The International Olympic Committee is facing the realities of a changing planet — and its conclusions could benefit a U.S. city.

The IOC is holding off on naming a host for the 2030 Winter Olympics as it takes time to consider how climate change will impact the Games in the coming decades.

• The finalists for the Games are Salt Lake City and Sapporo, Japan. Vancouver is also a contender but faces an uphill battle after the province of British Columbia opted not to support the city’s bid.
• The IOC could name hosts for both the 2030 and 2034 Games in 2024.
• Salt Lake City would prefer to host in 2034 to provide more time to prepare and create separation from the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Officials at the Salt Lake City host committee have promised to shield taxpayers from the estimated $2.4 billion cost of hosting the Games.

Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Games in 2002, while Sapporo held them in 1976. Vancouver had them in 2010.

Olympic Rotation?

The IOC is considering a radical change: With climate change shortening the list of viable Winter Olympics options, it could establish a rotating schedule. Both Salt Lake City and Sapporo could be among cities that host every 20-30 years.

The criteria for a regular host would include that the city maintain an average temperature at or below freezing. Salt Lake City organizers believe that they meet all hosting requirements through 2050.

Last season Aaron Judge bet on himself, turning down a $213.5 million offer from the New York Yankees.

The gamble paid off as the 30-year-old slugger agreed to a nine-year, $360 million deal with the team, according to multiple reports.

• Judge hit an American League record 62 home runs and won the AL MVP award in 2022. 
• The Yankees increased their offer by about 70% in less than a year.

Besides the San Francisco Giants, the Yankees reportedly had to fend off a last-minute bid from the San Diego Padres.

Judge’s yearly salary of $40 million shatters the MLB record for the highest average annual contract value for a position player, previously held by Mike Trout’s $35.5 million.

MLB’s Weight Problem

Prior to the 2022 All-Star Game, commissioner Rob Manfred admitted that the league had used two baseballs the previous year — one reportedly with a center weight roughly two-and-a-half grams lighter than the other that would carry further.

According to a new report, MLB may have used three different balls last season, and the more batter-friendly balls were found to be used at key games and events.

• Postseason and World Series games
• The All-Star Game and Home Run Derby
• Regular-season games with special commemorative stamps on the outer leather

Two of the “juiced” balls were also obtained from a Yankees-Tigers game on June 5 — which raises the question: Could the ball have impacted Judge’s home run chase?

City Football Group is one step closer to adding another soccer club to its portfolio.

The Manchester City owner is set to acquire Brazilian club Esporte Club Bahia in a deal reportedly valued at $133.7 million. The pact for a 90% stake in the club was approved by Bahia’s members at their general assembly with 98.6% in favor. 

• Bahia was recently promoted to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A — Brazil’s top league.
• CFG has full or partial stakes in 13 soccer clubs including MLS’ New York City FC and Australia’s Melbourne City FC.
• The Bahia deal is expected to be finalized in early 2023. 

Silver Lake increased its existing stake in CFG, making the private equity firm its second-largest shareholder. Silver Lake bought an initial 10% stake for $500 million in 2019 and now owns 14.5% of the company.

A law passed last year allowing clubs in the country to seek outside investments, leading to a flurry of interest in other Brazilian teams, including Atletico Mineiro — which could sell a 51% stake for $208 million. 

Staying Busy 

In July, CFG completed its acquisition of an 80% stake in Italian club Palermo.

The deal for the Serie B club — Italy’s second-highest level of pro soccer — was reportedly worth between $13 million and $14 million.