ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto noted after UFC's $4B sale earlier this month, there is "genuine hope" the sale will "greatly improve financial aspects" for its fighters. New ownership "presumably has a plan for a return" on its investment, and more revenue streams flowing into the company "is a good thing for everyone, fighters included." There is also "hope of a more equal revenue share between ownership and athletes," as the fighters "would like to see more benefits, including retirement packages, health care and less restrictive contracts that allow them to build their own brand." Meanwhile, the possibility of a fighters' union or association "came up repeatedly during discussions about the sale" (ESPN.com, 7/18).
DOIN' TIME: In Pittsburgh, Joe Starkey writes MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred "must set a precedent" with his response to the Cardinals-Astros hacking situation. Former Scouting Dir Chris Correa received a prison sentence for hacking the Astros' scouting database, and his corruption "happened on the Cardinals' watch." Manfred "must create a deterrent by issuing a major penalty." It "should involve the forfeiture of draft picks and limits on the Cardinals' spending for multiple years" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/20).
TONING IT DOWN: The AP notes the EPL "has launched a bid to eradicate bad behavior which it believes is preventing the world’s richest soccer competition from becoming universally popular." All 20 of the league's clubs "will be visited by officials ahead of next month’s season launch with video clips highlighting aggressive confrontations involving players, coaches and referees" (AP, 7/20).
