Clark Left Holding the Bag?

The Case for Caitlin Clark as SI’s “Sportsperson Of the Year”

Jan. 6, 2025

Caitlin Clark, Simone Biles, and the Athletes of the Year
FOS’ Daniel Roberts writes, “Nothing wrong with that choice. Biles had an incredible year: four more medals in Paris, bringing her total to 11 Olympic medals. At Paris she became the oldest woman to compete for Team USA in gymnastics in more than 70 years, and the most decorated gymnast in history. And back in August, after the Olympics wrapped, it probably looked like no one would have a bigger year than Biles.

“But if you ask me right now which athlete defined the year in sports more than anyone else, it was Caitlin Clark, no question, not even close.” 
^{Front Office Sports}

Mike Evans, Geno Smith Cash in Huge Bonuses in NFL Week 18
Sportico’s Lev Akabas writes, “Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans made more money on one play than the majority of NFL players earn in a year. Evans banked a $3 million bonus on the final play of the Bucs’ Week 18 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday when he caught a pass from Baker Mayfield and ran for nine yards, taking him over 1,000 yards on the season.

“Evans’ $3 million payday wasn’t even the biggest of the day, however. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith took the field on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams with the opportunity to earn $2 million for each of the following: throwing for at least 185 yards, keeping his season-long completion percentage above 69.7% and leading Seattle to a win. He did all three, throwing for 223 yards and completing 74.1% of his passes in the 30-25 victory to trigger $6 million total in contract incentives.
^Sportico

McLaren Racing Announces Huge IndyCar Move As It Confirms New Sole Ownership Deal
SI’s Lydia Mee writes, “Sam Schmidt originally founded the team in 2001, known then as Sam Schmidt Motorsports. This foundation developed through numerous partnerships and rebranding, like with Davey Hamilton in 2012 and then Ric Peterson in 2013, which brought about the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports era.

“The alignment with McLaren, a brand with deep roots in motorsport history, kickstarted a new phase in 2021. McLaren had previously triumphed in the Indianapolis 500 in both 1974 and 1976 so its return was highly-anticipated by fans.”
^{Sports Illustrated}

Jason Kelce’s Late-Night Debut Left a Lot [to] Be Desired
Awful Announcing’s Drew Lerner writes, “The host, Jason Kelce, is on a meteoric rise in sports media between his ultra-successful podcast New Heights and a central role on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown. Better yet, “sports media royalty,” Charles Barkley, featured prominently in the show’s debut. Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael made a cameo in the first 15 minutes. Philly royalty Lil Dicky appeared on the panel.

“The show was set up for success. And yet, despite the name-brand guests, Kelce’s show largely fell flat.”
^{Awful Announcing}

NHL Shouldn’t Panic About Worst-Ever Winter Classic Ratings
FOS’ Michael McCarthy writes, “The NHL’s outdoor Winter Classic is a signature event on the sports TV calendar. But alarm bells went off when Tuesday’s game drew the worst viewership in the 17-year history of the event.

“The Blues’ 6–2 win over the Blackhawks at Chicago’s Wrigley Field averaged 920,000 viewers. That’s down 16% from last year’s previous low of 1.10 million for the Golden Knights–Kraken—and down 48% from 1.78 million for Bruins-Penguins two years ago, according to Sports Media Watch.”
^{Front Office Sports}

Browns Move Quickly After 3-14 Season, Fire Offensive Coordinator Dorsey and O-Line Coach Dickerson
AP News’ Tom Withers writes, “Hours after finishing with a loss at Baltimore in the finale of a season that was expected to carry into the playoffs, coach Kevin Stefanski fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson.

“Dorsey and Dickerson both spent just one season with the Browns (3-14), who closed with a six-game losing streak and are now guaranteed to have one of the first three picks in this year’s NFL draft — not what they had in mind after making the playoffs last season.”
^{AP News}

Patriots Fire Head Coach Jerod Mayo After One Season
SI’s Liam McKeone writes, “The New England Patriots won their final game of the 2024 season on Sunday, beating the Buffalo Bills, 23-16. It wasn't enough for rookie head coach Jerod Mayo to earn another year at the helm.

“Shortly after the Pats took down the Bills, and lost out on the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft in the process, multiple reports emerged that New England planned to fire Mayo. He finishes his first and only season at the helm with a 4-13 record.”
^{Sports Illustrated}

Mike McCarthy ‘Absolutely’ Wants to Return as Cowboys Coach, Owner Jerry Jones Still Not Definitive
According to AP News, Mike McCarthy says he “absolutely” wants to return as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

Jerry Jones has dropped multiple hints that McCarthy would be back, but the team owner was far from definitive about McCarthy’s future after a 23-19 loss to Washington on Sunday closed out a 7-10 season.

“That’s what the next few days and weeks are about now,” he said.
^{AP News}

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