Thunder Reigns Supreme

Sport & Story Daily June 23, 2025: The Thunder beat the Pacers for the NBA title behind a huge game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, after an achilles injury to Tyrese Haliburton.

June 23, 2025

The Thunder beat the Pacers for the NBA title behind a huge game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and after an achilles injury to Tyrese Haliburton

June 23, 2025

Matthew Stockman via Getty Images

NBA Finals Game 7: Thunder Beat Pacers for NBA Title Behind Big Game From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander After Injury to Tyrese Haliburton
Yahoo Sports’ Jason Owens writes, “Oklahoma City capped a thrilling NBA Finals Sunday night with a dominant second half in Game 7 to secure a 103-91 win over the Indiana Pacers and the franchise's first NBA title since it moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008.

“A Pacers team that rallied for multiple unlikely wins throughout the playoffs kept the pressure on in the fourth quarter after digging a 22-point hole. But without injured star Tyrese Haliburton, they couldn't complete the comeback.”
Yahoo! Sports

No Matter the Outcome, Game 7 Is a Victory for Disney and the NBA
Sportico’s Anthony Crupi wrote before the finals, “However the TV numbers shake out, the NBA is guaranteed to crown its seventh new champion in as many years, a streak that serves as a testament to the state of parity under commissioner Adam Silver. A Pacers win would mark the franchise’s very first NBA title since it joined the league in 1976—Indiana earned ABA championships in 1970, 1972 and 1973—while Thunder precursors the Seattle SuperSonics hoisted the hardware in 1979.”
Sportico

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Report: Sale of Lakers Won’t Slow NBA Expansion Process
John Karalis of the Boston Sports Journal wrote this is a “great time to cash out for the old guard of NBA teams. I wonder if this will trigger some other sales around the league. These are monster valuations,” especially for the Lakers who, like Boston, do not own their own building. There are “billions to be had for people who paid in the millions for their teams.” And at the same time, this is a “great time to buy into the league.” The CBA has “put a cap on spending, so you don’t have to be Joe Lacob spending as much on taxes as you do the roster to win titles in Golden State.”
Boston Sports Journal via Sports Business Journal

Art by Lorenzo Gordon

Sophie Cunningham’s $1M Social Jump Dwarfs WNBA Fines
Sportico’s Jacob Feldman writes, “Cunningham received a reported $400 fine for her flagrant foul on Sun guard Jacy Sheldon with 46 seconds left in the 88-71 victory, as well as an additional, undisclosed financial penalty for her role in the shoving match that followed. The fracas followed an earlier incident in which Sheldon appeared to poke Fever guard Caitlin Clark in the eye.

“In the following three days, close to a million fans seem to have taken Cunningham’s side. The sixth-year vet from Missouri has added 700,000 followers on TikTok and more than 244,000 newcomers on Instagram, according to social media analytics platform Social Blade.”
Sportico

White: Multiple Partners Likely for UFC Media Deal
UFC President & CEO Dana White said the property’s media rights talks could wrap up anytime from the near future to September and said it is likely the fighting circuit will have multiple partners in the new cycle. The Las Vegas-based MMA property is in the final year of a deal with ESPN that pays it around $300M a year, and it has been reported by Bloomberg to be seeking $1B annually moving forward. ESPN’s exclusive negotiating window lapsed in April and at the time chairman Jimmy Pitaro told SBJ an extension is still possible and desired by the Disney-owned network.
Sports Business Journal

Lakers Reporter Dan Woike Leaves LA Times for The Athletic
FOS’ Ryan Glasspiegel writes, “Since the NY Times acquired The Athletic in 2022, the outlet has, in some cases, pivoted away from expansive local coverage to a more national lens, particularly in sports besides the NFL. However, the Lakers are a nationally relevant franchise and command their own beat.

“The switch in beat writers comes at a pivotal time for the Lakers…

“Earlier this month, FOS reported that Warriors and NBA writer Anthony Slater is leaving The Athletic for ESPN. It has not yet been announced what The Athletic plans to do to replace Slater’s coverage of Golden State, another franchise of national importance.”
Front Office Sports

AP Photo, Julio Cortez, file

Kevin Durant is Going From the Suns to the Rockets in a Blockbuster Trade, AP Source Says
AP News’ Tim Reynolds writes, “The Houston Rockets are acquiring 15-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster deal struck Sunday … The Rockets are giving up Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and six future picks — including the No. 10 selection in Wednesday’s opening round of this year’s draft…”
AP News

T’Wolves, Lynx Top Execs Casson, Tanke Step Down
T’Wolves and Lynx CEO Ethan Casson and COO Ryan Tanke are “stepping down from their roles, the biggest front-office changes so far as the organization prepares to enter a new era” under new ownership led by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. The two leaders, who have spent more than 20 years combined with the organizations, announced their plans to step down “in a joint letter sent to staff members” Friday. Neither announced plans for “where they will go next,” and the new ownership team “has not publicly identified any possible successors for their roles.”
Sports Business Journal

UCLA. Senior Associate Athletics Director for NIL Operations
Under the direction and supervision of the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director, the Senior Associate Athletics Director for NIL Operations will assist in leading the architecture of the institution's in-house Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program, facets of NIL execution, revenue share modeling, and athlete brand enablement. This individual will work cross-functionally with coaches, student-athletes, legal, compliance, collectives, agents, and external partners to ensure that the university is at the forefront of NIL innovation. This role is responsible for developing institutional infrastructure to manage NIL deals, support contract negotiations, and expand third-party branding opportunities—while ensuring compliance, transparency, and athlete empowerment. Apply Now.

U.S. Soccer Federation. Director of Internal Communications
The Director of Internal Communications will develop and execute an internal communications strategy that will inform, engage and empower U.S. Soccer employees. This individual will take a creative and innovative approach to internal communications, leveraging different channels and approaches (and introducing new tools as needed) to maximize the impact of communications. Apply Now.

NWSL. Vice President of Partnership Management and Solutions
The NWSL is growing rapidly, driven by a commitment to innovation, values, and commercial excellence. The National Women’s Soccer League is now seeking a Vice President of Partnership Management and Solutions to lead the team responsible for building the strategic solutions to support their business development team as well as nurturing and expanding relationships with partners who share their commitment to transforming the game - and the world around it. Apply Now.

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.

Illustration by Molly Geary. Photo by Getty Images

Wisconsin Sues Miami Over Transfer as College Sports Turns Pro
Sportico’s Michael McCann writes, “Lucas, who was represented by attorney Darren Heitner, transferred from Wisconsin to Miami earlier this year without entering the transfer portal by enrolling in classes at Miami.

“The case, first reported by Yahoo Sports, involves a Big Ten revenue share agreement that generally prohibits schools from using the NIL of athletes from other schools. Lucas also reportedly signed an NIL agreement with VC Connect; Wisconsin contends that Miami tampered by recruiting Lucas despite allegedly knowing of his contractual obligations with VC Connect.”
Sportico

Pac-12 Still Playing Conference Tetris As Realignment Heats Up
FOS’ David Rumsey writes, “More conference realignment in college sports is starting to take shape, even if there won’t be the same type of landscape-altering moves that happened last summer. This week, Sacramento State announced that in 2026 it would move from the Big Sky to the Big West for all of its sports except football. The Hornets, an FCS team, have been attempting to move to the FBS level, and will have their transition application heard by the Division I council next week.”
Front Office 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

Reply

or to participate.