Bloomberg Business of Sports

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Pac-12 Explores Private Equity; Disney, Verizon Deal (Podcast) Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

Michael Barr and Scott Soshnick discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Pac-12 Conference leadership mulling a plan that involves taking on a strategic private investor. Also discussed is a new distribution agreement struck between Verizon Communications Inc. and Walt Disney Co. Also talked about is how the National Football League's playoff schedule could affect television ratings.

Hosts: Michael Barr and Scott SoshnickProducer: Colin Tipton

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Full Price Playstations? Yup, Fiesta Bowl Gets No Deal Dec 27, 2018

Show notes

Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy joins Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the money behind college football's bowl system. Also discussed is the changing nature of college sports, which he said are operating more like professional leagues. Nealy also talks about the effect ESPN's playoff contract has had on all bowl games, including sponsorship restrictions. Nealy also touches on the gifts that bowl games are allowed to offer athletes, and the outlook for his New Year matchup between the University of Central Florida and LSU. Prior to joining the Fiesta Bowl, Nealy spent eight years with the NHL's Arizona Coyotes, rising to president and chief operating officer.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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The NFL's South Carolina Panthers?; NBC Sports Betting Dec 26, 2018

Show notes

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the Carolina Panthers’s plans for a new practice facility. The National Football League team is looking to build a new practice grounds and could end up in either North Carolina or South Carolina. The flexibility should give the team the leverage to negotiate a team-friendly deal for land and/or tax benefits, and free up room near its downtown Charlotte stadium for more development. Also discussed is NBC’s potential plans for sports betting. The network registered a handled of gambling-related domain names last week, an indication that it may launch a sports betting service at some point in 2019. The pair also talked about the $550 gift baskets that bowl games give college football players each year.

Hosts: Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Colin Tipton

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LeBron James, Slaves and Jews; NFL Playoffs in Focus (Podcast) Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including LeBron James's comments about NFL owners having a slave mentality, and his Instagram posting of offensive music lyrics about Jews. James apologized for the posting, saying he didn't mean to offend anyone. Also discussed is a look-ahead to the NFL playoff picture, which shows a number of marquee teams and players headed for the postseason. Also talked about is the Oakland Raiders stadium situation, and the financial planning acumen of Toronto Raptors player Fred VanVleet, who is enjoying his first Christmas as a millionaire.

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

Producer: Anthony Mancini

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Sports Betting Explosion Is Bringing the Action Here Dec 20, 2018

Show notes

Action Network Chief Executive Officer Patrick Keane joins Eben Novy-Williams and Scott Soshnick to discuss a host of issues related to the burgeoning business of sports gambling. Founded in 2017, the Action Network hopes to be the first stop for both serious and casual bettors as they seek to read about the industry, keep track of their wagers and develop new strategies. A former board member at Bleacher Report and 20-year media veteran, Keane said he sees a future where Action Network is a $1 billion company. He discusses the company’s growth strategy, which includes creating content for TV networks, and a potential funding round coming in the near future.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Jessica Summers

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Red Sox Owner Goes Car Shopping; New Fox Bets on NFL and Sports Dec 19, 2018

Show notes

Eben Novy-Williams and Scott Soshnick discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the Bloomberg News report that said Boston Red Sox owner John Henry is contemplating an investment in Nascar. Henry already owns half of Roush Fenway Racing. Also discussed is the strategy being employed by what's known as New Fox, which is charting a new course after a blockbuster deal with Walt Disney Co. New Fox is focusing on live TV, which stresses sports and news, including the NFL. Also talked about is the NCAA's looming court decision over the college sports governing body's possible antitrust violations.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Jessica Summers

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Knicks Aren't For Sale; The Ugly Truth of Stadium Food Dec 17, 2018

Show notes

Eben Novy-Williams and Scott Soshnick discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including New York Knicks Owner Jim Dolan’s recent comments about the possibility of selling the team. Dolan said that he’d received "feelers" in the $5 billion range, comments that sent MSG stock up early Monday morning. Also discussed is the conflicting comments from Phoenix about whether the city’s NBA team is threatening to leave if it doesn’t reach an agreement for a new arena. News reports said that Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver threatened to relocate the franchise, while the team has denied doing so. Also talked about is a new ESPN investigation about health violations in stadium concession stands across the four major leagues.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Jessica Summers

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Pat Mahomes' `Patty Flakes' Coming to Your Cereal Bowl (Podcast) Dec 13, 2018

Show notes

Player agent Leigh Steinberg joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how the industry has changed since he represented National Football League superstars like Troy Aikman and Steve Young. Steinberg also talks about how he prepares clients for life in professional sports, and how he approaches endorsement opportunities. Steinberg also touches on his current superstar client, Kansas City Chief quarterback Pat Mahomes, who is taking a slow- and-steady approach to off-the-field income. That said, Steinberg says there's a breakfast cereal in the works as part of a slew of upcoming endorsements.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-WilliamsProducer: Bob Bragg

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Sex Abuse Report Lambasts USOC Leaders; Raiders Sued Dec 12, 2018

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the outside report that blasted the USOC's handling of the gymnastics sex abuse case involving Larry Nassar. Also discussed is the American Athletic Conference's decision to ask its member schools to sign what's called a ``grant-of-rights'' agreement that theoretically would lock them into the conference for the length of the next media rights deal. It's a way for the conference to protect itself against marquee schools like the University of Central Florida moving to another conference. Also talked about is the city of Oakland's lawsuit against the Raiders, who are leaving for Las Vegas.

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

Producer: Bob Bragg

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Lance Armstrong Hits on Uber; MLB Takes on 60 Minutes Dec 10, 2018

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Lance Armstrong's investment in Uber. An investment in a venture capital fund that bought into Uber has proved a lifeline for the disgraced cyclist. Armstrong's $100,000 investment has made him about $20 million, according to calculations by Bloomberg. Also discussed is Major League Baseball's decision to move up the start time of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, which will now begin at 7 p.m. Eastern instead of an hour later. The new time slot means baseball will, for the first hour of the game, compete against 60 Minutes, which begins at the same time. Also touched on is NCAA President Mark Emmert's three-year contract extension through 2023.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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