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
AFC Has No Plans to Move 2027 Asian Cup From Saudi Arabia to Australia
The Asian Football Confederation confirmed it will keep Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2027 Asian Cup, dismissing recent speculation about moving the tournament to Australia. An Insideworldfootball source said no discussions with other federations have taken place and the political situation is merely being monitored. Iran and Lebanon have qualified and will face visa‑entry issues unrelated to the host decision. Australia’s lobbying effort, led by former Socceroo Craig Foster, will not be pursued.
Toronto’s Multicultural Appeal Draws Global Basketball Talent
The Tempo has invested money in international scouting and Brondello obviously has international roots as the Aussie coach. Toronto is a world-class city with a massive immigrant culture. I would expect internationals to want to play here in the future....
WNBA Contracts Reveal Multi‑million Deals, Many Still TBD
Reported WNBA Agreements ATL Allisha Gray: 3 yrs, $3.7M ATL Naz Hillmon: 3 yrs, $2.5M ATL Jordin Canada: 2 yrs, $1.2M ATL Brionna Jones: TBD CHI Elizabeth Williams: 2 yrs, $1.2M CON Brittney Griner: TBD DAL Arike Ogunbowale: TBD DAL Jessica Shepard: TBD IND Kelsey Mitchell: 1 yrs, $1.4M LA:...
DOJ Probe Targets NFL's $10 Billion Media Rights, Raising Stakes for Broadcasters and Streamers
The U.S. Justice Department has opened an antitrust investigation into the NFL’s multibillion‑dollar media rights agreements, putting the league’s $10 billion‑plus annual contracts and Fox’s $2 billion Sunday‑afternoon deal under scrutiny. Broadcasters and streaming partners face uncertainty as the probe could force...
Ohtani's $125M Sponsorships Eclipse Salary, Join Legends
I wrote about Shohei Ohtani's sponsorship deals. Recently went to Tokyo and couldn't walk a block without seeing his face. In 2026, he'll make $125m on sponsorships (vs. $2m salary), reaching endorsement heights only seen by Tiger, Roger and MJ: ...
What Entertainment Brands Can Learn From the WNBA
The WNBA has been crowned the fastest‑growing brand in the United States and will expand from 13 to 18 teams by 2030. Its success stems from a league‑first branding platform, “Welcome to the W,” that elevates the collective over any...
EPL Athletes Generate £2.1bn Tax, Then Flee
Capital flight of the Athlete class is something Ive spoken about. £2.1bn from EPL alone in tax receipts from a very small number of people.
Netflix Signs on as Mumbai Indians’ Official Entertainment Partner for IPL
Netflix has become the official entertainment partner of the Mumbai Indians, launching a short‑form digital film that riffs on Rohit Sharma’s viral “Garden mein aaya hai kya?” meme. The parody, starring comedian Sunil Grover as a Rohit look‑alike, was designed...
DOJ Opens Antitrust Probe Into NFL TV Rights as $10 B Deals Near Renewal
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an antitrust investigation into the NFL’s television and media rights agreements, which generate more than $10 billion a year. The probe focuses on whether the league’s exclusive bundling of broadcast rights, especially Fox’s $2 billion...
Netflix Combines New Thriller 'Thrash' With Tyson Fury Fight for Weekend Push
Netflix will stream heavyweight bout Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 while debuting the shark‑hurricane thriller 'Thrash' on April 12, underscoring the platform’s dual strategy of live‑sport expansion and new original movies. The fight marks a high‑profile test...
Canada Soccer House Fan Hubs Headline Michelob ULTRA Partnership Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
Canada Soccer and Canadian Soccer Media & Entertainment have sealed a partnership with Michelob ULTRA, naming the beer brand the official sponsor of Canada Soccer. The deal will power Canada Soccer House fan hubs in Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax, offering match...
Nike's Search Surge Persists—China Remains the Challenge
I did not expect the Nike Google Trends chart to hold up this well. So what’s the remaining issue here - China? https://t.co/EnSgj126DZ
Fury: The Real Fight Is Not in the Ring or Ad Spend, but Brand Alignment
Tyson Fury’s comeback fight will stream on Netflix to 300 million viewers, turning the bout into a massive branding platform. Havas Media argues that success for advertisers now hinges on aligning with the live‑sport moment rather than chasing low CPM reach....
Sources: Griner Finalizing 7-Figure Deal to Join Sun
Brittney Griner is close to signing a seven‑figure contract with the Connecticut Sun, ESPN sources report. The 35‑year‑old 6‑foot‑9 center would return to her home state as the franchise prepares for a 2027 relocation to Houston. Griner, a ten‑time All‑Star...
DBS Bank Launches Integrated Campaign Featuring Farah Khan and Indian Badminton Players
DBS Bank India has launched an integrated brand campaign that pairs Bollywood filmmaker Farah Khan with five of the country’s elite badminton players, including Lakshya Sen and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. The film positions trust, consistency and performance as shared values, using...
Publicis Groupe to Acquire 160over90, Creating World’s Largest Data‑Driven Sports Platform
Publicis Groupe announced it will acquire 160over90, the Formula 1‑focused sports and culture agency, to build the world’s leading data‑driven sport and culture platform. The deal, still undisclosed financially, will integrate 160over90’s 670‑person team with Publicis Sports and Epsilon’s data assets,...
Fans Disappointed Mike and Clyde Miss MSG First Round
Very upset we won’t get Mike and Clyde calling the first round on MSG https://t.co/6WHGODkxM3
Apple's MLB Broadcast Impresses with Crisp Visuals, Strong Commentary
Apple is doing a nice job with its MLB production--crisp picture, cool graphics, good commentary--at least judging by tonight's Giants-Orioles game so far.
LA28 Organizers Promise There Will Be Other Chances to Get Affordable Tickets After Pricing Backlash
LA28 officials defended the ticketing rollout after fans complained about high prices and limited availability. They highlighted that 30% of the remaining inventory is under $200 and that roughly half of all tickets cost less than $200, while premium seats...
5th‑Year Options Often Precede Bigger Extensions
Public Service Announcement: Picking up a 5th-year option is not an indication that an NFL team does not deem that player "extension-worthy". In most instances, teams exercise the option as a precursor to the extension, factoring in more guaranteed cash to the...
Roger Goodell: NFL Has ‘Long-Term’ Plans to Play in Australia, Might Return in 2027
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league’s inaugural regular‑season game in Melbourne is intended to be the first of a long‑term presence in Australia, with a possible return as early as the 2027 season. He highlighted near‑sell‑out ticket demand...
Sports League Reimagined as Tech‑First, AI‑Driven Platform
Imagine building an entire sports league like a tech company — software + AI — at the heart of all the operations, running lean, running fast, building for the athletes first, then fans. That’s my vision for @athlos — you...
Depleted Lakers’ First Game Post-Injuries Draws Strong Easter Audience
The Lakers’ first game after the season‑ending injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves drew a combined 3.7 million viewers on NBC’s Sunday Night Basketball, the highest NBA audience since the February Celtics‑Lakers matchup. The strong Easter Sunday audience was amplified by...
2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Falcons Pick Up 5th-Year Option on Bijan Robinson
The Atlanta Falcons exercised the fifth‑year option on running back Bijan Robinson, keeping the No. 8 overall pick under contract through the 2026 season. Robinson has been a workhorse, logging 3,910 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns and 198 receptions for 1,738 yards...
Everything You Need to Know About WNBA Free Agency Moves So Far
The WNBA entered a new collective bargaining agreement that lifts salary caps, enabling historic contracts such as Jackie Young’s $1.19 million deal. Free‑agency activity has already reshaped the league, with Angel Reese traded to Atlanta and the Dream signing multiple core...
2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: 49ers Add DB Jack Jones
The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran cornerback Jack Jones to a one‑year contract as free agency heats up. Jones, a former starter with over 30 career starts, joins a secondary that lost depth after recent departures. The deal is...
Eagles Reportedly Acquire WR Dontayvion Wicks From Packers, Extend Him
The Philadelphia Eagles acquired wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers, sending a 2026 fifth‑round and a 2027 sixth‑round pick in return. Wicks agreed to a one‑year, $12.5 million extension that effectively keeps him with the Eagles for two...
Packers Trade Inconsistent Dontayvion Wicks To The Eagles
The Green Bay Packers traded wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 fifth‑round pick and a 2027 sixth‑round pick. The Eagles immediately signed Wicks to a one‑year, $12.5 million extension. Wicks finished the 2024 season with 30...
Typti U.S. Open Will Launch With $100K in Prize Money
Typti, a hybrid racket sport that mixes tennis, badminton and pickleball court dimensions, will stage its inaugural U.S. Open in California next month with a $100,000 prize purse. NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens and former tennis Grand Slam quarter‑finalist...
![[Audio] 'Urgent National Action to Save College Sports': Trump’s NIL Playbook — Highway to NIL Podcast](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com/profile-images/og.14355_0412.jpg)
[Audio] 'Urgent National Action to Save College Sports': Trump’s NIL Playbook — Highway to NIL Podcast
In a recent Highway to NIL podcast, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys dissect President Donald Trump’s new executive order titled “Urgent National Action to Save College Sports.” The order calls for a unified national framework governing name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals,...
Bill Simmons Calls Looming WNBA Expansion ‘Staggeringly Stupid and an Unapologetic Money Grab’
The WNBA approved a rapid expansion that will increase the league from 12 to 18 teams by 2030, adding Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo in 2026, then Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. The move follows...
EXEC: Nike Makes Change at Innovation Chief, Suffers Another Stock Downgrade
Nike announced that chief innovation officer Tony Bignell will leave after less than a year, with VP and creative director Andy Caine slated to take over on April 12. The change marks the third innovation chief turnover in under three...
News: Joe Buck, Scott Van Pelt, Disney and More
Joe Buck told a podcast he would sign any contract to stay at ESPN beyond his current deal, which expires after the NFL season and Super Bowl. Scott Van Pelt confirmed he will remain the host of the late‑night SportsCenter...
Billionaire Broncos Owners Buy 40% of Rockies
The Walton‑Penner family, owners of the Denver Broncos, has purchased a 40% minority stake in the Colorado Rockies, becoming the franchise's largest minority investor. Valued at roughly $1.68 billion, the Rockies have long been one of MLB’s lowest‑spending clubs and have...
GBR Special Masters Week | Augusta Dispatch: The Business Behind the Ropes
Old Tom Capital relaunched its private investor syndicate, The Club, giving accredited investors access to golf‑tech, real‑estate and hospitality deals for a $500 annual fee and a $10,000 minimum per deal. Australian family‑run T&S Medals is promoting hand‑fired hard‑enamel golf...
Sportico Transactions: Moves and Mergers Roundup for April 10
The April 10 Sportico Transactions roundup highlighted a wave of personnel appointments, brand partnerships, and strategic acquisitions across sports, media, and consumer sectors. Notable moves include the New York Mets hiring Ben Colabrese as CFO, Simpson Thacher adding two co‑heads to its sports...
Sandy Brondello Boosts Tempo, Disrupts 2027 Draft Tank
I think @TempoBasketball will be competitive this season and maybe that was always going to be the case if you hire Sandy Brondello. This is good for season ticket holders, good for the league and good for a world-class city...
IBM's WatsonX Powers Masters App, Its Only AI Win
The Masters App is considered best sports app (Netflix execs say it is the best streaming app…after Netflix). A funny subplot: it’s powered by IBM and is basically IBM’s only AI-related win in past 5 years. IBM runs a bunch of ads...
WNBA Free Agency Tracker: Welcome to the Million-Dollar Era
The WNBA’s free‑agency market has entered a million‑dollar era as the new collective bargaining agreement raises the salary‑cap share for top contracts. Jackie Young became the league’s first player to sign a seven‑figure annual deal, and Nneka Ogwumike is expected to...
Joe Buck Aims to Finish Career at ESPN
NEWS: Joe Buck says he wants to remain at ESPN for the rest of his career. His ESPN contract expires at the end of this NFL season. Story for @SBJ: https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/04/10/joe-buck-hopes-to-remain-at-espn-for-the-rest-of-my-career/
Falcons Secure Bijan Robinson Early, $15M Deal
The #Falcons are exercising RB Bijan Robinson's 5th-year option for 2027, putting the 24-year-old on a 2 year, $15M fully guaranteed contract. An extension near or at the top of the RB market ($20M+) is largely expected in the coming weeks.
Eagles Land Wicks, Packers Gain Future Picks, Cap Relief
#NFL TRADE #Eagles Acquire WR Dontayvion Wicks #Packers Acquire 2026 5th-Rd Pick 2027 6th-Rd Pick Wicks signed a 1-year, $12.5M extension as part of the move, joining Philly on a 2 year, $16.1M contract. Green Bay frees up $3.6M of cap space.
Lego Goes Full Throttle with F1 Sponsorship
Brick trophies, a life-size pink Cadillac and a team sponsorship: Why Lego is going all in on F1 https://t.co/b47WW6PIWo
Insights on Tampa Bay Rays Stadium Proposal Interview
Here's an interview I did on the Tampa Bay Rays stadium proposal from earlier today https://t.co/t7TFhX1OhI
Minnesota Senate Pushes Online Sweeps Ban to Finance Committee
Minnesota Senate lawmakers advance an online sweeps ban bill out of committee for the second time in as many days; bill now goes to the powerful Finance Commitee, where from there it could be sent to the full Senate floor
Stadium Tax District Fails to Cover Debt, Never Self‑sustaining
The article teaser provides an incorrect description. As planned, the city set aside extra money to pay off the initial debt. The stadium and tax district are absolutely NOT producing sufficient revenue to cover the debt with a surplus. This...
Stu Jackson’s WCC Strategy Evolves with UCSB Addition
Given news that UCSB is joining the WCC, per @JonRothstein, here's our late-March look at commissioner Stu Jackson's strategy for the conference: https://t.co/D8i6SvwJF5
Public Money Funding Expensive Sports Arenas Sparks Debate
Well, using tax dollars to build a new multi-billion dollar NFL stadium and refurbish the NBA/NHL arena sure seems like a wise idea.
Welcome to Wrexham Renewed Through 2029, Season 5 Drops May 14
The #WelcomeToWrexham docuseries has been renewed for 3 seasons, taking the show through Season 8 in 2029. Season 5 premieres on Thursday, May 14, with two episodes; individual episodes drop each following week on #FXX and #Hulu. #streaming $DIS
Voters Love Rays Stadium, Balk at Funding
Polling on the funding plan for the Rays stadium is just brutal. Even though many folks say say they'd like the idea, they don't want to pay for it. https://t.co/08hS0v9fgy https://t.co/3vnTMPbNTy