The Big Deal Weekly: Forced farewell for Power legend? Maynard faces tribunal, NFL star's record deal, Spain's kissing president walks, Real Madrid's insane stadium & more

Newsletter no.50, 12 September 2023

Today we’re humbly raising the bat to the members section (that’s you) as we hit our 50th sports business newsletter.

Thanks for joining us on the journey so far!

As Port Adelaide tries to keep its Premiership dream alive, will it be a forced farewell for a club legend?

AFL players will also vote on a big pay rise, but it won’t compare to the mind-blowing, record contract extension signed by the NFL’s biggest star.

As usual there is plenty happening … tune in below or scroll down for the notes.

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

MAYNARD RESULT

Collingwood star Brayden Maynard has been cleared of rough conduct after a lengthy hearing at the AFL Tribunal.

The tough defender collided with Melbourne mid Angus Brayshaw after attempting a smother, knocking him out.

Brayshaw will miss at least the Dees’ semi-final against Carlton, while Maynard will be free to play in the preliminary final against either Port or GWS.

TIME UP FOR TRAVIS?

It’s hard to imagine a Port Adelaide side without Travis Boak, with the reliable midfielder a regular fixture in the club’s side since 2007.

However, that is soon likely to turn into a reality, with reports circulating the former skipper could be told he won’t be getting a new deal at Alberton.

The Power’s all-time AFL games record holder has been in and out of the side at points this year and has been subbed into games on four occasions, most recently the Qualifying Final loss on Saturday.

Is it a right, yet, ruthless decision?

TREDDERS’ TALKING POINTS FROM THE AFL

In the audio wrap, Tredders talks about:

• Port’s Qualifying Final bomb

• Brodie Grundy - is Sydney the new frontrunner?

• Shane McAdam’s differences at Adelaide

• Tom Doedee - is he Brisbane-bound?

• AFLPA agree new CBA, pay rise for men and women

• The cleanout at the Western Bulldogs continues

MELBOURNE CUP TV RIGHTS

Channel Nine is in the box seat to take on the Melbourne Cup rights after Channel Seven pulled out of the race.

Reports say Seven withdrew in anger after it became clear Nine was Victoria Racing Club’s preferred bidder. Seven has also recently walked away from the Olympics.

Channel Ten will broadcast the race that stops the nation for the final time this November.

GOODWIN BACK TO SAUDI ARABIA

adelaideunited

A post shared by @adelaideunited

Former Adelaide United captain Craig Goodwin has made the move back to Saudi Arabia, with the Socceroos winger signing with Al-Wehda in a $800,000USD transfer.

Goodwin will earn $2.5m USD a season playing against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

It has been reported Goodwin had approached United to extend his contract for a further three years, which was rejected.

NRL CLUB APOLOGISES FOR SOCIAL POST … WAS IT REALLY A BIG DEAL?

The Penrith Panthers have apologised to the NZ Warriors after the a social media post saying, ‘Up the Pahs’, following their win over the Warriors.

The post was a reference to the popular catchphrase ‘Up the Wahs’, which has been linked with the resurgence of the Warriors.

Fans on social media accused the Panthers of being “arrogant”, and the club apologised through its CEO Matt Cameron.

Is this really that big of a deal?

BOOMERS UNDER REVIEW

Brian Goorjian is safe despite the Boomers catastrophic failures at the FIBA World Cup, eventually won by first-time victors Germany.

Questions will remain, like will Ben Simmons join the team for Paris 2024? We’ll see it when we believe it.

However, Germany’s win is huge in what is traditionally seen as a ‘soccer’ country. Success in multiple sports is always good.

LEBRON BACK FOR TEAM USA

One of the greatest of all time is ready to grace the Olympics with his presence, and he’s bringing some friends.

LeBron James is eager to represent Team USA next year, leading a group of players including Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green.

And if they weren’t enough, Devin Booker, Dame Lillard, De’Aaron Fox and Kyrie Irving are also interested.

Dream team confirmed.

MINJEE LEE’S BIG WIN

Minjee Lee is back in style.

The Aussie pocketed a cool $470,000 for the LPGA Tour’s Queen City Championship.

The added bonus? She’s back in the top 10.

SPAIN FOOTBALL PREZ TO RESIGN … FINALLY

Luis Rubiales has quit as Spanish Football Federation president following the fallout from his forced kiss on star Jennifer Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup triumph.

In an interview with Piers Morgan, Rubiales confirmed he was going to resign, because he ‘cannot continue his work’.

He is also resigning as vice-president of UEFA.

TOP TALENT AGENCY BOUGHT OUT

In a move that will have a massive impact on sports and entertainment, French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault has finalised a $7 billion USD acquisition of Creative Artists Agency.

CAA is the most valuable talent agency in the world and oversees just under $18 billion USD in sports contracts and represents athletes like NFL star Justin Jefferson and 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul among others.

BURROW SIGNS RECORD NFL EXTENSION

Speaking of big contracts, Joe Burrow agreed to a NFL-record $275 million extension.

He is now the highest player in the history of the NFL, and the deal includes $219.01 million guaranteed at an average of $55 million a year.

Meanwhile, Joe Bosa signed the biggest deal for a non-quarterback in NFL history at $170 million, $122.5m guaranteed with the 49ers.

Not a bad pay day.

SALAH’S NOT MOVING; POGBA IN STRIFE

Mo Salah remained a Liverpool played despite Saudi Arabia still sniffing around on their deadline day, with reports a £215 million bid circling late.

However, the Reds had no time to replace the Egyptian winger, and refused to let him go.

In Italy, Juventus star Paul Pogba is in trouble after allegedly testing positive to testosterone after his side’s match with Udinese on August 20.

A ban could see him rubbed out for two years, and extended to four should a National Anti-Doping Tribunal prove the alleged doping was intentional.

REAL MADRID’S INSANE NEW STADIUM

Retractable roof, retractable pitch, what can’t this stadium do?

At a cost of roughly €1 billion, Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu is looking in amazing condition.

Madrid will also earn billions in additional revenue, with a stadium already seen as a tourist destination set to get more attractive.

GRAND SLAM RECORD? ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT

Novak Djokovic has equalled Margaret Court’s record of number of Grand Slam wins after the 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 win over Daniil Medvedev in the US Open.

The Joker celebrated in style with actor Matthew McConaughey and he paid tribute to his late, great mate Kobe Bryant with a number 24 jersey, the same number of Grand Slams he has won.

MASS CHEATING AT MARATHON

In one of the more entertaining stories you’ll read, 11,000 out of 30,000 runners were disqualified in a Mexico City Marathon.

Some used vehicles and others used public transport to cheat the system, and it’s not the first time this has happened.

In 2017, 6000 runners were disqualified, and in 2018, 3000 copped it as well.

Thanks for reading our weekly sports business wrap!

Stay tuned and subscribe for the next episode on the podcast (Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts).

Let us know your thoughts, and share it with your friends. 

Got a Big Deal you want to share? Get in touch