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

Sports News
Sports
Business
301
Surprise NBA Finals To Rely on More Games, Not ...
Scott and Eben discuss the upcoming NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks, a series that is lacking the star power of recent championship showdowns. They also discuss the start of the NIL Era in college sports, U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s drug test, and yet another sale in the world of sports memorabilia and collectibles.
21 min
302
Sixers CEO Steps Down / Ares Management’s $1 Bi...
Scott and Eben discuss Scott O’Neil’s decision to step down as CEO of the 76ers and Devils. They also talk about Ares Management’s recent $1 billion investment across multiple sports, Jerry Jones’ esports ambitions, a $200 million Division III athletics facility, and a star-studded cap table for Buzzer.
23 min
303
Lakers Valued Around $5 Billion, Nike Hits All-...
Scott and Eben discuss a 27% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers that is being sold to two Dodgers owners. They also talk about JPMorgan Chase’s investment into Robert Kraft’s analytics company, Nike’s stock hitting an all-time high, and Sports Illustrated licensing its name for gambling purposes.
21 min
304
“Our David Beckham Moment” as Indoor Lacrosse H...
Scott and Eben chat with National Lacrosse League commissioner Nick Sakiewicz about the NLL’s latest franchise, a club in Las Vegas co-owned by billionaire Joe Tsai, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, basketball Hall of Famer Steve Nash and golfer Dustin Johnson.
24 min
305
"Open Season on NCAA” Following Landmark Court ...
Scott and Eben are joined by Sportico legal analyst Mike McCann to discuss Monday’s landmark Supreme Court ruling, in which the justices ruled 9-0 against the NCAA. They also discuss a Las Vegas lacrosse franchise with some big-name owners, and the latest executive hire by Fanatics.
24 min
306
Models, Athletes, Celebs and NFTs: The Club Nec...
Scott and Eben chat with real estate investor and D.C. United minority owner Al Tylis about his recent investment into Mexican soccer team Club Necaxa. They discuss Liga MX’s commercial success in both the U.S. and Mexico, its growth prospects, and an ownership group that includes Eva Longoria, Kate Upton and Mesut Ozil. They also discuss Necaxa’s ongoing sale of a 1% ownership stake, which is being auctioned as an NFT.
24 min
307
Yes! Yes! Yes! Islanders Playoff Run Comes at P...
Scott and Eben discuss the New York Islanders’s playoff run, which comes as the team prepares to open a new $1.5 billion arena. They also talk about an expanded College Football Playoff, pay-per-view sales from the Logan Paul-Floyd Mayweather fight, an NFT that carries a minority stake in a Mexican soccer team, and a few other topics.
25 min
308
Basquiat and Biggie: Brooklyn Nets CEO talks Bu...
Scott and Eben chat with John Abbamondi, CEO of the Brooklyn Nets, about the business of the NBA’s hottest team. Abbamondi talks about challenges during the pandemic, the return of fans to the Barclays Center, and how the Nets think about franchise value growth on a long-term horizon.
21 min
309
“Legalized Bank Robbery” in Boxing, MLS Team’s ...
Scott and Eben discuss Sunday’s fight between Floyd Mayweather and YouTube star Logan Paul, which made both men millions. They also talk about NFL executive Kevin LaForce’s new job, D.C. United’s $710 million valuation, and changes at Manchester United.
24 min
310
NBA Valuations, Unruly Fans, and Leadership Les...
Scott and Eben chat with Scott O’Neil, CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, to discuss leadership, the rapid growth of the NBA, its opportunities in China, and the recent string of ugly incidents involving fans.
34 min
311
The NBA’s Unruly Fans / Naomi Osaka’s Media Freeze
Scott and Eben discuss a recent string of ugly incidents involving fans during the NBA playoffs. They also talk about tennis star Naomi Osaka’s announcement that she wouldn’t participate in press conferences during the French Open, and financing problems for the new NFL stadium in Las Vegas.
28 min
312
Surging Fan Demand with StubHub Executive Aksha...
Scott and Eben are joined by Akshay Khanna, GM of StubHub’s North America business, to discuss the surging demand for live sporting events and concerts in the back half of the year. They discuss the challenges of the last 18 months, optimism moving forward, and why there may be a lot more third-party events at big league venues this fall. The hosts also discuss Sportico’s recent list of the world’s highest paid athletes.
27 min
313
Mickelson’s Millions / U.S. Soccer Shakeup
Scott and Eben discuss Phil Mickelson’s historic win at the PGA Championship, which earned him $2.16 million. They also talk about changes in U.S. Soccer marketing, and new high school basketballs super league.
23 min
314
English Soccer’s Inequality / Another MLS Club ...
Scott and Eben discuss Sportico’s recent Premier League valuations, led by Manchester United at $4.65 billion. They also talk about Stanford University’s decision to reinstate the 11 varsity sports it eliminated in July, and the sale of MLS club Houston Dynamo to Ted Segal.
26 min
315
Kobe Bryant’s Footwear Future / A $43 Billion M...
Scott and Eben discuss the latest for Kobe Byrant’s footwear empire, as the Hall of Famer’s estate explores potential options in the wake of its separation from Nike. They also discuss sports implications of the $43 billion merger between AT&T’s WarnerMedia and Discovery; a pair of new ESPN broadcast deals; and the Pac-12 Conference’s next commissioner.
24 min
316
LeBron vs. Steph In One-Game NBA Playoff / A’s ...
Scott and Eben discuss the release of the 2021 NFL schedule, which the league has turned into another offseason spectacle. They also discuss the potential relocation of the Oakland A’s, a recent Sportico story about a lucrative corner of the college sports world, and the NBA’s new playoff format.
23 min
317
NFL Owners Readying MLS Investment / Horse Dopi...
Scott and Eben discuss a Sportico report that the Wilf family, owners of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, are nearing a deal to acquire MLS club Orlando City SC. They also discuss the latest in a horse racing controversy that has ensnared the sport’s most prominent trainer; a $200 million acquisition in sports data; and a sold out crowd of 73,000 fans for a boxing match in Texas.
23 min
318
Teenage Prodigy’s Soccer Lawsuit / Knicks, Rang...
Scott and Eben discuss 15-year-old soccer phenom Olivia Moultrie, who is suing the NWSL to try and lift its age restrictions. They also discuss the latest in the $10 billion SPAC deal involving data giant Sportradar, heavy revenue losses for the Knicks and Rangers, and what sports teams and athletes are doing with their NFT cryptocurrency.
24 min
319
NFL Draft Wrap / Rugby’s Big Private Equity Moment
Scott and Eben discuss the NFL Draft, which drew move viewers this year than the Oscars, and a new sponsor-inspired camera angle that’s drawing ire from baseball fans in Texas. They also discuss a possible $281 million private equity investment into New Zealand Rugby, and Intel exploring a sale of its sports unit.
25 min
320
Inside Baseball’s Billion-Dollar Valuations / N...
Scott and Eben discuss a recent Sportico live event featuring the most powerful people in Major League Baseball. They also discuss the upcoming NFL draft, which will open with Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, and the NHL’s new media deals with Turner.
22 min
321
Yankees, Mets Eye TV Tie-up / New Dodger Dog, S...
Scott and Eben discuss the potential sale of SNY, the TV partner of the Mets, which could result in a media partnership between New York’s two MLB teams. They also discuss a sponsorship shake-up for gymnastics star Simone Biles, a $4.75 billion deal in sports betting, and a new supplier for the iconic Dodger Dog.
22 min
322
Bumbling Billionaires, Oligarchs and Sheikhs Of...
Scott and Eben discuss the rapid collapse of the European soccer Super League, which fell apart less than 48 hours after it was announced, following outrage from fans, players and government officials. They also discuss a new bonus structure for PGA Tour golfers, digital horse-racing and a big esports donation.
25 min
323
The Simpsons Help Explain Europe’s New Super Le...
Scott and Eben discuss a blockbuster development for European soccer, with 12 of the sport’s richest teams announcing plans to form their own continental championship. They also discuss Trevor Lawrence signing with Adidas, and the NFL’s $1 billion betting deals.
22 min
324
DraftKings Hires / Fans Return / A Chat With AE...
Scott and Eben discuss a new DraftKings hire, which explains a lot about the future of sports betting and sports media, and news in the world of esports and professional lacrosse. They’re then joined by AEG CEO Dan Beckerman to discuss how the privately-held entertainment giant is approaching the return of fans to sports stadiums and concert venues this spring.
27 min
325
Matsuyama’s $600 Million Masters Moment / A-Rod...
Scott and Eben discuss Hideki Matsuyama’s historic Masters win, the first for a Japanese golfer, which could end up being worth $600 million in future business opportunities. They also discuss the first major U.S. investment into Mexico’s Liga MX, the most-watched soccer league in the U.S., and the pending sale of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves to a group co-lead by Alex Rodriguez.
22 min