Bloomberg Business of Sports

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Kawhi Leonard's dramatic buzzer-beater to put the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference finals. There they'll meet the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, led by potential MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, also known as the Greek Freak. The winner of that series will meet the winner of the Portland Trail Blazers and defending champion Golden State Warriors, who may be without All-Star Kevin Durant. Also discussed is the newest phase of the NBA's (and MLB's) push to profit directly off of legal sports gambling, and the new $35.2 million contract signed by Kyler Murray, the top pick in this year's NFL Draft. 

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

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Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer Christopher Ripley 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 $10.6 billion purchase of 21 regional sports networks from Disney. The price for the RSNs, as they're called, was well below what analysts initially expected them to fetch. Disney had to unload the properties as part of its already-completed acquisition of 21st Century Fox Inc.’s entertainment assets. The deal turns Sinclair from a mostly local-TV company into a sports powerhouse. And it lets the broadcaster gain from the booming sports-betting industry. Ripley discusses Sinclair's strategy for the networks, and why he's bullish on sports rights. 

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 Liverpool Football Club's stunning victory to oust Barcelona from the Champions League. Liverpool's 4-0 victory (4-3 on aggregate) pushes the Reds to the final, where they'll meet either fellow Premier League club Tottenham or Dutch team Ajax. Liverpool is controlled by Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, and its investors include basketball star LeBron James. Also discussed is the Los Angeles Rams desire to have St. Louis taxpayers pay a portion of a previous settlement that stemmed from the football team's relocation, and the steps female hockey players are taking to ensure a viable league. 

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

Producer: Madena Parwana

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the media possibilities being pondered by the Golden State Warriors. The team's president, Rick Welts, said the franchise that's opening a new arena in San Francisco is turning its attention toward content. Welts wonders what the team can create and distribute, and on what medium, if it can't show actual games. The ideas go beyond the Warriors as the new arena, the Chase Center, makes the franchise a live event production company. Also discussed is the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network dispute between the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles, who according to an arbitration panel must pay the former tens of millions more in broadcast rights fees. Also talked about is the XFL's television deals with Fox Sports and ESPN. 

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

Producer: Madena Parwana

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

San Francisco 49ers President and Elevate Sports Ventures Chief Executive Officer Al Guido joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Elevate's two-year deal to sell tickets and advise on business operations for Vince McMahon's XFL, a spring football league scheduled to begin play next season. Guido discusses why he believes the venture will succeed, and how the league intends to bring fans much closer to the game. Guido also discusses 49ers draft pick Nick Bosa, his politics, and social media mistakes, and why there won't be any problems for the conservative-leaning player in San Francisco.  

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

Producer: Madena Parwana

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the Big3 basketball league’s jersey sponsorship with cannabidiol (CBD) oil brand cbdMD. The company will serve as the exclusive jersey patch sponsor on the front of all 12 Big3 teams' uniforms. Also discussed is Fanduel becoming the first U.S. sports betting operator to offer live-sports broadcasts alongside odds on its website and mobile application. Also talked about is Major League Baseball’s decision to put 13 of its games on Google’s YouTube exclusively in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. The deal continues the migration of sports from TV to the Internet. 

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

Producer: Madena Parwana

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.