Sporticast
'Sporticast' is a new podcast hosted by business journalists Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams from Sportico that will deliver the inside scoop on the intersection of money and sports. From billion-dollar valuations to team sales, sponsorship contracts and media rights, go behind the scenes on the deals that power the global sports economy. For more coverage and information, be sure to check out sportico.com
276
Fanatics Trading Cards Valued at $10B / Manning...
Scott and Eben discuss the new Fanatics trading card company, which raised $350 million before ever launching a product. They also discuss the NFL’s NFT plan, the Manning-cast, and changes in college sports.
24 min
277
$20+ Billion Gambling Takeover / NBA and NHL Je...
Scott and Eben discuss DraftKings’ recent $20+ billion offer for European gambling operator Entain, plus another massive Clippers deal, a new round of jersey patch sales, and a new NFL playoff TV slot.
23 min
278
LA Olympics Chief Talks Preparation, Taxpayers,...
Scott and Eben chat with Kathy Carter, newly-appointed CEO of LA28, about the business behind the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics. They also talk with ESPN executive Kevin Lopes about the company’s ESPN Edge Conference, a virtual tech event next week.
39 min
279
Billionaire Ballmer’s $1.8 Billion Arena / LeBr...
Scott and Eben discuss Steve Ballmer’s plans for the Clippers’ new $1.8 billion arena in Los Angeles. They also talk about an investment in LeBron James’ media company, SportRadar’s IPO and a viral NFL video.
25 min
280
Paul Rabil Talks Retirement, Lacrosse Legacy an...
Scott and Eben speak with professional lacrosse player Paul Rabil about his recent retirement, the growth of his Premier Lacrosse League, and what business ventures might be on the horizon.
27 min
281
Kings $1.8 Billion Ransom / Yo Gotti Buys Into MLS
Scott and Eben talk about Arctos Sports Partners buying 17% of the Sacramento Kings, plus another celebrity investor into MLS. They also discuss the U.S. Open, and a strong opening week for the NFL.
23 min
282
NFL’s “33rd Owner” Discusses Strength of Busine...
Scott and Eben speak with Marc Ganis, a consultant often called the ‘33rd NFL Owner,’ about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the strength of the league’s business heading into the 2021 season.
29 min
283
Big 12 in Talks to Add UCF, Cincy, BYU and Hous...
Scott and Eben discuss the start of the NFL season, Big 12 expansion, the Bishop Sycamore saga, and a handful of other major sports business headlines from the last week.
26 min
284
College Football Kicks Off Amid Major Changes
Scott and Eben talk to Rick Burton, professor of sports management at Syracuse University, about the start of a college football season wrought with change and turmoil. They also discuss the evolution of pro leagues on sports betting, and uncertainty surrounding the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
25 min
285
Ronaldo Returns to Man United / MLS Miami Team’...
Scott and Eben discuss Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United, where he started his career. They also discuss another major MLS stake sale, the league’s upcoming media negotiations, and the NFL’s continued embrace of sports betting billions.
23 min
286
The Pac-12, Big Ten, ACC Alliance / NBA Player ...
Scott and Eben discuss the new “alliance” between the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC as the college sports landscape continues to shift. They also discuss an NBA Player suing his agent, the upcoming U.S. Open, and the world’s highest-paid female athletes.
24 min
287
Topps' Next Steps | Joe Tsai's Empire | Giannis...
Scott and Matt Bok discuss the next steps for Topps Trading cards, Joe Tsai's sports empire, and the how Giannis Antetokounmpo purchased a stake in the Milwaukee Brewers.
27 min
288
NHL Jerseys To Have Ads in 2022 / A Genius Idea
Scott and Eben discuss a major change in the NHL, which will let teams sell advertisements on its jerseys for the 2022-23 season. They also discuss a new Genius Sports hire, Sportradar starting the IPO process, the sports metaverse, and the NCAA’s upcoming changes.
28 min
289
Corn Stalks and Walk Offs at MLB’s Iowa Game
Scott and Eben discuss MLB’s “Field of Dreams” game, which ended in dramatic fashion in Iowa. They also talk about the NFL’s sports betting strategy, a WWE auction partnership and a BYU NIL deal that is the talk of college football.
24 min
290
DraftKings CEO Using Amazon Playbook as Busines...
Scott and Eben are joined by DraftKings CEO Jason Robins to talk about the company’s growth, and its future. Robins discusses the Amazon approach to growth, his company’s new $1.56 billion iGaming acquisition, and the launch of a new NFT marketplace on the platform.
28 min
291
Messi’s Messy Barcelona Exit, Olympics Wrap Up
Scott and Eben discuss Lionel Messi’s shocking departure from Barcelona, and the financial state of one of the world’s most valuable clubs. They also talk about the Tokyo and Beijing Olympics, a new DraftKings acquisition, and UFC’s compensation of its fighters.
23 min
292
Soccer’s $3 Billion Private Equity Play / Tokyo...
Scott and Eben discuss La Liga’s pending deal to sell 10% of the Spanish soccer league’s commercial rights to PE firm CVC. They also talk about the Tokyo Olympics, changes to the Olympics ticketing model, and a trademark fight over the Cleveland Indians’ new name.
26 min
293
Jordan, Kobe, Garnett and a Walk Down NBA Memor...
Scott and Eben chat with Ron Klempner, senior counsel for the NBA Players Association, about the union’s recent discovery of thousands of documents, such as original contracts, draft letters and lockout votes, that were recovered from its archives.
26 min
294
NBA’s No. 1 Pick Already Has Pistons Ticket Sal...
Scott and Eben are joined by Detroit Pistons chief business officer Mike Zavodsky on the eve of the NBA Draft. They discuss the team’s No. 1 overall pick, its business implications, and other ways the Pistons are re-tooling their approach to new business opportunities.
23 min
295
$550 Million a Bargain As Bucks Owners Celebrat...
Scott and Eben speak with Marc Lasry, co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, about the team’s recent NBA Championship. They talk about the ownership group’s $660 million purchase of the team in 2014, the stardom of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and how the Bucks can capitalize on their first title in 50 years.
28 min
296
GOATs Jordan, Gretzky Back Sports Media Startup...
Scott and Eben speak with Bo Han, CEO of sports media startup Buzzer, about the company’s star-studded list of investors, its growth strategy, and the changing makeup of sports media.
30 min
297
Packers Financials Show NFL Muscle, Olympics Re...
Scott and Eben discuss the Tokyo Olympics, which start at the end of the week after a one-year COVID delay. They also discuss the finances of the Green Bay Packers, which provide the only consistent snapshot into the annual financial health of the NFL, and an interesting new marketing opportunity for Michigan Wolverines football players.
22 min
298
MLS’s $800 Million Clubs, LeBron James Media Em...
Scott and Eben discuss Sportico’s recent MLS valuations, which peg the league’s most valuable clubs at more than $800 million. They also talk about a new $1.5 billion sports and entertainment investment vehicle, and LeBron James’ production company seeking a $750 million valuation.
24 min
299
Fenway First / McGregor Loss / New 76ers CEO
Scott and Eben discuss the business around Fenway Park, which is a huge draw but likely leaves revenue on the table for the Red Sox. They also discuss a new CEO for the 76ers and Devils, Conor McGregor’s latest loss, and what it costs to insure the Olympics.
23 min
300
ONE Championship Founder Talks U.S. Expansion, ...
Scott and Eben speak with Chatri Sityodtong, the founder and CEO of mixed martial arts, muay thai and kickboxing promotion ONE Championship. They discuss Sityodtong’s journey before building ONE Championship, the company’s success in new media endeavors and the advantage that fights have over legacy sports leagues like the NFL or MLB.
29 min