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
Pokémon GO and MLB Extend Collaboration for 2026 Season
Niantic’s Pokémon GO will continue its partnership with Major League Baseball through the 2026 season, bringing Official Routes, club‑branded PokéStops, and themed in‑stadium games to every MLB ballpark. Selected clubs will host special events featuring Pikachu raids, hour‑long lure bonuses, timed research, avatar items and exclusive merchandise. The avatar items and research rewards are available from April 22 to September 30, 2026, with a schedule covering 12 venues and the New York Mets date still pending. The collaboration deepens the crossover between mobile AR gaming and live sports entertainment.
Colette Watson to Retire as President of Rogers Sports & Media
Colette Watson, a veteran of more than 35 years at Rogers, will retire as president of Rogers Sports & Media in mid‑May, remaining in an advisory role through the fall. She has led the division since 2022, overseeing flagship deals...
NBC Thrilled With Year 1 Of NBA Deal
NBC celebrated a strong debut season after rejoining the NBA under the league’s 11‑year, $76 billion media rights agreement. The network’s flagship innovation, “On The Bench,” placed analysts on each team’s bench for full‑game coverage, debuting on Monday and expanding to...
President Nangagwa Ends Unpaid Players, Boosts Teams
President @edmnangagwa has been very consistent in supporting the National Teams… It’s not just moral support, many a time he mobilised financial resources for the National Teams…. The days of unpaid players and other financial inadequacies are over…. With this...
News: Nashville Predators, Michael Malone, Sue Bird and More
The Nashville Predators signed a multiyear over‑the‑air agreement with Scripps Sports, moving their regional games to the newly branded “The Spot — Nashville 28” and ending their reliance on the Main Street Sports Network. Former NBA coach and ESPN analyst Michael Malone was...
How the WTA Balances Purpose and Returns: Seven Takeaways From CEO Portia Archer
WTA chief executive Portia Archer said the tour is moving beyond a pure purpose narrative to become a high‑growth commercial property. With more than 1 billion fans, 50 tournaments across 26 countries, the association secured a $50 million‑per‑year Mercedes‑Benz partnership and a...
The Pro Shop Just Got Its Time Back: How GOLF.AI's AI Concierge Is Transforming Golf Operations — And Saving Courses...
Golf courses face productivity losses from frequent pro shop phone calls, with missed bookings costing up to $53,000 annually per course. GOLF.AI introduced an AI Concierge Agent that answers all inbound calls, integrates instantly with existing booking systems, and requires...
Nike’s Covering Its Classic Air Force 1 in Denim for Latest Ja Morant Collaboration
Nike has unveiled a new Ja Morant × Air Force 1 Low featuring a washed‑out blue denim upper and seamless Vac Tech‑inspired construction. The Light Armory Blue/Metallic Silver/White release is priced at $130 and will drop Friday at select retailers like DTLR, with an online launch expected soon. This...
The Masters Already Perfected the Big-Event Curtain Raiser
The Masters’ Par‑3 Contest, launched in 1960, is the sport’s original curtain‑raiser, predating modern ancillary events like Formula 1 sprint races and U.S. Open mixed‑doubles revamps. By featuring top players and their families in a relaxed nine‑hole exhibition, it humanizes golf’s...
Which Young MLB Stars Could Get an Extension Next? Top Prospects in Line for a Long-Term Deal
Young MLB stars are securing long‑term, high‑value contracts almost immediately after debuting. The Pittsburgh Pirates locked shortstop Konnor Griffin into a nine‑year, $140 million deal, while Seattle and Milwaukee recently extended Colt Emerson (eight years, $95 million) and Cooper Pratt (eight years,...
NFL’s Melbourne Opener Sparks Frenzy, Ticket Issues, Team Unease
The NFL’s inaugural regular‑season game in Melbourne on Sept. 10 sparked a ticket frenzy, with 151,000 fans vying for seats at the 100,000‑capacity MCG. General sales sold out in under 30 minutes, leaving only VIP tickets priced from $1,750 AUS (≈$1,234 USD). The...
World Cup 2026: Demand Is Coming. Are You Ready?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will bring a massive surge of visitors to U.S. host cities, creating unprecedented demand for businesses operating in stadium corridors. To help operators capture this opportunity, a live briefing titled “Stadium Corridor Readiness” is scheduled...
Ski Pass or Pass on Skiing? Lawsuit Claims Slopes Are Rigged
A class-action lawsuit filed in March alleges Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain are fixing lift ticket prices to push skiers into expensive multi‑resort season passes. The complaint says daily tickets are inflated, limiting competition and forcing consumers into four‑figure pass...
North Carolina Makes Michael Malone Among College Basketball’s Richest
North Carolina has hired former NBA champion coach Michael Malone as its men’s basketball head coach, signing him to a six‑year, $50 million contract that starts at $7.5 million and climbs to $9 million. The deal includes $1.475 million in annual performance bonuses, a...
Huge Changes Coming to VCT in 2027
Riot Games will overhaul the Valorant Champions Tour in 2027, replacing its franchise league with an open tournament structure. Teams will start in open qualifiers, progress to regional events, then to international Masters and Champions stages. The new model introduces...
Budweiser Reveals JRK-Designed FIFA World Cup Anniversary Packs
Budweiser is marking four decades as the official FIFA World Cup sponsor with a limited‑edition line of aluminum cans and bottles designed by JRK. The collectible packaging showcases graphics from every tournament since Mexico ’86 and rolls out ahead of the...
Impossible Foods Partners with Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks & Rangers
Impossible Foods has signed a multi‑year deal to become the official plant‑based burger partner of Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. The agreement includes a dedicated concession stand, the Impossible Grille, serving a menu...
Fanatics Inks Wide-Ranging Sponsor Deal With AT&T
Fanatics announced a broad sponsorship agreement with AT&T that will embed the telecom brand in Fanatics' emerging media and entertainment content, make AT&T an official partner of Fanatics Fest in New York, and power joint watch parties for marquee sporting...
YETI Natural Selection Ski Returns to Alaska 2026 with Expanded Backcountry Lineup
YETI Natural Selection Ski is back in Alaska for 2026, bringing an expanded roster of the world’s top freeride and freestyle skiers to a one‑day, weather‑dependent backcountry showdown. The event blends raw alpine terrain with high‑tech live streaming, underscoring the...
MLB 2026 Buzz: Pirates Sign Top MLB Prospect Konnor Griffin to Historic Deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed 19‑year‑old shortstop Konnor Griffin to a nine‑year, $140 million contract, the largest in franchise history. Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in MLB Pipeline and the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft, debuted last week and posted a...
Victoria’s Secret Launches First Strapless Campaign Featuring WNBA Star Angel Reese
Victoria’s Secret announced its global 'Season of Strapless' campaign on April 7, 2026, starring two‑time WNBA All‑Star Angel Reese. The partnership introduces the Invisible by Victoria’s Secret Strapless Collection, a summer swim line and a new Bombshell Bronze fragrance, positioning...
NFL Media Rights Surge: Mini‑Packages, Streaming, Flag League Prospects
NEW PODCAST: The guest is Ben Fischer of @sportsbusinessjournal Topics: How pricey will the NFL get in the future for media companies? The latest on on the four-game mini-package and distributor for the NFL's Melbourne game; teams being able to...
Ohio Mobile Betting Ban Unlikely to Pass, Says Analyst
Do I think the Ohio mobile betting ban bill will pass? No. None of the 31 states with legal digital books have seriously considered it. But a press conference announcing this bill means at least some elected officials believe the...
The Cast Of Characters May Change, But The Brewers Just Keep Winning
The Milwaukee Brewers continue to dominate MLB standings by trading away star players like Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta before they reach free agency, receiving promising prospects in return. Their front office secures homegrown talent early, exemplified by...
Appeals Courts' NCAA Rulings May Prompt Supreme Court Review
As the NCAA weighs new eligibility rules and President Trump pushes for a 5-year limit, multiple federal courts of appeals have issued rulings on NCAA eligibility antitrust cases. That could open the door for the U.S. Supreme Court. Details + Analysis: https://t.co/jisIdmjHNl.
Dodgers' Digital Ticket Rule Bars 81‑year‑old Fan
BIG time fail by the @dodgers. Their new digital-only ticket policy left 81-year-old season-ticket holder Errol Segal unable to attend Opening Day for the first time in 50 years. Segal, who uses a flip phone, said the team refused to...
Brewers Sign Not-Yet-A-Rookie Cooper Pratt To A $50 Million Extension
The Milwaukee Brewers have signed 21‑year‑old shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt to an eight‑year, $50 million extension before he makes his MLB debut. Represented by Scott Boras, Pratt chose long‑term security over testing free agency. Known for elite defense, he posted a...
Alt-Cast Draws 6% Viewership, Peaks at 1.5 M Viewers
The Fab Five alt-cast on truTV drew 810,000 viewers Saturday night -- or around 6% of the total audience for Michigan-Arizona. But the blowtout meant the audience peaked in the first half -- to the tune of 1.5 million viewers https://t.co/rDh9sEg8XT
Big Ten's Triple Crown Sparks Power Play Debate
The Big Ten completed a rare three-sport sweep (FB, MBB, WBB) with Michigan's championship. Does it rent or own the college sports throne and, more importantly, how will it use the leverage? -->
Netflix Steps Into the Ring with Domino's and Sky Vegas for First UK Live Boxing Broadcast
Netflix is launching its first UK live‑boxing broadcast, teaming with Domino’s and Sky Vegas to air the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov. The bout marks Fury’s return from retirement, generating significant buzz across sports and entertainment markets. By...
Seeking Ideal Publication Partners for a $16 Bundle
VERY HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION lets say that instead of paying nine bucks a month to read Extra Points, you could pay ~16ish and also get 1 or 2 other publications/paywalled podcasts. If that was possible, who would want...
Sue Bird Set to Join NBC/Peacock WNBA Analyst Team
Glass Break: Sue Bird is expected to be named as an analyst on NBC/Peacock WNBA coverage https://t.co/uyH8O2aQVR
Varsity Nears Trial in Latest Cheer Antitrust Suit. Will It Proceed?
Varsity Brands, the dominant force in all‑star cheerleading, is headed to a three‑week jury trial beginning June 9 in Amarillo, Texas, marking the first antitrust case to reach the courtroom after two prior settlements totalling $126 million. The lawsuit, filed by Open...
Varsity Nears Trial in New Cheer Antitrust Case
Cheerleading News 📣 Varsity Nears Trial in Latest Cheer Antitrust Suit. Will It Proceed? https://t.co/nNl05G5PAS via @sportico @DanielLibit
Ticketing Woes Eclipse FIFA's World Cup Controversies
There are certain issues hanging over this World Cup that are bigger than FIFA. Ticketing is one thing the governing body has full control over, and it has been the subject of intense criticism from the moment the sales process...
Axel Arigato in Sneaker Deal with UK Tennis Star Draper
Swedish sneaker label Axel Arigato has announced a creative collaboration with British tennis rising star Jack Draper, positioning the athlete as a brand creative collaborator. The partnership emerged from Draper’s long‑standing affinity for the brand and involved joint design sessions with...
Top 10 Highest-Paid Golfers Revealed
Here is @Sportico's list of the ten highest paid golfers. Take a guess if that's your speed. Link in the next Tweet. https://t.co/Av0yMbjwFQ
Teenagers Lock in Multi‑year, Multi‑hundred‑
MLB Contract Extensions, Youngest Age at Signing Jackson Chourio: 19 yrs, 8 mo. (8-years, $82M, MIL) Konnor Griffin: 19 yrs, 11 mo. (9-years, $140M, PIT) Wander Franco: 20 yrs, 8 mo. (11-years, $182M, TB) Colt Emerson: 20 yrs, 8 mo. (8-years, $95M, SEA)
Sue Bird to Join NBC Sports as WNBA Studio Analyst in May 2026
Sue Bird, four‑time WNBA champion and Hall of Famer, will become NBC Sports' studio analyst when the league returns to NBC and Peacock in May 2026. The appointment coincides with NBCUniversal's new 11‑year media rights agreement that will broadcast regular‑season...
NFL's Biggest Off-Field Issues Explored in New Podcast
New pod: @ProFootballTalk on the NFL's top off-the-field issues: media rights, antitrust exemptions, referee labor talks... https://t.co/ZLFDadV2Np
Tiger Woods Ranks 5th Highest‑paid Golfer, $54M Earnings
Tiger Woods hasn’t had the greatest year on or off the course, but he’s still the 5th highest-paid golfer over the past year, earning $54.2 million almost entirely from endorsements & business deals. Check out @Sportico’s World’s Highest Paid Golfer...
KSE Scores Two Executives to Lead Commercial, Analytics
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment announced two senior hires: Lacy Ekert will join as Chief Commercial Officer on May 1, and Curran Raclin will serve as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Analytics. Ekert arrives from the Cincinnati Bengals, where she oversaw...
Harvard Sports Law Symposium Explores Future of Prediction Markets
Today at @Harvard_Law, Melinda Roth, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard, and I will debate and dissect the future of prediction markets at Harvard’s annual #sportslaw symposium. Open to the public. Begins at 5:30 pm. Reception to follow. https://t.co/HrmEE5ufTg
League One Clubs Hit over £1 Bn Losses
We are still awaiting results from Rotherham and Huddersfield, but League One clubs between them have managed to accumulate over £1 billion pounds in losses over the years for the first time since records began, so here is a deep(ish)...
Burton Snowboards CEO John Lacy Departs
Burton Snowboards announced that CEO John Lacy, a 29‑year veteran, will depart the company, remaining until the end of June to aid transition. Founder’s widow Donna Carpenter will step in as interim CEO while the board conducts a search for...
Stadium Funding Threatens $2.6B Infrastructure Projects
Hillsborough County previously identified $2.6B worth of roads, sewers, etc. to use Community Reinvestment Tax funds on — meaning diverting $437m to a Rays stadium could require cutting back on building actual public infrastructure. https://t.co/AY7YLzBXOF
Pirates' Top Five Contracts Total Over $450M
Largest Contracts in Pittsburgh #Pirates History Konnor Griffin: 9-yrs, $140M Bryan Reynolds: 8-yrs, $106M Mitch Keller: 5-yrs, $77M Ke'Bryan Hayes: 8-yrs, $70M Jason Kendall: 6-yrs, $60M
Konnor Griffin, Pirates Agree on Record 9-Year Extension
The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed 19‑year‑old shortstop Konnor Griffin to a record‑breaking nine‑year, $140 million extension that runs through 2034. The deal eclipses the franchise’s previous high, Bryan Reynolds’ $106.75 million contract, and locks in a top prospect who posted a .333/.415/.527...
Gen Z Exploited by Sports Betting Ads, Concerns Ignored
Gen Z will learn like all generations do, that your main concerns will not be addressed. Instead they will be exploited Gen Z is getting bombarded with sports gambling and prediction market ads as the powers that be suck them...
Jon Rahm Tops Earnings, $102M Driven by LIV
Jon Rahm was the highest-paid golfer in the world over the past 12 months, earning $102 million, with a sizable chunk of that coming from his contract with LIV Golf https://t.co/w4jVbxzdOO