Despite Washington Football Team owner Daniel Snyder's public pledge to cooperate with the NFL's inquiry into widespread sexual harassment within the franchise, his attorneys reportedly attempted to prevent independent investigator Beth Wilkinson from speaking to a woman who had accused Snyder of sexual misconduct. People familiar with a letter from the woman's lawyer to Snyder's lawyers, which was filed under seal in federal court, said the former accused Snyder's camp of offering his client $1.6 million beyond an initial 2009 settlement if she agreed not to speak with anyone about the allegations or settlement, an allegation that an attorney for Snyder subsequently denied. (The Washington Post)
Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers and Sparks co-owner Todd Boehly and retail executive Jennifer Tepper Mackesy announced they are in exclusive negotiations to purchase a controlling stake in the NWSL's Washington Spirit. (The Washington Post) The announcement came shortly after current Spirit co-owner Michele Kang, according to four sources, sent a letter to fellow co-owners Steve Baldwin and Bill Lynch offering a league-record $35 million to purchase control of the club. (The Athletic)
Nike Inc. signed UCLA sophomore soccer player Reilyn Turner to a sponsorship deal, the sportswear giant's first with a college athlete since NCAA rule changes allowed them to profit from the use of their names, images and likenesses. While most prominent NIL deals signed this year have skewed toward athletes with large social media followings, Turner, who was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2020-21, had just over 3,000 followers on her Instagram when the deal was announced. (ESPN)
MEDIA
Michele Tafoya done with sideline reporting after this NFL season Andrew Marchand, New York Post
This season is expected to be "Sunday Night Football" reporter Michele Tafoya's final one on the sidelines, The Post has learned. Sources said it is Tafoya's decision to step away from the field. She has been on network TV at CBS, ABC/ESPN and NBC for nearly three decades.
Fox Sports gives producer Brad Zager a big promotion John Ourand, Sports Business Journal
Fox Sports promoted Brad Zager to President of Production & Operations and Exec Producer, a position that will see him oversee all live event and pre- and postgame show production at Fox and FS1. Zager adds responsibilities for all digital content that relates to live events. He will continue to report to President of National Networks Mark Silverman.
Shams Charania to be part of AT&T campaign for Stadium Terry Lefton, Sports Business Journal
Broadcast/digital sports network Stadium is integrating NBA reporter and on-air talent Shams Charania into a season-long campaign for AT&T 5G. AT&T, an NBA corporate sponsor since '19, will be integrated in Charania's reports and in social/digital posts.
ESPN dragged for reviving debunked narrative Bubba Wallace found a 'noose' in NASCAR garage last year Joseph A. Wulfsohn, Fox News
ESPN was accused of spreading "misinformation" after it shared a clip from its new TV special about NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace. "Last year, a noose was found in Bubba Wallace's stall at Talladega Superspeedway. The next day, the NASCAR community stood with him in unity," ESPN tweeted.
Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler Will Call NFL Game for ESPN In January Dan Lyons, Sports Illustrated
On Saturday, Jan. 8, ESPN will broadcast back-to-back games with playoff implications. The normal Monday Night Football crew—Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry—will handle one of the matchups. The other will feature Fowler, Herbstreit and Laura Rutledge of NFL live.
NFL
The NFL has hit a COVID-19 iceberg, putting Roger Goodell's zero-tolerance policy to the test Charles Robinson, Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Rams were forced to close their team facility on Tuesday, while the Cleveland Browns also moved into the league's enhanced protocols after placing eight players onto the COVID reserve list. As of Tuesday, the league's COVID reserve list had ballooned to nearly 100 players, with the expectation that number will climb over the course of the week.
Congressional members renew call for NFL to share Wilkinson probe materials Liz Clarke and Will Hobson, The Washington Post
Reacting to a report that owner Daniel Snyder sought to disrupt the NFL's investigation of the Washington Football Team's workplace, congressional leaders Tuesday night called on the league to produce all evidence of his alleged interference. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) issued a statement saying the allegations strengthened the panel's resolve to investigate the NFL's handling of reports about the toxicity of the team's workplace.
Some N.F.L. Teams Face a Financial Cliff Despite Raised Salary Cap Mike Tanier, The New York Times
The salary cap is expected to grow in 2022 to $208.2 million, the maximum figure agreed upon by the N.F.L. and its Players Association in May. That's a 14 percent increase from this year's cap and great news for most of the league.
Autopsy: Severe brain trauma in ex-NFL player who shot 6 Michelle Liu, The Associated Press
An autopsy revealed unusually severe brain disease in the frontal lobe of the former NFL player accused of fatally shooting six people in Rock Hill, South Carolina, before killing himself in April, authorities announced Tuesday. The 20 years Phillip Adams spent playing football "definitively … gave rise" to a diagnosis of stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, said Dr. Ann McKee, who examined his brain.
Chargers ink multiyear sponsor deal with tech company LifeBrand Ben Fischer, Sports Business Journal
Philadelphia area tech startup LifeBrand has signed its first west coast sports sponsorship, inking a multiyear deal with the Chargers. LifeBrand, which helps companies and individuals find and delete problematic past social media posts, will be put to use across the Chargers organization as part of the deal.
COLLEGE SPORTS
NIL, pay for play and CFP expansion will dominate 2022 Michael Smith, Sports Business Journal
Pay for play is essentially here. Boosters are forming independent businesses through which to funnel money to players. The highest bidders are winning in recruiting.
