Bloomberg Business of Sports

Arizona Hotshots quarterback Jack Heneghan joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the death of the Alliance of American Football, which ceased operations after only eight weeks of play. A Dartmouth college graduate with a degree in economics, Heneghan discusses the factors that played into the league's failing so quickly. He also touches on how the players reacted to the news and why, in his opinion, Vince McMahon's XFL has a better shot at success than the AAF, whose principle backer was Tom Dundon, also owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. 

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 the brewing battle among the world's largest shoe and apparel companies for Duke star Zion Williamson, who hasn't even declared himself eligible for the National Basketball Association draft yet. Williamson, a freshman at Duke, may receive offers from as many as six brands, including Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Puma and New Balance. Former sneaker executive Sonny Vaccaro said he expects Williamson to be at the center of what he called the biggest bidding war ever. Also discussed is the Alliance of American Football, which appears near its end after only about eight weeks of play. The league's owner, Tom Dundon, who also owns the NHL's Carolina Panthers, has decided to suspend operations. 

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 the most valuable sneaker in the world that no one seems able to locate. The Nike sneaker that unraveled while being worn by Duke standout Zion Williamson earlier this season is worth, according to one estimate, $250,000. That said, no one associated with the program, including Williamson himself, knows where the sneaker is. Duke was eliminated from the NCAA men's basketball tournament by Michigan State, ending their season and likely Williamson's college career. Also discussed is a Final Four that pits Virginia against Auburn and Michigan State against Texas Tech -- matchups less desirable to CBS executives than programs like Duke and Kentucky. Also touched on is Buffalo Wild Wings' sponsorship of the overtime period in games, and whether such targeted commercials are the future of advertising. 

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

Producer: Madena Parwana

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Golden State Warriors President Rick Welts, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including an examination of the financial side of the yet-to-open Chase Center in San Francisco. The $1.3 billion privately financed arena is scheduled to open in the the fall. The project is over budget, but the arena has already generated a record amount of revenue from tickets, suites and sponsorship, Welts said. He also talks about his time as a National Basketball Association executive, running the league's team and business operations unit. Welts discusses his ability to see every other team's business metrics, and why that makes the NBA different than all other sports leagues. Welts also talks about how much former NBA Most Valuable Player Steph Curry is worth to the franchise that has won the last two NBA championships. 

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 the status of the Ball family's Big Baller Brand. In the wake of allegations that a BBB part owner and friend of the family stole money from the company, Lakers guard Lonzo Ball covered up his Big Baller Brand tattoo. ESPN reported that Lonzo Ball severed ties with one the brand's founders, Alan Foster, over concerns that he had misappropriated $1.5 million of the player's money. Also talked about is Mets owner Fred Wilpon's decision to increase his stake in the baseball team by buying a limited stake that had been offered. The New York Post said Wilpon agreed to pay about $180 million for 12 percent of the club that had been held by Comcast and Charter Communications. That figure values the team at about $1.5 billion. Also discussed is lawyer Michael Avenatti's claim that Nike broke the law by paying high-school basketball players. 

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 top-seeded Duke's one-point victory over the University of Central Florida in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. UCF had two chances to win the game in the final seconds but couldn't convert a shot or rebound put-back. The ending was welcomed by Duke's sizable following on Wall Street, where a number of alums -- including private equity mogul David Rubenstein -- are already planning their trips to the Final Four. Also discussed is Roger Goodell saying the NFL's Sunday Ticket package of out-of-town games may have finally outgrown its quarter-century exclusive with AT&T's DirecTV. And also touched on is a court ruling that says retired NBA player David West won't receive $1.4 million from BP for damages resulting from the company's Deepwater Horizon disaster. 

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-WilliamsProducer: Colin Tipton

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Oracle Corp. Chief Executive Officer Mark Hurd joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his company's new naming-rights deal with the San Francisco Giants. Hurd discusses the myriad ways in which the company utilizes its affiliation with the Major League Baseball club, including the possibility of taking clients on the team plane. Hurd also talks about how the mostly business-to-business company approaches its sports sponsorship, which includes tennis and sailing, which produced one of the greatest comebacks in sports history at the perfect time and in the perfect place for Oracle to take advantage. A former tennis player at Baylor University, Hurd also talks about how technology is affecting the fan experience, and what impact sports betting might have on the sports world. 

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 Mike Trout's new 12-year, $430 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. I will be the most expensive single-athlete deal in sports history, topping a $365 million contract boxer Canelo Alvarez signed last year. In Trout's eight-year career, spent entirely with the Angels, Los Angeles has made the playoffs just once. Also touched on is the American Athletic Conference's new 12-year, $1 billion broadcast deal with ESPN. The largest conference not in the so-called "Power Five," the ACC will see its annual payout to each school more than quadruple under the new deal. The trio also discuss the upcoming NCAA basketball tournament. 

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

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Al Guido, President of the San Francisco 49ers, discusses the team’s interest in Odell Beckham Jr.DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, explains why there is a need for equal power between athletes and teams.Joe Asher U.S. CEO at William Hill, talks about the evolution of legalized gambling in U.S. states.Laura Froelich, Senior Director and Head of U.S. Partnerships Content for Twitter, discusses new ways fans can interact with NBA players.Oliver Luck, Commissioner and CEO of the XFL, talks about challenges in the return of the professional football league. Don Cornwell Partner at PJT Partners, explains how you can see a variety of sports through various media platforms.Randy Levine, President of the New York Yankees, shares his thoughts on attempts to shorten MLB games.Neil Glat, President of the New York Jets, talks about the team acquiring running back Le’Veon Bell in free agency.Paul Rabil, Founder of the Premier Lacrosse League, discusses launching the new league this summer.

Hosts: Carol Massar, Michael Barr and Jason KellyProducer: Paul Brennan

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the betting patterns around the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. At 2-1 Duke is the shortest favorite to win it all since Kentucky in 2015. More money has been bet on Duke than any other team. Also discussed is how NCAA tournament apparel partners made out. Nike represents 40 teams in this year’s tourney, down from 47 a year ago. Under Armour is second with 17 teams wearing its logo, up from 10 last year. Also touched on is Esports being featured on The Simpsons. In Sunday’s episode, Bart became an Esports athlete, traveling to Seoul to compete in a world championship. Co-executive producer Rob LaZebnik said the episode was meant to embody a culture tipping point. 

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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