The Denver Broncos’ new coach could be among the highest-paid in the league.

Sean Payton was formally introduced as the Broncos’ head coach on Monday, and his contract is estimated to be between $17 million and $20 million per season, with NBC Sports specifying it’s at least a five-year deal “in the neighborhood of” $18 million per season.

• Payton, who spent 2022 as an analyst on Fox Sports, was looking for $20 million to $25 million, according to ProFootballTalk. 
• The Broncos had to trade for Payton, as he was still under contract with the New Orleans Saints, where he coached from 2006-21.

If Payton were able to reach the $20 million marker, he would match New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick — reportedly the highest-paid NFL coach.

The team was sold last year for $4.65 billion to a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, the most ever paid for a North American sports franchise.

Payton’s Plan

The Broncos ended the season in the AFC West cellar with a 5-12 record and had the fewest points in the league — despite signing Russell Wilson to a contract extension reportedly worth $245 million over five years with the second-most guaranteed money in NFL history.

“I know he’s an extremely hard worker,” Payton said about Wilson. “That’s important. And I think you take that skill set, he’s won a lot of games in Seattle … then you go from there.”

The parent company of the New York Knicks and Rangers had a successful second quarter as the teams began their regular seasons at Madison Square Garden Arena.

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. generated $353.7 million in fiscal second-quarter revenue — a 22% year-over-year increase — boosted by the Rangers playing six more regular-season home games than they did during the same period the year prior.

• Pre- and regular-season ticket-related revenues jumped $29.7 million.
• Suite license fee revenues increased $12.5 million.
• Sponsorship and signage revenue rose $10 million.
• Food, beverage, and merchandise sales increased $4 million during the preseason and regular season.

Local media rights fee increased $3.9 million, and league distributions were up $3.2 million due to increased NBA and NHL media rights fees.

Operating income jumped 43% year-over-year to $51.5 million in the quarter ending Dec. 31.

Attorney Conflicts

Madison Square Garden Entertainment, which owns Madison Square Garden Arena, is facing scrutiny for barring specific lawyers from attending Rangers and Knicks games and using facial technology to keep certain people out. 

But some rules were amended on Monday when the company announced it’s exploring a potential sale of its majority interest in Tao Group Hospitality.

“As a result of MSG Entertainment’s exploration of a potential sale of its majority interest in Tao Group Hospitality, effective immediately, the Company has lifted the adverse attorney policy for any litigation currently pending with Tao entities,” a statement from MSG Entertainment reads.

The policy still applies to lawyers at other firms involved in legal action against MSG Entertainment.

The NFL is fortifying its global market expansion with a decade-long international media rights partnership with DAZN.

Starting next season, DAZN will carry the NFL’s international broadcast channel, NFL Game Pass International. Financial terms were not disclosed.

• Game Pass gives international fans access to regular-season and postseason games, including the Super Bowl.
• DAZN’s coverage will be available globally, with the notable exception of China.
• The partnership will expand an existing deal for NFL Game Pass broadcasting already available in Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada. 

The deal is part of the NFL’s long-term strategy to garner more international fans.

“Growing the NFL globally is a key strategic priority for the League and our 32 clubs,” commissioner Roger Goodell said. 

Between 2023-25, Goodell wants to place four more regular-season games in Germany as well as games played in Spain and France. 

The league has already made significant inroads in Mexico and U.K. markets, and Goodell has previously said he believes two NFL franchises could be successful in London.

Growing Audience

Building an international NFL fan base isn’t just a pipe dream. Goodell’s strategy follows a significant increase in European viewership.

The Seahawks-Buccaneers regular-season game in Munich on Nov. 13 drew 5.8 million viewers this season — a record for an overseas NFL Network game. The milestone came just a month after the Giants-Packers game in London set a record of 5.5 million viewers.

A team in one of the largest metro areas and fastest-growing leagues in the U.S. is for sale, and potential buyers are lining up.

The NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars are proving to be a hot commodity, with interested parties numbering in the double digits, sources told Front Office Sports.

• Bids are expected at the end of February.
• The sale process has gone according to schedule and is on pace to be completed in the spring.
• There is still time for a new bidder to swoop in.

Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler said in December that he would sell the club, following a report detailing abuse by former coach Rory Dames and the downplaying of complaints against him by Whisler. The league has banned Dames for life.

The Portland Thorns are also being sold due to similar allegations against former coach Paul Riley and owner Merritt Paulson.

Inner Circle Sports, which is managing the Red Stars sale, declined to comment.

Trio Incoming

The NWSL plans to add three teams, with two debuting in the 2024 season. The new entrants will play in Utah, Boston, and the Bay Area, with the latter two paying a record expansion fee of $50 million. Utah, which had a team from 2018-20, will pay between $2 million and $5 million.

Sources told FOS that the Bay Area team is likely to play in San Francisco or the South Bay, but not in Oakland.