💰 Bengals PAID Their Receivers

PLUS Cooper Is Coming Home, Florida Secures #1 Seed, Get To Know All 68 NCAAM Teams

March 18, 2025

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Welcome to Office Chair Sports! Your home for everything Sports & Biz! Today, we’re covering top news about:

  • Bengals PAID Their Receivers

  • Cooper Is Coming Home

  • Florida Secures #1 Seed

  • Conference Tournaments Are Now Over

  • Get To Know All 68 NCAAM Teams

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💰 Bengals PAID Their Receivers

The Bengals just pulled off a MASSIVE double deal, locking up both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to monster extensions that keep them paired with Joe Burrow for the long haul!

Chase's four-year, $161 million contract with $112 million guaranteed sets a new NFL record at $40.25 million annually - making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in history, barely edging out Myles Garrett's $40 million. Meanwhile, Higgins secured his own huge payday with a four-year, $115 million deal guaranteed for the first two years.

This wraps up what had been contentious negotiations with both receivers. Remember, Higgins requested a trade last year after being franchise tagged (then played on it anyway), while Chase staged a "hold-in" during training camp before rejoining the team for Week 1.

Joe Burrow must be absolutely THRILLED - he's been publicly advocating for both his guys to get paid.

The duo is coming off ridiculous production when healthy. Chase just won the receiving triple crown (127 catches, 1,708 yards, 17 TDs), while Higgins still averaged 75.9 yards per game despite missing time with injuries.

At a combined $69 million annually, the Chase-Higgins duo is now $10 million more expensive than any other WR pair in the NFL. But for a Bengals team trying to get back to the Super Bowl, keeping their offensive core intact was necessary. 🏈💰

Cooper Is Coming Home

Cooper Kupp is heading home! The Super Bowl MVP has agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with the Seahawks, bringing the Washington native back to his home state after eight seasons with the Rams.

Kupp celebrated the homecoming on Twitter: "Washington back across my chest. Let's go!!!!!" The 31-year-old grew up just 140 miles from Seattle in Yakima, then starred at Eastern Washington before being drafted by the Rams in 2017.

This is the latest move in Seattle's complete offensive overhaul. They've traded away Geno Smith (replaced by Sam Darnold), released Tyler Lockett, and shipped DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh. Now they're rebuilding their receiving corps around second-year standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1,130 yards last season), Kupp, and recently signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

While Kupp hasn't been the same dominant force since his historic 2021 triple crown season (145 catches, 1,947 yards, 16 TDs), he still brings elite route-running and reliability when healthy.

At $15 million per year, this feels like a solid value for Seattle - assuming Kupp can stay on the field. The Seahawks get a proven veteran to help mentor Smith-Njigba, while Kupp gets to finish his career in his home state after the Rams moved on. 🏈

Florida Secures #1 Seed

Florida just guaranteed themselves a #1 seed in a huge way, taking down Tennessee 86-77 in the SEC tournament championship game. The Gators basically controlled this one from start to finish, weathering a brief Vols comeback attempt midway through the second half.

This wasn't a pretty shooting display from either team (no surprise against Tennessee's elite defense), but Florida absolutely DOMINATED the glass. The size difference was obvious as the Gators grabbed 15 offensive rebounds to Tennessee's 5, creating crucial second-chance opportunities that ultimately made the difference.

Walter Clayton Jr. led Florida with 22 points and Will Richard added 17, while Tennessee's Jordan Gainey poured in 24 in a losing effort. The Vols' comeback hopes were crushed when Chaz Lanier fouled out with 5:29 left.

The Gators are absolutely peaking at the perfect time - they've won 12 of their last 13 games and have quality road wins over Auburn and Alabama on their resume. At 14-4 in the brutal SEC, with all four losses coming to tournament teams, they've earned that top seed.

The four #1 seeds now look set with Auburn or Duke as the overall #1, Houston, and Florida filling out the top line.

Conference Tournaments Are Now Over

That's a wrap on the final conference tournaments before Selection Sunday! The last five automatic bids are locked in, setting the stage for the bracket reveal tonight.

Michigan pulled off a huge win in the Big Ten championship, surviving an ugly defensive battle against Wisconsin 59-53. The Badgers actually built an 11-point lead in the second half before the Wolverines stormed back when it mattered most to claim the conference crown.

Over in the SEC, Florida left no doubt about deserving a #1 seed by handling Tennessee 86-77. Despite the somewhat close final score, the Gators controlled this one throughout and held off a brief Vols comeback attempt in the second half.

The final three automatic bids went to Yale (Ivy League champs over Cornell), VCU (Atlantic 10 winners against George Mason), and Memphis (who handled UAB for the AAC title).

Now it's time for the main event! The full 68-team NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed tonight on Selection Sunday, setting off the madness we've all been waiting for.

Let the bracketology debates begin! 🏀

Get To Know All 68 NCAAM Teams

Now that the NCAA Tournament bracket is set, it's time for the most important part of March - filling out your predictions!

This season has been full of surprises (like Rick Pitino revitalizing St. John's) and disappointments (poor West Virginia missing out), making bracket predictions even trickier than usual.

When making your picks, pay special attention to:

  • Recent injuries (like Cooper Flagg's ankle for Duke)

  • Teams peaking at the right time (Florida has won 12 of 13)

  • Teams stumbling down the stretch (Kansas has lost 5 of its last 7)

Remember that momentum matters in March, but so does experience and coaching. Look at teams' performance in close games and their strength away from home, as these are often indicators of tournament success.

Internships 🙋

1. Los Angeles Angels-2025 Ticket Sales Intern (LA Angels) - Reporting to the Sr. Director, Ticket Sales, the Ticket Sales Intern will provide general support for all Ticket Sales departments. The intern will also support in planning and execution for game day and non-gameday events for ticket plan holders, group, special events and theme nights programs.

2. Social Responsibility Intern (Sacramento Kings) - You will play a crucial role in supporting the Social Responsibility (SR) department by assisting with community donation requests, SR email correspondence, general SR department admin work, merchandise/giveaway inventory, LIFT volunteer program, and other SR initiatives and events.

3. Communications Intern (Indianapolis Colts) - The Communication Intern is charged with assisting the Communications department with all communications and media relations activities, as assigned.

4. Marketing & Events Intern (Washington Commanders) - The Washington Commanders Marketing & Events Internship is a seasonal position with the Washington Commanders that will start in June of 2025 and span until Spring of 2026.

5. Seasonal Assistant, Communications (LA Chargers) - The Los Angeles Chargers are looking for seasonal assistants for the communications department. The full-season position will run from May 2025 through the end of the season. The full-season position will provide experience in the communications department where the candidates will learn football and marketing communication skills.

Job Board 💰

1. Digital Display Coordinator (Utah Jazz) - Utah Hockey Club and Utah Jazz, franchises of Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), are looking for a versatile, driven, and energetic individual skilled in motion and graphic design. This position will be responsible for optimizing, executing, and maintaining all digital displays at Delta Center.

2. Sports Media & Engagement Analyst (Miami Marlins) - The Miami Marlins are looking for a passionate, data-driven, and creative Sports Analyst to join our dynamic Social Media team. As a Sports Analyst for Social Media, you will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s online presence, engaging with fans, and providing in-depth analysis of game performances, player statistics, and fan interactions.

3. New Business Representative (Pittsburgh Penguins) - The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking for a consistent, high-producing New Business Representative. This role will proactively pursue new ticket revenue by developing and maintaining season ticket and partial plan accounts.

4. Partnership Marketing Coordinator (UFC) - The Partnership Marketing Coordinator supports all partnership account activities and assists with the creation, development, and execution of various sponsorship initiatives and marketing events.

5. Account Service Executive (Milwaukee Bucks) - The Account Service Executive will be responsible for increasing revenue with a focused approach on growing and managing Bucks full season accounts, prospecting new sales, and providing the highest level of customer service to our client base.

Thanks for reading - see you soon!