Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz angrily dismissed questions from two reporters at a town hall event about the team's response to last year's scandal involving the organization's failure to act in the wake of sexual assault allegations against a coach lodged by former player Kyle Beach in 2010, insisting the organization is "moving on" and "we're not going to talk about Kyle Beach." Following the event, the team released a statement from Wirtz apologizing for his response to the questions, which he said "crossed the line." (ESPN)
The NCAA generated $1.15 billion in revenue in 2021, reflecting a return to normal business after the cancellation of the NCAA men's basketball tournament in 2020 amid the onset of the pandemic cost the association and its member schools $800 million. The association distributed $613 million to its members in 2021, up from $246 million in 2020. (The Associated Press)
The Washington Football Team announced that the franchise will be known as the Washington Commanders going forward, marking the culmination of an 18-month rebranding process following the decision to retire the team's long-standing Redskins moniker in 2020. (The Washington Post) Meanwhile, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform will launch its fact-finding process today in its investigation of the Washington organization, which the NFL previously concluded was a toxic workplace, by holding a roundtable involving six former team employees. (The Washington Post)
BEIJING OLYMPICS
Thomas Bach says he will meet Peng Shuai at the Games Andrew Keh, The New York Times
The president of the IOC said Thursday that he would meet at the Winter Olympics with Peng Shuai, the tennis player from China who largely disappeared from public life in November. The status of Peng remains so sensitive in China that the interpreter handling the Chinese translation of the news conference did not mention her name.
Coke Goes Big on Olympics Sponsorship in China. At Home, Not So Much. Jennifer Maloney and Rachel Liang, The Wall Street Journal
Coca-Cola Co. KO 1.02% has been an Olympics supporter for nearly a century. Its challenges heading into the Winter Games are in some ways representative of those of other Western sponsors, and in some ways distinct.
MEDIA
Turner Sports staff shocked by Zucker's exit John Ourand, Sports Business Journal
Jeff Zucker resigned as Chair of WarnerMedia's news and sports division after failing to properly disclose his relationship with fellow executive Allison Gollust. Zucker took over the reins of Turner Sports nearly three years ago, following the exit of then Turner President David Levy.
TV Networks Already Pursuing Tom Brady Michael McCarthy, Front Office Sports
With Brady officially announcing his retirement on Tuesday, that possibility of him doing TV for the 2022 season appears to be growing. The seven-time Super Bowl champion could land the richest pact in sports broadcasting history.
TNT going all-in with Charles Barkley at NBA All-Star Game Andrew Marchand, New York Post
In the post-Marv Albert NBA era, Turner Sports is turning to Charles Barkley as its headliner for its All-Star Game coverage, The Post has learned. Barkley will join Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller as TNT's team for the play-by-play of the game, according to sources.
The Times hits its goal of 10 million subscriptions with the addition of The Athletic. Marc Tracy, The New York Times
The New York Times Company reached its goal of 10 million subscriptions ahead of schedule, the company said Wednesday, aided substantially by the 1.2 million it gained by buying the sports news website The Athletic. The $550 million deal for The Athletic was completed on Tuesday.
Spike Lee to Direct Colin Kaepernick Multi-Part Documentary for ESPN Ellise Shafer, Variety
Spike Lee is set to direct a multi-part documentary on athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick for ESPN Films, Variety has confirmed. Production has started on the documentary, which was first announced in July 2020 as part of Kaepernick's first-look deal with Walt Disney.
NFL audit: Washington team has cleaned up its act Dan Primack, Axios
The National Football League believes its Washington franchise, now called the Commanders, has solved many of its toxic workplace problems, according to a third-party audit obtained by Axios. The House Oversight Committee will hold a fact-finding hearing today on sexual harassment, intimidation and other misconduct that came to light last year.
Stephen Ross promises to cooperate with league, defend 'integrity' of Miami Dolphins, himself ESPN
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross responded late Wednesday night to allegations made by Brian Flores in a lawsuit a day earlier, calling them "false, malicious and defamatory." Flores alleges that Ross offered him $100,000 per loss during the 2019 season in an attempt to "tank" to strengthen the value of the Dolphins' draft pick.
Hue Jackson accuses Cleveland Browns of incentivizing losing during 2016, '17 football seasons Jake Trotter, ESPN
Former Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson said Wednesday that the team had a "four-year plan" that incentivized losing during the first two years. Jackson said he told Browns owner Jimmy Haslam that he wasn't interested in bonus money and instead wanted that money used to improve the team.
NFL says no to Super Bowl viewing party at Paul Brown Stadium Chris Wetterich, Cincinnati Business Courier
The NFL has said "no" to a request by Hamilton County to hold a Super Bowl watch party at Paul Brown Stadium. The county needed the NFL's permission to broadcast the game on the stadium's video equipment.
