Bloomberg Business of Sports

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.

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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.

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SNY President Steve Raab joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how the business of his regional sports network changes as the team it shows -- the New York Mets -- climb back into playoff contention. SNY is majority owned by the Mets, and its investors include Charter and Comcast, which provide distribution heft. Also discussed is how the Yankees and their RSN, the YES Network, complement SNY and help to promote the businesses of both. Raab also talks about where Major League Baseball is taking digital rights, and offers his take on what Sinclair's purchase of 21 Fox regional sports networks says about the industry. He also touches on SNY's Connecticut Ice, a hockey festival showcasing the sport across the state, including games involving Yale, Connecticut, Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac.

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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 National Football League’s deal with artist and entrepreneur Jay-Z, whose company, Roc Nation, will consult on the league’s entertainment offerings, including the Super Bowl halftime show. Roc Nation will also contribute to the league’s activism campaign, Inspire Change. Also discussed is Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, who is the latest boss to potentially face an unfair labor practice complaint for an anti-union tweet storm threatening workers who talk to union attorneys. Portnoy threatened to fire and sue employees that reached out to union lawyers. Also talked about is the ownership changes made with Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders, who welcomed, among others, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella.

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including NFL star Antonio Brown's threat to retire if he's prevented from wearing his longtime helmet. The NFL's rules prohibit players from wearing non-approved equipment in either practice or games. Brown's helmet hasn't been approved by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. Also talked about is Major League Baseball's decision to stage a Yankees-White Sox game in the Iowa cornfield that was the backdrop for the move ``Field of Dreams.'' The game will be played next season. And also discussed is the NFL's new partnership with Sportradar, marking the league's first major step into gambling. The NFL, which is an investor in Sportradar, signed a multiyear deal with data firm, giving it exclusive rights to distribute official data to legal sports-betting operators in the U.S. and abroad.

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Capitol IV Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Ein joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his investment in the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington, DC, and his World Team Tennis club, the Washington Kastles. A former Citi Open ball boy, Ein acquired the 50-year-old tournament and is seeking to make it a destination event in the area. Ein talks about the next generation of tennis stars, and how they can affect the ticket-buying public. He also talks about the social media savvy of today’s young players and how that helps tournament operators to market their events. Ein upgraded the culinary offerings at the tournament, and created an indoor space for non VIPs. Also owner of the Washington Justice in the Overwatch League, Ein also talks about the growth of esports and what traditional sports team owners can learn.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott's desire for a new contract. According to ESPN, Elliott's representatives have told the Cowboys their client won't play this season without a new agreement. He is scheduled to be paid about $3 million this season and $9 million next season. Also discussed is Fortnite star Tyler ``Ninja'' Blevins move to Microsoft's Mixer platform from Amazon's Twitch. On Twitch, Ninja had some 14 million followers, which helped him to generate about $10 million in sponsorship, ads and subscription revenue last year. Also discussed are American Airlines' 10-year, $90 million sponsorship of the plaza at Stan Kroenke's $5 billion Los Angeles stadium, and Allegiant's deal to put its name on the new football stadium in Las Vegas.  

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Tom Brady's contract extension with the New England Patriots. The two-year extension keeps Brady, 42, under contract through the 2021 season. Also discussed is Brady's decision to sign with Endeavor for off-the-field matters. Also discussed is Barcelona playing exhibition games in the U.S. without star player Lionel Messi, who is bothered by a calf injury. Barca is scheduled to play Italian side Napoli in Miami and Michigan. And also touched on is a lawsuit involving baseball's Philadelphia Phillies and the firm that created its beloved mascot, the Phillie Phanatic. The company, Harrison/Erickson Inc., said it may make the mascot a so-called free agent if a contract signed in 1984 isn't restructured. The team has also filed suit.

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Bleacher Report Chief Executive Officer Howard Mittman joins Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his digital media company's popularity on Twitter. According to Mittman, Bleacher is the No. 2 most engaged account on Twitter, sandwiched in-between President Trump and Ariana Grande. Bleacher focuses on sports and culture, and its audience on social media has an average age of about 26. Mittman discusses how Bleacher goes about finding customers, what the company does with user data, and what the landscape of legalized sports betting in the U.S. means for his platform. Mittman also talks about live rights, partnerships, ESPN and The Athletic.

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Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the tax implications of the Dallas Cowboys hosting training camp in California. The Cowboys and Carolina Panthers are the only two NFL teams to hold camps outside of their home states. Having to pay California taxes costs some players hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also discussed is New Balance's decision to cancel lacrosse player Paul Rabil's endorsement contract. The company says Rabil violated terms of his multi-million-dollar deal by wearing another brand during practice and games for the Premier Lacrosse League. Rabil co-founded the PLL, leaving Major League Lacrosse. New Balance found Jim Davis until recently owned four MLL franchises. The continuing controversy surrounding U.S. Soccer's gender pay inequity is also discussed. 

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