Bloomberg Business of Sports

Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and MLS's Atlanta United, discusses a number of topics related to the business of sports, including why he won't fine players for protesting during the National Anthem. Blank also talks about why soccer has captivated Atlanta, drawing some 70,000-plus fans to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and what's driving the valuations of MLS teams. He also talks about the stadium's community pricing model, whereby food vendors charge about what the item would cost in the areas surrounding the stadium. Blank also talks about Home Depot's onetime sponsorship of Tony Stewart's Nascar team, and what the sport needs to do to revive itself.

A native of Flushing, New York, Blank attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan and competed in football, baseball and track. He co-founded The Home Depot in 1978 and retired from the company as co-chairman in 2001. He bought the Falcons the following year.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Michael Barr and Eben Novy-Williams. Producer: Madena Parwana. This is a Bloomberg podcast. To download, watch or listen to this report now, click on the thumbnail/player on the sidebar.

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Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the Chicago Cubs decision to pull away from their partnership with NBC Sports Chicago -- and start their own television venture. The Cubs have hired former MSG Network President and St. Louis Blues CEO Mike McCarthy to lead the TV venture. Also discussed is Amazon's hiring of former ESPN executive Marie Donoghue to oversee sports for Prime Video. Donoghue spent 19 years at ESPN and left the network last year. The duo also talk about Northern Illinois's novel approach to encouraging students to attend football games: Show up for the chance to win $100.

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the French Open’s decision to bar Serena Williams from wearing a black, full-body outfit that’s known as a Catsuit. French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis Magazine that one must respect the game and the place. Williams sponsor Nike responded in an ad, saying “You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers.” Also discussed are radio host Mike Francesa’s new digital offering, and one company’s decision to drop its sponsorship of a race car driver in response to comments allegedly made by his father decades ago. 

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United States Tennis Association Chief Revenue Officer Lew Sherr discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports -- and the U.S. Open in particular -- including what’s driving revenue at America's annual tennis grand slam. Sherr talks about everything from the roofs atop the National Tennis Center's biggest stadiums to why President Donald Trump won't be attending this year. Sherr also discusses sponsorship value, concession prices and what his organization does with the money that it takes in. He also talks about player seeding and matches that go long into the night.  

Sherr is responsible for all commercial and business development for the US Open, USTA and its affiliated programs. He oversees broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and hospitality businesses, driving growth in recent years. Sherr joined the USTA in 2010. Prior to that he worked at Madison Square Garden, serving as senior VP or marketing partnerships. He graduated from Duke University, where he received both his undergraduate degree and MBA. 

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Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the effect new NFL rules changes, aimed at making the gamer safer, might have on the league this season. The new rules have drawn confusion and criticism from coaches, players and fans during preseason. The trio also discuss new kind of season ticket package for fans of the Buffalo Sabres. 

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Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the addition of esports to this year's Asian Games. Competitive video gaming, which is exploding in popularity among younger consumers, will be a demonstration sport in Jakarta later this month, and is under consideration for inclusion in the Olympics. Also discussed are the University of Alabama's plan to invest $600 million into its athletic facilities over the next 10 years, and the Pawtucket Red Sox's stadium shuffle, which will have the minor league baseball team moving to Worchester, Massachusetts. 

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Sportradar Chief Executive Officer Carsten Koerl discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what's driving the value of data in professional sports. He also talks about the company's prospects in the U.S., and how investors like Mark Cuban, Ted Leonsis and Michael Jordan are helping to drive deals and revenue. Koerl

also discusses sports betting in the U.S. and the need for data among media companies that broadcast sports. 

Koerl has strategically led all aspects of Sportradar's business since founding the company in 2001. Private equity firm EQT recently sold its stake in Sportradar in a deal that valued the company at $2.4 billion. Koerl didn't sell shares. 

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Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams travel to San Francisco and speak with Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, who was among the participants at the second annual Players Technology Summit. The event, which is Co-sponsored by Bloomberg, brings together venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and athletes for a day of discussion about how they can all work together. Brown speaks about his background in venture capital, his NBA platform, a sports world with legalized betting and what he hopes to achieve on- and off the court in the future. Other attendees at the event were former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana and former NBA MVP Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors. 

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Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the Business of Sports, including fans don't have to get out of their seats to get a beer at Dodger Stadium. Also discussed are the ratings for Fox and the World Cup. When you factor in the bars and parties watching the games, the ratings are better than first thought. Also, Tiger Woods and a strong second place finish behind Brooks Koepka in the PGA Championship is just what the golf TV broadcasters needed. 

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Oak View Group co-founder Tim Leiweke discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how his group is transforming the old Key Arena in Seattle as it prepares to land a hockey and basketball team. He also talks about the technological evolution in sports, and how it affects the distribution of content as well as the in-arena experience. Leiweke also talks about facilities management and what drives revenue for owners of sports teams, which nowadays are only centerpieces of much more elaborate business ventures focused on sectors like real estate or media. He also touches on President Trump's tariffs and what they mean for builders of a new arena. 

Leiweke is a former chief executive officer of AEG, which operates Staples Center, and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates, among others, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leiweke founded Oak View Group with music industry veteran Irving Azoff. 

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