Front Office Sports Today

We are just a day away from ESPN’s new highly anticipated $29.99 a month direct-to-consumer streaming service, which ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro calls “industry shaping.” FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher got a first look at the new service and breaks down all the features, including a TikTok-style vertical video experience called Verts, as well as a personalized daily version of SportsCenter, tailored to each user’s favorite teams and leagues. Meanwhile, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington that skateboarding hasn’t lost its coolness factor after all these years, saying it’s “hotter than ever." Plus, we look at the data behind the women's sports boom, Anthony Richardson’s future with the Colts, and whether MLB’s Home Run Derby could find a future home on Netflix. Key Moments 0:34 - Richardon's future, WNBA attendance record, MLB TV rights update 4:36 - Early look at ESPN's new streaming service 10:00 - Tony Hawk joins the show 17:29 - Understanding women's sports boom 20:52 - Little League bat flip auction

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz met head-to-head this week for the 14th time, with Sinner retiring early from the Cincinnati Open due to illness. Despite that, there's a very real chance these two meet in the final for the U.S. Open, which begins next week. Giri Nathan, author of Changeover, explains where this rivalry ranks in the history of tennis and what to expect going forward. Plus, Patriots legend Julian Edelman gives his assessment of new head coach Mike Vrabel and tells us where things stand with the members of the New England dynasty as Tom Brady's statue is unveiled. Also, the NBA could restrict player props, YouTube finalizes its NFL crew for the Brazil game that will be livestreamed, and we have a record-setting transfer fee in the NWSL. Key Moments: 0:35 - NFL in Brazil, record NWSL transfer, Texas AD gets the bag 4:53 - Alcaraz vs Sinner 9:49 - Patriots legend Julian Edelman joins the show 17:40 - NBA player prop limitations 21:54 - NFL team Crocs

The NCAA issued the University of Michigan a $20 million fine and other recruiting penalties over its sign-stealing scandal, but notably did not include any postseason ban. FOS reporter Amanda Christovich explains what this means for the Wolverines and the next steps in the appeals process. Plus, Johnny Manziel joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to talk about missing the NIL (name, image, and likeness) era, where things stand with Texas A&M, and how his relationship with Drake has opened new doors. Also, we get a pulse check with FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher on some of the biggest proposals in sports (CFP and MLB expansion, plus a possible U.K. Super Bowl), and how realistic they are to happen. Key Moments: 0:38 - Scheffler and Rahm's big weekend, Hendrickson trade updates, Browns QB room 5:11 - Michigan sanctioned and fined for scandal 9:55 - Former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel 17:25 - "Could this really happen?" - CFP expansion, London Super Bowl, MLB realignment 17:30 - Rich Eisen back on SportsCenter

The Brewers are the top team in baseball by a sizable margin, and they are doing it all with a bottom-third payroll in the league. FOS reporter and Brewers superfan Ryan Glasspiegel explains Milwaukee's magical moment and how it could inspire other teams in MLB. Plus, the English Premier League season begins Saturday after a record-setting transfer window, but the league now has 10 American owners—which completely changes how those clubs operate, says football commentator Ben Jacobs. He joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to preview the upcoming season and offer his champion prediction. Also, Taylor Swift appears on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's New Heights podcast, country club memberships are soaring, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addresses ESPN employees about their impending merger with the league. Key Moments: 0:38 - Goodell talks to ESPN employees, Dawn Staley NIL NDA's, Venus to play US Open 4:51 - Brewers the new Moneyball? 9:52 - EPL Preview: Will Liverpool repeat as champs?, American ownership in the EPL 17:39 - Country Clubs are in big demand 21:16 - Taylor Swift breaks internet on"New Heights" podcast 📈 Don’t miss tomorrow’s top stories in the business and culture of sports — Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontOfficeSports/subscribe Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

In a shocking twist, after announcing the Twins were up for sale in October 2024, the Pohlad family, who has owned the team since 1984, announced it will keep the team instead and sell a significant minority stake to two groups. FOS deals reporter and author of the Asset Class newsletter Ben Horney has the latest intel on how the new framework is intended to help the Twins pay down $425 million in debt. Also, more on the Portland Trail Blazers selling to a group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. Meanwhile, the future of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun remains in flux, as the state government and former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry have matched the $325 million bid made by Steve Pagliuca to keep the team in the state. However, FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington that a possible expensive relocation fee could determine the Sun’s fate—and whether the league would prefer to move the team to Boston or Houston. Plus, we have the latest on James Cook’s new contract with the Bills, which makes him one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL, and the flood of college athlete lawsuits against the NCAA challenging eligibility requirements. Key Moments: 0:36 - James Cook gets a new deal, Ohtani real estate scandal, Inter Miami roster shake-up 4:43 - Will the WNBA force the Suns out of Connecticut? 10:00 - Pohlads keep the Minnesota Twins, Ton Dundon purchases the Trail Blazers, Celtics front office changes 7:41 - NCAA's growing eligibility problem 21:32 - Latest NFL team valuations; Cowboys worth $12 billion 📈 Don’t miss tomorrow’s top stories in the business and culture of sports — Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontOfficeSports/subscribe Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

The Supreme Court of Nevada has ruled in favor of Jon Gruden's case that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell selectively leaked his emails and forced Gruden’s resignation from the Raiders. This opens the door for other teams to be investigated, which could cause issues for the scandal-ridden NFL, sports and entertainment lawyer Dan Lust tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington. Plus, we get an update on Bills running back James Cook's contract negotiations from his rep Zac Hiller, who also has plenty of thoughts on the problems with the NFL Players Association. He thinks a certain former No. 1 pick could change things in an executive director role. Also, we react to the AP preseason top 25 poll, Taylor Swift appears on Travis Kelce's New Heights podcast, and the Cowboys get their own docuseries. Key Moments: 0:41 - NBA tip-off schedule, Travis & Taylor, Laura Rutledge named MNF co-sideline reporter 4:23 - Nevada Supreme Court sides with Jon Gruden against NFL 9:54 - James Cook's agent on his contract holdout, What's next for NFLPA? 17:11 - Texas leads CFB AP Poll for the first time 20:27 - Netflix drops Dallas Cowboys sports doc trailer 📈 Don’t miss tomorrow’s top stories in the business and culture of sports — Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontOfficeSports/subscribe Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

UFC is headed to Paramount behind a seven-year deal worth $7.7 billion. Mark Shapiro, president of UFC's holding company TKO, joins Front Office Sports Today to explain the factors that went into the decision and what comes next for UFC and combat sports as a whole as the pay-per-view model dies out. Plus, we hear from Saints special teamer J.T. Gray on what he believes is the NFL's most unsung position, the new kickoff rule, and Saints players' expectations for a season that has zero games on national TV. Also, FOS deals reporter Ben Horney tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington the ESPN-NFL deal could violate antitrust laws. Key Moments: 0:39 - NBA Christmas, Son Heung-Min makes MLS debut, Gronk replaces Jimmy Johnson on FOX 4:40 - TKO President Mark Shapiro explains UFC's $7.7B deal with Paramount 9:54 - Understanding NFL special teams With Saints safety J.T. Gray 17:33 - Could ESPN-NFL deal violate antitrust laws? 21:50 - Caitlin Clark's rookie card breaks a new record sale 📈 Don’t miss tomorrow’s top stories in the business and culture of sports — Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontOfficeSports/subscribe Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

Thursday night saw another dildo thrown onto the court at a WNBA game, with another landing in the stands. Now, a group has claimed responsibility for some of the incidents. FOS reporter Colin Salao was at the game last night and gives his firsthand account of the toss and what followed. Plus, tennis legend Lindsay Davenport joins Front Office Sports Today to offer her thoughts on the state of tennis as it pertains to technology integration, preserving tradition, and the new generation of stars. Also, Tom Brady gets a statue, Shedeur Sanders gets his opportunity, and the Celtics sale gets a big update. Key Moments: 0:35 - Celtics Sale, Canadian Open, Shedeur Sanders 4:22 - Another WNBA dildo incident 9:41 - Tennis HOFer Lindsay Davenport 17:15 - Prediction Markets on the rise 21:25 - Tom Brady statue

The WNBA trade deadline was at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, but there were only a few substantial trades made this week—a function of the CBA and roster limits, says FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile. Plus, LAFC has made official the largest MLS transfer in history, paying $26.5 million for Korean superstar Son Heung-min. MLS insider Tom Bogert explains why this moment is so massive for the league and how Lionel Messi factors into it all. Also, FOS media reporter Michael McCarthy spoke to the leads at ESPN and NFL about the new RedZone mega-deal worth at least $2.5 billion, and shares his takeaways with Renee Washington and FOS editor-in-chief Dan Roberts on Front Office Sports Today. Key Moments: 0:45 - First female ump, record US Open purse, smelling salts NFL ban update 3:54 - WNBA trade deadline 9:23 - MLS Insider Tom Bogert talks Son Heung-min signing 17:13 - New RedZone explained by ESPN and NFL execs 21:16 - Arch Manning draft status update

The NFL and ESPN finalized their merger, with the RedZone brand and other NFL properties heading to the network in exchange for a 10% stake worth at least $2.5 billion. FOS senior reporter Michael McCarthy joins the show to explain the details of the acquisition and how this impacts Scott Hanson, ESPN's journalistic integrity, and the streaming landscape as a whole. WWE is also joining the Disney family, which we get into with FOS media reporter Ryan Glasspiegel. Plus, we are joined in studio by WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, who has thoughts on the players' fight for pay equity, expansion of the league, and the recent incidents of sex toys being thrown onto the court during games. She also discusses her new documentary on Amazon Prime Video that showcases her career—the good and bad.