Bloomberg Business of Sports

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

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 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

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 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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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

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 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

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 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.