Weekend Rap

CHICAGO -- WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert made a commitment for 2027, but it wasn’t about her future with the league.

Ahead of the All-Star Game, Engelbert announced that the WNBA would launch a replay center for the 2027 season, even as she sidestepped a question about her future beyond this season. The announcement comes as the league and Engelbert have endured weeks of criticism for how they have handled threats to player safety, communication with players and with the media.

For her part, Engelbert’s long-winded answer evaded saying whether she would be back to lead the league where she has been commissioner since 2019.

“To be at the helm of this league during this incredible hyper growth period, so blessed that these players are putting a product on the court they are every night,” she said. “They stand for the values that the W has long sought for. So I will just continue to do my job, execute the strategy because it has been working.”

Read more >>>

Before Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert acknowledged communication with the players needs to improve. She said, “We need to be better at it. There’s no doubt. I need to be better.”

After the game, Fever G Caitlin Clark was asked about her relationship with league leadership, noting her “great relationship” with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who was in attendance. She said she communicates mostly with player leadership and WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike. Clark: “Relationships are really important to me, and I think we can always improve in that area. I think that can improve a lot of things. I think communication can improve overall. … Communication and relationships solve a lot of issues and a lot of problems. And at the same time, the WNBA has so much to be proud of. And I feel like we’re always so focused on the negative when we can be focused on the positive. WNBA leadership has created a lot of positives for this league too, and that should be celebrated. And Cathy has also brought a lot to this league and helped us reach new milestones. But there’s always room for improvement in everywhere of a business. And I think we can just go back and reflect and find ways to get better” (X, 7/25).

When former President Barack Obama visited the WNBA All-Stars before practices Friday morning at the Obama Presidential Center, he made the rounds shaking hands. When he reached Clark, he told her she was fantastic and then had some advice. He said, “Don’t let all this nonsense get you down. I always say one of the things that was luckiest for me was I didn’t get famous until I was like 45. So I was an old-ass man. You’re my daughter’s age. … So don’t lose that joy" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/24).

Meanwhile, the WNBA All-Star Game set an attendance record with 19,783 at the United Center, besting the previous record of 19,487 in 2007 at the then-Verizon Center in Washington (YAHOO SPORTS, 7/25) Team Spoon, drafted by WNBA All-Star GM Teresa Weatherspoon, beat Team Cooper, drafted by WNBA legend Cynthia Cooper, 129-22. Jonquel Jones became the first player to win league MVP, WNBA Commissioner’s Cup MVP, Finals MVP and All-Star MVP (USA TODAY, 7/25).

Read more >>>

The four teams that F LeBron James “strongly considered” were the 76ers, Heat, Cavaliers and Warriors, and agent Rich Paul that James’ list was never shortened to finalists. During an appearance on Max Kellerman’s “Game On” podcast, Paul said James made the decision “100%” on Friday at 1am after going “back and forth” all day. Paul: “It was a really tough decision for him. It was a rollercoaster ride. I’m seeing the rollercoaster every day … Seeing a guy that accomplished still get excited and a little nervous is a cool thing to see.” Paul said the Sixers were only considered after the acquisition of G Jaylen Brown from the Celtics. He said James’ relationships with fellow Klutch Sports client and Sixer G Tyrese Maxey played a role as did his relationship with Sixers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey. Both were high school stars in Ohio. Paul: “Adding someone like LJ to that fold, when you have a mix and old, you need young to compete in today’s game … Do they have the perfect roster? Probably not. Do they have a pretty good starting five? Probably so.” Paul also commented on ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter saying that he was told by a trusted source to watch out for the Heat: “I felt bad for my guy Adam Schefter; somebody sold him a lemon” (MIAMI HERALD, 7/25).

The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s O’Connell & Federman said James might be “the NBA’s greatest bargain ever.” The 76ers “didn’t just get one of the greatest players in history. They got him on a budget” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/26).

THE ATHLETIC’s Verdon & Aldridge wrote under the headline: “Inside LeBron’s Philadelphia Decision: Why pretty much everyone was completely in the dark.” No one “knew what LeBron was going to do up until Friday. They might have thought they knew from time to time, but it played out as a winding mystery” (THE ATHLETIC, 7/25).

In N.Y., Mike Lupica wrote under the header, “LeBron is still chasing championships and that’s great for sports.” You “don’t have to love him, or like the way he has moved (around). … But you have to know at the same time that nobody has ever wanted to win more than he does.” Lupica: “As much, certainly. Just not more” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/25).

Read more >>>

Trading card company Topps’ X account post and ESPN’s Shams Charania timestamps on LeBron James move to the 76ers all popped at 11:30am ET Friday, but users “received Topps’ post notification first, indicating Topps sent its post seconds before the others.” According to the company, this marks the first time a “player move has ever been announced via trading card.” The Topps Now card was available for purchase 90 minutes before James’ No. 23 jerseys became available through the Fanatics website. Topps Now cards are “sold individually and only available for purchase from the company’s website for three days before they are distributed.” One randomly selected customer who purchases the base card “will get a one-of-one version of the card autographed by James instead.” James signed an exclusive trading card and autograph rights deal with Fanatics-owned Topps in January 2024 that went into effect when the company regained the exclusive license to produce NBA trading cards in late 2025 (THE ATHLETIC, 7/24).

The N.Y. POST cited sources as saying that the NBA was “blindsided by this type of announcement,” as Topps posted what appeared to be an already-autographed one-of-one trading card -- perhaps signaling that this was in the works for some time. The card itself that appears on the Instagram post is a real one that exists, but it is not yet autographed, a said Friday. The source added that the image has been digitally modified to show what his autograph will look like on the card, and the actual signature on the card will be done in the coming days (N.Y. POST, 7/24).

Meanwhile, about two hours after news broke of James move, all first editions of the No. 23 jersey “were sold out on the Fanatics website.” The adult “royal blue, white, and red Nike Swingman jerseys” had been selling for $124.99, in line with the price of similar jerseys for other Sixers. An image of the jersey was displayed on the top of the Fanatics homepage with the words: “LeBron James. The king just found his kingdom.” Fanatics is also selling James’ 2026-2027 Topps trading card for between $11.99 for a single card and $169.99 for a 20 pack. On Friday afternoon, Mitchell & Ness customers “could preorder several James graphic tees and sweatshirts, set to ship in four to six weeks.” The new swag was “advertised on the retailer’s homepage,” which read “Philly welcomes the king.” Rally House, the national sports apparel chain with more than two dozen Philly-area locations, “also advertised James Sixers jerseys and T-shirts, set to ship next month” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/24).

James’ signing with the Sixers generated 311,000 posts in the hour following his announcement on X (X, 7/24).

Read more >>>

It is, as always, good to be an NFL team owner.

Last season, league-level media rights and sponsorship deals enabled the NFL to distribute a total $14.5B to its teams, or $453.2M per club. That’s an increase of 4.8% over the prior season.

The league distribution was disclosed in the Packers’ annual financial results Friday. But though Packers President & CEO Ed Policy projected strength, highlighting that his team’s net income was up 55% to $132.5M on total revenue of $753M last season, he also stressed that the Packers are at risk of falling behind their competition.

Rising player costs caused the team to take a small $1.1M operating loss last year, its first in a season not affected by COVID since 1989. And as Policy told SBJ earlier this year, the Packers’ nonprofit structure prevents it from cashing in on the NFL’s influx of private equity and other deep-pocketed investors.

Read more >>>

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was “injured in a crash and will have limited participation” at the start of the team’s training camp. 49ers GM John Lynch said that Shanahan had “injuries that were not life-threatening” but that he “suffered a concussion and has lingering effects from the injury.” The 49ers said that Shanahan’s team responsibilities will be carried out by assistant head coach Chris Foerster and team coordinators (CBSNEWS.com, 7/25).

ESPN.com cited sources as saying that Shanahan “broke his nose, three ribs and his hand, needed more than 40 stiches in his face, and suffered a severe concussion,” when he collided with an SUV near his northern California home. According to Palo Alto Lt. Nicholas Martinez, the other driver suffered no injuries. Martinez said that drugs and alcohol were not involved and that both drivers cooperated with police. No one was cited for the collision (ESPN.com, 7/25).

Former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark went on “The Pivot,” a podcast he co-hosts with Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder, and “gave his side of the events that led to his departure after 12 years as an analyst at ESPN.” Clark said, “What makes me a little bit sad about myself is I did adjust who I was to try to keep my job.” He added that he had meetings with executives “trying to determine how he could better meet their demands.” Clark said, “I knew for a lack of a better word, I couldn’t be too black. What makes me sad is even in trying to adjust to being more of what certain people wanted, they still fired me.” Clark rejects the idea he was among the latest round of layoffs. Clark said, “Let me put this to bed -- I wasn’t laid off, I was fired.” According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, an on-air conflict between Clark and Peter Schrager “played a role.” Clark said, “Me and Peter don’t have an issue. If you ask him right now after what went on, nobody has been nicer to him” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 7/25).

Univ. of Michigan AD Warde Manuel will receive a lump-sum payment of more than $7M and has a two-year non-compete clause with any Big Ten school as part of a buyout from the university. Manuel will be paid $7,143,346, minus tax withholding, within 21 days of the date of his resignation. He also will “receive a retirement contribution” of $108,000 and all retiree benefits, including health-plan coverage, as Michigan waived the service requirement of 20 years. Less than two years ago, he signed a five-year contract extension worth about $2.4M annually that was to take him through June 30, 2030. Manuel will remain employed by Michigan until he “voluntarily resigns” Dec. 31, according to the “Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims.” The buyout was signed by Manuel and Michigan President Domenico Grasso on July 17, a day after the university regents held a meeting in Traverse City, during which they said that “athletics and the investigation were not discussed.” Manuel has agreed “not to be employed as an athletic director or senior athletic adviser for any Big Ten school for two years from the date of his resignation.” Michigan also will pay his $82,000 in attorney fees, and he will “receive the typical benefits given to a former athletic director, including tickets and golf privileges” (DETROIT NEWS, 7/25).

Daytona International Speedway will “return to its role as the host for NASCAR’s season-opening exhibition race” next season after a six-year hiatus, according to sources cited by THE ATHLETIC. The race is slated to be held on Saturday, Feb. 13 -- the day before Super Bowl LXI and a week before the Daytona 500 on Feb. 21. NASCAR shifted the Clash to a purpose-built quarter-mile oval inside the L.A. Memorial Coliseum for three years, then a two-year stint at Bowman Gray Stadium, an existing quarter-mile oval in Winston-Salem, N.C. NASCAR has “not yet unveiled the full 2027 schedule but is hoping to do so in the coming weeks” (THE ATHLETIC, 7/24).

The Malaysian Grand Prix “will be added” to the 2026 F1 calendar, the first edition of the race since 2017. It will form a tripleheader in late September and early October, with the race held Oct. 4 between the Azerbaijan GP (Sept. 26) and Singapore GP (Oct. 11). The season is “set to end on three tripleheaders -- nine races in the span of 11 weeks -- with the final race scheduled to place in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 6.” The status of the ongoing Middle East conflict will determine whether those races happen. The Malaysian race is a “replacement round for the cancelled events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia after the conflict broke out in late February.” It will be officially titled the “Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia,” with Gulf Air the Bahrain national carrier and regular sponsor of the Bahrain GP. Both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs originally were supposed to take place in April (THE ATHLETIC, 7/26).

IOC member and FIFA President Gianni Infantino “will not have to explain to the Olympic body how U.S. President Donald Trump helped to stop a player’s ban at the World Cup," related to Trump’s call about Folarin Balogun’s red card. The IOC said it has “no jurisdiction to investigate Infantino’s alleged lack of political neutrality.” A London-based NGO “formally complained this month” to the IOC ethics commission about Infantino. The IOC said that “no formal investigation will be opened” because the complaint by rights group FairSquare “did not relate to FIFA’s or Infantino’s specific relations with the Olympic body” (AP, 7/24).

Hundreds of people gathered Friday at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for the funeral of Texans co-founder Janice McNair. Janice’s son and the current CEO and chair of the Texans Cal McNair said, “She was exceptional.” McNair died July 14 of natural causes at age 89. Among the people in attendance at the service included Pro Football HOFer Andre Johnson, former NFLer J.J. Watt, current Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, former coach Gary Kubiak, GM Nick Caserio, QB C.J. Stroud, Mayor John Whitmire and other players. Johnson, who played for the Texans from 2003 to 2014, said that being able to speak about McNair as part of the service is one of “his life’s greatest honors.” Johnson said, “We love you. We’ll miss you” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/24).