Bloomberg Business of Sports

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$1 Billion Won’t Get You Into the Owners’ Suite Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the appreciation of professional sports teams in the NFL, NBA and MLB. According to Forbes, for the first time every team in those leagues is worth at least $1 billion. Also talked about is Zion Williamson’s decision to sign with Nike’s Jordan Brand. Williamson, the No. 1 draft pick and most heralded NBA rookie since LeBron James -- also a Nike face -- was courted by several shoe and apparel brands. Financial terms of the deal, which Williamson announced on his Instagram page, weren’t disclosed. Also talked about is an investment by Theresia Gouw, often referred to as the richest female venture capitalist, into a beach volleyball media platform started by five-time Olympian and three-time gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings. Gouw is the co-founder of Aspect Ventures, whose portfolio of companies includes 40% started by women. Jennings’s p1440 is the first digital media platform dedicated to the sport and culture surrounding beach volleyball.

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

Producer: Bob Bragg

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ESPN Host Bashes Trump, Company's No-Politics Policy Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams, Randall Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including ESPN personality Dan Le Batard's decision to break from company policy to discuss politics on his radio show. The son of Cuban immigrant, Le Batard last week criticized President Donald Trump and ESPN's own policy of only discussing politics when the topic is broached by the coaches and athletes it covers. Le Batard hasn't been publicly disciplined, but reportedly chose not to do his radio show on Monday. Also discussed is LSU's new $28 million renovation to its football operations building, which include a revamped cafeteria and fancy new locker room. Also touched on is a brewing carriage dispute between Dish Network and a complicated web of different networks, including channels owned by Fox and Disney.

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

Producer: Bob Bragg

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Youth Sports $12,000 Price Tag - Is Your Kid Going Pro? Jul 18, 2019

Show notes

Connecticut Jr. Rangers program director Jeff Hamilton, a Yale graduate and former National Hockey League player, joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his team’s victory in the prestigious Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament. CJR became the first American team to win the tournament since 2002. Also discussed is the professional nature of youth sports, where parents have been known to spend tens of thousands of dollars on coaching and development. Hamilton discusses the big business of youth sports, and why multi-sport athletes have an advantage over those who specialize in one sport from a young age.

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Aaron Judge's Shoulders Transforming Into Billboard Jul 17, 2019

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Major League Baseball exploring whether to allow its teams to display advertisements on their uniforms. The consideration follows jersey patches in the NBA, where teams just completed the first season of uniform ads. Also discussed is the National Football League's revenue picture, as viewed through the Green Bay Packers' annual disclosure. The Packers are the league's only quasi-publicly traded club, meaning it has to disclose financials. It's the best glimpse into the NFL's revenue generation and expenses. Also touched on is the WNBA's suspension of Los Angeles Sparks player Riquna Williams for 10 games as a result of a domestic violence incident.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Colin Tipton

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Federer-Djokovic and the Money Behind the Match Jul 15, 2019

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Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the five-set thriller that decided the Wimbledon men's championship. Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in the epic affair, which was decided in a fifth-set tiebreak. The win boosted Djokovic's career on-court earnings to about $133 million, while Federer reached about $110 million. Moreover, the match was the most in DraftKings history with 55% of wagers coming from in-game, or live, play. Also discussed is the late Aubrey McClendon's 22% ownership stake in the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder that's been put up for sale. The sale comes as the team is shedding some of hits highest-paid and best-known players, including Russell Westbrook. And also talked about is Procter & Gamble's decision to donate $529,000 -- $23,000 for each of the 23 players on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team that won the World Cup earlier this month -- to help close the pay gap with the men's team.

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Ice Cube's Partner Kwatinetz Waiting on Kobe's Itch Jul 11, 2019

Show notes

Big 3 founder Jeff Kwatinetz joins Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the appeal of retired National Basketball Association stars playing in a 3-on-3 format. The league was co-founded by producer, actor and music artist Ice Cube, who has partnered with Kwatinetz on a number of entertainment projects around. Also discussed is the league's less-than-lucrative TV deal with CBS and its plans for a trip to China. Also talked about is Kwatinetz and Cube's bid for the 21 Fox regional sports networks that ultimately went to Sinclair in a deal that still requires regulatory approval. Also talked about is the media landscape, what's missing, and what kind of programming he intends to produce and distribute.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Private Equity Finds Itself in Heat of Juice Ball Talk Jul 10, 2019

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Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the debate within Major League Baseball over whether the baseball's are juiced this season. Pitcher Justin Verlander used the All-Star game platform to assert that the baseball's have been changed amid a surge of home runs. He questioned whether MLB has more input into the ball since Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. Inc., which manufactures the official balls, was purchased last year by Seidler Equity Partners. Padres General Partner Peter Seidler has oversight of all activities at the private equity firm and MLB is an investor. Also discussed is where women's soccer goes in the wake up the U.S. team's win at the World Cup. The team is embroiled in an equal pay dispute with U.S. Soccer. Also talked about is what the acquisitions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant mean to the bottom line of the Brooklyn Nets.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr

Producer: Mark Siniscalchi

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Kawhi's Clippers Move Shows NBA Stars Are Now GMs Too Jul 08, 2019

Show notes

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Kawhi Leonard's decision to join the Los Angeles Clippers. It was the latest blockbuster move in what has been a wild offseason for the league, and highlights a growing trend in the NBA -- star free agents are starting to act a lot like team general managers. Also discussed is U.S. women’s national team, which just won its fourth World Cup title. The championship comes as the team is taking legal action to try to raise pay to a level on par with the U.S. men's team, and also has ramifications for the nine-team National Women's Soccer League, which should see a large spike in interest. The pair also discuss 15-year-old American Coco Gauff, who make it to the Round of 16 in her first Wimbledon singles draw appearance.

Hosts: Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Bob Bragg

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Imported Dirt and Lots of Offense: MLB Goes to London Jul 04, 2019

Show notes

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred joins the podcast from London to talk about the league's first-ever games in Europe. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees played twice in London last weekend, drawing two sold-out crowds and combining for 50 runs. MLB essentially built a make-shift baseball stadium inside London's Olympic Stadium, complete with imported locker rooms and dirt imported from Pennsylvania. Manfred discusses baseball's goals in hosting games in London, plus the economics of the games, which cost tens of millions to put on. He also discusses the payments MLB paid to the Red Sox to compensate them for losing two home games, and the possibility of placing a franchise in Europe in the future.

Hosts: Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Where Nike Erred In Its Recall of American Flag Shoes Jul 03, 2019

Show notes

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Nike's controversial decision to recall a limited-edition Fourth of July shoe that featured the "Betsy Ross" version of the American flag. The image has been coopted by some far-right groups and Nike reportedly reconsidered the sale after conversations with quarterback-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick, one of the company's sponsored athletes. Also discussed is a quirk in the NBA's free agency rules that has prevented the Brooklyn Nets from being able to market new free agent acquisitions Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving. The pair also talk about the success of the U.S. women's national soccer team, which is one win away from repeating as World Cup champions.

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