Today's Sports Business Pulse
Messi joins Ronaldo in billionaire football ranks after US endorsement deals
Lionel Messi's net worth now exceeds $1 billion, matching Cristiano Ronaldo as the only footballers to reach that milestone. The surge comes from a series of high‑value U.S. endorsement and licensing agreements across apparel, technology, and media.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Lucra raises $20M Series A
Friday Briefing: KAA Gent Launch Legal Action over Pro League Format Decision
Belgian club KAA Gent has filed legal actions demanding a new vote to revert the Pro League to a 16‑team format with play‑offs, arguing the recent U23 quota changes invalidate the February 2025 decision for an 18‑team league. Meanwhile, Spanish side Real Sociedad posted a first‑half profit of $45 million, up 8%, thanks largely to $81 million in player‑sale proceeds, even as total revenue slipped 16% to $57 million. In a separate development, Nike is in exclusive talks to become UEFA’s official match‑ball supplier from 2027, with a proposed contract exceeding $44 million per season, potentially doubling the current deal. These moves reflect shifting power dynamics and commercial strategies across European football.
CyberCX Kicking Goals with Expanded Collingwood Football Club Partnership
CyberCX has elevated its relationship with Collingwood Football Club to a major partnership, building on a two‑year collaboration that already provided app integration and cyber‑safety training. The firm now delivers 24/7 security operations centre monitoring and penetration testing for the...
WNBA and NBA Board of Governors Approve WNBA Expansion Teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia
The WNBA and NBA Board of Governors officially approved three new franchise locations: Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia. Cleveland’s team will begin competition in the 2028 season, Detroit follows in 2029, and Philadelphia launches in 2030. The expansion marks the league’s...
Huddersfield Town's Wages Outpace Revenue, Losses Soar
Huddersfield Town submit 24/25 accounts when the club finished 10th in League One.🔑 figures #HTAFC ⚽️Revenue £10.6m ⬇️ 41% ⚽️Wages £16.9m ⬇️ 23% ⚽️Wages 159% of revenue ⚽️Average weekly wage £7,100 ⚽️Highest paid director £448k ⚽️Underlying loss £21.5m ⬆️ 14% ⚽️Player sale profits £1.6m ⬇️64% ⚽️Pre tax...
MLB Average Salary Hits Record $5.34M; Mets Top Spenders
AP study: MLB average salary hits a record $5.34M as the Mets lead spending again https://t.co/ewiWj2Mrsd
TV Ratings (9/4/2026): 1.4M People Tune Into The NRL For A ‘Famous Night’
The NRL broadcast of the Canterbury‑Bankstown Bulldogs’ 16‑point victory over the Penrith Panthers attracted more than 1.4 million viewers, with a national average audience of 699,000. The upset ended the Panthers’ five‑game winning streak and marked the Bulldogs’ third win of...
Sport Draws Crowds and a Drama Feat on Thursday
Thursday’s Australian TV ratings showed sport driving viewership, with the NRL broadcast attracting 699,000 viewers and narrowly surpassing the AFL Gather Round. Nine Network led the national audience tally at 699,000, just ahead of Seven’s 667,000. Seven’s entertainment flagship Home...
Justice Department Probes NFL As Consumers Say Watching Football Is Too Expensive
The U.S. Justice Department has opened an antitrust investigation into the National Football League’s broadcast and streaming practices, alleging possible anti‑competitive tactics that may be inflating fan costs. Consumers complain they must juggle multiple subscriptions to watch all desired games,...
Sportsbet Pulls NRL Fundraising Campaign Over Commercial Conflicts
Sportsbet has withdrawn its annual NRL "Try July" fundraising campaign after clubs raised concerns that on‑field celebrations would clash with existing betting sponsors. The program promised to donate AU$5,000 (≈US$3,300) per try and has raised nearly AU$2 million (≈US$1.3 million) for the Australian...
Sling TV Launches “Essential” Pack with ESPN, Disney Channel
Sling TV introduced a new $20 per month "Sling Essentials" package that bundles ESPN, ESPN2 and more than a dozen family and classic channels, including Disney Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. The offering pulls content from the existing Sling...
Dink Pate Highlights NCAA's Inconsistent Pro-Player Eligibility
Dink Pate has played three seasons in the G League, and is now off to play college basketball. This is why it will be hard for the NCAA to tell judges that certain pro players—and G League players are pros...
Series A Free Weekender on DAZN
DAZN is offering UK and Ireland viewers a free weekend of Serie A Matchday 32 from April 10‑13, covering seven live fixtures. The promotion includes high‑stakes games such as Inter Milan versus Como, a potential title‑clinching showdown, and a relegation battle featuring Jamie Vardy’s...
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new 'Canzano & Wilner' pod with @johncanzanobft takes aim at NCAAT expansion, WSU hiring Haarlow, Arizona's flameout and the Lloyd extension, what's next for the P12 and MW and more https://t.co/ogQYBkdES8
Taiwan Athletics Open Canceled Due to Budget Holdup
The Chinese Taipei Athletics Association announced the cancellation of the Taiwan Athletics Open, originally slated for June 6‑7, after the Ministry of Sports’ FY2026 budget remained stuck in the legislature. All registration fees will be fully reimbursed, and Minister Lee...
Sources: Aces Agree to $1.19M Deal with Young
The Las Vegas Aces are close to re‑signing four‑time All‑Star guard Jackie Young on a one‑year deal at the league‑maximum $1.19 million. Young, a former No. 1 overall pick and two‑time Olympic gold medalist, has been a cornerstone of the Aces' three championships...
What Is Fox Really After with the NFL and Streaming?
Fox Corporation filed a public comment with the FCC urging regulators to extend the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act protections to streaming platforms, arguing that pay‑walled services threaten free over‑the‑air sports and local news. The move comes as broadcast sports inventories...
NFL Under Federal Investigation for Potential Anticompetitive Practices, AP Source Says
The Justice Department has launched an antitrust investigation into the NFL’s media‑distribution model, focusing on consumer affordability and fair competition. The probe follows a Senate‑led call to reassess the Sports Broadcasting Act exemption that lets the league collectively license games....
Wisconsin Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Online Sports Betting Run by Tribes
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed a bill that legalizes online sports betting, but restricts it to platforms operated on tribal land and governed by tribal gaming compacts. The legislation adds an exception to the state’s definition of a bet, allowing...
Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds Bring Chaos, Banter (and Sailing) Ahead of Rio Grand Prix
Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have fronted a new advertising spot for the BONDS Flying Roos, co‑owned by the duo, in partnership with work‑management platform monday.com. The campaign, released ahead of the SailGP Rio Grand Prix on April...
2026 WNBA Free Agency Tracker: Follow the Biggest Moves with New $1.4 Million Supermax on the Table
The 2026 WNBA free‑agency period, the most active and lucrative in league history, began on April 6 with qualifying offers and core designations. A new collective bargaining agreement raises the minimum salary to $270‑$300 K and sets a $1.4 million supermax, the highest...
TNT Sports, DAZN Launch US Boxing Partnership
TNT Sports and DAZN have formed a U.S.-only partnership to launch a monthly boxing series called "The Fight," debuting on July 4. The collaboration brings together top promoters such as Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy and Queensberry, delivering marquee bouts...
Fastly, LaLiga Collaborate on Anti-Piracy Innovation
Fastly and Spain’s LaLiga have launched a joint anti‑piracy project that uses AI‑driven edge detection to spot illegal live‑stream copies in real time. LaLiga estimates piracy costs its clubs $700‑$800 million annually, and the partnership aims to shrink that loss by...
John Ourand: FCC Pressure, Lack of Bidding Market Could Hurt NFL’s Leverage in Media Deal Renegotiations
The NFL is renegotiating its broadcast contracts ahead of the 2026 season, eyeing a roughly 50% revenue increase from a new deal with CBS. John Ourand warns that the league’s leverage is eroding because there are no fresh bidders for...
The NFL’s 18th Game Kremlinology
The Department of Justice has launched an antitrust investigation into whether the NFL breached the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which shields the league’s ability to negotiate collective media contracts. The probe arrives just as the league was signaling a...
L.A. Officials Raise Alarms over Crippling Olympic Costs: 'Bankruptcy Cannot Be the Legacy'
Los Angeles officials are pressing LA28 for a binding contract that guarantees the organizing committee will cover any excess costs the city incurs for policing, transportation, sanitation and other services during the 2028 Olympic Games. The Games are projected to...
Tier‑2 Sports Must Leverage New Non‑Rights Video Revenue
Even though the sports media rights pie will almost certainly grow over the next decade the tippy-top of Tier 1 sports (such as the @NFL) are going consume most of that growth. That means Tier 2 and 3...
Emerging Sports Leagues Offer Rapid Building Opportunities
It’s time to build. And sports is no exception, in fact it’s one of the best places to build right now because all these emerging leagues will grow fast and because they’d never seen investment before, there no inertia or...
WhatsApp Partners with Arsenal Football Club
WhatsApp announced a partnership with Arsenal Football Club to deepen fan engagement through an official WhatsApp channel and a new documentary titled “It’s Official.” The collaboration launches the film across WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, while offering exclusive digital experiences...
Early Olympic Ticket Sales: Fans Met With High Prices, Tech Issues
The LA28 Olympic ticket presale, the earliest in Games history, opened with prices ranging from $28 to $5,519. Nearly 50% of tickets were under $200 and 75% under $400, but a 24% service fee inflated final costs. Fans faced technical...
Is the Last Sunday in February Too Late for the Super Bowl? The NFL Doesn’t Appear to Think So
The NFL has deliberately left the Super Bowl LXII date (Feb 13, 2028) unannounced to preserve scheduling flexibility as it eyes an 18‑game season by 2027. Adding a game would extend the calendar to 20 weeks, pushing the championship to Presidents Day...
Wisconsin Tribes Weigh Casino Branding vs Revenue Partnerships
At least these tribes own casinos in Wisconsin - Menominee (partnering with Hard Rock in Kenosha to open later) - Potowatomi - Ho Chunk - Oneida - Chippewa (at least three different bands own casinos, so not sure if they would have one or...
Locking NFL Rights Now Fuels Future Media Consolidation
lol…Here, let me help: Having NFL rights unquestionably locked down will be a strategic asset as the industry proceeds towards future media consolidation, which is coming for everyone, eventually…
EXEC: Academy Sports Scores Stock Price Upgrades Following Analyst Day
Academy Sports + Outdoors unveiled a five‑year growth plan that projects 5% annual sales growth, 125 new stores and e‑commerce rising to 15% of revenue by 2030. The outlook prompted several analysts to lift price targets, with B. Riley moving...
FloSports Elevates COO Jayar Donlan to President
FloSports is promoting Jayar Donlan from COO to president, reporting to CEO & co-founder Mark Floreani. Donlan joined FloSports in 2023. Check out his 2021 Forty Under 40 profile (when he was with WWE): https://t.co/kP07OW8MhT
DOJ Probe Unlikely to Directly Alter NFL Streaming
Will the Justice Department's investigation into the NFL lead to major changes in how we watch and stream NFL games? I'm skeptical. It's possible there will be changes, but I think they would come about via courts or market effects. My @Sportico...
Amazon Passes Masters Test During Debut
Amazon’s Prime Video made its live‑sports debut by exclusively streaming the first round of the Masters on Thursday, using CBS’s production crew and talent. The broadcast featured the standard CBS commentary team with Amazon’s branding limited to a logo overlay...
Los Angeles World Cup Fan Fests Will Not Be Free
Los Angeles will charge admission for its World Cup Fan Fest events, a first for the traditionally free FIFA watch parties. The opening celebration at USC’s Memorial Coliseum and ten additional regional zones will require tickets for anyone 12 and...
AllCity Network Strikes Sales, Content Partnership with KC Sports Network
AllCity Network announced a strategic partnership with the Kansas City Sports Network, becoming its exclusive sales representative while collaborating on content and distribution. KCSN will retain editorial and production control, leveraging its 33,000‑subscriber YouTube channel and 20,000 Substack followers. The...
Stadiums Fail as Economic Drivers, Research Confirms
The Royals are absolutely NOT an economic driver. 50 years of research shows that stadiums are inadvisable public investments. To suggest otherwise is akin to arguing that smoking does not cause cancer.
Wisconsin Gets Mobile Sportsbooks, Major Brands Still Missing
Wisconsin sports bettors The good news: You'll soon have legal statewide mobile sportsbooks, probably by year's end The bad news: It may be years (if ever) until you see most major national sportsbook brands
Racing’s Taxpayer-Funded $56m Slushie Attracts NSW Auditor’s Crop
The NSW Auditor‑General has criticised the Racing for the Regions program after a $126 million (≈$83 million USD) upgrade at a state track, of which $58.6 million (≈$38.7 million USD) came from taxpayer funds. The audit found the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality...
Demanding Proven Public Benefits for Stadium Funding
I reiterate my request to anyone advocating on behalf of a public stadium as an "economic development" project. Provide one example where the public return has been *credibly* documented to be positive.
Gov Says Sports Betting Bill Opens Tribal Collaboration
Wisconsin Gov on signing sports betting bill into law: "This legislation is the beginning of a conversation, not the end of one. The real work begins today. Each of the 11 Tribes must now work diligently-and together-to shape the future of...
Bryson DeChambeau Takes Driver’s Seat as LIV Golf Talks Heat Up
Bryson DeChambeau, the LIV Golf marquee player, is approaching the end of his $125 million guaranteed contract that runs through 2026. His on‑course success – five LIV wins, a 2024 U.S. Open title and two recent PGA Championship runner‑up finishes –...
ESPN Layoffs and Masters Preview Dissected on Podcast
I always love going on @PeterHamby's great The Powers That Be podcast. This week, we hashed out ESPN's job cuts and offered a Masters preview. https://t.co/LXZeklVwQZ
Portland Fire+ Streaming Platform Launches
Portland’s new WNBA franchise has launched Portland Fire+, a direct‑to‑consumer streaming service priced at $5.99 per month or $59.99 annually. The platform, built with Kiswe’s streaming technology and featuring live game broadcasts by Chime, offers original series, player features, and...
CoinW Taps Luka Modrić as Global Brand Ambassador to Drive Crypto Adoption
CoinW announced that Croatian football legend Luka Modrić will serve as its global brand ambassador. The partnership, unveiled on April 9, 2026, aims to leverage the World Cup spotlight to attract new users to the platform, which already counts more...
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández Joining Fox Sports as Analyst for 2026 World Cup
Fox Sports announced that Mexican soccer legend Javier “Chicharito” Hernández will serve as a studio analyst for its FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage. Hernández, Mexico’s all‑time leading scorer with 52 goals, retired in 2025 after a 17‑year career spanning clubs...
Under Armour, Dick’s SG Form Youth Sports Partnership with Unrivaled Sports
Under Armour and Dick’s Sporting Goods have teamed with Unrivaled Sports to launch a youth‑sports partnership. The collaboration will debut with the Ripken Nationals 12‑U baseball championship, featuring Under Armour apparel and Dick’s livestream coverage. Both brands will also support...
Current List of Schools Announcing Jersey Patch Partners
These are the schools I have so far in my notes as having announced jersey patch partners. Am I forgetting anybody? I know of a lot more who are WORKING on this, but I'm just tracking announcements atm https://t.co/rZMLfwmz4y