Bloomberg Business of Sports

Latest Episodes:

New England Patriots Land Antonio Brown, Of Course Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the (hopefully) end to the Antonio Brown saga with his joining the New England Patriots. Brown has agreed to join New England after being waived by the Oakland Raiders, who had guaranteed the wide receiver about $30 million. The rift between the Raiders and Brown had grown beyond repair. Also discussed is how TV’s national Nielsen ratings -- the metrics used to set rates with advertisers -- will soon include what’s known as out-of-home viewers. That includes places like bars, restaurants and hotel rooms. It’s a boon for sports leagues and their broadcast partners, who would like the audience measurement to include as many people as possible. And also talked about is the Boston Red Sox’s firing of executive Dave Dombrowski. The Red Sox won the World Series last year but will likely miss the postseason with baseball’s highest payroll.

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

Hedge Fund Titans Sip Grey Goose for US Open Money Man Sep 05, 2019

Show notes

Lew Sherr, chief investment officer at the U.S. Tennis Association, joins Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the key drivers at the U.S. Open. Sherr talks about the tournament's major revenue streams, including media, sponsorship, hospitality and ticket sales, which are on pace to set a record this year. He also discusses the USTA's core mission, which is to grow the sport and make it more accessible. Sherr looks back at the Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs match, and discusses what it has meant for gender equity in tennis. He also discusses merchandise sales, including the ubiquitous basketball-sized tennis balls that have become a fan-favorite, and talks about how food and beverage has become an integral part of the final grand slam event of the season's experience. Sherr also discusses the famous fans, including Tiger Woods and Wall Street's titans.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr

Producer: Bob Bragg

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

Dallas Cowboys at $5.5 Billion Top NFL's Value List Sep 04, 2019

Show notes

(Bloomberg) -- Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Forbes magazine's annual National Football League franchise values list. This year, as in the past 12, the Dallas Cowboys top the list with a valuation of $5.5 billion. The team generates about $950 million in revenue. Rounding out the top five are: the New England Patriots ($4.1 billion), New York Giants ($3.9 billion), Los Angeles Rams ($3.8 billion) and San Francisco 49ers ($3.5 billion). The Cowboys are out front because they lead the NFL in revenue from suites, club seats, sponsorship and non NFL stadium events. Also discussed is Ezekiel Elliott's new contract with the Cowboys, who get their star running back in uniform just in time for Sunday's season-opener against the New York Giants. Also discussed is the National Basketball Association's weighing the creation of an investment vehicle that would buy minority shares of individual teams.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To listen to this podcast click here (running time 12:42)

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

NFL Hits 100 With a Slew of Big-Money Story Lines Sep 02, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr in a special Labor Day edition of the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast discuss a host of issues related to the industry, including the bevy of business story lines that accompany the NFL as it opens and new season and celebrates its 100th birthday. Among them are: Andrew Luck’s retirement, Rob Gronkowski and Terrell Davis’s CBD deals and Tony Romo’s desire to be the first $10 million TV man. Also discussed are the Yankees buyback of the YES Network along with Sinclair and Amazon, the changes in the college sports landscape, including the Pac-12 media sale and the growth of legalized sports betting in the U.S.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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

Michael Jordan Came Oh-So-Close to Adidas Contract Aug 29, 2019

Show notes

Peach Bowl Chief Executive Officer Gary Stokan joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how as a young Adidas executive he came oh-so-close to convincing Michael Jordan to sign with the German company over Nike. He tells the story of how one trip to Nike's headquarters changed it all. Stokan also discusses how he convinced big-time programs like Alabama to take part in early-season games like this weekend's Kickoff Game against Duke. Stokan also talks about the national nature of big-time college sports and how it has changed how the sport is sold to corporations like Chik-fil-A, which sponsors the Peach Bowl the the Kickoff event in Atlanta. He also discusses the attendance dip in college sports, and what coaches and administrators can do to convince students to buy tickets.

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 Billions Grow as Oakley Deal Allows Visor Tint Aug 28, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the National Football League's new sponsorship agreement with Oakley. The four-year deal allows players to wear the company's ``Prizm Clear'' shield beginning this season. The league made an exception to its rules limiting the use of tinted helmet shields as part of the agreement. Also discussed is a deal between the Mountain West Conference and ShotTracker in which for the first time a conference has been granted a waiver by the NCAA that'll permit the use of electronically transmitted data to the bench for coaching purposes during regular season basketball games. As part of the waiver, all programs in the conference are required to have the same technology on the bench. Also talked about is the financial status of English soccer teams Bolton and Bury, which were expelled from the Football League after failing to resolve financial woes.

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

Did Andrew Luck's Retirement Cost Him $500 Million? Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including NFL quarterback Andrew Luck's shocking decision to retire after just six pro seasons. The 29-year-old is stepping away from the game due to complications from a number of injuries, including a lingering lower leg problem that had cast his 2019 season in doubt. Colts owner Jim Irsay said a healthy Luck could have earned another $500 million in his career. Also discussed is the recent launch of the Atlantic Coast Conference's new cable channel -- the ACC Network -- which is owned by ESPN. The ACC is the fourth major college conference to launch a league-specific network. Also talked about is the U.S. Open, the final Grand Slam on the annual tennis calendar, which starts this week in New York.

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

A Sports Betting Tout and Baseball Venture Capitalist Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Michael Schwimer joins Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, all centered around data and analytics. Schwimer, 33, had a two-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, during which he built a pitch-sequencing model tailored to each specific hitter. After leaving baseball, he founded Big League Advance, a company that invests in minor league players, offering upfront cash in return for a percentage of any future MLB earnings. Schwimer's latest venture is Jambos Picks, a subscription service that sells sports betting advice. He discusses both businesses, their opportunities for growth and the skepticism surrounding both industries.

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

Nike vs. Avenatti Has Juicy Details On Ilicit Payments Aug 21, 2019

Show notes

Eben Novy-Williams and Ira Boudway discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the legal battle between Nike Inc. and lawyer Michael Avenatti. Avenatti has been accused of extorting the sportswear giant, but filings from the case, which appear to detail numerous Nike employees discussing the payment of youth basketball players, may have other far-reaching ramifications. Also discussed is Boudway’s recent Bloomberg Businessweek story about the Athletic, a subscription sports news service whose success has become a litmus test for many in the news industry. Also talked about is the deeper story behind an English soccer fan who was told to stop texting at a game earlier this month. Stadium security thought he was engaging in the act of ’courtsiding,’ where fans in attendance at games relay information as fast as they can to bettors or sports betting operators.

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

Steph Curry's Golf Donation Lands Howard a New Team Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Stephen Curry's decision to sponsor the creation of men's and women's golf teams at Howard University -- bringing the sport back to the historically black university for the first time in decades. Curry didn't reveal the exact amount -- it's a seven-figure donation paid out over six years, but funding for the teams can cost hundreds of thousands a year. Also discussed is a TMZ report that says Jay-Z will soon become part owner of a National Football League team. The report cited people close to the entertainer and mogul. The NFL last week announced a tie-up with Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation agency will oversee the league's entertainment, including the Super Bowl halftime show, and social initiatives. Also talked about is the ongoing saga surrounding Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown's search for a comfortable helmet.

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