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Afternoon Edition

June 13, 2025

The WNBA union says it was shut out of the league’s talks for a new TV deal with Scripps Sports—and wants a seat at the table for future media-rights negotiations.

— Colin Salao [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], and David Rumsey [[link removed]]

WNBA Union Left Out of Ion Talks, Wants Say in Future Deals [[link removed]]

Chris Jones-Imagn Images

The WNBA and Scripps Sports said Friday they had a multiyear extension to continue airing games on Ion.

The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, adds to the league’s 11-year, $2.2 billion deal it agreed to in July.

Players had wanted to be included in talks, as the amount of money coming in will ultimately determine players’ salaries in the next collective bargaining agreement.

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) tells Front Office Sports it was not included in the negotiations, despite previously receiving support from commissioner Cathy Engelbert to be at the table.

“The commissioner expressed support for their involvement in those talks. The union noted that it didn’t happen this time,” a union source told FOS.

According to the union source, the WNBPA understands its involvement in these discussions is “unprecedented” but remains “hopeful” it will be included in future negotiations.

The initial $2.2 billion deal was tied into the NBA’s $77 billion deal with partners Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime Video. ESPN reported in July that the additional partners—like Ion and CBS—could bring the total of WNBA’s full media deal close to $3 billion [[link removed]].

The WNBA does not appear to be finished with its negotiations as it has yet to secure an extension with CBS Sports. The network has aired two of the three most-watched WNBA games of the 2025 season [[link removed]] through the first month.

In May, WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson told The Athletic that the union asked to be included in media-rights negotiations and that Engelbert [[link removed]] “seemed inclined” to go along with the request [[link removed]].

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS HONORS

Rising 25 Nominations Closing Soon

Rising 25 [[link removed]] is in full swing and it’s time to nominate an up-and-coming young professional changing the game in the business of sports.

The Front Office Sports Rising 25 Award celebrates the careers of the brightest young stars in the business of sports. To date, we’ve honored 200 individuals and we’re looking for our next group of young stars.

Nominations will be judged with an all-star judging panel, including NFL’s Renie Anderson, Al Guido of the 49ers and Elevate, ESPN’s Laura Rutledge, and more.

Know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them now [[link removed]].

Don’t wait—nominations close June 22 at 11:55 p.m. ET.

Swift-Eh? NHL Hopes Taylor’s Magic Touch Boosts the Stanley Cup Final [[link removed]]

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Pop music’s biggest superstar, having already elevated the NFL, has entered the hockey universe, and the NHL is eagerly looking to take advantage.

Taylor Swift attended Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in Florida on Thursday with her boyfriend, Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce, and spent time during the game with hockey icon and TNT Sports commentator Wayne Gretzky. Swift and Kelce were featured several times during the game [[link removed]] on the game broadcast and on digital and social media, and with the championship series between the Oilers and Panthers now tied at two games each, the NHL would like to see its own version of a Swift effect.

“Calling all Swifties … hockey is awesome and so are you,” NHL CMO Heidi Browning said in a social media post [[link removed]] early Friday. “If you’ve never watched hockey before, now is the time! The series is tied, the matchup is tight, and hockey is a master class in athleticism. Check out Game 5 on Saturday.”

While plenty of celebrities, such as actors Will Ferrell and Steve Carell and pop star Justin Bieber, are noted hockey fans, the NHL has never had the kind of lift that Swift, one of the most popular and recognizable figures on the planet, can provide. Her fame and power are such that she has created a broad-based business boost to the NFL, the world’s most dominant sports league, over the past two years as her relationship with Kelce has blossomed.

During the 2023 NFL season, Swift generated more than $331 million in brand value [[link removed]] for the Chiefs and the NFL, and she was credited for an extended series of increases to television viewership, merchandise sales, and social media consumption for the league, particularly among female fans. While Swift was on tour for a sizable chunk of the 2024 season, her impact on turning many of her fans into lasting football fans [[link removed]] remained. The effect has been so great that even NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has taken notice.

Swift attending NFL games has been “nothing but a blessing,” Goodell said early last year [[link removed]]. “She loves great entertainment, and I think that’s why she loves NFL football.”

Big Emotions

Far from just a casual night out with Kelce, Swift appeared to be drawn heavily into the drama of Thursday’s game in which the Oilers rebounded from an early 3–0 deficit to defeat the Panthers in overtime. After a late, game-tying goal by Florida to force the extra period, she was spotted saying to Kelce, “That was so crazy!” Minutes later, she repeatedly tapped her chest, signaling how much her pulse was pounding, and told him, “My heart!”

Through the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final, the NHL had a predictably mixed result in viewership. U.S. audiences have declined so far, particularly as this year’s broadcast is back on the cable-based TNT Sports in the annual rights rotation with ESPN and ABC parent Disney. Canadian audiences, however, have grown with the presence of the Oilers in the series.

With the series now guaranteed to go at least six games, stronger numbers on both sides of the border are likely for the upcoming contests—figures that could be boosted further by Swift’s ability to draw in additional fans.

From NFL to PGA Tour: How Brian Rolapp Could Reshape Golf [[link removed]]

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The PGA Tour hasn’t officially announced Brian Rolapp as its new CEO [[link removed]], but when it finally does (potentially as soon as next week), it will mark the start of an unprecedented shift in how the golf league operates.

Since publicly announcing the CEO search in December, the plan has been for the new executive to focus heavily on leading PGA Tour Enterprises, the for-profit entity that has already received a $1.5 billion investment and could get a similar one from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The PGA Tour itself still operates as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization.

PGA Tour Enterprises encompasses business operations like media rights, sponsorships, and other revenue-generating operations, while charitable efforts still fall under the nonprofit PGA Tour arm.

That’s where Rolapp’s expertise as the NFL’s chief media and business officer [[link removed]] comes in. “There’s no better choice for a senior executive who can drive media distribution and exposure,” longtime sports media consultant Lee Berke told Front Office Sports.

TV Time

The PGA Tour’s media-rights deals with CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and ESPN run through 2030. Rolapp has strong relationships with those three companies, since they are major NFL rights holders, and many other networks and streamers that could vie for future PGA Tour rights.

“From a PGA Tour standpoint, that’s why they created this position,” Berke said. “He’s there to really build their business, and he’s got just the best possible track record for doing that.”

The PGA Tour CEO search was headed up by Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who is one of the backers of Strategic Sports Group, the firm that pumped $1.5 billion into the Tour. So, it’s not surprising that Rolapp was a top target, given his NFL experience and relationships.

Still to be determined is how Rolapp will coexist with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. There are separate boards of directors for the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Enterprises. Currently, Monahan sits on both, but it’s possible Rolapp could take his seat on the PGA Tour Enterprises board.

LIV Golf’s Future

Rolapp has a longtime relationship with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil, as the two went to Harvard’s business school at the same time in the 1990s.

The PGA Tour has been negotiating with PIF leaders, not LIV execs like O’Neil, about an investment deal that could reunify the fractured men’s professional game. But Rolapp’s relationship with O’Neil should be a positive sign nonetheless.

Monahan and former LIV commissioner and CEO Greg Norman did not have a good relationship, which severely complicated efforts to bring PGA Tour and LIV players back together.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS NETWORK

From TikTok to Track & Field Star

In this episode of NILOSOPHY, Deja Kelly sits down with University of Texas standout Sam Hurley for his most personal and revealing conversation yet. From earning millions of followers online to navigating the highs and lows of NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals, collectives, and brand partnerships, Sam breaks down his journey as a college athlete and digital creator—and why he’s transferring for his final season.

Sam opens up about growing up in Arkansas and his journey to Division I track stardom, his decision to enroll early at Texas to capitalize on NIL, the truth about collectives, and more. Whether you’re an athlete, creator, or brand builder—this one’s a master class in identity, ownership, and the modern athlete’s mindset.

Watch Episode 7 now [[link removed]].

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY Roger Goodell’s Rumored Successor Jumps to the PGA Tour

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s longtime rumored successor, Brian Rolapp (the architect of the NFL’s $111 billion in media deals), is jumping over to become the first CEO of the PGA Tour. FOS reporter David Rumsey explains what Rolapp’s hiring means for future LIV Golf/PGA Tour merger talks and if he still could eventually succeed Goodell for the NFL’s top job when Goodell decides to retire.

Plus, Hornets legend Dell Curry joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to chat about his son Steph Curry’s future in broadcasting after his playing days with the Warriors are over. And Odessa Jenkins, CEO of the Women’s National Football Conference, talks about women’s tackle football ahead of their IX Cup.

Watch the full episode here [[link removed]].

STATUS REPORT Four Up

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Tigers ⬆ Already enjoying a broad-based renaissance [[link removed]] as the club has posted the American League’s best record, the team’s viewership for its local games so far this season has grown 82%, the largest boost of any team in the league. An average per-game rating ranks second in MLB. Streaming audiences for Tigers games on the FanDuel Sports Network, meanwhile, have grown 93%.

Chicago Marathon ⬆ The event generated $683 million for the Chicago metropolitan area [[link removed]], title sponsor Bank of America announced Thursday. It’s a 22% increase in economic impact on the city compared to the previous year. The boost comes from a 130% increase in participants and visitors from outside the United States and the state of Illinois.

San Jose ⬆ PayPal Park, home of the NWSL’s Bay FC and MLS’s Earthquakes, will host the NWSL championship on Nov. 22. The stadium, which fits about 18,000 fans, is where the U.S. men’s national team will open its 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup bid on Sunday.

MLB Network ⬆ The league-owned outlet posted its best audience since April 2024 for an out-of-market game, garnering an average of 551,000 viewers for coverage of the Yankees and Royals on Wednesday. The game competed in the primetime slot against Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Conversation Starters The Nationals are “calling up” minor league bat dog Bruce to make his MLB debut after serving a year with the Rochester Red Wings, their Triple-A affiliate. He’ll make his debut Saturday. Watch Bruce in action [[link removed]]. Front Office Sports Today asked fans in Pittsburgh about their thoughts on the Aaron Rodgers signing. Take a look [[link removed]]. NBA legend Magic Johnson said his definition of a superstar is a “person who can go on the road and sell the building out.” Check it out [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks Liverpool Sets Transfer Fee Record With $157M Florian Wirtz Deal [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]The Premier League champion makes a record outlay for a German midfielder. U.S. Open Merch Pops Thanks to Oakmont’s Squirrel, Viral TikToks [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]There are more than 400,000 pieces of merchandise available at Oakmont. Caitlin Clark Likely to Return in Boost for ESPN, WNBA [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Clark has missed the past five games due to a quad injury. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Shows [[link removed]] Written by Colin Salao [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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