Profit Players June 26

Author

Nate Rodgers
June 26, 2024

Taxpayers Pay

NFL teams often face challenges securing taxpayer funding for stadium projects, but they usually succeed. The Jacksonville city council is expected to approve $775 million in public funds for the Jaguars' $1.4 billion EverBank Stadium renovation, with the team covering the rest and any overruns. Although in the past, securing money has been difficult, many teams have been able to secure a lot of public money for their new stadium or renovation plans.

This follows Charlotte's approval of $650 million for the Panthers' $800 million Bank of America Stadium upgrade, with owner David Tepper contributing $150 million and managing additional costs estimated at $421 million. In Kansas, legislators approved bonds potentially worth $3.5 billion for new stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals if they relocate, after Jackson County, Mo., voters rejected a $2 billion renovation proposal.The Browns are considering a $1 billion renovation or a $2.4 billion new stadium, likely funded equally by private and public sources. The Bears face significant hurdles for their $4.7 billion domed stadium project on Chicago's lakefront, needing $2.4 billion in state approval, which won't be addressed until the Illinois legislature reconvenes in the fall.

The Chosen One

The most talked-about player in the upcoming NBA draft is LeBron James Jr., also known as Bronny James, despite likely not being a top pick. With his father, LeBron James, expressing a desire to play with his son before retiring, teams are considering drafting Bronny in hopes of attracting LeBron. Bronny James is nepotism at its finest. Getting drafted potentially even in the first round, even while underperforming as USC is possible when you are the son of arguably the greatest basketball player of all time.

Bronny's performance at USC was underwhelming, averaging fewer than five points per game, but his potential to impact the NBA remains significant due to his father's influence. The Los Angeles Lakers, holding the 17th and 55th picks, might draft Bronny to keep LeBron, who can opt out of his contract. Other teams might also draft Bronny early to lure LeBron.

Klutch Sports, led by LeBron's friend Rich Paul, has limited Bronny's workouts to specific teams, hinting at a strategic placement. Despite his modest stats, Bronny is known for his defensive skills and ability to make open shots, showcased by his performance at the NBA draft combine. Speculation about LeBron's future continues, especially given the Lakers' recent struggles and the hiring of J.J. Redick, LeBron's podcast co-host, as head coach. The possibility of LeBron joining another team for a championship run remains open, with Bronny's draft availability creating potential opportunities for such a move.

Copa America is struggling

Copa América is struggling with low attendance in U.S. stadiums after its opening weekend. While the Argentina-Canada match nearly filled Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, subsequent games saw significant drops, such as Venezuela-Ecuador in Santa Clara drawing under 30,000 fans in a stadium that holds 68,500.

Here are the attendance figures for the first six matches:

1. Argentina-Canada: 70,564 fans (71,000 capacity)

2. Peru-Chile: 43,030 fans (80,000 capacity)

3. Ecuador-Venezuela: 29,864 fans (68,500 capacity)

4. Mexico-Jamaica: 53,763 fans (72,200 capacity)

5. USA-Bolivia: 47,873 fans (80,000 capacity)

6. Uruguay-Panama: 33,425 fans (65,300 capacity)

This issue isn't new; the 2016 Copa América in the U.S. faced similar problems with high prices but averaged 46,000 fans per game, higher than the 2019 tournament in Brazil (34,651 fans per game). The 2021 tournament had limited attendance due to COVID-19. High ticket prices are a major complaint, with the opening match's get-in price exceeding $500, and other games starting from $55 to $119. These prices are steep for casual fans, especially given the large NFL stadiums used. In contrast, the Euros have seen large crowds, like 65,000 for Germany-Scotland and 68,000 for Spain-Croatia, in smaller venues with shorter travel distances between host cities.

Additionally, players have criticized the temporary grass pitches, calling them "bumpy," "hollow," and "a disaster," with concerns about injuries. Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni, publicly criticized the pitch, “With all due respect — and good thing is we won, because otherwise it would look like I’m giving a cheap excuse — they knew seven months ago that we were going to play here and they changed the surface two days ago. That’s not good for spectacle. It’s not an excuse. The stadium is beautiful and the artificial turf they use is wonderful. But this field was not up to standard for these players.”

Quick Reads

  • Alex Meruelo is giving up on reactivating the Coyotes as an NHL franchise

  • The Florida Panthers took home the Stanley Cup on Monday night, taking down the Edmonton Oilers

  • The University of Tennessee win the College Baseball World Series, beating Texas A&M

  • The USMNT's Copa América win over Bolivia averaged 3.2 million viewers, Fox's most-watched soccer telecast ever outside of the World Cup.

  • Organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are moving swimming to SoFi Stadium, shaking up the traditional schedule of the Games.

Jobs in Sports

Games of the Week

  • USA vs Panama - Thursday @ 6 PM EST

  • Wimbledon Opening Day - Monday

  • Rocket Mortgage Classic - (Thursday-Sunday)

  • Italy vs Switzerland - Saturday @ 12 PM EST

  • UFC 303 - Saturday @ 6 PM EST

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