Sports
Lakers name Lon Rosen president of business ops
Apr 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers president Stan Kasten (left) and executive vice president Lon Rosen before a game against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Longtime Dodgers executive Lon Rosen was named the Los Angeles Lakers’ new president of business operations on Thursday.
Rosen has been the executive vice president and chief marketing officer for the Dodgers since 2012. The Dodgers have increased revenue every year under his watch while leading major league baseball in attendance every season since 2013 and winning three World Series titles.
The Dodgers and Lakers are both owned by Mark Walter.
“For many years, I have seen the impact that Lon has had in our industry,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a news release. “Over that time, I have learned that not only is Lon a great person, but he also has a deep understanding of both sports and entertainment and a true feel for where this business is headed.”
Rosen replaces Tim Harris, who is stepping down after more than three decades with the organization.
“I’m beyond grateful to Jeanie and Mark for trusting me with this incredible opportunity,” Rosen said. “As everyone knows, the economics of the sports business are constantly changing — and they will continue to do so.
“But, at root, my job is a simple one: figuring out how to do right by our employees and our partners while ensuring that the Lakers continue to provide an unparalleled experience for our fans in Los Angeles and around the world.”
Rosen interned for the Lakers when he was in college and worked in their front office in the 1980s before leaving to become an agent and sports business leader.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Drew Rasmussen named Opening Day starter by Rays
Sep 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (57) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Rays will hand the ball to right-hander Drew Rasmussen on Opening Day.
Manager Kevin Cash told reporters Thursday at spring training in Port Charlotte, Fla., that it was “a pretty easy call” to start Rasmussen against the Cardinals in St. Louis on March 26.
Rasmussen finished the 2025 season with a 10-5 record and a 2.76 ERA in 31 starts. He was selected to the American League All-Star team.
The 30-year-old is a story of perseverance.
He was put on the 60-day injured list with an elbow injury in May 2023 and returned to the Rays in August 2024 after undergoing his third major elbow surgery.
Rasmussen has a career record of 30-17 in 130 appearances (81 starts) and two saves with the Brewers (2020-21) and Rays, who acquired him in the May 2021 trade that sent Willy Adames to Milwaukee.
Other likely members of the starting rotation are Shane McClanahan, Steven Matz, Ryan Pepiot and Nick Martinez.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cooper Flagg's jersey from NBA debut sells for $1M
Oct 22, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dribbles the ball as San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) chase during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Cooper Flagg’s game-worn jersey from the first half of his Dallas Mavericks debut sold privately for $1 million earlier this month through Sotheby’s, the company announced Thursday.
The amount broke the record for the most expensive NBA debut jersey solid in the same season. San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s jersey from his debut game in 2023 sold for $762,000.
Ironically, Flagg’s NBA debut came against Wembanyana and the Spurs on Oct. 22. He collected 10 points and 10 rebounds in Dallas’ 125-92 loss to San Antonio.
“I think people see Flagg with the potential for an American icon,” said Brahm Wachter, head of modern collectibles at Sotheby’s. “I’m not quite sure that, at least in my time handling sort of young rookie memorabilia, that I’ve seen anything quite like this demand since LeBron (James).”
Flagg, 19, leads all rookies with an average of 20.4 points per game. He also is producing 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 49 games (all starts) this season since being selected by the Mavericks with the top overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft out of Duke.
Flagg’s 49-point performance in a home loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 29 broke the NBA record for the highest-scoring outing by a teen.
The most expensive jersey sold from an NBA rookie season belongs to Michael Jordan. An autographed 1984 Chicago Bulls jersey worn during Jordan’s rookie year sold through Sotheby’s for $4.2 million in March 2025.
–Field Level Media
Sports
O's OF Jordan Westburg physically 'unable to participate'
Sep 28, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg (11) hits a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg was not on the field with the team for a spring training workout on Thursday, and manager Craig Albernaz doesn’t know when his status will change.
“He’s unable to participate right now,” the first-year manager said Thursday. “Getting evaluated by our medical team and also outside people. See what’s going on with Jordan and get him ready to go.”
Westburg, 27, felt his oblique tighten on the right side early in spring training. Albernaz did not specifically point to the muscle injury as the reason for his absence and wouldn’t say if he had a different injury.
Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said earlier this month that Westburg’s oblique injury dates to January.
The Baltimore Banner reported Thursday, however, that Westburg had imaging done on his elbow.
“Just physically unable to go,” Albernaz said. “We want to make sure we do our due diligence. Make sure Jordan has the best chance to play this year.”
Injuries have been a hindrance in Westburg’s three seasons in Baltimore, which drafted him 30th overall in 2020 out of Mississippi State.
He played 85 games last season and required injured list stints due to a left hamstring injury and a sprained ankle. He also missed parts of 2025 spring training with back tightness. He played 107 games in 2024 and was named an All-Star, but also missed seven weeks with a fractured hand.
In 260 career games, Westburg has a .264 batting average with 38 home runs and 127 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Drew Rasmussen named Opening Day starter by Rays
Cooper Flagg's jersey from NBA debut sells for $1M
