Go to Source Author: A.J. Perez PHOENIX — Josh Harris’ group is the “only” serious contender currently in the mix to purchase the Washington Commanders. Harris’ bid of nearly $6 billion is the only offer made so far that is backed with the financial resources needed to get through the NFL’s vetting process, a source with knowledge of the process told Front Office Sports.  “Harris is the only bidder with a chance,” the source said.  A Harris spokesperson declined to comment. Earlier Tuesday, FOS reported issues over a $6 billion bid reportedly made by Canadian real estate executive Steve Apostolopoulos.  The lone remaining x-factor is whether Jeff Bezos will enter the process. There have been no indications that the Amazon founder has made a bid for the

Go to Source Author: A.J. Perez PHOENIX — A group led by Josh Harris has submitted a bid to purchase the Washington Commanders, sources told Front Office Sports.  Harris, who owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, entered a bid between $5.5 billion and $6 billion, one source with knowledge of the process told FOS. A couple of hours after the first report that Harris had bid on the Commanders, ESPN reported that Canadian real estate executive Steve Apostolopoulos had also bid $6 billion. FOS was unable to confirm Apostolopoulos’s bid. One source said while Apostolopoulos may have bid, there are questions over whether he has the financial wherewithal to be considered a serious contender for the Commanders. Harris visited the team’s

Go to Source Author: Doug Greenberg The Philadelphia 76ers’ proposed $1.3 billion arena got a major vote of confidence from one of the city’s core demographics — even as others continue to oppose it. The African American Chamber of Commerce, as well as a collection of Black religious leaders from around the city, have come out in support of the Sixers’ plan to build a new arena and commercial center tentatively named 76 Place. “We want to make sure that 76 Place reflects our culture, reflects our vibrancy, reflects our diversity,” said the 76ers’ chief diversity and impact officer, David Gould. Part of the team’s commitment to those values means creating jobs and business development opportunities, which includes using Black contractors — like Mosaic Development

Go to Source Author: A.J. Perez Mark Davis landed Tom Brady.  Davis announced Thursday that the retired seven-time Super Bowl champ had acquired a minority stake in the defending WNBA champ Las Vegas Aces.  “I have always been a huge fan of women’s sports, and I admire the work that the Aces’ players, staff, and the WNBA continue to do to grow the sport and empower future generations of athletes,” Brady said in a statement. Brady’s purchase will require the approval of the WNBA.  “Since I purchased the Aces, our goal has been to win on and off the court,” Davis, the owner of the Aces, said in a statement. “Tom Brady is a win not only for the Aces, and the WNBA, but for women’s

Go to Source Author: A.J. Perez Michael Jordan’s management company didn’t add much clarity to last week’s report that the NBA legend wants to offload his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets.  ESPN reported that Jordan was in serious talks to sell his controlling interest in the franchise he acquired for $275 million in 2010 to a group led by Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin. The Hornets haven’t made a public statement since the story was published last Thursday.  But on Wednesday, Jump Management issued a statement about the discussions.  “Four years ago, Michael Jordan sold a stake in the Charlotte Hornets to a Gabe Plotkin-led group,” the statement noted. “As a natural step in a process due to that transaction, Michael and Gabe are

Go to Source Author: Owen Poindexter Baseball’s media ecosystem is undergoing huge changes, but that hasn’t stopped team values from soaring. The New York Yankees’ lofty perch became even loftier as the team’s valuation rocketed 18% from last year to $7.1 billion, per Forbes’ latest tally. Using 2022’s NFL team valuations, that would make the Yankees the second-most valuable sports team in the world after the $8 billion Dallas Cowboys. After the Yankees, there’s a steep dropoff to the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers ($4.8 billion), followed by other major-market teams like the Boston Red Sox ($4.5 billion), Chicago Cubs ($4.1 billion), and San Francisco Giants ($3.7 billion).

Go to Source Author: Michael McCarthy The World Baseball Classic got a dream finale with Shohei Ohtani dramatically striking out Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to clinch the title for Japan. Tuesday night’s dramatic USA vs. Japan championship game generated the most-watched WBC Final in the tournament’s history. Japan’s 3-2 victory over the USA drew 5.2 million viewers across the FS1 cable network, Fox Deportes, and Fox Sports’ streaming platforms, according to MLB. That made it the most-watched WBC game telecast ever on American TV. It was up 69% from the last WBC Final in 2017. FS1 alone averaged 4.5 million viewers. That made Tuesday’s Final the most-watched WBC game ever on a single network, the most-watched cable telecast of the night, and

Go to Source Author: Michael McCarthy Nike posted a solid increase in third-quarter revenue driven by robust demand in North America.  But the company’s net income fell amid the financial impact from inflation, supply chain shortages, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  The Swoosh announced encouraging results for its fiscal third quarter ending Feb. 28. Revenues rose 14% from the year prior to $12.4 billion. North American revenue rose double-digits, but revenue from China dropped 8% due to a change in the nation’s COVID policies. Net income slid 11% to $1.2 billion. Diluted earnings per share were $0.79, off 9%. The Nike brand’s digital sales were another strong point, rising 20%. The Swoosh’s third-quarter results topped analyst expectations, noted CNBC, and could’ve been even better if not for the

Go to Source Author: Doug Greenberg After a hiatus of over 20 years, SlamBall is ready to make its long-awaited return — and it’s bringing along a huge list of high-profile investors. The hybrid sport combining basketball and football with trampolines will return in July with a six-week regular season and one week of playoffs in Las Vegas. First launched in 2002 by Mason Gordon and Mike Tollin, SlamBall was revived after fans of the early-2000s phenomenon started a social media campaign that racked up 200 million views for the hashtag #BringBackSlamBall. “It’s an incredible feeling to be back, and especially by popular demand,” Gordon said. “I want to thank SlamBall’s persistent and passionate fans for making this comeback possible and our investors for helping

Go to Source Author: A.J. Perez The Philadelphia 76ers’ proposed $1.3 billion arena hasn’t been embraced by the city’s Chinatown community since it was first announced in July.  This week provided another reminder when a Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation survey found that more than 90% of business owners, residents, and visitors opposed the arena that would be built on the edge of the community.  “It’s disappointing when Market East is in the midst of economic decline and after our attempts to work with PCDC, that they would reach this decision without seeing our official proposal,” the 76ers said in a statement.  Opponents to the project point to what occurred in Washington’s Chinatown: What is now known as Capital One Arena — the home of the