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In this week’s The Big Deal show about the business of sport, former Port Adelaide star Warren Tredrea and co-host Jack Hudson discuss:
Prizes: Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year
From this season, both the AFL and AFLW Mark of the Year winners receive $50,000 and 2 million Virgin Australia frequent flyer points.
The Goal of the Year winners will also take home $50,000, and a further $10,000 will go to the winning players’ junior footy club. Fans who vote can win $5000.
AFL Player Movements: Could we see Tex in different colours?
Taylor Walker is out of contract at the Adelaide Crows and rumours are that other clubs are circling.
The former captain received a boost in his deal last year.
Freo’s push for Swan Chad Warner
Fremantle are trying to lure Chad Warner away from ladder leaders, Sydney, with a $1.6m annual contract.
The Swans have successfully retained a lot of talent, with Will Hayward the most recent re-signing.
The Dockers already have a star-studded midfield with Angus Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, Hayden Young and two-time Brownlow Medallist, Nat Fyfe.
Hall of Fame slip up
The AFL made an almighty blunder the night of its Hall of Fame, by including Hawthorn premiership player Michael Porter in the ‘in Memoriam’ tribute video. The problem is, the 79 year-old is alive and well.
Texts were sent around between his teammates, all wondering what had happened, before the matter was cleared up and the AFL apologised for the mistake.
Storm cashes out of Vegas
The Melbourne Storm advised the NRL it won’t participate in the Las Vegas opening round next year.
The Storm previously expressed interest in being involved, but decided not to go ahead upon looking at the NRL’s terms and conditions – among other factors.
NBL eyes WNBL investment
News Corp has reported that NBL owner Larry Kestelman and Sydney Kings’ majority owner Robyn Denholm are set to invest in the WNBL.
The WNBL is governed by Basketball Australia, but it’s understood the NBL’s official league ownership wouldn’t be immediate.
NBA: Josh Giddey to the Bulls
Oklahoma City Thunder and Boomers guard Josh Giddey is being traded to the Chicago Bulls for two-time all-defensive guard Alex Caruso.
Giddey has a year to run on his four-year $27.2 million deal.
Stephen A. Smith’s big demands
ESPN is offering Stephen A. Smith US$18 million annually, but the TV personality and the broadcaster are far apart in expectations.
Smith reportedly wants US$25 million for a new deal.
Other moves…
The LA Lakers have signed JJ Redick as a coach on a four-year deal. Redick is a former player, a respected ESPN analyst, but an unproven coach.
Redick knocked back the Detriot Pistons, who sacked Monty Williams after just a year – a costly move setting them back $98 million.
WNBA’s most valuable teams
The rise of the WNBA continues, with the average team worth $96 million and bringing in $13.2 million in annual revenue.
These numbers are expected to rise after the next media rights deal.
In our last segment, we talked about how despite viewership being at an all-time high and attendances at a 26-year peak, the WNBA and its teams are still expected to take a significant dent in the pocket – $50 million. Check out the table from Sportico.
Tom Brady starts big broadcast gig
Tom Brady’s role as a Fox Analyst will earn him a whopping US$375 million.
However, he confessed he had plenty of nerves heading into his first year, not wanting to let either Fox or NFL fans down.
Tiger and Rory’s new venture
The company supporting Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s new indoor golf league has raised a new round of funding which values the company at around US$500 million.
The league already has a TV deal with ESPN and will start next year, according to sports personality and investor, Joe Pompilano.
