A memo NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent to NFL clubs yesterday laid out an expansive reminder of the league’s prohibition of gambling -- not only sports betting, but in many cases also casino play -- by all non-player personnel, including “owners, executives, coaches, football and media personnel and office staff.”

That policy prohibits all team personnel from entering a sportsbook for any reason while in Las Vegas, including to eat or drink, other than as a means to get to a “permissible, adjacent area.” 

The policy, which is separate from one that applies to players, does allow for casino play by those from the 30 non-participating teams, so long as it is during “off-hours”, not during hospitality events that include sponsors or prospective sponsors. They can host clients or attend sponsor events at a casino, but can’t gamble. Those from the two teams can gamble in casinos once the game is over, but not before that.

League employees are barred from any gambling “of any kind at any time,” including any personal time they may spend in Vegas in the days following the game.

The memo also included a reminder not to bet on any aspect of the Super Bowl, including “off-field” events such as the coin toss, or to share “inside information” regarding the game or off-field events.

MLB developed its app for Apple Vision Pro internallymlb

MLB today is debuting an app designed for Apple Vision Pro, a new mixed-reality headset from the tech giant that blends digital content with the physical world, to coincide with the product’s launch. The new MLB app was created specifically for VisionOS, the operating system for the headset, which goes on sale today and retails for $3,500. The app was developed internally by the league. Apple has coined the term “spatial computing” to describe the experience; unlike traditional VR, which shields the user from reality, Apple’s new product provides an immersive platform that overlays its features on top of the user’s actual environment.

“It’s a new frontier,” said Jamie Leece, MLB SVP/Gaming and VR who oversaw the app’s development. “It gives an opportunity for a deeper, richer experience for fans.”

While watching a game in the MLB app on Apple Vision Pro, users can enter an immersive viewing environment with a variety of three-dimensional, enhanced data visualizations, such as a virtual strike zone or top view of the field that are synchronized with game action and complement the traditional broadcast. The app provides users with the ability to customize their viewing experience, which is “the key here,” Leece said. “Let the fans decide how they want to watch it, and give them the tools where they can go deeper, should they want to.”

Leece added that the league did not install any new equipment at ballparks as part of the initiative because of the expansive tech that already exists to, for example, track pitches and movements on the field.

MLB is granting users immediate access to Game One of the 2023 World Series as a means of introducing them to the platform, and has plans of delivering an updated version of the app in time for Opening Day that will include access to live games and on-demand content via an MLB.TV subscription. Apple Vision Pro also enables users the ability to place their viewing experience within a digitally rendered MLB ballpark as if they were watching on a stadium’s videoboard. Additional app details and features developed specifically for VisionOS will be announced at a future date. 

“The addressable market here is modest,” Leece said, “but we're not really doing this looking at short-term return on investment as much as we’re looking to plant a seed and start to tell the story of baseball through this new platform.”

The PGA Tour this week also debuted an Apple Vision Pro app.

Two dozen of the PWHL's top players took part in the 3-on-3 showcase game last nightgetty images

Two dozen of the PWHL's top players took part in a 3-on-3 showcase game at NHL All-Star Weekend last night in Toronto, and their role in the festivities was "a chance for members of the league to celebrate the successful start and get even more exposure on an international stage." NHL Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer said the league "loves the idea of having the best men's and women's players in the same building" at All-Star Weekend. Mayer: "We’ll continue to lean in and work with the women’s players and have them as part of our world. It just makes it a better event" (AP, 2/1).

It was the PWHL’s "prime-time showing on one of hockey’s biggest stages, in one of the world’s most hockey-crazed towns," that the players "cherished." PWHL Toronto's Jocelyne Larocque, Sarah Nurse, Blayre Turnbull and Renata Fast "received the loudest cheers" from the crowd during pre-game introductions. U.S. National Team and PWHL Minnesota captain Kendall Coyne Schofield also "got a rousing reaction" (TORONTO STAR, 2/1).

The NHL All-Star Player Draft returned last night for the first time in nine years, the "fourth time the league used this format to pick its teams" for the All-Star Game. Four teams were selected, and each featured a celebrity rep -- musician Justin Bieber repped the team captained by Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews; actor Will Arnett repped Oilers C Connor McDavid's team; singer/songwriter Tate McRae was paired with Avalanche C Nathan Mackinnon's team; and singer Michael Bublé repped the team captained by Canucks D Quinn Hughes (SPORTSNET.ca, 2/1).

If the NHL "was shooting for some fun along with a little bit of drama," they "looked like they found it" thanks to the All-Star weekend's celebrity captains. Bublé and Arnett "added life" to the event with "some off-the-wall commentary about mushrooms, movies and tattoos." Bieber, on the other hand, "kept a lower profile than the other celebrities." Arnett and Bublé at one point "came to the media podium to answer questions about strategy" and "hammed it up" (TORONTO STAR, 2/1).

A deal between Diamond Sports Group and the Guardians to televise the team's 2024 season "could come as soon as" today, "but nothing is guaranteed." Any agreement between Diamond and the Guardians, Rangers and Twins "would have to be presented to the federal bankruptcy court" in Houston. As of yesterday, a hearing "was not on the court’s docket" for today. The bankruptcy court has been hearing the case since Diamond declared bankruptcy last March. Lawyers representing MLB and the Guardians "continued to negotiate" with Diamond through yesterday. The Guardians, Rangers and Twins "don’t have a lot of options" for a TV deal in the immediate future if they can’t get a deal done with Diamond (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 2/1).

The Ontario government has confirmed it will send Toronto $97M in "conditional funding to host matches as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup." Toronto is currently set to hold "at least five World Cup games" at BMO Field when Canada, Mexico and the U.S. host the next world soccer tournament together. In a letter to the city, the government said the money "can only be used for investments that will 'build lasting public infrastructure'" and "benefit the local community after the matches are hosted." The money would be "limited to examples like community infrastructure, tourism and sports legacy" while "excluding any projects where the private sector was the main benefactor." The letter also "urged the city to limit public investment in the World Cup to the greatest extent possible" and said the government "would not guarantee deficit funding" (GLOBAL NEWS, 2/1).

Just 10 days before Brock Purdy’s first Super Bowl, Toyota is signing the 49ers QB to a national endorsement deal.

There were no immediate plans on how Purdy will be used by the carmaker. He’s the first NFL endorser for Toyota since it signed on as an NFL corporate sponsor in October. Purdy has been a spokesman for the local Toyota dealers association in S.F. since the beginning of the season, on behalf of which he appeared in TV ads and social media.

Range Sports represents Purdy for marketing and did the deals with Toyota.

Sports Business Journal has reached a new event association partnership with Women in Sports Tech (WiST), timed in collaboration with SBJ's upcoming Tech Week event that will take place in N.Y. on March 5-7. As part of the collaboration, WiST members will receive a discount to Tech Week and be presented with opportunities to network, learn and connect within the sports tech industry. In return, SBJ will receive insights from WiST on how to create a more inclusive environment. Through this partnership, WiST aims to further its mission of driving growth opportunities for women and employers. As the sports tech landscape continues to evolve, SBJ and WiST's partnership sets the stage for future initiatives aimed at breaking barriers, creating systemic change and fostering diversity in the sports technology sector (SBJ).

LaLiga club Real Madrid has reached a global technology sponsorship agreement with HP Inc. As part of the multiyear deal, HP will be the first brand to have its logo appear on the Real Madrid uniform sleeve. In addition, HP will become the club’s newest technology partner. The sponsorship spans men’s and women’s teams as well as youth programs (Real Madrid).

"The Senators should have as many options as possible for where they can locate an arena. And to me, there’s got to be a way to do it downtown somewhere" -- Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, on his opinion that there should be multiple downtown sites considered for the new Senators arena (THE ATHLETIC, 2/1).

The WALL STREET JOURNAL looks back at "the year Saudi Arabia upended the world’s most popular sport." Until Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Al Nassr last year, Saudi Arabia "had been a soccer backwater." But one year on, Saudi Arabia is "still serious about spending its way to relevance" as it prepares to host the 2034 World Cup. In the months that followed Ronaldo's signing, clubs from the Saudi Pro League "would promise billions to dozens of stars" who were "prepared to trade the spotlight of Europe for a lavishly funded assignment in the desert." More than "simply building a league that mixed aging superstars with local Saudi players," the Kingdom was "loudly announcing its ambition: Saudi Arabia was putting itself on the soccer map." 

Also:

• With Commanders' coach hiring, Patriots great Bill Belichick's NFL legacy is left in limbo.
• With Vince McMahon down for the count, what’s next for the WWE?
• Steve Garvey touts 'family values' in his Senate bid. Some of his kids tell another story.

Etihad is looking for a Global Head of Sponsorships who is skilled in contract negotiation and sponsorship activation, marketing and program development. The position is based in Abu Dhabi (Etihad).

IMG is looking for a Dir of Strategy for IMG Media. The London-based position requires someone who is skilled in business case preparation, expansion strategies and media rights, among other areas (IMG).

USA Luge is looking for its next CEO to replace Jim Leahy, who is set to retire in June. The company retained Prodigy Search to help fill the position (USA Luge).

Gotham FC is looking for its next Chief Business Officer, retaining SRI Executive to lead its search. The team is replacing former N.Y. Road Runners President & CEO Mary Wittenberg, who spent three months as club president before transitioning to an advisory role in December (Alex Silverman, SBJ).

Hong Kong China Rugby is looking for its next CEO. HKCR's BOD enlisted global executive search firm Odgers Berndtson to help fill the position (Odgers Berndtson).

Bundesliga International GmbH is looking for a Head of Strategic Projects (m/f/d). The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH and is responsible for the global marketing of the commercial rights owned by Bundesliga. The position is based in the company’s Singapore office (DFL). 

British Cycling is looking for a Head of Business Development. The position is based in Manchester, England (British Cycling).

NASCAR is looking for a Dir of On-Air Talent Planning and Development. The position is responsible for executing a talent strategy which includes sourcing, recruiting, development and retaining talent for NASCAR platforms (NASCAR).

MLS is looking for a Principal Data Scientist who is skilled in computer science and data, marketing and quantitative analytics. The position is based in N.Y. (MLS).

To have your job postings included in “Roster Spots" -- a feature in Morning Buzz on Fridays -- please send information to careers@sportsbusinessjournal.com.

This week alone, the Orioles have added:

-A new owner
-An ace-caliber pitcher
-A new beat reporter

Hard to say which move is the most impactful. Only time will tell.

— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) February 2, 2024

This was a given. https://t.co/s1hSd4rlAL

— Golf Unfiltered (@GolfUnfiltered) February 2, 2024

"The first city in Australia with a municipal government, this state capital bears the name of a queen."

"What is Adelaide?"