WNBA Tips Off With High Drama

The New York Post’s Madeline Kenney writes, “With that increased attention comes scrutiny, and as the WNBA opened its 29th season Friday, the league is nearing an exciting yet pivotal inflection point.”

May 19, 2025

WNBA Set For Big Season — And After That, the Real Drama Starts
The New York Post’s Madeline Kenney writes, “With that increased attention comes scrutiny, and as the WNBA opens its 29th season Friday, the league is nearing an exciting yet pivotal inflection point.

“A lot has changed since the Liberty were crowned champions last October. The league expanded to 13 teams with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries. Diana Taurasi and Elena Delle Donne retired. The coaching carousel included the hiring of eight first-time WNBA head coaches. Rosters were overhauled. Some of the biggest names in the game — including Brittney Griner, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas and Kelsey Plum — moved to new teams. The WNBA welcomed an exciting rookie class, headlined by UConn star Paige Bueckers.

“The offseason stories will continue to shape the narratives around this WNBA season.”
^{New York Post}

WNBA to Launch New Season Campaign Series for Newer Fans Highlighting Top Stars
SBJ’s Na Andre Emerson writes, “With its new creative campaign, the WNBA is doubling down on its commitment of introducing fans to its most prolific players through five new 30-second spots titled ‘Viewer Discretion,’ and several other player videos that will be released throughout the season. The digital content to be released was produced by Wieden+Kennedy, who worked on last year’s ‘Welcome to the W’ campaign.’”
^{Sports Business Journal}

NBC Faces Preakness Dip as Racing Mulls Rest and Triple Crown Reset
Sportico’s Jason Clinkscales writes, “Three days after Sovereignty won the Kentucky Derby, the thoroughbred’s owners announced they would skip the Preakness Stakes with a plan to compete in the Belmont Stakes on June 7. While the extra rest might improve the colt’s odds for a win, it eliminates the potential of a Triple Crown winner this year—as well as the advertising impressions of millions of casual racing fans.

“‘Load management’ has crept into modern horse racing as more owners and trainers seek between five and six weeks of rest for their top horses between the highest profile races. It is a less than ideal scenario for NBC, which holds rights to the Derby and the Preakness. (Fox will broadcast the Belmont.)”
^Sportico

Charter Agrees to Combine With Cox
Charter Communications has “agreed to combine with privately held” Cox Communications in a deal that unites “two of the biggest US cable providers.” The transaction will “value Cox at about” $34.5B, including debt. The Cox family will “be the largest shareholder in the combined company with a stake of about” 23% and will have seats on the board.
^{Sports Business Journal}

ESPN to Debut New Analytical Alt-Cast for NBA Western Conference Finals
ESPN SVP/Sports Production Tim Corrigan said the broadcast will use an enhanced game camera that will allow SMT to take data, track it, use shot distances, track live stats, and more. “Just a much more aggressive approach to providing information on the screen during the actual live cut,” he added.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Making Sense of MLB Team Valuation Estimates and What They Say About the League’s Financial Health
SBJ’s Chris Smith writes, “On the whole, the three competing sets of MLB team values are largely similar. Their order is identical for the top five and bottom three teams, and the rankings are directionally similar throughout. The average MLB team value is nearly identical across the board, ranging from $2.6 billion (Forbes) to $2.67 billion (Sportico). Those figures are up by 8% and 7% year over year, respectively.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Chisholm’s Celtics Ownership Group Finalized
A letter sent to Celtics shareholders said that Bill Chisholm has “obtained sufficient commitments to purchase the Celtics,” and his ownership group has “been finalized.” The deal will “not become official” until it receives approval from the NBA Board of Governors, likely in June or July, which is “expected to be a formality.” Chisholm’s group will purchase 51% of the team this summer, “with the balance closing in 2028.”
^{Boston Globe via Sports Business Journal}

PGA Championship Increases Purse to Record $19 Million
The PGA Championship has increased its purse to a record $19 million, the PGA of America announced Saturday. That’s up from the previous high of $18.5 million for last year’s tournament, which paid out $3.33 million to winner Xander Schauffele.
^{Front Office Sports}

Georgia Officials Approve Bobby Dodd Stadium Renovations
The Georgia Board of Regents on Thursday approved renovations to Bobby Dodd Stadium with a budget of $70M to be “funded by the Georgia Tech Athletic Association,” according to Chad Bishop of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION via SBJ. Renovations are “expected to be completed between the end of the 2026 season and start of the 2027 season.” West sideline components include the “creation of a new premium level,” as well as “replacing the existing president’s lounge and entry lobby within the Bill Moore Student Success Center with a Founder’s Club.”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution via Sports Business Journal

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Big 12 Commish Yormark Banked Over $4 Million in First Full Year
The Big 12 Conference paid commissioner Brett Yormark more than $4.3 million in total compensation during Fiscal Year 2023—his first full year in the role—according to the conference’s latest tax filings. That figure slightly exceeded the compensation received by Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey ($4.27 million) over a similar period.
^Sportico

NCAA Rebukes Objectors’ Arguments Against House Settlement
Sportico’s Michael McCann reports: “The NCAA and power conferences on Friday made what is likely their final pitch to U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken before she decides to grant or deny final approval of the 10-year settlement resolving the House, Carter and Hubbard antitrust litigations. 

“In a brief authored by attorneys Whitty Somvichian (Cooley) and Rakesh N. Kilaru (Wilkinson Stekloff) and their law firm colleagues, the NCAA and power conferences attempt to rebuke attorney objectors who contend the settlement ought to be rejected on account of its roster limit feature.”
^Sportico

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