First Call: What the Steelers are worth vs. other NFL teams; lots of ex-Penguins on new teams

Tuesday’s “First Call” compares the value of the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the rest of the NFL.

We also preview the upcoming Pirates-Cardinals series, recap some team-hopping from a bunch of ex-Penguins, and get news about a Robert Morris hockey player who is getting a look from one of the NHL’s clubs out west.

Big bucks

The Steelers are right in the middle of the NFL when it comes to franchise revenue. They came in 15th of 32 teams at $548 million last year.

That’s according to Forbes.com via data compiled by JP Morgan Asset Management. In terms of franchise worth, the Steelers are in a four-way tie for 17th with the Green Bay Packers, and the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens at $4.6 billion.

The Dallas Cowboys generated $1.1 billion in revenue, the most in the NFL, outpacing the second-highest team (the Las Vegas Raiders) by $411 million. Dallas is the most valuable sports franchise in the world at $9 billion.

Exactly how much of a financial behemoth is the NFL? Well, consider that the Detroit Lions were the last place team in 2022-23 revenue at $495 million. That was still more revenue than the Los Angeles Lakers and practically every other NBA, NHL, and MLB team, according to Forbes.com.

Redbird rivalry

When the Pirates open up their three-game series with the St Louis Cardinals on Tuesday at PNC Park, they’ll do so three games behind the Redbirds for second place in the National League Central.

The Pirates begin play at 40-43, a game and a half in front of Cincinnati (39-45) for third in the division. The Cardinals are 43-40, six behind the division leading Milwaukee Brewers.

The Cards also hold the final wild-card spot in the NL, a half game behind the San Diego Padres for the second slot and a game and a half in front of the New York Mets and two games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Pirates and Giants are three back.

The Buccos dropped two of three in St. Louis last month, scoring just seven runs along the way. The Cards have won seven of their past 10 games.

Mitch Keller (9-4, 3.20 ERA) pitches the opener for the Pirates. The right-hander’s only loss since April 30 was a 4-3 defeat in St. Louis on June 13. He’ll be opposed by Kyle Gibson (5-3, 3.70).

More sports

• With long-term goals in mind, Penguins avoid 'big fish' in free agency
• Penguins sign former Kings forward Blake Lizotte for bottom-6, penalty-killing depth
• Mark Madden: Tampa Bay shows Penguins what might have been with offseason moves

Finding new homes

While the Penguins were making a number of moves during Day 1 of free agency, plenty of former Pens were on the move as well.

And we aren’t just talking about Jake Guenztel going to Tampa Bay from Carolina for $63 million. That was the big one, but here’s a look at some of the other signings:

• The St. Louis Blues are bringing back forward Kasperi Kapanen. It’s a one-year, $1 million contract, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Kapanen ended up in St. Louis in February 2023 after the Penguins put him on waivers. He posted six goals and 16 assists in 73 games for the Blues last season.

• Vinnie Hinostroza signed a two-year, two-way pact with the Nashville Predators with a salary cap hit of $775,000.

• Jason Zucker signed a one-year contract worth $5 million with the Sabres. He’ll be joined in Buffalo by Sam Lafferty, who inked a two-year deal for $2 million apiece.

• Forward Zach Aston-Reese is signing a one-year contract (two way $475,000/$775,000) with the Vegas Golden Knights.

• The Ottawa Senators signed 17-year-veteran forward David Perron to a two-year deal worth $8 million.

• The Toronto Maple Leafs are keeping Matt Murray around at $875,000 for one year.

• Danton Heinen is getting $2.25 million over each of the next two years from Vancouver.

Swimming with the Sharks

A new Robert Morris hockey player is getting a shot with a development camp in the NHL.

Greg Japchen, who just transferred to RMU from Stonehill, has an invite to San Jose’s development camp next week on a tryout basis. The 6-foot-4 defenseman, put up 14 points in 30 games with the Skyhawks last season.

“It’s super exciting to be invited out to San Jose’s camp,” Japchen said via the RMU athletics Facebook page. “Seeing how I stack up against the best of the best and implementing the coaches’ advice will be a huge help heading into next season.”

The camp opens Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Japchen, who began his hockey career at Union College, is one of six transfers with the Colonials this year. Two are goalies, the other three are forwards.