Latest news with #JohnHenry
CBS News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Rafael Devers, Red Sox set to square off in weekend series in San Francisco
The Boston Red Sox just said goodbye to Rafael Devers, but will get reacquainted with their former designated hitter this weekend in San Francisco. Last Sunday's trade that sent Devers from the Red Sox to the Giants was bizarre enough, but it will take another wild turn this weekend when Boston faces Devers and his new team for a three-game series in San Fran. After donning red socks for 1,053 games, Devers will now play his former team just five days after their relationship ended in a messy divorce. Devers initially signed with the Red Sox as a 16-year-old international free-agent in 2013. He made his Major League debut in 2017 and helped the team win a World Series in 2018, when he started to emerge as a big bat in the heart of the order. In 2023, he signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension that made him the face of the franchise. But the relationship soured over the offseason and throughout Spring Training even before the team brought in veteran third baseman Alex Bregman. Devers was hurt by his move from third to DH, and the relationship deteriorated from there. While Devers raked at the plate as Boston's designated hitter, he refused to play the field when the team was in need. He wouldn't try his hand at first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury, which prompted a visit from principal owner John Henry while the team was in Kansas City. The Red Sox drew a line and decided to move on from their highest-paid player when it was clear the two sides couldn't see eye-to-eye on what was best for the team. Devers was traded to the Giants for four players, with San Francisco taking on the remaining $250-plus million remaining on his contract. When the Red Sox and Giants square off at Oracle Park on Friday night, it will be Devers' fourth game with San Francisco. Through his first three games with his new team, Devers is 3-for-11 with a double, an RBI, and two walks. He's also struck out four times. The Giants are 1-2 with Devers, with their lone win a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. Red Sox on facing Rafael Devers While fans were shocked by the Devers trade, the team has done its best to move on quickly. Boston manager Alex Cora has been stressing how the team needs to turn the page since he first reacted to the deal on Monday, but did admit Friday's game will be a little odd. "Obviously different. And it's so recent, right? He's gonna do everything possible to kick our ass, and we're gonna do everything possible to do the same," Cora told reporters ahead of the series. "So that's the business of it. The only thing is it's so recent that it's gonna feel awkward. But I think both teams have a job to do. Let's play the game and try to win." "It will be a little weird for sure, seeing him in those colors, just because he's been here for such a long time, such a big part of this franchise," said Boston shortstop Trevor Story. "Once the game starts, I'm sure he'll tell you the same -- it's about winning. He wants to win for his team and we want to win for ours. Once the first pitch is thrown, it's all about competition at that point." Devers is obviously hoping to make some big swings and sweep his former team, and may be willing to try something new for his new organization this weekend. Will Devers play first base against the Red Sox? While Devers wouldn't play first base for Boston, he said he's willing to play anywhere in his San Francisco introduction on Tuesday. He was out taking grounders at the position after talking with reporters as a Giant for the first time, and was back at it again ahead of Thursday's game. There's been some rumblings that Devers might play some first against Boston, which would really stick it to his old team. But Devers has never played at the position in the Majors, and he'll likely remain at DH for the Giants will he get acclimated to the new spot. Devers staying at designated hitter will give Red Sox fans a chance to see old friend Dom Smith, who has been filling in at first for the Giants along with Wilmer Flores.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Debunking Red Sox conspiracy theories, Fanatics' $200 million bet, new PGA CEO: MoneyCall
Welcome back to MoneyCall, The Athletic's weekly sports business cheat sheet. (Want to receive it every Wednesday in your email? Subscribe here.) Name-dropped today: John Henry, Florian Wirtz, Mario Lemieux, Brian Rolapp, Caitlin Clark, Joey Chestnut, JJ Spaun, Louis Vuitton, Michael Rubin, Pope Leo XIV, Ares Management, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Reese, Simone Biles and more. Let's go: The reality of the Devers trade It is convenient — and undoubtedly cathartic — for Red Sox fans to blame this week's seemingly lopsided Rafael Devers trade on owner Fenway Sports Group's wider holdings across the Sox, Liverpool and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Advertisement As tempting as it is to construct a corporate conspiracy, three things can be true at once: 1 Red Sox honcho Craig Breslow — presumably with the blessing of principal owner John Henry — felt like the Devers' drama wasn't worth the dollars owed through 2033 and found a way to get out from under the deal (even if it meant losing a great player for modest return). 2 Liverpool, coming off a Premier League championship season, had the opportunity to sign arguably the best player in Europe, Florian Wirtz, which was going to require paying a premium. But what's the price of sustained Premier League glory? 3 As for the Pens, FSG identified that the market for selling stakes in teams playing in major U.S. sports leagues has never been hotter, so they are looking into cashing in during a frothy moment to sell a non-controlling stake. Conspiracy?!?! No. Just the reality of multi-team ownership groups navigating opportunities (and, yes, challenges) within — not across — each portfolio team. A sharp golf hire, plus a shrewd WNBA TV deal Big talkers from the sports business industry: NFL No. 2 Brian Rolapp named PGA Tour CEO: This is an A+ hire for the PGA Tour, which is expected to consolidate its power structure around and under the veteran media leader over the rest of this year. As the PGA juggles a new infusion of investment billions, new competitors and the need to find new audience and revenue growth, Rolapp is as well-positioned as anyone they could have hired to map it out. Club World Cup lightning round: Fields: Bad (MetLife esp) Attendance: Iffy! (Very!) Politics: Controversial Must-see team: Boca Juniors Marketing: Michelob Ultra winning? Weather: It's hot (WC26 preview?) Caitlin Clark Effect, cont'd: CC returned from injury last Saturday for Fever-Liberty, and the game proceeded to drive 2.2M viewers, the third-most ever for a WNBA game on ABC. Advertisement Related: WNBA and Scripps extended their win-win ION Friday TV deal. Other current obsessions: Joey Chestnut returning to Nathan's July 4 hot dog contest … Real Madrid x Louis Vuitton … the MLB collectible concession-food trend … Apple's 'haptic' trailer for 'F1: The Movie' … The biggest draw of Fanatics' new mega-event Fanatics Fest returns to New York City this weekend. Michael Rubin's Fanatics — which has expanded from a place to buy fan gear to a collectibles juggernaut — has invested in making its annual convention the glitziest collectibles event of the year. This year will include appearances from a ton of star athletes, including Tom Brady, LeBron James and Peyton Manning. The Athletic will have a team of five reporters on the scene. I asked our Memorabilia & Collectibles editor Brooks Peck what part of the weekend fans will be talking about most: 'The 'Museum of Greatness' is going to be pretty incredible. This is going to be a 10,500-square-foot experience bringing together over $200 million worth of sports cards and memorabilia, some of which has never been publicly displayed before, from the private collections of an unnamed assortment of athletes and collectors. 'It's supposedly the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever assembled. 'But it's not just the display itself that's notable, it's the security around it, too. The exhibit will be guarded 24/7 by two dozen armed security guards, undercover police officers, security dogs and more. This all sounds like the setup for a heist movie.' Payout of the Week: $4.3M Can't say U.S. Open champ J.J. Spaun didn't earn it. Related: My colleague Elise Devlin on four lessons anyone can learn from Spaun's success. (Not included: How to drain a 64-foot putt to clinch a championship.) Number to Know: 39,255 That's MLB's average attendance on Father's Day this year, the highest on any Sunday since … Father's Day 2008. Advertisement Brand Watch: '47 The hat company (part of New Era) got a boost when Pope Leo XIV was photographed wearing a White Sox cap earlier this month. My colleague Dhani Joseph looked into what happens to a brand when that kind of serendipitous marketing moment occurs. TIL: NFL Chess Champ? Didn't know this existed: NFL players competed in a blitz chess competition, and Justin Reid beat Kyler Murray for the title. (Next year, this needs a much bigger TV platform.) Investor of the Week: Ares Management SailGP investment isn't just for Marvel characters and soccer stars. Per my colleague Asli Pelit, the investment firm with the $3.7B sports-only fund jumped in to take a big stake in Kylian Mbappe's French team, expanding an Ares portfolio that already includes stakes in the Miami Dolphins, Inter Miami and Atletico Madrid. Executive Q&A Series: Reebok CEO We're experimenting on a new Q&A series with sports executives. Most recent: Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky on the brand's return to basketball and betting on Angel Reese. Speaking of … Trademark Search: 'Mebounds' Yup, Reese submitted a trademark application based on fan mockery of her playing style. No athlete in sports right now is more innovative about turning criticism into opportunity than Reese. Peak of the Week: Commencement '25 Derek Jeter at Michigan. Simone Biles at Wash U. Mia Hamm at UNC. Carmelo Anthony at Syracuse. Loved this story from Rustin Dodd about the different inspiring messages being relayed from sports figures to college graduates over the past month. Great business-adjacent reads for your downtime or commute: My colleague Damon Sayles made the short trip from Dallas to Bells, Texas, to see first-hand the replica of Fenway Park built for wiffle ball. Living vicariously through that assignment! Two more reads worth your time: 'Previously …' in MoneyCall, we featured the Orlando Magic's branding return to the old, beloved pinstripes. Then my colleague David Betancourt dug into why the team did it, a great case study in marketing. Advertisement 'From women-specific locker rooms to sensory spaces and breastfeeding facilities for the fans, the design adds a thoughtful layer of creativity, exploring how a stadium can function and feel when women are considered equally.' — Asli Pelit, on innovation in soccer stadium design with women in mind. Back next Wednesday! You know the drill: Please forward MoneyCall to a couple of friends or colleagues, with your personal recommendation to subscribe to get the newsletter every Wednesday (totally free, as are all The Athletic's other newsletters).
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
John Henry's FSG Explore Spanish Market with Getafe Interest
FSG Step into Spain: Liverpool Owners Eye Getafe in Multi-Club Expansion Fresh Move into Europe Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the American consortium behind Liverpool Football Club, appear to be firmly pressing ahead with their ambition to create a multi-club empire. As reported by The Times, John Henry's group is now in talks to buy La Liga side Getafe. The Madrid-based club, who finished 13th in Spain's top flight last season, could become the latest building block in FSG's evolving football blueprint. Advertisement 'Reports emerged on Tuesday that the American consortium led by Liverpool's majority shareholder John Henry was in talks to buy Spanish club Getafe.' After years of resisting the trend set by Manchester City's owners, who now control 13 clubs globally under the City Football Group umbrella, FSG have now committed to a new direction, and Michael Edwards, the recently reappointed CEO of Football at FSG, is central to that transformation. Photo IMAGO From Hesitation to Full Commitment 'FSG had previously resisted following the multi-club trend pioneered by Manchester City's owners.' That resistance has now given way to a clear strategy. With interest in Bordeaux collapsing in 2024 over stadium rental issues, Getafe has emerged as the new focal point. Advertisement 'However, they have now embraced that model and are working to build a multi-club model. This has been done with the help of Michael Edwards, FSG's CEO of Football.' The ambition is evident. This is not a short-term grab. FSG are clearly seeking stability and scalability. They are not just buying football clubs, they are investing in infrastructure, identity and long-term influence. Why Getafe? The interest in Getafe is hardly random. Ángel Torres, the long-serving club president, has announced plans to step away by 2027. 'He is determined to secure the club's future by finding a buyer who is not only financially capable but also deeply knowledgeable about football – a bracket that FSG matches.' Advertisement Getafe's infrastructure aspirations may also be playing a key role. Their ongoing Coliseum stadium renovation and the new adjacent Sports City project offer the kind of asset development that FSG, with its American sports pedigree, thrives on. Spanish Strategy with Global Implications This is not just a Spanish play. It is a European step towards building a global footballing portfolio. If Getafe are acquired, expect further moves, possibly in Portugal, South America or North Africa – regions rich in talent and strategic importance. 'Paul Joyce of The Times has now confirmed the news.' 'Fenway Sports Group, the owner of Liverpool, has turned its attention to the La Liga side Getafe as it looks to develop a multi-club model. There has been interest previously in Bordeaux and Malaga, but the Madrid-based Getafe, who finished 13th in the Spanish top flight last season, have now come under consideration.' Advertisement FSG's ability to strategically manoeuvre through European football, while maintaining Liverpool's competitive focus under Arne Slot, will be a compelling watch over the next 12 months. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis There's a growing sense of anticipation among Liverpool fans as FSG's multi-club model finally begins to take shape. The potential acquisition of Getafe shows serious intent. For too long, Liverpool have seemed behind the curve in this space, especially compared to Manchester City's vast network. The excitement here stems from what this could mean for Liverpool's squad development. With a satellite club like Getafe, younger players can be loaned into a competitive league where technical football dominates, while keeping them within a framework controlled by FSG. That could be crucial in nurturing talent without the risk of stagnation. Advertisement There's also intrigue around Michael Edwards. His return signalled change, and this confirms it. If anyone can integrate a multi-club system smartly and ethically, it's Edwards. However, fans will rightly be monitoring how this affects Liverpool. The primary concern remains that Anfield must not suffer from any dilution of focus. FSG must be transparent with supporters, ensuring Liverpool's first team remains the top priority. The infrastructure at Getafe is a bonus – a shiny new stadium, a sports city, and a stable financial platform. But supporters want to know: how will this help Liverpool win titles? Will it reduce reliance on inflated transfer markets? If the answer is yes, this could be transformative. Just like Red Bull with Leipzig and Salzburg, or City Football Group with Girona and Troyes, this could be the start of something powerful – if executed with care and clarity.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Boston Red Sox call local police department amid intense criticism over Rafael Devers trade
The Boston Red Sox have reported doxing allegations against irate fans to a suburban police department after the team's controversial decision to trade slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. As Newton, Massachusetts police have confirmed to Daily Mail, team reps contacted the department to inform authorities about online doxing, which amounts to publicizing one's personal, private and identifying information. TMZ was first to report the news. 'This past weekend, officers from the Newton Police were notified by representatives from the Boston Red Sox Organization that some members of the Red Sox have been victims of doxxing on social media due to a recent trade,' read a department statement provided to Daily Mail.' It remains unclear which Red Sox personnel were doxed. The team's player personnel department is led by Chief Baseball Officer and former Boston reliever Craig Breslow, while the ownership group is headed by John Henry. There is no current investigation into the matter, but the department said it is 'aware of the situation.' Daily Mail has also reached out to Red Sox spokespeople for comment. The unsettling situation comes amid Boston's six-game winning streak that included a sweep of the hated New York Yankees. Unfortunately for fans, the team's resurgence became tarnished on Sunday night when news broke that Devers was being dealt to San Francisco in exchange for pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison as well as a pair of minor-league prospects. In Boston, the homegrown All-Star is one of only two Red Sox players with multiple 30-homer seasons before age 25. The other is Hall of Famer Ted Williams. So it was understandable in 2023 when the Red Sox re-signed Devers to a 10-year, $313.5 million deal, thereby making him the face of the franchise he helped propel to a World Series crown in 2018. But since then, Devers' relationship with the team has appeared to fray. First he bristled at moving off of third base when the team signed former Gold Glove winner Alex Bregman. Then, when first baseman Triston Casas got injured, Devers balked at playing on the other side of the diamond amid rumored friction with the front office. In the end, the clubhouse turmoil was enough to push Breslow to move Devers over the fans' objections. 'This is not the outcome that we had expected,' Breslow told reporters Monday. 'And it's forced me to reflect on the interactions that I've had, not just with Raffy, but with other players and opportunities to communicate differently.' Boston isn't done making moves either. Now firmly back in the Wild Card hunt after winning 8 of their last 10, the Red Sox can be both buyers and sellers ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, depending on the available opportunities. 'It's important to point out that this is in no way signifying a waving of the white flag on 2025,' Breslow said. 'We are as committed as we were six months ago to putting a winning team on the field, to competing for the division and making a deep postseason run. 'And so, at the end of the season, I think we could look back and say we've won more games than we otherwise would have,' he said, 'because of the way that this roster is now able to come together.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bizarre reason Bill Simmons thinks the Premier League had a role in Boston Red Sox's wild Rafael Devers trade
The multi-team ownership model has it's positives and negatives. But rarely does a decision made for one sports team have a ripple effect on another team playing an entirely different sport an ocean away. Yet, this morning as the sun rises over Boston, many fans may be right to shake their fists in the general direction of Liverpool after a seismic baseball trade. On Sunday evening, just hours after hitting a home run to complete a sweep of the rival New York Yankees, star slugger Rafael Devers was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for starter Jordan Hicks and a package of prospects. It's similar in scope, if not equivalent in star power, to the Luka Doncic trade in that it came out of nowhere and stunned the league. While Red Sox fans were left do deal with the anguish and anger, sports media icon Bill Simmons began pointing fingers at Red Sox ownership's ties to Liverpool FC. The Red Sox were the first pro sports franchise purchased by billionaire John Henry, who went on to form Fenway Sports Group (FSG). Since that purchase, FSG went on to purchase NASCAR team Rousch Racing (now RFK Racing), the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, and of course, Liverpool FC. Liverpool has lined up two major transfers for a reported combined fee of roughly $196million (£145.6m) from 2024 German champions Bayer Leverkusen. First, the club is set to sign Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz on a deal worth $135.8m (£100m) plus $21.7m (£16m) in potential add-ons which would make him the record-breaking British transfer. While that deal is yet to be confirmed, Liverpool have already announced the signing of Wirtz's teammate Jeremie Frimpong on a transfer fee of $40.2m (£29.6m). Liverpool's addition of the dynamic fullback and the talismanic midfielder are luxury signings on a team that just won a record-tying 20th Premier League title last season and are hoping to repeat. Meanwhile, back stateside, the Red Sox have not made the playoffs in four seasons and haven't won a World Series title in seven. This season, the Sox are just one game above .500 - putting them fourth in the AL East, but only half a game back of a Wild Card spot. But those chances can now be kissed goodbye as Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow engineered a trade to move one of the top-10 hitters in baseball in exchange for Hicks, minor-league pitchers Kyle Harrison and Jose Bello, and outfield prospect James Tibbs. Many Boston fans are drawing parallels to a similarly major blockbuster trade in February of 2020 - when Breslow's predecessor Chaim Bloom dealt MVP and World Series winner Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Alex Verdugo, catcher Connor Wong, and infielder Jeter Downs. Devers had issues with the Red Sox front office after they changed his position in the lineup Verdugo played three seasons of solid baseball with the Red Sox before being traded to the Yankees, Wong is batting below the Mendoza line this season, and Downs never panned out and is currently playing in Japan. Betts went on to win two World Series titles with the Dodgers and made four All-MLB First Teams. Now, the Red Sox have moved on from a 2.3 WAR player who logged 15 home runs and has an OPS of .905 across 73 games. Devers' relationship with the front office had been deteriorating all season long. The third baseman was initially moved to being a designated hitter after Boston acquired Alex Bregman in free agency. In May, the Red Sox tried moving Devers to first base - a position he'd never played before - leading the player to go off on the decision with the media. Bregman is a better defensive player than Devers, but the loss of their best bat will sting the Red Sox and their fans for some time. However, this does clear his 10-year, $315.5m contract off the books. Moving Devers out of the DH spot will clear up some room for the log jam the team has in the outfield - which includes All-Star Jarren Duran and top prospect Roman Anthony. The Red Sox travel to San Francisco to take on the Giants this weekend in their only series of the season.
