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Orioles' Peter Angelos leaves legacy in Baltimore...NCAA TV numbers trending up after first round...A's give fans shorter pregame time in parking lot

Orioles' Peter Angelos leaves legacy in Baltimore

Angelos had been in declining health for about six years, and his death came as his family prepared to sell the teamGetty Images

Longtime Orioles owner Peter Angelos died Saturday at 94. He “passed away quietly,” though the Greater Baltimore Medical Center “declined to provide the cause of death.” Angelos had been in "declining health for about six years." His death came as his family “prepared to sell the team” to Carlyle Group co-founder and Baltimore native David Rubenstein, a purchase that is “awaiting final approval by MLB owners.” Angelos "rose from blue-collar roots to amass great wealth as a lawyer," particularly from "suing companies that had exposed workers to asbestos.” He won more than $1B in "damages from asbestos companies during the 1990s and built a veritable empire on the commissions." He used his fortune to buy the Orioles for a then-record $173M in 1993. A "demoralizing string of Orioles’ losing seasons and Angelos’ propensity for micromanaging" the club prompted some fans to “turn on him over the years.” But in political and civic circles, Angelos “ultimately will be remembered for all he brought to the city.” The Orioles in a statement said that his burial “will be private” (BALTIMORE SUN, 3/23). Angelos was the subject of an SBJ cover story in 2013.

Rubenstein spokesperson Chris Ullman said that Angelos’ death will "not affect current plans in place for the sale” valuing the team at $1.725B. The Rubenstein group will “initially assume a nearly” 40% ownership stake in the Orioles. The money to acquire that stake “will come from Rubenstein and other members of the group.” That group has an "agreement to purchase the Angelos family’s remaining equity now that Peter Angelos has passed away." Ullman said that his death does "not change those terms” (BALTIMORE SUN, 3/23).

NCAA TV numbers trending up after first round

By Austin Karp

Oakland’s upset of Kentucky on Thursday night led opening day games with 6.21 million viewers on CBSGetty Images

Early TV viewership numbers (sans streaming) are up for the NCAA Men’s Tournament across CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV. Through the first-round games on Friday, the four networks saw their second-best figure yet (four-network, combined TV-only average of 8.3 million includes the First Four). That’s behind only 2021, which was a COVID-impact tourney that saw the First Four air on a Thursday night with first-round games on Friday and Saturday. Oakland’s upset of Kentucky on Thursday night led opening day games with 6.21 million viewers on CBS. That is the best audience for a game on the opening day of Round 1 since CBS and Turner first began airing each individual game back in 2011. It’s also the best Round 1 game overall since Duke-North Dakota State in 2019 drew 6.22 million on a Friday night on CBS (Zion Williamson effect). That Oakland-UK number helped CBS, TNT, truTV and TBS to the best opening day figure since 2015. That came after the First Four on truTV on Tuesday/Wednesday night was up 14% from last year.

On the women’s side, ESPN2 and ESPNU averaged 185,000 viewers for the First Four games on Wednesday and Thursday night, up 23% from last year. Arizona-Auburn led the way on Thursday on ESPN2 with 236,000 viewers.

A's give fans shorter pregame time in parking lot

The A’s will open the Oakland Coliseum parking lot “just two hours before Thursday night’s opener” against the Guardians, “rather than four hours early, as was the case last year.” The leaders of two fan groups see this as the A’s “attempt to shorten and limit the parking-lot festivities” planned by the two groups as part of an Opening Night boycott of the game. The A’s “don’t expect a big crowd for the opener.” A team spokesperson said that the two-hour window is “consistent with the schedule for normal non-weekend games.” However, for last year’s opener that was also on a Thursday, the parking lot “opened four hours before the first pitch” as the game drew 26,805 fans (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/22).

NFL meetings start with headset deal on agenda

By Ben Fischer

A headsets sponsorship deal and a proposal to radically alter kickoffs are on the agenda as NFL owners, executives and coaches gather in Orlando today for the annual three-day league meeting.

Also, owners expect to hear from the special committee on ownership policy, which has been developing a plan to allow private equity to invest in teams. While they had been hoping to complete their work in time for this meeting, it’s not yet known whether they will seek a vote, informal guidance on next steps or simply present their work to date.

With team valuations rising rapidly, the league is worried that there aren’t enough wealthy individuals to buy all or parts of teams, and allowing institutional investors could make the market more liquid. Also, with expensive construction projects proliferating around the league and interest rates high, some owners want to raise cash by selling small shares of their team to funds.

NFL sponsorship executives will present a deal for Sony and Verizon to share branding on coaches’ headsets, the most valuable available sponsorship asset the league owns. That kind of deal is rarely brought to a vote without confidence it will pass, but the deal could ruffle feathers of influential owners such as the Cowboys’ Jerry Jones, whose stadium naming rights deal is with AT&T, a Verizon competitor.

The league’s competition committee is scheduled to vote on the kickoff plan, a bid to ban hip-drop tackles -- which the NFLPA opposes -- and seven other rules changes.

Other matters to watch include approval of financing plans for stadium upgrades in Washington and Baltimore, and the Texans’ request to change their designated principal owner from Janice McNair to her son, current team Chair & CEO Cal McNair.

MLB investigating betting allegations around Ohtani

MLB has opened an investigation into the allegations surrounding Dodgers P/DH Shohei Ohtani and his now ex-interpreter Ippei MizuharaGetty Images

MLB has opened an investigation into the allegations surrounding Dodgers P/DH Shohei Ohtani and his now ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. The IRS confirmed that Mizuhara and Mathew Bowyer, the alleged illegal bookmaker who is the subject of a federal investigation, are “under investigation.” At this stage, it is “unclear exactly what MLB’s investigation will entail.” MLB can “request an interview with Ohtani,” but it is “doubtful that his lawyers would let him talk while there is still an open federal investigation.” The league can also “request an interview with Mizuhara but can’t compel him to talk” since he is no longer employed by one of its teams. There is also nothing that “requires federal investigators to cooperate with MLB” and they "might not want to share sensitive information about their investigation with an outside party.” It also "appears unlikely MLB would put Ohtani on a paid administrative leave" since he is “not facing any allegations” (L.A. TIMES, 3/22).

MLB sees drama, scandals before Opening Day

MLB will hold its Opening Day on Thursday amid “swirling scandals, drama and controversy that engulfed the sport" last week. The "greatest player in the game," Dodgers P/DH Shohei Ohtani, is now “ensnared in a gambling scandal thanks to his interpreter.” The “most powerful union in sports, if not the world," is having its "leadership principles and skills suddenly questioned by players and agents.” Baseball’s “greatest drama" is coming in the "last days of spring training, bleeding into Opening Day.” One prominent player agent said, “It’s embarrassing what’s happening right now. This is supposed to be a great time, getting ready for the season, and we’re going through this. It’s ugly” (USA TODAY, 3/24).

Oakland players cash in on Kentucky upset

Oakland G Jack Gohlke and F Trey Townsend “cashed in with NIL deals" the day after the team upset Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. Gohlke, who "became and overnight sensation," signed a deal with TurboTax, with tax day looming, and “even shot a makeshift commercial in the team hotel.” Gohlke and Townsend then "shot a commercial for Oofos," which makes support slippers. In the video, Gohlke said, “We ain't no Cinderella baby, but I've got my magic slippers” (DETROIT NEWS, 3/23). Gohlke also has partnered with Campus Ink, The NIL Store and Barstool Sports to "create his own line of merchandise" (THE OAKLAND POST, 3/22).

Fewer than 24 hours after Oakland’s win over Kentucky, Oakland coach Greg Kampe noted that $8,000 worth of Golden Grizzlies T-shirts from the school’s website were “sold to people whose credit cards had Louisville zip codes.” That “avalanche of out-of-state orders didn’t go unnoticed” as Oakland VP Mike Westfall “thanked Louisville fans for their support” (USA TODAY, 3/22).

No resolution yet on ACC-FSU lawsuit jurisdiction

Attorneys for the ACC and Florida State on Friday in a Mecklenburg County (N.C.) courtroom argued about "jurisdiction over dueling lawsuits from last December and whether documents pertaining to broadcasting rights between the ACC and ESPN should be unsealed.” No resolution was reached, but Judge Louis A. Bledsoe III indicated that he “would take arguments into advisement and have a written ruling on where the case should be held and whether to unseal documents before April 9” -- the date FSU’s lawsuit against the conference is scheduled to be heard in Florida. The ACC "wants the case to be heard in Charlotte" and “doesn’t want the broadcasting contract with ESPN made public.” FSU "wants to move the venue to Florida and prefers the documents to be unsealed for transparency.” Attorneys for ESPN also weighed in Friday, urging the court to “keep the broadcasting rights contract sealed because making them public would be financially detrimental to the sports programming network” (AP, 3/22).

UCF unveils details, timeline of stadium renovation

UCF’s proposed expansion of FBC Mortgage Stadium is "scheduled to begin in December" and is "expected to be completed before the start of the 2026 football season." The Roth Tower renovations involves “expanding approximately 58,000 square feet” and include 1,236 club seats, 34 loge boxes, 34 skybays and 25 luxury suites, with the project estimated to cost $88M. The club seating area will “increase by 40% to approximately 16,000 square feet” as it grows from 900 to 1,236 seats. Luxury suites will increase from 25 to 59 and the school plans to offer a "level of 'sky cribs' that will provide fans with an open-air patio suite with upscale food, beverage, beer and wine.” The expanded premium seating options will help the school generate $2.4M in new revenue annually. UCF selected AECOM as its architect and Barton Malow as the construction manager for the project (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/22).

Court ruling allows White Stadium reno to proceed

Plans to overhaul Boston’s White Stadium through a partnership between the city and a new NWSL team “cleared a legal hurdle” Friday as a judge "denied a local environmental group’s attempt to halt the project." The conservancy group, along with more than 20 residents opposing the redevelopment, had filed its lawsuit last month against the city of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston Unity Soccer Partners, and others involved in the project. In her ruling, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Sarah Ellis wrote that pausing the project at its current stage would “likely kill it,” as the soccer group was the only respondent to the city’s request for proposals to overhaul White Stadium. Ellis wrote this would leave the facility “in a state of deterioration and partial use” and the city “may lose the opportunity to have its own professional women’s soccer team.” According to court records, Boston Unite Soccer Partners intends to spend more than $50M on the stadium renovation, in addition to $50M the city would contribute (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/22).

St. Bonaventure AD resigns amid NIT controversy

St. Bonaventure AD Joe Manhertz resigned Friday night amid the athletic department’s handling of postseason men’s basketball play which “sparked controversy among the SBU fan base” after the school contacted the NIT selection committee to “withdraw from any potential bids before the bracket was released.” Manhertz’s statement Wednesday -- after an ESPN graphic Tuesday night revealed the school as one of 17 teams to “decline” the NIT -- "cited both 'logistics' of a road game and player availability due to injury and the transfer portal as reasons for the decision." But that decision was “not communicated to fans or SBU players, creating confusion” when the ESPN graphic aired on the opening night of the NIT. The school will make a decision on who will serve as the interim AD “early next week" and the search for a permanent AD will begin in April (OLEAN TIMES-HERALD, 3/23).

USMNT eyes third Nations League title, new fans

The USMNT will face Mexico Sunday night in the Concacaf Nations League finalGetty Images

The USMNT tonight will attempt to win a third consecutive Concacaf Nations League trophy, while also trying to "win over more fans.” The majority of the crowd at AT&T Stadium is "expected to support the other finalist, Mexico." The U.S. sees "opportunity to continue attracting new fans in the U.S.-based Latin American community" ahead of the 2026 World Cup and the team is “aiming to engage a younger generation that does not necessarily have unbreakable rooting interests tied to family lineage.” For small-format events, such as the Nations League final four, Concacaf “chooses large venues to accommodate tens of thousands of Mexican fans and maximize ticket revenue.” Thursday’s semifinals doubleheader drew an announced crowd of 40,926, though “only a fraction" was on hand for the kickoff of the U.S.-Jamaica opener. Tonight’s final is “expected to attract greater U.S. fan turnout” -- but also a “larger contingent supporting Mexico” (WASHINGTON POST, 3/23).

NASCAR undecided on plans to return to COTA

NASCAR drivers are interested in returning to Circuit of the Americas, though that is only one part of the discussionGetty Images

NASCAR has “not announced if there will be any more trips to Circuit of the Americas after this weekend’s races,” but multiple drivers have “made clear how they feel about continuing to compete at the track.” Drivers having interest in returning to COTA is “only one part of the discussion,” as the road course is “not in the Speedway Motorsports portfolio, nor is it owned by NASCAR.” Speedway Motorsports has “rented the road course every season since 2021” and this season’s race was “made possible by the option year in the deal.” There are only five road course races this season, yet COTA made the cut. Driver Christopher Bell said, “I’m okay with us getting the road course schedule back down, which we have slowly, but surely been doing, but I think that COTA is a good one to go (to)” (NBCSPORTS.com, 3/22).

Cup Series drivers were “curious how COTA would play after a partial track repave over the winter" and they “generally liked what they saw” in Saturday's practice and qualifying (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3/23).

LSU's Mulkey threatens WaPo over upcoming profile

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey “lashed out at and threatened legal action” against The Washington Post on Saturday, saying the paper has spent two years pursuing a “hit piece” about her. Washington Post reporter Kent Babb -- whom Mulkey did not mention by name -- confirmed that he is “working on a profile of Mulkey, but declined further comment.” Mulkey during a press conference Saturday said, “I’m fed up, and I’m not going to let The Washington Post attack this university, this awesome team of young women I have, or me without a fight. I’ve hired the best defamation law firm in the country, and I will sue The Washington Post if they publish a false story about me. Not many people are in a position to hold these kinds of journalists accountable, but I am, and I’ll do it” (AP, 3/23).

Mulkey is "known to be accommodating to media,” but also is "known for calling out news organizations over what she perceives as overly critical reporting, doing so on a handful of occasions this season" (New Orleans ADVOCATE, 3/23).

Padres honor late owner Peter Seidler

The Padres honored late owner Peter Seidler with a “celebration of life on Saturday at Petco Park.” 3B Manny Machado and several teammates presented members of Seidler's family -- including his wife Sheel and their three young children -- with "custom-made Padres jerseys.” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced that the city “plans to rename a street near Petco Park as Peter Seidler Way.” It is “as much about Seidler’s philanthropy as his efforts to lift the Padres out of irrelevance.” San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas said Seidler "pointed the way and it’s now on all of us to continue his legacy” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/23).

Speed Reads....

TD Garden and Scotiabank Arena are rumored to be the "anchor cities/arenas for next season’s inaugural Four Nations Face-Off," involving players from the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/23).

Incarnate Word will not have to pay the Western Athletic Conference $2M in "exit fees tied to the university's decision to remain in the Southland Conference a week before a planned move to the WAC in July 2022," as the league’s lawsuit was "dismissed Thursday in Texas’ Western District Court" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 3/22).

Quick Hits....

“It’s no secret. No one wants to root for a team that loses. That’s just the standard we are setting for ourselves. We want to win, for ourselves, for the guys in here, and then at the same time for the city, too, to have a team that they’re proud of, really" -- D-backs P Zac Gallen, on the team's success helping to grow the fan base (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/23).

“We built the stadium to maximize its utility, this is what we expected to do" -- Raiders VP/Stadium operations Chris Sotiropulos, on Allegiant Stadium setting a record for the number of fans attending events in the last three months of 2023 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 3/22).

Weekend Hot Reads: Into the Spotlight

The N.Y. TIMES goes with, "What’s It Like to Be Cinderella in March? These Schools Know." When Oakland's 14th-seeded men’s basketball team defeated No. 3 Kentucky on Thursday, delivering the first shocking upset of this year’s NCAA Tournament, it "cast a spotlight on the relatively anonymous university in Rochester, Mich." If history is any indication, the next few days and weeks -- and "perhaps longer -- promise to be a lucrative time for the school." Upset victories by double-digit seeds are "not just a big deal for busted tournament brackets," as they also "raise the profile of the schools that pull off the shockers." Big wins routinely lead to "spikes in applications, enrollment and, as the university community rallies around its team, alumni contributions." Media coverage leads to "attention that is otherwise hard to come by, and the name recognition can be long lasting."

Also:

Social Scoop....

Today's Back Pages....

The Weekend Rap offers today's back page sports covers from some of North America's major metropolitan tabloids:

N.Y. Post  N.Y. Daily News Newsday Boston Herald Chicago Sun-Times Philadelphia Daily News