The Celtics' majority ownership group -- led by Wyc Grousbeck -- is "planning to make the franchise available for sale," according to sources. The move is a "massive development for one of sports' most valuable properties" (X, 7/1). The team in a statement said that that the managing board of the ownership group expects to sell a majority interest in the team either later this year or early next year, and that it expects Grousbeck to remain as the Governor of the team until the second closing in 2028 (Celtics). The franchise, which Forbes valued at $4.7B in 2023, was purchased by an investment group led by Grousbeck in 2002 for $360M. The Celtics have won two championships and reached the NBA Finals four times under the current ownership (YAHOO SPORTS, 7/1).

Former Bain Capital co-Chair Steve Pagliuca and Abbey Group co-founder Robert Epstein are also prominent members of the group. A source said that some members of the ownership group "could seek to ultimately retain their stakes, or even add to them." Grousbeck repeatedly has dismissed potentially selling the team, including as recently as last month. However, it is "unlikely that the value of the franchise has ever been higher" following the team winning it's 18th NBA title two weeks ago (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/1). WBZ-FM’s Tony Massarotti said the Celtics are “at the absolute height of their value” and any potential owner is “going to need resources” given the team’s recent success and current roster of contracts ("Felger & Mazz," WBZ-FM, 7/1).

Commanders Chief Communications Officer Jean Medina left the team in June and her vacant position will not be filled, a team exec confirmed. Medina joined the team under the ownership of Daniel Snyder in 2022, and initially survived the transition to the Josh Harris era when his group acquired the team in July 2023. The club is now interviewing candidates for a more junior public relations role, a new VP/Corporate Communications position. That person, along with newly promoted VP/Football communications Sean DeBarbieri, will run Commanders PR with support from Dave Sholler, CCO at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Sholler said.

The Mountain West is adding a new television partner.

The league and TNT Sports signed a multiyear agreement today that will see 14 Mountain West games broadcast on truTV and Max this year. The first game in the package will be the Aug. 29 contest between San José State and Sacramento State. Financial details of the deal were not immediately available.

The Mountain West has its share of opportunity in a West Coast media market that has lost a major player in the Pac-12 as it previously existed. The remaining Pac-12 schools -- Washington State and Oregon State -- are slated to play six games against Mountain West opponents this fall (three at home, three away) as part of a one-year scheduling agreement.

Whether Washington State and Oregon State will continue to play Mountain West schools moving forward remains to be seen. Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez has preached flexibility in the scheduling agreement, while there's been belief throughout the industry the league would be a logical permanent landing spot for the remaining Pac-12 programs.

The Mountain West’s current media deal is also the next prominent college conference likely to hit the market. The league’s latest deal with CBS/Fox worth around $45M was a nearly 300% increase on its previous deal that expired in 2020. The current deal expires after the 2025-26 season.

SMU officially made its move from the AAC to the ACC today, a move that Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said is a "'pivotal moment' that will elevate the university and college athletics in Dallas." SMU is "hosting a community celebration" at Happiest Hour in Dallas from 4:30-6:30pm CT today. The Dallas skyline will also "light up in SMU colors tonight" (AXIOS, 7/1).

The ACC also "officially welcomed" Cal and Stanford as full members with full voting participation today. SMU's first official day in the ACC was today, while Cal and Stanford "will become official members Aug. 2." The ACC’s expansion is the seventh in the league’s history and "gives the league the most members that it has had in the conference's history" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 7/1).

In Dallas, R. Gerald Turner writes that SMU joining the ACC is "one of the great institutional success stories in the history of college athletics," adding that the "last 37 years have been a truly remarkable journey for SMU." Turner: "The intervening years have been a long and difficult chapter, but SMU is very proud of how its story has evolved." Turner notes that joining the ACC "represents much more than sports," and the move "will continue to elevate SMU’s visibility and prestige on both a national and international basis" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/29).

Hendrick Motorsports has ended its relationship with restaurant chain Hooters because "the company was not fulfilling its obligations." Hooters had been a sponsor of driver Chase Elliott since 2017 and was set to be a "three-race primary sponsor" for Elliott this season. One race was still remaining on that deal, Richmond in August. It was rumored earlier this season that there would be "a change in the relationship" with Hooters with the company "struggling." As of last week, "44 locations have closed." In Nashville this past weekend, the Hooters logo "was absent from Elliott's car" and Hooters was "no longer listed on the partner page on the Hendrick Motorsports website" (RACER, 7/1).

The NHL and NHLPA have had "very preliminary discussions" on adjusting the league calendar, including potentially "starting the regular season earlier." Ideas that have been discussed for future seasons include "moving the start of the regular season up to very early October, awarding the Stanley Cup earlier in June, cutting the preseason to four games per team, and an 84-game regular season." The 2023-24 regular season began Oct. 10 and ended on June 24. Any potential changes wouldn't take effect "until the next collective bargaining agreements two years from now" (TSN.ca, 7/1).

The Panthers will begin their Stanley Cup defense at home against the Bruins on Oct. 8, the first night of the 2024-25 NHL season in North America. Two other games will also take place that night: The Utah Hockey Club will play their first-ever game against the Blackhawks at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, and the Kraken will host the Blues at Climate Pledge Arena." The season will officially start with "two games at O2 Arena in Prague" between the Devils and Sabres on Oct. 4 and 5. The "full 1,312-game regular-season schedule will be released on Tuesday" (NHL.com, 7/1).

Rapper Flavor Flav has signed a five-year deal to become the official “hype man” for the U.S. men’s and women’s water polo teams. He also is making a $1,000 contribution to each member of the women’s Olympic team “to use as needed” in their training. Flavor Flav’s interest in the team originated in May, when he responded to a social media post from Olympian Maggie Steffens calling for financial backing. Steffens said, “When Flav responded, it was definitely not who I expected.” However, she added he has “opened up a lot of doors” for the national teams.

Flavor Flav said, “I didn’t know anything too much about water polo. The only time I ever saw water polo was on TV, watching the Olympics. When my manager showed me this story ... my heart went out to these hard-working women.” CBS’ Gayle King said, “He’s certainly brought a lot of attention. I bet people who hadn’t been watching water polo will now watch it” (“CBS Mornings,” 7/1).

Wimbledon has "received a major boost in its fight with local residents" over a plan to expand the tournament's footprint, with a poll revealing that "over half of Londoners" are in favor of the proposal. The results of YouGov’s latest survey reveal that 59% of those polled "supported attempts to treble the size of the Wimbledon site," while 8% "opposed the project." The poll results are "potentially significant" as, after being rejected by neighboring Wandsworth Council last year, Wimbledon’s plans "are due to be considered by the Greater London Assembly next month." Following months of consultation the Deputy Mayor of London Jules Pipe will chair the hearing. The outcome "will be one of the most significant days in Wimbledon’s 147-year history." The plans "have sparked a fierce backlash from well-heeled locals," while at the same time receiving "the overwhelming backing of the players" (London TELEGRAPH, 7/1).

Premier League club Manchester United has "confirmed the appointment" of Dan Ashworth as the club's inaugural Sporting Dir after "several months of speculation." ManU has "reached an agreement with Newcastle United over a compensation package" to secure Ashworth's services. ManU co-owner Jim Ratcliffe was "hell-bent on adding Ashworth to the club's new-look hierarchy." Ashworth joins new CEO Omar Berrada and new Technical Dir Jason Wilcox as new hires in the exec structure of the club. Newcastle "initially demanded a compensation package worth" $25.2M for Ashworth, but Ratcliffe "hit out at the Magpies' demands, describing them as 'silly.'" But a deal has now been struck, with the amount paid by ManU "unknown." Ashworth will now lead the football department and will report to Berrada (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 7/1).

Panini America has unveiled the Caitlin Clark Collection, a trading card set that highlights the career of the Indiana Fever G. The first female athlete to exclusively partner with Panini for trading cards and autographed memorabilia, Clark helped develop a special 15 card set within the series that celebrates key moments in her career to this point (Panini). 

The National Sports Media Association’s 64th NSMA Awards Banquet is set for tonight at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro at 7:30pm ET. All three living NSMA HOF inductees are attending -- Joe Buck, Andrea Kremer and Jayson Stark -- as well as national award winners Kevin Harlan and Jeff Passan, and at least two dozen state award winners (NSMA).

Former MLBer Andrew Miller was hired by the MLBPA today as special assistant for strategic initiatives. Miller "served on the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee during negotiations to restart the sport during the 2020 pandemic and during labor bargaining in 2021-22" (AP, 7/1).

Shriners Children’s officials announced today that the 100th edition of the East-West Shrine Bowl will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game will kickoff Jan. 30 at 8pm ET and be nationally televised in primetime on NFL Network (Shriners Children’s).

ZICO Coconut Water has signed tennis player Naomi Osaka as a new brand ambassador and investor (ZICO).

Rock legend Alice Cooper and six-time PGA Tour winner Rocco Mediate are teaming up to host a new golf show airing exclusively on SiriusXM. “Rolling the Rock with Alice Cooper and Rocco Mediate” will debut tomorrow at 6pm ET and air monthly on the SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio channel (SiriusXM).

Former NFLer Rob Gronkowski has joined as an investor in the Casa Azul tequila brand (Casa Azul).

ESPN has hired former Athletic Senior NFL Writer Kalyn Kahler as a senior NFL reporter, where she will cover the league nationally (ESPN).

Oakley today rolled out Inner Spark, an eyewear collection and series of short film clips narrated by French national soccer team player Kylian Mbappé. The short films also feature Oakley athletes like U.S. runner Fred Kerley, Spanish women’s soccer player Alexia Putellas, PGA Tour golfer Dylan Frittelli and WNBA Chicago Sky G Diamond DeShields (Oakley).

Air France-KLM today warned that the Paris Games "would lead to a drop in revenues of up to €180 million [US$193M]," due to a "decline in travel to Paris over the summer." The Centre for Law and Economy of Sports said that "some 15 million visitors are predicted to attend the Games," including "two million from abroad." But concerns are that the Paris Games "may keep other travelers from visiting" (LE MONDE, 7/1).

The Paris Games have been boosted by a "major improvement in the water quality" of the River Seine that "would be sufficient to safely hold both the triathlon and the open-water swimming." Readings over the past 72 hours have "finally produced markers of pollution that would be acceptable for competition" (London TELEGRAPH, 7/1).

More: 

• Taliban are using Afghanistan's cricket success to their advantage -- while women's team are in exile
• Carlos Alcaraz, the new king of tennis (who still lives with his mum).
• Blockbuster £300m Man City stadium expansion will silence boring critics despite fan concerns.

𝘚𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴#GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/TE01xciRYB

— TCU Athletics (@TCU_Athletics) July 1, 2024

Some owners have become very wary of what local TV deals could look like in the years ahead. RSN’s are embattled and while the new national deal will be big, future local deals may not. Cuban, Grousbeck may see now as the time to get out while the gettin’ is good.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) July 1, 2024

John Henry wants in on the NBA, Celtics fans. Just sayin'...

— John Tomase (@jtomase) July 1, 2024

Wyc Grousbeck was on The Truth Lounge last month.

I’m shocked to find out today that the Celtics are going to be out for sale. pic.twitter.com/GYormr3lXO

— GreenRunsDeep (@CelticsGRD) July 1, 2024

Boston Fans: “SELL THE TEAM”

Also Boston fans: “NO! NOT THAT ONE”

— Justin (@JustinMLB) July 1, 2024

FSG tried to buy the Bruins from the Jacobs family before they ended up buying the Penguins. They’re partners with Wyc in their PGA investment. FSG is always buying, and they’ve yet to pounce on an NBA team.

Pains me, but I wouldn’t rule out a John Henry / FSG Celtics ownership. pic.twitter.com/f7u9NPwvCR

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) July 1, 2024

Can you imagine if the Jets, Knicks, Liberty, Yankees, Rangers, NYCFC, Gotham FC, and all the other NYC pro sports teams operated under ONE salary cap?

That scenario is essentially coming to college athletics, and not enough people are discussing the challenges it presents.

— Josh Delander (@Josh_Delander) July 1, 2024

Always amused at the reaction to Bobby Bonilla’s deferred payments. I don’t know about his interest rates, but know this:
Every team, in every sport, would rather defer than pay in present.
Money now better than money later.
I fought with agents all the time in trying to defer.

— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) July 1, 2024

Delaware will remain one of the few regulated sports betting monopoly states after lawmakers did not take up a bill to expand the market before the legislative session concluded this weekend; BetRivers, the lone legal option (not surprisingly), opposed the legislation

— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) July 1, 2024

Michelob Ultra, the Exclusive Beer Sponsor of Team USA, has unveiled new packaging and a brand-new ad campaign as it prepares for the Paris Games.

 

$1,193,248.20 -- July 1 marks "Bobby Bonilla Day," the day each year when the Mets pay former 3B Bobby Bonilla a portion of his deferred salary after buying out his $5.9M contract back in 2000. With the negotiated 8% interest rate, the Mets agreed to pay roughly $1.2M to Bonilla every July 1 from 2011 until 2035 (ESPN.com, 7/1).