Sports briefs
By NewsPress Now
NBA opens investigation into Joel Embiid’s playing status
The NBA is investigating why Philadelphia center Joel Embiid did not play in the team’s nationally televised season opener against Milwaukee.
The league confirmed the investigation on Thursday. It was opened as part of the NBA’s player participation policy that went into effect last season.
Such a move was to be expected. The NBA has said that any time a star player misses a game — it defines “star” as someone who was an All-Star or All-NBA selection in any of the previous three seasons, and Embiid is one of those — an investigation can be opened to “promote compliance” with league rules and can include “independent medical review and related determinations regarding player availability.”
Embiid — who helped the U.S. win Olympic gold at the Paris Games — missed the entire preseason and was ruled out for Wednesday’s opener against Milwaukee with the 76ers citing “left knee injury management.” Embiid has a long history of injury issues, including knee problems.
Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a season and was limited to 39 last season in large part because of knee surgery.
It is not clear how long the investigation will take. Philadelphia was also without Paul George for Wednesday’s game; he suffered a bone bruise during the preseason.
TKO is buying Professional Bull Riders, On Location and IMG
The parent company of WWE and UFC is buying Professional Bull Riders, On Location, and IMG from Endeavor Group in an all-stock deal valued at $3.25 billion.
The sale to parent company TKO is part of Endeavor’s efforts to shed some of its assets as it looks to be taken private in a proposed transaction with private equity firm Silver Lake, which was announced in April. Ariel Emanuel, who serves as CEO of Endeavor, is also executive chair and CEO of TKO.
Professional Bull Riders is a bull riding league that has more than 200 annual live events, approximately 1.25 million fans, and reaches more than 285 million households in more than 65 territories. On Location is live event company for more than 1,200 sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, Ryder Cup and NCAA Final Four. IMG is a distributor and producer of sports content, packages and sells media rights and brand partnerships, and provides consulting, digital services and event management to clients such as the National Football League and National Hockey League.
The Associated Press and IMG co-own the joint venture SNTV, which distributes sports video and highlights around the world.
Parent company TKO Group said Thursday that the acquisition from Endeavor Group will complement its existing businesses as well as broaden its reach in the premium sports market.
“PBR, On Location, and IMG are industry-leading assets that meaningfully enhance TKO’s portfolio and strengthen our position in premium sports globally,” TKO Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro said in a statement. “Within TKO, they will help power the growth of our revenue streams and position us to capture even more upside from some of the most attractive parts of our sports ecosystem: media rights, live events, ticket sales, premium experiences, brand partnerships, and site fees.”
As part of the deal, Endeavor will receive about 26.14 million common units of TKO Operating Co. and will subscribe for an equal number of shares of TKO’s Class B shares. Endeavor is expected to own approximately 59% of TKO, while TKO’s existing shareholders will own the remaining 41% upon completion of the transaction.
“By expanding its presence in the premium sports market, TKO is poised to unlock new revenue streams through media rights, live events, ticket sales, premium experiences, brand partnerships, and site fees,” Randal Konik of Jefferies said in a note to clients. “This strategic move not only strengthens its market position but also sets the stage for sustained growth and increased shareholder value.”
The deal is expected to close in the first half of next year.
TKO Group also announced Thursday that its board has approved the repurchase of up to $2 billion of its common stock.
Shares of TKO Group Holdings Inc., based in Stamford, Conn., slumped more than 8% in midday trading on Thursday.
Lionel Messi earned more than 22 other MLS teams’ payrolls in 2024
BETHESDA, Md. | Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi earned more than the entire payrolls of 22 other Major League Soccer teams, and Olivier Giroud has $3,675,000 in annualized total compensation under the contract he signed to join Los Angeles FC in July.
The Major League Soccer Players Association released its salary update on Thursday and Messi’s $12 million base salary and $20,446,667 in total compensation from Inter Miami remained the same as in the initial listing in May.
Those figures cover what Messi receives from his MLS deal, which runs through the 2025 season, including any marketing bonus and agent’s fees. They do not account for any additional agreements with the team or its affiliates, or for any performance bonuses.
Miami, the league’s regular-season Supporters Shield champion, led the league with a record $41.7 million payroll, double all but Toronto ($31.8 million), Los Angeles FC ($22.1 million), the LA Galaxy ($22 million) and Nashville ($21.9 million).
Players on Cincinnati ($21 million) and Houston ($20.5 million) also totaled more than Messi.
Montreal ($11.4 million), Philadelphia ($13.8 million) and Dallas ($13.9 million) are among the lowest payrolls.
Giroux, a 38-year-old striker, joined LA in July on a free transfer from AC Milan. He has a $2.8 million annualized salary for 2024.
Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets is second in the league in salary at $8,499,996 and has $8,774,996 in total compensation. Toronto winger Lorenzo Insigne has a $7.5 million salary and $15.4 million in total compensation.
Other notable players who joined MLS during the summer transfer window included Houston forward Ezequiel Ponce ($2.56 million salary, $2,822,200 total compensation), St. Louis midfielder Marcel Hartel ($1,797,600, $2,183,113), Atlanta midfielder Alexey Miranchuk ($2.4 million, $3,685,441), Salt Lake midfielder Diogo Gonçalves ($1.65 million, $1,797,108), Minnesota forward Kelvin Yeboah ($1,225,000), New York Red Bulls midfielder Felipe Carballo ($1.02 million, $1,169,777), Cincinnati defender Chidozie Awaziem ($1.08 million, $1,205,675), Austin winger Osman Bukari ($1 million) and LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus ($960,000, $1,216,667).
Among Americans returning to MLS were Colorado right back Reggie Cannon ($750,000, $841,500) and Charlotte defender Tim Ream ($500,000, $577,500).
Former New England forward Jozy Altidore was listed as an MLS pool player at $1,683,750 in salary and $2,242,574 in total compensation. Former Toronto player Michael Bradley was listed as retired with pay and total compensation of $725,000.
Two former Penn State football players are facing rape charges
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Two former Penn State football players facing felony rape charges are free on bond while they await their next hearing.
Kaveion Allen Keys and Jameial James Lyons, both 19, are accused of raping a 17-year-old Penn State student at their on-campus apartment in early July. A second student who was present that night said she awoke with her pants removed and that Lyons “digitally penetrated” her, according to the criminal complaint.
Penn State coach James Franklin declined to answer questions about the charges against Lyons and Keys following practice Wednesday.
Both players were placed on interim suspension over the summer to deal with what Penn State officials called a “personal matter.” By early August, both were removed from the roster. Franklin has declined to discuss their statuses.
They were arraigned Wednesday by District Judge Don Hahn, who set Keys’ bail at $400,000 and Lyons’ at $500,000. Keys and Lyons were not required to post bail unless they violate bail conditions. Their next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
According to the complaint, Keys denied knowing “Victim 1” and engaging in sexual contact with any of the women in the apartment that night.
Lyons, according to the complaint, acknowledged having sex with Victim 1 and said he had Keys’ cellphone during the encounter, although he denied making a video recording. Lyons said the sex with Victim 1 was consensual but added that he believed Victim 1 would “likely report the situation to the police,” the complaint read.
Both Lyons and Keys’ cellphones were examined. A short video showing “indecent contact” with Victim 1 was found on Keys’ camera roll, according to police. There also was a witness, referred to in the complaint as Witness 1, who was in the apartment that night.
Keys was charged with forcible rape (first-degree felony), sexual assault (second-degree felony), aggravated assault without consent (second-degree felony) and indecent assault without consent (second-degree misdemeanor).
Lyons was charged with forcible rape (first-degree felony), voluntary deviate sexual intercourse (second-degree felony), aggravated assault without consent (second-degree felony), indecent assault without consent (second-degree misdemeanor) and invasion of privacy (second-degree misdemeanor).
Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey gets jury duty but is expected to play
FRISCO, Texas | The Dallas Cowboys expect Brandon Aubrey to be available in San Francisco after missing the first two practices of the week when the kicker was selected for jury duty.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday that Aubrey was getting his work in later in the day after court was out of session in preparation for Sunday night’s visit to the 49ers.
“Hey, just when you think you’ve seen it all at this place, you’ve got something else to do,” McCarthy said.
The Cowboys don’t expect any issues with Aubrey being on the team’s charter flight, and McCarthy said the return trip would be designed to make sure Aubrey is back in time if his case lingers into next week.
Aubrey has been the Cowboys’ best offensive player in an up-and-down season for quarterback Dak Prescott and company.
After setting an NFL record last season by making the first 35 kicks of his career, Aubrey is 17 of 19 this season. He has at least one kick of 50 or more yards in eight consecutive games, a league record.
The 29-year-old Aubrey was kicking in the USFL in the spring of 2023 when Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel scouted him.
Aubrey played soccer at Notre Dame and was drafted by MLS, although he never played at the highest level of the top pro league in the U.S.
—From AP reports
