The NBA is headed back to China for the first time since 2019 with a pair of preseason games in October 2025 in Macao between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, according to a league announcement. China was a major economic growth area for the NBA and a regular destination for preseason games, including 28 …
BYU’s Jewish QB Signs NIL Deal With Matzo Maker Manischewitz
Jake Retzlaff, the quarterback for 18th-ranked BYU, signed a sponsorship deal with Manischewitz, the first NIL deal made by the Jewish food brand. Retzlaff is the first Jewish quarterback to ever play for the Mormon university, as well as one of just three Jewish students currently attending the school, which enrolls nearly 33,000 undergraduates. As …
Messi Fueled 13% MLS Sponsorship Rise in 2024, Report Says
The Lionel Messi tide continues to lift all boats in MLS when it comes to attracting new sponsorships. Ahead of Saturday’s MLS Cup, SponsorUnited released its latest report on MLS marketing partnerships, which found sponsorship dollars for the league and its clubs rose to $665 million in 2024, up 13% from a year ago and …
Jordan’s NASCAR Suit ‘Baseless,’ CEO France Says in Court Brief
Disparaging the lawsuit brought by Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports as a “misguided attempt to dress up private business frustrations in antitrust garb,” NASCAR this week motioned a federal judge to dismiss the case altogether. NASCAR CEO Jim France, a co-defendant, separately filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that his inclusion is …
Souper Time: Commanders Make Campbell’s CEO Team President
The Washington Commanders hired Mark Clouse as their new team president after he spent the last five-plus years as the CEO of Campbell’s, the famed consumer products company that recently forged a sponsorship with the Commanders and other organizations affiliated with majority owner Josh Harris. Though Clouse does not have a sports business background, it …
Club Sportico: College Basketball Finally Has a New Villain
This week’s Club Sportico focuses on the college basketball’s “new villain,” UConn men’s coach Dan Hurley, who is drawing attention—and plenty of criticism—for his animated and often angry sideline demeanor. Hurley’s Huskies have won the last two national championships, but the team is struggling. UConn lost three straight games in Maui, despite being favored against Memphis, Colorado …
Yankees World Series Rings Remain Sticking Point in Giuliani Trial
Rudy Giuliani owns four Yankees World Series rings, one from each title that the MLB team won when he was mayor of New York City. Now he and his family are fighting to keep them. Giuliani is currently facing a handful of legal challenges, including bankruptcy and a defamation case that he lost last year …
Colorado’s Hunter, Sanders May Buck Trend by Playing in Bowl
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders suggested Tuesday that his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and two-way star Travis Hunter could participate in a college football bowl game this year despite being projected as high first-round NFL Draft picks. The Buffaloes are technically still in College Football Playoff contention because of the expanded field, though their 37-21 …
NFL Thanksgiving Matchups Won’t Spoil the Feast for Advertisers
The Morning Lead newsletter will pause for Thanksgiving and return next Monday. Click here to sign up and get it delivered straight to your inbox. Happy Thanksgiving! There are worse things than the New York Giants, although admittedly not a lot of them. Thursday’s main course is one example; turkey may be the clucking embodiment of a …
MLB Playoff Payout Hits Record $129M, Dodgers Get $477,441 Each
The World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers fueled a record postseason bonus pool of $129.1 million, according to the commissioner’s office. The tally was 20% higher than the previous high of $107.8 million set last year—it was $107.5 million in 2022 when the playoffs expanded to their current format. The …
Mountain West Urges Dismissal of Pac-12 ‘Poaching Penalty’ Lawsuit
The tumultuous relationship between the Pac-12 Conference and the Mountain West Conference spawned an antitrust lawsuit in September, but in a newly filed motion to dismiss, the MWC says the Pac-12’s case is “little more than a gripe” and asserts the Pac-12 has confused antitrust law’s protection of “competition” with the conference trying to suppress …
Temple Betting Probe Recalls Past Scandals, Could Bring Legal Fallout
ESPN reported Thursday that federal authorities are investigating former Temple University men’s basketball player Hysier Miller over allegations he manipulated and bet on his own games. The investigation could lead to a wide range of legal outcomes, including, as detailed below, criminal charges, civil lawsuits and NCAA sanctions. While the Miller probe is sure to raise questions …
NYCFC’s New Queens Stadium to Be Named Etihad Park
The longstanding partnership between New York City FC and Etihad Airways took another significant leap. The MLS side announced that the airliner will take the naming rights of its future soccer-specific stadium in Queens in a 20-year agreement. Construction of the $780 million venue, now called Etihad Park, is slated to begin by the end …
Paul Skenes Rookie Card Hunt Pits Auction House Against Pirates
The hottest bidding war in baseball right now is not over Juan Soto, but a baseball card. On Nov. 10, Topps announced the release of a one-of-one Paul Skenes rookie debut autographed card featuring a patch worn during his first pro game. The card of the Pittsburgh Pirates phenom is available in one pack of …
Diamond’s Bankruptcy Saga Is About to End. Now Comes the Hard Part.
After 20 months of monitoring the Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy case, it wasn’t at all surprising to hear Judge Christopher Lopez couch his ruling on the long-simmering matter in baseball terms. A self-professed enthusiast of the grand old game, Judge Lopez has peppered his commentary from the bench with asides about his Texas Rangers ever …