Today's Sports Business Pulse
Messi joins Ronaldo in billionaire football ranks after US endorsement deals
Lionel Messi's net worth now exceeds $1 billion, matching Cristiano Ronaldo as the only footballers to reach that milestone. The surge comes from a series of high‑value U.S. endorsement and licensing agreements across apparel, technology, and media.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Lucra raises $20M Series A
Viaplay Extends Exclusive UEFA Rights Contracts in Denmark, Norway and Finland
Viaplay Group has renewed its exclusive UEFA Champions League rights in Denmark and its Europa and Conference League rights in Norway and Finland for a four‑year term ending in 2031, preserving a partnership that dates back to 1992. The extension comes as the streamer relinquishes the Champions League package in Sweden, marking a reshuffle of its Nordic football footprint. The deal reinforces Viaplay’s role as the primary home for top‑tier European club football in three key markets while diversifying its sports portfolio across football, Formula 1, NHL and more.
Puma Names Mark Langer CFO as Turnaround Gains Traction
Puma SE announced Mark Langer will assume the chief financial officer role on May 1, succeeding Markus Neubrand. The appointment comes as the German sportswear maker posted first‑quarter results that edged ahead of analyst forecasts, underscoring progress in its multi‑year turnaround...
Betano Secures Regional Sponsorship Deal with Argentina National Team
Betano, the online betting arm of Kaizen Gaming, has become the official regional sponsor of Argentina’s national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The partnership gives Betano access to the world champions’ brand and Lionel Messi’s global appeal,...
FIFA Secures Last-Minute Federal Tax Breakthrough for 2026 World Cup Teams
FIFA clinched a last‑minute agreement with the U.S. Treasury that grants all 48 2026 World Cup participants exemption from federal taxes on tournament earnings. The deal aligns the United States with Canada and Mexico, which already offered blanket tax breaks,...
One of the World Cup's Biggest Sponsors Is Big Oil
FIFA has signed a four‑year global partnership with Saudi Aramco, valued at roughly $400 million, to appear on the 2026 World Cup stage across North America. The oil giant, responsible for about 4.3% of global CO₂ emissions, will share top‑tier sponsorship...
DAZN Wins Main Austrian UEFA Champions League Rights
DAZN has won the primary UEFA Champions League broadcasting rights in Austria for the 2027/28‑2030/31 cycle, securing 186 live matches per season. Sky Österreich keeps an exclusive first‑pick Tuesday match and highlights package, while Canal+ Austria takes the Europa League...
CIES Highlights Young Goalkeepers Set to Take Football by Storm
The CIES Football Observatory’s latest report spotlights the rising market value of young goalkeepers, led by 20‑year‑old Mike Penders, now valued at roughly $51 million after nearly 5,000 senior minutes on loan at RC Strasbourg. Close behind are Bayern Munich’s Jonas Urbig...
Sporticast: Who Asked for a 76-Team College Basketball Tournament?
The NCAA is finalizing a shift from 68 to 76 teams for both the men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments, adding four extra play‑in games before the first round. Media partners ESPN (women) and CBS/Turner (men) are negotiating additional broadcast...
Taking Formation: Soccer Advisor Tackles Investing ‘Bottleneck’
AJ Swoboda has launched Formation Partners, a soccer‑focused advisory firm that pairs consulting with its own equity investments to bridge the widening gap between owners' financial ambitions and on‑field performance. The boutique is already working with six clubs across men’s...
A New Era of Race-Day Gastronomy
Silverstone will launch The Vale, an ultra‑premium hospitality concept, for the 2026 British Grand Prix from July 3‑5. The venue partners with Michelin‑starred Labombe by Trivet, led by chef Jonny Lake, to deliver a full‑day, all‑inclusive dining experience with curated wine...
Sportdigital Adds EFA and UFL American Football Rights
German broadcaster Sportdigital is adding live‑sports rights to the newly formed European Football Alliance (EFA) and the US‑based United Football League (UFL), with coverage beginning in May 2026. The EFA’s inaugural season will feature six clubs from four countries, while the...
Traditional Viewership Metrics Are Now Meaningless for Comparisons
This is exactly why I don’t report viewership & ratings figures as much as I used to. It’s not due to lack of interest—it’s an area I still care about a lot—rather YoY comps are no longer informative given the...
FA's Pricey Cup Final Reveals Ticket Price Hypocrisy
With the FA charging prices like this for the FA cup final perhaps it explains why they are so silent when it comes to standing up for England (and other fans) over FIFA World Cup ticket prices?
EUT20 Belgium Unveiled in India, Signalling Cricket’s Bold European Expansion
Destino Legends Sports, together with the Belgian Cricket Federation, unveiled the EUT20 Belgium T20 franchise league in Mumbai, announcing a June 2026 tournament in Brussels. The league, the first ICC‑sanctioned professional T20 competition in Europe, features five city‑based teams, each...
CANAL+ Secures UEFA Club Rights Across Europe
Canal+ has secured UEFA men’s club competition broadcasting rights across several European markets for the 2027/28‑2030/31 seasons. The group renewed exclusive Champions League rights in Poland, obtained exclusive Europa League and Conference League rights in Austria, and signed a co‑exclusive...
NWSL Confirms Spring-to-Fall Calendar Until at Least 2030
The National Women’s Soccer League announced it will retain its spring‑to‑fall calendar through the 2030 season, quashing rumors of a shift to a fall‑to‑spring schedule like MLS. The league cited strong recent growth and a desire for stability among clubs,...
Chelsea Toast Moët Hennessy UK with Official Champagne Supplier Deal
Chelsea FC has signed a multi‑year partnership with Moët Hennessy UK, naming the LVMH‑owned group its Official Champagne Supplier. The agreement places Moët & Chandon and Dom Pérignon in the club’s hospitality suites, lounges, and broader match‑day venues. The deal is positioned as a fan‑experience...
🚨 EXCL: Man United & Liverpool Monitoring €80-90m Star as Talks Planned
Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly monitoring Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, a player valued at €80‑90 million (approximately $86‑$97 million). Sources close to the clubs say preliminary talks are slated to begin within the next few weeks. The interest reflects both...
The Impacts of Disney's ESPN Decision; Reacting to the NFL Draft; and Caitlin Clark and the Fever Set Another WNBA...
The episode breaks down Disney's new CEO Josh DeMauro decision to keep ESPN under the Disney umbrella, highlighting the network's diminishing cable relevance and potential future shifts. It also covers the CW's new streaming home on the ESPN app via...
Crypto Billionaire Eyes Stake in Croatian Giant Hadjuk Split
Ukrainian crypto billionaire Volodymyr Nosov, whose wealth is estimated at about €15 billion (≈ $16.3 billion), is weighing a major investment in Croatia’s historic football club Hajduk Split. The capital could address the club’s chronic cash shortfalls and fund the ambitious new Poljud stadium...
Southport FC’s £2.1 M Losses Highlight Unsustainable Finances
Southport FC lost £87k in 2024/25, taking total losses over the years to over £2.1m. The only profitable season since 2017 was 2020/21, and that was due to Covid distributions https://t.co/zwlG22Ez3O
Friedkin Group Boosts Everton’s Balance Sheet After 13th‑Place Finish
Review of Everton's finances for the 2024/25 season, when they finished 13th in the Premier League. There was an important change in ownership, as The Friedkin Group bought out Farhad Moshiri, which has strengthened the club's balance sheet #EFC https://t.co/fiDKPkloQO
DAZN Buys ViewLift for $100m
DAZN announced a $100 million acquisition of ViewLift, a streaming‑technology firm serving 15 major U.S. pro‑sports teams, several regional sports networks and top leagues such as the NBA, NHL and MLB. The deal, valued at roughly €85.4 million, will integrate ViewLift’s platform...
YouTube Expands Viewing Experience with MultiView for NFL Fans
YouTube TV has launched MultiView, letting NFL fans watch up to four live games simultaneously on a single screen. Integrated with the NFL Sunday Ticket package, the feature supports audio switching, full‑screen expansion, and includes NFL RedZone for qualifying subscribers....
Disney+ to Broadcast Live Men’s Champions League Games for the First Time
Disney+ has won live broadcast rights for men’s Champions League matches in 19 European and Latin American markets for the 2027‑31 cycle, marking the streaming giant’s first foray into the competition’s premier men’s package. The auction, which also included Sweden,...
Liv Golf Loses $1.1B, Dwarfs Chelsea Owners' Finances
In it’s first three years of operating Liv Golf generated $107m of revenue and ran up losses of $1,105m. Makes Boehly and Egbhali at Chelsea look like sport financial wizards. https://t.co/i221z4S6pN
Andretti and Velo3D Team Up to Put Metal 3D Printing in the Cockpit
Velo3D has signed a sponsorship and technology partnership with Andretti Performance for two 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge races, placing its branding on the No. 43 Porsche and delivering an aluminum radio‑controls mounting bracket built with Constellium’s Aheadd CP1 alloy. The...
SA Premier Defends Course Development Despite LIV Golf Doubts
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas defended a controversial $45 million (≈$30 million US) redevelopment of the North Adelaide golf course, arguing it will become a public asset and year‑round tourism draw. The project, launched on the assumption it would host future LIV Golf...
Saudi Arabia to Stop Funding LIV Golf Next Season
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will stop financing LIV Golf for the 2025‑26 season, prompting the tour to seek new investors and likely reduce its 14‑event schedule. Despite a projected $100 million revenue boost in 2026, LIV’s net losses outside...
HCLTech Bets on European Golf to Drive Digital Services Growth
HCLTech has landed a multi‑year contract to overhaul the DP World Tour’s digital infrastructure, taking on the role of lead engineer and primary sponsor. The agreement calls for a complete rebuild of the Tour’s mobile and web platforms to deliver...
DAZN, TikTok to Livestream Free Serie A Fixture
DAZN and TikTok announced a partnership to livestream a Serie A match for free to UK and Ireland users on TikTok. The Sassuolo vs AC Milan game will be broadcast on May 3 at 2 pm BST via the DAZN Football TikTok channel. The initiative aims to...
Yasir Al-Rumayyan Leaving Board of LIV Golf as Saudi Funding Dries up, Report Says
The ICTSI John Hay Junior PGT Championship in Baguiо concluded with dramatic victories across multiple age divisions. In the boys’ 11‑14 category, Javie Bautista erased a seven‑stroke deficit to edge Vito Sarines by one stroke, while Mavis Espedido swept the...
Revolut Launches New ‘Smarter Money’ Campaign with Hawthorn Football Club via Eyes and Ears
Revolut has launched a new integrated campaign, “Smarter Money. The Hawks Way,” in partnership with the Hawthorn Football Club and creative agency Eyes and Ears. The five‑digital‑film series places four Hawthorn players on the club’s training pitch to showcase Revolut’s...
AMC Has No Big-League Deals, But Media Company Still Wants to Slide Into Sports
AMC Global Media, best known for premium dramas, is expanding into sports‑focused scripted and documentary series despite lacking any major league broadcast rights. The company has greenlit the NASCAR‑backed drama “Thunder Road” and renewed the documentary series “Rise,” which examines...
India Waives Sports IP Fees for Three Years to Fuel Franchising Boom
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal announced a three‑year waiver of all government fees for intellectual‑property registrations in the sports sector. The policy targets emerging leagues and manufacturers, promising to unlock media‑rights value and accelerate franchising as India...
OverActive Media Posts Record $21M Revenue, Launches Fenix Club & AI Platform
OverActive Media Corp announced a record $28.5 million CAD (≈$21 million USD) revenue for 2025, a 5% increase year‑over‑year, driven by a 34% jump in Business Operations revenue. The company also launched a direct‑to‑consumer subscription service, Fenix Club, and an AI‑powered localization...
Money, Exclusion and Discrimination Dominate Agenda as Football’s Elite Gather in Vancouver for FIFA Congress
At the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, President Gianni Infantino announced a fresh tranche of financial support for member associations, expanding the prize pool and offering tax exemptions for the 2026 World Cup finalists. The move follows the distribution of over...
Jaxon Smith‑Njigba Tops 2026 WR Earnings at $36.5M
Top 2026 WR Cash Earnings 1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba: $36.5M 2. Ja'Marr Chase: $33.83M 3. Alec Pierce: $30M 4. A.J. Brown: $29M 5. Amon-Ra St. Brown: $28.11M 6. George Pickens: $27.3M 7. Brandon Aiyuk: $27M 8. CeeDee Lamb: $26M 9. Justin Jefferson: $25.75M 10. D.K. Metcalf: $25M
Big 12 Secures Private Capital Deal, Outpaces Big Ten
The Big 12 has finalized its deal for private capital, per @RossDellenger In Dec., the Hotline addressed the basics, why it works for the B12 and how it differs in key areas from the Big Ten's (now comatose) capital plan https://t.co/NBgyjFLlGz
DSports Announces Unprecedented Coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
DSports announced it will be the sole broadcaster of every one of the 104 matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first tournament staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The network will deliver roughly 900 hours of...
Nevada Court Bars Kalshi From Offering Event Contracts to Residents
Nevada state court enters preliminary injunction barring Kalshi from offering sports-, election-, and entertainment-related event contracts to "Nevada residents" (not "in Nevada"), gives Kalshi until May 4th make necessary technological enhancements to comply with the order. https://t.co/BOYm9fCXgr
Buyers' Strike Leaves Thousands Seats Empty, Tickets Plummet
Good news on inflation: a buyers' strike --- "potentially thousands of seats empty six weeks before the tournament begins...cheapest option was..$1,120. A better seat would set him back more than $4,000. Those...were the numbers set by FIFA itself." ⚽️ https://t.co/H3s2NVDUpC
Tube Trends: Now Creators Are Taking Over The NFL Draft
The NFL is leaning heavily into creator‑driven coverage, with YouTube emerging as the primary platform for the Draft. Tubular Labs data shows creators accounted for 58% of YouTube views from April 23‑29, and 21 individual creators each surpassed one million views....
Capital Partners Get No Ownership, League Unchanged
Important note here: "...the capital partners will hold no ownership in the league and the deal will not change the operation or governance of the conference..."
Mega-RIA Hightower to Make Olympics Debut with US Squash Sponsorship
Hightower, one of the nation’s largest RIA aggregators with over $350 billion in assets, has signed an exclusive multi‑year partnership to become the wealth‑management sponsor of US Squash. The deal, described as the largest sponsorship in US Squash history, aligns with Hightower’s new...
How Woodford Reserve Became the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby
Woodford Reserve secured the title of official Kentucky Derby bourbon in 1999 after the race’s organizers approached Brown‑Forman, the parent company. The partnership was designed to rejuvenate both bourbon and horse racing among younger consumers, leveraging a 20‑year mint‑julep program...
RMU Skis Just Dropped a Mountain Bike—And It’s Not What You Expect
Rocky Mountain Underground (RMU) has unveiled the Nighttrain, its first purpose‑built enduro mountain bike, developed with legendary suspension engineer Dave Weagle. The bike features a high‑pivot Orion linkage, 170 mm of rear travel, dual 29‑inch wheels and an aluminum frame. RMU...
AMC Comes Into Upfront With Bite, New Ways to Work With Advertisers
AMC has rebranded from AMC Networks to AMC Global Media, emphasizing a worldwide footprint. At its New York upfront, the company unveiled fresh advertising formats tied to sports, franchise content, and live events such as a Vampire Lestat showcase. The holiday‑season...
PIF to End LIV Golf Funding After Season
News: LIV Golf is expected to tell players and staff as early as tomorrow that Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund PIF will be wrapping up investment in LIV at the end of the season, according to people familiar with the matter....
The Rise of Women’s Sports Is Reshaping the Entire Industry
Women’s sports have moved from niche to mainstream, with leagues like the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) boosting attendance 52% in its second season and selling out NHL venues. League One Volleyball (LOVEB) leveraged a four‑year youth‑club build‑out across 28...