“The problem with college football is you can’t tell the world, ‘Hey, I’m only going to be here for a little while,’ because you’re asking the kids to sign up for four years. So, one level he played the game that just everybody else plays but he attached a nobility to it when he got started and made it sound like he was doing not really just for him but for something larger, then when the money came he went and took the money” -- ESPN’s Bomani Jones, on the criticism Deion Sanders has received after leaving Jackson State to be named football coach at Colorado (“First Take,” ESPN, 12/8).
“They’re acting like a big market team” -- MLB Network’s Chris Russo, on the Padres signing free agent SS Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280M contract (“High Heat,” MLB Network, 12/8).
“It puts them in a terrible position in terms of dealing with (3B) Rafael Devers before he becomes a free agent. It really puts them on a path to either give him a record-setting deal or to consider trading him next year ... knowing how besieged the Red Sox ownership is, how fans up there are so angry about the departure of Mookie Betts and then Xander Bogaerts” -- ESPN’s Buster Olney, on what the Red Sox will do with Devers contract now that Bogaerts signed with the Padres (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 12/8).
“We’re focused on performance first, quality, consistency, sustainability and we’re sitting down having a conversation about our women’s line, and one thing I’m very good at knowing is what I don’t know ... and who do want to bring on as a partner. I was sitting down having a conversation with my wife and Misty’s name was the first one that came up” -- Derek Jeter, on partnering with ballerina Misty Copeland in his new apparel company Greatness Wins (“Today,” NBC, 12/8).
“When you had players that went to LIV, it was ‘live and let live. You go do what you want to do, good for you, I don’t agree with your decision but I’m going to stay here.’ Where it became very, very personal for most players is the lawsuit that came up in August” -- Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard, on how the PGA Tour and LIV Golf rivalry has fractured long-term friendships of players on both tours (“Golf Today,” Golf Channel, 12/8).
“The report says the NFL put the interest of league owners ahead of employees by failing to protect them or ensure that they could speak up without fear of retaliation. It further accuses the NFL of burying the findings of the league’s internal investigation” -- ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, on the findings of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform findings in their investigation into the NFL and Commanders (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 12/8).
“Who do you think knows more about pay-per-view buys in the UK? Me or Bob Arum? A 93-year-old geezer is off his swede on edibles. The guy is completely on another planet. When I say they’re done, I mean that with all due respect. Bob Arum is 92 years old; he has no ambition" -- Matchroom Sport and Professional Darts Corporation chair Eddie Hearn, reacting to U.S. promoter Bob Arum's criticism over Hearn's prediction of the buy total for Tyson Fury vs. Derek Chisora 3 last Saturday night (BOXINGNEWS24.com, 12/8).
