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
401
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
402
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
403
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
404
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
405
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
406
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
407
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
408
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
409
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
410
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
411
$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
412
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
413
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
414
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
415
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
416
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
417
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
418
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
419
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
420
“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
421
"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
422
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
423
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
424
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
425
“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