February 21, 2023
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The Washington Commanders inch closer to a sale as more details emerged related to one of the open investigations into the team. In an exclusive [[link removed]] for Front Office Sports, senior reporter A.J. Perez has the latest on a subpoena issued as part of a federal probe into the NFL team’s alleged financial irregularities.
Teams Manchester United Receives ‘Several’ Bids for Club [[link removed]]
MUFC
In the wake of last week’s deadline for preliminary investment bids, Manchester United is drawing significant interest.
In addition to two public bids from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank, and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS, several other groups made private proposals, according [[link removed]] to The Wall Street Journal.
Sheikh Jassim’s reported $6 billion bid is for 100% of the club without debt, while Ratcliffe’s bid is reportedly [[link removed]] for 69% of the club.
Elliott Management, which owns AC Milan, has no plans to make its own takeover offer but has reportedly indicated it would consider financing a bid. It isn’t currently aligned with any investor.
It was reported [[link removed]] on Friday that Saudi Arabia had also submitted a bid.
The Glazers, who purchased the team for roughly $942 million in 2005, hired the Raine Group in November to help facilitate the sale and is expected to go through the proposals over the next week to eliminate the weaker bids.
Manchester United was put up for sale following criticism from fans over the Glazers’ lack of investment in the club.
The team was last valued by Forbes at $4.6 billion. The current record for a team sale is Chelsea’s $5.3 billion takeover by a group led by U.S. investor Todd Boehly.
Real Estate Diamondbacks Owner Promises ‘Hundreds of Millions’ For Ballpark [[link removed]]
Rob Schumacher / USA TODAY NETWORK
The future home of the Arizona Diamondbacks is still “up in the air,” according to team officials.
On Monday, the team told reporters [[link removed]] it is still mulling over whether to renovate Chase Field or pursue a completely new stadium. Team president and CEO Derrick Hall said that the pandemic delayed the final decision, but he hopes to have an answer during the summer.
The team’s No. 1 priority is using the stadium plan to generate more revenue that can increase the team’s payroll. Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick said he’s willing to put “hundreds of millions” toward an improved fan experience, no matter what.
One thing is for sure — the current stadium needs work. There are major mechanical issues with the retractable roof, and in-game technology like audio and scoreboards needs an upgrade.
But team officials must consider multiple factors.
Chase Field is located in Phoenix’s downtown area, a location team officials consider important whether they renovate the stadium — which could take between three and seven years — or build a new one. Even with a new ballpark, the team wants to stay in Maricopa County.
An added complication: The county owns the stadium, and while the current ballpark was mostly funded by property taxes, that may not be an option this time around. The Diamondbacks have a lease that ends in 2027.
The team wants to be “as appealing as possible” to the fans “who pay the bills,” Kendrick told reporters.
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World Over 30 Countries Want Russia Banned From Olympics [[link removed]]
Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
The U.S. and U.K. are two of more than 30 countries that have pledged their support for banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sporting competitions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A statement [[link removed]] released by the British government and signed by the countries follows proposals from the International Olympic Committee that explore allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competitions, including the 2024 Olympics in France — which also signed the statement.
Paris 2024 organizers previously stated they would abide by the IOC’s decision on Russia’s participation, but Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said [[link removed](Reuters),a%20British%20government%20statement%20said.] there’d be no Russian delegation at the games as long as there’s a war.
Ukraine hasn’t ruled out [[link removed]] a boycott of the games should Russian and Belarusian athletes be allowed. The IOC said a boycott would be in violation of the Olympic Charter.
The countries addressed the IOC’s proposal that athletes participate in competitions as “neutral athletes” not representing their country.
“There are serious concerns about how feasible it is for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete on a neutral basis given they are directly funded and supported by their states,” the British government stated, also referencing “strong links and affiliations between Russian athletes and the Russian military.”
“We also note that Russia and Belarus have it in their own hands to pave the way for athletes’ full return to the international sports community, namely by ending the war they started,” the countries added.
Conversation Starters In three days, North Carolina teams recorded [[link removed]] the two biggest hockey crowds in state history. Curt Schilling is joining [[link removed]] Clay Travis’ OutKick for a new baseball show. USL club Indy Eleven has released a first look [[link removed]] at the new $1 billion “Eleven Park” in downtown Indianapolis.
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What to Watch
The Tennessee Volunteers (20-7) take on the Texas A&M Aggies (20-7) on Monday at Reed Arena.
How to Watch: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Betting Odds: Aggies -1 || ML -115 || O/U 129
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We have teamed up with the Pac-12 Conference to provide a VIP experience [[link removed]] to the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas from March 8 to March 11, 2023.
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