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Good Thursday Morning. Bringing you an abbreviated, “snack size” version of SBP this week.

Five Interesting, Funny, and Touching Things that Happened in Sports This Week

#1: Even though it only went five games, the World Series did huge numbers.

🗯️ My thought bubble: This was a dream matchup for MLB. Two marquee franchises with devoted fanbases in the #1 and 2 media markets in the country, and an international superstar taking the stage for the first time in Shohei Ohtani.

While the business execs would have liked to have seen six or seven games, the Yankees’ Game 4 win on Tuesday helped Fox salvage some of what would have been a reported $150 million in advertising revenue foregone if the series was a sweep.

Ohtani getting a ring is massive for the league both domestically and abroad, and it caps off what was a generational season (see below). Plus, there is a great storyline around potential repeat next year with their core coming back and Ohtani returning to the pitcher’s mound.

#2: Freddie Freeman sharing a special moment with his dad post-walk grand slam in Game 1 and after winning World Series MVP

#3: The NIL recruiting battle for the nation’s #1 recruit is heating up, and it’s yet another example on how NIL has jumped the shark.

🗯️ My thought bubble: I know I’m a broken record on this, but we’ve lost the plot on revenue generating college athletics. This is the latest example of a blatant pay-for-play negotiation battle, and the fact we’re still couching it in the notion of “NIL” is comical.

The concerning part here is that no one wants to step up and truly take on the hard problem. There is a lot of bluster at conferences and a lot of “fixing to do something” in statements and press releases, but not a lot of tangible action or someone(s) leading from the front. The House settlement may provide a roadmap on where this goes next, but given the crash landing into NIL we had nearly four years ago, I don’t foresee comprehensive guidelines being ready by next year. And Congress definitely isn’t going to step in.

To be 100% clear, this is not an indictment on the players. They’re operating in the current environment as set by the adults in the room, and they’re using it to their advantage to generate significant wealth for themselves and their families. Keep getting the bag.

P.S. please come to Michigan, Bryce. We need you.

#4 Sportico has released its 2024 NHL valuations, and some of the YoY jumps are significant

#5: Known mostly for his current disastrous run as owner of the Panthers and salty demeanor to the fans/everyone, this is a classy move by David Tepper to help North Carolinians in the wake of Hurricane Helene

Until next time, sports fans!

-Alex