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
Emery Barnes of Fanatics Sportsbook on Working With the Knicks and Megan Thee Stallion
Fanatics Sportsbook’s director of social media, Emery Barnes, sat down to discuss his Chicago roots, New York Knicks fandom, and the brand’s latest cultural push. He highlighted a high‑profile NBA campaign that paired the sportsbook with Megan Thee Stallion, marking his first major project at Fanatics. Barnes emphasized how blending hip‑hop and basketball creates authentic content that resonates with younger bettors. The interview also reveals his broader philosophy of using sports as a unifying cultural force.
Silo Season 3 Launches on Apple TV July 3
Season 3 of #Silo will begin #streaming on #AppleTV on Friday, July 3 with weekly one episode drops through September 4. $AAPL
Churchill Downs Spends $85M for Preakness IP Rights
Churchill Downs Drops $85 Million to Buy Preakness Stakes IP Rights 🏇 https://t.co/0nWgyU7bqu via @sportico @JustBirny
James Hickman Named CEO of Swimming New South Wales
Swimming New South Wales has appointed former Olympian James Hickman as its new chief executive officer, effective April 27. Hickman, who spent the past three years as chief commercial and marketing officer, is credited with boosting financial performance, participation and...
NY Attorney General Probes Gemini Since Super Bowl Bet
The New York AG Office's investigation of Gemini dates back to December with the first sports bet made on the Super Bowl. https://t.co/iyXAyw1TSk
Stadium Bonds Cost Double the Tax Revenue Generated
At a 4% interest rate, Missouri's $900m in stadium bonds would cost ~$50m a year to pay off, while bringing in only whatever slice of $28m/year in state, county, and city taxes attributed to the Royals actually goes to the...
PGA Tour Leaving Hawaii with End of The Sentry, Sony Open
The PGA Tour announced it will drop its two Hawaiian stops—The Sentry at Kapalua and the Sony Open at Waialae—starting with the 2027 season. The Sentry was cancelled in 2026 after severe water shortages on Maui and the tour’s new...
FIFA's Last‑minute Ticket Email Raises Sales Doubts
Seems odd to get an email from FIFA a few minutes just 50 days before the World Cup starts offering tickets to all 104 matches. I wonder why? Could it be that ticket sales are not as good as Gianni...
Property Tax Relief Would Deepen Illinois Budget Deficit
Adding property tax "relief" to a $2B Bears tax break would just blow an even bigger hole in the state budget, so Illinois would either have to raise other taxes to compensate or cut spending on other services. https://t.co/H7JB6qsTTZ
NFL Rookie Deals Will Top $50M for the First Time Since 2010
For the first time since the 2010 draft, NFL rookies are set to sign contracts exceeding $50 million. The projected four‑year deal for No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza of the Raiders tops $54.6 million, with the second and third selections also slated above...
Seattle's Two Sports Teams Have Sky-High Price Tags
There are two very expensive sports teams for sale in Seattle. Here's how those costs might break down 👇 https://t.co/m5rrbItOIP
Mike Tomlin Reportedly Joining NBC’s ‘Football Night in America’
Mike Tomlin, who resigned after a 19‑year, 193‑114 run with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is set to sign with NBC as the lead analyst on its revamped "Football Night in America" studio. The network has already dismissed veteran Tony Dungy and...
PayPal, NFL Make Connection
PayPal has secured a multi‑year deal to become the NFL’s official peer‑to‑peer payments partner, positioning its apps—including Venmo—as the go‑to tool for fans to send, pool, and split money for tickets, tailgating and other expenses. The partnership promises exclusive sweepstakes,...
Spurs Postpone Fiesta Jersey Night Until Second Round
The San Antonio Spurs told @Sportico that they will not have another Fiesta shirt night until the second round And, in adherence to the NBA's policy of only primary jerseys in the Conference Finals and Finals, they wouldn't wear the Fiesta...
Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media
Former NFL All‑Pro Brandon Marshall explains how he built I AM ATHLETE, an athlete‑owned media platform that emphasizes long‑form, athlete‑driven conversation. He credits early media ventures during his playing days for laying the groundwork and stresses ownership as essential in today’s fragmented...
Top 10 WR Extension Candidates: Analysis and Valuations
10 Potential WR Contract Extension Candidates, including analysis, valuations, & predictions for: ▫️Puka Nacua ▫️Chris Olave ▫️Drake London ▫️Zay Flowers ▫️George Pickens ▫️Michael Wilson ▫️Rashee Rice ▫️Josh Downs ▫️Christian Watson ▫️Parker Washington https://t.co/JeE0oyDMyK
TALKERS News Notes
Ruth Presslaff was named the 2026 MIW Frances Preston Trailblazer during the NAB Show, recognizing her contributions as founder of Presslaff Interactive Revenue and former president of the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio organization. The award honors Frances Preston,...
All the Smoke Productions Expanding Rapidly After Launching Netflix Production Deal, New Unscripted Vertical
All the Smoke Productions, originally an arm of Showtime Sports, has accelerated its growth, expanding its team from five to over 40 employees and opening a new headquarters in Marina Del Rey, California. The company secured a production partnership with...
NFL Media Rights Spark Growing Regulatory Scrutiny
The NFL's push to open its media rights deals--along with its ongoing relationship with the streamers--has opened it up to a wave of regulatory inquiry. But is the scrutiny more than just a headache? @eriqgardner walks us through it all. https://t.co/93JdDEnQhd
Six RBs Poised for Contract Extensions: Analysis & Valuations
6 Potential RB Contract Extension Candidates, including analysis, valuations, & predictions for: ▪️Jahmyr Gibbs ▪️Bijan Robinson ▪️Devon Achane ▪️Jonathan Taylor ▪️Breece Hall ▪️Chase Brown https://t.co/1eCRzQg2ur
Team Liquid, Shikenso Extend Partnership for Five Years
Team Liquid has renewed its five‑year partnership with AI‑driven sponsorship analytics firm Shikensow, keeping the platform in place to track and measure sponsor exposure across streams, broadcasts, and social media. The agreement, whose financial terms were not disclosed, underscores Team...
Trump Threatens to Cut Federal Funds over Sports Policies
President Trump has shown a willingness to pull federal money from colleges that fail to comply with his preferred policies. He could do that with schools that don't follow his preferred college sports policies. Now that would change college sports:...
Sophie Cunningham Admits Her New Indiana Fever Contract Is ‘Frustrating’
Sophie Cunningham, a six‑year WNBA veteran, returned to the Indiana Fever on a one‑year, $665,000 deal that she described as "frustrating" on her Show Me Something podcast. The contract comes amid a new collective bargaining agreement that raises league salaries...
Trump Could Enforce College Sports EO by Pulling Federal Funding
President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the Justice Department and Education to assess whether colleges are “unfit for federal grants” based on alleged improper NIL deals and other financial activities. The order gives the administration a mechanism to...
Including A 20,000-Cap Arena: Live Nation, OVG & Atlético Madrid To Build Entertainment, Sports & Educational Complex In Spanish Capital
Live Nation, Oak View Group and Atlético Madrid have formed Barsento to redevelop Madrid’s former Olympic Aquatic Center into a 20,000‑seat arena, sports complex and education campus. The joint venture secured a 66,843 m² land concession and plans to invest roughly €400 million...
TenTrade Names Ballon D’Or Winner Luis Figo as Global Ambassador
TenTrade, a multi‑asset CFD brokerage, has named former Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo its global ambassador. The partnership will be driven by the "Inspiring the Next Number 10" campaign, tying Figo’s reputation for excellence to TenTrade’s performance‑focused trading platform. TenTrade...
Mother Dairy Rides IPL Viewership with Targeted JioHotstar CTV Push
Mother Dairy has launched a high‑impact Connected TV (CTV) partnership with JioHotstar for IPL 2026, orchestrated by WPP Media. The campaign embeds the brand in live match feeds, pre‑show segments, and milestone moments such as half‑centuries and centuries. By leveraging...
Athlete-Run Productions Flood Market, Overwhelming in Quantity
Impossible to keep up with them, to say they are a dime a dozen doesn’t do justice to just how many there are. And they often are made by athletes own production companies.
NBA Likely Anticipated AAF Issues, Sought Early Contact
The NBA might’ve wanted to contact the Alliance for American football league players and executives too . They might’ve seen this coming then.
Heinz Kicks Off NFL Deal by Inducting 57th Draft Pick Into New Club
Heinz has become the NFL’s inaugural global condiment partner, launching a city‑wide out‑of‑home campaign in Pittsburgh for the 2026 Draft. The effort features more than 150 billboards, a “Taste of Pittsburgh” pop‑up, and a partnership with Hall of Famer Devin Hester,...
House Settlement May Spark NCAA Conference Realignment
NIL/rev-share strategy is starting to influence competitive balance at the conference level... Could the House Settlement accelerate conference realignment across the NCAA? This is explained in my book NIL 101: The House Settlement Get 40% off https://t.co/yBVisUkFCL https://t.co/jr6m26j2qU
The Padres Are a Unicorn MLB Business / Nike Walks Back Ad
In this episode Scott Soschnick and Evan Novy-Williams dissect the San Diego Padres' recent $3.9 billion sale, the most expensive MLB franchise ever, and explore why the team is a rare "unicorn" in baseball business. They highlight the Padres' surprisingly strong...
West Ham Vice-Chair Brady Steps Down After 16-Year Tenure
West Ham United vice‑chair Karren Brady announced her resignation on April 21, 2026 after a 16‑year tenure. She guided the club’s move from Upton Park to the 60,000‑seat London Stadium and was instrumental in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League victory. While the...
FIFA Slaps Botafogo with Transfer Ban Amid Ownership Turmoil
FIFA has sanctioned Brazilian club Botafogo with a three‑transfer‑window ban after the club failed to pay Bulgarian side Ludogorets €8 million (≈$8.8 million) for forward Rwan Cruz. The ban adds to a previous sanction for a $21 million default to Atlanta United, which...
Nike Pulls "Runners Welcome. Walkers Tolerated" Ad After Runner Backlash
Nike withdrew a Boston Marathon window sign that read "Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated" after a wave of criticism from the running community. The incident highlights a misstep in a segment that has driven a 20% revenue rise but comes as...
Birla Opus Paints Brings ‘Main Bhi’ to IPL 2026, Combining Star Power and Product Performance
Birla Opus Paints has launched a high‑impact "Main Bhi" campaign for IPL 2026, featuring ten prominent cricketers across four language‑specific films. The ads weave product narratives—such as a 16‑year exterior paint warranty, scratch‑resistant wood paint, and 99+ stain protection—into relatable...
Integral Appointed as Referral Agent for Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal at FIFA World Cup
FIFA’s official hospitality provider On Location has expanded its partnership with Integral, appointing the firm as a referral agent for Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Integral previously served as exclusive sales agent in Nigeria; now...
Japanese Clubs Cannot Compete with Big-Spending Saudis, Says Kobe Coach Skibbe
Vissel Kobe coach Michael Skibbe warned that Japanese clubs are outmatched by Gulf‑state teams after his side fell 2‑1 to Saudi powerhouse Al‑Ahli in the Asian Champions League Elite semi‑final. He blamed the disparity on the massive spending by Saudi...
New Blazers Owner Tom Dundon Is Aggressively Cutting Costs
Tom Dundon finalized purchase of 80% of the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal valuing the franchise at $4.2 billion and has immediately begun aggressive cost‑saving measures. The team left its three two‑way players off the road roster, forced staff to...
Sporticast: Nike’s Controversial Running Ad
Nike faced backlash over a Boston Marathon ad that many viewers found exclusionary, prompting a public apology. Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres are set to change hands as billionaire José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones agree to buy the franchise...
XTB Signs Multi-Year Sponsorship of SSC Napoli
Polish retail broker XTB has signed a multi‑year deal to become the Global Trading Partner of Italian football powerhouse SSC Napoli for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. The partnership places XTB on Napoli’s digital platforms, matchday experiences and fan activations,...
NAB 2026: International Judo Federation Extends Global Content Distribution Partnership with SES
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has renewed its global content distribution partnership with SES, extending a relationship that has lasted over a decade. The agreement leverages SES’s hybrid IP, fibre, and satellite network together with the SES SCORE platform to...
Genius Sports Inks Multi-Year Agreement with Swiss Football League
Genius Sports signed a multi‑year deal with the Swiss Football League to supply its GeniusIQ data and AI platform across the Super League and Challenge League starting in the 2026/27 season. The agreement will install a unified intelligence layer covering...
2026 World Cup: Beyond Profit, Shaped by Geopolitics
My first article as @ForbesSports contributor. More to come, especially on the geopolitical economy of this summer's tournament Why The 2026 World Cup Will Be About Much More Than A Commercial Bonanza https://t.co/Dki252R93W https://t.co/z1kTv1GF8b
Lazio Land Polymarket Sponsorship Despite Licence Issue
Serie A side Lazio has secured a front‑of‑shirt partnership with cryptocurrency prediction‑market platform Polymarket through 2028, valued at over $22 million plus performance bonuses. The agreement ends a two‑year search for a shirt sponsor after Binance’s exit. Polymarket cannot offer trading...
Lionel Messi Invests in the Future of Football with UE Cornellà Takeover
Lionel Messi has completed the acquisition of Spanish lower‑division side UE Cornellà, taking full ownership of the Catalonia‑based club that competes in the Tercera Federación. The move signals Messi’s transition from on‑field star to strategic investor focused on youth development,...
The Aftermath of the Gambling Ban: How Premier League Clubs Are Adjusting Ahead of 2026/27
By the 2026/27 season Premier League clubs must remove gambling logos from shirt fronts due to a ban agreed in 2023. The change creates a collective sponsorship shortfall of roughly £80 million (about $100 million) as clubs hunt new partners. While elite...
Arshdeep Singh Fronts Dual Brand Campaigns for Rotoris and Doctor’s Choice
India’s fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been tapped as the face of two new IPL 2026 campaigns, representing luxury watch maker Rotoris and nutrition brand Doctor’s Choice. Rotoris positions Singh as “The Rotoris Man,” linking his precision and consistency to...
Major Anti-Piracy Success for LaLiga
Spain’s top‑flight football league LaLiga secured a landmark victory against a massive illegal IPTV network that streamed pirated content to over two million users in 13 countries. The court ordered €12 million in compensation to rights holders and more than €30 million...
Exploring Football Finance: Breakeven Clubs to Premier Valuations
Today’s @POF_POD with @kevinhunterday ⚽️Breakeven clubs ⚽️Football x Music ⚽️Cowdenbeath ⚽️Canadian Premier League ⚽️Notts County ⚽️Premier League total valuation 🍎 https://t.co/co5hByjaNK 🎧 https://t.co/S91LvVJUFd