Morning Buzz

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and WNBPA representatives met Tuesday to address “growing safety concerns after multiple players reported death threats, online abuse and inadequate league response, with leaders promising more proactive measures ahead of the 2026 All-Star Game.” The WNBA and the players union in a joint statement said that they met for an “honest and meaningful conversation about the recent increase in racist, hateful, and abusive messages directed at players.” The statement also said the conversation “underscored the importance of addressing issues early through proactive communication and strengthening the league-union relationship.” The league committed to continuing to enhance security resources.” It added, “Yesterday’s discussion marked the beginning of an ongoing dialogue, and we are united in our commitment to building on this work together.” The meeting, which “included league security, comes on the heels of multiple players flagging issues related to player health and safety during recent weeks.” The All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday in Chicago. Engelbert is scheduled to hold a news conference before the game (USA TODAY, 7/22).

Trail Blazers TV play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Calabro informed the organization Wednesday that “he is leaving the broadcast after receiving a ‘subprime’ contract extension offer.” Calabro was hired in July 2016 to replace Mike Barrett and has “served as the face of the broadcast since.” His contract expired on June 30 and “there was mutual interest between him and the Blazers for a reunion, perhaps even in a more limited role.” Calabro “made it clear he’s not ready to step away from the broadcast booth.” He has “a couple conversations set up for next week” with NBA teams about play-by-play opportunities (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/22).

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has “held talks about joining” the consortium that is seeking to buy around 30% of Premier League club Liverpool, according to sources cited by the London GUARDIAN. The group led by the former EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers co‑owner Amit Bhatia has “made a provisional offer” to buy a stake from Fenway Sports Group and “is talking to other potential investors over supplying funding.” Sources have indicated that “any deal with Bhatia’s consortium would see Bezos receive equity in Liverpool.” Bezos has previously explored bids for the Seahawks and Commanders without completing a deal, but “has never before looked at investing in the Premier League” (London GUARDIAN, 7/22).

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) wrote an op-ed in USA TODAY stating if things do not change in college sports, “we are headed toward a future where college athletics, and specifically college football, will be reduced to a super league of just a handful of the wealthiest schools.” He adds some fans and pundits “scoff at lawmakers’ involvement,” but the “reality is the legal problems and court battles consuming college sports are the result of laws previously enacted by Congress.” He writes “only Congress can fix those laws” so there is “a clear and enforceable national rulebook for college sports.” But if lawmakers “don’t act, the college sports landscape that Americans have known for generations will soon cease to exist.” Cruz: “We cannot wait until the system completely collapses and then attempt to rebuild what was lost. College sports are one of America’s great unifying traditions, and if we want to preserve them for future generations, the Senate and House of Representatives must act now” (USA TODAY, 6/23).

The Dodgers are set to visit the White House Thursday to celebrate their 2025 World Series title, but not every player on the team will be there. Dodgers SS Mookie Betts confirmed that “he will not be joining” the team during the ceremony, while some team members (including IF Miguel Rojas and manager Dave Roberts) “will be going to Capitol Hill for an event earlier in the day.” IF/OF Kiké Hernandez will also “not be there” as he is currently on a minor-league rehab assignment. Members of the Dodgers’ front office “will also be absent from the visit.” But many players will be at the White House, including recently retired P Clayton Kershaw, who is “expected to meet the team in Washington” (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/22).

Meanwhile, President Trump on Wednesday attended an event in Marietta, Ga., where he was “joined onstage” by former Braves manager Brian Snitker and Braves Development Company President & CEO Mike Plant (THE ATHLETIC, 7/23).

The Premier League is launching a new experiential event dubbed “Coast to Coast” in the U.S. to help launch the 2026-27 season with all 20 clubs hosting free watch parties and activation areas. The activation on the opening weekend of Aug. 21-24 will see events around all 10 games.

This new effort builds on the “Premier League Mornings Live” fan festivals that the league has done in conjunction with NBC over the last few years (12 to date).

“Over half a million fans have attended [the fan fests and summer events], and those have been extremely successful,” Akash Jain, the U.S. Managing Director for the Premier League, told SBJ. “So we took a step back and we obviously looked at what was happening with the summer and we started talking to our clubs about what can we really create.”

Several clubs are holding events in markets affiliated with their ownership groups, including Arensal in Denver (Kroenke Sports), Liverpool in Boston (Fenway Sports) and Leeds in S.F. (49ers Enterprises). Arsenal will bring last season’s Premier League trophy to McGregor Square in Denver, while Liverpool will have its event at Cask ‘N Flagon just outside Fenway Park.

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On this week’s pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp is joined by Richard Deitsch, Alex Silverman and Bret McCormick for a deep dive into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The quartet looks back at the tournament’s record-breaking viewership for Fox and Telemundo, forecasts the future of World Cup media rights, and discuss FIFA’s first World Cup halftime show. Plus, Silverman and McCormick share on-the-ground insights from host cities across the country.

LIV golfer Martin Kaymer, who leads the Cleeks GC team, said that it is “highly unlikely” the Team Championships scheduled for late August in Michigan will happen. Kaymer attended a captain’s meeting at LIV Golf U.K. on Tuesday ahead of the league’s return after a seven-week hiatus. Kaymer said, “We got the information, but we were more looking for decisions or what was happening next year. And unfortunately, even (LIV CEO Scott O’Neil), he can’t tell us because he doesn’t know. It depends so much on the investors.” Kaymer “believes there is a ‘5%’ chance the tournament will take place as scheduled.” Kaymer said, “How do you want to have a team winning the whole season if you don’t have a team event? We need to be honest.” A decision on the tournament is “expected to be made Tuesday,” but Kaymer admits that “it didn’t look good.” LIV declined to comment on the Michigan event when reached by TG (TODAY’S GOLFER, 7/22).

“Words later applied to this 1867 piece include ‘Far from the Black Forest you hurry to the sea.’”