Bloomberg Business of Sports

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Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan Helped Shape the XFL Dec 06, 2018

Show notes

XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what it has been like to build a professional sports league from scratch. The XFL earlier this week announced its cities and venues -- just a part of what it'll take to build a spring football league. Also discussed is the rebooted league's broadcast media plan, which will be announced soon, how it's using junior college players to re-imagine the game, and how technology will be utilized to make the in-venue and at-home experiences better for football fans. Luck also talks about his boss, World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman Vince McMahon, and how the league intends to make the game of football safer. Luck also touches on Miguel de Cervantes's character Don Quixote, and whether a new football league is akin to tilting at windmills.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Investing in Athletes; Investment from Athletes Dec 05, 2018

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Steph Curry’s new investment in Toronto-based startup SnapTravel. The two-time NBA MVP is looking to make 8-12 investments a year through his SC30 Inc., primarily in tech and media. Also discussed on the podcast is Home Court Capital’s $150 million fund that will invest in early-career athletes, and the NHL’s decision to put its 32nd franchise in Seattle.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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The NFL’s Kareem Hunt Problem; Fanduel Pays Bets Early Dec 03, 2018

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the release and pending suspension of former Kansas City Chiefs star running back Kareem Hunt. A surveillance video released a few days ago shows Hunt pushing and kicking a young woman in a Cleveland hotel, and the fallout has draw comparisons to the NFL’s mishandling of a similar incident involving Ray Rice back in 2014. Also discussed on the podcast is Fanduel’s decision to pay out bettors who back the University of Alabama to win the College Football Playoff, and a new partnership between Fanatics and Overwatch League, the first foray into esports for the largest seller of licensed sports merchandise.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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$40 Million Wasn't Enough to Keep Him Playing Football Nov 29, 2018

Show notes

Former National Football League running back Robert Smith joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including why he walked away from pro sports in what seemed like the prime of his career. Smith also talks about why players are reluctant to disclose outside interests to their coaches, who often times would prefer to have players myopically focused on football. Also talked about is Smith's venture, The Fan Health Network, which is backed by the NFL Players Association's accelerator, the One Team Collective. Smith also discusses his time at Ohio State, his lack of success against rival Michigan, and the odd touchdown record that he doubts will ever be broken.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Here's Your Chance to Relive the Super Bowl Shuffle Nov 28, 2018

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including all the deals being signed by sports leagues in the gambling space. Among them are Major League Baseball's deal with MGM -- which already has contracts with the NBA and NHL -- and the NBA's data contract with Genius Sports and Sportradar. Also discussed is MLB's donation to the campaign of Cindy Hyde-Smith, who won her racially charged runoff election in Mississippi. Also talked about -- and danced to -- is a lawsuit that alleges Fox improperly used ``The Super Bowl Shuffle,'' which the Chicago Bears recorded in 1985.

Hosts Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Tiger-Phil Refunds; Lacrosse League Gets a New Deal Nov 26, 2018

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the technical problems that affected the Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson pay-per-view event. Turner said it would issue refunds for those who paid $19.99 to stream the match play event. Other carriers, including Comcast, Charter and Cox also said they would issue refunds. Also discussed on the podcast is the new labor contract between the National Lacrosse League and its players, and whether it's actually a good thing for the future of the league and sport. Also talked about is the death of Houston Texans owner Bob McNair.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Billion-Dollar Sports Transactions: The Who and Why Nov 22, 2018

Show notes

Chuck Baker, co-chair of the sports industry group at O'Melveny, joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how sports transactions have changed over the years. Baker also talks about the investment climate in sports, who is buying professional franchises and why they're doing it. Also discussed is why valuations across the major pro sports landscape are rising, and why they'll continue to do so in the future. Baker also touches on how media and real estate are becoming tent poles for sports investment, and how the breadth of his firm helps complete deals.

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

Producer: Bob Bragg

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Amazon Eyes Regional Sports Networks; MLS Valuations Nov 21, 2018

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the rising valuations of Major League Soccer teams. Atlanta United is, according to Forbes, worth a league-leading $330 million, followed by the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders. Also discussed is the NCAA's reversal of its decision regarding an athlete whose parents disowned her, prompting friends to start a GoFundMe page that has amassed more than $100,000 in donations. The trio also discusses Amazon's interest in the regional sports networks being sold by Disney as part of its $71 billion asset purchase from Fox.

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

Producer: Bob Bragg

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Would You Pay $10 Billion for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Jerry Jones's assertion that his Dallas Cowboys are worth $10 billion. Jones bought the team in 1989 for a then-record $150 million. Jones also said he'd never sell the NFL club. Also discussed is Major League Baseball's $5 billion extension with Fox, netting owners a 36 percent average annual increase over the existing deal. The agreement keeps marquee properties like the World Series and All-Star Game with Fox after its parent completes the $71 billion sale of assets to Walt Disney Co. Also discussed is MLB's three-year digital rights deal with John Skipper-led DAZN. It will deliver a live show each weeknight via the company's digital sports streaming platform. Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams Producer: Colin Tipton

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No-ter Dame? Or No-Tra Dame? Here's the Correct Answer Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

University of Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick joins Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including this weekend's big game against Syracuse University at Yankee Stadium. Swarbrick also talks about the football team's independent status, its TV deal with NBC, and how the school is thinking about the future of content in a changing media landscape. Also discussed is Swarbrick's take on the problems associated with legalized sports betting and whether student-athletes should be compensated. Also discussed is the team's stadium, which was recently renovated, and what's the correct pronunciation of the school's name.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr

Producer: Colin Tipton

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