Acura Sponsors Car At Indy 500, But Pauses IMSA Effort After 2026
Acura is expanding its motorsport marketing by sponsoring Marcus Armstrong's No. 66 Honda at the 2026 Indianapolis 500, marking the brand's first Indy 500 appearance. The move follows a successful livery debut at the Long Beach Grand Prix, where Felix Rosenqvist secured pole and a runner‑up finish. Simultaneously, Honda Racing USA announced it will pause the Acura IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP program after the 2026 season, ending a run that produced 25 wins, 34 poles and ten championships. The shift aligns with record IndyCar TV audiences and a strategic focus on high‑visibility platforms.
Sports Betting States Where It’s Legal in the US 2026 (Full List)
As of April 2026, sports betting is legal in 39 U.S. states plus Washington DC, with 30 of those jurisdictions offering online wagering through licensed apps. The market exploded after the Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018, allowing each state to...
Physie Finds Its Feel-Good in First National Campaign via Elevencom and Pearman Media
BJP Physie, a century‑old Australian dance‑sport organization, has launched its first national advertising campaign in partnership with creative agency Elevencom and media buyer Pearman Media. The "find your feel‑good at Physie" campaign rolls out on bus‑sides, BVOD, YouTube and social...
The World’s Top 10 Favorite Male Surfers
The 2025 Stab reader survey of 7,500 surf fans identified the world’s favorite male surfers based on marketability. Hawaiian star John John Florence claimed the top spot, with his boardshort brand capturing nearly one‑quarter of votes, up from 6% in...
TNT Rides NHL’s Playoff Momentum After Shuffling Rights Portfolio
TNT Sports is leveraging its recent NCAA ratings high to dominate the 2025‑26 NHL playoff season, delivering an average of 381,000 viewers on its cable networks—up 21% year‑over‑year. The league’s overall ratings rose 23%, giving the NHL its best national...
NBA Playoffs 2026: First-Round Matchups, TV Schedule, How to Watch Tonight's Games
The NBA’s 2026 playoffs are now split among Disney (ABC/ESPN), Comcast (NBC/Peacock) and Amazon (Prime Video) under a new media‑rights deal. NBC/Peacock will broadcast the most first‑round games—up to 23—and the Western Conference Finals, while ESPN/ABC carries the Eastern Conference...
NFL Defends Broadcasting Strategy as Regulators Probe Shift to Pay TV
The NFL defended its broadcast model to the FCC, emphasizing that more than 87% of its games still air on free over‑the‑air TV and that every local‑market game is broadcast locally. The league highlighted that 86 of the top 100...
Advertisers Are Optimistic About Netflix’s Dynamic Ad Options
Netflix is expanding its ad-supported tier by offering dynamic ad insertion (DAI) for the 2027 Women’s World Cup broadcast. The streamer’s ad revenue is projected to reach $3 billion in 2026, reflecting steady growth since the ad tier launched in 2022....
Fever GM: Team Must Think ‘Long Term’ With Clark Payday Incoming
Indiana Fever general manager Amber Cox emphasized a long‑term roster strategy as the WNBA’s new EPIC contract provision reshapes salary‑cap dynamics. The rule let center Aliyah Boston secure a record four‑year, $6.3 million deal, and it positions rookie star Caitlin Clark...
NFL Draft Will Be Three-Day Ad Inventory Festival With Shoulder Pads
The NFL Draft returns April 23‑25, 2026 as a three‑day live event that has morphed into a massive advertising festival. CivicScience data shows 39% of respondents plan to watch, indicating a sizable audience despite overall TV fragmentation. Brands will be able...
Boxing-De La Hoya, Ali's Grandson Warn US Lawmakers Against Boxing Law Overhaul
Former champion Oscar De La Hoya and Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, testified before the Senate to oppose the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. The bill would replace the 2000 Ali Reform Act with a single, centralized entity...
IndyCar Ratings Surge For Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach On FOX
IndyCar’s broadcast on FOX saw a dramatic ratings surge during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 19, 2026. The race attracted 1.269 million viewers, a 130% increase over the 2025 telecast, and peaked at 1.527 million. Overall, FOX’s IndyCar...
F1 Boss: Politicians Created 'Almost Unrecoverable' Issues For Automakers
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali warned that aggressive European EV mandates have placed European automakers under severe strain, creating problems he described as "almost unrecoverable." The pressure to electrify has forced the FIA to shape F1 regulations around manufacturer interests, threatening...
Chelsea Fires Coach Less Than Four Months Into Six-Year Contract
Chelsea dismissed head coach Liam Rosenior after just four months of a six‑year, $5.4 million‑per‑year contract. The club has not won a Premier League match since early March, enduring five straight defeats without scoring. Rosenior’s exit could trigger a buyout ranging...
Who Will Your Team Take in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, April 23, and runs through Saturday, April 25, with round‑1 on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network at 8 p.m. ET. Hulu + Live TV bundles all three channels plus Disney+ and ESPN+ for roughly...
Banorte Pushes Cashless Payments at Azteca as World Cup Deadline Nears
Mexican lender Banorte, which holds naming rights to Estadio Azteca, is racing to make the stadium fully cashless ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The bank has rolled out portable card readers and installed Banorte‑branded ATMs, but early test...
PGA Tour Signature Event Ratings Momentum Slows After 2025 Surge
The PGA Tour’s $20 million signature events posted a modest 2% viewership gain in 2026, averaging 3.55 million viewers, after a 10% surge the prior year. Only the Arnold Palmer Invitational bucked the trend, rising 17.8%, while the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro‑Am,...
The Growing IP and Commercial Complexity of the Sports Industry
World Intellectual Property Day highlights the sports sector’s shift from simple trademark and copyright issues to a dense web of rights covering athlete branding, NIL deals, media distribution, wearable tech, and AI‑driven data. Intellectual property now sits at the heart...
Molly Seidel Signs with Satisfy
Molly Seidel, the 2021 Olympic marathon bronze medalist, has signed a new apparel deal with Paris‑based running brand Satisfy, ending her Puma contract that expired in December 2024. The partnership coincides with Seidel’s 2026 shift toward trail and ultra‑distance racing,...
FanDuel’s Latest Injury Promo Gets People Talking—And Betting
FanDuel launched Bet Protect+, a new insurance‑style promotion that lets bettors pay a flat 3% fee to have any injury‑related voids covered for an entire game, replacing its earlier quarter‑only policy. The feature is being rolled out in select states...
Reitmans Partners with Toronto Tempo for WNBA Debut
Canadian retailer Reitmans announced a partnership with the Toronto Tempo, the WNBA’s first Canadian franchise, to serve as presenting sponsor of the team’s dance crew, The Rhythm Section. The deal highlights Reitmans’ Hyba activewear line, which will create custom uniforms...
The Scoop: Nike Admits Misstep, Replaces Running Ad After Boston Marathon Backlash
Nike faced backlash after a Boston Marathon store sign read “Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated.” The phrasing was deemed exclusionary, especially toward adaptive athletes and casual walkers. Nike removed the sign within days, issued an apology, and replaced it with an...
VELO3D and ANDRETTI PERFORMANCE PARTNER FOR 2026 IMSA MICHELIN PILOT CHALLENGE
Velo3D, the metal‑additive‑manufacturing specialist, has signed a sponsorship with Andretti Performance for two 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge races at Laguna Seca and Indianapolis. The deal positions Velo3D as the official additive‑manufacturing technology provider, supplying a custom‑engineered aluminum CP1 radio‑control mounting...
UGREEN Debuts in Sports Arena with New England Patriots Pact
UGREEN, the global consumer‑tech brand, has signed a multi‑year deal to become the New England Patriots’ official technology accessory partner for the 2026 NFL season. The agreement introduces UGREEN’s ultra‑compact chargers and the new SynCare AIoT series to fans through...
DAZN to Keep Belgian Pro League Coverage
DAZN announced it will continue broadcasting the Belgian Pro League until the end of the 2026‑27 season, despite earlier attempts to walk away from the five‑year deal. The streaming service faced a Brussels court hearing where its lawyers confirmed the...
‘If the World only Remembers Our World Cup Sponsorship, We've Failed’: Lenovo’s Fifa Play
Lenovo has signed a multi‑year partnership with FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, positioning the deal as a technology platform rather than a traditional media buy. Jeff Shafer, the company’s global executive, says the goal is to embed Lenovo’s AI,...
U.S. Soccer and ŌURA Announce Long-Term Partnership, Naming Oura Ring Official Wearable of U.S. Soccer
Oura and U.S. Soccer have forged a long‑term partnership naming the Oura Ring the Official Wearable of U.S. Soccer and a founding partner of the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center. The ring will be deployed across all 27 national...
Most Valuable Soccer Teams: Real Madrid, Barça Lead at Combined $14B
Sportico’s latest valuation shows the world’s 50 most valuable soccer clubs now total $95.5 billion, an 11% jump year‑over‑year. Real Madrid and Barcelona remain on top, valued at $7.7 billion and $6.65 billion respectively, while six of the top ten spots belong to...
Canada Soccer Adds Samsung as Key Technology Partner Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Samsung Canada has signed a multi‑year exclusive agreement to serve as the official TV and mobile partner of Canada Soccer. The deal will embed Samsung’s AI‑powered televisions, smartphones, tablets and other connected devices across the men’s and women’s national teams...
Spain: UTECA Sues RTVE over World Cup Ads
Spain's private broadcasters association UTECA has filed an urgent lawsuit against state‑owned RTVE, demanding a court order to stop the public broadcaster from selling World Cup advertising slots to brands that are not official FIFA sponsors. UTECA argues the practice...
Puma Appoints Nike and ASICS Alum as Vice President of Global Wholesale
Puma has hired former Nike and ASICS executive Bertrand Blanc as Vice President of Global Wholesale, effective May 1. The newly created role tasks Blanc with shaping sales strategy and driving revenue across Puma’s international wholesale accounts. This appointment follows two...
Colgate Keeps the Smiles Coming with Extended AFL Partnership and New Campaign via VML
Colgate‑Palmolive has renewed its partnership with the Australian Football League, remaining the Official Smile of the AFL. A new hero campaign created by VML features Carlton captain Patrick Cripps, highlighting oral‑health benefits and personal resilience. The deal adds naming rights to...
EXCLUSIVE: Over the Years, Our Association with CSK Has Gone Far Beyond Visibility and Become a Strong Business Enabler for...
Gulf Oil Lubricants, a Hinduja Group company, has renewed its official lubricant partnership with the Chennai Super Kings for another four years, extending a 13‑season relationship. The deal deepens Gulf’s integrated marketing approach, moving beyond logo placement to digital storytelling,...
Sony Bags India Broadcast Rights for Asian Games 2026
Sony Pictures Networks India has secured exclusive television and digital rights to broadcast the 2026 Asian Games across the Indian subcontinent. The multi‑sport event, slated for September‑October 2026 in Aichi and Nagoya, will be shown on Sony Sports Network channels...
Professional Triathletes Organisation Appoints Peter Hutton To Chairman As Chris Kermode Steps Down
The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) announced Peter Hutton, former Meta Head of Sport and ex‑Eurosport CEO, as interim Chairman, succeeding Chris Kermode. Hutton joins the board in 2020 and will steer the PTO as it prepares for the 2027 launch...
Hublot Becomes E1’s Official Timekeeping Partner
Hublot has been named the Official Timekeeping Partner of the E1 World Championship, the first all‑electric raceboat series. The Swiss watchmaker will provide precision timing and brand activation across a season that races on four continents and reaches viewers in...
Skechers Adds Suryakumar Yadav as It Sharpens Focus on Cricket Market
Global sportswear brand Skechers has named Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav as its newest brand ambassador, reinforcing its push into the cricket market. The deal will see Yadav front digital, retail and broadcast campaigns promoting Skechers’ expanding line of cricket...
WBD Extends Giro D’Italia Rights
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has extended its exclusive rights to broadcast the Giro d’Italia, Giro d’Italia Women and a suite of premier Italian road races through at least 2029. The agreement with RCS Sport preserves coverage on Eurosport across 50...
Double Agent? Washington Cap Director Reps Rival Big Ten Players
The University of Washington hired NFL agent Cameron Foster as senior director of contracts and cap management, paying him $185,004 annually while allowing him to retain ownership of his agency, Reign Sports Management. Foster’s firm has begun registering Washington‑based LLCs...
FIFA Unlocks More World Cup Tickets and Adds New, More Expensive Categories
FIFA announced a fresh wave of World Cup tickets for all 104 matches, releasing additional seats in Categories 1, 2 and 3 at 11 am EDT. The governing body also introduced a premium “front category” tier, pushing the top price for a final‑stage ticket...
Bid for Harry Styles, Bon Jovi, Luke Combs, Bruno Mars and The Weeknd Hilton VIP Packages
Hilton Honors has extended its multi‑year partnership with the Football Association and Wembley Stadium to include VIP concert experiences featuring artists such as Harry Styles, Bruno Mars, Luke Combs, The Weeknd and Bon Jovi. Members can bid on limited‑supply packages that combine two‑person...
Nike Turns to Australia for Its First Local Tiktok Play
Nike has launched @nikeaustralia, the brand’s first country‑specific TikTok account, debuting with a CommBank Socceroos‑themed bulldozer stunt and later featuring Paralympian Dylan Alcott’s Ability Fest promotion. The move marks a shift from Nike’s global‑first model to a local‑first strategy that...
Is Splitting NRL Rights In The Long-Term Interest Of The Code?
The NRL is negotiating a record‑breaking 2028 TV deal that could split broadcast rights in an NFL‑style model, aiming to maximise short‑term revenue. While the approach may generate a larger cheque, it risks diluting audience reach and complicating fan access....
Topgolf Rival Chain Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Topgolf’s parent Callaway sold a 60% stake in the brand for $660 million, valuing Topgolf at $1.1 billion—down roughly 45% from its 2020 $2 billion equity value. Meanwhile, Craft Putt LLC, a two‑location mini‑golf and taproom chain, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Kansas, listing...
Churchill Downs Inc (CHDN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Churchill Downs reported record 2025 financial results, posting its highest ever net revenue and adjusted EBITDA, driven by strong Kentucky Derby wagering and growth in its Historical Racing Machine (HRM) portfolio. Free cash flow reached $700 million and the company returned...
NFL Goes to the FCC
The NFL met with Federal Communications Commission staff to argue that its reliance on free, over‑the‑air broadcasts benefits fans, local stations, and all 32 clubs. The league highlighted the steep decline in pay‑TV subscriptions and cited Amazon’s record‑breaking Thursday Night...
Nine Secures NBL Rights in Two Year Deal
Nine has secured a two‑year free‑to‑air broadcast agreement with the National Basketball League, delivering two marquee games each week on the 9Network and 9Now. The deal also includes live coverage of the NBL Finals, a weekly analysis show, and a...
The Dealmaking 3: NBA Playoffs on NBC, NFL Draft AI & $7M for Athletes
The Dealmaking 3 highlights three major sports‑industry moves. NBC Sports has signed an 11‑year agreement to broadcast NBA playoff games, marking its return to the league’s postseason. Amazon’s NFL Draft AI, branded as NFL IQ, now provides live fan‑prediction updates every...
Kelsey Plum Leaves Under Armour: Is Adidas Her Next Stop?
WNBA star Kelsey Plum has terminated her four‑year partnership with Under Armour ahead of the contract's 2026 expiration. The split follows Under Armour's earlier loss of Steph Curry and comes as Plum has been regularly spotted in adidas apparel, sparking...
Emery Barnes of Fanatics Sportsbook on Working With the Knicks and Megan Thee Stallion
Fanatics Sportsbook’s director of social media, Emery Barnes, sat down to discuss his Chicago roots, New York Knicks fandom, and the brand’s latest cultural push. He highlighted a high‑profile NBA campaign that paired the sportsbook with Megan Thee Stallion, marking...