NBC's new lead NFL play-by-play announcer, Mike Tirico, and analyst Cris Collinsworth have worked together before prior to Thursday night's Bills-Rams NFL regular-season opener, and the “comfort level and smooth broadcast bode well” for their future in the booth, according to Nate Davis of USA TODAY. Tirico “was as crisp as ever,” and Davis counts the broadcast team as a “winner “ from Thursday’s game. Meanwhile, Collinsworth “invoked the term ‘hoosegow,’" a favorite of Al Michaels, "during a fourth-quarter stoppage as a slick tribute to his former partner,” who is now with Amazon Prime Video (USA TODAY, 9/9). In Buffalo, Alan Pergament writes those Bills fans who “love to hate” Collinsworth “probably were just as stunned listening to all the love he dished out" to QB Josh Allen and the rest of the team. Everything Collinsworth said about the Bills “was positive.” One of the only Bills players that Collinsworth “didn’t praise” was P Sam Martin, and that was “only because he never got to punt.” Pergament: "Dare I say that Collinsworth may actually have gained some Bills fans?” As usual, Collinsworth was “strong explaining nuances of the game.” Tirico, had a “typically strong game,” as he has a “great excitement level and added some analysis of his own, explaining that [Bills LB Von Miller’s] addition helped the other members of the Bills defensive line exploit their one-on-one matchups” (BUFFALO NEWS, 9/9).
The Bears are "proceeding like it's a certainty" that they will eventually build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, despite the unknowns that still exist, according to Jason Lieser of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. The overall tone of a presentation during a town hall meeting on Thursday was that the Bears are “pushing with full force to leave Soldier Field.” Bears Chair George McCaskey imagined “securing ‘a world-class home for the Chicago Bears after a more-than-100-year search,’ started by George Halas, his grandfather.” Team President Ted Phillips said during the meeting, “We don’t have a Plan B. ... We will not be discussing any other alternative sites, including renovations of Soldier Field.” He went on to “get cheers from the crowd when he said the stadium will be ‘enclosed.’” Phillips later specified that the roof “probably will be fixed, not retractable -- and become a destination for major events such as the Super Bowl and concerts.” He added that there will be “significant increases in capacity and parking over Soldier Field’s 61,500 seats and limited spaces.” Phillips said that the Bears will “honor their lease,” which runs through 2033. Lieser notes this “does not, however, preclude them from buying out the agreement and leaving early.” The process will “still take awhile, as the organization is working toward closing on the property purchase by early 2023” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/9).
PARKS, PONDS AND HOTELS, OH MY: The AP’s Andrew Seligman notes the Bears “envision restaurants, retail, office space, housing, a hotel, fitness center, new parks, ponds and open areas.” The Bears said that “more specific details about the stadium would be revealed later.” The focus Thursday was on the "development of the remainder of the property." Phillips said that the project would cost nearly $5B and "serve as an ‘economic engine’ for the county, region and state ‘365 days a year.’" A casino is “not part of the plan” (AP, 9/9).
DREAMS TO REALITY: In Chicago, Kubzansky & McCoppin report McCaskey said that the team “would need government funding to help make the project become a reality.” McCaskey: “The Bears will seek no public funding for direct stadium structure construction. However … we will need help.” McCaskey added without infrastructure support and “property tax certainty, the project as described tonight will not be able to move forward.” Team leaders repeatedly said that “the 20 most recent stadium construction projects in the country had included public financing.” McCaskey stipulated, “We’re not asking for property taxes to be raised in Arlington Heights to fund the stadium construction” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/9).
A BetMGM sportsbook officially opens Sunday morning "a short walk away from State Farm Stadium," before the Cardinals host the Chiefs in their regular-season opener, marking the "first sportsbook on the premises of an NFL stadium," according to Jose Romero of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The two-story, 17,000-square-foot facility, located on the Great Lawn west of the stadium, features ”betting kiosks, counters for placing bets, a 265-square-foot video wall, 38 televisions and indoor and outdoor dining options.” It will be open “seven days a week and throughout the year, will anchor an outdoor music and comedy concert amphitheater on the Great Lawn.” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said that the “original idea was to put a sportsbook inside the stadium, before that was changed to outside.” He added that the sportsbook “helps enhance the gameday experience for fans,” as it is “the next step in the evolution that came from previous league owners and executives over the years who sought to move the NFL forward.” Bidwill: "But we want to keep taking it a next step and keep pushing to evolve the game and give people new experiences in how they can participate" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/9).
BET ON THAT: The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Katherine Sayre notes the BetMGM sportsbook in Arizona is the “latest melding of sports and gambling in America, as sports-betting operators attempt to build lucrative customer bases among sports fans.” Online-gambling companies have opened branded sportsbooks inside casinos “to promote their digital brands and remind gamblers that they can keep betting from their phones at home.” More recently, those same brands “have begun appearing in professional sports venues such as baseball, basketball and soccer to market their apps among fans.” In July, FanDuel Group opened a sportsbook inside D.C. United’s Audi Field, with a “view onto the field for watching matches.” The company also has a facility inside the Suns’ Footprint Center and plans to open one next year at United Center in Chicago. In MLB, DraftKings “plans to open a sportsbook at Wrigley Field in Chicago next year.” BetMGM has operated at Nationals Park in D.C. since January. Meanwhile, Caesars Entertainment "recently opened a betting facility" inside the D-backs' Chase Field, and last year, the company opened one at Capital One Arena D.C. (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/8).
When completed in 2024, a $450M renovation project will update the Caesars Superdome “to modern standards, extend its lifespan for decades and serve as the linchpin to a new lease extension that will keep the Saints in Louisiana for another 30 years,” according to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com. Most importantly, “it will improve the game-day experience for everyone who uses the building for the scores of events it hosts annually.” A pair of “40-yard-long bars will dominate the sideline club sections.” The "coup de grace" will be new "open-air atriums that soar from the floor to the ceiling in each corner of the stadium." The four-phase project began in 2020 and is “being implemented around the Saints' schedule so the team can continue to play home games in the Superdome rather than relocating.” The project is now in its third phase, “which focuses on construction work to the plaza, loge and terrace levels on the east or visitor’s side of the stadium and is scheduled to be completed later this year.” Atria in the northeast and northwest quads “are also being constructed.” Construction will flip to the west side next year and is “expected to be completed before the start of the 2024 season.” The concourses “will be almost twice as wide as they were before, and there will be more restrooms and improved food and beverage service.” However, ongoing construction “will create inconveniences at the Dome for the next two seasons” (NOLA.com, 9/8).
The Texans will “initiate Phase 2 of their multiyear rebuilding program” Sunday at NRG Stadium, according to John McClain of GALLERYSPORTS.com. Owner Janice McNair, Chair and CEO Cal McNair and his wife Hannah have “invested a few hundred million” in the personnel and coaching sides of the current regime, and they “have faith” in GM Nick Caserio and coach Lovie Smith “to develop and maintain the kind of positive working relationship essential for a front office to build a successful team.” McClain: “No more slipping on banana peels with Bill O’Brien and Jack Easterby making personnel and contractual decisions that helped flush the organization down the toilet after the 2019 AFC South title and wild-card victory over Buffalo.” The McNairs “need stability at the top.” They “hope Caserio and Smith can provide the kind of GM/head coach continuity that’s helped make table teams that compete for the playoffs and Super Bowls almost every season.” The McNairs “know it takes time, and they’re willing to show patience that they have the correct people at the top with Caserio and Smith,” who have a combined 42 years of NFL experience (GALLERYSPORTS.com, 9/5). WFAN’s Boomer Esiason said the Texans' “rebuild is supercharged with the dumping” of now-Browns QB Deshaun Watson (“Boomer and Gio,” WFAN, 9/9).
FAN ENGAGEMENT: Texans season-ticket holder Larry Stafford said that there has been “a sincere engagement between the Texans and their supporters since the start of the year.” In Houston, Brooks Kubena reported a recent town hall meeting was part of the “‘massive change’ in the franchise’s approach to mend its relationships with people who felt abandoned.” Another change is that the Texans “overhauled their season-ticket program” and “allowed people to pay over 10 months instead of twice annually.” They gave members a 10% discount on concessions, a 30% discount on team shop purchases "and the ability to swap tickets for other games on the schedule." The program “incentivized retention” by offering up to a 15% discount on season tickets for those who renewed by May 5, and those who renewed by Feb. 4 would pay the same price for their 2023 tickets. When the franchise began its series of playoff runs 10 years ago, its season-ticket waiting list had “more than 19,000 names.” Before the 2021 season, “over 12,000 people on that list passed on buying tickets.” Also, the team’s 20-season sellout streak ended. The Texans “averaged over 5,000 fewer paid attendees than NRG Stadium’s 72,220 capacity last season, and the fans who actually showed up were usually far fewer.” Cal McNair said that still, the Texans “finished training camp with 60,000 season-ticket renewals” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/8).
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE: In Houston, Matt Young writes when Cal McNair answered questions from fans on Reddit on Wednesday, he actually “broke some news.” One user asked if the team had "any plans to do a jersey swap (especially for one particular player) for a free/discounted jersey of another player?" McNair responded, "Yes, we will do this in October so stay tuned for details!" Young noted it is "not hard to read between those lines and see someone who would like to rid themselves of their Texans' Deshaun Watson jersey.” The Patriots “made a similar move in 2013 when they allowed fans to trade in any Aaron Hernandez jerseys purchased from the team shop or online” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/8). In a separate piece, Young wrote McNair “was at his best” during the Reddit AMA when he took questions “that poked fun at him.” McNair “has gotten more than his fair share of ‘Tommy Boy’ jokes since he was promoted” to Chair. When someone on Reddit asked if he was familiar with the film, McNair “rolled with the online punches.” He wrote, "I am and it's one of my favorites, too. Didn’t Tommy Boy save the company?" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/7).
The Commanders open their season Sunday against the Jaguars, and they are asking “disillusioned fans to give the club one more shot,” according to Paras & Meyer of the WASHINGTON TIMES. Commanders President Jason Wright said that the team still is “'another year or so out' from experiencing a true 'resurgence' in the fan base.” But he expressed “optimism about the team’s direction.” He said that the franchise “had already sold more tickets for this season than they did all of last year,” as renewals on season tickets “were up 15% and renewals on suites increased almost 30%.” Wright: “If we have a great year, 14 wins, you’re really going to see the outcome of that in next year’s season-ticket growth. ... We’re not quite there yet. We’re not going to have a full stadium every game this year.” Paras & Meyer wrote Wright’s “blunt -- and public -- acknowledgment of the franchise’s woes would have been unthinkable a generation ago, when fans hoping to buy season tickets were willing to spend years on the team’s waitlist.” A USA Today survey of NFL stadiums ranked FedEx Field "dead last," citing traffic jams and "incidents like pipes bursting water onto fans." Another survey found the stadium “had among the most expensive beer in the NFL -- something a team spokesperson disputed.” The coverage, at times, “has frustrated team officials.” Meanwhile, Wright in August said that sponsorship revenues “were the highest since 2005, despite losing beer sponsor Anheuser-Busch this offseason” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/8).
Bengals Dir of Strategy & Engagement Elizabeth Blackburn and Senior Manager of Digital Strategy Caroline Blackburn have “quickly made their presence known in the front office by taking on some visible projects,” according to the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER. The sisters, who are granddaughters of Bengals owner Mike Brown, appeared on this week’s episode of the Enquirer’s “That’s So Cincinnati” podcast. Elizabeth Blackburn indicated that she had “four things on her to-do list,” including establishing the Bengals' Ring of Honor last season. Caroline Blackburn noted that the team’s indoor practice facility “should be ready by November.” Meanwhile, both sisters claim that last season’s trip to the Super Bowl “was vindication for the family, which in the not-so-distant past was the object of harsh criticism from fans.” Elizabeth Blackburn: “It’s painful. That’s the only way to say it.” She added that the team’s familial ownership group is one of just a few “that live in the same city where the team plays” (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 9/9).
Former NFLer Matt Schaub is the “first candidate to emerge publicly” for head of the NFLPA since the union in 2021 revealed that current Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith "would leave in March 2023," according to Daniel Kaplan of THE ATHLETIC. Schaub is “not ready to unveil his platform." But like many critics, he said that “too much of the league’s surging revenue has shifted to the owners in the last two labor cycles, and the 10-year terms of the last two CBAs are too long.” The union has hired an executive search firm, Russell Reynolds, to find candidates, and Schaub said that some player leaders "told him months ago they would not engage with him while the search process is underway.” He also said that there are “whispers” of internal NFLPA candidates who would “have a leg up.” One thing Schaub emphasized is the Exec Dir “should be a former player,” unlike Smith, who had a legal background when he assumed his position in 2009. Schaub: “I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from players that it be a former player, because to be able to relate to players that are in those meeting rooms, that are in the league, to be able to relate to, you know, from the top guy on the roster to the 53rd player on the roster and the practice squad” (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/8).
The NFL sponsorship roster looks a little different this fall, as new pizza and wine deals bring the complete league roster to 37 brands to start the 2022 season. Pizza Hut exited its league deal after four seasons, replaced by Little Caesars. The NFL also signed E&J Gallo and its Barefoot Wine line as an official sponsor -- part of the league's alcohol category opening up after a new, revised deal with Anheuser-Busch InBev. Diageo has snagged the spirits category for the NFL, as well as the red hot ready-to-drink cocktails category. Additionally, Bread Financial’s Comenity Bank has replaced Barclays (a partner since 2010) as a provider of co-branded NFL and team affinity credit cards. Gone from the fold this season are Bridgestone (tires) and Quaker Oats (hot cereal/granola bars), both of which had been league sponsors since 2007. Barclays (a sponsor since 2010), Bose (2011) and Ford Trucks (2015) also exited league deals.
NOTES: List does not include the following licensees/partners: Zebra Technologies, SiriusXM, Ticketmaster, Hawk-Eye, Under Armour, New Era, Nike, News America * = Caesars and DraftKings both added sports betting 2021.
Crypto exchange OKX said that it "plans to advertise in Super Bowl 2023,” although “specific details of its involvement were not provided,” according to Asa Hiken of AD AGE. OKX has “kicked off its first global campaign called “What is OKX?" which aims to “expand the firm’s brand awareness beyond its de facto customer base in Asia.” A "series of spots feature" Premier League club Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and Australian snowboarder Scotty James. BBDO, N.Y., “created the campaign.” The Super Bowl "saw a huge turnout this year" from crypto brands “hoping to attract mainstream consumers.” The 2023 game, however, will “probably look quite different as the crypto industry reels from a months-long downturn known as 'crypto winter.'" Fox Sports EVP/Sales Mark Evans said, “The crypto category, in particular, is in a very different place this year than it was last year.” This makes OKX’s reveal -- the "first so far from any crypto brand for next year’s Big Game -- that much more significant." The firm did not buy a Super Bowl ad for 2022, but it has “steadily been ramping up its marketing efforts as its competitors slow down” (ADAGE.com, 9/8).
The NFL and its longest-tenured sponsor will share revenue on the new Gatorade Fast Twitch drink, making its debut in NFL locker rooms and on sidelines this year, sources said. This deal enabled Gatorade parent PepsiCo and the NFL to close an eight-year renewal in May despite the two sides remaining far apart on price under a traditional fee structure, sources said. The league and its clubs get cut into Fast Twitch sales when certain unknown sales/profit hurdles are reached (Ben Fischer, SBJ).
SALSA ANYONE? In KC, Pete Grathoff writes Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce “star in a spot for Hy-Vee grocery stores.” Each player is in their own home “eating chips and salsa," and as Kelce "realizes he’s out of salsa, Mahomes grabs his phone and orders salsa.” Kelce then “sees he’s low on chips,” so Mahomes “orders a bag of tortilla chips to be sent to Kelce’s home.” They both get their delivery “at the same time, and return to their respective couches with plenty of chips and salsa.” The teammates then “nod and smile at one another and get back to eating.” All the while, the song “Best Friend” is “playing in the commercial” (K.C. STAR, 9/9).
GHOSTS OF 88 PAST: FOXBUSINESS.com’s Ann Schmidt notes Chipotle “announced the launch of ‘The 88 Club,’” a partnership with current and former Cowboys WRs CeeDee Lamb, Michael Irvin, Dez Bryant and Drew Pearson. All four “wore jersey number 88.” Lamb, Irvin, Bryant and Pearson are starring in a commercial for Chipotle and "will have their favorite orders listed on the menu on the Chipotle app and website for a limited time” (FOXBUSINESS.com, 9/7).
Amazon Prime takes over the "TNF" package next week after the Bills-Rams season opener aired on NBC, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell promoted the new rights holder, predicting it will "change the way people watch football.” Goodell called the partnership exciting and fun, saying, "We always are looking to innovate and that’s something that we spend our days just saying, ‘How can we improve everything we do?’ The big thing for us is engaging our fans on more platforms." The rights to Sunday Ticket after this season are still available, and Goodell said, "I think we can make that available to more fans on platforms they want to participate on. It's really important for us as a league to be where our fans want to be" (“NFL GameDay Kickoff,” NFL Network, 9/8).
WHAT IF I CAME KNOCKING? In Phoenix, José Romero writes the Cardinals are “appearing on HBO's popular NFL reality TV series ‘Hard Knocks’ starting in November.” NFL Films crews have “already started showing up at Cardinals headquarters, filming promos for the show and gathering footage.” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said, “Our fans want to know more about the Cardinals, and so everything I can do to make sure that we can offer more access, and I think 'Hard Knocks' is going to offer a lot of access, and I think it's going to give us a chance to grow our fan base around the country.” He added, “It's a great opportunity to tell the stories of the women and men around the Cardinals and what they're doing, and the players, the coaches, and what we're going through during a season” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/9).
A NATURAL FIT: The AP’s Rob Maaddi wrote now that former NFLer Eli Manning is “behind the microphone and in front of the cameras,” he has “shown to be witty, entertaining and engaging.” Viewers “enjoy his back-and-forth” with older brother and Pro Football HOFer Peyton Manning. Eli said, “That’s the unique thing about our show is that we’re both pretty willing to put ourselves out there to get made fun of. I’m almost kind of setting myself up like, hey, I’m gonna throw the alley-oop, and you’ve got to put it away now. ... We know we love each other. But, it’s kind of that locker-room, brotherly love and appreciation where we can take jabs at each other and not get offended” (AP, 9/8).
In L.A., Gary Klein reported Rams GM Les Snead agreed to a contract extension through 2026 “hours before the season opener” against the Bills on Thursday. Snead has been in the position since 2012 and has made “numerous blockbuster moves that netted the Rams key players for their Super Bowl runs” since returning to L.A. (L.A. TIMES, 9/8). Also in L.A., Gilbert Manzano noted while Snead is “known for being an aggressive GM who is not afraid to trade first-round picks for proven star players,” his record of “finding talent in the middle to late rounds of the drafts also played a big role” in why his partnership with coach Sean McVay has worked (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 9/8).
IT'S GOTTA BE THE SHOES: In Ft. Worth, Clarence Hill Jr. reported Cowboys QB Dak Prescott left practice on Thursday “after tweaking his surgically-repaired right ankle, and he “blamed the issue on his decision to try out some new game cleats in practice.” Prescott said that his foot “was uncomfortable with the plate in some new Air Jordan 11s he was planning on wearing” Sunday against the Buccaneers. Prescott “wears a new pair of cleats every game.” He said that he “will go back to the Jordan 1s he has worn throughout training camp” (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/8).
3 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: Broncos QB Russell Wilson has the “top-selling jersey in seven states” since the start of training camp, according to Fanatics. He “naturally led in Colorado along with Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Alaska and Idaho.” He also led Arizona despite the Cardinals residing in that state. Meanwhile, in Wilson’s “old stomping grounds of Washington state, his former target DK Metcalf now has the top seller” (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/8).
FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell attended Thursday's season opener at SoFi Stadium and was shown on the NBC broadcast sitting with NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell ("Bills-Rams," NBC, 9/7).
We're not quite there yet. We're not going to have a full stadium every game this year.
First NFL sportsbook opens in AZ; MLB preps for... Read More
First NFL sportsbook opens in AZ; MLB preps for on-field changes; Saudi Arabia eyes World Cup '30 bid
NFF’s Steve Hatchell on what’s next after amazing start... Read More
NFF’s Steve Hatchell on what’s next after amazing start to college football season With so much happening around college sports off the field, it seemed almost too much to hope that the opening weekend of football season would live up to expectations. “Finally, we got to cheer for our teams,” said Steve Hatchell, CEO of the National Football Foundation, in an SBJ Spotlight interview looking at the college football landscape. “There was some great attendance at games … some real excitement and just some terrific games. I’m hoping that this type of enthusiasm goes on for the entire year.” Hatchell talked with SBJ’s Ross Nethery about the big stories in college sports and what might come next. On the CFP expansion to 12 teams: “Football is played in all 50 states … and we work with all 774 colleges and universities around the country. So if we can have a playoff that reflects on the investment in coaching and on the players from around the country, I think that’s for the betterment of the game.”
With opening week quickly approaching, Ben Fischer, Reggie Walker,... Read More
With opening week quickly approaching, Ben Fischer, Reggie Walker, and Xavier Hunter were joined by Jabari Young of Forbes to preview the upcoming NFL season. Topics discussed included the Deshaun Watson suspension, Denver Broncos ownership, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, and the league’s advancements in media.
LIV Golf’s event in Boston last weekend may signal that the narrative around the new league is beginning to change, said SBJ’s Eric Prisbell and Josh Carpenter in a new episode of SBJ Spotlight.
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