MLBPA ousts pair of execs following internal investigation
A pair of execs were dismissed by the MLBPA following an international investigation amid a federal probe into the union. MLBPA COO Xavier James and CHRO Michael O’Neill were fired with cause, ESPN reported. The dismissals followed an internal investigation, the report said. SBJ confirmed that James...
3 takeaways from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in her first post-CBA speech
SBJ’s Mike Mazzeo attended WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s draft press conference Monday in New York City. Here’s what stood out from her time at the podium following a contentious offseason CBA negotiation with the players’ union and amid questions on Engelbert’s future.
Engelbert says WNBA in ‘a good spot’ after contentious labor negotiations
NEW YORK -- WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she “feels really good” about her relationship with the players as the league looks to move forward after a contentious labor negotiation. A seven-year labor deal through 2032 that features the first multimillion-dollar contracts in league history m...
WNBA’s CGO conveyed confidence to sponsors amid CBA uncertainty
NEW YORK -- As the WNBA was working through uncertainty on the labor front, it was largely business as usual for the league’s sponsorships team. Typically, WNBA CGO Colie Edison said, most of the league’s sponsorship deals take 12-18 months, from initial conversations to contracts being finalized.
White Sox make Aug. 11 ‘Pope Hat’ giveaway available to all fans
The White Sox are tipping their cap to the Pope. And because of overwhelming fan demand, everyone in attendance will now receive the team’s “Pope Hat” giveaway on Aug. 11.
Padres reach ballpark retail sales record thanks to City Connect 2.0
The Padres had a record-setting Thursday at Petco Park, surpassing $1.1M in ballpark retail sales following the launch of their City Connect 2.0 uniforms and related merchandise, a team official told SBJ. That figure doubled San Diego’s previous single-day record of $550,000, set on Opening Day in 2...
Rays, Tampa set June 1 deadline for ’29 ballpark approvals
A memorandum of understanding between the Rays, the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County has set a June 1 deadline for all sides to secure approvals that would allow for the franchise to build a $2.3B ballpark and privately funded adjacent mixed-use development in time for the start of the 2029 sea...
Second time through the order: Eight MLB teams release new City Connect uniforms
Eight MLB teams released their Nike City Connect uniforms for the 2026 season on Thursday: the Braves, Orioles, Reds, Royals, Brewers, Pirates, Padres and Rangers. This is the first time since City Connects were introduced in 2021 that teams wearing the uniforms for a particular season are releasing...
DBH acquiring Trenton Thunder of MLB Draft League
Diamond Baseball Holdings is delving into the unaffiliated ranks for the first time, acquiring the Trenton Thunder of the MLB Draft League. However, local officials hope the sale positions the franchise to return to affiliated baseball. The Thunder had served as the Double-A home for the Tigers (199...
ESPN settling into new MLB arrangement
ESPN is adapting to a different set of MLB national media rights for 2026, with 30 exclusive — but mostly midweek — national games during the summer. That means juggling a different broadcast talent schedule, reports my SBJ colleague Mike Mazzeo.