American NBA team, current owner stakes under scrutiny as sale and probe swirl
The Los Angeles Rams have added two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald returns from retirement, forming a fearsome pass-rush duo alongside Matthew Stafford as they pursue a second Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium.
Kuminga remains locked in negotiations over a sign‑and‑trade that would require a multi‑year deal. The Lakers are viewed as a potential destination, but any agreement hinges on the forward accepting a longer contract at a reduced annual rate, with the clock ticking as teams balance value and fit.
A French trans player Tetart, aged 34, says she would consider playing in the WNBA if allowed by country, while debates over transgender participation in women’s sports continue. Tetart led France’s Ligue 2 last season with 21.2 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, earning multiple player awards.
Don Nelson, a Hall of Fame basketball coach and longtime Mavericks figure, has died at 86. Family statements describe him as beloved husband, father and grandfather. Nelson leaves a legacy as a pioneering coach who popularized fast-paced play and Nellie Ball, influencing teams and players across the league.
Don Nelson, a Hall of Fame coach who revolutionized NBA offense with a fast, versatile game, has died at 86. He led Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State to extensive success, shaped star careers like Dirk Nowitzki and Steph Curry, and left a lasting mark on the sport.
Nvidia has enlisted six Wall Street firms to finance a $500 billion buildout of AI infrastructure, treating compute as a new asset class. The plan centers on financing data centers and GPU clusters for customers unable to pay upfront, with OpenAI-related projects and neoclouds in focus. Executives cite long-term value and revenue generation, while cautions focus on depreciation risk and China’s potential price competition.
The Knicks will host the 76ers on Oct. 20 to raise their 2023-24 championship banner, then begin the NBA Cup schedule with a group-stage game against Philadelphia in New York. The league has released a partial schedule, with key Christmas and opening-night matchups revealed and full details due Thursday.
Bob Iger and Josh Kushner have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter in a transaction valuing the franchise at about $12.5 billion. The sale has been announced this week, requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and is subject to due diligence and Kushners divestment of a Miami Heat stake.
Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement after an 18-year career that included a 2016-17 MVP season, 42 triple-doubles in a season, and stints with several teams, including the Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets and Kings. The farewell video, narrated by Michael B. Jordan, marks the end of an era.
AP and other outlets report that the PWHL’s replica Walter Cup has gone missing in transit en route to Lethbridge, Alberta, delaying a public event with Victoire forward Dara Greig. The original trophy remains at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
TWG Global faces federal investigations into affiliated-party loans across its insurers, prompting questions about liquidity and potential impacts on its sports assets, including the Dodgers and Lakers. The company denies fraud and reiterates that its major franchises are not for sale, as regulators review financing and related transactions.
The Buss siblings are contesting the sale of the Lakers while Joey and Jesse Buss have secured a minority stake in the San Diego Padres. Jeanie Buss argues the sale is void, citing fiduciary concerns. The ownership shift unfolds as the Padres deal brackets a broader family-dynasty moment in Southern California sports.
NFL owners approve the Seattle Seahawks sale to a Vinod Khosla-led group for $9.612 billion, a record franchise deal. The estate of Paul Allan arranged terms in July following the late owner’s wishes. The move cements Khosla’s long-term plans: keep winning, pursue another Super Bowl, and learn from management as the new stewardship begins.
Buss siblings vote to sell Lakers stake; Jeanie Buss seeks court order to block the sale and preserve her governance role. The dispute centers on a 17.8% family stake valued at about $12.5 billion, with legal fights looming over fiduciary duties and 2017 court orders.
Josh Kushner has issued his first public statement on the collapsed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, saying he still supports its aims but would not have invested had he known how the process would unfold. UEFA has filed US court papers seeking document production and depositions from Kushner and Thrive as it prepares possible criminal mismanagement claims against FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
UEFA has escalated pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino after revealing a criminal mismanagement complaint in Switzerland related to a failed bid to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. The move follows a broader backlash from FIFA member bodies amid concerns over a $4.2 billion investment plan that would have paid out to federations. Infantino has not indicated he will step down, and election remains scheduled for March 2027.
Chelsea Football Club's ownership moves to full control by Clearlake Capital as Todd Boehly and Mark Walter exit their stakes. Wyss remains a stakeholder; Chelsea reiterates no change to day-to-day operations while pursuing long-term sporting and infrastructure ambitions.
The Knicks have paused single-game ticket sales after an internal pricing error sent early prices soaring. MSG Sports says it will roll back to last year’s prices with an average 12% increase and refund buyers who already purchased tickets. Sales will restart with new prices next week.