The Big Deal Weekly: AFL Trades wrap, Sydney fixture bombshell, World Cup chaos, NRL's Tom Brady play, punter's big free payday, Muscat misses out & more

Newsletter no.55, 17 October 2023

Two days remain in the AFL’s silly season and there’s plenty more to unfold.

Outside of the AFL’s sphere, there’s been plenty of action from the NRL world and more in sports business.

Tune in to the episode with Tredders and Huddo below or scroll down for the weekly notes.

Listen to the wrap and subscribe for free now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

INS AND OUTS

Adelaide traded Shane McAdam for a future second-round selection early this morning after giving up hope of a player in return.

However, it’s a good deal for the Crows for a player who hasn’t set the world alight.

The Crows have also changed approach from the past, willing to aggressively chase stars, with Harrison Petty and Clayton Oliver in their crosshairs during this AFL Trade Period.

Meanwhile, Port Adelaide has a busy few days as it tries to land Esava Ratugolea, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Jordon Sweet and perhaps Ivan Soldo.

The Power have threatened to walk the first two players to the draft, although that is fraught with danger - remember Nick Stevens?

Elsewhere, the Hawks are holding things up with the Mabior Chol and Jacob Koschitzke deals, but have one eye on holding enough points for father-son Will McCabe.

There’s plenty more to unfold.

SYDNEY FIXTURE BONANZA

While they go play overseas, we’ll play in your backyard.

The AFL is declaring war on the NRL while it parades around in Las Vegas, with an opening split-round deep in rugby league territory.

GWS looks set to host Collingwood and the Swans will take on the Dees in the first weekend of the 2024 AFL Premiership Season.

Your move, NRL.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE OUTRIGHT BIZARRE

Australia’s shaky Cricket World Cup campaign has been somewhat rescued by a win over Sri Lanka.

However, it wasn’t the story of the night, as heavy winds forced ‘objects to fall from the roof’ of the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Fans were seen by media as ‘scampering’ for safety. Not good.

Meanwhile, England got done by Afghanistan, which leaves them with only one win in their first three matches, leaving room for error in their remaining six group games.

But, as the bizarre comes into it, their players have been seen sporting different fonts on the back of their shirts? How?!

The ECB and kit suppliers Castore reportedly blamed a “third party” printer for the issue and sent a fresh set of jerseys to India according to The Telegraph.

Bush league stuff.

OLYMPIC INCLUSION

In good news for cricket, it will be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

It means it’s the first time in 128 years cricket will be played at an Olympic Games.

It joins baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash as sports introduced for the games.

NRL’S TOUCHDOWN

The NRL’s American push could be involving sports royalty.

The greatest of all time, Tom Brady, could be involved.

The NRL and Fox Sports are poised to strike a broadcast agreement that will provide rugby league with an audience reach of 72.4 million homes.

NRL executives are planning to discuss with Fox Sports the prospect of Brady being a part of the kick-off coverage.

CAM CAPPED AT THE END

Australian star Cam Smith’s bid to become LIV Golf’s individual champion and land $80 million AUD, has been thwarted at the end.

Talor Gooch burst through with a final-round 62 at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club at King Abdullah Economic City, to take the $29 million AUD bonus for winning the season’s points race.

PUNTER’S PAYDAY

This is incredible.

A New Zealand punter has picked the correct finish order of the TAB Everest - from first to last.

He correctly picked all 12 placings of the sprinters and won nearly $10 million.

The odds of correctly choosing first to 12th in The Everest is exactly one in 479,001,600.

The NZ TAB promotion was free to account holders but limited to one entry per person.

MUSCAT MISSES OUT

Former Melbourne Victory boss and current Yokohama F Marinos manager Kevin Muscat has been snubbed for the Rangers hot seat.

The Scottish giant instead opted for Philippe Clement, the former Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco manager.

As the 49-year-old was announced formally as the next Rangers manager, Muscat was leading his side in the J-League Cup semi-final second leg.

QATARI INVESTOR DROPS MAN UNITED BID

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani withdrew his bid to buy Manchester United, citing frustration in dealings with the Glazer family.

The BBC reported that his bid was worth £5 billion.

It leaves the door open for British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of petrochemicals giant Ineos.

Ineos owns French club Nice and Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, as well as leading cycling team Ineos Grenadiers and is a major sponsor of the Mercedes Formula One team.

RONALDO’S 99 LASHES

Well, Cristiano Ronaldo might want to avoid Iran for a while.

Iranian media reports there have been several lawsuits filed against the former Man United and Real Madrid star after he hugged and kissed artist Fatima Hamimi on the cheek.

Reports suggest Ronaldo could be staring down 99 lashes as punishment for adultery in the form of touching a woman while in a relationship.

Yikes.

SUPERBOWL IN LONDON?!

The NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is reportedly open to playing a Super Bowl in London.

Baltimore beat Tennesse in front of 61,011 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week, so the attraction is there.

The bid would have to be insanely good.

NBA’S $75 BILLION MEDIA RIGHTS QUEST

The NBA will begin negotiating its new US media rights deals for next year, and it’s going to cost a bit.

Two American media companies reportedly battles for the rights in the UK.

The NBA reportedly wants $75 billion for its next US media rights contracts, but the league needs interested bidders to do whatever it takes to outspend each other.

SHAQ ATTACK IS BACK

Reebok now plans to relaunch a full basketball range in early 2025 and Shaq returns to Reebok as president of basketball division. 

Meanwhile, the story of Allen Iverson is one to behold - listen to the audio wrap for the run down.

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