Today's Sports Business Pulse
Messi joins Ronaldo as billionaire after US endorsement deals
Lionel Messi has entered the billionaire club, driven by a series of high‑value U.S. endorsement and licensing agreements announced this month. His net worth now exceeds $1 billion, matching Cristiano Ronaldo as the only footballers to reach that milestone.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Lucra raises $20M to expand its eSports gamification platform
Budweiser’s World Cup Campaign Tells Fans to Let It Pour
Budweiser’s new "Let It Pour" World Cup 2026 campaign pairs soccer icons Erling Haaland and Jürgen Klopp in a whimsical ad produced by Grey Global. The film, set to Joe Cocker’s "Feelin’ Alright," showcases fans worldwide celebrating with Budweiser, even featuring a Godzilla cameo. The campaign will roll out across 40 countries, while the U.S. market will see parallel promotions from Michelob Ultra and Stella Artois. Limited‑edition bottles and a dedicated Bud Fan Store extend the activation into merchandise and collector‑driven sales.
Tuesday Briefing: Serie A Referee Designator Under Investigation for Alleged Fraud
Italian prosecutors in Milan have opened a fraud investigation into Gianluca Rocchi, the referee designator for Serie A and Serie B, over alleged manipulation of VAR protocols and referee appointments that may have favoured Inter Milan. Rocchi has voluntarily stepped...
Gatorade Benches the Ad Shoot and Lets Son Heung-Min Do the Sweating
Gatorade announced it will not shoot new ads with Son Heung‑min for the first half of 2026, opting to recycle the 2025 campaign assets. The decision, shared via Instagram, emphasizes letting the Tottenham forward concentrate on physical and mental preparation...
Losing PayTV Bundle Cuts Access to Crucial Revenue Data
Fan connection and positive financial indicators are super-de-duper and all but it doesn’t help you get within 100 light years of the $113M laid in plan…And it never will regardless of what’s being said. There’s no happy face...
Charles Leclerc Joins L’Oréal Paris as Global Face for Men Expert Range
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has been named the global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris Men Expert, joining former teammate Carlos Sainz in the brand’s male grooming push. L’Oréal aims to capture the hard‑to‑reach male market by leveraging Leclerc’s high‑performance image. Meanwhile, Domino’s reported a...
China’s Anta Mounts India Comeback as Bilateral Ties Improve
Chinese sportswear maker Anta Sports is re‑entering India with a rollout of ten stores slated for completion by March 2027. The stores, operated by local partner Brandman Retail, will price apparel at about $85 and footwear at $95‑$108, targeting the premium...
Luai’s Private Jet Was Paid for by PNG Government
Jarome Luai was flown to Port Moresby on a private jet paid for by the Papua New Guinea government, not the NRL or the Chiefs. The Chiefs are using the trip to pitch a $1.2 million tax‑free, one‑year deal, giving Luai...
NFL Draft Opening Round Audience Dips, but Officially Among Most-Watched
The NFL Draft’s opening round saw a modest decline in audience, dropping about 3% to roughly 9.2 million households, yet it remains one of the year’s most‑watched television events. ESPN continued to dominate the broadcast, securing the top slot and maintaining...
EXEC: Asics Establishes Tech Lab in Japan
Asics will open a dedicated Technical Lab at its Kobe headquarters in December 2027, focusing on custom footwear for elite athletes and rapid prototyping. The facility integrates R&D with the Asics Institute of Sport Science to translate biomechanics data into...
FIAMM Powers First All‑Female Italian Truck Team at 2026 Dakar Rally
FIAMM Energy Technology is partnering with Rachele Somaschini to field the first all‑female Italian truck crew in the 2026 Dakar Rally. The team will run from Jan. 3‑17 across roughly 7,000 km of Saudi Arabian desert, using FIAMM batteries while raising funds...
Methodology Changes Inflate Nielsen Ratings; Full-Year Data Pending
Yeah. And keep in mind, some of those viewing increases are driven by folks who were always watching and have just within the past two years been measured thanks to strategic methodological changes in Nielsen’s viewing currency…And come this fall...
Team on Market 18 Months
Remarkable. This team has been on the market for ~18 months. "If there is a local ownership group with the vision and resources to chart a path forward, we urge them to come forward."
New Era Caps Appoints President and COO to Accelerate Post‑'47 Growth
New Era Cap announced Bruce Popko as President and Lorenz Gan as Chief Operating Officer, adding a veteran operations team as the company finalizes the integration of '47 Brand. The moves come as the caps maker reports $2 billion in annual...
Vancouver Beats Vegas as Ideal MLB Expansion Market
At this point we are in the cheap talk threat stage. Being the 5th major-league team in a smaller Las Vegas seems less than ideal. Vancouver is a strong market. Yeah, the owners want a new stadium. Who doesn't, these...
NWSL Board of Governors Not Expected to Vote on Fall to Spring Calendar Flip This Week
The National Women’s Soccer League’s board of governors will not vote on a calendar flip this week, keeping the current spring‑to‑fall schedule for now. Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league continues to explore aligning with the international soccer calendar,...
Telemundo Announces Soccer Experts to Cover FIFA World Cup 2026 Spanish-Language TV/Peacock Streaming Coverage
Telemundo, the NBCUniversal‑owned Spanish‑language network, announced a panel of former soccer stars and coaches to anchor its TV and Peacock streaming coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada...
LIV Golf Reportedly Postpones New Orleans Event Amid Funding Struggles
LIV Golf’s New Orleans tournament, slated for June, is likely being postponed after Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund pulled its financial support. The league will reimburse Louisiana the $1.2 million already paid for the event, and a new date may be...
NCAA Eligibility Rule Fuels Antitrust Lawsuits and Uneven Play
New NCAA eligibility rules won't stop eligibility lawsuits, since the same issue remains: an athlete deemed ineligible on account of having been in college sports too long contends they are in a sports labor market where they sell athletic services...
NFL Draft Viewership Slips 3% Despite Faster First Round
The NFL Draft’s first round in 2026 averaged 13.2 million viewers across TV and digital platforms, a 3% decline from the 2025 draft. A new eight‑minute per‑pick rule trimmed the broadcast by more than half an hour, creating a faster pace....
Gray Media to Launch First Women’s Sports-Focused RSN in Portland
Gray Media, in partnership with RAJ Sports, is rebranding Portland’s over‑the‑air station KPDX as Rose City SportsNet, a 24/7 regional sports network dedicated to women’s sports. The Portland Fire (WNBA) and Portland Thorns (NWSL) will serve as the flagship teams,...
Rookie #1 Picks' Guarantees Soar to $57
Guarantees for the last 20 #1 Overall #NFL Picks 2007 JaMarcus Russell, $32M 2008 Jake Long, $30M 2009 Matthew Stafford, $41M 2010 Sam Bradford, $50M 2011 Cam Newton, $22M 2012 Andrew Luck, $22.1M 2013 Eric Fisher, $22.2M 2014 Jadeveon Clowney, $22.2M 2015 Jameis Winston, $25.3M 2016 Jared Goff, $27.9M 2017 Myles...
Evaluating Antitrust Exemptions in College Sports
Very insightful take from antitrust attorney and economist (and former FTC commissioner) @JoshWright1977 on how to think about potential antitrust exemptions in college sports:
Angels Vs. Royals to Stream Live on Peacock and NBCSN Sunday Night Baseball
NBC Sports and Peacock will carry Sunday Night Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels versus Kansas City Royals on April 26 at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air on NBCSN and stream live on Peacock, part of a 27‑game prime‑time MLB slate for 2026.
Non‑Power Conferences Unite for Broader CFP Access
The non-P4 conferences are aligned on CFP expansion - not the specific number but the premise of access. Pac-12 commish Teresa Gould: "Our schools are investing at a high level. They need to have hope."
Earlier NIL Deals Could've Kept Stars in College
"College basketball stars are staying in school, overwhelmingly." If the world of NIL deals not violating NCAA eligibility rules started sooner—like when Ed O'Bannon sued in 2009—have to think some NCAA players who left early would have stayed in school, then...
Warren Buffett Calls Sports Betting a ‘Tax on Stupidity’
Warren Buffett labeled U.S. sports betting a "tax on stupidity," arguing it shifts fiscal burdens onto ordinary bettors while indirectly benefiting wealthy individuals like himself. In 2025, 40 states and Washington, D.C. generated roughly $2.9 billion in tax revenue from online...
Eagles Lock up Nolan Smith with $13.75M Option
The #Eagles have officially picked up a $13.75M 5th-year option for EDGE Nolan Smith. The 2023 1st-rounder is now under a 2-year $16.1M fully guaranteed contract through 2027.
QB's Gambling Leave May Reshape College Sports Betting
Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby taking an indefinite medical leave to treat a gambling addiction could be a game-changer in sports betting in college sports. In law, this is an area in great flux, and the NCAA isn't like the...
PWHL Eyes Mainstream Breakthrough As Playoffs Begin
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) entered its playoffs after a landmark season that drew over one million fans, buoyed by the U.S. Olympic women’s gold medal win. The Walter Cup finals will be aired nationally on Ion, a network...
Prediction Markets Will Surge Despite Betting Turbulence
"I think sports betting will face some turbulence in the future, so Kalshi may have more of a fight in front of them. But prediction markets are going to be so massive, it doesn't matter." 🔥 -- @perkinscr97 https://t.co/V2FDkHgzi2
Read Rev‑Share Agreements to Preserve Transfer Portal Rights
Athletes, parents, agents, and attorneys need to be reading rev share agreements closely to avoid giving up the right to be entered into the transfer portal.
Why Academy Sports & Outdoors Is Going Against the Grain with Store Openings
Academy Sports & Outdoors announced a plan to open 125 stores over the next five years, roughly a 40% increase, targeting exurbs and satellite markets rather than major metros. About 40% of the new locations will be in legacy markets,...
NFL Draft First‑Round Viewership Drops to 13.2 M
The first round of the NFL Draft declined in viewership year over year. 2026: 13.2 million viewers on all linear and digital platforms. 2025: 13.6 million viewers across all linear and digital platforms
Buccaneers Lock up Kancey with $17.2M Guarantee
The #Buccaneers have officially exercised a $14.475M 5th-year option for DL Calijah Kancey, putting him on a 2-year, $17.2M fully guaranteed contract through the 2027 season.
Adidas Expects a Solid Start to the Year Despite Ongoing Crises
Adidas projects a solid start to 2026, with currency‑adjusted revenue rising by a high single‑digit percentage, equivalent to about $2.2 billion over the prior year. Operating profit is slated to climb to roughly $2.5 billion, though tariffs and currency effects could shave...
Kay Nurse Outlines WNBA's Lasting Canadian Impact
Today at @TempoBasketball media day, @KayNurse11 gave a tremendously perceptive answer when asked about the long-term aspect of what having a WNBA team in Canada will mean. She nailed it. https://t.co/2nPfoPPEto
Which Minor League Team Will Ditch Tech for Friction‑Maxxing Night
What minor league club is going to be brave enough to have the first FRICTION-MAXXING night? ⬛ Jumbotron turned off 📵 No texting/calling 💵 Cash-only concessions
Audi Sport's Used Race Car Program Is Apparently Booming These Days
Audi Sport’s Racing Legends program, launched in 2025, refurbishes and sells former competition cars to enthusiasts. The service includes full mechanical restoration, safety checks, and on‑track support for owners. Recent data from Carscoops shows demand has outstripped the workshop’s capacity,...
Bears' $2B Stadium Faces $100M Developer Hurdle
#GeorgeHalas must be spinning in his grave. Price of keeping the #Bears may incl $100M+ for dvprs before a dime spent on the $2B stadium, as #IL angles to keep them in northern IL. #Chicago #NFL #football #realestate #CRE #ArlingtonHeights...
F1 Pushes Electrified Power as Gasoline Burns
The gasoline is being lit... maybe that's why F1 wants to move to a more electrified power unit https://t.co/JRMIlW9bdo
Puma Pays $171,000 in Prize Money as Project3 Runners Break Records at London Marathon
Puma disbursed $171,000 in performance‑based prize money after Project3 athletes shattered personal‑best records at the London Marathon on April 26, 2026. The payout, the largest for the programme this year, underscores the brand’s strategy to reward sub‑elite runners and could...
Upcoming Interview with Alex Bhathal at Invest in Sports
I'll chat with @ThornsFC and @theportlandfire co-owner Alex Bhathal next week at @Sportico's Invest in Sports San Francisco. Check it out: https://t.co/qck9WBOvLe
League's Limited Top Game Inventory Impacts Partner Distribution
I reckon that the league, which has a finite amount of top game inventory to disburse amongst its half dozen ish network partners, cares
Behind The Mic: Kenny Beecham to Launch NBA Radio Show on SiriusXM; Mike Tomlin to Join NBC Pregame Show
SiriusXM NBA Radio launches "The Kenny Beecham Hour," a weekly postseason show featuring the Forbes 30‑under‑30 star. Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is set to join NBC’s Sunday Night Football pre‑game panel, adding a sideline perspective. Telemundo announced a roster...
Vikings Commit $76.3M to Jefferson, Addison
The #Vikings have officially exercised WR Jordan Addison's $18M 5th-year option for 2027, putting him on a 2-year, $20.6M fully guaranteed contract. Minnesota is now slated to pay Justin Jefferson & Addison a combined $76.3M across the next two seasons.
Nike Faces Backlash as Ubiquity Turns to Hate
The reaction to this weekend's Sub-2 marathon has me thinking more about @Nike's place in sports culture. It's very difficult to be both successful and universally liked long term. Nike may finally be at the threshold of ubiquity/complacency where everyone starts...
Netflix Continues Boxing Push With Fury–Joshua Superfight
Netflix will broadcast a heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the event funded by Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh through his Ring promotion. The fight is slated for the UK, preferably Wembley...
Saudi Official Confirms Commitment to Elite Boxing
While there have been recent rumors that Saudi officials are deliberating about pulling funding for LIV Golf after this season, booking this fight affirms that Turki Alalshikh and Ring are serious about competing in the highest levels of global boxing. https://t.co/hsJoZZJ7n2
NAB 2026: Encompass Focuses on Live Sport and Cloud Workflows to Drive Growth
Encompass Digital Media is positioning live sport and cloud‑native master‑control workflows as its primary growth engines as traditional linear broadcast services become commoditised. At NAB 2026 the company announced an expanded Riga master‑control room that now processes over 1,500 hours of live‑sport...
Peacock's Live Sports Attract Viewers, but Churn Spikes
Peacock has started to draw in lots of viewers with live sports (football, basketball, Olympics), but it struggles to keep them. Peacock suffers the worst churn of any service. https://t.co/R3vAfqOAxW