Sport & Story Daily August 27, 2024

Diamond Deals

August 27, 2024

Diamond Sports Group Reaches Deals With NBA, NHL
Diamond Sports Group finalized deals to continue televising games for 22 NBA and NHL teams in their local markets.
“With the NBA and NHL deals in place, and in light of Diamond’s renewal of its carriage deal with Comcast, the company has paved the way to what is expected to be a successful confirmation hearing. Judge Christopher Lopez last month agreed to postpone the crucial July 29 court date after Diamond attorneys asked for a little extra wiggle room to nail down the aforementioned arrangements. As it happens, DSG managed to settle its carriage dispute with the cable giant—Comcast closed out the second quarter of 2024 with 13.2 million video customers—on the very day it was meant to present its case to the court.”
^Sportico

NWSL’s new CBA increases player salaries, adds revenue sharing and eliminates draft
The National Women’s Soccer League and its players association have announced a new collective bargaining agreement that includes improved salaries, better benefits and revenue sharing for the first time. The new agreement runs until 2030 and eliminates the draft system and the discovery rule. All players will be able to enter unrestricted free agency once their contracts expire, while all trades and transfers will require player consent before going ahead.
^{SportsPro Media}

NBA Moves to Dismiss WBD Lawsuit, Says Network Sought to Rewrite Deal
The NBA argues that the TBT Sports parent improperly sought to rewrite the nature of its matching rights while attempting instead to save billions of dollars. The NBA moved to dismiss the case, saying that Warner Bros. Discovery failed to match Amazon’s offer because it changed structural details and presumed rights the NBA says WBD didn’t have.
^{Front Office Sports}

Nike and Lego team up for co-branded products, content and experiences
Nike has partnered with toy company Lego to fuse the worlds of sport and creative play by leveraging iconic elements from both brands. The multi-year contract begins in 2025. The agreement could lead to a series of co-branded products, content and experiences.
^{SportsPro Media}

Erie County offering chance to invest in new Bills stadium with 'Bills Bonds'
Erie County is giving the public the first opportunity to buy bonds in the new Buffalo Bills stadium next month. The bonds will help cover half of the county’s obligation to pay $250 million toward stadium construction. The bonds require a $5000 minimum investment.
"We're going to be issuing $125 million in bonds to help us pay for our share of the construction of that new stadium," said Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick with WBEN on Monday.
^Audacy

Commanders' Harris sets sights on new stadium by 2030
The Commander’s contractual obligations at Commanders Field end in 2027. However, they can continue playing there indefinitely. Josh Harris, Commanders owner, said that he is hopeful the new stadium can open in time for the 2030 season.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Move To Tax College Athletics Lost Its Man In Congress
The vociferous 14-term congressman, Rep. Bill Pascrell, died last week. He had hoped to use a Democratic takeover of the House to curb the excesses of college coaching compensation.
“Americans should care about these excessive salaries to college coaches that our federal tax code is helping to fund,” Pascrell told Sportico in a statement late last year, which has not been previously reported. “Universities’ tax-exempt status is an important pillar of our cherished higher education system, but it is not a blank check to dole out huge coaching contracts with lavish benefits.”
^Sportico

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