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

• Unrivaled Secures NIL Athletes

• Memphis Gets Denied

• Dame Comes Home

• TJ Watt and the Steelers

• Bengals Owner Staying Firm

Unrivaled Secures the Future of Women’s Basketball

The 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled, founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, announced that they were signing 14 of women's college basketball's best to NIL deals. Headlining this group are USC star Juju Watkins, LSU's Flau'jae Johnson, and UConn's Azzi Fudd. These NIL signings range from college sophomores to seniors, who will not play in the league but rather be involved in marketing efforts.

Unrivaled signs NIL deal with 14 college players, including Juju Watkins, Flau'Jae Johnson, Azzi Fudd

Memphis’s aggressive attempt at joining Big 12 Denied

Despite an aggressive and lucrative bid by Memphis to join the Big 12 Conference, it has fallen short as conference leaders ultimately decided to not add Memphis to their conference. Memphis is reported to have offered over $200 million in their bid through various sponsorship commitments, and submitted their final bid in early July. The Memphis president, Bill Hardgrave, reportedly spent over a year meeting with Big 12 presidents and ADs, in an effort to set up this bid and leave the now American Conference in favor of a Power 4 conference. 

 Memphis' bid to join Big 12 falls short as conference leaders rebuff $200 million proposal from school

Dame Comes Home

Damian Lillard, after being waived from the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this offseason, is returning to the Portland Trail Blazers on a 3-year, $42 million deal. This deal includes a no-trade clause, making Dame only one of two players in the league who currently has one, as well as a player option on the 3rd year should he choose to opt out. Lillard spent his first 11 seasons in the league playing for Portland, making this a sweet reunion as Dame is recovering from a left Achilles tendon tear. 

Damian Lillard glad to be 'back home' with Blazers, focuses on recovery

T.J. Watt focused on Steelers season after Signing Record Deal

TJ Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a deal that will pay him $123 million over the next 3 years. With $108 million of that contract guaranteed, Watt becomes the NFL's highest paid non-quarterback. The $41 million a year average eclipses past deals like Ja'marr Chase's $40.25 million and Myles Garrett's $40 million a year averages, both of which occurred earlier this offseason. This continues the Steelers focus towards competing, as they have undergone a minor overhaul, moving George Pickens and Minkah Fitzpatrick for Jalen Ramsey, DK Metcalf, and more. 

T.J. Watt focused on Steelers season after signing record deal

Bengals Owner Remains Firm in Team’s Stance Over Shemar Stewart’s Contract

The contract disputes in Cincinnati continue as both Shemar Stewart and Trey Hendrickson continue to sit out. Bengals owner Mike Brown explained in a recent interview that the dispute with Stewart lies in the guarantees, Shemar Stewart wants his contract fully guaranteed, whereas the Bengals are looking for the ability to void some guarantees if Stewart ever violates NFL policies, breaks the law, etc. As the standoff continues, it appears neither side is ready to budge. 

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