AROUND the NBA:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Ringer: “It's starting to seem like he might actually go to jail." @BillSimmons and @SammyKoppelman on why the Mark Walter situation is looking more and more sketchy. Mark Walter has been looking for cash to fund billions of dollars in loans for months, and he isn't just trying to sell his sports assets. According to @Ourand_Puck, Mark Walter engaged Charter Communications to see whether the company wanted to exit its local TV deals for the Lakers and Dodgers several years early in exchange for a lump-sum payment, but those talks went nowhere. The Dodgers currently have one of the best local TV deals in sports — 25 years, $8.35 billion for an average of $334 million annually — but Walter was willing to exit the deal early in exchange for upfront cash today. That's crazy.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/hoopshypeoffici...kacpbvmk2c


With his new contract in tow, James Harden rises to 7th in career earnings.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

NBA star Anthony Edwards is now on the hook for $14K a month in child support to his ex, Alexandria Descroches, and the money is for a kid he claims he's never even met. According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, the amount was determined based on the Minnesota Timberwolves guard's monthly income of nearly $4.8 million ... and the figure represents a massive increase over the baseline amount of around $3,200 per month. Alexandria was asking for a higher amount in child support. In addition to child support, the judge ordered Anthony to take out a life insurance policy worth around $2.6 million with Alexandria named as the primary beneficiary ... and pay Alexandria's legal fees totaling more than $21K. Alexandria and Anthony share a son named Amir, born in 2023. The docs note that Anthony admitted under oath that he never met his son in person and is not seeking to have any parenting time with the kid.

TMZ.com

Crazy, ain't it?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Nikola Jokic spoke highly of Victor Wembanyama, making it clear that he does not view their matchup as a personal rivalry. “He is a special opponent because he is unique as a player and as a person. I don’t see him as a rival, and I don’t take this personally. He has the opportunity to be the most unique basketball player we’ve ever seen – to be the best.” Jokic also spoke about Payton Wetson’s trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers. “I’m happy for Peyton. He’s a really good guy, brings great energy and is a positive presence in the locker room. We’ll definitely miss him, but I can’t be unhappy for him. He’s truly a great person. “

EuroHoops.net

[windjc]

https://bsky.app/profile/hoopshypeoffici...kacpbvmk2c


With his new contract in tow, James Harden rises to 7th in career earnings.

And people complain about our contracts. LOL!

[Chicagojk]

[Charania] American business leader Marc Stad has completed a deal to become the controlling owner and largest shareholder of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx by buying the majority of co-owner Marc Lore’s stake at a $4.5 billion valuation, sources tell ESPN.

*************
seems to be a lot of teams changing hands.   Trying to see if it is something more or just owners jumping on the wave with the high valuations?  With expansion coming, supposedly teams will be getting more influx of cash.   Still though, feels weird with all the teams being sold.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Charania] American business leader Marc Stad has completed a deal to become the controlling owner and largest shareholder of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx by buying the majority of co-owner Marc Lore’s stake at a $4.5 billion valuation, sources tell ESPN.

*************
seems to be a lot of teams changing hands.   Trying to see if it is something more or just owners jumping on the wave with the high valuations?  With expansion coming, supposedly teams will be getting more influx of cash.   Still though, feels weird with all the teams being sold.

interesting video I saw earlier today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hyhVMsakdE&t=1214s

I'm starting to find myself becoming disenfranchised (is that the right word?) with sports and how much passion I have for my teams.  There was something charming about Mark Cuban or George Steinbrenner owning your team.  They were fans like us.  With the uber billionaires and private equity starting to take over, there is a growing disconnect.

Maybe I'm off.  Seems like most fans just care about winning or losing.  Dont care if you have the Adelsons owning the team as long as it gives us a competitive advantage.  I find less of a connection to the team or maybe no longer mind myself compelled to care as much.

[windjc]

interesting video I saw earlier today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hyhVMsakdE&t=1214s

I'm starting to find myself becoming disenfranchised (is that the right word?) with sports and how much passion I have for my teams.  There was something charming about Mark Cuban or George Steinbrenner owning your team.  They were fans like us.  With the uber billionaires and private equity starting to take over, there is a growing disconnect.

Maybe I'm off.  Seems like most fans just care about winning or losing.  Dont care if you have the Adelsons owning the team as long as it gives us a competitive advantage.  I find less of a connection to the team or maybe no longer mind myself compelled to care as much.

You liked Cuban because he was a fan?? 

I prefer competence and maturity. But hey, that’s just me.