Sports Business: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

MLB wants to expand soon after finding homes for A's, Rays

The stadium sagas of the Oakland A’s and Tampa Bay Rays remain decidedly thorny, but MLB is increasingly thinking about expansion.

Watch: MLB commissioner serenaded by unhappy fans during draft

MLB commissioner says fans 'routinely' talk to him, praise rule changes

Rob Manfred makes embarrassing gaffe announcing MLB Draft pick

The best player to ever play for every MLB franchise

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Dismissals of Fitzgerald, Huggins Heading Toward Ugly Legal Battles

Potential lawsuits are brewing in two recent cases involving prominent head coaches in college sports. Northwestern dismissed football coach Pat Fitzgerald following new details of a hazing scandal.

Golf News / Front Office Sports / 11 hours ago

Senate Isn’t Done Probing PGA Tour-LIV Golf Deal

Tuesday’s Senate hearing exploring the PGA Tour’s controversial deal with Saudi Arabia likely won’t be the last as the two parties move toward a definitive agreement by their self-imposed Dec.

NBC Records Most-Watched U.S. Women’s Open Since 2014

Last week’s U.S. Women’s Open on NBC Sports was the most-watched edition of the golf tournament since 2014, with Sunday’s final round on NBC and Peacock reaching 2.2 million peak viewers.

Soccer News / Front Office Sports / 13 hours ago

Sixth Street CEO Promises Historic Investment in NWSL’s Bay FC

Sixth Street, a global investment firm with about $65B in assets, will commit more capital to NWSL expansion club Bay FC “than probably any women’s professional sports team in the world,” said the firm’s CEO Alan Waxman.

Golf News / Front Office Sports / 14 hours ago

Senator calls for PGA Tour to 'avoid the sellout' of LIV Golf deal

LIV Golf and the PGA Tour each spent tens of millions on litigation costs over nearly a year before the deal’s framework was announced on June 6.

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman will be ‘terminated’ after partnership with PGA Tour finalized

Soccer News / Front Office Sports / 15 hours ago

Another U.S. Firm Wants To Raise $220M To Invest In Soccer Teams

An American firm — one of the biggest multi-club owners in soccer — is looking to raise a significant chunk of change to expand its global ambitions. Miami-based private equity firm 777 Partners is setting its sights on raising $220 million to fund its soccer portfolio, according to Bloomberg.

Oakland Athletics News / Front Office Sports / 15 hours ago

A's need temporary home amid relocation saga

The Oakland A’s relocation efforts continue to gather steam — but with a pressing issue looming.

Texas A&M pitcher Nathan Dettmer selected by Oakland Athletics in 2023 MLB Draft

Rob Manfred makes embarrassing gaffe announcing MLB Draft pick

Defunct MLB ballparks that we still miss

The '1989 Oakland Athletics' quiz

Los Angeles Angels News / Front Office Sports / 15 hours ago

Ohtani’s Next Contract Will Bring Historic Sums, Big Risks

Shohei Ohtani is poised to shatter MLB free-agency records this winter — but will it be a wise business decision to sign him?

Microsoft Beats FTC to Move Forward With Activision Blizzard Takeover

Microsoft has won a U.S. court decision to move forward with its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the developer of popular video games such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch.

NBA News / Front Office Sports / 16 hours ago

NBA: Don’t Expect Full Team Ownership By Sovereign Wealth Funds Anytime Soon

As the influence of foreign money in U.S. sports continues to draw increased interest and controversy, the NBA will continue to restrict majority ownership of its basketball teams.

MLB News / Front Office Sports / 17 hours ago

Ronald Acuna Jr., Shohei Ohtani lead MLB jersey sales

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr has the top-selling MLB player jersey at the season’s halfway point, followed by Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani.

Shohei Ohtani attracts unbelievable media scrum at All-Star Game

Shohei Ohtani’s latest comments put serious pressure on Angels

Angels DH Shohei Ohtani not focused on future, admits it ‘sucks to lose’

The 'MLB players who won MVP and ROY' quiz

The 25 best MLB players under 25

San Antonio Spurs News / Front Office Sports / 21 hours ago

‘WembyMania’ Pulls 2nd Most-Watched Summer League Telecast

No wonder the NBA and its national TV partners are salivating over potential TV ratings for Victor Wembanyama.

NFL News / Front Office Sports / 21 hours ago

Michael Irvin's civil case, NFL Network suspension continue

Michael Irvin’s lawsuit against Marriott and several employees of one of the hotel chain’s locations remains ongoing — and the same goes for his NFL Network suspension.

Northwestern Wildcats News / Front Office Sports / July 10

Northwestern Fires Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald

Northwestern University has fired head football coach Pat Fitzgerald just days after initially suspending him for two weeks after finding evidence of hazing within the football program.

Will NY Times Now ‘Pillage’ Newspapers Instead Of The Athletic?

Less than six years ago, the New York Times asked whether the upstart sports site The Athletic would “pillage” newspapers of their best talent. After today’s stunning announcement that the Times is shuttering its Sports section in favor of The Athletic, some wonder if that divide-and-conquer strategy is still in effect.

NFL News / Front Office Sports / July 10

NewsGuild of New York Vows Labor Fight Against NYT

The New York Times is heading for a potentially nasty union fight in the wake of its decision to shut down its sports department. The NewsGuild of New York said late Monday that it intends to contest the Times’ decision to have its sports coverage handled by The Athletic, which the paper purchased early last year for $550 million.

Golf News / Front Office Sports / July 10

Legality of PGA Tour-Saudi Bombshell Deal Being Questioned By U.S. Senate

The controversial alliance between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will be laid bare on Tuesday when two Tour officials testify at a Senate hearing examining the bombshell agreement.

MLB Draft Slotting Increases, Still Lags Behind NBA, NFL

Major League Baseball is introducing its new generation of players as it conducts the 2023 amateur draft during All-Star Week in Seattle. The league uses the Midseason Classic to try to bring attention to its draft on the levels of its counterparts in the NFL and NBA.

NBA News / Front Office Sports / July 10

MSG Sphere Lights Up Vegas, Could Transform Live Event Business

The most-talked-about venue in sports right now isn’t yet open and wasn’t designed for sports — and it could ultimately siphon lucrative events from team owners.

Kroenke Eyes Land Near MLS Stadium For Next Big Development

Stan Kroenke’s latest real estate project looks to bring new life to his struggling Major League Soccer team. The Colorado Rapids — who have the worst

Soccer News / Front Office Sports / July 10

Sen. Schumer Calls For Investigation Into Logan Paul’s Prime Energy Drink

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has asked the Food and Drug Administration to investigate Prime Hydration for its marketing towards children and the high amounts of caffeine in its energy drinks. Prime Hydration was founded by social media influencers Logan Paul and KSI.

Carolina Panthers News / Front Office Sports / July 10

Securing Public Funding For Stadiums A Mixed Bag For NFL Teams

Public funding has never been more of a make-or-break issue for NFL teams and stadium projects. With the exception of the privately financed, $5 billion-plus

NYT Reshapes Its Sports Coverage With The Athletic, Business Section

A $550 million burden that has never turned a profit has managed to trigger massive changes at one of the leading U.S. media outlets. The New York Times

New York Times, LA Times Reshape Sports Coverage

A $550 million burden that has never turned a profit has managed to trigger massive changes at one of the leading U.S. media outlets. The New York Times

NYT shutting down sports department, will rely on The Athletic

New York Times shutting down sports department, will rely solely on The Athletic

The sports desk had around 35 journalists and editors, and all will be moved to different parts of the newspaper, with no planned layoffs.

The greatest close-but-not-quite dynasties in sports

The '2022 award winners' quiz

MLB News / Front Office Sports / July 10

MLB Payroll Trends Turned Upside Down At All-Star Break

After more than a generation of MLB team payrolls closely tied to on-field success, that model is being inverted like never before. Entering this week’s All-Star Break, the New York Mets — owners of MLB’s highest payroll ever at $348 million — are out of playoff position and openly musing about dismantling their current roster.

Washington Commanders News / Yardbarker / July 7

Proposed legislation could help return Commanders to D.C.

Proposed legislation could pave way for Commanders to return to D.C.

Congressman James Comer reportedly will propose legislation that can make way for the city of Washington, D.C. to build a new football stadium for the Commanders on the site of its former longtime home.

No issues expected in upcoming Commanders sale vote

Most overpaid, underpaid players in NFC East

Ex-Commanders center Chase Roullier retiring from NFL after six seasons

Which NFL teams were the biggest all-time letdowns?

The 'No. 2 overall NFL Draft picks' quiz

NFL News / Yardbarker / July 6