NBA Finals Jersey Patches

NBA Finals Jersey Patches

June 3, 2026

Knicks, Spurs NBA Finals jerseys to feature 'USA 250' patches to honor America’s 250th birthday
To celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, players from the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will wear special "USA 250" patches on their jerseys during the 2026 NBA Finals. After each game, these game-worn patches will be removed and later featured inside ultra-rare Topps trading cards. The commemorative jerseys tie into a larger partnership the NBA formed with America250 and Stand Together to support community service and volunteerism throughout 2026. Additionally, to mark the start of the series, the NBA and the USO are hosting a special Finals viewing party at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, to connect overseas service members with Game 1 on June 3.
^NBA

NBA superstar Steph Curry signs Li-Ning deal in a major win for Chinese shoe giant
NBA superstar Stephen Curry has officially ended his sneaker free agency by signing a major ten-year partnership with Chinese sportswear giant Li-Ning, concluding his 13-year run with Under Armour. This extensive deal goes beyond basketball gear to include athleisure lifestyle wear, a golf line, and plans for dedicated brand stores in both the United States and China. Curry noted that he was heavily influenced by the high quality of Li-Ning's existing signature shoes for NBA stars Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade, calling the agreement a "partnership of a lifetime." This high-profile signing represents a significant victory for homegrown Chinese brands like Li-Ning and Anta, which are increasingly recruiting elite NBA talent to aggressively challenge global market leaders like Nike and Adidas.
^CNN

MLBPA Says Owners’ Salary Cap Would Cut Player Pay by $500M
According to a new analysis by the MLB Players Association, major league baseball players would face a collective pay cut of more than $500 million if the owners' proposed hard salary cap system were implemented for the 2026 season. Union interim executive director Bruce Meyer heavily criticized the management's pitch, stating it includes an unfavorable escrow component and represents a significant regression in player compensation compared to other professional sports. Conversely, Major League Baseball strongly countered these assertions, arguing that their proposal features a 50-50 revenue split that would actually increase year-one player compensation while leveling the competitive playing field for fans. With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on December 1, these starkly opposing stances have fueled widespread concern that a management lockout or work stoppage could impact the 2027 season.
^{Front Office Sports}

Congress asks Roger Goodell to testify about NFL's broadcast deals
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has invited NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to testify at a June 10 hearing regarding the league’s broadcast contracts and their impact on American consumers. The committee plans to evaluate whether updated regulations are necessary given how dramatically the media landscape has evolved since 1961, when Congress first granted pro sports leagues a limited antitrust exemption under the Sports Broadcasting Act. Lawmakers and fans have expressed growing concerns that the NFL's modern shift toward selling game packages across various cable, satellite, and paid streaming services makes watching games increasingly difficult and expensive. While the NFL defends its strategy by highlighting that local markets still receive games on free broadcast television, the congressional hearing follows a recent Department of Justice investigation into whether the league's multi-platform media deals violate antitrust laws.
^ESPN

Mavericks choose former Valley View Mall site in North Dallas for new arena, entertainment district
The Dallas Mavericks have officially announced plans to relocate from downtown Dallas to a new home in North Dallas once their American Airlines Center lease expires. The franchise has entered into preliminary option agreements to purchase approximately 104 acres at the former Valley View Mall site, a tract more than double the minimum size the organization required. Led by CEO Rick Welts, the team envisions transforming the massive space into a vibrant, mixed-use destination featuring a state-of-the-art arena, a new practice facility, hotels, retail, and public green spaces. If the project proceeds as planned alongside the NHL's Dallas Stars' rumored move to Plano, all four of Dallas’ major professional sports teams could be playing outside of the downtown area by the 2031-32 season.
^{Yahoo Sports}

Russell Wilson: Accepting television role
Veteran NFL quarterback Russell Wilson has accepted an offer to join a television broadcast team for the 2026 season instead of continuing to pursue a backup role. The 37-year-old veteran reportedly turned down a contract offer from the New York Jets, who were looking to sign him as a depth option behind starting quarterback Geno Smith. While it remains unclear if Wilson plans to officially announce his retirement from the NFL, his decision confirms he does not intend to suit up on the field this upcoming year. This transition follows a challenging 2025 campaign with the New York Giants, where Wilson started the season under center before losing the starting job to rookie Jaxson Dart in Week 3.
^{CBS Sports}

Scott Coker reveals leadership team behind new MMA promotion — including TV exec who helped save UFC
Former Strikeforce and Bellator MMA boss Scott Coker has revealed a powerhouse executive leadership team for his currently unnamed new mixed martial arts promotion. Backed by $60 million in financing and scheduled for an early 2027 launch, the league format venture will feature a robust talent roster to provide a fresh alternative for combat sports athletes. The executive squad includes former Spike TV president Kevin Kay, who helped save the UFC by developing The Ultimate Fighter, alongside premium sports executives from brands like Gatorade, Showtime Sports, and Bellator. While specific competition structures, media partnerships, and event schedules are still under wraps, Coker aims to drive the sport forward while honoring its roots and respecting the athletes.
^{MMA Mania}

Looking to fill an open position with top talent in the sports media industry? Advertise in the Sport & Story Daily to reach over 25,000 senior-level executives and professionals—and connect your job opportunity with the right audience.

Brendan Sorsby gambling investigation: Judge to rule on Texas Tech QB's injunction to regain NCAA eligibility
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s NCAA eligibility remains in limbo following a court hearing regarding his request for an injunction against a permanent ban. The NCAA ruled the senior permanently ineligible after he admitted to placing hundreds of bets over four years, including at least 40 on his own team while playing for Indiana. His legal team is arguing for extenuating circumstances, claiming Sorsby suffers from a serious gambling addiction and anxiety that were exacerbated by the NCAA's own profitable relationships with gambling ecosystems. If the judge grants the injunction, Sorsby will be allowed to play for Texas Tech during the 2026 season while his broader lawsuit against the NCAA moves forward through the court system.
^{CBS Sports}

Thanks for reading!

Sport & Story Daily is the sports industry’s daily resource for business news. In addition to serving up exclusive trends, Q&As, and columns, the newsletter connects readers to top platforms and stories from across the sports landscape.

Place your brand in front of the Sport & Story Daily audience and connect with the most influential people in sports.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here!

Feel free to read our Privacy Policy