December 28, 2022

Read in Browser [[link removed]]

POWERED BY

Nigerian-American Tani Adewumi’s story is already amazing, and now it’s set to continue [[link removed]] in the U.S. The 12-year-old chess phenom — who won a New York state championship at age 8 while living in an NYC homeless shelter — was granted asylum in the U.S. in December, along with his family.

Real Estate Oakland A’s Next Move Will Have Big Impact on Las Vegas [[link removed]]

Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Oakland A’s ultimate decision on their future will have ripple effects across two cities.

The team has negotiated [[link removed]] on two sites in Las Vegas — one owned by a company with connections to MLB’s biggest local broadcaster, and the other by a billionaire looking to grow his presence in the city.

The A’s have explored the Tropicana site owned by Bally’s, which holds naming rights to Diamond Sports Group’s 19 regional sports networks. They have also looked at the currently unoccupied Las Vegas Fairgrounds site. The Fairgrounds area is owned by billionaire Phil Ruffin, who might invest further in his neighboring Circus Circus hotel and casino if the A’s move to his site.

Both Ruffin and Houston Rockets’ owner Tilman Fertitta are seeking a greater share of the city’s casino and resort market.

The team has indicated it will stay in Oakland if it can strike a deal with the city on a $12 billion waterfront stadium and surrounding mixed-use development.

Keeping it Local

Las Vegas has become a newly hot destination for sports properties, with both Formula 1 and the Super Bowl planning moves there soon.

The city has also launched [[link removed]] an initiative to help minority small business owners benefit from Super Bowl LVIII in 2024.

Businesses at least 51% minority-owned, have been in Las Vegas for at least three years, and that directly supply the goods and services they sell are eligible for a program that facilitates Super Bowl contracts with the hope of establishing lasting relationships.

Deals Two Premier League Giants Up for Sale in Uncertain Market [[link removed]]

Liverpool

Two of Europe’s most iconic soccer clubs are on the market for similar reasons, say analysts.

Earlier this year, Manchester United and Liverpool were made available for takeover deals, adding to several ownership changes throughout pro sports including the $5.4 billion sale of Chelsea to a group led by Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, and Sparks part-owner Todd Boehly.

Manchester United and Liverpool — or possibly a stake in them — are up for grabs as sports teams around the world manage mounting losses in a market facing profitability concerns, according [[link removed]] to a CNBC report.

The Premier League saw its clubs lose a combined $1.2 billion in the 2020-21 season.

The Glazer family is mulling a deal for Man United — the third-most-valuable soccer club at $4.6 billion, per [[link removed]] Forbes — amid public outcry by fans over poor ownership. Liverpool — the fourth-most-valuable soccer team at $4.45 billion — was put on the market in November, and owner Fenway Sports Group could explore [[link removed]] a partial sale.

FSG — which also owns the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins — has reportedly yet to receive a “compelling offer” for Liverpool after buying the club for $353.4 million in 2010. The Glazers, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reportedly [[link removed]] want more than $7.2 billion for Man U.

Potential Buyers

Investors from Saudi Arabia and Qatar have expressed takeover interest in Liverpool and are reportedly [[link removed]] planning to present a joint bid “in the region of $3.9 billion.” Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has shown interest in Man United, while Amazon may also be mulling [[link removed]] a bid.

SPONSORED BY TRAVISMATHEW

Ready For a Bucket List Experience?

TravisMathew, Topgolf, and the MGM Grand have come together to offer a once in a lifetime Las Vegas experience [[link removed]] for one lucky winner. With a chance to win a trip for four at the MGM Grand, complete with a VIP Topgolf experience and TravisMathew shopping spree, what happens in Vegas may actually be too good to stay in Vegas.

The experience includes two Executive Suites, four tickets to KA by Cirque du Soleil, F&B credit at the MGM Grand, a Bungalow Suite and F&B credit at Topgolf Las Vegas, and $1000 per guest at the TravisMathew Las Vegas retail store.

Enter [[link removed]] the giveaway above for a chance to win a truly bucket list experience in Vegas!

Teams New Washington Commanders Owner Could Need Extra $1B [[link removed]]

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The next owner of the Washington Commanders may need some extra cash to finalize a takeover deal for the NFL franchise.

Last month, Commanders owner Dan Snyder announced [[link removed]] he was exploring a potential sale of the team after allegations [[link removed]] of mismanagement and workplace misconduct. A team takeover could include an extra $1 billion to cover costs associated with a new stadium, according [[link removed]] to CBS Sports.

The Commanders are the sixth-most-valuable NFL team at $5.6 billion, per Forbes. Snyder bought the team for $750 million in 1999. Earlier this year, he failed to secure public funding for a new $3 billion stadium.

Snyder has reportedly received [[link removed]] offers “well north” of $7 billion that would include FedEx Field, the surrounding 264 acres, and the 150-acre team headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia.

The offers represent a significant jump from the $4.65 billion that a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton paid [[link removed]] for the Denver Broncos in June.

Mascot Mess

The Commanders could face legal action by five former players over the use of a new mascot.

The team plans to unveil [[link removed]] a hog as its new mascot, but the symbol was trademarked in July by O-Line Entertainment — a company formed by the original “Hogs” — Joe Jacoby, Mark May, John Riggins, Fred Dean, and Doc Walker. The late Joe Bugel, who once coached the offensive line in Washington, came up with the nickname.

The group plans to file a trademark infringement suit if the Commanders adopt the hog mascot.

Real Estate Two Soccer Teams Could Replace A’s at Coliseum [[link removed]]

Oakland Roots

The A’s might leave the city, but sports teams are still eyeing their Oakland Coliseum site as a potential new home.

The Oakland Roots of the second-division USL Championship are looking at [[link removed]] the stadium, where they would be accompanied by the Oakland Soul, a women’s soccer team launched by the Roots that will play in the second-division USL W League starting in 2023.

The Roots currently play in a 5,500-capacity stadium in Oakland’s Laney College. They are considering a move to the Coliseum or to a closed naval base in neighboring Alameda. The two sites were the only ones the club identified that met its criteria for size, accessibility, potential for community impact, and designation for sports use.

The NFL’s Oakland Raiders also played at the Coliseum before leaving for Las Vegas in 2020.

Coliseum Competition

While the A’s are planning to move to either Oakland’s Howard Terminal or to Las Vegas, the Roots are not the only team interested in their current home.

In November 2021, Oakland granted [[link removed]] exclusive negotiating rights to the African American Sports & Entertainment Group to lease or purchase the 130-acre site, which also includes the Oakland Arena, where the Golden State Warriors played until moving to San Francisco in 2019.

The group is potentially willing to work with the Roots and Soul but has also discussed bringing a WNBA team and separate women’s soccer team to the site.

SPONSORED BY FUTURE

Modern Personal Training Built For You

What does it take to achieve your fitness goals? Competitive drive fuels the fire, but going beyond your limits requires a roadmap and a trusted copilot.

Enter Future [[link removed]] – a new way to get fully-customized personal training that revolves around you. No matter what gets you moving, you’ll find the guidance, motivation, and accountability to push beyond your comfort zone.

Future has all of the benefits [[link removed]] of 1:1 personal training without the one-hour time limit and strict schedule, and your coach is ready to help you create that competitive edge. And it all happens through the Future app – where your coach will plan workouts, measure progress, and celebrate milestones.

Front Office Sports readers can enjoy a 2 week free trial to Future! Get started [[link removed]] with your coach today.

Conversation Starters The wearable tech space is on fire right now, and even with competition from giants like Apple and Google, Whoop — best known for its fitness tracker — has carved out a sizeable share of the market. We caught up with founder and CEO Will Ahmed to discuss his company’s rise, behind-the-scenes stories with Patrick Mahomes and LeBron James, and much more. Listen or watch now on Apple [[link removed]], Spotify [[link removed]], and YouTube [[link removed]]. Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown [[link removed]] 12 touchdowns this season — the same as the number of bathrooms in his $25 million Colorado mansion. $55B was spent on sports media rights this year, but Gen Z wasn’t watching. Learn how StreamLayer [[link removed]] is helping OTT platforms transform their live viewing experience to attract younger audiences and unlock more revenue opportunities.* Today's Action

NHL

08:05 PM

Wild (-125) at Jets (+105)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

NCAA

05:30 PM

Kansas (+125) at Arkansas (-145)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

NBA

10:10 PM

Nuggets (-155) at Kings (+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

What is your preferred beer?

Budweiser [[link removed]] Coors [[link removed]] Corona [[link removed]] N/A [[link removed]]

Monday’s Answer

63% of respondents have bought gear for an outdoor activity in the past 6 months.

DISCLAIMER

*Sponsored Content

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcasts [[link removed]] Pro [[link removed]] Written by Owen Poindexter [[link removed]], Justin Byers [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

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

Update your preferences [link removed] / Unsubscribe [link removed]

Copyright © 2022 Front Office Sports. All rights reserved.

80 Pine Street Suite 3202 New York, NY 10005