It can’t buy love, and it can’t buy happiness. A fool and it are soon parted. It’s the root of all evil but still makes the world go round because it doesn’t grow on trees. Also: It talks. But what is money to the athletes whose lives are scoreboarded by it? Well … it’s complicated. It’s what bought NBA’s Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Bogut his new hot tub and the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Forsett a hayride. It’s the wedge that splintered the NFL‘s Dallas Cowboys’ Tyron Smith’s family. It’s what the haters say Melo loves too much (which he’s hoping to disprove by making more of it). It’s what puts million-dollar horses on a plane and flies them halfway around the world to jump over stuff. Yes, money is one thing. But BIG money is quite another. And you apparently never count it when you’re sitting at the table. But throw it on the bed and roll around in its impact on athletes and their lives? Count us in.
On the cover: In “Carmelo Anthony means business,” the NBA star is trying to brand himself as a tech-savvy businessman, through his Melo7 Tech Partners venture capital firm. The Mag’s Eli Saslow gets to the emotional core of what money means to Melo, and why branding himself in this fashion fits with the narrative he’s sharing about himself.
Big Money Issue Features
Carson Palmer’s lasting connection
When Carson Palmer repaired his left knee in 2006, he formed a connection with the family of the woman whose donated Achilles tendon became his ACL. The Mag looks at Palmer’s little-known ties to his donor and the world of tissue donation at large. By Dave Fleming
The debts that bind
No matter how much money Tyron Smith gave his family—and he gave a lot—it was never enough. But when he tried to say no, his family threatened and harassed him and allegedly leveled death threats against his girlfriend. Now he and his girlfriend are making their own lives, and Smith wants to use his experience to set up a post-football career as a counselor of sorts for top college players. By Tim Keown
Athlete spending diaries
To find out how athletes really spend their money, we asked six—from an NBA star who makes $12 million a year to a college swimmer using grant money—to record several days’ worth of purchases. Here’s a revealing glimpse at how these people are (and aren’t) just like us. Includes diaries from Andrew Bogut (NBA), Ryan Hunter-Reay (IndyCar), Justin Forsett (NFL), Dom Dwyer (MLS), Tyler Latorre (MiLB) and Kendyl Stewart (USC swimming). By Sam Alipour
Photo Act: Flying horses don’t come cheap
For the Los Angeles Masters show jumping competition, 51 horses—each worth millions—flew from Belgium to LA. We followed them on the plane, to the convention center and, eventually, on the show court in front of numerous celebrities. By Stacey Pressman
Public are cut out of stadium votes
As politicians pour millions of public funds into stadiums, some are using underhanded tactics on stadium deals for DC United, Phoenix Coyotes, and Atlanta Braves, to cut out the taxpayer’s voice. By Mina Kimes
Additional Big Money Issue Highlights:
- NFL: In The complete receiver, The Mag’s Scott Brown takes a look at all of the reasons why the Steelers’ Antonio Brown is now the NFL’s best receiver. He’s had more catches and more receiving yards than any other player since 2013, and he’s gone 26 straight games with five catches and 50 yards—an NFL record.
- NBA: The Mag’s Anna Katherine Clemmons documents how the Portland Blazers’ three-time All-Star, LaMarcus Aldridge breaks down the technique that makes his fadeaway J the best in the league in Up and away.
- CFB: Chicago here we come: Draft experts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay size up whose stock is rising and whose is falling for the 2015 Draft, plus which Heisman hopeful has the best chance to translate to NFL success.
- Holiday Gift Guide: This year, The Mag’s taking tips from athletes—what do they give each other, themselves, their families? We’ll show you their favorite items—as well as some at a lower price point for the rest of us.
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Media Contact: Carrie Kreiswirth at (646) 547-4686 or carrie.b.kreiswirth@espn.com
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