Tuesday’s “First Call” compares the value of the Pittsburgh Steelers to the rest of the NFL.
We also preview the upcoming Pirates-Cardinals series, recap some team moves from a bunch of former Penguins and get news on a Robert Morris hockey player being eyed by one of the NHL clubs out west.
Bucks
The Steelers are in the middle of the NFL when it comes to franchise revenue. Last year they ranked 15th out of 32 teams with $548 million.
That’s according to Forbes.com via data compiled by JP Morgan Asset ManagementIn terms of franchise value, the Steelers are tied for 17th with the Green Bay Packers and their AFC North rivals, the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, at $4.6 billion.
The Dallas Cowboys generated $1.1 billion in revenue, the most in the NFL, outpacing the second-biggest team (the Las Vegas Raiders) by $411 million. Dallas is the most valuable sports franchise in the world at $9 billion.
How big of a financial giant is the NFL exactly? Well, consider that the Detroit Lions were the last team in revenue in 2022-23 at $495 million. That revenue was still bigger than the Los Angeles Lakers and virtually every other team in the NBA, NHL and MLB, according to Forbes.com.
Redbird Rivalry
When the Pirates open their three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday at PNC Park, they will be three games behind the Redbirds for second place in the NL Central.
The Pirates enter the game at 40-43, a game and a half ahead of Cincinnati (39-45) for third place in the division. The Cardinals are 43-40, six behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cardinals also hold the final wild-card spot in the National League, a half-game behind the San Diego Padres for second place and a game and a half ahead of the New York Mets and two games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Pirates and Giants are three games back.
The Buccos lost two of three games in St. Louis last month, scoring just seven runs along the way. The Cardinals have won seven of their last 10 games.
Mitch Keller (9-4, 3.20 ERA) will pitch the Pirates’ opener. The right-hander’s only loss since April 30 was a 4-3 defeat at St. Louis on June 13. His opponent will be Kyle Gibson (5-3, 3.70).
More sports
• With long-term goals in mind, Penguins avoid big fish in free agency
• Penguins sign former Kings forward Blake Lizotte to play bottom of the table and kill penalties
• Mark Madden: Tampa Bay shows Penguins what could have been with offseason moves
Finding new homes
While the penguins were doing A series of moves during the first day of free agencyMany former Pens were also on the move.
And we’re not just talking about Jake Guenztel. Going to Tampa Bay Carolina for $63 million. That was the big signing, but here are some of the other signings:
• The St. Louis Blues are bring back Kasperi KapanenAccording to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the deal is worth one year and $1 million. Kapanen arrived in St. Louis in February 2023 after being placed on waivers by the Penguins. He had six goals and 16 assists in 73 games for the Blues last season.
• Vinnie Hinostroza signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators with a salary cap of $775,000.
• Jason Zucker signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Sabres. He will join him in Buffalo. by Sam Lafferty, who signed a two-year contract worth $2 million each.
• Forward Zach Aston-Reese is signing a one-year contract (two options: $475,000/$775,000) with the Vegas Golden Knights.
• The Ottawa Senators signed 17-year veteran forward David Perron for a two-year contract worth $8 million.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs They stay with Matt Murray around $875,000 for one year.
• Danton Heinen is receiving $2.25 million for each of the next two years from Vancouver.
Swimming with the sharks
A new Robert Morris hockey player will have the opportunity to participate in an NHL development camp.
Greg Japchen, who just transferred to RMU from Stonehill, has an invitation to San Jose’s development camp next week for a tryout. The 6-foot-4 defenseman scored 14 points in 30 games with the Skyhawks last season.
“It’s very exciting to be invited to the San Jose camp,” Japchen said. via the RMU Athletics Facebook page“Seeing how I compare to the best and putting the coaches’ advice into practice will be a big help for next season.”
The camp opens on Tuesday.
Japchen, 22, who began his hockey career at Union College, He is one of six transfers with the Colonials this year.Two are goalkeepers, the other three are forwards.
Tim Benz is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via XAll tweets may be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise specified.