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Explosive lawsuit names NFL owners Jones, Pegula...Sources: Mets to name David Stearns President of Baseball Operations...Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro talk TKO on first official day

Explosive lawsuit names NFL owners Jones, Pegula

Bills owner Terry Pegula has "denied making racist comments that were attributed to him"Getty Images

Former NFL Network reporter Jim Trotter "has sued the NFL and the league-owned cable channel for racial discrimination, claiming that his contract was not renewed this year because he repeatedly spoke out about pro football’s lack of diversity at the league office, among its coaches and within its media arm." Trotter in his complaint said that he "was let go in retaliation for, among other things, publicly challenging Commissioner Roger Goodell on the league’s commitment to diversity." Trotter said that he had "previously raised concerns about discrimination in the NFL before taking Goodell to task on national TV in February 2023." Included among his claims were what he "believed were racist comments" made to him by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The lawsuit also said that NFL Network officials "didn’t address concerns raised during a staff meeting about reports of another team owner’s racist remarks, though Trotter pressed for a discussion."

In August 2020, the lawsuit claims, Trotter "asked Jones about why there weren’t more Black professionals in decision-making positions at NFL teams." The suit claims Jones responded, “If Blacks feel some kind of way, they should buy their own team and hire who they want to hire" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/12).

Meanwhile, Bills owner Terry Pegula has "denied making racist comments that were attributed to him." Pegula is "mentioned multiple times in the lawsuit." One example "alleges that Pegula said, in reference to player protests against racial injustice, 'if the Black players don’t like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is.'” Pegula called the allegation "absolutely false" (WIVB.com, 9/12).

Sources: Mets to name Stearns Baseball Ops Prez

The Mets plan on "hiring David Stearns as their new president of baseball operations," according to sources. Stearns has "long been rumored to take over the Mets" job since stepping down as Brewers president of baseball operations following the 2022 season. Sources said that he will "officially begin" with the Mets "in early October, after the regular season ends." Stearns, the "architect of multiple division titles" with the Brewers, takes over a Mets job with "seemingly unlimited resources." The Brewers previously "denied permission" for Stearns to speak with the Mets after the 2021 season. Mets GM Billy Eppler "will remain" in his role and "serve as the No. 2 to Stearns" (ESPN.com, 9/12).

Emanuel, Shapiro talk TKO on first official day

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel and President & COO Mark Shapiro today discussed the official merging of WWE and UFC into TKO Group Holdings. Emanuel said there is “nothing more important than sports content and live events,” and the merger will help with “savings as it relates on the production side.” Emanuel noted the “global reach of both is incredible and you can’t underestimate the value of TV rights domestically and internationally and also sponsorship.” Shapiro said free cash flow conversion at TKO will be “around 61%,” and both WWE and UFC will “be a juggernaut in that respect.” In reference to Saudi Arabia getting more involved in the MMA space with its SRJ Sports Investments acquiring a minority stake in PFL, Emanuel said, “We’re ok with competition. We feel good about our position” (“Squawk on the Street,” CNBC, 9/12).

Dana White, Ari Emanuel, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Nick Khan and Mark Shapiro in N.Y.WWE

T'Wolves, Lynx expand deal with KAGR

The T'Wolves and Lynx extended and expanded their partnership with Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR). The T'Wolves and KAGR will concentrate on enhancing database and performance marketing strategies, reaching untapped demographics through persona development, audience segmentation, and deployment of sophisticated measurement tools to ensure optimal customer-product-channel alignment across owned and paid channels. KAGR will dive deep into changing fan trends for the Lynx, and KAGR CEO Jessica Gelman will advise on the business front. Both teams first signed a multiyear deal with KAGR in 2022 (T'Wolves).

Sources: Maui Invitational to play in Honolulu

Maui Invitational organizers are "finalizing plans to move the men’s college basketball tournament to Honolulu" due to the "wildfires that devastated Maui last month, according to sources. If the deal is "finalized as expected, an official announcement could be made by the end of the week." Ongoing talks have centered on "playing games from Nov. 20–22 at the University of Hawaii’s SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center." Remaining logistics surround the "availability of hotels." Sources said that several U.S. locations "offered to host this year’s tournament, including Las Vegas," but organizers are "determined to hold this year’s event in Hawaii" (THE MESSENGER, 9/12).

ROS, National CineMedia ink content deal

By Erik Bacharach

Religion of Sports and cinema advertising platform National CineMedia announced a new content partnership today that will include short ROS-produced ads appearing in movie theaters across the country. Each of ROS’s sixty-second episodes will feature human-interest sports stories. The six-part content series launched this month and will run as part of NCM’s “The Noovie Show,” which airs in more than 19,000 theaters nationwide before movie trailers.

Speed Reads....

The Hornets and Dole Food Company signed a multiyear partnership, with Dole receiving the right to use team marks and logos, the opportunity to serve as presenting partner for one home game each season, a scoreboard feature video during select games and additional assets (Hornets).

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin will be "among the Guest Sharks joining ABC’s 'Shark Tank' for the upcoming 15th season" (DEADLINE, 9/12).

Diamond Baseball Holdings has acquired the Double-A Southern League Birmingham Barons. GM & President Jonathan Nelson and the current front office staff "will remain in management of the team," while outgoing owners Jeff and Stan Logan "will remain involved with the club in an advisory capacity" (BALLPARK DIGEST, 9/11).

Kaulig Racing and Food City are teaming up once again to bring the Mountain Dew brand to the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, sponsoring Justin Haley and the Kaulig Racing No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the running of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Kaulig Racing).

Quick Hits....

"At the end of the day, it’s business for them and you have got to respect that. But if I can look at my track record, I know for a fact that I’m not somebody that turns down fights if it’s not a good enough reason. I’ve taken fights on short notice multiple times. Every time they phone, I say, ‘Yes, let’s go.’ This time around just wasn’t possible with the injury and short notice" -- UFC fighter Dricus Du Plessis, on criticism from UFC President Dana White at turning down an opportunity to fight Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title after saying he had an injury (FightWave, 9/11).

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Daily Download....

GQ Sports featured Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy on its "My First Million" series.

Check out Sports Business Journal's weekly issue

Don't miss this week's issue of SBJ. In this week's issue, we solicited advice and insight from some of the NFL's most tenured and successful owners as the Commanders' Josh Harris embarks on his first season at the helm of the franchise. Also, an MLS club revenue record is set to fall, thanks to Lionel Messi; a baseball legend embraces his brave new world of podcasts; and behind the scenes of a college football kickoff event.

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Daily Digit....

$102 per share -- What TKO Group, the new company that houses WWE and UFC, opened at in its first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange today (AP, 9/12).