NBA All-Star Game: Us V World?

In the ongoing search for the right NBA All-Star format, one idea has picked up momentum: The U.S. on one side, the world on the other.

February 18, 2025

The Idea of a US vs. World Matchup in the NBA All-Star Game Has Some Player Support
AP News’ Tim Reynolds writes, “Victor Wembanyama has already gone up against the U.S. in international events, most notably last year’s Paris Olympics when he led France’s march to the gold medal game against the Americans. He’d like to be in that position more often — maybe even annually. And Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo loves that idea as well.

“In the ongoing search for the right NBA All-Star format, there was plenty of talk this weekend in San Francisco about an idea that has picked up some momentum in recent years: The U.S. on one side, the world on the other side.”
^{AP News}

Woods Touts Trump’s Role in PGA Tour-PIF Talks
On Sunday during the CBS telecast of the final round of the Genesis Invitational, Woods suggested Trump’s involvement would be crucial to a deal between the Tour and PIF, and that “a subsequent meeting” was imminent.

“I think we’re in a very positive place right now. We had a meeting with the president. Unfortunately, I had some other circumstances that came up, but Jay and Adam [Scott], they did great during the meeting, and we have another subsequent meeting coming up,” Woods said. “I think that things are going to heal quickly.”
^{Golf Channel via Sports Business Journal}

Nike, Skims Set to Release Product Collaboration
Nike and Skims have been “secretly working on a product collaboration” that is expected to “hit stores in the coming weeks,” according to Lauren Sherman of PUCK. The collaboration is a “big move, and a harbinger of both businesses’ futures at a critical time for them.” Nike’s “dominance has been threatened by a mix of poor business decisions, mediocre product, and formidable challengers.” A partnership with Skims “could address a lot of headaches for Nike -- especially if the product is good.“ Nike also “has a woman problem,” even as 40% of its customers are women and the brand generated $8.5B from female apparel and shoes last year.
^{PUCK via Sports Business Journal}

Saudi Arabia’s SURJ Completes DAZN Minority Investment
A division of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has invested a reported $1B in London-based media giant DAZN. The companies announced the deal this morning.

The investment brings together one of the most influential investors in sports business with a far-reaching global media platform. SURJ’s investment will also include the creation of a new joint venture, DAZN MENA, that will focus on sports broadcasting in the Middle East and North Africa region.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Steve Cohen Adds to Sphere Stake During MSG Networks Debt Saga
Sportico’s Kurt Badenhausen reports: “Mets owner Steve Cohen may have won over Soto from the New York Yankees, but baseball’s richest owner is allied with another fellow New York sports owner in a different investment.

“Cohen’s Point72 Asset Management hedge fund recently added more than 400,000 shares to its position in Sphere Entertainment, according to a Friday night SEC filing. Sphere is controlled by Jim Dolan, who also has voting control of the New York Knicks and Rangers via Madison Square Garden Sports. Point72 now owns 2.1 million shares, or a 7.3% stake in Sphere.”
^Sportico

Jaguars Settle on Five Finalists for Open GM Job
The Jaguars have settled on five finalists for their vacant general manager position and will begin in-person interviews Wednesday. San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, Los Angeles Rams director of scouting strategy James Gladstone, Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and Green Bay Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan were picked from a group of 10 candidates that interviewed virtually.
^ESPN

Raiders, Assistant GM Champ Kelly Agree to Part Ways: Sources
The Athletic’s Tashan Reed reports: “It’s part of a larger restructuring of the personnel department under GM John Spytek, who was hired last month. Mark Thewes was hired as senior vice president of football operations and strategy on Feb. 4, while senior national scout Dujuan Daniels and director of player personnel JoJo Wooden were fired on Feb. 7. That makes Kelly the third notable exit from the personnel department this month.”
^{The Athletic}

Mavericks' Welts Speaks on Doncic Trade, New Arena Plans
Mavericks CEO Rick Welts said he “probably underestimated the reaction” to the recent Luka Doncic trade but believes the team did the “best we can, basically, with the staff and trying to do the right thing with everybody who touches the Mavericks,” according to Brad Townsend of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS via SBJ. Welts said, “It’s incredibly emotional, an incredibly difficult time for so many people. But I still believe we’re going to come out on the other side, with a future that’s incredibly bright. That’s kind of my glass-half-full approach there.” Welts said that “much of his first year as CEO will be spent addressing the Mavericks’ arena needs.”
^{Dallas Morning News via Sports Business Journal}

Cuyahoga County Officials Raise Questions About Browns' Stadium Tax Plans
Cuyahoga County Exec Chris Ronayne is “raising doubts” about the Browns’ $1.2B taxpayer ask for a new $2.4B dome stadium, “warning that the team’s financial projections, particularly on bed tax revenue, may be overly optimistic,” according to Rich Exner of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Ronayne has been a critic of the Browns’ plan to move from downtown Cleveland to Brook Park. Ronayne said, “The county’s assessment of the bed tax (increase) is it might yield $250 million. Their numbers are inflated two times.”
^{Cleveland Plain Dealer via Sports Business Journal}

Rays Express Plans to Remain in Tampa Area
The Rays on Saturday said that they are “planning to stay in the Tampa Bay area” after rumors that the team “won’t proceed” with the deal for a new ballpark in St. Petersburg, according to Marc Topkin of the TAMPA BAY TIMES via SBJ. President Matt Silverman said that the Rays are “still deciding what to do” about the new ballpark deal as they head toward a March 31 deadline.
^{Tampa Bay Times via Sports Business Journal}

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Report: Further CFP Expansion Gaining Steam Within SEC and Big Ten Circles
Momentum is building within the SEC and Big Ten to “further expand the playoff to 14 or 16 teams, assign multiple automatic qualifiers per league -- as many as four each for themselves -- and finalize a scheduling arrangement together that may fetch millions in additional revenue from TV partners,” according to sources cited by Ross Dellenger of YAHOO SPORTS via SBJ.
^{Yahoo! Sports via Sports Business Journal}

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