December 13, 2022

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The NBA has redesigned [[link removed]] six season-ending award trophies to honor previous league legends — and the most important individual accolade is unsurprisingly named for His Airness. The Michael Jordan MVP Trophy depicts a bronze player extending from a base of rock and reaching for a crystal basketball.

Amazon May Be Mulling Manchester United Bid [[link removed]]

MUFC

Amazon could be considering its most stunning sports move yet.

The company has reportedly been mooted [[link removed]] as a potential buyer for Premier League club Manchester United, a merger that would bring together a massive company with a growing presence in sports media and one of the most valuable soccer teams in the world.

The Raine Group, acting on behalf of team owners the Glazer family, is seeking a price between $7.4 billion and $8.7 billion, which some believe to be unrealistic. Apple was initially thought to be interested in the team, but more recent reports pushed back. Mukesh Ambani, whose estimated [[link removed]] net worth is $92.5 billion, could make a play for Man U, but is also thought [[link removed]] to be considering Liverpool and Arsenal. U.K. billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe could lead a consortium bid for the club.

The Raine Group hopes to wrap up a sale in the first quarter of 2023.

Amazon Conflicted?

While Amazon certainly has the funds to make a bid for United, it’s unclear if the Premier League would permit an entity to own both a team and media rights.

Amazon, Sky Sports, BBC Sport, and BT Sports hold broadcast rights to the league for a combined $7 billion through 2025.

Sky Group was blocked from buying Manchester United in 1999 by U.K. regulators, who determined that the media company’s purchase could hurt competition.

ESPN’s 27-Year Run With MLS Ends [[link removed]]

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN is officially through broadcasting MLS games.

The soccer league entered an exclusive, 10-year media deal with Apple earlier this year, worth at least $250 million annually — leaving ESPN, Fox, and Univision with only nonexclusive options.

ESPN was reportedly [[link removed]] unwilling to pay a large fee for nonexclusive games and had concerns over the potential for Apple to make games available outside a paywall, which could deter viewers from watching on TV.

The Disney network has broadcast the league since it began in 1996. Between ESPN’s pay-TV channels and ABC, the networks brought in an average 343,000 viewers per game last season — the highest since 2007.

Univision, whose relationship with MLS also started in 1996 and has been mainstay since 2007, will not broadcast any regular-season or playoff games as part of the new deal, but will air Leagues Cup matches. Apple’s agreement includes Spanish broadcasts and French broadcasts for Canadian teams’ games.

Fox has renewed its deal [[link removed].] and will broadcast 34 regular-season games annually, eight Audi MLS Cup playoff matches each season, the MLS Cup, and select Leagues Cup matches.

TSN and RDS signed their own deals in Canada.

Apple’s Agenda

Apple’s new deal [[link removed]] runs from 2023-32. Games will be made available through a new subscription service in the Apple TV+ app that costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

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Golden Knights Owner Buys Premier League Team [[link removed]]

AFC Bournemouth

The owner of an NHL franchise has completed the purchase of a European soccer club.

Vegas Golden Knights owner Billy Foley and a consortium of investors have finalized their acquisition of Premier League club AFC Bournemouth in a deal worth $150.7 million.

In September, Bournemouth hired California-based investment bank and financial advisory firm Montminy & Co. to facilitate a sale of the club. A month later, Bournemouth and previous owner Maxim Demin reached [[link removed]] a verbal sale agreement with the Foley-led group of investors.

The takeover was completed [[link removed]] through Foley’s Black Knight Sports and Entertainment. Bournemouth’s new ownership regime includes [[link removed]] “Creed” actor Michael B. Jordan. The deal puts half of the Premier League’s 20 clubs under American ownership.

Bournemouth was promoted to the Premier League this year after the club finished second behind Fulham in the English Football League Championship for the 2021-22 season.

Foley — a finance entrepreneur estimated to be worth just over $1 billion — will be responsible for hiring a new manager for Bournemouth, which fired Scott Parker in August following a 9-0 loss to Liverpool.

Bournemouth projects revenue to reach $172 million in 2023, up from $136 million in 2022.

Premier Sales

Bournemouth adds to several recent takeover deals in the Premier League.

In October 2021, a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund acquired [[link removed]] Newcastle United for $409 million. In May, a group led by Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, and Sparks part-owner Todd Boehly purchased [[link removed]] Chelsea for $5.2 billion.

Conversation Starters The bidding price [[link removed]] for Aaron Judge’s American League record-breaking home run ball is now up to $1.2 million as part of Goldin’s December Elite auction. The PGA Tour has broken ground [[link removed]] on a new DraftKings sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale, which will feature a 390-seat bar, 40 kiosks, and seven ticket windows. In The Leadoff, at least 10 pro sports teams are exploring sales, Fanatics aims to launch its sports betting app next month, Manchester City considers expanding its home stadium, and some star athletes are being sued for promoting the Bored Ape Yacht Club. Click here to listen [[link removed]].

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What to Watch

The Golden State Warriors (14-13) face the Milwaukee Bucks (19-7) on Tuesday night at Fiserv Forum.

How to Watch: 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT

Betting Odds: Bucks -4 || ML -175 || O/U 233

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Celebrate with us for a chance to win!

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