After his nasty breakup with Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo could be on the move to a non-European league for the first time in his career — and receive a record payday in the process.

Ronaldo has received a two-and-a-half year offer worth $207 million annually from the Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr FC, according to the Spanish news outlet MARCA.

If the report is accurate and the Portuguese national signs, it would be the largest annual salary in soccer history.

• Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano notes that sponsorship deals are important to Ronaldo, and it’s unclear if image rights can be agreed upon with Al Nassr.
• The 37-year-old made $60 million off the field last season, the most of any player in the world.
• Ronaldo is unlikely to make a decision until after the World Cup concludes.

Rival Lionel Messi — who signed a four-year deal with FC Barcelona worth $673.8 million in 2017 — could also be on the move following reports that MLS side Inter Miami CF are willing to make him the highest-paid player in league history.

Rare Company

Messi ($1.15 billion) and Ronaldo ($1.24 billion) have both earned over $1 billion on and off the field over their respective careers.

Two other athletes currently earn more than $100 million per year, including endorsements: LeBron James ($122 million) and Messi ($124 million). Ronaldo is next in line, earning $115 million total with $55 million coming from off-the-field deals, per Forbes.

A group of professional sports teams in Washington, D.C., have a new investor. 

Former eBay president and billionaire Jeff Skoll — whose net worth is $4.3 billion, per Forbes — has become a minority investor in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, a holding company created by Ted Leonsis that owns the Washington Wizards, Capitals, and Mystics.

• Skoll has invested roughly $300 million in MSE.
• The minority stake is less than 10%.
• The investment gives MSE an enterprise value of $4.1 billion — up 23% since January.
• MSE also owns the NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go and 2K League’s District District Gaming.

Skoll’s investment in MSE not only provides team ownership, but an investment in media. 

In September, MSE closed its acquisition for a 67% stake in NBC Sports Washington sold by Comcast’s NBCUniversal, making it the controlling owner of NBC Sports Washington — it acquired a 33% stake in the regional sports network in 2016. The network is the exclusive local-TV rights holder for Wizards and Capitals games and will rebrand in 2023. 

Expanding Portfolio

Leonsis has emerged as a frontrunner to purchase the Washington Nationals — the 12th-most-valuable team in MLB at $2 billion. 

He is working with Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein on a potential bid, but a sale by current owners the Lerner family isn’t imminent.

Rubenstein and Leonsis have also expressed interest in the Baltimore Orioles if the team becomes available.

A new home for the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes is one step closer to reality. 

The Tempe City Council has unanimously approved the team’s proposal for a new arena and entertainment district that could cost up to $2.1 billion. 

The plan was proposed by Bluebird Development, a real estate company owned by Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo. 

• The 46-acre project would feature a 16,000-seat arena and practice facility.
• Hotels, retail shops, apartments, and a theater are also included. 
• At least $1.9 billion of development costs will be privately funded. 

Final approval for the proposed project depends on a voter referendum on May 16, which will decide whether the Coyotes will eventually move from Arizona State University’s Mullett Arena. 

The Coyotes — the least valuable NHL team at $400 million, per Forbes — have played their home games this season at ASU, which has a capacity of only 5,100. 

The team began playing at ASU following a dispute with the city of Glendale over Gila River Arena. The Coyotes owe $1.3 million in unpaid taxes and arena charges and have until Dec. 20 to settle their outstanding debt, which includes $250,000 owed to the city of Glendale.

Making A Commitment 

Despite waiting for approval on a new home, the Coyotes could see new opportunities if their development plan comes to fruition.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has vowed to bring the NHL All-Star Game or NHL Draft to Tempe if the project is approved. “It’s a private-funded project, and the club’s prepared to execute a 30-year, non-relocation agreement,” Bettman said.