April 2023 Basketball Wiretap

Fred VanVleet Expected To Sign With Klutch

Jan 27, 2023 1:46 AM

Fred VanVleet is expected to hire Klutch as his new representation ahead of his potential upcoming free agency, sources told Marc Stein of Substack.

VanVleet recently parted ways with his old agent.

The point guard has been the subject of several trade rumors, with the Magic increasingly mentioned as a possible destination.  

Marc Stein/Substack

Tags: Fred VanVleet, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Celtics-Warriors Averages 2.4M Viewers, Most-Watched TNT Game Since Opening Night

Jan 21, 2023 1:20 AM

The Boston Celtics' 121-118 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors averaged 2.4 million viewers on TNT.

The viewership represents TNT's most-watched game since opening night.

Jayson Tatum lead all scorers with 34 points, with Steph Curry finishing with 29 points. 

Warner Bros. Discovery Sports

Tags: Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Heat Arena Temporarily Renamed To Miami-Dade Arena

Jan 14, 2023 12:42 AM

The Miami Heat's home arena will temporarily be called Miami-Dade Arena after the team officially terminated the county's naming rights deal with previous sponsor FTX.

"Effective immediately, Miami-Dade County and the Miami Heat have agreed that, until such time as there is a new naming rights partner, to refer to the arena as Miami-Dade Arena. The removal of the facility's existing signage and the changeover of branding elements will be ongoing in the coming weeks," the Heat and Miami-Dade County released in a joint statement.

The team is still in the process of removing all FTX logos from the arena.

The county owns the arena and negotiated a 19-year, $135 million deal with FTX. The Heat were to receive $2 million per year from the deal. 

The Heat, along with the county, are currently looking for a permanent naming-rights partner.

ESPN

Tags: Miami Heat, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Anderson Varejao Rejoins Cavs in Player Development, Global Ambassador Role

Jan 14, 2023 12:33 AM

Anderson Varejo has rejoined the Cleveland Cavaliers in both a player development and global ambassador role.

Varejao will work on player development with coaches and the front office during the season, as well as travel to broaden the team's reach in Latin America and across the world.

"Andy embodies all that the city of Cleveland stands for and beyond, and we couldn't be more excited to bring his experience, leadership and character back into the Cleveland Cavaliers family," said Koby Altman on Varejao's return.

The Cavs will also honor Varejao during a halftime ceremony on January 21 against the Bucks. 

 

ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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TD Bank Agrees To Naming Rights For TD Garden Through 2045

Jan 13, 2023 1:32 AM

TD Bank and Delaware North agreed to extend the naming rights of TD Garden through the 2045 season.

The financial terms were not disclosed.

The arena was renamed TD Garden in 2005, with the original contract set to expire in 2025. 

 

ESPN

Tags: Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Nerlens Noel Settles Legal Case With Rich Paul, Klutch Sports

Jan 11, 2023 11:26 PM

Nerlens Noel, Rich Paul, and Klutch Sports settled Noel's legal case against his former agent and agency on Wednesday.

Noel will pay the full commission on a $5 million Knicks deal from 2020 negotiated by Paul and Klutch Sports. Noel will also withdraw all further legal proceedings.

Noel initially filed a $58 million lawsuit against the Paul in 2021, alleging that Paul did "little to no work" to negotiate contracts on his behalf. 

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Nerlens Noel, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Spurs Sell 63,592 Tickets To Alamodome Game, Set To Break NBA Attendance Record

Jan 11, 2023 10:58 PM

The San Antonio Spurs have sold 63,592 tickets for their Friday night game against the Golden State Warriors at the Alamodome.

The number breaks an NBA regular-season record set between the Hawks and Bulls in 1998.

Including standing room tickets, the Spurs could sell about 68,000 seats to the game.

The biggest crowd in league history was 108,713 for the 2010 All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium. 

ESPN

Tags: San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Suns President, CEO Jason Rowley Denies Workplace Abuse Allegations, Will Not Resign

Jan 11, 2023 1:26 AM

Phoenix Suns president and CEO Jason Rowley denied allegations of verbal abuse, retaliation, and intimidation in the workforce, sources told ESPN.

Sources added that Rowley, who denied allegations stemming from an ESPN article in December about widespread misconduct within the organization, stated he would not be resigning from the team.

The Suns released a statement on Tuesday attributed to Rowley echoing a similar sentiment.

"I will say this in regards to the closed-door meeting. I confided in them that the story misrepresented me and others.

"Also, given that the team is going through a period of ownership transition, I communicated that while I do not know my ultimate fate with new ownership, I will never quit on this team and the people who make up this great organization," said the statement.

ESPN also confirmed several allegations of verbal abuse and mistreatment of pregnant and postpartum employees. An initial investigation found that Rowley's treatment went beyond misconduct towards women.

Adam Silver apologized to Suns employees before the start of the season. 

Mat Ishbia is currently finalizing his purchase of the organization. 

Baxter Holmes/ESPN

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Spurs Within 5,000 Seats Of Breaking NBA All-Time Attendance Record For Alamodome Game

Jan 7, 2023 9:07 PM

The San Antonio Spurs are within 5,000 ticket sales of breaking the NBA's all-time attendance record for their January 13 game against the Golden State Warriors at the Alamodome.

The team is also 8,000 seats away from reaching the Alamodome's 65,000 seat capacity.

The current all-time record attendance is 62,046, set between the Hawks and Bulls in 1998 at the Georgia Dome. 

San Antonio Spurs

Tags: San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Ja Morant Sued For Allegedly Punching 17-Year-Old During Pickup Game

Jan 4, 2023 1:18 AM

Ja Morant was sued for allegedly punching a 17-year-old during a pickup game at his Memphis home.

The lawsuit was filed on September 9.

Documents state that a pickup game became heated when the minor threw a basketball that hit Morant in the face. Morant then allegedly knocked the teenager down after punching him in the face, then continued hitting him while he was on the ground.

Morant admitted that he did strike the teenager, though did so under self defense.

Police investigated the incident and submitted the case to the district attorney. The DA declined prosecution.

It is unknown what the plaintiff is seeking in the lawsuit. 

TMZ

Tags: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Joe Mazzulla Returns After Missing Two Games With Eye Injury

ESPN