NFL's Billion-Dollar Soap Opera 🏈💰🎬

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

Coaching legend Monte Kiffin has passed away, the NFL is open to private equity investment, Belichick has a new TV gig, Patrick Mahomes is the ‘Best Male Athlete’, Davante Adams may have been a little too honest on ‘Receiver’, and we break down the implications of the NFL’s appeals bond in the Sunday Ticket case.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Coaching legend, architect of the ‘Tampa 2’ defense, Monte Kiffin dies at 84 (Yahoo Sports)

• Three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams signs with Tennessee TItans (NFL.com)

• Patriots and Matthew Judon reportedly ‘not close’ on contract talks (PFT)

• NFL suspends Steelers CB Cameron Sutton eight games for violating personal conduct policy (NFL.com)

• Safety Tashaun Gipson suspended six games for violating NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy (NFL.com)

• Bill Belichick joins ‘Inside the NFL’ as analyst (PFT)

• Patrick Mahomes wins 2024 ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete (SI.com)

• Roger Goodell doesn’t dismiss possibility of opening CBS rights deal after ownership change (PFT)

• NFL tries to halt costly appeals bond in 'Sunday Ticket' case (Sportico)

• Goodell: We disagree with Sunday Ticket verdict (ESPN)

• Fox names NFL announcing teams for 2024 season (SI.com)

• The NFL is open to private equity team ownership of up to 10% (CNBC)

• Officials are assessing the extend of the damage to NRG Stadium’s roof after Hurricane Beryl (Yahoo Sports)

• Andy Reid, Trey Smith, Mecole Hardman among Chiefs to join cast of Hallmark movie (NFL.com)

• NFL licenses brands for online mobile slots game (PFT)

OPENING DRIVE REQUIRED READING

• Check out the 2024 NFL head coach rankings: Chiefs' Andy Reid still king as Chargers' Jim Harbaugh returns with top 10 spot

• With the start of football right around the corner, check out all this past offseason’s transactions at Pro Football Reference

WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
Bill Belichick. In a surprising move, legendary coach Bill Belichick has agreed to join the popular show ‘Inside the NFL’ as an analyst and commentator for the 2024 season. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the NFL community, as Belichick's decision to take on a broadcasting role is seen as a potential stepping stone to his eventual return to the sidelines.

Belichick, known for his no-nonsense approach and unparalleled strategic mind, is expected to bring a unique perspective to the show. His vast knowledge of the game and ability to break down complex schemes and strategies will undoubtedly provide viewers with invaluable insights.

Belichick's foray into broadcasting could be a calculated move. The exposure and visibility afforded by ‘Inside the NFL’ could serve as a platform for Belichick to showcase his coaching acumen and reignite interest from potential suitors.

NFL insiders speculate that Belichick's appearance on the show could be a strategic play to keep his name in the spotlight and potentially sway an owner or general manager to offer him a head coaching opportunity after the 2024 season.

With his unmatched resume and reputation as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, Belichick's presence on "Inside the NFL" is sure to captivate audiences and reignite discussions about his potential return to the sidelines.

As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on Belichick's performance on the show, and whether his analytical prowess and commanding presence will be enough to convince an NFL team to bring him back into the coaching ranks.

Who’s down?
Jimmy G. Davante Adams, the Raiders' star wide receiver, played a pivotal role in the benching of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. On the Netflix documentary series Receiver, Adams explained how he "signed off" on the move to bench Garoppolo for rookie Aidan O'Connell.

Netflix cameras caught the star wide receiver’s reaction to the hit.

“I gotta get the (expletive) out of here before I lose my (expletive) life,” Adams said in the third episode, per Nick O’Malley of MassLive. “I’ve never been hit this many (expletive) times in my career. Every game I get (expletived) up.”

Adams issued an ultimatum to the Raiders' management, demanding Garoppolo's removal from the starting lineup as a condition for his continued presence on the team.

Garoppolo, who joined the Raiders in the offseason after a tumultuous stint with the San Francisco 49ers, has been the subject of intense scrutiny following lackluster performance which ultimately led to his exit from Las Vegas (Garoppolo is now with the Rams). While the decision to bench him was undoubtedly a difficult one, the influence of a player such as Adams cannot be understated.

Sources close to the situation suggest that Adams' dissatisfaction with Garoppolo's performance stemmed from a lack of chemistry between the two, which was further exacerbated by a hit Adams took from a Patriots defender. The impact of that hit (no pun intended), coupled with Garoppolo's struggles, appears to have been the tipping point for Adams.

While the Raiders' have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the situation, it is clear that Adams' voice carried significant weight in the decision-making process.

NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Understanding the impact of the NFL’s appeals bond in the Sunday Ticket case

The NFL is gearing up for a high-stakes legal battle over the recent $7.8 billion Sunday Ticket verdict. In a court filing, the league admitted that posting an appeals bond for the full judgment amount of $14.1 billion, including interest, would "severely strain" its operations and finances.

The staggering sum stems from a lawsuit brought by commercial subscribers who accused the NFL of illegally monopolizing the out-of-market game package. Despite the league's vehement disagreement with the verdict, the court could require a bond to cover potential damages while the appeal plays out.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell remained defiant, stating, "We obviously disagree with the ruling and we feel strongly about our position." The league argues that the bond requirement should be capped at $1 billion, citing its strong financial standing and the potential for irreparable harm.

The Sunday Ticket case has far-reaching implications for the NFL's lucrative media rights deals and could reshape the landscape of sports broadcasting. With billions of dollars on the line, the league is prepared to go the distance, setting the stage for a high-profile legal showdown that could reverberate throughout the sports industry..

Did you know?

🏈 2023 NFL global revenue rivals the combined totals of MLB and NBA.
🏈 The league’s 2023 national revenue hit $13 billion (the global revenue is closer to $20 billion).
🏈 The total amount represents media rights, league sponsorships and shared revenue and royalties from the league’s various affiliates and subsidiaries.

BEST LOOK 🔥 

Washington Commander’s are bringing back their classic gold pants. Hopefully we’ll never see their white ‘practice’ pants look again.

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