Bloomberg Business of Sports

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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Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the financial troubles of Washington Redskins star Adrian Peterson. The highest paid running back in NFL history, Peterson is being sued for allegedly defaulting on a $5.2 million loan and has other creditors, all despite making over $100 million over his career. An attorney for the 34-year-old said he was "taken advantage of." Also discussed is the Pac-12's announcement that it is considering playing football games that start at 9 AM Pacific time, in an effort to boost its exposure across the country. The pair also talk about the first Fortnite World Cup, which paid its winner $3 million.

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Liverpool Football Club Chief Executive Officer Peter Moore (and the club's recently acquired Champions League trophy) join Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his team's U.S. tour that included a stop at Yankee Stadium. Liverpool is just one of many blue-chip soccer brands to tour the U.S., hoping to snag a share of the world's largest sports market. Moore also talked about the ownership of John Henry, who also controls baseball's Boston Red Sox, and how LeBron James's fashion choices can affect the soccer team's bottom line. Moore also discusses OTT networks and how direct-to-consumer helps the club win fans and generate revenue around the globe. Moore took over as Liverpool's CEO in 2017.  Prior to that he ran the sports division at Electronic Arts. 

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

Producer: Bob Bragg

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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 appreciation of professional sports teams in the NFL, NBA and MLB. According to Forbes, for the first time every team in those leagues is worth at least $1 billion. Also talked about is Zion Williamson’s decision to sign with Nike’s Jordan Brand. Williamson, the No. 1 draft pick and most heralded NBA rookie since LeBron James -- also a Nike face -- was courted by several shoe and apparel brands. Financial terms of the deal, which Williamson announced on his Instagram page, weren’t disclosed. Also talked about is an investment by Theresia Gouw, often referred to as the richest female venture capitalist, into a beach volleyball media platform started by five-time Olympian and three-time gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings. Gouw is the co-founder of Aspect Ventures, whose portfolio of companies includes 40% started by women. Jennings’s p1440 is the first digital media platform dedicated to the sport and culture surrounding beach volleyball.

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

Producer: Bob Bragg

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams, Randall Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including ESPN personality Dan Le Batard's decision to break from company policy to discuss politics on his radio show. The son of Cuban immigrant, Le Batard last week criticized President Donald Trump and ESPN's own policy of only discussing politics when the topic is broached by the coaches and athletes it covers. Le Batard hasn't been publicly disciplined, but reportedly chose not to do his radio show on Monday. Also discussed is LSU's new $28 million renovation to its football operations building, which include a revamped cafeteria and fancy new locker room. Also touched on is a brewing carriage dispute between Dish Network and a complicated web of different networks, including channels owned by Fox and Disney.   

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

Producer: Bob Bragg

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.