March 7, 2023

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Michael Jordan grew tired of slow play on golf courses [[link removed]], so he built his own in Hobe Sound, Florida. Grove XXIII boasts an 18-hole course, state-of-the-art clubhouse — and drones that can deliver drinks and snacks.

Real Estate Oakland A’s Vegas Trip Stirs Rumblings About a Move [[link removed]]

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland A’s are still in limbo, but Las Vegas is ready to welcome them for a permanent vacation.

The team played spring training games against the Cincinnati Reds in Las Vegas over the weekend, stirring conversation that the city could one day be the A’s full-time home.

“It’s no secret that we’ve been pursuing paths in Oakland and Vegas,” said [[link removed]] A’s manager Mark Kotsay. “But regardless of all that, we’ve been there before, and it’s our Triple-A home. I think it’s a great thing to take in for fans, a weekend of baseball in Vegas.”

While numerous details remain to be addressed before the team could sign off on a move to Sin City, leaders in Las Vegas are making their enthusiasm known — a contingent that includes Don Logan, COO of the A’s Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas Aviators.

“Las Vegas offers a dynamic that no other team has. We have 45 million visitors annually in this market, and that’s what we want — heads in beds,” Logan told [[link removed]] ESPN. “My perspective: make the best deal you can in Vegas and start to turn this community on.”

That sentiment was echoed by former A’s great Jason Giambi.

“They want it, the people are hungry for it here,” said Giambi. “Every night is sold out at the [NHL’s Golden] Knights. Every night is sold out at the Raiders. Not only are you drawing your own fans, but you’re drawing everybody else, too.”

Real Estate PSG Could Buy One of Europe’s Largest Stadiums [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Paris Saint-Germain could find a new home at France’s biggest sports stadium.

Less than two months after Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said [[link removed]] the city wouldn’t sell the team its current home, Parc des Princes, one minister said [[link removed]] the French government will consider selling the Stade de France.

Sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said the sale is being considered, along with granting a new operating concession after the stadium’s current one expires in 2025.

The Stade de France could also be sold to other interested parties — French newspaper L’Equipe reported last week that FIFA is considering a takeover of the venue, as well.

Bloomberg reported that a call for proposals would open Monday.

The stadium — the sixth-largest in Europe with a capacity of 80,000 — could be valued between $426.9 million and $640.4 million, according to Le Figaro.

PSG has played at the Parc des Princes since its founding in 1970. The club, which has already spent $75.6 million on improvements, had made acquiring the stadium a prerequisite for spending $540 million on renovating and expanding the venue.

“The mayor is forcing PSG to leave its home,” a team spokesperson said in January. “PSG is now forced to find alternative options to relocate the club.”

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Retail ABG Reportedly Close To $1.3B Deal for Parent of Quiksilver, Billabong [[link removed]]

Quicksilver

Licensing company Authentic Brands Group is reportedly wading even further into the sports retail sector.

The company is close to a deal with Boardriders — the parent company of Billabong, Quiksilver, and Roxy — for $1.3 billion, according [[link removed]] to Bloomberg. The three brands are known for their surf gear, but also offer skiing and snowboarding apparel and equipment.

It’s been a difficult decade for brands that were once considered defining cultural symbols of the surf and snowboard generation.

Boardriders, previously known as Quiksilver, was acquired by Oaktree Capital Management in 2016 after filing for bankruptcy, after which the company bought Billabong.

Over the past few years, Authentic Brands Group has pushed further into the sports space.

It currently owns [[link removed]] Reebok, acquired from Adidas last year for $2.5 billion. In 2019, it stepped out of the retail space to acquire Sports Illustrated for $110 million.

The deal could become final next week, but the report cautioned that it could still be canceled.

Real Estate Barcelona Wants To Restructure Terms for $1.59B Camp Nou Repairs [[link removed]]

FC Barcelona

Barcelona is reconsidering how it will pay for major refurbishments to Camp Nou Stadium that are slated to cost $1.59 billion, according [[link removed]] to Reuters.

In 2021, team members voted for a 35-year plan with Goldman Sachs to pay for the entire renovation — a major undertaking given the decrepit state of Camp Nou.

But now, the deal will be split in two parts — and Barcelona will be responsible for paying back the loan in its entirety by 2047, five years earlier than the original plan.

The plan’s specific terms are still in the negotiating stages, but the club hopes to announce the new plan by the end of the month.

Spend Money to Make Money

The stadium is the fourth-largest in the world, seating more than 99,000 fans — but its size and history don’t cancel out the fact that it’s in a state of disrepair.

The team claims that the refurbishments will not only provide a better experience for fans, but also bring in extra revenue.

Specifically, Barca expects to earn an additional $213 million every year through naming rights and hospitality-related offerings, like VIP ticket sales.

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Conversation Starters From March bracket busters to magic at The Masters, Atmosphere Sports is the ultimate streaming destination for businesses that want constant sports news, live scores, and highlights. Learn more [[link removed]].* The world’s largest racket sports facility [[link removed]] is coming to North Carolina in 2024. The $70 million Swing Racket + Paddle complex in Raleigh will feature tennis, pickleball, ping pong, celebrity chefs, and more. Former Iowa football players have agreed to settle [[link removed]] a discrimination lawsuit against the school for $4.175 million, according to Hawkeye Central. The players, who are Black, accused head coach Kirk Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta of fostering a racist culture. Front Office Sports Today They Said What?

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

“I think he made himself millions of dollars … He goes to the combine and sets numbers that are the best ever for a quarterback. He has the highest athletic score ever for a quarterback at the combine … Everyone you talked to raved about Anthony Richardson.”

— ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller on quarterback Anthony Richardson’s performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Miller talks about this year’s quarterback class, other top prospects, and the importance of the combine on the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today.

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Today's Action

MLB

12:35 PM

Giants (-180) at Pirates (+155)

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NBA

07:30 PM

Hornets (+350) at Knicks (-435)

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MLB

03:07 PM

Royals (-145) at Athletics (+125)

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Monday’s Answer

38% of respondents would consider starting their own business; 23% already have.

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