Bloomberg Business of Sports

Latest Episodes:

From Muhammad Ali to Tyson: Boxing 101 With Bob Arum Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

Top Rank Chief Executive Officer Bob Arum joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the heavyweight rematch between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. The fight is scheduled for Feb. 21 in Las Vegas. Arum, who represents Fury, talks about how a promoter goes about hyping a fight, and touches on where boxing stands in the sports landscape. Arum also talks about the finances behind the fight, including how much revenue it’ll generate, and how the fighters will share the purse. Arum discusses boxing history, including Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and George Forman, who once asked the promoter for tax advice. Arum also discusses the value of media partnerships like ESPN and Fox, both of which will both show the Wilder-Fury fight, and how the changing media landscape affects the sport.

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Astros Cheating Spurs Talk of Bean Balls and Beatings Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the continuing fallout from the Houston Astros cheating scandal. MLB and its players’ union are negotiating new penalties for sign stealing in the wake of the scandal. That, however, hasn’t stopped players from other teams from speaking out against the Astros players. Nick Markakis of the Atlanta Braves, for instance, said every Astros player “needs a beating.” And some Las Vegas oddsmakers are allowing bets on how many Astros players are hit by pitches this season. Also talked about is Red Sox owner John Henry’s explanation for the Mookie Betts trade, and the two-year Champions League ban given to Manchester City for violating financial fair play rules.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Colin Tipton

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NHL Still Resists Sending Players to the 2022 Olympics Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the ongoing negotiations regarding the National Hockey League's participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. NHL players want to play in the Olympics, but league owners have balked at the idea, citing the risk of player injuries, the lack of business benefit and the disruption of the regular season. Also discussed is the ongoing legal battle over emails between the New Orleans Saints and the local archdiocese, emails that lawyers say detail how the NFL team helped do damage control for the church in the wake of sex abuse allegations against clergy members. And also talked about is new Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker, who left Colorado after one year, sparking new debate over whether NCAA players should be maligned for transferring schools if coaches do it without barriers.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net;

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at enovywilliam@bloomberg.net;

Michael Barr in New York at mbarr18@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Nascar’s President Says France Family Isn’t Selling Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

Nascar President Steve Phelps joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including this weekend’s Dayton 500, which is often referred to as the racing circuit’s Super Bowl. Phelps discusses the decision by the France family against selling any part of Nascar, which has said it would seek limited partners. Phelps talks about Nascar’s changes, which are aimed at appealing to existing fans while still broadening the sport’s appeal. Phelps also talks about how Nascar is using traditional and new media to reach a wider audience. He also talks about what kind of races -- think short track -- most appeal to fans.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Last-Place Knicks Valued at NBA-High $4.6 Billion Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Forbes Magazine’s 2020 NBA valuations, which are once again topped by the last-place New York Knicks, who are worth $4.6 billion. Rounding out the top three are the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Also discussed are the proposed changes in Major League Baseball, which is -- among other things -- considering adding teams to the postseason. MLB is also weighing whether to let its first place teams pick its postseason opponents. And also touched on is the English Premier League’s plan to launch a direct-to-consumer streaming service that may increase revenue for its clubs. The service may be ready for testing as early as 2022.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Colin Tipton

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Virus has Tokyo Summer Olympics “Seriously Worried” Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how the spreading coronavirus affects athletic events and sports retailers around the globe. Across China, where the deadly outbreak emerged, many people are being told to stay inside or avoid public spaces, halting critical manufacturing and foot traffic that many companies rely on. A number of sporting events in the region have been moved, and an executive with the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo said he's "seriously worried." Also discussed is the debut of Vince McMahon's new football league, the XFL, and the latest on the sale of the New York Mets, which are back on the market and looking to avoid the same snag that ultimately doomed the negotiations with billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net;

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at enovywilliam@bloomberg.net;

Michael Barr in New York at mbarr18@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Vince McMahon’s XFL Reboot Looks 100 Years Ahead Feb 06, 2020

Show notes

XFL Chief Executive Officer Oliver Luck and President Jeffrey Pollack join Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what it takes to launch a new professional sports league. The XFL, which is being funded by WWE founder Vince McMahon, begins play this weekend. The executives discuss a range of topics related to the league and its business, including players, branding, rules and the importance of the XFL’s television agreements with Fox and Disney’s ABC and ESPN. Also discussed is how the teams are branded, why the XFL chose to play in major markets, and how long it’ll take for profitability. Luck and Pollack also talk about the long-term business plan for the league, and whether an affiliation with the NFL is possible.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net;

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at enovywilliam@bloomberg.net;

Michael Barr in New York at mbarr18@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Harvard’s Super Bowl TD Won’t Boost Athletic Giving Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what it means for Harvard University’s football program to have one of its former players score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Former Harvard standout Kyle Juszczyk of the San Francisco 49ers scored in this past weekend’s NFL championship against the eventual champion Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the first Crimson player to record a touchdown on sports’ biggest stage. We discuss what it means for the program with Harvard coach Tim Murphy. Also discussed are Steve Cohen’s pursuit of the New York Mets, which may have hit a snag, the Boston Red Sox’s trade of Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars decision play two home games in London.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net;

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at enovywilliam@bloomberg.net;

Michael Barr in New York at mbarr18@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Move Over Tom Brady - NFL’s New Face is Pat Mahomes Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the marketing and endorsement possibilities for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the wake of his team’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. Mahomes, 24, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, was named MVP of the Super Bowl as well. One advertising executive said he stands to rake in up to $7 million more in annual endorsement income. Also discussed was one particular prop bet that had fans waiting until the very end of the game. It had to do with how many rushing yards Mahomes would total. His kneel downs at the very end pushed the total to the under. And also discussed is whether the NFL players would agree to a 17-game season as part of talks aimed at reaching a new collective bargaining agreement.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net;

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at enovywilliam@bloomberg.net;

Michael Barr in New York at mbarr18@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

A Super Bowl Sports Business Extravaganza from Miami Jan 30, 2020

Show notes

Two guests join Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, all centered around the Super Bowl this week in Miami. First, Sportscorp Ltd. co-founder Marc Ganis discusses the commercialization of the Super Bowl, looming labor negotiations and the prospect of more NFL games, including a Super Bowl, overseas. Later in the show, Hans Schroeder, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NFL Media, talks about the league's position as it begins to negotiate billions in new TV deals. Current partners NBC, Fox, CBS and ESPN are all expected to bid to keep their rights, and the league will likely see increased interest from deep-pocketed tech companies like Apple and Amazon.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net;

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at enovywilliam@bloomberg.net;

Michael Barr in New York at mbarr18@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com