An investment group led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund completed its purchase of English Premier League club Newcastle United from previous owner Mike Ashley following the resolution of the Middle Eastern country's dispute with Qatar involving the ban and alleged piracy of content from EPL broadcast partner beIN Sports. The sale is expected to make Newcastle one of the richest soccer clubs in the world but has raised objections about the economics and morality of allowing an entity with close ties to a country accused of serious human rights abuses to own a major professional sports team. (The New York Times)
Federal prosecutors filed an indictment accusing 18 former NBA players, including Glen Davis and Sebastian Telfair, of defrauding the league's health care plan out of nearly $4 million by allegedly submitting fake invoices seeking reimbursement for chiropractic, dental and "wellness" services they never actually received. The alleged scheme, which was allegedly led by four-year NBA player Terrence Williams, is similar to one involving former NFL players who were accused in 2019 of defrauding the football league's health care plan, which resulted in the arrests of 10 former players. (The Washington Post)
The Drug Enforcement Agency's investigation into Washington Football Team trainer Ryan Vermillion, which involved raids of the team's facility and the trainer's home last week, is focused on the distribution of prescription drugs, according to a source. As a trainer, rather than a physician or nurse practitioner, Vermillion, whom the team placed on administrative leave, would not be allowed to distribute prescription drugs under federal law. (ESPN)
COLLEGE SPORTS
Texas expands Fanatics deal, brings on Hanes Michael Smith, Sports Business Journal
The Univ. of Texas has extended and expanded its partnership with Fanatics in a 10-year deal that will make the company a primary fan apparel provider, while also growing Fanatics' retail presence on the Austin campus through a new team store in the Moody Center when it opens next year. The Longhorns also announced today a new 10-year licensing contract with HanesBrands that will make the Hanes and Champion brands primary apparel partners as well.
Big 12 joins SEC in letting schools set athlete compensation The Associated Press
The Big 12 Conference announced Thursday it will allow its member schools to decide the amount of education-related benefits athletes can be given in an academic year following a U.S. Supreme Court decision over the summer. The legal maximum amount per year in education benefits for an athlete under the ruling is $5,980. In a statement, the Big 12 Board of Directors set that amount as a benefits ceiling.
WMU loses appeal over athletes and virus vaccine requirement The Associated Press
A federal appeals court on Thursday ruled in favor of athletes at Western Michigan University who sued to be allowed to play sports without getting a COVID-19 vaccination. The court declined to stop a decision by a federal judge who said the WMU vaccine requirement likely violates the athletes' constitutional right to follow their Christian religion.
