XFL Chief Executive Officer Oliver Luck and President Jeffrey Pollack join Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what it takes to launch a new professional sports league. The XFL, which is being funded by WWE founder Vince McMahon, begins play this weekend. The executives discuss a range of topics related to the league and its business, including players, branding, rules and the importance of the XFL’s television agreements with Fox and Disney’s ABC and ESPN. Also discussed is how the teams are branded, why the XFL chose to play in major markets, and how long it’ll take for profitability. Luck and Pollack also talk about the long-term business plan for the league, and whether an affiliation with the NFL is possible.

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

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what it means for Harvard University’s football program to have one of its former players score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Former Harvard standout Kyle Juszczyk of the San Francisco 49ers scored in this past weekend’s NFL championship against the eventual champion Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the first Crimson player to record a touchdown on sports’ biggest stage. We discuss what it means for the program with Harvard coach Tim Murphy. Also discussed are Steve Cohen’s pursuit of the New York Mets, which may have hit a snag, the Boston Red Sox’s trade of Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars decision play two home games in London.

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

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the marketing and endorsement possibilities for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the wake of his team’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. Mahomes, 24, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, was named MVP of the Super Bowl as well. One advertising executive said he stands to rake in up to $7 million more in annual endorsement income. Also discussed was one particular prop bet that had fans waiting until the very end of the game. It had to do with how many rushing yards Mahomes would total. His kneel downs at the very end pushed the total to the under. And also discussed is whether the NFL players would agree to a 17-game season as part of talks aimed at reaching a new collective bargaining agreement.

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

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two guests join Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, all centered around the Super Bowl this week in Miami. First, Sportscorp Ltd. co-founder Marc Ganis discusses the commercialization of the Super Bowl, looming labor negotiations and the prospect of more NFL games, including a Super Bowl, overseas. Later in the show, Hans Schroeder, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NFL Media, talks about the league's position as it begins to negotiate billions in new TV deals. Current partners NBC, Fox, CBS and ESPN are all expected to bid to keep their rights, and the league will likely see increased interest from deep-pocketed tech companies like Apple and Amazon.

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

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the health of the National Football League's business heading into the Feb. 2 Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. Ratings are up this year and some of the major headwinds from two years ago (concussion concerns and the fight over political protests) have receded from the narrative. That comes at a perfect time for the league, which is currently re-negotiating its major TV contracts, which bring it more than $6.5 billion per year. Also talked about is the American Gaming Association's estimate that a record 26 million Americans will gamble on the Super Bowl, with a total of $6.8 billion wagered, both legally and illegally. Also discussed is Penn National's investment in Barstool Sports, which values the controversial digital media company at $450 million.  

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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 basketball and business legacy left by former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash over the weekend. Bryant, much like the late NBA Commissioner David Stern, was myopic on his relentless pursuit of perfection. His death drew an outpouring of support from world leaders, athletes and entertainers. Bryant also built an investment platform, which had him on the road to becoming a billionaire. Also discussed is the Premier Golf League, which begins play in 2022.

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

Producer: Charles Vollmer

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

San Francisco 49ers President Al Guido joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including all of the financial implications associated with your team reaching the Super Bowl. The 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 2 in Miami. Guido talks about the weeks of preparation that go into staging the NFL’s premier event, and how teams and players try and capitalize on what is historically the most-watched TV event of the year. Guido also talks about his team’s marketing plan, using former stars such as Joe Montana and Jerry Rice to help the team prepare. He also discusses the halo effect of being in the NFL’s title game, and what it means for the sale of tickets, suites and sponsorship beyond this season.

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 what Derek Jeter’s memorabilia prospects are in light of his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Jeter, a former New York Yankees captain, came within one vote of joining his former teammate, Mariano Rivera, as the only unanimous selections. Even so, the market for Jeter memorabilia should be robust, said Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions. Also talked about is Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s investment in the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. And also discussed is a possible sale of Bill Simmons’s media company, The Ringer, to Spotify.

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

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including a Super Bowl match-up that has ticket prices soaring. The Feb. 2 game in Miami features the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, two classic NFL franchises that haven't had a lot of Super Bowl success of late. The cheapest available ticket on secondary market TicketIQ.com is right around $4,500, with the average listing over $8,000. Also talked about is a changing of the guard regarding the NFL's most marketable stars, with Patrick Mahomes set to overtake Tom Brady as the players union's top selling athlete. Also discussed is mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor's return to the octagon, and what his 40-second victory this weekend means for the business of UFC.

Hosts: Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Terri Jackson, head of the Women’s National Basketball Association players union, joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, starting with the groundbreaking new labor accord negotiated between the league and union. If ratified, the new agreement would dramatically increase salaries for WNBA players, and expand benefits in areas like maternity leave and family planning, travel and road accommodation, and free agency. The executive director of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association since 2016, Jackson was instrumental in negotiating the deal. She discusses the process, the unique ownership structure of the league’s teams, and its profitability. She also speaks more broadly about similar efforts in sports like women’s soccer and women’s hockey to improve athlete compensation and treatment.

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

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.