Bloomberg Business of Sports

Latest Episodes:

$3.5 Million Bet on Astros Is Hedge Against Promotion Oct 02, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including a Houston furniture store owner's $3.5 million bet on the Astros to win the World Series. Jim McIngvale, aka ``Mattress Mack,'' placed the bet as a hedge against a promotion he previously ran in the store that calls for customers to get refunds on purchases of $3,000 or more if the Astros win baseball's championship. The bet would net McIngvale $7.7 million. Also discussed is Nike Chief Executive Officer Mark Parker firing back against a ruling that a company-backed running coach doped athletes as part of a Nike program. In a memo to staff Parker said the experiments with performance-enhancing drugs were meant to prevent doping. Also talked about is Flutter Entertainment's purchase of The Stars Group, creating a betting behemoth. The deal values Stars at about $6 billion. Flutter was formerly known as Paddy Power.

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

Producer: Tim Herro

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

NFL Owners Want a 17-Game Season. Is That Realistic? Sep 30, 2019

Show notes

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the prospect of the National Football League adding one regular season game for each team, bringing the total to 17. That's the aim for NFL owners as they continue talks with the NFL players association on their next collective bargaining agreement. An added game would likely increase the money that TV networks pay to broadcast the games, but also carries concerns over player safety and the status of preseason games. Also discussed is Major League Baseball's attendance, which ended the season at a 16-year low, and down for the sixth time in seven seasons. Also talked about is the financial status of Rutgers athletics in the wake of its football coach being fired, and California Governor Gavin Newsom signing a bill that could upend the NCAA's amateur model.

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

Billionaire Kroenke, Mets, Patriots Back Overwatch Sep 26, 2019

Show notes

Activision Blizzard esports CEO Pete Vlastelica joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his Overwatch league's season-ending championship at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center. The event is sold out. Vlastelica, a former Fox Sports digital executive vice president, talks about the growth of esports, the younger demographic that follows the genre, and how traditional sports league owners like the New York Mets, Kraft Sports Group and billionaire Stan Kroenke are investing in the property. Vlastelica also talks about his league's plan to move its teams to their host cities beginning next season, creating what he says is the first truly global sports league where clubs from across the globe face each other regularly. He also talks about the company's approach to shooter games, and the plan to keep Overwatch relevant for years to come.

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

Billionaire Tepper Seeking $212 Million For MLS Bid Sep 25, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, Carolina Panthers billionaire owner David Tepper is seeking up to $212 million from the city of Charlotte to help him land an MLS franchise. Tepper, who paid $2.3 billion to buy the Panthers last year, is looking for help in building a headquarters for the prospective soccer franchise, plus renovations to Bank of America Stadium to make it more soccer-friendly. Also discussed is a new subscription service being launched by Dr. David Chao, a former NFL team physician. Well known for offering quick opinions on NFL injuries via Twitter, Chao is creating a website aimed for sports gamblers and fantasy players looking for an edge. Also talked about is a legal battle in England between Liverpool and New Balance, which makes their jerseys. Liverpool is trying to sign a new partnership with Nike, and New Balance says it has the right to match any offer.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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

Belichick's Death Stare and Sports TV's NFL Tap Dance Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick's death stare at CBS reporter Dana Jacobson after she asked him a question about receiver Antonio Brown, whom the team had waived before their game against the New York Jets. There's always tension between the rights holders, who pay billions to show the games, and the teams and the league. Also discussed is what's next for Antonio Brown, who may file a grievance against the Patriots for his release. Brown was scheduled to be paid $1 million in salary, and another $9 million signing bonus. Also talked about is WGN's final broadcast of the Chicago Cubs. The over-the-air network has shown games since 1948. The Cubs, along with Sinclair, are starting their own regional sports network, Marquee Sports Network.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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

NFL's Billionaires Vs Millionaires: Here We Go Again Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the National Football League Players Association, joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the looming labor battle between the NFL and its players. The union's leader since 2009, Smith oversaw negotiations on the current collective bargaining agreement, and shares his thoughts on where players stand as talks begin on the next one, set to kick in after the 2020 season. Smith also discusses the growth of NFL team valuations (the Cowboys are now worth north of $5 billion) and players starting to assert more power. He also talks about the rash of quarterback injuries in the early part of the NFL season, and whether he believes Colin Kaepernick, who hasn't played in three years, will get an offer from an NFL team.

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

Giants Bench Eli Manning, Launch Daniel Jones Era Sep 18, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the New York Giants benching longtime quarterback Eli Manning in favor of rookie Daniel Jones. Sales of Jones jerseys skyrocketed following the announcement, which could mark the end of Manning's career, in which he won two Super Bowl titles and made over $250 million. Also discussed is the former Turner Broadcasting CEO David Levy, who is taking a leadership position under new Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai. Also discussed is the rash of quarterback injuries across the NFL, and how that might affect national broadcasts in the early part of the season.

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

Michael Jordan Sells Hornets Stakes; Keeps Control Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Michael Jordan's decision to sell minority stakes in the National Basketball Association franchise. Jordan will keep control of the team, which Forbes says is worth $1.3 billion. He became part-owner of the then-Charlotte Bobcats in 2006. The buyers are: Gabe Plotkin, a founder of Melvin Capital, and Daniel Sundheim, a founder of DI Capital. Jordan said the capital will be used to modernize the team, including tech upgrades. Also discussed is SoFi's $30 million annual investment for the naming rights to Stan Kroenke's New Los Angeles Stadium. The $5 billion facility will house both the NFL's Rams and Chargers. Also discussed is Nascar's decision to reject some firearms ads for its souvenir programs.

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

Growing Up Steinbrenner and Really, Really Fast Cars Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

George Steinbrenner IV, 23, joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his role in Harding Steinbrenner Racing. He's the youngest team owner in Indy car history to win a race in only his second attempt in the NTT IndyCar Series. Steinbrenner is the son of New York Yankees part-owner and co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner, and grandson of his namesake, legendary baseball team owner George Steinbrenner. He also talks about the appeal of video games to younger sports fans, and how traditional sports leagues and teams can try and convert that audience. He also discusses how he got into sports ownership, and what the Steinbrenner names means. He also discusses the Yankees, their business model, and even names his favorite all-time player.

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

USA Basketball's Shocking Loss Was the Business Plan Sep 11, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including USA Basketball's shocking loss to France at the World Cup. It's the first time the U.S. failed to capture gold at a major international tournament since the 2006 world championships. The realization of global parity was also David Stern and NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik's plan when NBA players were admitted to the Olympics with the so-called Dream Team in 1992. Also discussed is the owners' reaction to an NBA plan to create an investment vehicle that would buy limited partnerships in the league's teams. And also talked about are the possible repercussions against New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown, who has been accused of rape.

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Bloomberg Business of Sports

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected