Seeking Stories of Forgotten Brands and Vanished Leagues
Part of our posts will be a new piece of content... “whatever happened to?” is there a league/team/business/arena/platform that was all the buzz and either disappeared or morphed into something else that you worked with, followed, knew of? Should be an interesting list of people, places and things in short form. Can DM me send along via email. joefavorito1@yahoo.com.
Oilers' Massive Raffle Funnels 28% to Parent Company
The @EdmontonOilers have the largest 50/50 raffle in sports, creating millions for fans and charities. It's also pushed millions into a lottery ops entity owned by the @NHL club's parent. ~28% (!) of 2025 raffle sales went to that org. More...
Atlanta Hawks Finance VP Sentenced for $3.7 M Fraud
A $3.7M fraud, years of fake invoices, luxury trips to Thailand and the Bahamas on the company dime—and the Atlanta Hawks’ own VP of finance was the one signing off. How a “dream job” turned into a federal prison sentence....
KKR Invests in MLS NEXT Pro to Boost US Soccer Infrastructure
KKR backs MLS NEXT Pro with strategic investment to build US soccer's commercial infrastructure Get the full scoop here: https://t.co/nSpfoq2ytO https://t.co/QOKxxdQaSu
Kalshi Ranks Fourth Among US Sportsbooks, Shows Explosive Growth
Kalshi would be the No. 4 US sportsbook by average handle per adult, trailing only FanDuel, DraftKings and Fanatics, per @EilersKrejcik; E&K stresses the indirect comparison between trading volume & handle, but these figures nevertheless underscore Kalshi's massive growth
Bengals Decline Murphy's Option, Free Agency Awaits
The #Bengals have officially declined a $14.475M 5th-year option for EDGE Myles Murphy, who posted career highs in 2025. The 24-year-old carries an $11M valuation in our system, and is now eligible for free agency next March.
NFL Gains 300K Viewers via Alternative Platforms
Looks like NFL added around 300,000 viewers from those "alternative" sources outside of ABC, ESPN and NFL Network for the 1st Round to get to 13.2 million (traditional number closer to 12.9 million) (i.e. numbers from Deportes, ESPN app, Hulu, Disney+,...
FanDuel Becomes First Official F1 Betting Partner in US
#FanDuel has been named an Official Betting Operator of #F1 in the United States and Canada. Notably, it's the first time #Formula1 has partnered with a betting operator in the United States. #sportsbetting #sponsorship #partnership https://t.co/38aEj9qBVV
Key Sports Media Moves: ESPN, CW Streaming, Fever, Derby Preview
This week's @SBJ Sports Media Pod: 🔲Disney’s decision to hold ESPN -- for now 🔲 @TheCW gets a streaming solution 🔲@IndianaFever games are national, but still local 🔲And a chat with @ChurchillDowns CEO Bill Carstanjen ahead of the @KentuckyDerby https://t.co/ZUvyMNWz2b
Rethinking College Sports Gambling Amid Ongoing Scandal
NEW EXTRA POINTS: As yet another gambling scandal threatens to meaningfully upend college sports, I think it's worth asking...as fans AND admins...how we should think about sports gambling. How is this different from other "sin" industries? Is it? (full link below) https://t.co/yo3Ktcm697
LIV's Failure Leaves Minimal Value—Time to Sell
Well, as it turns out we do know that LIV has failed. This thread is more about the why now than the maybe. Is there any value to the carcass? A bit, to the usual types and suspects. But not...
Portland Stands Out as MLB’s only Viable Expansion City
IMO, only Portland is a real MLB expansion candidate. Others are too small (Raleigh, SLC), lack credible local backers (Orlando, Sacramento, Vancouver), financially tapped out (Nashville, Charlotte), or have baggage (Montreal, Oakland). I doubt expansion happens under Manfred.
LIV Golf Gets New Independent Board, Seeks Funding
There was a lot of discussion yesterday...about just what was "new" with the LIV Golf headlines...we pretty much knew about much of the PIF funding cuts stuff around the time of LIV Mexico. But this is new news...with Yasir Al-Rumayyan stepping...
LIV Golf Plots Future Independent of Saudi Funding
The Plan for LIV 2.0 LIV Golf Begins Planning for Future Without Saudi Backing https://t.co/6tQAnBkAJ4 via @sportico @novy_williams
KKR Pours $170M Into MLS Next Pro Expansion
NEWS: KKR is investing across @MLSNEXTPRO. It is committing ~$170 million to a new JV, called Hometown Soccer, that will oversee the development league's commercial growth. Expect more teams to rebrand and move to new communities. More @Sportico 👇 https://t.co/oNWEz7c8fk
Burnley's Borrowings Spike After 2020 Takeover
Burnley cash and borrowings totals over the last few years. The club were taken over on 31 December 2020. Are these two issues connected? https://t.co/IsE6WIlYVN
FA's Pricey Cup Final Reveals Ticket Price Hypocrisy
With the FA charging prices like this for the FA cup final perhaps it explains why they are so silent when it comes to standing up for England (and other fans) over FIFA World Cup ticket prices?
Traditional Viewership Metrics Are Now Meaningless for Comparisons
This is exactly why I don’t report viewership & ratings figures as much as I used to. It’s not due to lack of interest—it’s an area I still care about a lot—rather YoY comps are no longer informative given the...
Southport FC’s £2.1 M Losses Highlight Unsustainable Finances
Southport FC lost £87k in 2024/25, taking total losses over the years to over £2.1m. The only profitable season since 2017 was 2020/21, and that was due to Covid distributions https://t.co/zwlG22Ez3O
Friedkin Group Boosts Everton’s Balance Sheet After 13th‑Place Finish
Review of Everton's finances for the 2024/25 season, when they finished 13th in the Premier League. There was an important change in ownership, as The Friedkin Group bought out Farhad Moshiri, which has strengthened the club's balance sheet #EFC https://t.co/fiDKPkloQO
Liv Golf Loses $1.1B, Dwarfs Chelsea Owners' Finances
In it’s first three years of operating Liv Golf generated $107m of revenue and ran up losses of $1,105m. Makes Boehly and Egbhali at Chelsea look like sport financial wizards. https://t.co/i221z4S6pN
Jaxon Smith‑Njigba Tops 2026 WR Earnings at $36.5M
Top 2026 WR Cash Earnings 1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba: $36.5M 2. Ja'Marr Chase: $33.83M 3. Alec Pierce: $30M 4. A.J. Brown: $29M 5. Amon-Ra St. Brown: $28.11M 6. George Pickens: $27.3M 7. Brandon Aiyuk: $27M 8. CeeDee Lamb: $26M 9. Justin Jefferson: $25.75M 10. D.K. Metcalf: $25M
Big 12 Secures Private Capital Deal, Outpaces Big Ten
The Big 12 has finalized its deal for private capital, per @RossDellenger In Dec., the Hotline addressed the basics, why it works for the B12 and how it differs in key areas from the Big Ten's (now comatose) capital plan https://t.co/NBgyjFLlGz
Nevada Court Bars Kalshi From Offering Event Contracts to Residents
Nevada state court enters preliminary injunction barring Kalshi from offering sports-, election-, and entertainment-related event contracts to "Nevada residents" (not "in Nevada"), gives Kalshi until May 4th make necessary technological enhancements to comply with the order. https://t.co/BOYm9fCXgr
Buyers' Strike Leaves Thousands Seats Empty, Tickets Plummet
Good news on inflation: a buyers' strike --- "potentially thousands of seats empty six weeks before the tournament begins...cheapest option was..$1,120. A better seat would set him back more than $4,000. Those...were the numbers set by FIFA itself." ⚽️ https://t.co/H3s2NVDUpC
Capital Partners Get No Ownership, League Unchanged
Important note here: "...the capital partners will hold no ownership in the league and the deal will not change the operation or governance of the conference..."
PIF to End LIV Golf Funding After Season
News: LIV Golf is expected to tell players and staff as early as tomorrow that Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund PIF will be wrapping up investment in LIV at the end of the season, according to people familiar with the matter....
Hartlepool United Faces £1.08m Loss, Deepening Debt
Hartlepool United submit 24/25 accounts Loss for year £1.08m ⬇️14% Total losses over the years £9.9m Player signings in year £10k Staff numbers 118 ⬇️14 Borrowings £4.33m https://t.co/M0MkNa3Zjn
Brett Yormark Laid CFP Expansion Foundations Last Year
The breadcrumbs to Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark's CFP expansion strategy were laid last year, regardless of 16 or 24 -->
Burnley’s 2024 Accounts Reveal Massive Loss Despite Player Profit
Burnley publish 2024/25 accounts. 🔑figures ⚽️ Revenue £72m ⬇️46% ⚽️ Wages £82m ⬇️12% ⚽️ Ave first team weekly wage £37,000 ⚽️ Underlying loss £74m ⬆️171% ⚽️ Player sale profits £59m ⚽️ Pre tax loss £29m ⬆️2% ⚽️ Player purchases £86m ⚽️ Player sales £100m ⚽️Borrowings in year £135m ⚽️Borrowings...
Learning F1 Business Insights From Miami GP President
Appreciate the time and insight learning the @F1 business from the wonderful @KatharinaNovak President of the Miami Grand Prix 🙏🏾…. thanks Kathy https://t.co/A0Ds5FzJ9p
Students Build Athlete Brands in New NIL Course
Between grading finals, I'm working on my new summer grad Sport Management class where students will work directly with athletes on their personal brands and seeking out NIL opportunities. This course is part of @ufspm's new NIL Specialization. https://t.co/7ZmgPoDiKu
Gonzaga Retains Valuable ESPN Partnership in New Deal
Focus here is on football, obviously. But: the deal allows Gonzaga to keep a connection to ESPN that has been immensely valuable to both entities for many years
Apple TV Debuts Two New Original F1 Series
Apple TV launches two new original F1 series. Circuits in Focus puts Nico Rosberg & Emelia Hartford on track preview duty. After the race, The POV, with ex-Red Bull technician Calum Nicholas & engineer-creator Christina Roki break down key moments.
John Strong, Stu Holden to Lead Fox's World Cup Coverage
Fox announced its World Cup Broadcast teams today, with John Strong and Stu Holden once again as the lead team. That means they call the Final and the U.S. games. Story: https://t.co/DfHZKAfKqj
SMU Takes Football Hype to San Francisco Streets
Southern Methodist University is advertising their football team on the buses in San Francisco. https://t.co/sUpubyicwS
Flattened Lottery Odds May Spur More NBA Tanking
I like aspects of the NBA anti-tanking proposal, but I'm wary of flattened lottery odds, since flattening the odds in 2019 actually led to more tanking An 8.1% chance at the No. 1 pick for the 11-seed seems like a strong...
FIFA's Exorbitant World Cup Tickets Deter Fans, US Opener Unsold
“Extortion’s a strong word. But in essence, I think that’s the spirit of what they’re doing.” FIFA's sky-high ticket prices for the World Cup have so repelled fans that the U.S. team opener isn't sold out. https://t.co/Rzd2FnwRAL
National Market Gives Franchise Unbeatable Advantage for Success
Nearly eight years ago I snapped this photo. I've said it many times. I'll say it again: This franchise will be a success. They have everything in place (deep finances, smart people running it, a coach with championship pedigree, a...
Justin Simmons Retires After $70M, Nine-Season NFL Career
S Justin Simmons retires from the NFL having earned over $70M across 9 seasons with the #Broncos & #Falcons. Contract History 4-year, $3M (Drafted Rookie) 1-year, $11.4M (Franchise Tag) 4-year, $61M (Extension) 1-year, $7.5M (Free Agent) https://t.co/JdjUF3TuGq
Apple TV Unveils Ted Lasso Season 4 Trailer, Showcases Richmond Women
Via @justwsports: Apple TV Drops ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Trailer, Spotlights Richmond Women’s Team https://t.co/4TSUPmDzHq
NFL Must Police Teams' Schedule Hype Videos Mocking Patriots Coach
good inference from @ProFootballTalk the NFL should be on alert 4 teams' hyped social media videos highlighting the schedule release (coming next month) that might make light of the Patriots HC's travails. Would the NFL deem it fair game or...
Patriots Lock Gonzalez, Eye $85M Extension
The #Patriots have officially exercised an $18.1M 5th-year option for CB Christian Gonzalez, putting him on a 2-year $20.9M fully guaranteed contract through 2027. The 23-year-old currently projects toward a 3-year, $85M extension in our system.
Lions Lock Gibbs Cheap Despite $60.5M Valuation
The #Lions have exercised RB Jahmyr Gibbs' $14.3M 5th-year option salary for 2027, putting on a 2-year, $17.4M fully guaranteed contract. Gibbs holds a 3-year, $60.5M valuation according to our model.
Chargers Lock in Johnston; Model Predicts $55M Extension
The #Chargers have officially exercised WR Quentin Johnston's $16.46M 5th-year option, putting him under contract at a fully guaranteed 2-years, $19.1M through 2027. The 24-year-old projects toward a 3-year, $55M extension according to our model.
NFL Media Deals Reshaped
The Varsity * Yahoo hires a new head of sports. * Main Street Sports RSNs aren't going dark this week. * A bull case for college basketball. Guggenheim analyst Mike Morris assesses how the negotiating table has shifted for the NFL and its media...
Sports Bundles Split Across Three Streaming Platforms
The sports bundle is being rebuilt. The problem is it's being built in 3 places. ESPN: NFL Network, https://t.co/8Jco4DeBci, CW Amazon Prime: NBA League Pass, Peacock, Paramount+ YouTube TV: Easy channel-flipping, smaller networks https://t.co/5hmzyDiIBo
Steelers' Move Forces Rodgers Toward Cardinals' Pricey Deal
The Steelers putting Aaron Rodgers in that box is just daring him to sign with the Cardinals at an amount of money they don’t want to pay
Tax Cuts Could Add $1B to Bears' $2B Breaks
Stripping an amusement tax and adding in state infrastructure spending could add close to $1B more to the Bears' potential $2B in property tax breaks — plus cost local Illinois governments billions more in the future for other "megaproject" tax...
Taxpayers Face Extra $300M Bailout for Titans Stadium
Surprise, the $1.26 billion in taxpayer money going to build the Titans stadium isn't enough. Now $300 million of tax revenue is needed to bail out the development...which is supposed to self-fund the stadium. If only someone had warned them.🤔...