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☆ He Was a Used Car Salesman. Now He’s Calling the Super Bowl.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Andrew Beaton | Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PHOENIX—Kevin Burkhardt’s dream of becoming a world-renowned broadcaster couldn’t have felt further away a couple of decades ago. He was making ends meet by selling cars in New Jersey. It still seemed pretty remote when he upgraded from peddling 1992 Malibus and minor-league broadcasting for a microphone on Sportsnet New York as a baseball sideline reporter in Queens. That’s because life-changing success stories in sports don’t tend to be associated with the New York Mets.

☆ With record Super Bowl wagers expected, here are Wall Street's top sports-betting stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The names were a member of Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF , VanEck Gaming ETF , and/or iBet Sports Betting & Gaming ETF . Of the gaming companies on the list, Caesars Entertainment has the most upside to the average analyst price target, 26.2%. Caesars gaming empire includes Caesars Sportsbook, which came out of the company's 2021 $4 billion acquisition of William Hill . MGM Resorts follows with 23% upside to the average analyst price target. The stock, which has gained nearly 6% so far this year, has 11% upside to the average analyst price target.

☆ We've already been condemned, says Man City's Guardiola over charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"It's the same as what happened after UEFA (charges). And I think the Premier League, supported by 19 teams, are going to take good lawyers too to defend their position. "But if the same situation with UEFA happens and we are innocent, what happens to restore or pay back our damage?" Guardiola also warned that other clubs should look at their own affairs before condemning Manchester City. The charges against City, the world's highest revenue-generating club last season according to Deloitte, will be heard by an independent commission.

No one thought LeBron James would overtake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the N.B.A.’s career scoring leader when he came to the league as an 18-year-old. The line for LeBron James is just past the 38,387 points scored by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Table showing the scoring totals for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lebron James, broken down by type of shot. Career points by age for top 250 scorers Line chart showing career points for the top 250 scorers in N.B.A. The line for LeBron James is just past the 38,387 points scored by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

☆ Man City charged by Premier League over alleged financial rule breaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

City were acquired by their Abu Dhabi-based owners, City Football Group, in 2008. If the charges are proved City, could face a range of sanctions, including a points deduction or expulsion from the Premier League. City are also alleged to have failed to cooperate with and assist the Premier League in its investigations from December 2018 to date. "The members of the Commission will be appointed by the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel," the Premier League said in a statement. "The Premier League will be making no further comment in respect of this matter until further notice."

☆ Fanatics Hires Google Executive to Lead Push Into Live-Streamed Shopping
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Patrick Coffee | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Fanatics sees the potential for success thanks in large part to its internal database of some 90 million sports fans, said Mr. Bell. It will host video events led by digital content creators and influencers who focus on trading cards. Much of the initial content will focus on “breaking,” in which creators will open new boxes of trading cards live on camera and sell them to followers. Viewers will be able to buy cards directly from Fanatics’ app or website, with the company taking a portion of that sale, said Mr. Bell. Fanatics’ valuation reached $31 billion in December after a $700 million fundraising round led by private-equity firm Clearlake Capital Group LP.

☆ Arena Football League relaunches with first Black commissioner of a professional sports league in the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( John Lynch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Arena Football League (AFL) is relaunching under new leadership and plans to resume play in 2024, Insider has learned. Lee A. Hutton III, the new AFL commissioner, will become the first Black commissioner of a professional sports league in the US. In assuming his role as the new AFL commissioner, Hutton will become the first Black commissioner to lead a professional sports league in the United States. AFL commissioner Lee A. Hutton III. We believe we have assembled a world-class, operational team made up of C-Suite executives, expert sports trainers, football personnel, performance facilities, legal partners, professional team owners and former athletes."

☆ Cubans signed with MLB teams will for first time play on national team at World Classic
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

HAVANA — Cubans signed with Major League Baseball organizations and other foreign clubs will for the first time join domestic stars on the national team that will play in the World Baseball Classic, officials announced Wednesday evening. The Cuban Baseball Federation long defended the idea of amateurism and punished those who left the island to seek their fortunes in professional baseball. But that changed when a program on state television announced the roster of 30 players for Cuba’s national team that will play in the international tournament that begins March 8 in Taiwan. To arrange participation of the MLB players, Cuba had to get special permission from the United States because Washington maintains sanctions on Cuba. Under the agreement, those players are barred from coming to Cuba to work with the team.

☆ Steph Curry says he'd accept 'a nice role' in 'Black Panther 3' if director Ryan Coogler offered it
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Alison Brower | Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Several of Curry's Davidson teammates are interviewed in the documentary, and some were at the premiere. "St. Francis of Assisi — and I'll paraphrase — said 'Preach without using words,'" McKillop told the crowd of Curry. "We all start from somewhere and we learn things along the way," Curry told the audience. "I can always get better," Curry told the Sundance crowd. Its streaming premiere date on Apple TV+ has not been announced.

LOS ANGELES, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno on Monday said he was no longer interested in selling the team he has owned for 20 years after announcing in August that he was looking for buyers. "This offseason we committed to a franchise record player payroll and still want to accomplish our goal of bringing a World Series Championship back to our fans. The Angels won their lone World Series in 2002, shortly before Moreno purchased it, and the team has struggled in recent years with its last postseason appearance coming in 2014. "Despite strong buyer interest in the Angels, Arte Moreno's love of the game is most important to him," Manfred said. Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Himani SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rugby Union-Hatred of England is a powerful tool, says defence coach Sinfield
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sinfield built a strong bond with former Scotland lock Doddie Weir, who died in November from Motor Neurone Disease. "I understand that and I understand that that's quite common across the other nations as well," he told reporters. Asked if he thought that "hatred" could lift England's defence to a new level of intensity, he said: "I don't just think it's powerful defensively, I think it’s powerful right the way across. "I've been here (Twickenham) a number of times to watch Six Nations games as well. That 2003 team (England's Grand Slam and World Cup winners), there are some real heroes of mine in that team.

☆ Apple is searching for a head of ad sales as its streaming TV and sports ambitions grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple has a recruitment firm searching for a top TV and streaming executive to head up its ad sales. The search suggests the company may be considering an ad-supported tier for Apple TV+. Recruiters are quietly working on a search for a head of ad sales, according to a person familiar with conversations. This new executive search indicates that Apple has plans to create an ad tier for Apple TV+. An ad executive familiar with plans said Apple was negotiating a major beachfront presence this year.

☆ MLB players to join Cuba's team for World Baseball Classic
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HAVANA, Jan 6 (Reuters) - A handful of Major League Baseball players will join Cuba's team for the first time in the upcoming World Baseball Classic tournament, an unprecedented event, the sport's Cuban Federation said on Friday. Now, Cuba has signed off on a team including a dozen Cuban players who emigrated and joined U.S. or other international teams. The Caribbean island is now working "to achieve a competitive team," Juan Reinaldo Perez, president of the Baseball Federation of Cuba, told a news conference. More than 650 Cuban baseball players have defected to the United States and elsewhere in recent years, according to state-run media. Countries must present their final roster of 30 players for the World Baseball Classic tournament by Feb. 7.

☆ Damar Hamlin Remains in Critical Condition as NFL Says Game Will Not Resume This Week
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The National Football League began dealing with the fraught decisions it faces following the collapse and hospitalization of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin—who remains in critical condition on Tuesday—by saying that Monday’s suspended game against the Cincinnati Bengals “will not be resumed this week.”Commissioner Roger Goodell informed the teams of the decision on Tuesday, the league said. The nationally televised game was postponed indefinitely on Monday night after Hamlin’s collapse in the first quarter. The NFL hasn’t made a decision about the possible resumption of the game at a later time.

☆ Damar Hamlin Remains in Critical Condition as NFL Says Game Will Not Resume ‘This Week’
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Arsenal look real deal, Newcastle relentless and Tottenham fickle as battle resumes
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

ARSENAL BEGIN WHERE THEY LEFT OFFWhen Mikel Arteta's table toppers went behind early on against struggling West Ham United there were mutterings around the Emirates Stadium -- with fans perhaps fearing Arsenal's pre-break momentum had been lost. TOTTENHAM CONTINUE TO PUZZLETottenham's inability to show consistency, even throughout 90 minutes, was evident again in a 2-2 draw at Brentford. But, as so often this season, they showed that when in a self-inflicted hole, they can actually look like a good side. West Ham United look a shadow of the side that were so impressive last season and a fourth straight defeat heaped more pressure on manager David Moyes. Like West Ham, Everton are just above the drop zone but a home loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers was ominous and manager Frank Lampard will need positive results quickly to silence his critics.

Ten of the 13 people Dominican authorities accused of attempting to murder former Major League Baseball player David "Big Papi" Ortiz have been convicted. On June 2019, Ortiz was shot in the back while at a bar in his native Dominican Republic. According to the attorney general, Rodríguez Mota is "the person who paid those who carried out the act" against Ortiz. The remaining seven men received sentences of less than 10 years. Ortiz underwent multiple surgeries in the Dominican Republic and the U.S. after the attack.

☆ Roberto Clemente remains Latino legend 50 years after death
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

When Puerto Ricans belt the name Roberto Clemente in song, they want the world to understand their pride, unity and culture. “We are Roberto Clemente, so you know who we are. Half a century after he played, many of today’s Latino baseball players credit him for paving the way. “The name Roberto Clemente is something that fills us with passion and admiration,” said Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara, who was born in the Dominican Republic. The Roberto Clemente Award is given each year to a player for charitable work in the community.

☆ Classy Newcastle go second, Lopetegui off to ideal start with Wolves
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Richard Martin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui got off to a strong start in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers after his side came from behind to sink Everton 2-1 with a last-gasp goal and increase the pressure on Frank Lampard. Later on Monday, Aston Villa were in action against Liverpool, while leaders Arsenal host West Ham United. Eddie Howe's side have 33 points after 16 games, one more than third-placed Manchester City although the champions have two games in hand. The victory pulled Wolves off the bottom of the table and into 18th on 13 points, one point and one place below Everton. Southampton sunk to the bottom after their defeat at home to Brighton, who moved up to sixth.

☆ The Dodgers Face a Decision on Trevor Bauer—Without Knowing All the Facts
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( Lindsey Adler | Louise Radnofsky | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Los Angeles Dodgers will soon face a decision about whether to carry Trevor Bauer on their 2023 roster—and they’ll have to make it without knowing the full details that Major League Baseball and an arbitrator gathered to determine punishment for the star pitcher under baseball’s policy on domestic violence and sexual assault. The Dodgers must decide what to do about Bauer by Jan. 6, following a ruling on Thursday by arbitrator Martin Scheinman. The arbitrator reduced Bauer’s suspension under the domestic violence policy from the 324-game penalty issued by the league to 194 games. Bauer is immediately eligible to return to the field, and the Dodgers will be on the hook to pay Bauer around $22.5 million in salary next season no matter what.

☆ Trevor Bauer reinstated by MLB’s independent arbitrator
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Trevor Bauer was reinstated Thursday by Major League Baseball’s independent arbitrator, allowing the pitcher to resume his career at the start of the 2023 season. Bauer named the woman and one of her attorneys, Niranjan Fred Thiagarajah, as defendants in the lawsuit. After winning his first Cy Young with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, Bauer agreed to join his hometown Dodgers. Bauer was placed on administrative leave on July 2, 2021, under the domestic violence policy, a leave extended 13 times. None of the players previously disciplined under the policy appear to have challenged the penalty before an arbitrator.

YouTube TV will pay roughly $2 billion a year for the rights of the Sunday Ticket package, according to people familiar with the matter. Amazon secured the rights to “Thursday Night Football,” making it the first streaming-only platform to air NFL games, paying about $1 billion per year. YouTube TV is an internet bundle of broadcast and cable networks that mirrors a traditional linear pay-TV operator. The company has been expanding its sports footprint for its Apple TV+ streaming service. DirecTV is interested in delivering Sunday Ticket games in a similar capacity, people familiar with the matter have said.

☆ Trevor Bauer’s Record Suspension Reduced by Arbitrator, Making Him Eligible to Return to Baseball
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Louise Radnofsky | Lindsey Adler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A Major League Baseball arbitrator validated a 194-game suspension for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer under the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy, paring back a 324-game penalty the league had issued and making Bauer eligible to return to baseball immediately. Major League Baseball had handed down the two-year suspension for Bauer in late April, following an investigation that began after a California woman accused Bauer of sexually assaulting her, and which later expanded to include other accusations. Bauer has not pitched in a game since June 28, 2021, shortly before that claim against him emerged, but was on paid leave during the league investigation.

☆ The NFL Sunday Ticket/YouTube deal is good for both the league and Alphabet
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The agreement is a strong one for both the league and Alphabet (GOOGL), the parent company of Google and a Club holding. It's not hard to see why the National Football League would want to distribute games with such an established streaming player like YouTube. Amazon (AMZN) already has Thursday Night Football , while Apple (AAPL) previously secured the rights to Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer games. What's good for ad buyers is good for Alphabet as it will pull more advertising dollars into the company's various offerings. As noted during Thursday's "Morning Meeting" for Club members, monetization opportunities are not exactly clear beyond additional advertising and YouTube subscription revenues.

☆ 6 predictions for Apple's growing ad business in 2023 — from ads on Apple TV+ to building and buying adtech
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Its App Store search ad business is growing at a clip and Apple has begun pitching advertisers Major League Soccer ad packages. Here's what experts think Apple might have in store for its advertising business next year, from TV ads to further privacy interventions. Prediction 2: Ads will be placed on Apple TV+Apple's 10-year, $250 million-a-season deal to broadcast Major League Soccer on Apple TV will air its first game in February 2023. It could become the key entry point for advertisers looking to reach Apple users across its portfolio of apps and services. "Apple is about to find out how difficult it is to serve TV ads," he added, referring to its MLS telecasts.

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