This week has been a whirlwind in the world of sports, with big contract extensions, draft news, and league shakeups.Let’s dive into the headlines:
College Football
- The University of Georgia is locking down their winning team! Coach Kirby Smart received a two-year extension and a hefty raise, solidifying his position at the helm of the Bulldogs’ program. Dawg Nation gave contract extensions to he and athletic director Josh Brooks, announcing both on Thursday afternoon, a message of alignment between the school and its powerful football program. Smart received an extension through Dec. 2033 and a $1.75 million raise. He will $13 million per year, with bonuses up to $1.55 million. Cut… The…. Check…
NFL
- The Dallas Cowboys made a move to bolster their backfield, bringing back veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott. Thought: With Zeke and Dak back to that bro hugging and kissing, will they win!
- Tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs inked a record-breaking deal, becoming the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history. After 11 years strong, he took a moment to celebrate the significance of the massive contract on a recent episode of his podcast “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.” “I’m so excited and I’m so thankful to this organization for getting it done and making me feel appreciated and compensated the right way.”
NBA
- The dust is settling after part of the NBA playoffs, with fans left wondering what’s next for eliminated teams like the Lakers, Suns, and Heat.
- Trade rumors are swirling, with speculation about a potential Kevin Durant reunion with the Golden State Warriors.
- The coaching carousel might be spinning for the Los Angeles Lakers, with reports suggesting Darvin Ham’s job security is uncertain.
- Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia remains confident in his team, despite their playoff exit.
- The upcoming NBA draft is a hot topic, with UConn’s phenom center potentially going number one overall. Big Klingan gwon get that bag!
- Big news from the broadcasting side: Comcast’s NBC Universal is reportedly stepping up to secure the NBA broadcasting rights with a hefty price tag. This move comes after Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT was unable to reach a new deal with the league. Man, this stinks because our favorite NBA Live show could be coming to an end! And Charles Barkley does a smart thing to protect himself in his contract if TNT loses that NBA deal…wow! Negotiating those contracts for work are super important folks!
- The NBA world is buzzing about the potential impact of the FTC’s recent ban on non-compete clauses. This could have a significant impact on player and broadcaster movement in the future.
The Facts:
Comcast’s NBC Universal is planning to pay an average of about $2.5 billion a year to broadcast a package of National Basketball Association (NBA) games, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Warner Bros Discovery’s TNT has paid an average fee of $1.2 billion under its current deal, but was unable to reach a new pact with the NBA before an exclusive negotiating window expired last week, according to the report.
Barkley’s mouth and mind at work:
“I just signed a 10-year deal two years ago, but one of the things I did was I put an opt-out in a couple years because I wanted to cover my ass when it comes to this situation,” Barkley said this Wednesday in an interview with 850 ESPN Cleveland.
The Blogger’s afterthoughts:
Was he a genius or did he do his homework to know that the same clause is used by others in his industry?
- The FTC voted to ban non-compete clauses in the U.S., a common feature of the broadcast industry contracts, especially for talent.
- In 3-to-2 vote April 23, 2024, the commission passed a measure that would ban most non-compete clauses from employment contracts and agreements.
- The rule could go into effect as early as 120 days from its effective date, possibly sometime as early as August 2024, but that may be unlikely considering that at least one lawsuit is already planned against the rule.
- Because of that, it’s important to understand that the future of non-competes is still very much up in the air and it likely would not be wise to start making decisions about future employment based on the rule going into effect — but instead take a wait-and-see approach at this point.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has been a vocal opponent of the rule, has already said it intends to sue the FTC over the issue.
It ain’t over yet good people!
Stay tuned for further developments in these ongoing stories, and keep an eye out for more exciting news from the world of sports! THE PACKED HOUSE will be ready gift you with more gab!