AUGUST 2 COFFEE CLUB

[Thomas]

WHAT'S BREWING TODAY Tuesday, August 2 On Today's Scorecard At All Costs

The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar in November, pushed back from July due to the extreme hot temperatures (106 degrees today). Qatar estimated that November's World Cup will add $17 billion to its economy as it navigates a host of unique challenges associated with the event. A previous estimate placed the figure at $20 billion. The country projects that 1.2 millionpeople will travel to the Gulf country. With a severe shortage of hotel rooms, host city Doha is providing accommodations for that many tourists is forcing Qatar to take some unusual measures. Qatar leased two luxury cruise liners, which can hold nearly 10,000 guests between them. In addition, event organizers are offering tents in desert "fan villages," some of which are being offered for more than $200 per night. Qatar Airways and other airlines are providing more than 180 shuttle flights from Doha to nearby cities. Safe to say I will not be attending the games this year.

Trending Today You Can't Touch This

The judge has spoken – and her honor, Sue Robinson, ordered a 6-game suspension for Cleveland QB Desahun Watson for conduct unbecoming a professional athlete. After the Browns acquired Watson in March via a trade with the Houston Texans, he signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. The deal included a nearly $45 million signing bonus. The extension was set up with a base salary for the 2022 season of about $1 million, meaning he will be out $345,000 if the six-game ban holds. What it means is that Watson's pocketbook was barely touched as the fine equates to 0.15 percent of his total contract – or a mere 15% of the 1.0% US income tax American paid according to the Tariff Act in 1913.

Grinding Out The Profits Chew On This

According to Sportico's annual NFL valuations list, there are 16 NFL franchises worth at least $4 billion — and just seven across the remaining Big Four (four NBA, three MLB). The Dallas Cowboys top the list at $7.6B. The Cincinnati Bengals bring up the bottom of the barrel at $2.8B.

[Chamblin]