March 10, 2023

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Rutgers senior basketball player Paul Mulcahy is using money from an NIL deal [[link removed]] to buy meals for 260 supporters of the team — including student managers, members of the band, and even arena security. “I’m super-thankful for who you guys are and what you guys do,” Mulcahy said [[link removed]].

Sports Betting WWE Wants Sports Betting on Scripted Matches [[link removed]]

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Can sports betting make its way into events where the winner is predetermined?

WWE has held talks with state regulators on the prospect of legalizing betting on high-profile scripted wrestling matches, according [[link removed]] to CNBC.

WWE is proposing a plan in which wrestlers would not be told who will win the match until a few hours before it happens. The company is initially targeting Michigan, Colorado, and Indiana as initial states to pursue legalization.

Michigan’s Gaming Control Board released [[link removed]] a statement on Thursday saying that it has not had direct communication with the WWE. It noted that a third-party consultant approached the agency on that prospect more than a year ago, but no formal steps have been taken.

WWE is working with accounting firm EY on methods to seal planned results in an effort to win over state authorities.

The company could cite the precedent of legal betting markets for the Academy Awards and Emmys, in which the results are known ahead of time to a small group of people.

Meanwhile, WWE is fielding bids from potential buyers and will meet with interested parties next month.

Vince McMahon, who reinstated himself as WWE executive chairman after resigning amid sexual misconduct allegations, is reportedly seeking [[link removed]] $9 billion for the wrestling media empire. Front Office Sports previously reported that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is a lead contender to buy WWE.

UFC owner Endeavor, NBCUniversal, and Fox are also mulling bids.

World World Cup Players Voice Concerns Over Schedule [[link removed]]

Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

As FIFA wants more from players, the players themselves want less from FIFA.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar raised concerns over player fatigue and injury risk from the global players’ union FIFPRO since it took place in the winter months due to desert weather. Some European players had only six or seven days between the Qatar competition and returning to their home clubs.

On Thursday, FIFPRO released the results [[link removed]] of a survey from players at the World Cup.

86% of players want at least 14 days of preparation time. 61% want 14-28 days of post-World Cup recovery time. Only 11% of the players favored the November/December World Cup timing.

After the 2022 tournament, France’s Raphael Varane announced his retirement over a “suffocating” schedule.

“[Varane’s] decision should really, really make competition organizers nervous, because it’s ultimately those players who are on the field creating the game, they’re creating the product that is being sold by everybody,” said Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, FIFPRO general secretary.

If Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup is successful, another winter tournament is expected.

The timing of the World Cup isn’t the only concern FIFA is raising for players.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reportedly [[link removed]] wants a triennial World Cup after the 2022 edition delivered record revenue of $7.5 billion.

The governing body also plans to expand the 2025 Club World Cup to 32 teams, a move against which La Liga has voiced [[link removed]] its opposition for not considering the health and well-being of players.

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Teams First Round of Bids for Ottawa Senators Sale Complete [[link removed]]

Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

The Ottawa Senators may have their pick of new owners.

The first round of bids were due Monday, and Galatioto Sports Partners will now determine if another round is necessary. The Ottawa Sun reported [[link removed]] that the league has received at least three bids so far, and possibly a fourth.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman previously said that more than 15 groups were given access to the club’s finances. Forbes last valued the Senators at $800 million — the 24th-most-valuable NHL franchise. There are currently 32 NHL teams.

The league would reportedly like to have the new owners in place by July 1.

It was reported [[link removed]] last month that actor and Wrexham AFC owner Ryan Reynolds was partnering with a consortium led by The Remington Group, a Toronto-based real estate developer, for a bid.

Reports from January listed actor, producer, and tech entrepreneur Neko Sparks as a potential bidder. If successful, he would be the first [[link removed]] Black owner in NHL history.

Other possible contenders include a group led by Andlauer Healthcare Group owner Michael Andlauer, as well as the Kimel family, who are real estate developers. The latter sold their minority share in the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2021.

The Senators’ late owner Eugene Melnyk purchased [[link removed]] the team for $92 million in 2003 to save it from bankruptcy. The team was left to his daughters, Anna and Olivia, after he died in March 2022, and was put up for sale in November.

Teams Everton Won’t Be Sold Despite Several Reported Offers [[link removed]]

Everton FC

Everton likely won’t be sold anytime soon.

Farhad Moshiri has reportedly received several offers for the Premier League club but has decided not to sell over concerns it could attract scrutiny from the U.K. government. Moshiri has ties to Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov.

U.K. authorities are keeping an eye on a potential sale, according [[link removed]] to The Daily Mail.

Interest has increased recently due to last month’s publication of a white paper regarding the creation of an independent regulator with “backstop powers” to prevent takeovers.

Moshiri claimed [[link removed]] in January that the team was not for sale, but that he was close to securing a minority investment to help fund a new stadium expected [[link removed]] to cost around $596 million.

MSP Sports Capital and 777 Partners have been reported [[link removed]] as potential investors.

Usmanov is the founder of USM, the former title sponsor of Everton’s training ground. USM had a deal in place for naming rights to the team’s new $655.9 million stadium until 2022, when the team cut commercial ties 24 hours before Usmanov was sanctioned by the government.

He owned a joint stake with Moshiri in Arsenal until 2016.

There have been previous reports that Usmanov gifted Moshiri’s original Everton shareholding and has held close interest in the running of the team until last year. Usmanov has denied exercising any control or owning shares.

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Conversation Starters Formula 1 has unveiled new renderings [[link removed]] of the Las Vegas Grand Prix track. Alex Rodriguez’s investment company, A-Rod Corp, has a new HQ in Coconut Grove. Check it out [[link removed]]. The NBA announced a multiyear deal to use Hawk-Eye — best known for its use in cricket, soccer, and tennis — to enhance [[link removed]] officiating accuracy and gameplay speed beginning with the 2023-34 season. Front Office Sports Today They Said What?

Source: National Basketball Association

“There are discussions that the NBA next year, or in a couple of years, will start having preseason games on the continent [of Africa]. I think for the fans, that’s a development that is massive.”

— Ibrahim Sagna, executive chairman at Silverback Holding, on the NBA’s focus to grow and develop its fanbase in Africa. For more on that and an update from reporter Amanda Christovich at the Big East tournament, check out the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today.

Listen and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Google [[link removed]], and Spotify [[link removed]].

Today's Action

NHL

08:00 PM

Sharks (+125) at Blues (-145)

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12:35 PM

Giants (-180) at Pirates (+155)

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10:00 PM

Knicks (+115) at Kings (-135)

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Question Of The Day

How many pets do you have in your household?

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Thursday’s Answer

33% of respondents have been to a NASCAR race; 15% haven’t yet but want to.

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