content. Race availability differs by market, check your local listing.

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Disclaimer

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Before investing carefully read and consider [[link removed]] fund investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and more in prospectus.

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

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