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
Pepsi Just Banned the S-Word in Its Latest Star-Studded Film
Pepsi has launched the multi‑year “Pepsi football nation” campaign, a global platform that pairs football’s biggest stars with fan‑centric storytelling. The flagship film, featuring David Beckham, Mohamed Salah, Alexia Putellas and others, imagines a fictional nation where supporters set the rules of the game. Digital extensions, including a browser add‑on that replaces “soccer” with “football,” and community‑driven activations on Reddit, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube deepen the engagement. Pepsi’s CEO positions the effort as a way to embed the brand in everyday football culture beyond matchday.
NAB Show 2026: Live Sports Streaming Boom Leaves No Sport Untouched, Even Esports
The live‑sports‑streaming surge that began during the pandemic now covers everything from dirt‑track auto racing to esports, according to a NAB Show panel. World Racing Group streams 80‑90 races a year behind a $300‑annual subscription, using the platform to boost...
Council Approves $25M Women’s Soccer Deal Amid Controversy
Another indefensible stadium deal. Elect 👏Better 👏People 👏 Columbus council OK's $25M women's soccer deal with last‑minute update https://t.co/DkXfN6YkYS
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 FTA on Sky Sports
Sky Sports will broadcast the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 opening match between England and Sri Lanka on June 12 and the final on free‑to‑air Sky Mix (channel 11), extending free access to all home‑nation group games, the semi‑finals and the...
Eagles Lock Wicks with $9M Guaranteed, Cap‑friendly Deal
WR Dontayvion Wicks' #Eagles Contract ▫️2-years, $16.1M total value ▫️$9M fully guaranteed ▫️$7M cash in 2026 ▫️$2.25M incentives ▫️4 void years for cap
Fans Angry as Cavs Game Moves to Paywall
So f'ng mad I can't watch the @cavs tonight as @nbc decides to put it on their pay platform. But more so with Adam Silver and @nba for letting that happen. You all suck.
Adidas Renews Contract with East Carolina Athletics In New Partnership with BSN Sports
Adidas has signed a multi‑year extension with East Carolina University, keeping the brand as the official provider of footwear, apparel and equipment for all 18 Pirate varsity teams. The renewal deepens a partnership that began in 2016 and adds BSN...
Victory Live Appoints Kate Howard as CRO to Accelerate Ticketing Revenue
Victory Live announced that Kate Howard, a veteran of NFL and StubHub, has been named chief revenue officer. Reporting to CEO Sam Soni, Howard will steer global revenue strategy, partnerships and go‑to‑market execution for the ticketing technology firm. The hire...
Google, Kia, DoorDash Power NBA Playoff Broadcast
NBA playoffs presented by Google, pregame coverage by Kia and starting lineups by DoorDash. Got it!
House V. NCAA Class Counsel Asks Court to Rein in CSC’s ‘Overreach’
The House v. NCAA class counsel filed a motion asking a court‑appointed special master to curb the College Sports Commission’s (CSC) claim that athlete NIL deals with multimedia‑rights companies fall under its jurisdiction. The CSC maintains that these multimedia rights...
NAB Notebook
NASCAR announced at the NAB Show that it will roll out hyper‑personalized streaming feeds for fans inside race venues, allowing each spectator to select the camera angles and data they want. The plan hinges on geofencing the streams to on‑site...
How Much Trouble Is the NFL In, Really?
The NFL’s aggressive push to renegotiate its media rights, including the $4.6 billion Sunday Ticket package and new streaming partnerships, has drawn unprecedented scrutiny from the FCC, the Justice Department and multiple congressional committees. Lawmakers are questioning whether the league’s deals...
OMO Australia Teams up with Arsenal’s Aussie Footballers to Champion Outdoor Play and Tackle the ‘Gender Activity Gap’ in New...
OMO Australia has joined forces with Arsenal Women’s Football Club to launch the "It Starts Outside" campaign, part of Unilever’s Dirt Is Good platform. The initiative spotlights Australian football stars Kyra Cooney‑Cross, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord, urging parents to...
National Wrestling Alliance Inks Deal with Sinclair’s Comet
The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) has secured a broadcast deal with Sinclair’s multicast network Comet, launching its flagship show “NWA Powerrr” with a two‑episode premiere on May 1‑2. After the debut, the series will air weekly on Saturdays at 4 p.m., with...
ESPN Waited for Cable Decline Before Launching DTC
So ESPN finally launched a direct‑to‑consumer D2C platform. But why the heck did it take so long? My view - as shared in this week's pod: I think the more useful way to look at it is through the lens of commercial...
Flacco Gets $4M Guaranteed, Cap‑friendly One‑year Deal
QB Joe Flacco's #Bengals Contract 1-year, $6M base value $4M fully guaranteed 2 void years for cap purposes The deal contains a variety of playing time & playoff-based incentives that max out at $2.75M.
The Picklr Comes to Fairfield for Second NorCal Location
The Picklr, a fast‑growing indoor pickleball brand, has signed an 18,500‑square‑foot lease at 1574 Gateway Blvd. in Fairfield, with a planned May 2026 opening. This marks the company’s second Northern California location, adding to its nationwide network of more than...
Aubrey Lands Record $10M Kicker Season
Brandon Aubrey's #Cowboys Extension 4 years, $28M new 5 years, $33.767M total $15M fully guaranteed $5M more next March Aubrey gets $10M cash in 2026, the largest single season payout for a kicker in NFL history.
Youth Sports Turn Into High‑stakes Luxury Market
Sign of the apocalypse when Robb Report does a story on Youth sports. Meet the Families Betting Big on Their Kids’ Athletic Futures https://t.co/I40UVdgZM3 via @RobbReport
Explora Journeys Partners with SailGP Swiss Team
Explora Journeys announced a multi‑year global partnership to become the title sponsor of the Swiss SailGP Team, rebranding the squad as the Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team. The deal launches on May 9, 2026 at the Bermuda event and will see the...
Danny Pinter Lands $2.75M Ravens Deal, $1.5M Guaranteed
G Danny Pinter signed a 1 year, $2.75M contract with the Baltimore #Ravens that includes $1.5M fully guaranteed. Pinter played on a $1.6M contract with the Colts last season.
Falcons Fill Roster Gaps with $21M One-Year Deals
Recent Atlanta #Falcons Contracts (est. $21M of cap space) OT Jawaan Taylor 1-year, $5M; non-gtd RB Brian Robinson Jr. 1-year, $2.5M; $775k gtd QB Trevor Siemian 1-year, $1.3M; non-gtd LB DeAngelo Malone 1-year, $1.5M; $215k gtd CB Darnay Holmes 1-year, $1.2M; non-gtd RB Tyler Goodson 1-year, $1.145M; non-gtd
Outdoor M&A Sees Heat in Sporting Goods Category
M&A activity in the outdoor recreation sector is heating up, especially within sporting goods. Notable transactions include Varsity Brands buying Sports Endeavors and Lax.com, Paramount Apparel acquiring Winston Collection, and Coats Group purchasing OrthoLite for $770 million. Deal values range from...
Dr. J’s Bottling Deal Sparked Billionaire Success
Today, I moderated a panel in Philly with the legend Dr. J talking business and trade. We even recapped his deal owning a Coca-Cola bottling company decades ago. It’s the same business that turned the late, great Junior Bridgeman into...
Bills Lock in Low-Cost Depth, Preserve $12.7M Cap
Recent Buffalo #Bills Contracts (est. $12.7M of cap space) C Lloyd Cushenberry 1-year, $1.4M, $1.2M gtd C Austin Corbett 1-year, $1.4M, $1.2M gtd S Damar Hamlin 1-year, $1.2M, $25k gtd WR Trent Sherfield 1-year, $1.3M, non-gtd
Lazio’s US$22m Polymarket Deal Might Not Spark a European Prediction Market Sponsorship Boom
Lazio has secured a multi‑year front‑of‑shirt partnership with prediction‑market platform Polymarket worth at least US $22 million, roughly €9 million (US $10.6 million) per season through 2028. The agreement marks Polymarket’s first major European soccer sponsorship and positions the club as a test case for...
Jaguars Free $5.7M Cap, Walker Earns $10M Raise
Travon Walker's #Jaguars Extension 4-years, $110M new 5-years, $125M total $50M g'teed at signing $15M more next March 3-years, $77M practical The Jags free up $5.7M of 2026 cap space with the extension, while Walker gets a $10M raise this season.
Six QB Extension Candidates Ranked with Valuations and Predictions
6 Potential QB Contract Extension Candidates, including analysis, valuations, & predictions for: ▪️Lamar Jackson ▪️Baker Mayfield ▪️Matthew Stafford ▪️Jacoby Brissett ▪️Bryce Young ▪️C.J. Stroud https://t.co/YIuKJAO30a
Ranking Every Premier League Club’s 2024/25 Financial Performance
The 2024/25 Premier League financial review shows only four clubs posted a post‑tax profit, with Newcastle United (≈$43 m profit, $419 m revenue) leading the profitable cohort. Most clubs relied on player‑trading gains or creative asset sales, such as selling women’s teams...
WSU Crafts Unique, Powerful Brand Amid Pac‑12 Expansion
WSU president Elizabeth Cantwell on possible Pac-12 expansion (today at AD Jon Haarlow's news conference): “We are building a new brand, which is unique and very powerful ...
55 Operators Eye Alberta’s July 13 Online Betting Launch
At least 55 online gaming operators had shown "strong interest" in launching in Alberta, per documents published by the province's regulators; Alberta is set to launch its commercial online casino and sports betting market July 13.
SOOP Named Official Producer for 2026 Esports Championship East Asia
SOOP has been appointed the official broadcast producer and streaming partner for the 2026 Esports Championship East Asia, overseeing both domestic and global video delivery. The two‑day event, hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized...
Moore's $10M Non‑guaranteed Deal vs Richardson's $5.3M Guarantee
Kenny Moore II is on a 1-year, $10M non-guaranteed contract (and would require a new deal). Anthony Richardson Sr. is on 1 year, $5.3M guarantee.
Bears Lock Darnell Wright with $22.6M Extension
The #Bears have exercised a $19.07M 5th-year option for OT Darnell Wright. The 24-year-old is now under contract at 2-years, $22.6M guaranteed through 2027.
Private‑Equity Bid Worth $3.9 B Targets San Diego Padres, Raising CBA Stakes
Private‑equity investors Jose E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones are poised to acquire the San Diego Padres for $3.9 billion. The bid arrives amid a succession dispute and just before MLB’s new TV contracts and collective bargaining agreement are finalized, prompting concerns...
Kickers Command Record Contracts, Aubrey Tops $28M
Top Kicker Contracts All-Time Brandon Aubrey, $28M Harrison Butker, $25.6M Younghoe Koo, $24.25M Justin Tucker, $24M Matt Gay/Dan Bailey, $22.5M Top Kicker Guarantees All-Time Brandon Aubrey, $20M Harrison Butker, $17.75M Justin Tucker, $17.5M Matt Gay, $13M Tucker/Chris Boswell, $12.5M
NCAA Budgets Hide Individual Coach Salaries; We Archive Contracts
An NCAA MFRS Report budget document will say how much a school spent on coaching salaries in a given FY, but won't always break that down by coach. We have (most) head coach contracts in PDF form in the Library,...
Nike Stock Plummets 70% Since 2021 Peak, Analysts Spot Turnaround Path
Nike (NKE) shares have tumbled 70% from their November 2021 high, prompting a wave of analyst commentary that the company's new "Win Now" strategy and a 6% rise in U.S. shoe sales could spark a recovery. The turnaround hinges on...
Gymnastics Expenses Surpass Revenues, According to Data
I do, but it's not easy to spit those out in newsletter format. But those tables are easy to produce in the Extra Points Library: https://t.co/abtb281rM5 I will say: reported expenses outpace revenues in gymnastics.
Amazon Prime Video to Stream All Six NBA Playoff Games Thursday‑Friday
Amazon Prime Video is scheduled to have all six NBA playoff games this Thursday & Friday. https://t.co/OQK3tw5f0L
Zee Continues as Broadcast Partner for DP World ILT20 Season 5
Zee Entertainment Enterprises has renewed its broadcast partnership for the DP World International League T20 Season 5, which kicks off on November 22, 2026 and runs through December 20. The Gulf‑region league features six teams across 34 matches and will be shown on...
Val Ackerman Retires After Reviving the WNBA
Well deserved no one fought a better fight in today's challenging business. @BIGEAST commissioner Val Ackerman retiring after years reviving league https://t.co/YfuaPOP1LE via @usatoday
AUSL's Wonka‑style Promotion Surprises Invited Players
This is pretty genius. The AUSL sets up a Wonka-like promotion and surprises players who have been invited to join the team. Cool story.
‘Multiple’ Parties Express Interest in Acquiring Wasserman’s The Team Agency
Multiple suitors, including United Talent Agency, private‑equity firm Permira, former Endeavor chairman Patrick Whitesell, and a consortium led by Reddit co‑founder Alexis Ohanian, are circling The Team, the rebranded Wasserman talent agency. Interested parties have until April 20 to submit offers...
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Fun fact: The Rangers' majority owner co-founded Energy Transfer, which operates the Dakota Access Pipeline. Rangers players wear Energy Transfer logos on their jerseys as part of a sponsorship deal. Energy Transfer is currently on the verge of bankrupting Greenpeace in...
Padres' Revenue Surge Explained: Key Growth Drivers
A look at the business of the @Padres. Words and pictures from @kbadenhausen, @JustBirny and @LevAkabas ⚾ San Diego Padres’ Business Is Booming. Here’s Why https://t.co/YAUpH4a5Zf via @sportico
Stadium Ads Return Sparks Debate Among Baseball Purists
Ads covering the stadium is nothing new. The disappearance of ads actually caused just as much of a stir among baseball "purists" when it happened. https://t.co/giW5htoW0R
Gymnastics: Only College Sport Paying Women More Than Men
Gymnastics is the rare college sport where programs are spending substantially more money on the women's programs than the men's. In today's (free) Extra Points, we broke down all the budgets in both sports:
Williams' Deals Peaked at $138M, Now Shrink
Trent Williams' Contract History 6-yrs, $60M (rookie deal) 5-yrs, $68M (rookie extension) 6-yrs, $138M (SF extension) 3-yrs, $82M (SF renegotiation) 2-yrs, $50M (SF renegotiation)
Dodgers’ Massive Payroll Translates to Top Winning Record
Top 5 MLB Tax Payrolls and their current records 1. Dodgers, $415M, 15-6 2. Mets, $381M, 7-15 3. Yankees, $337M, 13-9 4. Phillies, $314M, 8-13 5. Blue Jays, $309M, 8-13