Jason Wolf
@tellwolf.bsky.social
Sports features & investigations at The Arizona Republic & USA TODAY. Philly guy. Penn State grad.🏒🏈🏀⚾️🏟💰🧬🧠🗽⚖️❤️🥪📝🏅🚀 Encrypted email: tellwolf@proton.me
Profit, politics & pyramids:
Why companies buy stadium & arena naming rights … & the Phoenix #Suns’ deal for the “Mortgage Matchup Center” is so unusual.
Why companies buy stadium & arena naming rights … & the Phoenix #Suns’ deal for the “Mortgage Matchup Center” is so unusual.
Did Mat Ishbia name Suns arena for his company in brand war with NBA rival?
Few arenas are named after a team owner’s company. But Dan Gilbert owns Rocket Mortgage and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who play in Rocket Arena.
www.azcentral.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Profit, politics & pyramids:
Why companies buy stadium & arena naming rights … & the Phoenix #Suns’ deal for the “Mortgage Matchup Center” is so unusual.
Why companies buy stadium & arena naming rights … & the Phoenix #Suns’ deal for the “Mortgage Matchup Center” is so unusual.
Come to hear from Pulitzer Prize winners Eli Saslow, Lane DeGregory & Mark Warren.
Stay for the food & drinks.
And suffer me waxing poetic about the power of sports journalism. 💪😜🏈
Stay for the food & drinks.
And suffer me waxing poetic about the power of sports journalism. 💪😜🏈
It's official!
We have a conference program!
Look at this rockstar lineup of speakers — from SFJ award to Pulitzer Prize winners.
You will learn, make friends, and be fed.
Join us at @arizonastateuni.bsky.social in November!
#journalismsky
www.featuresjournalism.org/blog/2025/9/...
We have a conference program!
Look at this rockstar lineup of speakers — from SFJ award to Pulitzer Prize winners.
You will learn, make friends, and be fed.
Join us at @arizonastateuni.bsky.social in November!
#journalismsky
www.featuresjournalism.org/blog/2025/9/...
Behold! Here’s the full program for the SFJ 2025 conference in Phoenix — Society for Features Journalism
The Society for Features Journalism’s first national conference since the pandemic will be November 6-8 in Phoenix. The focus will be on craft, camaraderie, education and inspiration with speakers lik...
www.featuresjournalism.org
October 22, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Come to hear from Pulitzer Prize winners Eli Saslow, Lane DeGregory & Mark Warren.
Stay for the food & drinks.
And suffer me waxing poetic about the power of sports journalism. 💪😜🏈
Stay for the food & drinks.
And suffer me waxing poetic about the power of sports journalism. 💪😜🏈
ESPN quoted a California-based lawyer who said the Phoenix #Suns may have broken the law by making employees sign arbitration agreements to keep their jobs.
But that’s perfectly legal in Arizona, three local labor & employment attorneys tell @azcentral.com
But that’s perfectly legal in Arizona, three local labor & employment attorneys tell @azcentral.com
Phoenix Suns, Mercury made employees sign arbitration agreements to limit lawsuits
Dispute resolution policies are standard at large organizations and legal for Suns, Mercury to impose on employees, Arizona labor attorneys said.
www.azcentral.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM
ESPN quoted a California-based lawyer who said the Phoenix #Suns may have broken the law by making employees sign arbitration agreements to keep their jobs.
But that’s perfectly legal in Arizona, three local labor & employment attorneys tell @azcentral.com
But that’s perfectly legal in Arizona, three local labor & employment attorneys tell @azcentral.com
I was a stand-on-the-couch, scream-at-the-TV, bleeding-green #Eagles fan, the kid who wore the “DALLAS SUCKS” T-shirt to gym class, figuratively raised in the 700 level at Veterans Stadium.
I was a Troy Vincent fan.
I’m still a Troy Vincent fan. 👏👏👏 www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
I was a Troy Vincent fan.
I’m still a Troy Vincent fan. 👏👏👏 www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
'We've got to be better than that': NFL updates criteria for Walter Payton Man of the Year
The NFL will require charities founded by WPMOY nominees to follow basic nonprofit laws after the last two winners and NFL VP's org were noncompliant.
www.azcentral.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I was a stand-on-the-couch, scream-at-the-TV, bleeding-green #Eagles fan, the kid who wore the “DALLAS SUCKS” T-shirt to gym class, figuratively raised in the 700 level at Veterans Stadium.
I was a Troy Vincent fan.
I’m still a Troy Vincent fan. 👏👏👏 www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
I was a Troy Vincent fan.
I’m still a Troy Vincent fan. 👏👏👏 www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
Reposted by Jason Wolf
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year changes rules to ensure compliance with nonprofit laws.
www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootb...
www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootb...
Walter Payton Man of the Year changes rules to ensure compliance with nonprofit laws
The NFL has changed its rules for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year to ensure the charities founded by the players it honors are following nonprofit laws, Jason Wolf of the Arizona Republic report...
www.nbcsports.com
September 3, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year changes rules to ensure compliance with nonprofit laws.
www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootb...
www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootb...
GREAT SUCCESS! After 3+ years of my reporting on widespread waste & mismanagement, the NFL will require charities founded by Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees follow basic state & federal nonprofit laws.
Change comes after I told Troy Vincent the last 2 winners & his charity were noncompliant.
Change comes after I told Troy Vincent the last 2 winners & his charity were noncompliant.
'We've got to be better than that': NFL updates criteria for Walter Payton Man of the Year
The NFL will require charities founded by WPMOY nominees to follow basic nonprofit laws after the last two winners and NFL VP's org were noncompliant.
www.azcentral.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:21 PM
GREAT SUCCESS! After 3+ years of my reporting on widespread waste & mismanagement, the NFL will require charities founded by Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees follow basic state & federal nonprofit laws.
Change comes after I told Troy Vincent the last 2 winners & his charity were noncompliant.
Change comes after I told Troy Vincent the last 2 winners & his charity were noncompliant.
Bri Dillingham hugged Cam Skattebo when #ASU won the Big 12.
“He was saying something along the lines of, ‘This is all because of (Kenny),” she told @azcentral.com.
“But I wanted to remind him that he was where he was too because of everything that he’s done.
“It takes a team.”
“He was saying something along the lines of, ‘This is all because of (Kenny),” she told @azcentral.com.
“But I wanted to remind him that he was where he was too because of everything that he’s done.
“It takes a team.”
'It takes a team': Why Kenny Dillingham's wife, Bri, is key to Arizona State's success
Arizona State is ranked No. 11 in the nation, favored to win every game this season and repeat as Big 12 champions. Kenny Dillingham credits his wife.
www.azcentral.com
August 26, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Bri Dillingham hugged Cam Skattebo when #ASU won the Big 12.
“He was saying something along the lines of, ‘This is all because of (Kenny),” she told @azcentral.com.
“But I wanted to remind him that he was where he was too because of everything that he’s done.
“It takes a team.”
“He was saying something along the lines of, ‘This is all because of (Kenny),” she told @azcentral.com.
“But I wanted to remind him that he was where he was too because of everything that he’s done.
“It takes a team.”
Just unboxed this gorgeous piece of hardware. Pretty sweet!
The winning portfolio included my @azcentral.com investigations into:
• College football players caught human smuggling bit.ly/4mHGdmC
• NFL players’ charities bit.ly/45RwR28
• Little League bullying bit.ly/47rMZso
The winning portfolio included my @azcentral.com investigations into:
• College football players caught human smuggling bit.ly/4mHGdmC
• NFL players’ charities bit.ly/45RwR28
• Little League bullying bit.ly/47rMZso
August 14, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Just unboxed this gorgeous piece of hardware. Pretty sweet!
The winning portfolio included my @azcentral.com investigations into:
• College football players caught human smuggling bit.ly/4mHGdmC
• NFL players’ charities bit.ly/45RwR28
• Little League bullying bit.ly/47rMZso
The winning portfolio included my @azcentral.com investigations into:
• College football players caught human smuggling bit.ly/4mHGdmC
• NFL players’ charities bit.ly/45RwR28
• Little League bullying bit.ly/47rMZso
FanDuel Sportsbook at Phoenix Suns arena to cease operations.
The retail location paid out more in winnings than was wagered in 4 of past 6 months for which data is available from AZ Dept of Gaming.
>99% of sports betting in the state happens online.
The retail location paid out more in winnings than was wagered in 4 of past 6 months for which data is available from AZ Dept of Gaming.
>99% of sports betting in the state happens online.
FanDuel Sportsbook at the Phoenix Suns arena will cease gaming operations
The FanDuel Sportsbook lounge inside PHX Arena will become a lounge and will cease sportsbook operations as of July 24.
www.azcentral.com
June 18, 2025 at 8:12 PM
FanDuel Sportsbook at Phoenix Suns arena to cease operations.
The retail location paid out more in winnings than was wagered in 4 of past 6 months for which data is available from AZ Dept of Gaming.
>99% of sports betting in the state happens online.
The retail location paid out more in winnings than was wagered in 4 of past 6 months for which data is available from AZ Dept of Gaming.
>99% of sports betting in the state happens online.
#Giants rookie Cam Skattebo denies jumping up & down on golf cart, liability for former ASU teammate’s injury in court filing
Cam Skattebo denies jumping on golf cart, liability for former ASU teammate's injury
New York Giants running back and former Arizona State star Cam Skattebo denies "any proper evidence" showing he's liable for ex-teammate's injury.
www.azcentral.com
June 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
#Giants rookie Cam Skattebo denies jumping up & down on golf cart, liability for former ASU teammate’s injury in court filing
Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham earned more than $3M in bonus money in a single school year, surpassing former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. #ForksUp @azcentral.com www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
Bigger than Harbaugh: Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham earned record bonuses
ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham earned at least $3.056 million in on-field and academic performance bonuses. He gave $300,000 to staff members.
www.azcentral.com
June 12, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham earned more than $3M in bonus money in a single school year, surpassing former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. #ForksUp @azcentral.com www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
Reposted by Jason Wolf
What’s the categorically denied allegation of an affair between the Phoenix #Suns CEO & a #WNBA player even doing in a seemingly unrelated workplace discrimination lawsuit?
@azcentral.com puts the lurid accusation that gripped social media this week in context.
@azcentral.com puts the lurid accusation that gripped social media this week in context.
Phoenix Suns, Sophie Cunningham refute accusations about relationship with CEO
A lawsuit accuses Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein of having a relationship with former Phoenix Mercury player Sophie Cunningham.
www.azcentral.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
What’s the categorically denied allegation of an affair between the Phoenix #Suns CEO & a #WNBA player even doing in a seemingly unrelated workplace discrimination lawsuit?
@azcentral.com puts the lurid accusation that gripped social media this week in context.
@azcentral.com puts the lurid accusation that gripped social media this week in context.
What’s the categorically denied allegation of an affair between the Phoenix #Suns CEO & a #WNBA player even doing in a seemingly unrelated workplace discrimination lawsuit?
@azcentral.com puts the lurid accusation that gripped social media this week in context.
@azcentral.com puts the lurid accusation that gripped social media this week in context.
Phoenix Suns, Sophie Cunningham refute accusations about relationship with CEO
A lawsuit accuses Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein of having a relationship with former Phoenix Mercury player Sophie Cunningham.
www.azcentral.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
What’s the categorically denied allegation of an affair between the Phoenix #Suns CEO & a #WNBA player even doing in a seemingly unrelated workplace discrimination lawsuit?
@azcentral.com puts the lurid accusation that gripped social media this week in context.
@azcentral.com puts the lurid accusation that gripped social media this week in context.
On the podium with Sally Jenkins & Steve Politi!?
Thank you to the Society for Features Journalism for this tremendous honor & to @azcentral.com for the resources to produce some of the best sports journalism in America! 🧐🏆🎉
@sallyjenx.bsky.social @stevepoliti.bsky.social @wearesfj.bsky.social
Thank you to the Society for Features Journalism for this tremendous honor & to @azcentral.com for the resources to produce some of the best sports journalism in America! 🧐🏆🎉
@sallyjenx.bsky.social @stevepoliti.bsky.social @wearesfj.bsky.social
May 22, 2025 at 9:37 PM
On the podium with Sally Jenkins & Steve Politi!?
Thank you to the Society for Features Journalism for this tremendous honor & to @azcentral.com for the resources to produce some of the best sports journalism in America! 🧐🏆🎉
@sallyjenx.bsky.social @stevepoliti.bsky.social @wearesfj.bsky.social
Thank you to the Society for Features Journalism for this tremendous honor & to @azcentral.com for the resources to produce some of the best sports journalism in America! 🧐🏆🎉
@sallyjenx.bsky.social @stevepoliti.bsky.social @wearesfj.bsky.social
Thrilled to win the 2025 National Headliner Award for sports news writing for my work at @azcentral.com! The portfolio touched pro, college & youth sports & featured investigations into human smuggling, NFL players’ charities & Little League bullying. 🧐🏆🎉 www.headlinerawards.org/2025-print-p...
April 30, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Thrilled to win the 2025 National Headliner Award for sports news writing for my work at @azcentral.com! The portfolio touched pro, college & youth sports & featured investigations into human smuggling, NFL players’ charities & Little League bullying. 🧐🏆🎉 www.headlinerawards.org/2025-print-p...
This story about alleged migrant smuggling by Arizona Christian University football players just won 1st place for immigration & border reporting & 2nd place for sports reporting in the 2025 Best of the West contest. www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
‘Kind of like Uber’: Arizona Christian football players caught in migrant smuggling scheme
A Republic investigation revealed how college football players earned money ferrying migrants to Phoenix and why those arrested were not prosecuted.
www.azcentral.com
April 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This story about alleged migrant smuggling by Arizona Christian University football players just won 1st place for immigration & border reporting & 2nd place for sports reporting in the 2025 Best of the West contest. www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has fired three NBA head coaches in 23 months: Monty Williams, Frank Vogel & Mike Budenholzer, paying them as much as $85M combined to go away. 🏀💰🧐
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia pays up to $85 million to fire 3 NBA coaches in 23 months
Ishbia might recoup some of these losses because NBA coaches’ contracts aren't generally fully guaranteed like players’ contracts, one expert says.
www.azcentral.com
April 17, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has fired three NBA head coaches in 23 months: Monty Williams, Frank Vogel & Mike Budenholzer, paying them as much as $85M combined to go away. 🏀💰🧐
“They don’t really balance the budget in a way that any normal person thinks they’re balancing the budget.”
Arizona State athletics “break even” with $50M+ subsidy from school in final year in Pac-12, a year after reporting record $27M operating deficit.
Arizona State athletics “break even” with $50M+ subsidy from school in final year in Pac-12, a year after reporting record $27M operating deficit.
'Magic accountant's pen': Arizona State athletics break even with $50M subsidy from school
ASU athletics received more than $50 million from the school to balance the books in 2023-24 although it reported to the NCAA it broke even.
www.azcentral.com
March 12, 2025 at 12:35 AM
“They don’t really balance the budget in a way that any normal person thinks they’re balancing the budget.”
Arizona State athletics “break even” with $50M+ subsidy from school in final year in Pac-12, a year after reporting record $27M operating deficit.
Arizona State athletics “break even” with $50M+ subsidy from school in final year in Pac-12, a year after reporting record $27M operating deficit.
Lawyer for ex-ASU football player suing Cam Skattebo & ABOR for negligence, $300K+ said golf cart incident at practice caused laceration “all the way down to the bone” & ruptured elbow tendon that “required surgery & months of physical therapy” not paid by the school.
Cam Skattebo sued by former ASU teammate after golf cart incident leads to elbow surgery
Cam Skattebo allegedly jumped on the back of golf cart transporting two ASU football teammates, exceeding its weight limit and causing severe injury.
www.azcentral.com
March 6, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Lawyer for ex-ASU football player suing Cam Skattebo & ABOR for negligence, $300K+ said golf cart incident at practice caused laceration “all the way down to the bone” & ruptured elbow tendon that “required surgery & months of physical therapy” not paid by the school.
Proud to win a second consecutive APSE national top 10 award for investigative reporting since joining The Arizona Republic, my third in four years! 🏆🏆🏆
2024 APSE contest results: Writing and Photography
LAST UPDATED: 5:57 p.m. EST, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
ALL RESULTS SUBMITTED
Results for writing and photography categories for the 2024 APSE contest:
Investigative
ESPN.com, Mark Fainaru-Wada...
apsportseditors.com
March 2, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Proud to win a second consecutive APSE national top 10 award for investigative reporting since joining The Arizona Republic, my third in four years! 🏆🏆🏆
My investigation into human smuggling by football players at Arizona Christian University & lawmakers’ efforts to stop cartels from recruiting kids on social media has published as a special section in today’s print edition of @usatoday.com. www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
December 13, 2024 at 7:41 PM
My investigation into human smuggling by football players at Arizona Christian University & lawmakers’ efforts to stop cartels from recruiting kids on social media has published as a special section in today’s print edition of @usatoday.com. www.azcentral.com/story/sports...
*Checking with the Arizona State Registrar's office*
December 10, 2024 at 1:38 AM
*Checking with the Arizona State Registrar's office*
Pac-12 teams won the Big Ten & Big 12.
December 8, 2024 at 4:48 AM
Pac-12 teams won the Big Ten & Big 12.