Ben Horney

Deals Reporter @FOS
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[Front Office Sports @FOS]

An NBA expansion team in Las Vegas is gaining momentum as a group including ex-NBA owner Jerry Colangelo, ESPN's Jay Williams, Vinny Del Negro, and David Levy announced plans to submit an expansion bid.

The group claims to have already raised $8 billion for an expansion bid.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

Clippers can’t just trade away their Kawhi issue.

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Developing: The Los Angeles Clippers-Toronto Raptors trade centered on Kawhi Leonard will not be complete until the NBA investigation into the Clippers is over. Statement from the Clippers to ESPN:

For the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation, participating in dozens of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents, and facilitating access to our staff. While the process has been challenging, we have remained committed to transparency.

On June 30, we reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors' ownership group assumes the risk of penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation.  The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.

At the heart of this investigation are Joe Sanberg and Aspiration. We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.  

We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans, and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues.

We remain confident that, when the facts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

A few tidbits on where the Seahawks sale process stands.

- Down to 2 groups (sources say a last-minute suitor could emerge). One has Wcy Grousbeck & Aditya Mittal. Other led by Vinod Khosla.

- Some have been told they are out of the mix.

- One group features a former Seahawk.

[Front Office Sports @FOS]

Two front-runners have emerged to buy the Seattle Seahawks, with others told they are out of the race, sources tell FOS.

One group features Celtics minority owner Aditya Mittal and ex-Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck, with the other led by 49ers minority investor Vinod Khosla.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

"Unlike illegal offshore sportsbooks, FanDuel employees are trained to recognize and flag signs of problem gambling and offer resources and tools, and we continue to review and strengthen our policies to ensure we have the industry’s strongest consumer protection initiatives.”

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

FanDuel spokesperson says the company "is committed to fostering a culture of responsible gaming and protecting our customers."

Statement continues in next tweet...

[The Philadelphia Inquirer @PhillyInquirer]

FanDuel sent a personal message from Phillies star Bryce Harper to a customer with a gambling addiction https://t.co/fBStYaOqkE

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

NEWS: Two front-runners have emerged in the Seahawks sale process.

One features Celtics minority owner Aditya Mittal and ex-Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck. The other is led by 49ers minority owner Vinod Khosla.

A former Seahawk is involved with one bid.
https://t.co/XlPqTFcDWy

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

Crazy story and video.

The man Harper sent the video to is the plaintiff in this lawsuit @FOS covered back in March:
https://t.co/7xlCqwyfrU

[The Philadelphia Inquirer @PhillyInquirer]

FanDuel sent a personal message from Phillies star Bryce Harper to a customer with a gambling addiction https://t.co/fBStYaOqkE

[Ryan Glasspiegel @sportsrapport]

Glass Break: Jacob Tobey, a talented young broadcaster, is out as Spurs PBP announcer after his girlfriend accused him on social media of cheating on her with a relative of a player on the team

https://t.co/1gnBZ2uAzs

[Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer]

Story from a scenic day in court where Terry Rozier’s attempt to get a ruling in his quest for employment took a hit: https://t.co/PwsHiA1odq

[Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer]

In a status hearing in federal court today, Terry Rozier’s defense asked the court to adjust the terms of his release so he can seek employment as a professional basketball player. No ruling was made, but the government is wary given the international travel aspects.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

Nike declined to comment, although the company typically does not comment on pending litigation.

I've tried getting in touch with 7-Eleven's atty but so far no luck.

Interesting case because it was brought less than two weeks before the sneaker was set to be released.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

Last week, 7-Eleven sued Nike over a planned July 11 (7/11) sneaker release w/ an orange, green, & red stripe design similar to the scheme used by 7-Eleven.

Nike seems to have removed the shoe from its upcoming release page, & a link to that sneaker now leads to an error page.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

In case you didn’t believe, it’s official.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

His playing career was cut short, but Jay has built a successful 2nd career on ESPN, and now he's trying to get back into the NBA in an ownership capacity.

My recent interview w/ Williams, which touched on the NBA Draft, PE in college sports, and more:
https://t.co/rbW1RwI8Te

[Jay Williams @RealJayWilliams]

Honored to be part of the Las Vegas Jacks ownership group as we pursue an NBA expansion franchise.

Nothing is guaranteed, but it’s a privilege to work alongside an exceptional group of leaders who believe in the future of Las Vegas and the @nba https://t.co/bx5zsKxFxC

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

And away we go

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

The news: Soccer star Alexia Putellas is joining London City Lionesses.

Kang and Putellas will have a live discussion shortly.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

Michele Kang, owner of soccer teams the London City Lionesses, Washington Spirit, and the Lyon men’s and women’s teams, is set to make an announcement this morning, followed by a discussion on women’s sports.

Stay tuned, @FOS has you covered.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

Michele Kang, owner of soccer teams the London City Lionesses, Washington Spirit, and the Lyon men’s and women’s teams, is set to make an announcement this morning, followed by a discussion on women’s sports.

Stay tuned, @FOS has you covered.

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

NEW: World Cup ticket prices on secondary markets are continuing to decline after all three hosts were eliminated, plus popular teams in Brazil, Colombia, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Full story @FOS, with insight from TicketData founder @kapkap42:
https://t.co/gWYWEkJo53

[Lisa Scherzer @lisascherzer]

Niche sports like Pop-A-Shot championships & Pillow Fight Championship appear across several networks, but ESPN networks are especially home to all sorts of obscure—and often peculiar—sports. Swiss stone tossing is my favorite. @FOS @BenHorney

https://t.co/tLkaAIBPWN

[Ben Horney @BenHorney]

.@FOS was first on this with a story published June 23 from @sportsrapport and @Alex__Schiffer.

Congratulations are in order for @TimBontemps. Who will replace him on @WindhorstESPN's podcast?

https://t.co/44vQRSjzmu

[Brian Windhorst @WindhorstESPN]

Free agency never stops

https://t.co/IVEsJRALLH