Today's Sports Business Pulse
Lionel Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo as billionaire footballer after US endorsement wave
Lionel Messi’s net worth has surpassed $1 billion, putting him on par with Cristiano Ronaldo as the only footballers to reach billionaire status. The milestone comes from a series of high‑value U.S. endorsement and licensing agreements across apparel, technology and media, expanding his brand footprint in North America.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Lucra raises $20M to expand eSports gamification platform
Roland Garros 2026 to Stream Live on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV From May 24
Sony Sports Network will broadcast the 2026 French Open live from May 24 on its TV channels and the Sony LIV streaming platform, offering coverage in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. The tournament arrives without defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, opening the men’s draw for Jannik Sinner and other contenders, while Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff headline the women’s field. Former Grand Slam champion Sania Mirza and ex‑Indian No. 1 Somdev Devvarman join the expert panel, with Devvarman co‑hosting the *Extraaa Serve* show. The multilingual, multi‑platform rollout aims to bring the clay‑court drama directly to Indian households and mobile devices.
MLB Brings Baseball Growth Strategy to India with RISE Worldwide
Major League Baseball announced a strategic partnership with RISE Worldwide, the sports arm of Reliance Industries, to accelerate baseball’s growth in India. The collaboration will focus on grassroots programs, fan engagement, commercial partnerships, and a flagship live event in Mumbai...
Campa Energy Joins S8UL as Title Sponsor for Esports World Cup 2026 Campaign
Campa Energy, the Reliance Consumer Products energy‑drink brand, has signed on as the title sponsor for S8UL’s Esports World Cup 2026 campaign. The partnership places Campa Energy’s logo on S8UL jerseys, digital assets and fan‑engagement events throughout the run‑up to...
Forget Spygate, the Play-Off Final Is All About the Money. That’s the Real Target for Middlesbrough
The Championship play‑off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough is driven by a massive financial prize, with Deloitte estimating a £205 million (≈$262 million) revenue boost over three seasons for the winner, potentially rising to £365 million (≈$467 million) if the club stays in...
Messi Joins Ronaldo in Billionaire Football Ranks After US Deals
Lionel Messi has officially entered the billionaire club, propelled by a series of high‑value U.S. endorsement and licensing agreements announced this month. The Argentine star’s net worth now exceeds $1 billion, matching Cristiano Ronaldo as the only footballers to achieve that...
Cheaper Sports Production Reshapes Streaming and College Lobbying
The Varsity * NBA playoff ratings are bonkers. * SEC, Big Ten lobbying investment for naught. * Sports media production is getting a lot cheaper. * An idea for Hammond, Indiana. Plus, the short-lived Rousey–Carano title fight wasn’t the ideal scenario for Netflix’s M.M.A. debut....
Fox Sports Tracks Viewers' Sweat During Games
Fox Sports is measuring viewer sweat. Yes, really. Read all about it here: https://t.co/MabNES6Frv https://t.co/zuWvL9oHXe
Guinness Lays Down ‘The World’s Cup’ Challenge
Guinness has revived its decades‑old "The World’s Cup" tagline as the FIFA World Cup looms, positioning the stout’s pint as a literal world cup. The move pits the beer brand against FIFA’s historically aggressive enforcement of the "World Cup" trademark,...
LIV Golf Seeks $250 Million as Saudi Funding Ends, Eyes Bankruptcy Filing
LIV Golf announced a $250 million capital raise to keep the league operating after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its multi‑billion‑dollar backing. With cumulative losses exceeding $1.4 billion, the circuit is also preparing a U.S. Chapter 11 filing and may relocate its...
Jess Pegula on the Business of Tennis | The Deal
The Deal featured Jess Pegula, a top‑ranked player and emerging architect of tennis’s commercial landscape, discussing the sport’s evolving economics after her back‑to‑back Charleston Open victories. Pegula highlighted the historic decision by tournament owner Ben Navarro to match ATP‑500...
Are AAA Companies to Blame for Esports’ Continued Demise?
Industry observers argue that the decline of many esports titles stems from AAA publishers’ relentless push for annual releases and hype-driven monetization. Counter‑Strike’s longevity, praised by co‑creator Minh “Gooseman” Le, is attributed to Valve’s minimal changes and steady development, contrasting...
Coach Becomes Official Handbag Partner as WNBA Tunnel Fashion Hits Mainstream
Coach has signed a multi‑year deal to become the WNBA’s official luxury handbag partner, debuting custom pieces on players at the 2024 draft. The partnership highlights how the league’s tunnel looks have turned into a high‑impact fashion platform, drawing major...
Paramount+ Renews A-LEAGUES Deal as Free-to-Air TV Coverage Shrinks
Paramount+ and Network 10 have signed a three‑year extension of their media rights partnership with the Australian Professional Leagues. The deal keeps every A‑League Men’s and Women’s match live on Paramount+, while free‑to‑air coverage on Network 10 is cut to one...
Fox Banking on Expanded World Cup Being Its ‘Biggest’ Event Ever
Fox announced its coverage plan for the expanded 48‑team 2026 World Cup, the largest production in the network's history. The broadcaster will air 70 matches on its main channels, place 34 on FS1 and stream every game via Fox One,...
Ryan Reynolds & Rob Mac Bought a Team. And a Town to Root For
In 2021, actor Ryan Reynolds and entrepreneur Rob McElhenney bought England's fifth‑tier Wrexham A.F.C. for £1 (about $1.40) plus a pledged £2 million ($2.8 million) investment. Their ownership sparked the Emmy‑winning docuseries "Welcome to Wrexham," which has driven a tourism boom, adding...
How Jake Paul’s MVP Plans to Build on Successful Netflix MMA Debut
Jake Paul’s MVP Promotions delivered a breakout MMA event on Netflix, pulling an average of 12.4 million viewers worldwide and 9.3 million in the United States. CEO Nakisa Bidarian – the former UFC CFO who helped broker its sale to Endeavor –...