AP source: NBA approves sale of Phoenix Suns to Mat Ishbia
Mortgage executive and former Michigan State guard Mat Ishbia is the new majority owner of the Phoenix Suns and WNBAโs Phoenix Mercury, after the NBAโs board of governors approved his plan to purchase the controlling stake of those franchises from Robert Sarver, a person with knowledge of the matter said Monday night.
โBlatant sexismโ: State lawmakers demand equity for female Michigan State University athletes
Two Michigan lawmakers are taking issue with female college athletes being excluded from a $500 per month athletics scholarship available for all members of Michigan State Universityโs Spartans football and menโs basketball teams.
Former Michigan State University basketball walk-on donates $32 million to school
EAST LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan State University athletics received millions of dollars in a major donation from one of its winningest basketball players, on and off the court. Mat Ishbia -- the CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, 1998 Spartan basketball walk-on and 2000 NCAA champion -- recently donated $32 million to his alma mater. Twenty million dollars of the donation will help change the face of Michigan State, expanding the football center and improving the auditorium, locker rooms and dining halls. โThis is not only a historic day but a tear-jerking, proud day for me,โ said MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo. Ishbia also made a donation to the Spartan Life Fund, which helps MSU alumni connect with companies looking for employees.
Mixed finish on Wall Street as worldwide rally takes a pause
Wall Street is tapping the brakes on its record-setting rally this week, as markets worldwide take a pause on Friday. (Courtney Crow/New York Stock Exchange via AP)BEIJING โ Wall Street tapped the brakes on its recent record-setting rally Friday with a mixed finish for the major stock indexes, though the S&P 500 still ended the week with its third weekly gain in four. So did the Russell 2000 index of smaller companies, which traders have been favoring amid expectations of stronger economic growth later this year. It also gave a forecast for revenue and profit in the current quarter that matched or topped Wall Streetโs. A big question on Wall Street is how much more it can climb before criticism blares even louder that stock prices have grown too expensive relative to corporate profits.
Red Wings announce helmet ad sponsor
The team said the UWM logo will be on the teamโs home, away, and practice helmets during the entirety of the 2021 season. UWM named exclusive mortgage partner of #RedWings & Little Caesars Arena; Will feature branding on Red Wings' player helmets, along with on-ice logos, in-arena signage, and extensive digital branding. More ยป https://t.co/FARpkdVjH7 pic.twitter.com/S4yLU8EEda โ Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 4, 2021The UWM logo will replace the โDetroit Red Wingsโ woodmark that has been on the helmets for decades. UWM will also have a sponsored presence on the Detroit Red Wings Radio Network.โHelmet ads have been resisted for years by NHL teams, the league, the players, and yes, the fans. The American Hockey League (AHL), where Red Wings affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins play, has been allowing such helmet ads for years.