Lakers’ James becoming a part-owner of Red Sox
A person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday that James — the Los Angeles Lakers star — and his longtime business partner Maverick Carter are now partners in the Fenway Sports Group. The person, who did not reveal the size of the investment made by James or Carter, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because none of the parties involved had announced the moves publicly.
The Boston Globe first reported the news, and The New York Times and ESPN also reported that James and Carter were becoming partners.
Fenway Sports Group is the parent company of the Red Sox as well as the Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League and the Roush Fenway Racing NASCAR team.
Fenway Sports Group Chairman Tom Werner did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment. A spokeswoman for the Red Sox and FSG declined to comment.
It is a most unusual relationship in one respect: James has long professed to being a New York Yankees fan, though he has also shown allegiances to the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers in recent years.
And now, he’ll be linked to the Red Sox — the Yankees’ biggest rival.
James has had a relationship with FSG since 2011, when he signed a marketing deal in exchange for a small ownership stake in Liverpool.
Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said James being able to buy into the group is a huge step, especially when considering the example it sets for diversity in business.
“I think when you look at him in particular, and his forethought to be able to put himself in position to change generational wealth, has been amazing,” Bickerstaff said. “And you look at not only what he’s done for himself but what it allows him to do for other people. It’s something that inspires, something for others to marvel at.”
JAZZ 117, CELTICS 109 >> Donovan Mitchell had eight of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and Utah hit 19 3-pointers to win at Boston.
Jordan Clarkson added 20 points off the bench. Mike Conley scored 17 points and Rudy Gobert finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds to help the Jazz sweep the season series between the teams.
Boston led by as many as 11 in the first half before fading down the stretch.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points and Jaylen Brown added 28. But it wasn’t enough to overcome a hot-shooting night by Utah, which also got 45 points from its bench.
Trailing 104-101, the Celtics had two chances to tie the game late. The first was thwarted by an offensive foul on Robert Williams. Following
a Utah foul on its next possession, Marcus Smart came up short on a 3-point attempt that was corralled by the Jazz.
Mitchell then hit a 3 on Utah’s next trip to make it 107-101.
Utah’s lead was 109-101 when Tatum was fouled by Gobert on a layup. But he failed to complete the threepoint play and Boston was forced to foul.
HAWKS 119, ROCKETS 107 >> Danilo Gallinari scored 20 of his 29 points in the first half and Atlanta beat Houston for its sixth straight win. Atlanta’s win streak matched its longest, which came in the first month of the 2016-17 season.
76ERS 99, KNICKS 96 >> Tobias Harris scored 30 points, Seth Curry had 20 and Philadelphia beat New York for its sixth straight win.
BULLS 123, THUNDER 102 >> Zach LaVine scored 40 points on 15-for-20 shooting, and Chicago beat Oklahoma City for its second straight win.
HEAT 113, CAVALIERS 98 Jimmy Butler had 28 points and 12 rebounds, Bam Adebayo returned from a knee issue and finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Miami eased past visiting Cleveland.
Bay Area News Group Top 25 (Mercury News & East Bay Times) No. 1 De La Salle (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Last week’s result: Beat St. Mary’sStockton 35-27
Up next: Saturday vs. Monte Vista, 7 p.m.
No. 2 Pittsburg (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Last week’s result: Did not play.
Up next: Friday vs. Freedom, 7 p.m.
No. 3 Serra (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Last week’s result: Did not play.
Up next: Friday at Valley Christian, 7 p.m.
No. 4 Valley Christian (0-0) Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Last week’s result: Did not play.
Up next: Friday vs. Serra, 7 p.m.
No. 5 Clayton Valley Charter (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Last week’s result: Beat In derk um Sacramento 20-15
Up next: Saturday vs. California, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Cardinal Newman (0-0) Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Last week’s result: Did not play.
Up next: Friday vs. Windsor, 7 p.m.
No. 7 San Ramon Valley (1-0) Last week’s ranking: No. 8
Last week’s result: Beat Las Lomas 35-28
Up next: Saturday vs. Bishop O’Dowd, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Marin Catholic (0-0) Last week’s ranking: No. 9
Last week’s result: Did not play.
Up next: Saturday vs. Tamalpais, 1 p.m.
No. 9 Campolindo (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 11
Last week’s result: Beat Freedom 27-23
Up next: Friday at Benicia, 7 p.m.
No. 10 McClymonds (0-0) Last week’s ranking: No. 10
Last week’s result: Did not play.
Up next: TBA
No. 11 Monte Vista (0-1) Last week’s ranking: No. 7
Last week’s result: Lost to Acalanes 33-27
Up next: Saturday at De La Salle, 7 p.m.
No. 12 St. Francis (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 12
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Saturday vs. San Benito, 6 p.m.
No. 13 Half Moon Bay (1-0) Last week’s ranking: No. 12
Last week’s result: Beat Burlingame 19-10
Up next: Friday at Menlo-Atherton, 7 p.m.
No. 14 Liberty (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 14
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Friday at Antioch, 7 p.m.
No. 15 Los Gatos (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 15
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Saturday vs. Milpitas, 7 p.m.
No. 16 Wilcox (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 16
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Saturday vs. Palo Alto, 7 p.m.
No. 17 Palma (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 17
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: March 26 at San Joaquin Memorial, 7 p.m.
No. 18 The King’s Academy (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 19
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Friday vs. Mitty, 7 p.m.
No. 19 Acalanes (1-0)
Last week’s ranking: Not ranked
Last week’s result: Beat Monte Vista 33-27
Up next: Saturday vs. Las Lomas, 7 p.m.
No. 20 Menlo-Atherton (0-0) Last week’s ranking: No. 20
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Friday vs. Half Moon Bay, 7 p.m.
No. 21 Rancho Cotate (0-0) Last week’s ranking: No. 21
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Friday vs. Casa Grande, 7 p.m.
No. 22 Encinal (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 22
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Friday vs. James Logan, 7 p.m.
No. 23 Las Lomas (0-1)
Last week’s ranking: No. 18
Last week’s result: Lost to San Ramon Valley 35-28
Up next: Saturday at Acalanes, 7 p.m.
No. 24 Milpitas (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 23
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Saturday at Los Gatos, 7 p.m.
No. 25 Oak Grove (0-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 24
Last week’s result: Did not play
Up next: Saturday at Overfelt, 7 p.m.
Just missed the cut: Bellarmine
Note: Given the fluidity with COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, matchups can be canceled or postponed at any time. Most schools are allowing some household family members to attend.