SoFi Stadium Workers Strike before World Cup

Sport & Story Daily June 9, 2026: SoFi Stadium workers demand higher pay prior to the World Cup.

Author

Kelsey Middleton
June 09, 2026

SoFi Stadium Workers Strike before World Cup

June 9, 2026

SoFi Stadium workers vote to authorize strike ahead of World Cup
Hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles have voted 96% in favor of authorizing a strike just days before the venue is scheduled to host the first U.S. match of the FIFA World Cup. Represented by the UNITE HERE Local 11 union, the cashiers, cooks, and concession staff are demanding higher pay, job security, and an agreement that federal immigration enforcement will play no role at the games. While negotiations between the union and hospitality management company Legends Global are ongoing, workers warn they could walk off the job at any moment if their demands are not met.
NPR

U.S. Investors Target Wrexham-Style Turnaround with Italian Soccer Club
Matt Rizzetta’s sports-focused private-equity firm, Underdog Global Partners, is in the process of acquiring the Italian soccer club AS Reggina 1914 with the transaction expected to close this month. The historic club currently plays in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian soccer, but the new ownership group aims to invest the necessary resources to return the team to Serie A within five to seven years. Celebrities Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are involved in the deal as minority investors, hoping to replicate the high-profile, "Wrexham-style" turnaround success seen with other lower-tier European clubs.
Front Office Sports

ABC’s most-watched NBA Finals Game 1 since 2018 with average audience of nearly 17M viewers (16.93M)
ABC’s broadcast of Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs generated an average audience of nearly 17 million viewers, marking the network's most-watched series opener since 2018. According to Nielsen data, viewership spiked 90% compared to last year's opening game and peaked at 19.63 million viewers during the 11 p.m. ET hour. The highly anticipated matchup not only dominated the day as the most-watched program across all of television, but it also stands as the most-watched NBA Finals Game 1 ever on ABC outside of the historic Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers rivalries.
ESPN Press Room

EuroLeague Explores Partnership with Project B to Expand Global Reach and Women's Basketball
EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno has confirmed exploratory talks with Project B, an ambitious startup planning an international, F1-style touring league slated for a January 2027 launch. The potential partnership focuses heavily on expanding global reach and developing women's basketball, capitalizing on Project B's secured commitments from major WNBA stars like Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, and Jonquel Jones. This dialogue runs parallel to EuroLeague's merger discussions with NBA Europe, collectively highlighting a proactive strategy that could ultimately pave the way for a dedicated European women's league.
Wunderfan

Chicago Bears pressing ahead with move to Indiana
The Chicago Bears' board of directors has voted to advance a new stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, following stalled negotiations and a lack of legislative funding for a new venue in Illinois. The move across state lines is supported by Indiana officials, who recently established a stadium authority to lure the franchise away from its current home at Chicago's Soldier Field. While the Bears have not yet finalized an exact site or opening timeline, the proposed Hammond location aims to transform the region and connect Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago.
The Stadium Business

Sixers promoting Nelson to executive VP of basketball operations under Gansey
The Philadelphia 76ers are shaking up their front office by promoting former NBA point guard Jameer Nelson to executive vice president of basketball operations, making him the No. 2 executive under newly appointed president Mike Gansey. This executive restructuring follows the departure of former president Daryl Morey and includes a multi-year contract extension for vice president of player personnel Prosper Karangwa. Meanwhile, Elton Brand is stepping down from his role as general manager and is currently transitioning into a new position within the franchise and its parent company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
NBC Sports

Three-time NBA champion Stacey King dies at 59
Three-time NBA champion and beloved Chicago Bulls television analyst Stacey King has passed away at the age of 59, as announced by the team and the NBA. Selected sixth overall by the Bulls in the 1989 draft, King played eight seasons in the league and contributed to Chicago's first three consecutive title runs from 1991 to 1993. Following his playing career, he spent more than two decades as an Emmy-winning broadcaster for the franchise, endearing himself to generations of fans with his memorable catchphrases and infectious passion for the game.
NBA

The Sports Facilities Companies. Turf Manager.
The Turf Manager works in all areas of maintenance operations, especially athletic fields. This position will generally involve the performance of manual tasks requiring skilled and semi-skilled work or special knowledge acquired through on-the-job training or experience. The Turf Manager will supervise and assist co-workers in completing various tasks and day-to-day maintenance duties as required. Apply Now.

PWHL League Office. Motion Graphics Designer.
The Motion Graphics Designer contributes to the development and execution of all motion graphics design for the league and its 12 teams, with a focus on building strong and compelling brand experiences across the PWHL ecosystem. This role is responsible for creating engaging 2D and 3D motion graphics for all PWHL brands across all channels including social, digital, in-venue, and broadcast platforms. Apply Now.

Dallas Stars. Licensed Massage Therapist
The Licensed Massage Therapist supports the health, safety, injury prevention, treatment, and recovery of professional hockey players. Working closely with the Head Athletic Trainer and team physicians and medical staff, this role helps deliver high quality athlete care while assisting with daily medical operations, travel preparation, and player health management. Apply Now.

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SMU signs former MLB player Jordyn Adams to football scholarship: 26-year-old was a 5-star WR recruit in 2018
Former five-star wide receiver recruit and first-round MLB Draft pick Jordyn Adams has enrolled at SMU to play college football after an eight-year professional baseball career. The 26-year-old originally signed with North Carolina in 2018 but opted to play baseball after being drafted 17th overall by the Los Angeles Angels, eventually appearing in 38 Major League games before finishing his baseball career in May 2026. Because Adams went straight into professional sports and never enrolled in college, he remains eligible for a football scholarship under current NCAA rules, joining a rare group of athletes who have transitioned from the pros back to college football.
CBS Sports

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