The Brewers and Rays are making World Series history ⚾ For the first time since 1991, two teams in the bottom half of MLB payroll spending will meet in the Fall Classic. Milwaukee ranks 19th at $146.2M, while Tampa Bay ranks 28th at $95.6M. Via @SInow | ow.ly/Lsrh5100Buy

ABC station owners are frustrated with Disney’s decision to air the Super Bowl across multiple platforms, including Disney+, ESPN2, NFL Network and ESPNU 📺 One station group CEO warned the move could reduce broadcast advertising revenue by up to 35% compared to last year. Via @CNBC | ow.ly/vjs45100BoL

One bidder is out of the NBA’s Las Vegas expansion race. The Lasry-Apostolopoulos group, which bid $9B to $9.5B, dropped out over the league’s reported $10B-plus price tag. Sources say the NBA could want close to $11B, plus a $2B arena commitment. MORE on this: ow.ly/SURU5100HHu

Portland is looking to host matches during the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup ⚽ RAJ Sports, owners of the Thorns and Fire, sees it as a chance to cement Portland as the “global epicenter of women’s sports.” Via @TheAthletic | ow.ly/rOfC5100B88

McDonald’s is ending its FIFA World Cup sponsorship after 32 years amid an overhaul of its marketing model 🍟 The move follows the brand’s largest World Cup campaign to date, which spanned more than 110 countries during this summer’s tournament. Via @Adweek | ow.ly/FKKN5100B5r

Texas is bringing AI deeper into athletics. The university is launching Bevo Lab, a sports tech platform designed to use analytics and AI to improve athlete performance. @Dell, @Google Cloud, and SHI International will help build the platform. MORE: ow.ly/nc5y5100Axe

After 35 years with the Brewers, VP of Ticket Sales Jim Bathey is retiring, and his colleagues want him to go out on top ⚾ Ahead of the World Series, Milwaukee’s business operations staff surprised Bathey with “Win For Jim” T-shirts as the team chases its first title. MORE: ow.ly/P6wx5100yoO

A pivotal offseason for the Fever now includes a leadership change: President Kelly Krauskopf is stepping down. Her departure comes as Indiana moves toward the March 2027 opening of its $78M practice facility. MORE: ow.ly/Uiol5100AZF

The Knicks’ championship celebration came with an unusual wrinkle. Some MSG employees reportedly found out that a previous “ring” email turned out to be a cybersecurity phishing test, and they wouldn't be receiving a ring at all. via The Athletic | ow.ly/KYiC5100ACJ

The 2026 World Series between the Brewers and Rays marks a first for MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry program ⚾ Both teams use the league’s facial authentication ticketing technology, allowing fans to enter ballparks without stopping to scan tickets or retrieve their phones. MORE: ow.ly/SFGf5100uRr

The Houston Comets will air all non-nationally televised games on free over-the-air TV for their 2027 WNBA return 📺 Games will air on KTBU Channel 55, with select matchups on KHOU 11, and will also be available through Space City Home Network and SCHN+. MORE: ow.ly/V6ze5100upJ

“Fourth Wing” theme nights are bringing new fans to sports venues ⚾ The Red Sox saw 59% female ticket buyers and 52.5% first-time buyers, while the Mets drew more than 3,000 fans through their ticket packages. MORE: ow.ly/Ex2050ZZlL7

The NFL is ending Ticketmaster’s exclusivity as its official secondary ticket marketplace, a move praised by industry experts 🎟️ Ticketmaster will retain its top “platinum” status, while SeatGeek has a deal in principle to join at the “gold” level. MORE: ow.ly/SX3F5100uHR

The Steelers have canceled their Steelers House fan event in Paris ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Saints due to ongoing unrest in the city. The team said preparations for Sunday’s NFL Paris game at Stade de France will continue as planned. Via @WashTimes | ow.ly/C6Hr5100iJV

Three former Reebok and TB12 executives have teamed up to launch Unsung, a new sports performance brand 👟 Its debut product, the Snapback Trainer, is designed for speed, stability and lateral movement in team sports training. MORE: ow.ly/6J8r5100gT9

The NFL could play a regular-season game in Tokyo as early as 2028, according to @SInow 🏈 If the league follows the same timeline as its Australia game, an official announcement could come at this year’s Super Bowl. MORE: ow.ly/7RtP5100gE9

FIFA announced that the U.S. will host the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup from Jan. 5–30, 2028 ⚽️ The tournament will feature 19 of the top women’s clubs from around the world, including Gotham FC. Host cities have yet to be announced. MORE: ow.ly/jOSQ5100iHx

The North Carolina Courage are pushing for a new stadium in Downtown Raleigh as interest in women’s sports continues to grow ⚽ The proposed $250M stadium would be part of Kane Realty’s Downtown South project and would require public support. Via @TriangleBIZJrnl | ow.ly/Iz1X5100gtY