Deshaun Watson named starter
August 26, 2026
Browns Name Deshaun Watson Starter in Final Season of $230M Deal
The Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback for the upcoming season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, choosing him over second-year player Shedeur Sanders. First-year head coach Todd Monken based the decision on Watson's overall body of work throughout training camp and joint practices, believing he offers the team the best chance to win. The announcement comes in the final season of Watson's fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, following a rough preseason performance where he criticized fans as "disrespectful" for booing him after an interception.
Front Office Sports
Women’s baseball league board member goes public with concerns about company’s finances
A board member of the Women’s Pro Baseball League has filed a demand in a Delaware court seeking company books and records over concerns of potential financial misuse and undisclosed conflicts of interest. Investor Mina Kim claims the league failed to provide documentation regarding funds paid to an entity owned by CEO Keith Stein as well as an unrevealed familial relationship among insiders. In response, the league stated it has fully complied with her requests, dismissing Kim’s legal action as a personal grievance that is opposed by the rest of the board.
AP News
Soccer startup Footopia aims to reach children through digital content and live events
Footopia is a new youth-focused soccer entertainment startup founded by Tim Pollock and Aron Wellman that aims to engage children through live events and digital content featuring soccer trick-shot artists. Advised by industry veteran Kathy Carter, the venture encourages fun, independent play and trick shots rather than traditional organized league play. The company recently completed a pilot phase in Southern California featuring creators with over 55 million combined social media followers, using the resulting video content to prove viewership traction ahead of a planned expansion to the East Coast.
Sports Business Journal
Monumental Sports Network Adds DAZN as Distribution Partner for Monumental+ in the DMV
Monumental Sports Network has partnered with sports streaming platform DAZN to make its Monumental+ direct-to-consumer service available to subscribers in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. The deal allows local fans to access live games for the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics through DAZN while Monumental maintains its existing pay-TV and standalone streaming options. The agreement leverages DAZN's recent acquisition of streaming-technology provider ViewLift, which continues to power Monumental's direct-to-consumer infrastructure.
Sports Video Group
Florida Panthers name Sodexo Live as F&B partner
The Florida Panthers have named Sodexo Live as the new food and beverage hospitality partner for Amerant Bank Arena, replacing the venue's in-house Sanza operation that was in place since 2018. This multi-year agreement aims to elevate the guest experience through reimagined culinary concepts, elevated service, and new technology across both general concessions and premium spaces. To support the revamped hospitality operations, the venue will host a hiring event later this week for interested applicants.
The Stadium Business
At least 25% of NFL players in sample had CTE
A new study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that at least 25% of NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE, with researchers estimating the maximum prevalence could be as high as 97%. Lead author Dr. Daniel Daneshvar noted that while CTE can currently only be diagnosed post-mortem, the risk is driven by cumulative head impacts and can be reduced by eliminating hits during practices or avoiding youth tackle football. In response to the findings, both the NFL and the NFLPA released statements emphasizing their ongoing commitment to player safety, head impact reduction, and expanding mental and physical health resources for athletes.
ESPN
MOVING ON: USL Super League president Vandervort to step down on Friday
The United Soccer League announced that Amanda Vandervort, President of the Gainbridge Super League, will step down from her role on Friday, August 28, to pursue other opportunities. Having led the eight-team, first-division women’s league for the past five years, Vandervort expressed pride in creating expanded opportunities for women in soccer and building strong community support around professional women's sports. USL President and CEO Paul McDonough commended her leadership and dedication in establishing the professional league from the ground up as her departure coincides with the start of the Super League's fall season.
Front Row Soccer
UFC. Producer, Original Production.
This position provides creative input and execution throughout the production process, for multiple, diverse projects simultaneously, working alongside staff production personnel while managing freelance crews and vendors. This position is well-suited for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic and collaborative environment. Apply Now.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Director of Marketing.
The ideal candidate should be comfortable developing creative concepts, providing direction to designers and content creators, building campaign plans, managing teams and timelines, and getting into the details to ensure work gets done. They should bring strong creative judgment, project management skills, and a passion for creating memorable fan experiences. Apply Now.
Franklin Sports. Logistics Coordinator.
In this role, the Logistics Coordinator will be responsible for managing customer orders from entry through invoicing, coordinating outbound shipments via LTL and small parcel carriers, and ensuring accurate and timely fulfillment. The position involves frequent communication with internal teams and external partners, maintaining detailed records, and providing exceptional customer service. Apply Now.
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SEC on trend of pro athletes returning to NCAA: ‘College sports are for college athletes’
Following a videoconference of its presidents and chancellors, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) released a statement opposing the recent trend of former professional athletes returning to compete in college sports. The conference expressed concern that allowing pro athletes to return blurs the line between collegiate and professional athletics, creates equity issues, and takes away opportunities from high school and current college players. Despite the SEC's stance, individual schools like LSU are actively trying to recruit recently waived NFL players, while SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has previously filed affidavits in court to fight the college eligibility of former pros in basketball.
AL
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