Bloomberg Business of Sports

Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including a peek behind the curtain of what drives the venue business. The trio discuss the installation of a $4.6 million curtain at Minnesota's US Bank Stadium in time for college basketball's Final Four. As a condition of landing college basketball's marquee event the stadium agreed to darken its signature brightness. Why? Because the bid for the Final Four required a way to darken the venue and keep lighting consistent for televising the games. The money will come from the stadium's capital improvement fund. Also discussed is the leave of absence taken by San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer, who was captured on video having a physical altercation with his wife. Also talked about is the retirement of Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney and ESPN analyst Jessica Mendoza joining the New York Mets' front office. 

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 business of Bryce Harper in the wake of the All-Star's signing with the Philadelphia Phillies. Since he inked a $330 million deal the Phillies have seen a rush of ticket sales, and Harper merchandise is flying off the shelves like never before. Also talked about is the further reduced pricing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where concessions are among the least expensive in the sports world. And also talked about are the management changes at Turner, where David Levy said he was leaving as president.  

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angela Ruggiero, chief executive officer and co-founder of the Sports Innovation Lab (https://www.sportsilab.com/), joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how technology is transforming the industry. Also discussed is her time playing ice hockey for the U.S. and her spot on the International Olympic Committee's executive board. A graduate of the Harvard Business School, Ruggiero also talks about how technology is being used by sports leagues to reshape not only the in-arena experience but at-home viewing, too. Also touched on is the future of athletes and data, as in pertains to training and media opportunities. 

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 how the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes are responding to the criticism of Hockey Night in Canada announcer Don Cherry. The analyst called the players ``a bunch of jerks'' for their post-game celebrations that began with the team skating down the ice and slamming into the glass. Traditionally, teams would gather at center ice and raise their sticks. The team's celebrations have included a Viking clap, and a simulated bowling game, a limbo line and duck, duck, goose.  Also discussed is Major League Baseball's deal with Sportradar, which is providing the league's official data to betting houses. Also talked about is baseball's deal with the Atlantic League, which will experiment with rules changes that might include robot umpires. 

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 many ways in which the Academy Awards touched the sports world. The Oscars included wins by noted Knicks fan Spike Lee and Best Supporting Actor Mahershala Ali, who played college basketball at St. Mary's.  Also, Serena Williams was the voice in a Nike commercial that celebrated female athletes. Also discussed is the fallout from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft being charged as part of a prostitution sting in Florida. Also talked about is the somewhat odd occurrence during the Chelsea-Manchester City game, during which the Blues goalkeeper refused his coach's order to leave the game for a substitution. 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 his participation in the Alliance of American Football, an upstart league entering its third week of play. Heneghan, a Dartmouth graduate, discusses his time in an NFL training camp, and the inner workings of a league where the players are paid about the same and most are vying for a chance at the NFL. He also talks about the $250 million commitment Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon made to the AAF. Heneghan also talks about his time as a private equity analyst, and practice innovations at Dartmouth. 

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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, $300 million contract Manny Machado has agreed to with the San Diego Padres. Next up is mega free agent Bryce Harper, who is being courted by several teams, including the Phillies and incumbent Nationals. Also discussed is Colin Kaepernick's settlement with the National Football League. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Kaepernick had accused NFL owners of colluding to keep him from playing after a firestorm was created when he knelt during the National Anthem to protest police brutality and social injustices. Also talked about is Tom Dundon's $250 million commitment to the Alliance of American Football, which may have had trouble making payroll this week without the capital infusion. 

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss his 30 years leading the NBA, including lessons learned from a trip to Thimphu, Bhutan, and the sport's rapid growth in the past few decades. Stern also talks about the stars of today’s NBA, and why he thinks quarterback-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick would still have a job if he played in the NBA instead of the NFL. The group also discusses legal sports gambling, its pending impact on franchise valuations and Stern’s current gig as a tech investor and adviser.

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

Producer: Madena Parwana

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nascar President Steve Phelps joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the money surrounding U.S. auto-racing’s biggest race, the Daytona 500. Phelps also talks about the sale of a limited stake in the racing circuit, and the challenges posed by a changing media landscape that threatens Nascar’s long-time dominance on television. Also discussed is how Nascar can better promote its top drivers, helping names like Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. gain traction outside racing circles.

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 kerfuffle surrounding golfer Matt Kuchar's tip to a local caddie he used while winning a tournament in Mexico. In short, Kuchar's usual caddie couldn't make the trip, so he used a caddie from the course where the tournament was played. Kuchar took home about $1.2 million as the winner, and gave the caddie $5,000. His usual caddie would've been paid $126,000. Also discussed is the Premier Lacrosse League's latest investor, Alibaba billionaire Joe Tsai. The league begins play in June. Also talked about is the decision by the Cleveland Browns to sign running back Kareem Hunt, who faces a National Football  League suspension for domestic abuse, and the Chicago Cubs starting a regional sports network with Sinclair. 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.