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
Entain Posts 3% Q1 Net Gaming Revenue Rise, Volume Up 8%
Entain PLC announced a 3% increase in first‑quarter net gaming revenue and an 8% jump in betting volume, signalling renewed strength in its diversified online gambling portfolio. The company reaffirmed its FY2026 EBITDA target of £1.131 billion (≈$1.44 billion).
Acura Is Reportedly Considering Dropping Its IMSA GTP Program
Acura’s factory-backed IMSA GTP effort, launched in 2023 with the ARX‑06 hybrid, has secured marquee wins including the 24 Hours of Daytona. Recent reports from Sportscar365 and Racer suggest the brand may discontinue its direct partnership with Meyer Shank Racing after the...
Liberty Stars Are Taking Major Pay Cuts to Chase a WNBA Title
Top New York Liberty stars—including Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally—agreed to contracts below the league's new super‑max levels to keep the team under the 2026 $7 million salary cap. Stewart and Ionescu signed three‑year deals worth $1.19 million...
Acura Might Be Done With Racing In IMSA Because The Economy Sucks
Acura is still undecided about its 2027 IMSA GTP program, with the decision window closing as teams lock in contracts. The brand’s hesitation stems from a weak global auto market and Honda’s recent write‑off of most of its EV program,...
Curt Cignetti: Indiana’s Title-Winning Roster Cost Well Under $40M
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti refuted Alabama GM Courtney Morgan’s claim that elite NIL‑era rosters cost over $40 million, asserting his championship team spent far less. The Hoosiers defeated Morgan’s Alabama squad 38‑3 in the Rose Bowl, while Ohio State’s 2024...
Sportico Transactions: Moves and Mergers Roundup for April 17
The latest Sportico Transactions roundup highlights a wave of executive appointments across major sports entities, including Dan Schoenberg’s launch of Hummingbird Sports & Entertainment and Formula E’s hiring of Will Brown as chief commercial officer. Brands are deepening league ties, with Nike...
Darren Heitner Is the Lawyer Steering the NIL Era
Darren Heitner, a veteran sports attorney, has become a central figure in the college NIL era, representing athletes in high‑profile disputes such as Duke’s $4 million NIL contract with quarterback Darian Mensah and a lawsuit against former Florida State coach Leonard...
Questions Raised over Whether £3.8m Government Grant Awarded to Wrexham AFC Was Lawful
Wrexham AFC, co‑owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, received a £3.8 million (≈ $4.8 M) government grant in February 2022 before a final state‑aid assessment or contract was in place. The club has now been awarded a total of £18 million (≈ $23 M) in...
What the Data Says About NBA Tanking, and How to Fix It
The NBA’s 2025‑26 season saw a historic surge in blowouts, with 34% of April games decided by 20 or more points, driven largely by strategic tanking. Recent lottery reforms that flattened odds have encouraged mid‑tier teams to deliberately lose after...
Kansas City Council Advances Plan for $1.9B Royals Stadium
Kansas City’s city council voted to move forward with a $1.9 billion stadium for the Royals, allocating $600 million in public funding through bond issuance. The plan leverages the Show‑Me Sports Investment Act, which could cover up to half of the qualifying...
How the Savannah Bananas Built a Traveling Retail Supply Chain
Warehouse director Tucker Robinson oversees a 100,000‑sq‑ft hub that supplies the Savannah Bananas’ e‑commerce store, home stadium shop, and a traveling “World Tour” that delivers up to four semi‑trucks of merchandise to venues nationwide. The team keeps inventory synchronized across...
Brands on Fire: Hyundai Motor America CMO Talks Data, Experiential, AI and Ecommerce
Hyundai Motor America launched its global "Next Starts Now" campaign at the New York International Auto Show, tying the brand to the upcoming FIFA World Cup and showcasing robotics like Boston Dynamics' Spot and its own Atlas humanoid. CMO Sean...
MPN Video Podcast: Why Vertical Video Could Be Bigger Than Traditional TV for Sports
In a Media Play News podcast, Grabyo CEO Gareth Capon discusses the surge of AI‑powered vertical video for live sports. The platform enables broadcasters to reformat traditional feeds into mobile‑first streams, add real‑time clips, and localize content on the fly....
FA and Premier League Ignore Ticket Price Gouging
The FA and Premier League turn a blind eye to Todd Boehly’s Vivid Seats selling FA Cup semi final tickets for more than a grand. These organisations are supposed to be the guardians of the game, yet they show the backbone...
SportyTV Secures Pay‑TV Rights for All 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches in South Africa
SportyTV has signed a landmark agreement with FIFA to broadcast every one of the 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup on a pay‑TV basis in South Africa. The deal, secured just a year after the platform’s market entry, positions...
Inside Nike’s China Problem: The Local View
Nike’s Greater China business posted a sharp decline in Q3 2026, with regional revenue down 10% and online sales plunging 21%. The shortfall contributed to flat global brand revenue, despite modest growth in North America. CEO Elliott Hill announced an...
TC Daily Pit Stop: Reddick, 23XI Racing Land Partnership With Rockstar Energy For 2026 Season
Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing have secured Rockstar Energy as a primary sponsor for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series. The partnership features Rockstar branding on the No. 45 Toyota, including the driver’s helmet, firesuit and team hauler, and will debut at...
Joe Flacco Gets Candid
Joe Flacco enters his 19th NFL season at age 41 after earning his first Pro Bowl nod, yet he believes several teams missed an opportunity by not starting him. He disclosed his role as a strategic investor in cleat maker...
Hero Esports to Stage Second Asian Champions League in Shanghai, with $365K Prize Pool and EWC Berths at Stake
Hero Esports announced the second Asian Champions League (ACL) in Shanghai, running May 1-24, featuring Dota 2, Counter‑Strike 2, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with a total prize pool of $365,000. The event offers direct qualification slots to the 2026 Esports World...
Start with Nosebleed Fans to Wow Everyone
Most companies optimize for the people who pay the most… @thesavbananas founder Jesse Cole (@yellowtuxjesse) does the opposite. He starts with the people in the worst seats—the nosebleeds. Because if you can make the experience unforgettable for them, you can make it...
Women's Sports Prove ROI‑Driving Asset Class
The Women's sports narrative is no longer a 'feel good investment' story, its a proven ROI asset class. A gender mixed, significant fanbase, with multiples ahead. @WNBA @NWSL @USWNT @LPGA @WTA @MarchMadnessWBB @thepwhlofficial @leagueonevb @Octagon
Tube Trends: NFL’s Impending YouTube Deal Shows Where Ball Is Heading
Long known for reshaping TV rights, the NFL is reportedly finalizing a five‑game free‑stream package with YouTube, adding the platform to its roster of major broadcast partners. YouTube already pays $2 billion annually for Sunday Ticket and aired a free Chiefs‑Chargers...
South Carolina Sports Betting Won’t Arrive Until 2030
In South Carolina, sports betting passing this year is 0%. In the coming years the odds "improve" (maybe 10%?) with a new governor, who will take office in January 2027. Still, its an uphill battle. I don't expect SC (or...
Season Tickets Gamble on Team Success for Playoff Value
Season tickets are a bet on a team being really good because the real value is playoff tickets at face
DStv Drops Premium Paywall on Fifa World Cup in Canal+-Era Shift
SuperSport will air all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches on every DStv tier, including the entry‑level Access package priced at R99 (~$5) per month. The move, announced under Canal+ ownership, marks a strategic shift away from using premium sport...
Golf Betting Surges: Handle Up 33% YoY
Great golf wagering info from my colleague @Bill_KingSBJ : Betting handle on @PGATOUR events -- not counting the Masters, which does its own thing -- is up 33% vs. this time last year. The number of bets is pacing 18% ahead. The...
GeoComply Trims 15% Staff Amid Industry Shift
Sportsbook geolocation provider @GeoComply laid off ~15% of its staff this week. It comes amid some changes in the industry re: competition and pricing. The company called the move a "deliberate strategic evolution". https://t.co/UlrlmnDUXq
Global Esports Federation Names Trivandi as Operational Partner for Global Esports Games
The Global Esports Federation (GEF) has selected Trivandi as the operational delivery partner for the Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games, scheduled for Dec 2‑10. Trivandi will manage end‑to‑end event logistics, from planning through execution, for a tournament expected to feature participants from...
Micah Parsons Tops Cap Share; Anderson Jr. Still Highest‑paid
While Will Anderson Jr.'s 3-year, $150M extension makes him the highest average paid non-QB ($50M) in history, he doesn't top the active list when adjusting for cap. Largest Non-QB AAV % of Cap Micah Parsons, 16.65% Will Anderson Jr., 16.60% Aidan Hutchinson, 16.12% Nick Bosa,...
Edge and QB Command Top NFL Salaries
Top AAV Per NFL Position QB: $60M (Prescott) RB: $20.6M (Barkley) FB: $3.8M (Ricard) WR: $42.1M (JSN) TE: $19.1M (Kittle) OL: $30.1M (Tunsil) DL: $31.7M (Jones) ED: $50M (Anderson) LB: $21M (Warner) CB: $31M (McDuffie) S: $25.1M (Hamilton) K: $6.5M (Fairbairn) P: $4.1M (Stout) LS: $1.8M (Harris)
Texans' Biggest Deals: Watson Leads $156M Contract
Largest Contracts in Houston #Texans History Deshaun Watson, $156M Will Anderson: $150M J.J. Watt, $100M Derek Stingley Jr., $90M DeAndre Hopkins, $81M Top Average Salaries Will Anderson, $50M Danielle Hunter, $40.1M Deshaun Watson, $39M
Texans Lock Anderson with $177M, $134M Guaranteed Extension
Will Anderson's 3 year, $150M extension with the #Texans puts him under contract at a total value of 5 years, $177M through 2030, $134M of which is reportedly guaranteed for practical purposes. Anderson will still be 29 years old at the...
Data Reveals NBA Tanking Trends and Fixes
What the Data Says About NBA Tanking, and How to Fix It 🏀https://t.co/rekP0yqs1Z via @sportico @LevAkabas
NHL Players Rank Houston Top Expansion Market
NHL Players' preferred expansion markets, according to the @NHLPA Player Poll: 1. Houston - 34.3% 2. Quebec City - 16.9% 3. Atlanta - 9.8% 4. Scottsdale - 8.9% 5. Austin - 5.0%
Big West Actively Seeks New Member Institutions
“Yes, we are actively continuing to look at opportunities and institutions that want to join the Big West, particularly those within the existing or, possibly, an expanded Big West footprint.” https://t.co/NOzE2UQq53
Week 0 Start Gives Games Pre‑NFL Spotlight
Starting the 2027+ seasons on Week 0 would certainly create scheduling flexibility but the major benefit would be playing more games before the NFL starts, when there is effectively zero competition for eyeballs.
Mannix Outlines NBA's Next Growth Priorities
From expansion to quality of play, @SIChrisMannix lays out the critical next steps of growth for @nba https://t.co/FdNbxOqyHY
Dana White Slams Legacy Boxing Promoters as “Rinky‑dink”
Dana White calls all the legacy boxing promoters “rinky dink” on First Take. Says every fight you see is like a “going out of business sale” where they take all the money.
Rays CEO Urges Immediate $1B Stadium Funding or Exit
Rays CEO Ken Babby warned the Hillsborough County Commission that "time and action are of the essence" for a $1B stadium subsidy or else "we would have no choice but to evaluate alternatives," in a tour de force of don't-make-me-come-in-there-ism....
CFTC's Inaction May Undermine Kalshi Sports Betting Lawsuits
Rule 40.11 is a major problem. I wrote this nearly one year ago. "CFTC’s Failure To Enforce ‘Gaming’ Contract Ban Could Still Upend Kalshi Sports Betting Lawsuits" https://t.co/hFQ1ejhfoB
All Live Michigan Sportsbooks & iCasinos in One List
Live Michigan sportsbooks / iCasinos: bet365 BetMGM BetPARX BetRivers Caesars DraftKings Fanatics FanDuel FireKeepers Four Winds Golden Nugget* Hard Rock Bet Horseshoe* Play Eagle theScore Bet / Hollywood iCasino *iCasino only
West Coast School Realignment Persists, over 30 Affected
Realignment continues to roil the West Coast five years after the wave began. More than 30 schools have been impacted, with UC Santa Barbara the latest. "The end is not in sight." --->
Franchise's Big Move Set to Attract Free Agents
This is massive news for this franchise and it's going to help attract free agents.
Only Hard Rock Sportsbook; Others Limited to Prediction Markets
No other sportsbooks are likely coming to Florida (beyond Hard Rock). DraftKings and FanDuel prediction markets are both live in the state, along with Kalshi and many of the other major operators.
Bet365 Urges Massachusetts to Reopen Online Betting Applications
In some good news, bet365 has asked Massachusetts to re-open it's online sports betting application process 👀👀
Judge Rejects Claim CFTC Sole Authority over Sports Contracts
PM Lawyer: “Whether 40.11 bans sports event contracts is a matter for the CFTC to address, not a matter for Nevada to address.” Judge Nelson: “That can’t be a serious argument. It’s self-certification. You can put up anything you want.” Via @Dan_O_Boyle https://t.co/HrzTVlnaJ9
CFP's Logo Tweak: Barely Noticeable, yet Intentional
Takes subtle to a new level 👇 Why the College Football Playoff Decided to (Barely) Change Its Logo https://t.co/gYv2sWPIRp via @sportico @DanielLibit
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Sports Investments, Sells Al Hilal
Saudi Arabia doubles down on its sport ecosystem development as asset disposals commence Al Hilal has been sold, LIV Golf could be next, will Newcastle United follow? https://t.co/D7nWjAQ9l9 @Fire_and_Skill #Geosport https://t.co/EuFvnPPD0q
Achane Poised for $59M, Four‑year Extension
Coming off of a career year (1,838 scrimmage yards, 12 TDs) and entering a contract season, #Dolphins RB Devon Achane currently projects toward a 4 year, $59M extension according to Spotrac's model. https://t.co/FCnmzzKA0s
Private Equity's College Sports Deal: Profit Mystery, Not Hype
blogged about the learfield sale, which I don't think warrants a OH MY GOD PRIVATE EQUITY IS COMING TO COLLEGE SPORTS type reaction but I do kinda wonder how this becomes profitable for everybody https://t.co/q2bQ1lNVca