Month: July 2023

The New York Giants and left offensive tackle Andrew Thomas agreed to a record-setting 5-year, $117.5 million contract extension. The contract includes $67 million in guarantees for the 2020 first-round draft pick, the most ever for an offensive lineman. The guaranteed money tops the previous record of $64.1 million received by Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley in 2020.  Thomas, 24, is now under contract through the 2029 season.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive lineman entered the league as the No. 4 pick by the Giants in the 2020 NFL Draft, and has started 44 of his 45 games through his first three campaigns, 16 of those last season. Thomas earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2022, and was the third-highest rated tackle in the NFL last season. He also was the third-best pass blocker and seventh-best run blocker.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen said of Thomas’ extension: “Ecstatic about that. He played at a high level. He’s our type of guy.” Thomas’ signing comes one day after the Giants signed star running back Saquon Barkley to a 1-year deal worth up to $11 million. Giants veterans reported to training camp Tuesday.

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On Wednesday, Major League Baseball voted to extend commissioner Rob Manfred’s contract for 4 years, which will keep him in that position through January 2029. The 64-year-old Manfred had one more season remaining on his previous contract; his latest extension is his second.

Seattle Mariners chairman John Stanton, who chaired the meeting that approved Manfred’s extension, wrote in a statement: “At a critical moment in the history of our game, Commissioner Manfred has listened to our fans and worked closely with our players to improve America’s pastime. Under his leadership, we have been responsive to the fans’ desire for more action and better pace, continued the game’s spirit of innovation, expanded MLB’s role in youth baseball and softball, and beyond. The significant momentum that MLB has built reflects his ongoing initiatives that are advancing the game.”

Manfred began working with MLB by helping with collective bargaining in 1987 and joined the league full time as executive vice president in 1998 for the next 17 years. He officially succeeded Bud Selig as commissioner in January 2015. The extension to Manfred’s contract puts him in line to guide owners through another round of collective bargaining; the current CBA is set to expire after the 2026 season.

Manfred said in a statement: “It is an honor to serve the best game in the world and to continue the pursuit of strengthening our sport on and off the field. This season our players are displaying the most vibrant version of our game, and sports fans are responding in a manner that is great for Major League Baseball’s future. Together, all of us in the game will work toward presenting our sport at its finest and broadening its reach and impact for our loyal fans.”

Manfred’s tenure has been marked with conflict from both the players and MLB Players’ Association, due in part to his controversial handling of the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, as well as the labor dispute in Winter 2021 which prompted a 99-day lockout. On the flip side, new rule changes implemented, notably the pitch clock, have been widely popular with fans. Additionally, MLB exceeded $10.8 billion in revenue under Manfred’s watch in 2022, rebounding strongly after two years impacted by the pandemic.

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LeBron James’ eldest son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., was hospitalized recently after suffering cardiac arrest. The 18-year-old was rushed to the hospital following a basketball workout at the University of Southern California on Monday, July 24. Bronny is currently in his freshman year at USC and is a member of the school’s basketball team.

According to TMZ Sports, a 911 call was made around 9:26 a.m. PT from the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, California, where the Trojans basketball team plays and practices. According to the site, Bronny was unconscious and taken to the hospital via ambulance. A spokesperson for the James family told TMZ on Tuesday, July 25: “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information …LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”

LeBron and his wife, Savannah James, welcomed Bronny in October 2004; the couple also share son Bryce, 16, and daughter Zhuri, 8. Bronny, a McDonald’s All-American player, recently committed to playing ball for USC.

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Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million contact extension with the Boston Celtics, making it the richest in NBA history. A tweet from Shams Charania read: “BREAKING: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension with the franchise, per sources. This is the richest deal in NBA history, negotiated by agent Jason Glushon. Fully guaranteed, with a trade kicker. No player option.”

Brown became eligible for a supermax extension once he earned All-NBA honors this season. Brown was eligible for this contract on July 1, but the two sides had issues with the specifics of the deal.  As noted, the deal is currently the most expensive contract in NBA history, and based on the assumed 10% growth in the salary cap (the maximum allowable within the CBA), it will pay Brown a total of $303,734,891 with an average of $60,746,978.20 per year.

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