This is the first time the U.S. Open's Labor Day Weekend crowd has topped the 200,000 markGetty Images

The U.S. Open set a Labor Day Weekend attendance record this year, with 201,787 fans coming to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center over the last three days. It's the first time the U.S. Open's Labor Day Weekend crowd has topped the 200,000 mark, and it comes following a first week of the main draw that set a number of attendance records. The first week of the U.S. Open main draw saw attendance of 502,385, marking the first time Week 1 eclipsed 500,000 fans, while the first six days of the main draw were the six highest-attended days in U.S. Open history (U.S. Open).

U.S. men’s tennis is seeing a resurgence at the U.S. Open, as the presence of Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals means there are three American men in the final eight for the first time since 2005. Shelton said, "It’s a really cool opportunity for American tennis" (AP, 9/4). 

An "overwhelming, New York-style heat wave" is about to ambush Flushing Meadows, "turning this event into a survival contest for anybody who enters the grounds." Wednesday's temperatures will peak in the "higher 90s." During that "brutal session," the forecast is for a "high around 95, with humidity rising close to 80 percent." The U.S. Open "does have an Extreme Heat Policy," though it is "rarely invoked" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/2).

College Football Playoff selection committee member Jennifer Cohen has "stepped down from her role with the group because of obligations in her new job" as USC's AD. Cohen, who was entering her first season with the group, was replaced by Utah AD Mark Harlan. Typically, committee members "serve three-year terms," and "each Power 5 conference has a sitting athletic director on the committee." There are seven sitting ADs on the committee currently. Harlan is "one of three new committee members this fall," along with former Nevada HOF coach Chris Ault and Miami (Ohio) AD David Sayler (ESPN.com, 9/4).

The PGA Tour has made official its deal with CJ Group for the South Korea-based lifestyle company to title sponsor what was formerly the AT&T Byron Nelson. The newly titled event will be called the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and be held at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, next May. An announcement from the tour said it was a long-term deal, with a source saying that means likely a 10-year deal. Sources said the tour had been seeking around $15M annually for the event, which is not a "signature" event and will have a full field. Neither side used an agency in the deal.

CJ slides into the spot as AT&T exited its deal early. It had been sponsor of the event since 2015 and is continuing to sponsor the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which has signature status in 2024 and a higher sponsorship price tag. The tour had been seeking up to $25M annually for the signature event sponsorships. Up until last year, CJ had sponsored the CJ Cup, held in South Carolina. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas, which runs the event, had been adamant that Nelson's name remain part of the name of the tournament. 

CJ's deal means only two tournaments remain without title sponsors on the 2024 PGA Tour schedule. Organizers are still in talks for a partner for the Classic in the Palm Beaches, formerly the Honda Classic. A source said Carrier and SAP were companies that were in talks for that event at one time but fell out of the running. There is another "TBA" event on the 2024 schedule for July 8-14, opposite the Genesis Scottish Open, in the slot held by the former Barbasol Championship. 

The campaign of President Joe Biden "plans to place a new TV ad targeted to battleground states" during the NFL season opener between the Chiefs and the Lions Thursday, according to a source. The new Biden campaign ad, titled "Got to Work," "highlights President Biden's economic achievements amid inflation." The ad will run during the NFL season opener Thursday across local broadcast networks in Michigan, the home state of the Lions, "as well as in battleground states" such as Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada and Iowa, the source said. The campaign "plans to spend at least seven figures promoting that specific 30-second spot." New ads "touting the president's economic achievements" will be rolled out in coming months (AXIOS, 9/5).

The value of the NWSL’s next media rights deal will play a role in determining the final sale price for the Chicago Red Stars, according to new controlling owner Laura Ricketts. The investment group led by the Cubs co-owner finalized its acquisition of the soccer franchise Friday following the approval of the NWSL Board of Governors. The deal values the Red Stars at up to $35.5M, and the new owners will also make an additional investment of $25M directly into the club. Ricketts told SBJ the exact sum paid to the previous ownership group, led by Arnim Whisler, will depend on the club’s short-term business performance in areas like ticket sales and corporate partnerships, as well as the value of the league’s new media rights deal.  

The full $35.5M would be the most ever paid for an existing NWSL franchise, just exceeding the $35M that Michele Kang paid to purchase the Washington Spirit last year, but less than the $53M expansion fee the league fetched for incoming Bay FC in April. Ricketts pointed to an anticipated increase in leaguewide media rights revenue as one of several factors that went into valuing the franchise, along with the league’s improved business performance over the past two years under NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, startup-like growth potential and the limited supply of professional sports franchises.  

The league’s current three-year, $4.5M deal with CBS, which streams most matches on Paramount+, expires at the end of this season. Endeavor EVPs Hillary Mandel and Karen Brodkin are representing the league in negotiations. “We absolutely should, and I think we will, see a significant increase in the value of that agreement,” Ricketts said. 

Denny Hamlin has signed a "multiyear contract extension" with Joe Gibbs Racing as the No. 11 Toyota Camry driver. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hamlin, who debuted for the organization in Oct. 2005, is Joe Gibbs Racing’s "longest-tenured driver." Hamlin also confirmed that 23XI Racing, the two-car team he co-owns, will "continue its alliance with Toyota" (RACER, 9/4).

It appeared that negotiations "were being complicated by 23XI Racing," which currently has a technical alliance with JGR. However, Hamlin confirmed that the relationship between 23XI and JGR "will remain unchanged" (MOTORSPORT, 9/4).

Sauer Brands Inc.’s Duke’s Mayo brand is "extending its sponsorship of season-opening and season-ending college football" games at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium "through at least 2028." An industry expert put the annual price "in the range of" $3.5M, "similar to the current contract." Duke’s Mayo became the title sponsor of the Charlotte Sports Foundation’s annual opening weekend game and the December bowl game in 2020. Extending the agreement now "bolsters the sports foundation’s sales pitch with the conferences" -- the ACC, Big Ten and SEC -- to "pursue better matchups for both Charlotte games" (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/4).

The Lionel Messi show arrived in L.A., as the Inter Miami star led his team to a 3-1 win over LAFC in what was the "most-hyped game in LAFC history." The game at BMO Stadium was "part circus and part cultural phenomenon." The team issued "approximately 350 credentials to media from around the world, about the same number the league handed out for last fall’s epic MLS Cup final." For paying customers in the stadium-record soccer crowd of 22,921 -- a number "buoyed by several hundred standing-room only tickets" -- the get-in price for a seat on the secondary market was "an MLS-record" $894. The stadium was also "chock full of celebrities," from actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Ed Norton and Jason Sudeikis and Dodgers RF Mookie Betts and P Clayton Kershaw to Heisman Trophy winner and USC QB Caleb Williams and British royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (L.A. TIMES, 9/4).

More "A-level celebrities showed up for Lionel Messi last night than for the Oscars" (PUCK, 9/4).

WWE's Payback, which emanated from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh this weekend, became the most-watched and highest-grossing Payback in company history. Viewership of Payback was up 36% versus the previous record set in 2016. With 12,468 in attendance, it marked the largest gate ever for any Payback, up 13% versus the prior record set in 2016. The event also broke the all-time event merchandise record. In partnership with special event retail partner Fanatics, merchandise sales were up 182% versus the previous record set in 2017 (WWE).

AI crowd management solutions purveyor WaitTime is announcing a strategic partnership with TD Synnex this morning that should expand WaitTime’s reach and accelerate the adoption of its AI-powered crowd management solutions. TD Synnex's extensive global network and deep expertise in technology distribution will make new markets accessible to the Detroit-based WaitTime, which helps clients to real-time analyze and manage crowds at sports venues, theme parks, museums and other types of entertainment environments. Its sports team and venue clients include the Broncos, Heat, Dodgers, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.

TD Synnex is a publicly traded multinational tech distributor and solutions aggregator with more than 22,000 employees spread across a hundred countries and a presence in many industries, including sports venues. The American company booked more than $62B in revenue in 2022. 

Under Armour is "bringing John Varvatos on board" as its Chief Design Officer, effective Sept. 11. The designer "has been consulting for the sports brand since the spring" and will now officially come on board to "oversee the design direction across the company’s entire portfolio of apparel, footwear and accessories -- both on field and off -- and oversee its design studios" in Baltimore, N.Y. and Portland. Varvatos, an award-winning designer "known more for his rock ‘n’ roll-inspired menswear than activewear," said that his "first task as a consultant was to design a premium golf collection to supplement what Under Armour already offers for the sport" (WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY, 9/5).

Sports Business Journal is now accepting nominations for the inaugural year of SBJ’s Best Places to Work in Sports, honoring companies for their leadership and unwavering commitment to their employees.

Former NFLer Kyle Rudolph will "co-host a show" on Fox Sports radio on Sunday nights from 8-11pm ET beginning in Week 1 of the NFL season. This is "in addition to" his Big Ten analyst duties for Peacock each Saturday (NBCSPORTS.com, 9/4).

Yeti has become an official sponsor of Notre Dame Athletics and its 26 varsity athletic teams. The multiyear deal will see the Yeti and Notre Dame collaborate on co-branded drinkware and merchandise. Notre Dame Global Partnerships, a joint venture between Legends and JMI Sports, facilitated the partnership (Notre Dame).

Nike is unveiling a new ad spot, "Sabrina’s Laws of the Game," which is tied to the release of Liberty PG Sabrina Ionescu's signature Nike shoe. The spot is from Wieden+Kennedy Portland (AD AGE, 9/1).

“You either get busy or you get left behind” -- ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, on his league adding Cal, Stanford and SMU in the latest wave of conference expansion (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 9/1). 

“It felt like being the last person picked on a kickball team. It’s been depressing to feel so unwanted. At least we’re somewhere” -- Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer, on the school landing in the ACC after the demise of the Pac-12 (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/1). 

WEDNESDAY

• The Dallas Card Show will be held at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center and will feature former NFLers Tony Dorsett, Rocket Ismail, Bob Lilly and Johnny Manziel, former MLBer Jose Canseco and more (4 days).
• Surf Expo will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando (3 days).

THURSDAY

• NFL Kickoff Game -- Lions and Chiefs at 8:20pm ET.

FRIDAY

• The IOC will hold an Executive Board Meeting at Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.

SATURDAY

• The International Federations will host a seminar on fan engagement and personalization at Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Have an event we should feature? Send an email to malongi@sportsbusinessjournal.com.

The WASHINGTON POST looks at Commanders owner Josh Harris's "short to-do list." There is "no aspect of Washington’s upcoming NFL season more important than the it’s-still-jaw-dropping reality that Daniel Snyder is no longer the owner and Harris is." For Harris in Year 1, he needs to "be willing to listen, learn -- and articulate specifics." He also needs to "get a stadium deal done." He also should "invest in the fan experience" and "hire someone to oversee all football decisions."

Also:

• Looking at the "10 days that shook the Chicago White Sox."
• Horse deaths at Saratoga "renew old worries and prompt reforms."

Don’t know if y’all heard all the news going on in the Charter Markets with Spectrum, but folks are once again coming after the World Wide Leader.
Fans currently don’t have access to live games on ESPN Networks — or any content from Disney-Branded Channels Freeform, FX and Nat…

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 5, 2023

👀 pic.twitter.com/LiMThvuKfE

— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 4, 2023

Shoutout to the airlines, & @accnetwork for making this opening weekend coverage such a priority with five straight days of ACC football 👏 https://t.co/8RzPizeirk

— Kelsey Riggs (@kelseyriggs) September 5, 2023

The latest sign that the Grand Slam tournament's appeal remains robust despite all the competition for entertainment

On the records: As long as the fans leave happy and don't spend their days and nights in line, all good pic.twitter.com/uRiWcrCIVc

— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) September 5, 2023

A microphone on the right rear of @TylerReddick's car meant you could hear every brush with the wall or another car.

SOUND UP! pic.twitter.com/tyJ6O0USc3

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 4, 2023

Clemson L
SC L
N Greenville L
Wofford L
The Citadel L
Coastal Carolina L
SC State Lx2
Presbyterian L
Erskine L
The last time the state of South Carolina had a weekend this bad was because of Sherman.

— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) September 5, 2023

"The January 12, 1864 Washington Evening Star reported on a performance of this 'dashing comedy' to 'a full and delighted house.'"

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Sports.”
$200: “It was said, '2/3 of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Garry Maddox', specialist at this MLB position.”
$400: “In 2018 this NHL team was on a roll, making it to the Stanley Cup finals in its very first season.”
$600: “In 2017 this Irish UFC champ tried boxing & got TKO'd by Floyd Mayweather.”
$800: “In 2020, Iga Swiatek won the French Open, the first Grand Slam singles title for a player from this country.”
$1,000: “This superstar forward, for both the Minneapolis & L.A. Lakers, was GM of the L.A. Clippers for 22 years.”

 "What is ‘Our American Cousin’?"

The correct responses to the “Sports” category were:
$200: “What is center field?”
$400: “What are the Vegas Golden Knights?”
$600: “Who is Conor McGregor?”
$800: “What is Poland?”
$1,000: “Who is Elgin Baylor?”