As if the 2022 calendar year couldn’t get any better for Aaron Judge, the Yankees named him the 16th captain in team history. Holding the title of Yankees Captain is as exclusive as it gets. There hasn’t been one on the roster in eight years and only two others have held that title in the past 30. With the designation, Judge becomes the first since Derek Jeter and the highest-paid of all time. Earlier this year, Judge, 30, won AL MVP after becoming the AL’s new home run king (62). He then inked a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Bronx Bombers. 

Boardroom’s Russell Steinberg has all the details on the historic honor.

The No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023 is heading to Austin. Arch Manning officially signed his letter of intent with the University of Texas. Manning was the most hotly recruited QB in the country. Sports Illustrated deemed the young Manning, “arguably the most famous high school recruit in the U.S. since LeBron James.” On3 estimates that Manning boasts a $3.5 million NIL valuation. 

Brittney Griner is reveling in her freedom. The Phoenix Mercury superstar returned home after a nearly 10-month imprisonment in Russia. Now, Griner posted on Instagram, sharing a thank you note with her fans who supported her throughout her detainment with letters of support. “Your letters helped me to not lose hope during a time when I was full of regret and vulnerable in ways I could have never imagined,” she wrote. She also advocated for the release of former marine Paul Whelan and other Americans held in Russia.  

What a week for Lionel Messi. Less than 96 hours after solidifying his World Cup legacy with Argentina, the 35-year-old reportedly reached an agreement to remain with Paris Saint-German. Per Fabrizio Romano, there are outstanding details, including the length of the agreement and the affiliated pricetag. Messi is coming off a one-year, $65.8 million contract with PSG.

The New York Knicks have been stripped of a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft for violating league rules governing the timing of this season’s free agency discussions with point guard Jalen Brunson. The team signed Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract. Given the way he’s played thus far this season, the penalty was well worth it.

Under Armour is ready for its next chapter. The Baltimore-based sports brand appointed Stephanie Linnartz as its new President and CEO. She will also assume a position on the company’s Board of Directors. Currently, Linnartz serves as the President of Marriott International, where she has driven their digital transition and roll out of the wildly popular “Marriott Bonvoy” program. She will officially begin her new role beginning on Feb. 27, 2023.

Argentina continues to revel in its win, but they are not alone. The World Cup final is officially the largest English-language audience for a men’s soccer game in American broadcast history.⁠ The game attracted 17.7 million viewers to FOX and Telemundo.