Host Cities Fund Fan Experience, Creating Varied 2026 World Cups
FIFA centralized the 2026 World Cup’s most valuable revenue streams. The result: host cities are largely on the hook for building and paying for the fan experience. The result is an event that will look and feel different in each market. Story at @SBJ: https://t.co/KtM9tal2jY
Inter Miami Secures 13th Deal, 3rd Financial Sponsor
New at @SBJ: @InterMiamiCF has completed its 13th sponsorship deal of the year, adding @Mastercard to its roster. It's also the 3rd financial services deal in the past two months after @nubank and @Shift4, showing their ability to slice up...
U.S. Cities Reject 2031 Women's World Cup Without Reform Guarantees
U.S. cities have so far declined to sign hosting agreements for the 2031 Women's World Cup without assurances that things will be different than they have been for 2026. This is among the biggest stories I'll be watching coming out...
US Soccer Launches Atlanta Training Hub, Unlocking New Commercial Prospects
New at @SBJ: @USSoccer formally opened its National Training Center outside Atlanta today. I spoke with the facility's new GM about the potential commercial opportunities associated with the federation's new hub. https://t.co/F7GEsfEJnL
Tampa Sports Authority Nets $875K From NHL Stadium Series
My colleague @Bretjust1T reports the Tampa Sports Authority took in $1.76M and netted $875K by hosting the @NHL Stadium Series game between the Lightning and Bruins at Raymond James Stadium in February. This includes: 🏒$500,000 venue rental fee 🏒$5 facility fee on...
FIFA Pushes Blanket US Tax Exemption for World Cup Teams
I've been following FIFA's efforts to secure tax-exempt status for member associations participating in the World Cup this summer. This is the first of hearing of some sort of blanket exemption for all participating teams. Interested to see whether this...
Stacy Johns Departs Bay FC to Lead LA Sparks
Stacy Johns, who joined NWSL club Bay FC as CEO in March, is leaving to instead serve as president of the WNBA's L.A. Sparks. My colleague @TomFriendWriter has details at @SBJ. https://t.co/PI5ytfp7kv
FIFA Undercuts Hotel Market with Fixed Pricing
FIFA’s dynamic ticket pricing has been criticized in the lead-up to the World Cup. But when it comes to hotel rooms, the governing body is taking a different approach, undercutting the open market in many host cities using fixed pricing....
Only 12,000 FIFA Passes Signal Weak World Cup Tourism
Exclusively at @SBJ: Only 12,000 people have opted in to the FIFA PASS to receive an expedited U.S. visa interview appointment for the World Cup. While not a perfect proxy, it’s the last signal that the anticipated spike in tourism...
DHS Shutdown Persists, Threatening World Cup Security Operations
With less than 50 days until the start of the World Cup, the Department of Homeland Security is still shut down. This piece by @NicoleSganga illustrates just how dire the situation is inside DHS, with software subscriptions lapsing and secret...
NHL Hits Highest U.S. Regular-Season Ratings in 14 Years
The @NHL scored its best regular-season viewership in the U.S. in 14 seasons....that dates back to 2012-13, according to my colleague @AustinKarp. That also makes it the best under the current rights deals with ESPN and TNT. https://t.co/OpvNt1craU
Columbus NWSL Franchise Secured for $205M Fee
New at @SBJ: A consortium led by Haslam Sports Group has agreed to pay a $205M expansion fee to bring an @NWSL franchise to Columbus. That's up from the $165M the league received for Atlanta and $110M it receieved for...
NHL Players Rank Houston Top Expansion Market
NHL Players' preferred expansion markets, according to the @NHLPA Player Poll: 1. Houston - 34.3% 2. Quebec City - 16.9% 3. Atlanta - 9.8% 4. Scottsdale - 8.9% 5. Austin - 5.0%
FIFA Launches Paid Stadium Tours Across U.S. Cities
FIFA is offering paid stadium tours before and during this summer's World Cup in N.J., Philly, Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta and K.C. Pricing varies by venue and date. More details at @SBJ. https://t.co/XBimkoWUxu
NHL Agents Divided on CBA, Eye Bill Daly as Commissioner
Some interesting insights here: 🏒 NHL agents are split almost evenly on whether the players “got enough” in the recent CBA. 🏒 Agents were largely “stumped” on who should be the next Commissioner, with many defaulting to Bill Daly. Sentiment is Bettman...