January 13, 2023
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Could Steph Curry’s Warriors break [[link removed]] a 25-year record linked to Michael Jordan’s Bulls? The San Antonio Spurs have sold 63,592 tickets for their game against the Warriors at the Alamodome on Friday night — a figure that would eclipse the previous mark (62,046) when the Bulls played the Hawks at the Georgia Dome in 1998.
Leagues NWSL Increases Salary Cap, Focuses on Reform and Growth [[link removed]]
Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
As team owners grow their investments in the NWSL, the league is investing in its teams.
The NWSL has increased [[link removed]] its salary cap by 25% to nearly $1.4 million and bumped up the available allocation money to $600,000 for the upcoming season.
“Our teams are doubling and tripling their investment, whether it relates to coaching staff, or facilities, or other areas that we know our players need and deserve in order to perform at the highest level,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said ahead of Thursday’s 2023 NWSL Draft.
As the league focuses on its teams and players, Berman also addressed the results of the league’s joint investigation with the NWSLPA into misconduct [[link removed]] allegations.
Four former coaches were permanently banned. The Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns — which are both for sale [[link removed]] — were fined a respective $1.5 million and $1 million.
“Fine money is going to be used in furtherance of systemic reform and to directly benefit the lives of players,” Berman said.
Thorns owner Merritt Paulson pledged $1 million upon his sale announcement to be used for establishing an NWSL player safety office.
Window of Opportunity
Berman revealed CBS’ exclusive negotiation window to renew the league’s media rights has ended. Its current deal — reportedly worth $4.5 million — expires after the upcoming 2023 season.
“We’ve both expressed a positive sentiment toward a future relationship — while also recognizing that we will need to have conversations with the broader marketplace,” Berman said [[link removed].].
The NWSL plans to add two teams for the 2024 season.
Law Super Bowl Host City Sued Over ‘Clean Zone’ [[link removed]]
Joel Angel Juarez / USA TODAY NETWORK
Phoenix wants to project a clean image when it hosts Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, but a resident is pushing back.
The city is being sued [[link removed]] by resident Bramley Paulin, who owns two pieces of property in the city’s downtown area, after city officials told Paulin to remove unapproved signage.
Phoenix has instituted a “clean zone” ordinance over certain areas in the leadup to the Big Game, which requires residents and businesses to receive approval for signage. The city has said that signs showing the logos of Super Bowl sponsor competitors or that make unlicensed use of the Super Bowl LVII trademark will be denied. Sponsors include Apple Music, Bud Light, and Lowe’s. Phoenix has pointed out that clean-zone policies are common around major sporting events.
Paulin, represented by attorney John Thorpe, is challenging the ordinance on First Amendment grounds.
Record Price for 30 Seconds
Fox, which will broadcast this year’s Super Bowl, said in September that it had sold 95% of its ad inventory, charging a record $7 million for a 30-second spot.
Matt Voda, CEO of marketing analyst Optimine, told Front Office Sports that Super Bowl ads can be a good buy for large, consumer product brands, but some may be better off with more targeted spending.
“Six million [dollars] goes a long way across a lot of other channels, and you might be able to get reach that exceeds that [of a Super Bowl ad],” he said, referring to the approximate price charged last year by NBC.
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Teams Manchester United Set to Consider Takeover Bids [[link removed]]
MUFC
Manchester United will reportedly invite formal takeover bids by mid-February after receiving interest from several groups.
The Premier League club has attracted groups from the Middle East, Asia, and the U.S., according [[link removed]] to Telegraph Sport, and is expected to inform those interested that it will take bids for total buyouts and minority stakes.
Saudi and Qatari ministers have previously minimized the potential of a takeover, but other reports don’t rule them out. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly interested, but no formal talks have been held. Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton could also join [[link removed]] Ratcliffe’s bid.
Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer reportedly held several informal meetings at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha.
The bid deadline appears to be flexible, but the club wants to have a deal by the end of April, per Telegraph Sport.
The Glazers are reportedly looking for an offer of more than $7.2 billion for the team. Forbes last valued Manchester United at $4.6 billion.
The Fans Factor
The Glazers, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have been criticized by fans for their management of the team.
“We will be advising any prospective new investors on the value of the fan-engagement processes we have built in recent years and recommending that they continue to be strengthened,” said Richard Arnold, Manchester United’s chief executive.
Conversation Starters In The Leadoff, a Saudi Arabian soccer club is reportedly ready to offer Lionel Messi $300 million per year, Lewis Hamilton could own Manchester United, LAFC wants more money and fewer owners, and the Boston Red Sox are not up for sale. Click here to listen [[link removed]]. WWE has hired [[link removed]] the Raine Group, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and August LLC to help support the company’s management and its reshuffled board of directors to maximize shareholder value. Over the next few months, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren will begin to transition [[link removed]] into a new role as president and CEO of the Chicago Bears while the Power 5 conference will begin to search for a new leader.
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What to Watch
The Denver Nuggets (28-13) face the Los Angeles Clippers (22-21) on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.
How to Watch: 10 p.m. ET on ESPN
Betting Odds: Clippers -4.5 || ML -175 || O/U 221
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