Show-Me Act Funds Royals Stadium Despite Economic Ignorance
This is a pretty good interview that explains how the Show-Me act will subsidize the planned Royals stadium. It also reveals that the people who authored the bill don't know (or don't care) how the economics works.
Stadium Deal Coverage: Fake News Vs. Sycophancy Damages Trust
I've got a chapter in my book that examines media coverage of stadium deals "Fake News: Accidental Advocates and Editorial Sycophants." I present examples of both, and I'm not sure which does more damage. Journalists have a tough job to...
Andrew Marchand Returns: NFL Draft, Tomlin, Capitol Hill
New pod: @AndrewMarchand is back to talk NFL Draft, Tomlin to NBC and the NFL's Capitol Hill issues. https://t.co/nVdD1QcnJg
Liverpool Ticket Prices Soar 94% Amid 50% Inflation
In the season FSG acquired Liverpool, (2010/11) matchday revenue was £40.9m. Last season it was £115.6m, an increase of 183%. Matchday revenue is average attendance x number of matches x average price. Fans have to pay VAT of 20% on...
John Henry’s Final On‑record Stance: Never Sell Red Sox
The last time John Henry was asked on the record if he would ever sell the Red Sox (June 2024) https://t.co/arP7viaKRd
Saints Pay Premium for Wilson, Lose 5th‑Round Pick
#NFL TRADE #Saints Acquire 2026 7th-Rd Pick (#219) ED Tyree Wilson #Raiders Acquire 2026 5th-Rd Pick (#150) Wilson brings a fully guaranteed $4.1M in 2026, plus a $14.4M 5th-year option (due May 1st).
Post‑NIL Era Pushes Later‑Round Draft Ages Up
Interesting NFL Draft data ⬇️ Average age of picks on the 2nd and 3rd days has spiked since college football players became allowed to make money from NIL starting in 2021-22 (making it more lucrative to stay in school) 1st Round picks,...
NCAA's Undervaluation of Women's Basketball Is a Business Blunder
Historically, the NCAA saw at women’s hoops crushing men on social media… and still gave them scraps. This wasn’t just bias — it’s one of the dumbest business decisions in sports. The free market of attention already voted. Caitlin, Paige,...
NBA Should Offer Free Playoff Streams for Bars
Went to a bar to watch the Pistons game in between my kids game They don’t have Peacock The NBA needs to make all these streamers free for bars/restaurants during the playoffs
Nevada Should Leverage Presumption Against Preemption in 9th Circuit
Nevada should run, not walk, to the 9th Circuit and file the CA6 order as supplemental authority since it applies the “presumption against preemption”—describing the relevant field as “sports betting, not futures trading.” States win every case where the presumption...
Evaluating Tomlin's Analyst Potential Amid Vrabel‑Russini Debate
NEW: Can Mike Tomlin be impactful as an NFL studio analyst and our follow-up discussion on the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini story. Sports Media Roundtable with @paulsen_smw. @Armand_Broady and @derekfutterman: TO LISTEN: https://t.co/ldSOoKDIvD
Public Stadiums Rarely Pay for Themselves, Ask for Proof
When I ask stadium boosters to show me an example of a public stadium that actually paid for itself. https://t.co/9vQy7zrys0
Sports Betting Slump Driven by Multiple Economic Factors
For those keeping score of sports betting numbers... lot of headlines these days about 'cannibilization' due to prediction markets. And while it is certainly a factor contributing to y/y decrease in recent months, I wouldn't be quick to dismiss other...
Brazil Bans Election and Sports Prediction Markets, Targeting Kalshi, Polymarket
"... published a resolution banning prediction markets tied to elections, sports and other events" Will be recurring theme for Kalshi and Polymarket as they run into gambling jurisdictions abroad.. Brazil Blocks Polymarket, Kalshi Over ‘Illegal Betting’ https://t.co/lFX6dVWJLf
Sports and Entertainment Prices Near Boiling Point, Reckoning Looms
We are reaching the boiling point of price gouging on sports and entertainment and there’s a reckoning coming
CFTC's Inaction Fueled Offshore Sports Betting Boom
So all those decades the CFTC simply chose not to regulate sports betting... is a real shame... all those folks who got pinched over the years... the offshore industry wouldn't have come to exist perhaps... perhaps I wouldn't be here...
Nevada AG Leads 38-State Coalition Defending Betting Regulation
Nevada "co-leading a coalition of 38 attorneys general in filing an amicus curiae brief defending states’ longstanding authority to regulate sports betting.." Attorney General Aaron Ford files brief defending states’ authority to regulate sports betting https://t.co/eEHGbHzzL8
Fans Want Pay‑Per‑View, Not Expensive Subscriptions
National League and DAZN missing a trick here. Would love to watch York vs Rochdale and pay per view, but the only choice is to pay a $25 monthly subscription. No thanks.
Saturday's Highlight Reel: Top Sports Business Stories
It’s Saturday, which means The Highlight Reel, @Sportico’s recap of the week’s top sports business stories. Sign up for all our newsletters here: https://t.co/YDv6TFimqx https://t.co/i2FJ6Jfd0R
From Community Club to Points Deduction in Two Years
2024: West Brom named EFL Championship Community Club of the year. 2026: West Brom deducted two points by EFL for accounting treatment of donations to Club community scheme. https://t.co/IXhwOtgJOu
Sixth Circuit Upholds State Power Over Sports Betting
Game, set and match for Ohio? The Sixth Circuit stated the presumption against preemption applies because this is a gambling case. The States have won every case where it applies (e.g., MA, MD, NV & OH). Reason: No "clear and manifest" statement...
Draft Boosts Elite, Leaves Pittsburgh Small Businesses Struggling
The NFL draft did nothing but concentrate all the wealth to elite owning businesses while the majority of small businesses found themselves at a loss. Way too much focus on Point State Park. Little focus on the actual cultural scenes...
Eagles Trade Picks for Greenard; Vikings Gain Cap Relief
#NFL TRADE #Eagles Acquire LB Jonathan Greenard 2026 7th-Rd Pick (#244) #Vikings Acquire 2026 3rd-Rd Pick (#98) 2027 3rd-Rd Pick Minnesota takes on $9.9M of dead cap, freeing up $12.25M of 2026 cap space. Greenard has reportedly signed a corresponding 4-year, $98M contract in Philly.
New Podcast Breaks Down CFP, Bowl Updates, Expansion
new 'Canzano & Wilner' pod w @johncanzanobft dives into CFP non-news news, Pac-12 bowls and your questions on the SEC + Big Ten, expansion, NFL media deal and ... pumping gas? https://t.co/681v5uguw2
Cowboys Nab LB Dee Winters, 49ers Save $3.6M
#NFL TRADE #Cowboys Acquire LB Dee Winters 2026: $3.6M #49ers Acquire 2026 5th-Rd Pick (#152) San Francisco frees up $3.6M of cap space per the move.
TNT Sports Secures CFP Advertising Rights for Sublicensed Games
SCOOP: TNT Sports Gains Right to Sell CFP Ads for Games it Sublicenses https://t.co/xkyvCf3H57 via @sportico @crupicrupicrupi
Draft Picks Accept Pay Cuts Despite NIL Earnings
NFL draft in NIL era includes players taking a pay cut to go from college to the pros https://t.co/YjazHcPMZP
Tennis Revenue Mostly From Camps, Gifts, Not Ticket Sales
Only about 15 or so public schools report any tennis ticket revenue at all. The bulk of tennis revenues (besides tuition, of course) come from sports camps, donor/corporate gifts, licensing, and court rentals.
MLB's Virtuous Circle Is Moneyball on Rich Teams
"works within the resources"... "it’s never a bottomless pit" ... "there’s still only so much pie to go around." Apparently, what Terry McGuirk described as a "virtuous circle" is playing Moneyball with a top-third MLB payroll. https://t.co/dGgeOVKzSQ
College Football Landscape Shifts: Media Rights, Bowl Signals
new Hotline mailbag: - momentous NFL media rights - Holiday Bowl as coal mine canary - Big Ten + CFP = 24 - MW, Pac-12 expansion options - loads more -->
Funding Shifts to Top Three Revenue Sports, Others Threatened
The money will be focused on the three revenue sports. All other are at risk.
NBA Set to Reveal Clippers Salary‑Cap Probe Findings
Likely after the season ends, the NBA will announce findings of investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap by using Aspiration to funnel money to Kawhi Leonard. Both Steve Ballmer & top NBA investigator submit new, key letters:...
PE Treats Sports Teams Like Fund, LPs Await Returns
PE guys focusing on running sports teams while their LPs wait for distributions is the asset class in one sentence.
Arkansas Ranks Near Bottom in SEC Tennis Spending
FWIW, Arkansas reported spending about $2.35 million on tennis (M+W) last season. That would be 14th out of 15 public schools in the SEC...but only school is spending more than 4 million. The gap isnt THAT big. (Data via Extra Points...
NCAA Lobbying Window Closed, Must Wait for New Congress
this thing ain't happening. time for the fancypants NCAA/P4 lobbying team to either focus on new efforts from the senate, or give up until the next congress is sworn in. there was a political window to probably accomplish what the...
Women's US Open Outdraws Men, Proving Market Power
Women’s tennis isn’t ‘just as good’ — in the US, the women’s US Open Final pulls bigger audiences than the men’s. Pay equity + prime talent = cultural shift. From country clubs to global mainstream. This isn’t charity. It’s capitalism working when...
Minnesota Moves First Prediction Market Ban to Senate
Minnesota advances prediction market ban bill to Senate floor; if passed, woud be the first state bill to prohibit PM event contracts on sports and politcs; legislation would face legal challenges if passed into law
Rookie Pay Jumps 18%, Top Four Exceed $50M
NFL rookie contract values for the top 12 picks ⬇️ • Rookie salaries are up ~18% • Top 4 picks will each earn >$50 million • Steep drop-off early in 1st round... Mendoza will make 2x the No. 11 pick Caleb Downs https://t.co/sPk3QXNGSe
Rookie Salary Slots Keep New Picks Below 2010 Record
No. 1 NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza is in line for a 4-year, $57.3 million contract thanks to the league's rookie salary slot system Before 2011, rookies could negotiate contracts, which is why Sam Bradford's rookie contract from 2010 is still...
Spotrac Shows Real-Time NFL Draft Cap Impacts
All of Spotrac's #NFL team cap views contain a real-time look at the current Draft Pool as picks are made/traded, etc. These cap figures won't officially hit the books until players sign contracts. https://t.co/vfT6zXOO9G https://t.co/pqGbtkRumV
Rookie Deals Now Outpay 2025 No. 1 Pick
Last night's top four picks will all make more in their rookie deal than 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward. Before 2026, the last NFL draft pick with a $50 million guarantee was 2010 for Sam Bradford. 📈: @LevAkabas https://t.co/MOvjzJmWNd
Will Anderson Jr.’s Texans Deal Peaks at $48M Cap
Will Anderson Jr.'s #Texans Contract ▪️3-years, $150M new ▪️5-years, $177M total value ▪️$100M g'teed at sign ▪️4-years, $135M practical Cap Hits 2026: $13.2M 2027: $28.3M 2028: $46.4M 2029: $46.4M 2030: $48.4M Breakdown: https://t.co/PDNO2yCQ9J
Sanctions Uncertainty Looms Over Iran's World Cup Participation
Would be interesting to know how sanctions will work in the event of the Iranian national team participating. Entities in the US contracting with the Iran's football federation could be accused of sanctions busting. Will there be special exemptions to...
NFL Remains Free TV Lifeline as Entertainment Shifts Streaming
D.C. Memo: @RichLightShed Partners Asks, How Important Is NFL to Free TV? 'No Other Programming Matters' - Wall Street analysts predict networks may cut or shift more entertainment content to streaming | https://t.co/1pvZDWB9tD https://t.co/h2C9NuOoGM
Disney Dominates NFL Draft with 135 Sponsorships
Throughout #NFLDraft Week, #Disney has: -135 total sponsorships across 30 advertisers, including 9 new advertisers, airing in NFL Draft coverage -Nearly 80 live sponsorship executions on Days 1, 2 & 3 on #ESPN, #ABC, #NFLNetwork & #ESPNDeportes More than 50 surround sponsorship executions leading up...
DraftKings and FanDuel Surge, Saracen Loses Arkansas Lead
And just like that 🫰... Saracen Casino has given up its market leadership in Arkansas. Both FanDuel and Draftkings launched on March 20th... the y/y change in handle reflects that... promos will do that... ☕️ Southland (DKNG) +138% y/y Saracen -5% y/y Oaklawn...
FIFA's Dynamic Pricing Signals Neoliberal Shift in Sports
FIFA's World Cup dynamic ticket pricing - neoliberalism personified? This summer's tournament ticketing strategy marks the end of an era, and the growing dominance of another https://t.co/WTrFOaecP4 @Fire_and_Skill #Geosport https://t.co/ERgraK6gtd
Premier League‑EFL Broadcast Rights Deal Still Uncertain
New Deal or No Deal? The progress on the negotiations between the Premier League and EFL over broadcast rights per the always brilliant @mjshrimper https://t.co/qHdE0c48yo
One Bad Season Can Shatter Lofty Budget Assumptions
The cautionary tale of Leicester City who budgeted a few years ago for constant top half of Premier League finishes. It only takes one bad season for things to unravel. With my chums from @talkSPORT https://t.co/cOiUSU9b8P via @YouTube
49ers Free $11.6M Cap Space via Odighizuwa Bonus
The #49ers converted $14.5M of Osa Odighizuwa's salary into signing bonus, creating $11.6M of cap space.