Sport & Story Daily September 17, 2024

Better All Around

September 16, 2024

Good morning! The NBA is buying planes, and we could see the first $1 million WNBA contract.

NBA Strikes Airbus Deal For 13 Planes, Delta To Operate Flights
The NBA is working to lease 13 Airbus planes to provide team travel to improve working conditions for players around the league. Delta Airlines is expected to operate the jets. An Airbus A321neo can fit 244 passengers that will hold NBA players, coaches, staffers and equipment.
^Sportico

Sidney Crosby signs two-year extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins that runs through 2026-27 season
Sidney Crosby signed a two-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The deal runs through the 2026-27 season. It carries an average annual value of $8.7 million. Crosby will be part of the team until nearly his 40th birthday.
^{AP Sports}

A’ja Wilson Is Making WNBA Scoring History. Could She Be the League’s First Million-Dollar Player?
A’ja Wilson made WNBA history on Sunday night, becoming the first player to score 1,000 points in the regular season. Wilson is gaining money from her endorsements with Nike and Gatorade, who both posted tributes to her success. She is now projected to be the first million-dollar WNBA contract. After the WNBA agreed to a new media rights deal with ESPN, NBC and Amazon Prime Video, the value of the league will at least triple the current value. The league will have a lot more money to pay players.
^{Front Office Sports}

Hockey Teams Face The Music Over Copyright Infringement
The AHL has been sued this year for copyright infringement over their use of songs without the permission of the artists and companies who own the music. There are more than 230 videos in which the AHL or a team used an infringed song. Associated Production Music demands monetary damages that reflect profits from infringement or up to $150,000 for each infringed work.
^Sportico

IOC unveils seven candidates for presidency
The International Olympic Committee published a list of seven would-be candidates who are set to run for election in March. The chosen candidate will replace outgoing president Thomas Bach. Just one woman, IOC executive board member Kristy Coventry from Zimbabwe, entered the contest to lead the organization.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Celtics Sale Reportedly Triggered by Father-Son Disagreement
The Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck put the defending championship team up for sale. The reason for this is that the management of the team’s payroll triggered a riff between Grousbeck and his father, Irving, who owns 20% of the Celtics. Last season, the Celtics barely broke even and are expected to lose millions with the supermax contracts of Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum, as well as the extension of Derrick White and Jrue Holiday kick in.
^{Front Office Sports}

Heliot Ramos becomes first right-handed batter to hit Splash Homer at Oracle Park
San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos became the first right-handed batter to hit a Splash Homer at Oracle Park. He hit his 394-foot drive into the water beyond the right field wall in the ninth inning on a full count. This is the first time in the 25-season history of Oracle Park that this has happened.
^{AP Sports}

Aces sell out 2025 season ticket memberships before season's end
The WNBA Las Vegas Aces already have a waitlist for 2026 season ticket memberships. The team has sold out of 2025 season ticket memberships.
^{Sports Business Journal}

After penalties, Cal coach grabs referee's mic to plead with fans to stop throwing cards on the field
At the Cal vs. San Diego State game, fans were given cards for stunts during breaks in the game. They decided to chuck the cards onto the field during the game. The incidents drew two 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Cal. Cal coach Justin Wilcox was so frustrated that he borrowed the referee’s microphone to deliver a message.
“Cal fans, we love you. Stop throwing the cards on the field,” Wilcox pleaded. “That’s two 15-yard penalties. Please stop throwing the cards on the field.”
^{Yahoo Sports}

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