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
351
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
352
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
353
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
354
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
355
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
356
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
357
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
358
“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
359
"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
360
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
361
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
362
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
363
“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
364
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
365
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
366
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
367
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
368
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
369
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
370
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
371
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
372
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
373
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
374
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
375
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