76ers C Joel Embiid spoke at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York on Tuesday.Getty Images
76ers center Joel Embiid said at the United Nations General Assembly this week that sports business can “transform Africa economically.” Embiid first spoke at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York with Raptors Chairman Masai Ujiri about “shining a spotlight on African innovation and investing in African youth.” He also spoke about African innovation and his determination to “grow basketball in Africa” at Semaphore’s The Next 3 Billion Summit. According to a source, Embiid, Ujiri and several African leaders had dinner together on Monday and “discussed the development of sports in Africa” (Philadelphia Inquirer, September 24).
A grim diagnosis: Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre testified yesterday at a congressional hearing that he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, one of six neurodegenerative diseases covered in the NFL’s landmark 2017 concussion settlement, “joining ALS, Alzheimer’s and various levels of dementia.” As of Monday, the settlement website stated that “1,811 former players and their families have been compensated,” which is “just 8.8% of the 20,575 members” (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, September 24).
Court proceedings underway: Lawyers for US gymnast Jordan Childs have “filed a second appeal to overturn the decision” of the Court of Arbitration for Sport that stripped Childs of her bronze medal after the Paris Games. USA Gymnastics also “filed a separate appeal” yesterday in conjunction with Childs’ motion. The appeal asks the court to “request the CAS to reopen the proceedings to consider video and audio evidence that Childs’ camp and USA Gymnastics argue is essential to their case” (THE ATHLETIC, September 24).
Name: Rapper Macklemore, who is part of the ownership group for the Kraken and Sounders, is “facing backlash” for saying “F– America” during his performance at the Palestine Will Live Forever Festival at Seward Park Amphitheater on Saturday. The Kraken and Sounders released a joint statement after the festival appearance saying they are “currently exploring joint options in this matter” (Seattle Times, 9/24). …Former NBA player Tony Allen will be officially retired by the Grizzlies on March 15 (Memphis Commercial Appeal, 9/24). …The San Diego County YMCA partnered with former football player Alex Morgan’s foundation to celebrate the grand opening of the Mission Valley YMCA’s new mini-pitch (San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/24). …Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s former home, “specially designed to fit” his 7-foot-2 frame, is for sale in Marina del Rey, California, for $2.995 million (Sacramento Bee, 9/24). …Pro Football Hall of Famer Kenny Houston, Basketball Hall of Famer Van Chancellor and former NFL player Andre Ware will be inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025 at a ceremony in January (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/24). …Former Italian soccer player Giorgio Chiellini is now an investor in Mercury 13, a women’s multi-club network that owns Serie A’s FC Como Women. Mercury 13 described Chiellini’s investment as “substantial” but did not provide specific details beyond the six-figure sum. Chiellini currently has no formal involvement beyond investment, but is open to informal talks (THE ATHLETIC, September 25).
In memoriam: Dick Moss, the labor lawyer who, along with former MLB Players Association executive director Marvin Miller, “set the stage for sports’ free agent revolution,” died Saturday at age 93. Moss “worked closely with former MLB player Curt Flood, who challenged his retention clause by refusing to report to the Phillies when the Cardinals traded him after the 1969 season” ( New York Times , September 24).