USGA CEO Mike Whan confirmed today that the organization "will dole out the biggest purse in U.S. Open history this year." Whan said that $20M in total will be distributed, with $3.6M handed to the winner of the tournament. Both are "increases over the 2022 U.S. Open, which saw a total purse" of $17.5M, while Matt Fitzpatrick collected $3.15M as the champion (BLEACHER REPORT, 6/14). Meanwhile, Whan during last year's Open said the USGA would work on the commercial load during NBC's broadcast of the event, and today said there will be 30% less commercial interruptions this week (SBJ).

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper "legalized long-sought plans for sports gambling" in the state after signing the Sports Wagering Bill "into law at the Spectrum Center in uptown Charlotte" this morning. The legislation will "allow for regulations and safe guards on betting" and will also "open channels for more funding to help people with gambling problems." Betting will "begin next year" after the Lottery Commission "sets up regulations and chooses a start date." Gambling will start "within 12 months" of the bill becoming law, meaning "the latest wagers could start would be in June 2024" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/14).

Ohio State junior golfer Max Moldovan has added to his growing NIL portfolio ahead of his second U.S. Open start tomorrow in L.A., signing a partnership with SuperSpeed Golf. Moldovan, who set OSU's single-season scoring record for a third straight year in 2023 and is 19th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, also recently signed on with Titleist, Footjoy, United Trust Bank, Hamilton Capital and accounting firm UHY. Coming out of regional qualifying last week, Moldovan was an alternate but eventually got in the field when a spot opened up. Moldovan is repped by Drew Carrof Fidelity Sports Group.   

MLS today unveiled “The Seeds We Plant. The Flowers We Share,” the 2023 edition of its annual Juneteenth initiative which features collectible jerseys designed by Black artist Gianni Lee. The 29 collectible jerseys will be signed by players and auctioned off with funds going to organizations that impact the Black community in each club’s local market. As a new addition a commemorative patch was designed to complement the 29 jerseys representing each individual MLS club. The Juneteenth programs are a close collaboration between the league, clubs and Black Players for Change (BPC) -- an independent organization of Black MLS players, coaches and staff (MLS).

The FIFA Women's World Cup "will be broadcast in Britain, Spain, France, Germany and Italy" after governing body FIFA "extended its agreement with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), ending the threat of a blackout in Europe's top soccer nations." The tournament will be broadcast by ITV and BBC in Britain, ARD and ZDF in Germany, France Televisions, RAI (Italy) and RTVE (Spain). Financial details of the deal "were not disclosed." FIFA President Gianni Infantino had said broadcasters "initially offered only" $1M-$10M for the rights for this year's tournament in Australia and New Zealand, "compared to" $100M-$200M for the men's World Cup (REUTERS, 6/14).

This week’s selection of “Podcast Picks” goes back to school to look at the state of NIL as several states have recently passed new laws governing this new frontier, then we hit the virtual links to look at the TGL as it begins to get off the ground and closer to the green, and finally we examine the polarizing announcement of the merger between the PGA Tour and LIV and Saudi Arabia’s ongoing effort to become a global player in sports.

Reddit CFB’s Bobak Ha’Eri went back to school on “NIL Now” where he discussed recent comments from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey about NIL being a “runaway freight train at the state level.” Ha’Eri noted “everyone is focusing” on these states who are passing new NIL rules which state the NCAA “can’t enforce things in the states that are passing them, but they also make it pretty much clear the SEC also can’t enforce the laws.” Ha’Eri clarified the Southeastern Conference (SEC) can’t enforce the new laws, not the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) but if the “real SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) wanted to get involved you best believe they’re going to get in there.” Ha’Eri: “I think everyone’s quietly rooting for SEC versus the SEC.”

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A NEW VENTURE : Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian sat down with “The Joe Pomp Show” to discuss his investment in TGL, becoming the first owner in the new venture. Ohanian said when TGL first came on his radar he said “this is a league I need to be part of because here is a sport that has tremendous global appeal, here’s a sport that has some amazing, iconic athletes” and once he “heard the format I just fell out my chair.” But he added, “We’ve got a lot of work to do now to actually build this thing, but I feel very grateful.”

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TNT's broadcast crew for the eighth installment of Capital One’s "The Match" will feature Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Trevor Immelman and Kathryn Tappen. Draymond Green and Von Miller will also be joining the team as special contributors. The event will take place June 29 and features Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce facing off against Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson (WBD Sports).

“No trophy, by the way, has more fun than the Stanley Cup” -- NBC’s Craig Melvin, on the wild stories involving the players and the Stanley Cup ( “Today,” NBC, 6/14).

“It’s a perfect storm for Ohtani. The big question in the bidding for him, will that first number start with a 5 or 6: $500M or $600M. Will these numbers go to crazyland?” -- ESPN’s Buster Olney, on the next contract for pending free agent P/DH Shohei Ohtani ( “Get Up,” ESPN, 6/14).

“You have the opportunity to be the next face of the NBA. LeBron is getting older, Steph Curry’s getting older, who is the next one that’s going to be the league’s brand. It should have been you. That’s who everybody thought it would be” -- ESPN’s Alan Hahn, on Pelicans F Zion Williamson missing numerous games over his career and being criticized for his lack of conditioning ( “Get Up,” ESPN, 6/14).

“Don’t tell the fans in Oakland that this team doesn’t matter” -- MLB Network’s Alanna Rizzo, on the fans showing up to the ballpark for the “reverse boycott” last night ( “High Heat,” MLB Network, 6/14).

Netflix released a trailer for its upcoming docuseries, "Quarterback," which follows NFL QBs Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota through the past season. The series debuts July 12.

49%  -- Increase in average viewership of WNBA games on Disney platforms vs. the entire 2022 WNBA season average (ESPN).