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John Elway‘s former agent Jeff Sperbeck dies after fall…On3 acquires Rivals, partners with Yahoo Sports…NBC Sports to debut Milan Cortina promo at Derby. Jeff Sperbeck (r), the longtime friend, business partner and former agent of Pro Football HOFer John Elway, died Wednesday at age 62. Instagram: 7Cellars Jeff Sperbeck, the longtime friend, business partner and […]

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3 weeks ago

May 1, 2025

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John Elway‘s former agent Jeff Sperbeck dies after fall…On3 acquires Rivals, partners with Yahoo Sports…NBC Sports to debut Milan Cortina promo at Derby.

Jeff Sperbeck John Elway — Jeff Sperbeck (r), the longtime friend, business partner and former agent of Pro Football HOFer John Elway, died Wednesday at age 62. Instagram: 7Cellars

Jeff Sperbeck, the longtime friend, business partner and former agent of Pro Football HOFer John Elway, died Wednesday “from injuries suffered when he fell off a golf cart” reportedly being driven by Elway. Sperbeck was 62. Sperbeck “was injured Saturday night” in La Quinta, Calif., and was “declared dead early Wednesday at a Palm Springs hospital.” According to TMZ, Elway “was driving the golf cart when Sperbeck fell off and hit his head on asphalt.” A source said Sperbeck “had been sitting in the passenger seat.” TMZ also reported that he “had been on life support following the fall.” The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is “investigating the incident,” though TMZ reported that “there was no indication that Elway was driving negligently when Sperbeck fell” (ESPN.com, 4/30).

Sperbeck had been an NFL agent “to more than 100 players, coaches and executives,” and he “was the type of agent and marketing rep who stayed in touched with his clients long after the NFL careers ended.” That was evidenced especially with Elway, as the two had “varied businesses partnerships,” from 7Cellars wine to the Elway restaurants. Sperbeck has been Elway‘s marketing representative “since the latter’s prime” as Broncos QB in the early 1990s, “a relationship that grew into a close friendship” (9NEWS.com, 4/30).

Elway released the following statement: “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others” (9NEWS.com, 4/30).

Here is a sampling of social media reaction to the news:

WCPG co-founder & Partner Harrie Bakst: “On a somber note, I am devastated to hear about the passing of our friend and colleague Jeff Sperbeck. … Jeff was such an amazing person and an incredibly successful NFL agent, who treated everyone with such respect and grace no matter who you were. We will miss you my friend.”
Sports writer Gary Myers: “So sad to hear about the death of Jeff Sperbeck after falling off the golf cart reportedly driven by John Elway. Jeff was well known in the NFL community representing players. He was the brother-in-law of former Jets QB Ken O’Brien, who is married to Jeff’s sister Stacey. RIP.”
Broncos beat writer Zac Stevens: “Incredibly tragic. Thoughts to Sperbeck’s friends and family.”
Sports communications professional Joe Favorito: “Such horrible news. Was lucky to have worked with Jeff on the Coach Knapp Stair Climb the last few yrs raising $$ for distracted driving in memory of longtime NFL coach Gregg Knapp who was killed by a distracted driver.”

The ownership group behind On3 has reached an agreement to acquire Rivals from Yahoo Sports. On3 and Rivals will create a network offering coverage of college and high school sports, recruiting, and the NIL landscape. On3 will maintain its focus on college sports coverage. Subscribers will gain access to content across both platforms. As part of the transaction, Yahoo Sports will take an ownership stake in the On3 parent company and have a seat on the On3 parent company board. The deal is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2025 (On3).Comedians and actors Ray Romano and Sebastian Maniscalco chat about the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics in an NBC Sports promo. NBC Sports NBC Sports is again looking to celebrities to promote the Olympics and Paralympics, now with a 30-second spot featuring Ray Romano and Sebastian Maniscalco to debut during the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.The promo features the Italian actors and comedians atop the Italian Alps contemplating events in the Milan Cortina Games as they get interrupted by thoughts of Italian food.Shot in L.A. with Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) — the same technology behind “The Mandalorian” — the spot captures the Dolomites and highlights downhill skiing, skeleton and curling.Clad in winter gear, Romano and Maniscalco hold snowboards as they discuss how to get down.Read More >>>

Sergio Perez, a Red Bull driver, participates in the 2024 Mexico City Formula 1 Grand Prix — The Mexico City Grand Prix has reached an extension of its agreement to host an F1 race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez track in the Mexican capital through 2028. NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Mexico City Grand Prix has reached an extension of its agreement to host an F1 race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez track in the Mexican capital through 2028 (F1). The Mexican event has “featured on the F1 calendar for three distinct periods through the championship’s 75-year history,” with its current run starting back in 2015. The race’s current deal with F1 promoter Formula One Management “had been set to conclude at the end of 2025,” after the race was “granted two separate three-year extensions” following the conclusion of its original five-race contract in 2019. This “includes running through the 2020 season,” when Mexico did not host a race due to the COVID-19 pandemic (THE ATHLETIC, 4/30).

The Utah Mammoth name “allegedly leaked on the team’s official YouTube channel Tuesday night.” Getty Images

Utah Hockey Club officials “wouldn’t confirm if ‘Mammoth’ was their new name” after it “allegedly leaked on the team’s official YouTube channel Tuesday night.” The channel’s handle was “changed from ‘@UtahHockeyClub’ to ‘@UtahMammoth,’ on both its landing page and URL.” The channel was “soon deactivated and remained so on Wednesday morning.” When pressed for an explanation on the alleged YouTube leak, Smith Entertainment Group exec Mike Maughan would only say, “We’re fully on track to announce a permanent name and identity ahead of the 25-26 NHL season.” A source said that the revelation for the team’s new name and logo “could come before the NHL draft in late June.” Utah Mammoth was one of three finalists featured in a fan vote at Delta Center to help determine the permanent name of the team (ESPN.com, 4/30).

The A’s have been “attempting to raise” about $500M to build its ballpark, partly via the sale of new shares in the team. A’s

The A’s have “held talks” with Aramark about “investments in the team and its new Las Vegas stadium,” according to sources. Discussions have “taken place over the past few months on a deal” for Aramark to put about $100M into the $1.75B stadium project. Aramark “proposed investing a similar amount in the team itself.” It is “not known if the talks are ongoing and any final numbers could change.” The A’s have been “attempting to raise” about $500M to build its ballpark, partly via the sale of new shares in the team. Aramark, which provided food services at the A’s Oakland Coliseum, has a ”history of owning stakes in sports teams,” including selling half its interest in the Spurs for $100M in 2023 (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/30).

FC Barcelona opened its first U.S. office in N.Y. in 2016 and “maintains a presence across the country.” dpa/picture alliance via Getty I

LaLiga club FC Barcelona will “move its U.S. commercial operations” from N.Y. to downtown Miami. The Miami Downtown Development Authority awarded the club a “business incentive grant to establish a new commercial space in the city’s urban core.” While an exact address was not disclosed, FC Barcelona plans to “open a dedicated business space in downtown Miami to manage its regional assets, investor relations, fan engagement and new opportunities.” The move comes as Miami “continues to grow its influence in global soccer,” with Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami and the city hosting matches during the 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup. FC Barcelona opened its first U.S. office in N.Y. in 2016 and “maintains a presence across the country,” including two Barça Academies Pro in Miami and N.Y., a residency academy in Arizona, and academies in Chicago, the Carolinas and Austin (SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/30).

Speed Reads…

Taymar Sales U has announced a multiyear extension with the Citadel. The school has seen a 22% increase in revenue with a focus on group sales through the partnership (basketball group revenue quadrupled and baseball groups doubled) (Ben Portnoy, SBJ).

Stanley 1913 announced a partnership with golfer Nelly Korda in a deal signed through 2026 (Stanley 1913).

The Giants announced an exclusive, multiyear partnership with Bay Area Audi Dealers to become the team’s Official Luxury Automotive Partner. As part of the partnership, Audi will become a naming rights partner of Oracle Park’s premium seating behind home plate (Audi Dugout Club) and the premium parking facility at 153 Townsend St. (Audi Premium Garage) (S.F. Giants).

Around the World….

Paperwork filed with Companies House “confirmed” that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has “paused his involvement at the club.” It is “likely” Marinakis, who also owns Greek club Olympiacos, which has already qualified for the Champions League, has relinquished control at Forest to “comply with UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules” (NOTTINGHAM POST, 4/30).

Multiple NRL club CEOs have “called for Sydney’s small suburban grounds to be axed as finals venues.” There is a “feeling inside NRL HQ that finals crowds and match-day hype needed to improve to rival” other large events (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/30).

Claims that the Brazilian Football Confederation is “considering introducing a crimson jersey for the national team” before the 2026 World Cup have “sparked predictable outrage among hardcore rightwingers who consider red the anti-patriotic colour of Brazil’s leftwing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, his Workers’ party (PT) and the Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) (THE GUARDIAN, 4/30).

Disbandment of the Rugby Football Union’s council is “the key proposal made by a public consultation on reforms to the game’s ‘dysfunctional’ structures.” The Governance and Representation Review Group has “called for the 63-person body to be dissolved and replaced by game representatives or a national advisory group” (London INDEPENDENT, 4/30).

Paris FC “invited” fans to view Friday night’s game against Martigues, where a win “guarantees promotion for Paris FC,” at Grand Rex, a Paris venue that has seven cinema screens (AP, 4/30).

Social Scoop….

UNC releases a statement from Bill Belichick regarding his recent CBS Sunday Morning interview. It says that it’s a “false narrative” that his girlfriend, Jordan Hudson was attempting to control the interview. “It presents selectively edited clips and stills from just a few… pic.twitter.com/9lnB4ek03g

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 30, 2025

Breaking: Former FSU star and Jets 2024 5th-round pick Jordan Travis is retiring. Travis sustained a serious injury to his left leg in his final college game on Nov. 18, 2023.

Travis said in a statement, “I gave everything I had to the rehab process but despite all my efforts,… pic.twitter.com/8MHmyuMdpt

— ESPN (@espn) April 30, 2025

Daily Download….

Netflix released the trailer for “Untold: The Fall of Favre,” a documentary covering the career of Brett Favre, which featured interviews from Favre, his family and business partners, among others.

Daily Digit….

15 — Consecutive Kentucky Derby calls it will be for NBC announcer Larry Collmus when he calls the race on Saturday, the longest streak for any broadcaster on national television (USA TODAY, 4/30)