Bloomberg Business of Sports

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the Carolina Panthers’s plans for a new practice facility. The National Football League team is looking to build a new practice grounds and could end up in either North Carolina or South Carolina. The flexibility should give the team the leverage to negotiate a team-friendly deal for land and/or tax benefits, and free up room near its downtown Charlotte stadium for more development. Also discussed is NBC’s potential plans for sports betting. The network registered a handled of gambling-related domain names last week, an indication that it may launch a sports betting service at some point in 2019. The pair also talked about the $550 gift baskets that bowl games give college football players each year.

Hosts: Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including LeBron James's comments about NFL owners having a slave mentality, and his Instagram posting of offensive music lyrics about Jews. James apologized for the posting, saying he didn't mean to offend anyone.  Also discussed is a look-ahead to the NFL playoff picture, which shows a number of marquee teams and players headed for the postseason. Also talked about is the Oakland Raiders stadium situation, and the financial planning acumen of Toronto Raptors player Fred VanVleet, who is enjoying his first Christmas as a millionaire. 

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

Producer: Anthony Mancini

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Action Network Chief Executive Officer Patrick Keane joins Eben Novy-Williams and Scott Soshnick to discuss a host of issues related to the burgeoning business of sports gambling. Founded in 2017, the Action Network hopes to be the first stop for both serious and casual bettors as they seek to read about the industry, keep track of their wagers and develop new strategies. A former board member at Bleacher Report and 20-year media veteran, Keane said he sees a future where Action Network is a $1 billion company. He discusses the company’s growth strategy, which includes creating content for TV networks, and a potential funding round coming in the near future.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Jessica Summers

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Eben Novy-Williams and Scott Soshnick discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the Bloomberg News report that said Boston Red Sox owner John Henry is contemplating an investment in Nascar. Henry already owns half of Roush Fenway Racing. Also discussed is the strategy being employed by what's known as New Fox, which is charting a new course after a blockbuster deal with Walt Disney Co. New Fox is focusing on live TV, which stresses sports and news, including the NFL. Also talked about is the NCAA's looming court decision over the college sports governing body's possible antitrust violations. 

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Jessica Summers

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Eben Novy-Williams and Scott Soshnick discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including New York Knicks Owner Jim Dolan’s recent comments about the possibility of selling the team. Dolan said that he’d received "feelers" in the $5 billion range, comments that sent MSG stock up early Monday morning. Also discussed is the conflicting comments from Phoenix about whether the city’s NBA team is threatening to leave if it doesn’t reach an agreement for a new arena. News reports said that Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver threatened to relocate the franchise, while the team has denied doing so. Also talked about is a new ESPN investigation about health violations in stadium concession stands across the four major leagues.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams

Producer: Jessica Summers 

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Player agent Leigh Steinberg joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how the industry has changed since he represented National Football League superstars like Troy Aikman and Steve Young. Steinberg also talks about how he prepares clients for life in professional sports, and how he approaches endorsement opportunities. Steinberg also touches on his current superstar client, Kansas City Chief quarterback Pat Mahomes, who is taking a slow- and-steady approach to off-the-field income. That said, Steinberg says there's a breakfast cereal in the works as part of a slew of upcoming endorsements. 

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-WilliamsProducer: Bob Bragg

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the outside report that blasted the USOC's handling of the gymnastics sex abuse case involving Larry Nassar. Also discussed is the American Athletic Conference's decision to ask its member schools to sign what's called a ``grant-of-rights'' agreement that theoretically would lock them into the conference for the length of the next media rights deal. It's a way for the conference to protect itself against marquee schools like the University of Central Florida moving to another conference. Also talked about is the city of Oakland's lawsuit against the Raiders, who are leaving for Las Vegas. 

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

Producer: Bob Bragg

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Lance Armstrong's investment in Uber. An investment in a venture capital fund that bought into Uber has proved a lifeline for the disgraced cyclist. Armstrong's $100,000 investment has made him about $20 million, according to calculations by Bloomberg. Also discussed is Major League Baseball's decision to move up the start time of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, which will now begin at 7 p.m. Eastern instead of an hour later. The new time slot means baseball will, for the first hour of the game, compete against 60 Minutes, which begins at the same time. Also touched on is NCAA President Mark Emmert's three-year contract extension through 2023.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck joins Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what it has been like to build a professional sports league from scratch. The XFL earlier this week announced its cities and venues -- just a part of what it'll take to build a spring football league. Also discussed is the rebooted league's broadcast media plan, which will be announced soon, how it's using junior college players to re-imagine the game, and how technology will be utilized to make the in-venue and at-home experiences better for football fans. Luck also talks about his boss, World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman Vince McMahon, and how the league intends to make the game of football safer. Luck also touches on Miguel de Cervantes's character Don Quixote, and whether a new football league is akin to tilting at windmills. 

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

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Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Steph Curry’s new investment in Toronto-based startup SnapTravel. The two-time NBA MVP is looking to make 8-12 investments a year through his SC30 Inc., primarily in tech and media. Also discussed on the podcast is Home Court Capital’s $150 million fund that will invest in early-career athletes, and the NHL’s decision to put its 32nd franchise in Seattle.

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

Producer: Colin Tipton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.