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
The Portland Fire Taps Lashify as Eyelash Sponsor Ahead of WNBA Return
The Portland Fire, set to rejoin the WNBA after a 24‑year hiatus, has secured its first beauty sponsor, Lashify, in a multiyear deal. Lashify will appear on the abdomen of all three Fire jersey editions and will host a "Lashify Runway" fan experience at the Moda Center, plus a glam room at the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center. The partnership highlights the growing appeal of women’s sports to premium beauty brands. Lashify’s flagship Plushy lashes retail for $25, with Control Kits priced around $125.
With the World Cup Around the Corner, Media Buyers Expect Streaming Prices to Soar
Marketers are rolling out World Cup campaigns, highlighted by Unilever’s Rexona ad starring top soccer stars, while media agencies brace for a steep rise in streaming ad prices. In the U.S., Fox and Telemundo have set minimum spends of $5 million...
BlueCo Loses £1.7bn in Two Years, £10.4m Weekly
Chelsea parent company BlueCo 22, which owns both Chelsea and Strasbourg, and strips out all the transactions between group companies, lost £630m in 24/25, taking total losses since the company formed in 2022 to £1,675 million, or £10.4m a week...
Sources: Rivers Out After Three Years with Bucks
Doc Rivers is leaving the Milwaukee Bucks after three seasons, posting a 97‑103 record and two first‑round playoff exits. The franchise will honor his eight‑figure contract through the 2026‑27 season and is weighing an advisory position for him. Rivers took...
‘Doesn’t Have the Financial Resources’: Media Analyst Warns Nine About Keeping NRL Rights
Morningstar analyst Brian Han warned Nine Entertainment that its upcoming NRL rights renewal could strain finances as the current deal expires after the 2027 grand final. He highlighted Nine's shrinking market cap—down to roughly $1.6 billion from $4.96 billion in 2021—and a...
Como Growth Continues with EAFC Partnership
Como 1907 has entered a partnership with EA Sports FC, integrating the Serie A club deeper into the EA Sports FC ecosystem. The deal supports the recently launched Como Gaming Club, a digital platform aimed at uniting fans through online...
Arbitration Panel Rejects NFLPA Collusion Claim, Limiting Union Leverage
An appeals panel affirmed arbitrator Christopher Droney's January 2025 decision that the NFL Players Association could not prove owners colluded on quarterback contracts, despite evidence that teams were invited to discuss collusion. The ruling underscores the difficulty unions face in...
Trump Puts Squeeze on FIFA to Change Transgender Policy
The White House is using the 2031 Women’s World Cup bid as leverage to force FIFA to adopt a transgender‑athlete policy that mirrors the IOC’s new gene‑testing rule. The sole joint bid from the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica...
Dick's Sporting Goods Targets 250 Foot Locker Stores with Fast Break Revamp
At JPMorgan’s 12th Annual Retail Roundup, Dick's Sporting Goods executives announced a plan to extend the Fast Break store concept to roughly 250 U.S. Foot Locker locations by the back‑to‑school season. The company also framed the Foot Locker acquisition as a...
IndyCar’s Chip Ganassi Racing Goes Green With Green Sports Alliance
Chip Ganassi Racing announced its membership in the Green Sports Alliance (GSA) as part of Earth Month initiatives. The partnership gives the IndyCar team access to a network of sports organizations focused on sustainability, expanding its existing Green Operations &...
LaLiga Launches Tender for East-Focussed Broadcast Packages
LaLiga has opened a tender for broadcast rights in seven European territories for the 2026‑27 to 2030‑31 seasons, divided into two packages covering the Baltic states and a group of Southern European countries. Bids are due May 6 with contracts expected...
West Ham and South Korean Streetwear Brand Nivelcrack Launch ‘Cultural’ Range
West Ham United has unveiled a capsule collection with Seoul‑based streetwear label Nivelcrack, marking the club’s first licensed fashion partnership with a South Korean brand. The range blends West Ham’s iconic crossed‑hammer motif with Nivelcrack’s monogram across tees, a sweatshirt,...
Seven Ramps up Glasgow 2026 Coverage with 800+ Hours Across Platforms
Seven Network is expanding its role as the official Australian media partner for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, committing more than 800 hours of content across broadcast, streaming and audio platforms. The plan includes 150 hours of linear TV, over...
Inside the Masters: PGA Tour Plans, LIV Talks, and Media Moves
Rory McIlroy secured a back‑to‑back Masters victory, capping a dramatic final round at Augusta. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp announced a June 23 press conference at the Travelers Championship to outline potential schedule reforms, though the most sweeping changes are expected...
DOJ Launches Antitrust Probe Into NFL’s $10 Billion TV Rights Deals
The U.S. Justice Department has opened an antitrust investigation into the NFL’s television contracts, which generate more than $10 billion a year. The probe focuses on the league’s exclusive rights deals, including Fox’s $2 billion Sunday afternoon package, and could reshape how...
NFL Network Expected to Be on ESPN Unlimited by Start of 2026 Season
ESPN completed its acquisition of NFL Network on April 1, integrating the channel into its direct‑to‑consumer platform, ESPN Unlimited. The service, priced at $29.99 per month, will include NFL Network at no additional charge, though the channel is not yet available...
Morecambe FC Exploits Loophole, Delays Accounts Amid Ownership Doubts
Morecambe FC, relegated three times in four seasons, and with owners who have failed to convince fans that they have the interests of the club at heart, use a legal loophole to delay publishing their accounts for an extra three...
How Much Do Caddies Make at the Masters?
The article breaks down how Masters caddies are paid, noting they typically earn 10% of a winner’s purse, 7% for a top‑10 finish, and 5% for simply making the cut, plus a weekly salary of $2,000‑$4,000 to cover travel and...
Denver Broncos Owners Buy 40% Stake in Colorado Rockies for $672 M
Penner Sports Group, the investment arm of Denver Broncos co‑owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner, agreed to purchase a 40% minority stake in the Colorado Rockies for roughly $672 million, based on a $1.68 billion valuation. The deal gives the Rockies cash...
Singapore Airlines Brings FIFA World Cup 2026 Onboard with Live Match Coverage via KrisWorld Live TV
Singapore Airlines will broadcast every FIFA World Cup 2026 match live on its KrisWorld Live TV platform, letting passengers watch the tournament at cruising altitude. The service is available on the airline’s Boeing 787‑10, 737‑8, Airbus A350‑900 and Boeing 777‑300ER...
Who Wants the NFL? Netflix Have to Wait for More Games?
Netflix is seeking to double its NFL package from two to four games for the 2026 season, targeting a holiday matchup and an international game. The streamer currently pays about $150 million per season and could face a price tag of...
Is a Formula One Partnership Worth It?
A Formula One partnership demands a sizable investment, but it grants access to an estimated 800 million fans across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Australia and Asia. The article argues that true value comes from aligning the team’s high‑performance image with...
Ministry to Kick Off Broadcast Talks to Keep World Cup Hopes Alive
Malaysia's Youth and Sports Ministry announced it will convene talks with broadcasters and relevant agencies to secure live television rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA’s asking price was cut from US$50 million (RM198.5 million) to US$35 million (RM138.9 million), yet local broadcasters...
Michigan Locks In Coach Dusty May with Five‑Year Extension After Title Run
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced a five‑year contract extension for head coach Dusty May, keeping the architect of the Wolverines’ 37‑3 national‑title season in Ann Arbor for years to come. The deal, still being finalized on paper, follows May’s...
UFC 327 Live Stream: Paramount Plus $8.99 Gives Fans Access to Ulberg's Title Win
UFC 327 streamed live on Paramount Plus for $8.99, delivering Carlos Ulberg’s first‑round knockout of Jiří Procházka for the vacant light‑heavyweight title. The event also drew former President Donald Trump, sparking a political side‑story that amplified viewership and media attention.
'Fewer Minutes but More Eyeballs' – ASO Race Director Defends Reduction in Women's Paris-Roubaix Broadcast and His 'Moron' Comments on...
ASO race director Thierry Gouvenou defended cutting the live broadcast of Paris‑Roubaix Femmes from three hours to a 90‑minute window, arguing the race will reach a larger audience by airing after the men’s event. He cited logistical constraints from local authorities...
🚨 EXCL: Liverpool & Chelsea Preparing Moves for £55-60m Wonderkid Who Stunned Arsenal
French forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who dazzled Arsenal in a recent friendly, is attracting interest from Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Chelsea. Both clubs are reportedly prepared to meet PSG’s asking price of £55‑60 million (approximately $70‑77 million). The 19‑year‑old’s blend of...
Wings Sign Defensive Ace Smith to 3-Year Deal
Australian forward Alanna Smith signed a three‑year max contract with the Dallas Wings, joining a roster that recently re‑signed Arike Ogunbowale and Awak Kuier and added guard Jessica Shepard. Smith, the 2025 co‑Defensive Player of the Year, averaged 9.6 points,...
Celebrating 10 Years with Historic UFC Freedom250 Prize
There’s no better way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of https://t.co/dwRH3YcIjT than by making history at the @WhiteHouse for the 250th birthday of the US. Proud to join our long-standing partners @UFC to co-present #UFCFreedom250, and to provide the world’s...
Masters Winner's Prize Soars to $4.5 Million
A lot on the line today at #TheMasters The Masters winner's prize has ballooned to $4.5 million over the past few years ⛳️💰 https://t.co/URXtjAGxAr
When Is The 2026 WNBA Draft? Full Breakdown Of The Event, Best Players
The WNBA will hold its 2026 Draft on Monday, April 13 at The Shed in New York City, broadcast live on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET. The Dallas Wings secured the first overall pick, followed by the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm,...
League Two Clubs Average £5.8m Revenue, Wimbledon Leads
As Morecambe and the MK Dons franchise have used loopholes to delay publishing 24/25 accounts, here are the figures for the rest of League Two. Not all clubs report full figures. Revenue averaged £5.8m in 24/25 with AFC Wimbledon by...
YouTube TV Sports Plan: Channels vs $54.99 Value
YouTube TV Sports Plan Channels List: $54.99 a Month - Is It Worth It? https://t.co/0VlueYeVcl via @TVAnswerMan
FGC Shocked at Capcom’s Low Prize Pools for Street Fighter 6 CPT Tournaments
Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 Pro Tour (CPT) offers a $1 million prize for the Capcom Cup, but the year‑long events only award $2,000 to the winner. Players and creators argue the low payouts force pros to self‑fund travel and make the...
WNBA Secures Seven Broadcast Partners, Expanding Media Reach
The WNBA has seven league rights partners, it’s kind of wild—ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, USA, Amazon, CBS, Ion, NBA TV
NFL Must Secure Media Deals Before September Kickoff
New pod: MoffettNathanson's Michael Nathanson on what the NFL must do to lock in its next round of media deals ahead of September’s kickoff—and what’s at stake if it doesn’t. https://t.co/HlGcniYsuv
Canzano: Oregon State Figures Out Money Is the Best Deodorant
University of Oregon State’s athletic director Scott Barnes is set to depart on Aug. 31, but before leaving he has unlocked a wave of revenue‑share spending for the football and men’s basketball programs. Leveraging his sizable golden‑parachute payout, Barnes instructed the...
Fox Sports App Ends 2026—Switch Platforms Now
Fox Sports App Shutting Down May 2026: What to Do On Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV https://t.co/9pqX8e2YGJ via @TVAnswerMan
Chelsea's Accounts Now Posted on Companies House
Chelsea accounts now uploaded at Companies House website. Will be visible within ten days https://t.co/9fbwNuAeG4
Norsewear Upbeat Despite No Deal with New Zealand Rugby for Supporters’ Beanies
Norsewear, a Tararua‑based wool clothing brand, wrote an open letter to New Zealand Rugby urging the use of natural wool for All Blacks supporters’ beanies. NZR responded that existing licensing agreements prevented a new partnership, and discussions shifted to woolen socks, which...
UFC Benefits From Masters Lead-Out, Ratings Awaited
There’s two hours of UFC on CBS to benefit from the Masters lead out today. With news in between but still should add a good number of viewers. Interested to see what their TV ratings are tonight.
Fox Reportedly Competing with Streamers for New Five-Game NFL Package
Fox is among the three bidders—alongside YouTube and Netflix—for the NFL’s upcoming five‑game media rights package. The bid comes as the U.S. Justice Department investigates whether the league’s streaming deals violate the Sports Broadcasting Act’s antitrust exemption. Fox has publicly...
U.S. Sports Leagues Overcrowded, Making Regular Seasons Irrelevant
It’s not like the NBA is the sole culprit but the competitive design of major 🇺🇸 sports leagues is increasingly suboptimal Too many teams, too many irrelevant for a single competitive objective, postseason gimmicks + a lot of perverse draft incentives....
Masters Purse Jumps to $22.5M, Top Prize $4.5M
2026 #Masters Payouts Purse: $22.5M (+$1.5M from 2025) 1st: $4.5M 2nd: $2.43M 3rd: $1.53M 4th: $1.08M 5th: $900k 6th: $810k 7th: $753k 8th: $697k 9th: $652k 10th: $607k Players who missed the cut walk away with $25k.
Masters Increases Purse To Record $22.5M, Topping Other 3 Majors
The Masters announced a record $22.5 million total purse for 2026, the largest ever for any of golf’s four majors. The champion will collect a $4.5 million first‑place check, up $300,000 from last year’s winner’s share. This marks the fifth straight year...
Super Teams Drive Business by Capturing Polarized Attention
New York Liberty going full L.A. Dodgers. Personally, I like it. Super teams are very good for business because they draw love and hate equally but attention above all.
Amazon Seeks to Shift Super Bowl to Streaming
Amazon wants the NFL to sell them the right to take the Super Bowl off of free broadcast TV and put it on Amazon’s streaming service. What do you think ? https://t.co/LZ6A9JmyIV
Giving up a 2028 First‑round Pick Is Reckless.
Giving up a 2028 first round pick is insane given who will be at the top of the WNBA Draft. https://t.co/KemDXI6Xmt
Dreaming of Owning a Sports Team? Consider the Reality
I mean it’s not gonna happen for me but what if you want to own a sports team
Best Tempo Contract Yet: Great Player, Great Price
This, to me, is the best contract so far for the Tempo. She's a very good player and that's a really good price.