NBA to WNBA: Show Me the Money

NBA Owners Ask For More Transparency From Adam Silver and WNBA

October 21, 2024

Good morning! NBA to WNBA: Show Me the Money

NBA Owners Seek Transparency Amid WNBA Losses
The WNBA will lose $40M this season, a “bit better" than the $50M forecast reported by several media outlets months ago but still a loss. The NBA owns nearly 60% of the league, and according to a NY Post source via SBJ, some NBA owners “want more transparency” from Commissioner Adam Silver about when they will “get to see some return from the suddenly popular WNBA.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

It May Be a Golden Age for France in the NBA. And Not Just Because of Victor Wembanyama
As AP News’ Tim Reynolds writes, “It’s not a new concept for France to have players in the NBA; there’s been about four dozen over the years. But this might be the golden era when it comes to the quality of French players in the world’s top basketball league, with stars, rising stars and potential stars scattered everywhere.

“San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama is the reigning rookie of the year, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert is a four-time defensive player of the year and the new influx of French talent is set to start its climb this season with No. 1 draft pick Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks, No. 2 pick Alex Sarr of the Washington Wizards and No. 6 pick Tidjane Salaün of the Charlotte Hornets.”
^{AP News}

Robert Hale, Mark Bezos Join List of Celtics Suitors
Per SBJ, Celtics limited partner Robert Hale said today he has a "'keen interest in exploring a bid" to buy a majority stake in the Celtics. Mark Bezos—founding partner of HighPost Capital private equity group and half-brother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos— "has expressed interest as well," according to a source. Hale is "keeping his options open on whether to bid as a lead owner or continue as a limited partner."
^{Sports Business Journal}

Shawne Merriman Gets His First Live College Football Rights: East-West Shrine Bowl Practices
FOS’ David Rumsey writes, “Former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman wants to compete with Amazon, Netflix, and Google for live sports rights. That’s a comically tall task in 2024, when game inventory for top leagues is harder than ever to come by. Merriman knows that, so he’s starting with practices.”

2025 Shrine Bowl practices will air on Merriman’s Lights Out Sports TV service.
^{Front Office Sports}

FanDuel Granted Naming Rights to Diamond RSNs
FanDuel has officially obtained naming rights to all of Diamond Sports Group's Bally RSNs and direct-to-consumer apps, a U.S. bankruptcy judge ruled at Friday's emergency hearing. As part of the ruling that goes into effect on the eve of the NBA season Monday, Judge Christopher Lopez reportedly informed Diamond that it must give MLB access to at least portions of its sealed FanDuel contract due to wagering concerns.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Allen Greene Joins Pitt as New Athletic Director With a Wealth of NIL Experience at Major Schools
Pitt has hired Allen Greene as the school’s new athletic director, the university announced Friday morning. Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Greene comes to Pitt after serving as a senior deputy athletic director and chief operating officer at Tennessee since December 2023. Before that, he served a year at the University of Mississippi as senior deputy athletic director for external relations and business development. He has spent most of his career in the SEC, including five seasons as Auburn’s director of athletics between 2018 and 2022.
^{Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}

Fire ‘Actively Pursuing’ Fire Stadium in Chicago
Fire owner Joe Mansueto said that the team is actively pursuing the possibility of building a soccer-specific stadium in Chicago. Speaking at an event introducing former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter as the Fire’s Dir of Football and Head Coach, Mansueto said, “If we can find the right parcel in Chicago, I think we'll move forward on it.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Oklahoma City Taps TVS, Manica For Thunder Arena
Per SBJ, Oklahoma City has selected TVS and Manica to design the new city-owned, $950M arena to replace Paycom Center and host the Thunder. The city’s contract is officially with TVS, the architect of record; Manica, as it does, will handle the front-end design before passing the project off to TVS once the arena’s design is mostly baked. The contract, worth $61.65M, will be voted on during next Tuesday’s city council meeting.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Montreal Not an Option For Rays Interim Home
Montreal officials confirmed Friday that Olympic Stadium is “not available” for the Rays due to an extensive four-year, $870M construction project to replace the roof. Montreal is the "second potential option to come off the list” amid the Rays’ search for a temporary home due to damage to Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton.
^{Sports Business Journal}

East Carolina Fires Coach Mike Houston After 5 Seasons and Loss to Army
Athletic director Jon Gilbert made the announcement Sunday, a day after the Pirates (3-4) lost to No. 23 Army 45-28. Defensive coordinator Blake Harrell will be interim coach for the remainder of the season.

“After earning back-to-back bowl invitations, we looked poised for continued success,” said Gilbert of bowl appearances in 2021-22. “Unfortunately, we have not seen the results we all want, and a change is needed to move the program forward.”
^{AP News}

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