📰🏟️ On LIV support
Plus: FIFA to sell stakes in World Cup…
Good afternoon. Today’s edition brings you the top news from around the sports world. Let’s get you up to speed.
—Kyle
1) NFL stars ink record deals
The Philadelphia Eagles yesterday signed star DT Jalen Carter to a 4-yr, $152M extension with $106M guaranteed, after the 25-year-old delivered back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons.
- Carter’s contract is the richest deal for a defensive tackle in NFL history, both in guaranteed money and average annual value ($38M/yr).
- The Cleveland Browns soon followed suit, reportedly signing CB Denzel Ward to a 2-yr, $62.2M deal ($52.3M guaranteed) making him the highest-paid cornerback in league history by annual value.
- In other NFL news: Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield reportedly plans to become an unrestricted FA after playing out his final year with the Bucs, and won’t sign an early contract extension.
The latest buzz from NFL training camps
2) FIFA plans to sell stakes in World Cup
FIFA yesterday announced a controversial plan to sell minority stakes in the World Cup, which involves creating a new ~$20B company to run the men’s and women’s World Cups and the new Club World Cup.
- This new company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would handle all commercial decisions like broadcasting and commercial rights.
- In an unprecedented move, FIFA is actively seeking minority investors in FFE to raise ~$4.2B, effectively selling partial stakes in the World Cups.
- The plan has drawn pushback from nearly all global soccer associations (UEFA, CONCAF, AFC), who criticized FIFA for not sharing it beforehand.
- FIFA has reportedly given its 211 member countries/territories a deadline of Sept. 19 to back the proposal—or face a 75% reduction in potential funding.
Inside FIFA’s plan to sell the World Cup
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3) LIV Golf to cancel $40M season finale, per reports
The Saudi-backed professional golf league is planning to cancel LIV Golf Michigan, the league's $40M team championship scheduled for late August, per multiple reports.
- It comes amid previous reports that funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has dried up sooner than expected, with the PIF cutting all spending on LIV Golf after the season.
- Michigan’s removal would leave 2 events remaining on LIV’s schedule this year—in New Jersey and Indianapolis—with the league needing to raise $350M to stay alive in 2027.
Upstart golf league tries to stay aLIVe
4) Shaq’s “Dunkman League” aims to partner with NBA
In a series of interviews this week, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal expressed optimism that his new Dunkman League, the world’s first professional dunking league, could one day partner with the NBA.
- The Dunkman League consists of 24 of the world’s best dunkers, who will compete across Group Stage events this summer—live on TNT and HBO Max—in pursuit of a $500K grand prize.
- The 2nd Group Stage event was held last night, with 19-y.o. Dillan McCarthy taking home the victory (and $25K).
Could Dunkman revive the Slam Dunk Contest?
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