Talking the business of sports

Happy Friday, everyone! It's Wajih AlBaroudi filling in for Zachary Pereles today and for most of next week. 

Congratulations on making it through this week. Now, allow me to guide you through sports news you need to know before the grind begins again. 

More like the Bag Ten. The Big Ten announced a seven-year media rights deal with CBS, Fox and NBC. According to sources close to our Dennis Dodd, the deal -- which is set to run July 1, 2023 through the 2029-30 season -- has an approximate annual value of $1.2 billion, making it the biggest ever in college athletics. 

The deal smacks an exclamation point on what's been an incredible summer for the Big Ten. The conference made the aforementioned additions of USC and UCLA in late June, making it a significant player in each of the country's biggest media markets: New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. 

And according to Dodd, the Big Ten could consider adding new members before or after the deal takes effect. Cal, Oregon, Stanford and Washington are among the programs on the conference's radar. Notre Dame is as well, but it reportedly seeks to remain independent. 

With the Big Ten and SEC becoming increasingly powerful, Dodd foresees the two conferences becoming the "closest thing to the NFL." 

Deshaun Watson's battle with the NFL has seemingly come to an end. The former Texans star reached a settlement with the league, and as a result he'll face an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine .

Though Watson claimed to "take accountability" for his decisions in a post-settlement statement released by the Browns, he didn't express such contrition while speaking to the media. Watson told reporters at the Browns facility he's "going to continue to stand on my innocence." 

Jacoby Brissett -- a 29-year-old journeyman who's started games for the Patriots, Colts and Dolphins -- will quarterback the Browns during Watson's suspension, which will allow him to return. Coincidentally, Watson's first game back will be against Houston, the team he began his NFL career with in 2017 and was traded from in March, on Nov. 28.

Watson will miss pivotal games against the Steelers, Chargers, Ravens, Bengals, Bills and Buccaneers during his suspension, leaving Cleveland little breathing room in its hunt to reach the playoffs for the second time since 2002. 

The 2022-23 NHL season begins Oct. 11, but groundwork for the next Stanley Cup champion could very well have been laid over the last month and change of free agency. Our Austin Nivison broke down the biggest moves, along with the league-altering effect they could have this coming season and beyond. 

Here's Nivison on why Kadri, despite his advancing age, is exactly the player Calgary needed to keep its title hopes alive.  

For a complete list of the top signings, click here.  

The Dodgers have been the best team in Major League Baseball for much of the season, yet one flaw stands out and could potentially stand in the way of their World Series run: the closer situation. Eight-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel has played decidedly below his reputation this season, leading our MLB writers to discuss the Dodgers' alternative closing options. 

Our MLB expert Dayn Perry made his case for Evan Phillips, who's enjoyed a breakout season for Los Angeles, but didn't close the door on a Kimbrel turnaround.

Meanwhile, our Matt Snyder believes it simply "can't be Kimbrel" because of his command issues. He listed Phillips, Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol as the best options, as the latter two are on minor-league rehab assignments. His juiciest idea, though: three-time Cy Young winner and former NL MVP Clayton Kershaw. Here's the case: 

For the full discussion, click here . 

⚾ Brewers at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. ET on MLB Network 🏈 Panthers at Patriots, 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network

🏀 Liberty at Sky, noon ET on ESPN ⚾ Astros at Braves, 7:15 p.m. ET on Fox 🏀 Mercury at Aces, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 

🏀 Wings at Sun, noon ET on ABC ⚾ Blue Jays at Yankees, 1:35 ET on MLB Network  🏀 Mystics at Storm, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN 

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