Bloomberg Business of Sports

Leverage Agency founder Ben Sturner joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including this weekend’s “Rivalry on Ice” hockey game between Harvard and Yale at Madison Square Garden. The event is owned and operated by Sturner’s company, which rents the midtown Manhattan arena and tries to make money by selling sponsorships and tickets. Sturner discusses the event model, how he’s gone about publicizing the game and what it takes to make it profitable. He also talks about how sponsors utilize the event, which, he said, works because of the affluent demographic of the schools' fan bases. He also talks about selling the stadium naming rights for English Premier League side Tottenham.

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

Producer: Tim Herro

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including a court’s ruling that cleared the way for Liverpool Football Club to ink its new sponsorship deal with Nike. New Balance had said it had a right to match any offer. A judge ruled that New Balance simply couldn’t match Nike’s offer in terms of marketing, particularly the use of “three, non-football global superstars” like LeBron James, Serena Williams and Drake. Also discussed is Matt Rhule’s new contract with David Tepper’s Carolina Panthers, who inked the Baylor coach to a deal that’s worth $8.6 million annually, ranking sixth in the NFL. And also talked about whether the NFL is doing enough to promote the hiring of minority coaches.

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what the future holds for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after his defending Super Bowl champions were eliminated from the NFL playoffs in the wild-card round. Brady, 42, is a free agent, and his future with the only club he’s ever known is in doubt. Patriots owner Bob Kraft’s “hope and prayer” is that Brady re-signs with the Patriots or retires. Also discussed is the Professional Bull Riders newest sponsorship with a gun-rights group and college football programs pushing back at having to buy all those tickets for their bowl games.

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

Producer: Rich Trueman

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Syracuse University professor Rick Burton joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including a look back at the biggest stories of 2019: The rise of sports betting and its affect on the industry, as well as China’s relationship with leagues and teams in the wake of Daryl Morey’s tweet. Also discussed was the future of the NCAA as more states push for student athletes to be able to benefit from their names, images and likenesses. The chat also includes a look ahead to 2020 and what stories may arise as the biggest of the year.

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the legacy of former National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern, who died at the age of 77. Stern served as the league’s commissioner for 30 years, stepping aside in 2014 after helping to make the NBA a global sports and entertainment powerhouse. Also discussed is the college football national championship game between Louisiana State University and Clemson University. The football programs generate about the same amount of revenue but differ widely on profit. And also discussed is the sale of On Location Experiences from investors that include Bruin Sports Capital and RedBird Capital to Endeavor -- the talent agency and media business led by Ari Emanuel -- for $660 million. The NFL will remain an investor in the business.

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Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the final weekend of the National Football League’s regular season. The New England Patriots loss to the Miami Dolphins means their Super Bowl title defense will begin on wild-card weekend. And San Francisco’s win over Seattle gives the 49ers home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Also discussed is the college football championship game between Clemson and Louisiana State. Surprisingly, Clemson makes far less money than the other teams that qualified for the playoff -- LSU, Ohio State and Oklahoma. There are a number of reasons for the shortfall, including ticket sales, media money and higher expenses. The title game in New Orleans features two star quarterbacks: Joe Burrow at LSU and Trevor Lawrence of Clemson. Also discussed is whether Lawrence should play next season and risk injury or sit out and prepare for the 2021 NFL draft.

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Wake Forest University Athletic Director John Currie joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to talk about the business of college football’s bowl season. A longtime college administrator who has held the top athletic job at three different schools, Currie breaks down the ways in which colleges spend money, and make money, at a postseason bowl game. Wake Forrest plays Michigan State in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 27th, and the team spent the entire week in New York. Currie discusses the myth schools make a lot of money on bowl games, breaking down the cost of travel, food and lodging for the school’s contingent of players, coaches, admins and family members (Flights up to New York, for example, cost $280,000). Currie also discusses possible changes to the NCAA’s amateurism model, and the expectation that at some point soon, athletes will be able to market themselves and make money while playing college sports.

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including reports that Nike's Jordan brand is close to signing Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic to a sneaker deal. The 20-year-old Slovenian is dominating the NBA in his second season, with eight triple-doubles. His success and popularity abroad are likely driving up the value for his sneaker endorsements. Also talked about is them growing cost of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. The host committee recently raised its official budget to $12.6 billion, with a different estimate saying to total cost will be more than $26 billion. Also discussed is the complex three-way deal that sports gambling company DraftKings will use to go public sometime in 2020.

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

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Patricof Co. founder Mark Patricof joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the stereotype of athletes going broke in big numbers. The son of Greycroft founder Alan Patricof, he founded a specialized merchant bank designed to meet the needs of a select group of athletes and sports professionals backed by J.P. Morgan Private Equity Group. His clients are who’s who of all-stars, including Henrik Lundqvist, Venus Williams, J.J. Watt and Todd Gurley. Patricof also talks about what kinds of investments he pursues, and how athletes have become more sophisticated over the years. The former investment banker also touches on the future of sports media, including whether technology companies will bid on major sports properties.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Ira Boudway discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the NFL Players Association pointing out to its members that more than 25% of the grievances filed by players over the past two years were against one team: the Jacksonville Jaguars. One player alone was fined 25 times for more than $700,000 for missed rehabilitation appointments that an arbitrator later ruled violated the labor contract. Also talked about is the mushrooming popularity of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose popularity has made finding his merchandise difficult in the holiday shopping season. And also talked about is the PGA Tour’s new broadcast contracts, which according to SportsBusiness Journal will provide a 60% rights fee increase from CBS, NBC and Golf Channel.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Ira Boudway

Producer: Colin Tipton

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