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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 01: Medina Spirit #8, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, (R) crosses the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby ahead of Mandaloun #7, ridden by Florent Geroux, and Hot Rod Charlie #9 ridden by Flavien Prat , and Essential Quality #14, ridden by Luis Saez, at Churchill Downs on May 01, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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In this week’s SportsMoney Playbook: Esports’ most valuable companies, the real Chelsea sale price, and the WNBA’s most versatile star. Plus: How the Indianapolis 500 got a 33rd car after all.
Soccer
Chelsea has finally landed on a new ownership group, led by Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly. But while the sale price is widely being reported as $5.2 billion, the club’s real valuation in the deal is much lower.
Arsenal‘s Vivianne Miedema, the top goal-scorer in the history of the FA Women’s Super League, has been honored with a statue outside Emirates Stadium. The question is whether she will sign a new contract with the club.
Horse Racing
Kentucky Derby bettors have to pay taxes on their winnings. The news isn’t so great for losers, either.
Auto Racing
The last time fewer than 33 cars were on the Indianapolis 500 starting grid was in 1947. This year, finding that 33rd entrant was harder than ever.
A Nascar driver is bringing attention to—of all things—watermelons. He isn’t paid to promote the fruit, but farmers appreciate the help.
Pro Basketball
As both a guard for the Sparks and an analyst for ESPN‘s NBA Today, Chiney Ogwumike is playing a starring role in the growth of the WNBA.
College Basketball
He used to be called “the next Kevin Durant.” Now Emoni Bates is looking for help getting his NBA dream back on track as he transfers from Memphis. Kenny Payne, newly installed at Louisville, could be the perfect coach for the job.
Sports Business
Golfer Dustin Johnson is the latest high-profile athlete to invest in a training system that is looking to challenge the likes of Peloton, Tonal and Tempo.
Jomboy Media has gone from a baseball commentary Twitter page to a burgeoning media business. Now it has $5 million in new funding as it looks to expand its brand of humor into other sports.
Featured Story
Forbes
The Most Valuable Esports Companies 2022
The ten most valuable esports companies are now worth an average of $353 million, up 46% from 2020, but it’s not their esports teams that are driving the gains. Most are rapidly diversifying into adjacent businesses as they face down the industry’s challenges and look to scale up. See the ranking.
Upon Further Review
As his fastball loses a little velocity, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has introduced a cutter to his repertoire. It’s the kind of savvy adjustment one might expect from MLB’s fourth-highest-paid player, making over $36 million this season. See the full list of MLB’’s top earners, including both salary and endorsements.
The Last Word
“I was thinking that if I don’t win this fight on Saturday, I might have to go back and work at Cheesecake Factory again.” — Franchon Crews-Dezurn
Fighting on the undercard of what she calls “one of the most important nights in women’s boxing history,” Franchon Crews-Dezurn won the undisputed super-middleweight championship. She spoke to us about the slowly rising pay for women in boxing and her own motivation to keep winning—so she doesn’t have to return to her job as a server. Read the full interview.
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