Fernando Mendoza’s $54m contract

Sport & Story Daily April 27, 2026: Fernando Mendoza signed a four-year $54 million rookie contract.

Author

Kelsey Middleton
April 27, 2026

Fernando Mendoza’s $54m contract

April 27, 2026

Fernando Mendoza to make $54 million as the No. 1 NFL draft pick. Here are the other big winners - and losers.
Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is projected to earn about $54 million on a fully guaranteed four‑year rookie contract, highlighting how lucrative the top draft slots have become under the NFL’s wage scale. Other big financial winners include players drafted higher than expected, such as Ty Simpson and Carnell Tate, whose surprise rises added millions to their projected earnings. On the losing side, prospects who slid on draft day—most notably defensive back Jermod McCoy due to medical concerns—saw potential contract values drop by more than $15 million.
Morning Star

Billionaire Josh Kushner’s Firm Invests In San Francisco Giants—Its First Sports Bet
Billionaire Josh Kushner’s investment firm Thrive has agreed to acquire a minority, non‑controlling stake in the San Francisco Giants, marking the first sports investment for its new subsidiary, Thrive Eternal. The deal, which is subject to Major League Baseball approval, reflects a strategic shift toward long‑term ownership of cultural assets that Kushner believes will grow more valuable as technology and AI advance. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Forbes estimates the Giants are worth about $4 billion, making them the fifth‑most valuable team in Major League Baseball.
Forbes

NBA playoffs on NBC, Peacock post strong early nights
NBC Sports and Peacock are seeing strong early gains in their first NBA playoffs, averaging about 4.9 million viewers across the first six games from April 19–21. The opening weekend delivered NBC’s largest NBA postseason audiences in more than two decades, boosted by marquee matchups and the league’s emerging young stars. The early performance signals momentum for NBC as it reestablishes itself as a major NBA broadcast partner and builds audience habits around its new media rights deal.
Sports Business Journal

How LOVB Salt Lake made history this season
LOVB Salt Lake made history despite falling to LOVB Austin in the 2026 championship, as Game 1 of the finals became the most‑watched League One Volleyball match ever with an average of 163,000 viewers. The two championship matches helped drive major growth for the league, including a 50% increase in finals viewership compared to 2025 and a 133% year‑over‑year rise in total USA Network viewership. The milestone season capped a dominant second year for the Utah-based franchise and underscored the rapid rise of professional women’s volleyball in the U.S.
Yahoo Sports

Vancouver invites potential owners to bid on MLB expansion team proposal
Vancouver city council has approved launching an “expression of interest” process to identify a qualified ownership group willing to pursue a Major League Baseball expansion franchise for the city. Mayor Ken Sim emphasized that the move does not commit the city to a stadium, land use, or any public funding, calling it a “once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity” prompted by credible private interest. The step positions Vancouver to formally enter MLB’s potential expansion race as the league considers adding two teams in coming years.
CBC

NASCAR Chairman Jim France Steps Down as CEO
NASCAR Chairman Jim France is stepping down as CEO but will remain chairman and majority owner of the organization, ending an eight-year tenure that began in 2018. NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell has been promoted to CEO, becoming the first non–France family member to lead the sport, while Ben Kennedy has been elevated to chief operating officer. The leadership transition follows recent organizational challenges, including a high-profile antitrust lawsuit, and is framed as part of a planned succession aimed at guiding NASCAR into its next era.
Fox Sports

Jason Benetti has incredible ‘SportsCenter’ voiceover guy impression
Detroit Tigers broadcaster Jason Benetti impressed viewers during a rain delay by delivering a spot-on impression of ESPN’s classic SportsCenter voiceover announcer, drawing widespread praise online. Benetti shared that the impression was convincing enough to once fool a former colleague into thinking Benetti actually voiced SportsCenter promos. The moment further highlighted Benetti’s versatility and growing reputation as one of the most talented and entertaining play-by-play voices in sports media.
Awful Announcing

U.S. Figure Skating. Director, Content
The Director of Content will lead the strategy, development, and execution of all content for U.S. Figure Skating, driving fan engagement, athlete storytelling, and audience growth across digital, social, broadcast, and live event platforms. This role is responsible for building an always-on content ecosystem that elevates the sport, supports commercial partnerships, and enhances the fan experience. The Director will oversee content for major events, manage social and production teams, and collaborate cross-functionally to deliver high-impact storytelling and scalable content initiatives. This role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution in fast-paced environments. Apply Now.

Atlanta Hawks. Lead Electrician.
The Lead Electrician is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day electrical operations, maintenance, and repair of all utility components, systems, and structures at State Farm Arena. Working closely with the Senior Maintenance Manager, this role leads and delegates work to electrical staff while ensuring all preventive maintenance programs are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable codes and OSHA standards. Success in this role means a safe, fully operational facility that supports world-class guest experiences at every event. 
Apply Now.

Arizona Cardinals. Project Manager, Construction
The Construction Project Manager will oversee the design and construction of capital improvement projects at the Training Facility, State Farm Stadium and other Club controlled properties. This includes coordination with other Arizona Cardinals departments and affiliates, stadium entities, design consultants, permitting authorities and contractors in executing construction activities while advancing a culture of excellence and a positive, passionate and creative work environment.  The candidate will play a significant role in long-term planning of facility upgrades and system renovations with other Club departments, stadium entities, clients and contractors.   The Construction Project Manager will manage the development of projects from inception through completion, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Apply Now.

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Colleges with the most players drafted in the 2026 NFL draft
Ohio State led all schools in the 2026 NFL Draft with 11 players selected, finishing ahead of Alabama and Texas A&M, which each had 10 picks. A total of 256 players from 75 different colleges were drafted, with national champion Indiana setting a program record by placing eight players, including No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. While the Big Ten produced the most first‑round picks, the SEC ultimately led all conferences with a record 87 total selections.
NCAA

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