Sport & Story Daily July 25, 2024

Timing is Everything

July 25, 2024

Good morning! From Athlete to Entrepreneur

Comcast, Diamond Sports approaching RSN deal that could get many MLB teams back on cable
Comcast subscribers could soon be able to watch any of the dozen of MLB teams they have gone without for nearly two months. Diamond Sports Group appears to have a deal with Comcast that is nearly complete.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Citadel’s Ken Griffin Boosts Stake In Jim Dolan’s Sphere 
Founder of Citadel, Ken Griffin, raised his stake in Sphere Entertainment to 5.3%. He previously owned 1.6% through the Citadel investment firm but has added more shares and now holds 1.5 million.
^Sportico

76ers welcome Paul George, welcome back Maxey with all parties in desperate chase for championship
The 76ers were able to open up the offseason with a salary cap hold of $13 million and enter free agency with roughly $65 million. This allowed Paul George to sign a four-year, $212 million contract. Tyrese Maxey was asked to wait to sign a contract extension until the summer. He was rewarded with a five-year, $204 million extension.
^{AP Sports}

Cowboys All-Pro CeeDee Lamb to reportedly hold out of training camp after failing to reach terms on an extension
CeeDee Lamb has not reached terms on a new contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He has held out of training camp because of this. Lamb commands a contract for somewhere in the $96-$140 million range, seeing what the other most productive young receivers in the league are making.
^{Yahoo Sports}

TNT Launches an A-List Marketing Blitz to Save ‘Inside the NBA’
Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT, Bleacher Report, and House of Highlights have launched an aggressive social media campaign to try to save TNT’s live game rights, as well as Charles Barkley’s Inside the NBA. The offseason marketing has led to the viral hashtag #KeepNBAonTNT. The NBA has received completed contracts from ABC/ESPN and NBC Sports, but TNT retains matching rights to third-party bids from Prime and NBC. The NBA is still considering TNT’s counteroffer.
^{Front Office Sports}

MLB Network launches direct-to-consumer offering
The MLB Network will offer its network directly to consumers in the U.S. It is available for purchase for $5.99 a month. There is a combined option for $6.99 a month that includes MLB Network and At Bat.
^{Front Office Sports}

Jerry Jones Avoids Witness Stand With Paternity Trial Settlement
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reached a settlement in a case where he was accused of being a woman’s father. Alexandra Davis sued Jones and the Cowboys for defamation, while Jones countersued Davis and her mother, Cynthia Davis-Spencer, for breach of contract. On Aug. 14, 1998, Jones and Davis-Spencer signed a settlement agreement that was a binding contract to resolve the paternity dispute.
^Sportico

Rock Entertainment Group and the Cleveland Cavaliers Appoint Allison Howard as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer

Allison Howard has been named the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for the Cleveland Cavaliers by the Rock Entertainment Group. She most recently served as the President of the Kansas City Current in the National Women’s Soccer League. She has more than 10 years of prior NBA experience with the Los Angeles Lakers.
^NBA

IOC awards 2034 Winter Games to Utah and pushes state officials to help end FBI investigation
The International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake City, Utah. The IOC pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into a suspected doping coverup. Utah politicians and U.S. Olympic leaders signed an agreement that pressured Utah to lobby the federal government. The IOC is angry about an ongoing U.S. federal investigation of suspected doping by Chinese swimmers who competed in the Tokyo Games and had positive drug tests.
^{AP Sports}

Pat McAfee makes decision on College GameDay in 2024
Pat McAfee will return to ESPN’s College GameDay program for the 2024 college football season. He will be joined by Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and Nick Saban.
“Although I don't want to make a big deal out of it,” McAfee said. “I know it is a big f-ckin' deal that it's happening... When you get offered the opportunity to join the College GameDay, you can't say no to that. You're talking about one of the greatest shows in the history of television."
^SI

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