Bloomberg Business of Sports

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the 10-year, $93 million contract Clemson awarded its football coach, Dabo Swinney. The coach had previously said college football players shouldn't be paid, as it would, in his mind, go too far in destroying the sport's amateur model. Also talked about is the NFL Draft, which once again drew record viewership and in-person attendance. The NFL said the draft reached 47.5 million viewers with 600,000 fans in attendance in Nashville. Also discussed is former NBA player Rick Fox's decision to sell the shares of his esports team over what he said was a shareholder's use of racist language. 

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-WilliamsProducer: Madena Parwana

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Milwaukee Bucks part owner Wes Edens joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his National Basketball Association team’s improved performance on the court and how it affects the club’s ability to generate revenue. Edens, co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, also talks about what having a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo, aka The Greek Freak, means for the business side of a basketball team. He also talks about the team’s new arena, the Fiserv Forum, as well as other sports-related investments like English soccer team Aston Villa and an esports franchise.

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

Producer: Madena Parwana

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including moments from last night's National Basketball Association and National Hockey League playoffs that serve as reminders as to why folks watch the games in the first place. In Portland, the Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard hit a 37-foot shot at the buzzer to eliminate Oklahoma City. Lillard waved goodbye to the Thunder after he hit the shot, capping a series long on verbal sparring. In hockey, meantime, the San Jose Sharks rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the third period, eliminating the defending Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights in overtime of a decisive Game 7. As former NBA Commissioner David Stern was fond of saying -- At the core of the business is the game. Also discussed is Major League Soccer's decision to expand to 30 franchises. 

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-WilliamsProducer: Madena Parwana

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including whether New York Knicks owner Jim Dolan will be a deterrent to marquee free agents signing with New York. Among the players being targeted by the Knicks are Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Dolan’s team won a franchise-low 17 games this past regular season. Also discussed is the trial surrounding the NCAA’s bribery scandal that also involves Adidas. Also talked about is the bankruptcy filing by the Alliance of America Football, which ceased operations eight weeks into its inaugural season. Legendary Field Exhibitions LLC, the parent of the eight-team league, listed liabilities of $48.4 million and $11.4 million in assets in a Chapter 7 petition.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Gen.G Chief Executive Officer Chris Park, a former Major League Baseball executive, joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how he's taking a background in traditional sports and applying it to the burgeoning world of esports. Park talks about the community aspect of Fortnite, and what makes it so attractive to its audience. He also discusses what he's trying to build at Gen.G, whose newest investors include Will Smith and Japanese soccer star Keisuke Honda. Gen.G operates seven teams, the biggest of which is their Overwatch team, the Seoul Dynasty. Also discussed is how some esports athletes make more money as content creators than players and how he's working to redefine what a franchise can be. 

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

Producer: Madena Parwana

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what halo effect may be created by Tiger Woods's win at the Masters. His return to championship form generated a bevy of media buzz around not only Woods but his sponsors and the sport of golf, which must find a way to capitalize on the 15-time major winner's resurgence. Also discussed is Zion Williamson's unsurprising decision to leave Duke after his freshman season and enter the NBA Draft.  Williamson is among the most heralded freshmen to ever enter the draft, and the possibility exists that he'll wind up with the Knicks in the No. 1 media market. Also discussed is Russell Wilson's new contract with the Seattle Seahawks. 

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

Producer: Madena Parwana

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Tiger Woods's victory at the Masters and the ripple effects in the sports business community. Woods, 43, captured his 15th major golf title, and first since 2008, capping what some are calling the greatest comeback in sports history. Woods's return to winning majors is good news for his sponsors, which include Nike, which shortly after the tournament released a video congratulating Woods on the accomplishment. Also discussed is the effect on television ratings and Woods's memorabilia market. Also touched on is the National Basketball Association's average team valuation passing that of Major League Baseball for the first time, according to Forbes.  

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-WilliamsProducer: Madena Parwana

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Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks joins Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the team's qualifying for the National Basketball Association playoffs for the first time since 2015. Marks, who previously worked for the San Antonio Spurs, also talks about the influence his former bosses -- Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford -- had on his career as a player and executive. Marks also discusses how a sports executive goes about changing the culture of a franchise, a makeover that in Brooklyn's case included not only attitudes but physical space, too. Marks also touches on the roles of his billionaire owners, Mikhail Prokhorov and Joe Tsai, and why a free agent should pick the Nets over the New York Knicks.  

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Madena Parwana

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Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Magic Johnson's decision to depart as president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson, a former Lakers star, said he was happier prior to taking the job and that all he really cares about is his relationship with team owner Jeanie Buss, whom he considers a sister. Also discussed is the Premier Lacrosse League tapping Adidas as its official shoe and apparel partner in what co-founders Paul and Michael Rabil called the biggest apparel deal in pro lacrosse history. As part of the multiyear deal Adidas will also buy commercial time during NBC broadcasts and finance original programming. Also talked about is the New Jersey Devils winning the NHL Draft lottery, giving them the right to select wunderkind Jack Hughes. Also touched on are the marquee matchups of the NHL playoffs. 

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Madena Parwana

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Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including WrestleMania 35, which was headlined by women. The show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey broke the record for the facility’s highest-grossing entertainment event. WWE’s annual extravaganza grossed $16.9 million, surpassing the venue’s previous record of $12.3 million in 2013. The event’s biggest match featured all-female participants. Also discussed is Adidas’s new partnership with pop star Beyonce, who’ll help the company to develop footwear and apparel. She joins a roster of celebrity partners that includes Kanye West. Also talked about is the sale of On Location Experiences, the high-end events business that is part owned by the National Football League, to Endeavor

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