
Rockies Promote Owner's Son To Leadership Role Amid One Of Worst MLB Starts
The Colorado Rockies have promoted the oldest son of team owner Dick Monfort amid one of the worst starts in baseball history. Walker Monfort was named executive vice president of the Rockies on Thursday and will immediately begin leading the team alongside outgoing President and COO Greg Feasel, who is stepping down at the end of this year after 30 seasons in their front office, the team announced.
The Rockies went into Thursday's home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers with an 18–62 record. Colorado's 81st game marked the midpoint of its regular season. Walker Monfort, 38, who had been the team's vice president of corporate partnerships since 2015, will officially assume Feasel's responsibilities by January. Feasel joined the Rockies in 1995 as vice president of sales and marketing. He was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2010 and club president in April 2021.
For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
'Greg has been a pillar of this organization since its earliest days,' Rockies owner Dick Monfort said. 'His leadership and vision helped shape not only the Colorado Rockies organization but the entire baseball community throughout the Rocky Mountain region. He has been instrumental in our many successes over the years and has been a strong and steady presence throughout the past three decades.'
Feasel said it is bittersweet to be stepping aside but that it was something he had discussed with the owner for several years. Walker Monfort began his career with the Rockies at an entry level, gaining hands-on experience across multiple departments, including the grounds crew, game-day promotions, ticketing, and visiting clubhouse from 2006–2009. He officially joined the front office in a full-time capacity in late 2009, working in minor league operations and player development through 2013.
'While we thank Greg for his impact and service, we are excited to turn the page into our next chapter with Walker,' Dick Monfort said. 'He brings a deep understanding of this organization earned through his 20 years of experience working both within and alongside every department of our operation. He offers a fresh, forward-looking mindset, and we're confident his perspective, experience, and leadership will benefit the club in the months and years to come.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Chiefs Seek Extension for Kansas Stadium Financing, Raising Possibility of Move Across State Line
The Kansas City Chiefs have requested an extension to the end-of-June deadline for a stadium financing package from the state of Kansas, indicating that the NFL franchise's potential move across the state line from Missouri is a legitimate possibility. Chiefs president Mark Donovan requested the extension Thursday in a letter to Kansas Senate president Ty Masterson. Donovan explained that the Chiefs have made significant progress on plans for a new stadium development, but that more time is needed to bring the effort to full fruition. The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council is scheduled to meet July 7 to consider extending the incentive deadline. For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. 'The letter from Mark Donovan indicates that the drive to bring this historic project to Kansas is moving down the field,' Masterson said in a statement. 'Now that we are in the red zone, this extension will provide stakeholders sufficient time to ensure the ball crosses the goal line.' The Chiefs and Royals have played for more than five decades at the Truman Sports Complex on the east side of Kansas City, Missouri, where Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium share parking facilities. But leases with Jackson County are due to expire in January 2031, and the two franchises have been trying to plot a course forward for years. Donovan indicated in his letter to Masterson that Kansas remains an enticing option. 'Together,' he wrote, 'we have the opportunity to bring the National Football League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class domed stadium, new team headquarters, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a vibrant mixed-use and entertainment district.' Last year, Jackson County voters defeated a sales tax extension that would have helped to finance an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium–the home of the Chiefs–and a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals in downtown Kansas City. While local and state officials in Missouri were considering another stadium financing package, lawmakers in Kansas quickly and aggressively authorized bonds for up to seventy percent of the cost of new stadiums to be built in their state. Many believed the Chiefs and Royals would use the Kansas offer as leverage for a better deal from Missouri–including Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas, who acknowledged that the teams are in an 'exceptional leverage position.' Finally, earlier this month, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers into a special session to approve a stadium financing deal that included disaster relief for the St. Louis area, where a series of devastating tornadoes caused widespread damage. The legislation authorizes bonds covering up to fifty percent of the cost of new or renovated stadiums in Missouri, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments. The prevailing belief was that the package would be enough to keep the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, where they have floated plans for a $1.15 billion renovation, and perhaps hold onto the Royals, who are still interested in building downtown. Yet news surfaced about a month ago that an affiliate of the Royals purchased the mortgage on a large property in the southern Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, raising the possibility of building a new stadium and ballpark district there. And the letter from Donovan requesting an extension in Kansas indicates the Chiefs also are serious about switching states. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has long professed his affinity for Arrowhead Stadium, which was built by his father and team founder, Lamar Hunt. But he also is keenly aware of the revenue streams available by building a new domed stadium, including the chance to host the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other marquee sporting events. It is unclear where the Chiefs would build in Kansas, but one possibility is the juncture of Interstates 435 and 70 in Kansas City, Kansas. That's the site of Kansas Speedway, a mixed residential and commercial district called The Legends, the home stadiums of MLS club Sporting Kansas City and the Kansas City Monarchs minor league baseball club, as well as a casino, hotels, a major soccer training center, and the infrastructure necessary to support a domed football stadium. 'We are excited about the potential for this project, which would represent the largest economic development initiative in the state's history,' Donovan wrote in his letter Thursday. 'Just as important, the presence of an NFL franchise in (Kansas) will serve as a powerful engine for immediate and long-term growth–driving national attention, sustained tourism and billions more in private development across the state.'


Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Impressive City Show Title Credentials with Juve Demolition
Manchester City produced an impressive display to thrash Juventus 5-2 and underline their title credentials at the Club World Cup on Thursday. The only team to advance into the last 16 with three victories, they showed intent and great finishing to top Group G, exposing Juve's defensive fragility in searing heat in Orlando. The game also saw Rodri make his first start for City since September, playing 67 minutes. By finishing top of their group, City will likely avoid a last-16 clash against Real Madrid, who will clinch Group H if they beat RB Salzburg later on Thursday. Juve will probably have to face the 15-times European champions, who are expected to welcome back France forward Kylian Mbappe following a bout of illness. Juventus coach Igor Tudor said: "They were better. Better team. They controlled. It was difficult to play. Then we wanted to change a little bit to the team. It was not easy to make pressing this way. They were much better." Juventus goalscorer Teun Koopmeiners said: "They had a lot of touches on the ball. First half, we stayed a little too low. When we recovered the ball it was quite difficult to come out. Second half, they were stronger than us and they scored a couple of goals. We need to learn from it." Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said: "I liked the way we did it. It has been a long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball. The players were committed and we are happy to beat a top side. "This is just one game, but I think the players felt again what it was like to be a good team. The belief always comes from your performances, not your past." On Rodri's return to the starting lineup, Guardiola said: "We have missed him a lot. He knows exactly what he has to do with the ball, and his personality. I didn't expect him to play as many minutes. He will be ready for the next one."


Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Nike Says US Tariffs Will Add $1 Billion to Costs, Plans to Reduce China Production
Nike expects US tariffs on imports to add around $1 billion to its costs, the sportswear giant said on Thursday, detailing how it aims to reduce its reliance on production in China and mitigate the impact. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on key trading partners have forced many retailers, including Hoka owner Deckers Brands to withdraw their forecasts as they brace for a slowdown in non-essential spending from consumers. China, subject to the biggest tariff increases imposed by Trump, accounts for about 16% of the shoes Nike imports into the United States, chief financial officer Matthew Friend said. But the company aims to cut the figure to a "high single-digit percentage range" by end-May 2026 by shifting production to other countries. "We are partnering with our suppliers and our retail partners to mitigate this structural cost increase in order to minimize the overall impact to the consumer," Friend added in a call with analysts. Nike has also already announced price increases to partly mitigate the impact of tariffs. Nike's shares gained 11% in extended trading after the company forecast first-quarter revenue to fall in the mid-single digits, slightly better than estimates of a 7.3% drop. The company also reported a smaller-than-expected drop in fourth-quarter revenue and beat profit estimates as CEO Elliott Hill's strategy to focus product innovation and marketing around sports begins to pay off. Having lost share in the fast-growing running market, Nike has scaled back production of sneakers such as the Air Force 1 and invested heavily in running shoes such as Pegasus and Vomero. Friend said the running category returned to growth in the fourth quarter. Under Hill, who joined in October last year, Nike is investing more into sport-focused marketing to regain its edge as a sports brand. On Thursday, it hosted an attempt by sponsored athlete Faith Kipyegon to run a mile in under four minutes. Paced by other star athletes in the glitzy, live-streamed event in a Paris stadium, Kipyegon fell short of the goal but set a new unofficial record. Nike's fourth-quarter sales fell 12% to $11.10 billion, compared with analysts' expectation of a 14.9% drop to $10.72 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. China continued to be a pain point, with executives saying a turnaround in the country will take time as Nike contends with tougher economic conditions and competition. The company's inventory was flat as of May 31, compared with a year ago, at $7.5 billion. "Nike's inventories are still too high considering the sales declines. It was a tough quarter, but this was widely anticipated," said David Swartz, analyst at Morningstar Research.