Front Office Sports Today

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Is Ohtani’s Deal a Problem for MLB? Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani’s deal rocked the baseball world, first with its incredible $700 million worth, then with the news that all but $20 million will be deferred until after the contract expires. Former Miami Marlins president David Samson argues that the deal is a problem for MLB and will cause in-fighting between team owners.

We also look at a unique marketing campaign created by Tom Brady and Topps with help from three MLB Hall of Famers, the latest from David Tepper's coaching carousel, and ratings from the in-season tournament that will have the NBA seeing dollar signs.

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Inside the Chaotic Negotiations Over Golf’s Future Dec 12, 2023

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Negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are heating up following the departure of Jon Rahm for LIV Golf and the approaching Dec. 31 deadline to strike a deal. Front Office Sports senior reporter AJ Perez shares what he’s hearing from his sources regarding the negotiations. We also check in on Netflix’ latest live sports event and lessons learned from the NBA’s in-season tournament.

Plus, Serie A’s U.S. managing director Andy Mitchell discusses the top-flight Italian soccer league’s plans to grow in the U.S. with the World Cup and other major international soccer tournaments arriving Stateside in the next few years.

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Ohtani’s Unprecedented Contract Dec 11, 2023

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Shohei Ohtani signed a contract with no comparison in American sports. His 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers gives him a higher annual salary than some MLB teams. It also includes significant deferrals that can be leveraged by both the player and the team.

Plus, we hear from SMAC Entertainment co-founder and CEO Constance Schwartz-Morini, who helped launch and shape the second careers of Deion Sanders and Michael Strahan, and co-produced the Coach Prime docuseries.

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Golf World in Chaos After Jon Rahm Joins LIV Dec 08, 2023

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A truce between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf ended with LIV’s signing of Jon Rahm for a reported $600 million. The move comes as the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Investment Fund, which backs LIV, are approaching a Dec. 31 deadline to strike a deal on a new company. Barstool Sports’ Dan Rapaport joins to discuss the implications for the future of golf.

Plus, with the MLS Cup on Saturday, former MLS and Premier League player Eddie Lewis joins to discuss the state of the league and how it has progressed since the arrival of his former teammate, David Beckham.

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Why the NBA May Have Made Billions With Midseason Tournament Dec 07, 2023

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The NBA’s midseason tournament got off to an uneven start, but now the league is seeing games with a playoff-like atmosphere in December ahead of its next media rights deals, where the midseason tournament could be sold as a standalone package. ESPN’s Bobby Marks joins to discuss the tournament, the state of the league, and where the NBA is likely to expand.

Plus, we take a look at the national phenomenon that is the Savannah Bananas, the barnstorming, independent baseball team with a following few teams in the sports world can match.

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NCAA Opens Door to Athlete Compensation Dec 06, 2023

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NCAA president Charlie Baker penned a letter to all Division I schools proposing a set of changes related to athlete benefits and compensation that could allow college athletes to get paid while preserving amateurism. We dive into that and take a look at the transfer portal, which has admitted over a thousand college football players in its first 24 hours.

Plus, former president of Turner and current co-CEO of Horizon Sports & Experiences David Levy joins us with an inside look into how NBA media rights are negotiated as the league hashes out its next set of record-breaking deals.

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Premier League Sets New Bar with Media Deals Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

The Premier League signed a record set of media rights deals with Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery for $8.5 billion over four years. BBC will receive a highlights package, but Amazon is notably not part of the new deals, despite being a current Premier League broadcaster. We also take a look at the fallout from Florida State’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff and the Arizona Coyotes’ latest attempt to leave the 4,600-capacity Mullett Arena.

Plus, Buchalter commercial real estate attorney and shareholder Keven Rowe discusses the phenomenon of large, “mini-city” stadium and arena projects that include housing, restaurants, and hotels.

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CFP Selection Turns Heads with Controversial Selection Dec 04, 2023

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The College Football Playoff Committee passed up Florida State for Alabama in a decision that has some wishing that the 12-team playoff format would arrive a year early. The decision has major financial consequences for the ACC and SEC conferences.

Plus, we take a look at the final Pac-12 Championship and hear from Jaia Thomas, founder and CEO of Diverse Representation on which leagues have diverse management and player representation and which leagues are sliding backwards.

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CFP Looking to Super Bowl for Media Rights Plan Dec 01, 2023

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The College Football Playoff is taking a page from the Super Bowl as it negotiates its next round of media rights. The CFP wants to implement a rotating schedule of broadcasters for its final games, with incumbent ESPN potentially just one of several media networks associated with college football’s big game.

Plus, we hear from NFL legend Ed McCaffrey, father of San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, on how the league has changed over the decades and his son Christian’s progression as a player.

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What’s Next for Mark Cuban, Mavericks After $3.5B Sale? Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

Mark Cuban is selling a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks to Miriam Adelson, widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, at a $3.5 billion valuation. Cuban will retain control of the team’s basketball operations while potentially collaborating with Adelson on a new arena and surrounding development. The sale and Cuban’s coming departure from "Shark Tank" is raising questions about the billionaire entrepreneur’s future.

Plus, we hear from UNC field hockey legend Erin Matson, who went from on-field star to head coach in one year, continuing the Tar Heels' dominance with a national championship earlier this month.

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