Sport & Story Daily September 27, 2024

We Want a Team

September 27, 2024

Good morning! Portland wants an MLB team and Philadelphia wants a WNBA team.

Portland investors target MLB team with stadium land purchase
The Portland Diamond Project was founded in 2017. Its goal is to bring an MLB team to the city. The investment group has reached an initial agreement to buy land to build a ballpark for a potential MLB expansion team. It signed a letter of intent to buy Zidell Yards, a 33-acre former shipyard. The group will have three and a half years to complete its purchase.
^{SportsPro Media}

Toyota confirms it is ending IOC TOP sponsorship
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda confirmed the company will not renew its 10-year contract as a TOP sponsor for the Olympics and Paralympics following the Paris Games. The company will continue to financially support athletes.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Ackman’s Pershing Reports 38% Stake In Oakland A’s Las Vegas Team
Billionaire fund manager Bill Ackman reported that his company, Pershing Square Capital Management, has a 38% equity stake in Seaport Entertainment, owner of the Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate and various real estate in Nevada and New York. The Las Vegas Aviators make the most money in minor league baseball, pulling in $33.4 million in 2023. The Aviators plan to stay in the city while the A’s move around to Sacramento before officially being in Vegas.
^Sportico

Nuggets, Avalanche to broadcast 20 games each on over-the-air stations this year
Since 2019, the Avalanche games have been unavailable on Comcast (Xfinity), Denver’s largest cable distributor. Now, after a five-year standoff with Comcast that blacked out two championship seasons, the Nuggets and Avalanche will each broadcast 20 of their games over the air.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Derrick Rose, a No. 1 overall pick in 2008 and the 2011 NBA MVP, announces retirement
Derrick Rose has played in professional basketball for over 16 years. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls. He was the league’s MVP in 2011. He recently announced his retirement. He was, and still is, the youngest MVP winner in NBA history, claiming the award when he was just 22.
^{AP Sports}

Shorter games, more running, more action. Two years in, MLB’s rule changes have provided a jolt
Two years ago, the MLB adjusted the game to be shorter and have more action with pitch clocks, defensive shift bans, bigger bases, fewer throw-overs, ghost runners, etc. This change has led to more attendance and TV viewers. Attendance is up 11% since 2022. Viewership of fans from ages 18-34 has risen 10.5%. Youth participation in the game has increased, and the social media ecosystem is thriving.
^{AP Sports}

Philly Mayor, Sixers Say They Want a WNBA Team in New Downtown Arena
The Sixers plan to submit a bid for a WNBA team. Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker spoke about the Sixer’s plan for a new downtown arena called 76 Place. “I know you notice we don’t have a WNBA team here in the city of Philadelphia, y’all know your mayor don’t like that,” Parker said. The mayor said she worked unsuccessfully in the past with former city and state officials to talk with women leading the charge to score a WNBA team. “I knew it was a long shot. But when they told me about the idea, I said, ‘You know, I’m gonna try,’” Parker said.
^{Front Office Sports}

Settlement in NCAA’s House Case Wouldn’t Prevent Future Matt Slukas
UNLV quarterback Matt Sluka announced he intends to transfer schools because of an unfulfilled NIL deal. He had a verbal agreement for $100,000 promised by coaches before he committed to UNLV. UNLV’s athletic department and NIL collective said they never agreed to that. The NCAA weighed in, and President Charlie Barker said he believed the terms of the proposed House v. NCAA settlement would alleviate some of the issues plaguing the fledgling NIL industry. It wouldn’t prevent more situations like Sluka’s, though.
^{Front Office Sports}

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