Sport & Story Daily July 8, 2024

Stay Ahead of the Game

July 8, 2024

Good morning! NASCAR, Lulu & Electric Cars

NASCAR Inks Licensing Deal With Lululemon
NASCAR has signed its first licensing deal with Lululemon, one of the many companies that helped create over 200 different merchandise items for this weekend’s Chicago street race. Legends Global Merchandise is NASCAR’s official onsite provider of merchandise during the event, which is back for its second edition, and it has six “Pit Stop” shops around the circuit, from an 82-foot-by-82-foot tent near Buckingham Fountain to four standalone trailers.
^{Sports Business Journal}

NASCAR Unveils First EV Prototype, Title Sponsor
NASCAR on Saturday revealed its first EV prototype, and while it isn’t announcing a new electric series to go with it, the move is aimed toward ensuring the racing company is keeping up with modern automotive technology. The EV is a crossover utility vehicle that was built by NASCAR’s research and development team in concert with its three carmakers, Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota, at a cost of $1.5M, NASCAR told The AP.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Mykayla Skinner Firestorm Vaults SafeSport Back Into Scrutiny
“The backlash to Ms. Skinner’s comments is understandable, but I am sympathetic to one point she was attempting to make,” said Florida attorney Russell Prince, who is currently representing plaintiffs in three separate lawsuits. “Coaches are rightfully afraid of the U.S. Center for SafeSport and USA Gymnastics, because the governing rules at both organizations require coaching conduct to be evaluated under an objective standard.”
^Sportico

Caitlin Clark Earned the 1st Triple-Double in WNBA History for a Rookie in Stellar Fashion
Cory Woodroof from USA Today writes, “Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark now stands alone in WNBA history for this absolutely terrific rookie achievement. With a rebound, Clark officially became the first rookie in league history to notch a triple-double in a game.:
^{USA Today}

Another Milestone for NWSL: Angel City FC’s Potential $300M Valuation
Per FOS, the Los Angeles-based club is said to be valued at a league-high $250 million as Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, close in on the purchase of a controlling share, according to multiple reports. One report, from Semafor, put the new number even higher, saying Angel City will now be valued at more than $300 million with the new investment.

Iger and Bay would be taking over Angel City’s largest ownership stake from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who declined to comment about it when asked by Front Office Sports.
^{Front Office Sports}

Popular NFL Podcast Overhauled as Hosts Depart
Sportico’s Jacob Feldman reports: “What was formerly known as Around the NFL will relaunch as NFL Daily beginning on Tuesday, with shows coming out five days a week. Gregg Rosenthal will anchor the program, joined by other NFL Media talent and experts from outside the company. His former Around the NFL co-hosts—Dan Hanzus and Marc Sessler—are no longer working for the league in the latest changes to the NFL’s lineup.”
^Sportico

The New College Sports Insiders Are Graphic Designers
FOS’ Jake Kring-Schreifels writes, “Together, Tipton and Fawcett may be on their way to becoming the proverbial “Woj and Schefter” of the high school recruiting world: two Southern kids who’ve earned their designation as the premier designers and news breakers of their niche-but-growing graphic-making industry. 

“Since joining On3 at its start in 2021, the pair have only enhanced their reputations, scooping long-established college reporters and utilizing Terry’s resources and network of contacts.“
^{Front Office Sports}

Griggs Resigns as Mariners President of Business Ops
Mariners President of Business Operations Catie Griggs resigned Friday morning, leaving the organization just three years into her tenure. Griggs, an SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree in 2022, is one of just two women to hold the title of president of business operations for an MLB club and the first woman to hold that role for the Mariners. She has reportedly “accepted a new job" on the East Coast to be closer to family, including her husband, Justin, and her parents.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Nebraska Secondary Coach Evan Cooper Leaves Matt Rhules’ Staff
Secondary coach Evan Cooper, a key piece of coach Matt Rhule’s talent evaluation and development structure, has left the Nebraska staff, a university spokesperson confirmed to ESPN on Friday.

As The Athletic notes, Cooper, 37, played for Rhule at Temple. Cooper served two coaching stints with the Owls and followed Rhule to Baylor and the Carolina Panthers. Cooper stayed with the Panthers through the end of the 2022 season after Rhule was fired in October of that year.
^{The Athletic}

Baylor Reveals McLane Stadium Upgrades Ahead of 2024 Football Season
Baylor will begin an “eight-figure project to enhance elements” of McLane Stadium that includes the “installation of upgraded and additional video boards, the construction of new production control rooms, and the addition of premium hospitality structure that will be visible during the 2024 Baylor football season,” according to Foster Nicholas of 247SPORTS.
^{Sports Business Journal}

AAC's Pernetti Addresses Realignment, Including Comments From New Memphis AD
New AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti said that his “main priority is ‘alignment’” and “making sure everyone in the conference is on the same page,” according to Jonah Dylan of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL via SBJ. Pernetti said he “plans to visit AAC campuses throughout the summer and into the start of football season.” New Memphis AD Ed Scott discussed conference realignment in his introductory press conference, “even specifically mentioning the ACC and Big 12 as potential destinations.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

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