DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday he will retire when his current term ends in January 2029. Speaking at a spring training news conference, Manfred noted he will be 70 years old and will have been commissioner for 14 years when his term ends on Jan. 25, 2029. Manfred, 65, succeeded Bud Selig in January 2015 and was given a five-year term as baseball's 10th commissioner. Tampa Bay hopes to construct a new ballpark adjacent to the current Tropicana Field. “I’m hope that I’m here to go to opening day as commissioner for both Tampa Bay and Las Vegas,” Manfred said.

Persons: Rob Manfred, Manfred, Jan, ” Manfred, Bud Selig, “, I’m, Tom Werner, Tim Brosnan, Dan Halem, “ I’m, that'll, ” Organizations: — Baseball, Boston Red Sox, MLB, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland, Tampa, Tropicana, Tampa Bay Locations: TAMPA, Fla, Las Vegas

☆ I was able to keep my office romance a secret for 2 years. We've now been married for over a decade.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Shana Westlake | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I was in the office alone on a Saturday, muddling through, when Paul walked in. Staggered shifts meant we rarely arrived together, and by the end of the night, everyone was too exhausted to notice when we left in the same car. Late-night games meant some shifts didn't end until very early in the morning. That fight confirmed that our relationship was strong enough to survive shift work. Nearly 18 years later, I have no regrets about my office romance.

Persons: hoots, they'd, we'd, Paul, Facetime, Alex, Evi Organizations: Service, MLB, Boston, American League, Business, Major League Baseball, schmoozing Locations: Cleveland

☆ Super Bowl’s historic ratings show that the NFL is at the apex of its powers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

That ratings figure was up 7% from last year’s Big Game, which previously held the title for the most-watched Super Bowl of all-time. 120 million viewers watched the sporting event on CBS, the largest audience ever for a single network, the company said. The record-breaking Super Bowl capped a strong season for the NFL, with the NFC championship game on Fox averaging 56 million viewers and the AFC championship game averaging 55 million on CBS. The epic conclusion to an already epic season proved that the NFL is at the apex of its powers. No other event rivals the star power the Super Bowl draws.

Persons: “, ”, Austin Karp, ” Karp, Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, Gavin Newsom, Jay, Tim Cook, LeBron James, Jimmy Kimmel, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Paul Rudd, Martha Stewart, Mark Wahlberg, Kendall Jenner, Shaquille O’Neal, Sean McManus, John Ourand Organizations: New York CNN, National Football League, peerless, NFL, CBS, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, NFC, Fox, AFC, Sports Business, NBA, MLB, Pew Research Center, Super Bowl, CBS Sports Locations: New York, Las Vegas, U.S, Las, America

☆ Jenny Cavnar makes history as the first woman to serve as an MLB team’s primary play-by-play announcer
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a woman will be the primary play-by-play voice of a major team. NBC Sports California said Tuesday it has chosen Jenny Cavnar, a broadcasting veteran with nearly two decades of baseball experience, for the prestigious role. “It is a dream come true to join the broadcast team for the Oakland A’s and their rich baseball history,” Cavnar said in a release. Doris Burke is among the NBA’s most well-respected color commentators, and she has been broadcasting national games for ESPN for 11 years. And in 2018, Andrea Kremer and Hannah Storm called an NFL game for Amazon, the first all-woman booth for a professional football national broadcast.

Persons: Jenny Cavnar, ” Cavnar, Cavnar, ”, Jenny, Matt Murphy, “ She’s, who’s, Suzyn Waldman, Jessica Mendoza, Doris Burke, Andrea Kremer, Hannah Storm, Chanda Rubin, CoCo Vandeweghe Organizations: New, New York CNN, Major League Baseball, NBC Sports California, Oakland Athletics, Oakland, “, Colorado Rockies MLB, NBC, MLB, NBC Sports, Yankees, ESPN’s, ESPN, Amazon, Tennis Channel, English Premier League, Sky Sports Locations: New York, Bronx

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Veteran baseball broadcaster Jenny Cavnar is the new primary play-by-play announcer for the Oakland Athletics, hired by NBC Sports California. Cavnar becomes the first woman to handle primary play-by-play duties in major league history — set to be the voice for most of the A’s games during the upcoming 2024 season. She became the first woman in a quarter-century to handle play-by-play for an MLB game in 2018. “It is a dream come true to join the broadcast team for the Oakland A’s and their rich baseball history,” Cavnar said in a statement. “Growing up the daughter of a baseball coach, I have loved the game from a young age, along with the stories, history and relationships the game provides.

Persons: Jenny Cavnar, Cavnar, ” Cavnar, Dallas Braden Organizations: OAKLAND, — Veteran, Oakland Athletics, NBC Sports California, Colorado Rockies, MLB, Colorado State University, Oakland, Athletics Locations: Calif

Now, if a league or network isn't doing something to appeal to younger fans, they are behind the times. Nickelodeon will air its fifth NFL game on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Networks and leagues also continue to experiment with social media and creating more viral highlights to keep younger fans interested. “There’s just so many more tools now at our disposal to address the complex consumption habits of young fans. The pie has many more pieces to it for young fans,” Lehanski said.

Persons: Vince Lombardi, Sean McManus, “, ” McManus, they've, SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Travis Kelce, it's, ”, Hans Schroeder, “ I’ve, Nate Burleson, Marvel, Dave Lehanski, Goofy, SpongeBob, Bruce Beck, Julie Sobieski, ESPN's, “ There’s, ” Lehanski, ___ Organizations: CBS, NFL, Nickelodeon, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, CBS Sports, Media, Disney, ESPN, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Nielsen, NHL, Big City Greens, NBA, Business Development, Innovation, Walt Disney Company, MLB Little, Williamsport, . Networks Locations: London, Williamsport , Pennsylvania

NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler was suspended through the 2024 World Series on Friday by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who concluded he directed team staff to fabricate injuries to create open roster spots. “I cooperated fully and transparently with MLB’s investigation, and I accept their decision,” Eppler said in a statement. No other Mets personnel were disciplined by the commissioner's office, a second person familiar with the investigation said, also on condition of anonymity. Eppler, 48, was the Mets general manager from November 2021 until he quit last Oct. 5, three days after owner Steven Cohen hired David Stearns as president of baseball operations. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended in January 2020 through that year’s World Series for their roles in the team using a video camera to steal signs.

Persons: Billy Eppler, Rob Manfred, Manfred, Eppler, “, ” Eppler, Eppler’s, Jay Reisinger, Steven Cohen, David Stearns, A.J, Hinch, Jeff Luhnow, Alex Cora Organizations: Former New York Mets, Mets, Associated Press, Major League Baseball, MLB, IL, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, WME Sports, Astros, Red Sox Locations: Houston

☆ Why America loves the NFL
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

One, sports fans will go to great lengths (including piracy) to find the content they're looking for. The NFL has done, I think, a really good job of continuing to evolve their product to make it as TV-friendly as it can be. Brian Fuhrer, senior vice president at NielsenThe NFL also benefits from the deference that networks show the league. Broadcast's core audience is typically older, so when NFL games come on in the fall it draws younger viewers back in. But even if things aren't as good for the NFL, they're still going to be pretty good — and a lot better, ratings-wise, than anything else.

Persons: NBCUniversal, Peacock, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, reelect Biden, Brian Fuhrer, you've, Singer, They're, Jon Lewis, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Chiefs —, Lewis, Will Smith's, Ray Rice, Donald Trump, they're, Emily Stewart Organizations: NFL, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, AFC, Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Football, Nielsen, NBA, MLB, Sports Media Watch, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Ravens, Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than a dozen sports leagues and players associations, from the NFL to the PGA Tour, have promised the White House that they will provide more opportunities for people to be physically active and learn about nutrition and adopting healthy lifestyles. The White House announced Thursday that the leagues and associations are participating in the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. The challenge was launched last year as a follow-up to the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The challenge calls on parties with a stake in the outcome to make “bold commitments” toward meeting the goal, according to the White House. The NHL, MLB, MLS, WSL and other sports leagues have made similar commitments, he said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris, Biden, Jose Andres, Elena Delle Donne, Emhoff, he'll Organizations: WASHINGTON, NFL, PGA Tour, White, Communities, Conference, Hunger, Nutrition, Health, President's Council, Sports, & Nutrition, Washington Mystics, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLB, MLS Locations: United States, Indianapolis

☆ MLB Hall of Famer Derek Jeter talks new padel tournament happening in South Florida
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMLB Hall of Famer Derek Jeter talks new padel tournament happening in South FloridaHosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC.

Persons: of Famer Derek Jeter, Brian Sullivan, “ Organizations: of Famer, CNBC Locations: South Florida

Adolis García and the Texas Rangers agreed Thursday to a $14 million, two-year contract, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing for the AL Championship Series MVP and the World Series champions. García was the only Rangers player eligible for salary arbitration who didn’t reach a deal before last month's deadline. An arbitration hearing was scheduled Thursday before the agreement was reached. He went deep in five consecutive postseason games, including his 11th-inning winner in Game 1 of the World Series against Arizona. The Rangers haven’t been to salary arbitration hearing since 2000 with designated hitter Lee Stevens.

Persons: Adolis García, wasn't, García, Chris Young, Lee Stevens, ___ Organizations: Texas Rangers, AL, Associated Press, Rangers, Texas, Houston, Arizona Locations: Scottsdale , Arizona

☆ Oakland A’s: Las Vegas mayor rebuffs MLB team’s move to town – but then backtracks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Major League Baseball owners unanimously voted in November to approve the relocation of the A’s out of the Bay Area, where they have played since 1968, to Las Vegas. The team’s lease at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum ends following the 2024 season, and the franchise is set to start playing baseball in Nevada in 2028 in a new stadium on the Las Vegas Strip at Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue, on the site of the Tropicana hotel. Fans sit behind signs referencing plans for the Oakland Athletics to move to Las Vegas during a game against the Atlanta Braves at RingCentral Coliseum on May 29, 2023. Loren Elliott/Getty ImagesBut when the owners chose the nine-acre Tropicana site, Goodman said: “I thought, ‘This doesn’t make sense. She added: “And then I thought because they really want to stay in Oakland.

Persons: Carolyn Goodman isn’t, “, they’ve, ” Goodman, Goodman, FOS, Loren Elliott, ”, Rob Manfred, John Fisher, 3dOXfFuq3d, Carolyn G Organizations: CNN, Las Vegas, Oakland Athletics, Front Office, Tropicana, Major League Baseball, Oakland, Alameda County, Las, Atlanta Braves, RingCentral Coliseum, MLB, Raiders, Golden Knights, Aces, NFL’s Raiders, Athletics Locations: Sin City, Oakland, Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada, Las, …, “, Vegas

ESPN, Fox and Warner Brothers Discovery announced plans on Tuesday to launch a sports streaming platform in the fall that will include offerings from at least 15 networks and all four major professional sports leagues. “This new sports service exemplifies our ability as an industry to drive innovation and provide consumers with more choice, enjoyment and value and we’re thrilled to deliver it to sports fans,” Warner Brothers Discovery CEO David Zaslav said in a statement. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesIt will include offerings from 15 linear networks — ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, truTV — and ESPN+. The announcement of the bundle also comes as ESPN and Warner Brothers Discovery are preparing to enter negotiations to renew their NBA rights, which expire at the end of next season. ESPN has also been searching for strategic partners as it prepares to launch a direct-to-consumer product in the next year or two.

Persons: ”, David Zaslav, truTV —, “, Lachlan Murdoch, Bob Iger Organizations: ESPN, Fox, Warner Brothers Discovery, ” Warner Brothers Discovery, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, NASCAR, FIFA, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ABC, FOX, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, Disney, ” Fox, ” Walt Disney Company Locations: Hulu

BALTIMORE (AP) — A Pennsylvania man has been charged with illegally flying a drone over Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium during the AFC championship game between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs last month, prompting security to temporarily suspend the game, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced Monday. Matthew Hebert, 44, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, was charged with three felony counts related to operating an unregistered drone, serving as an airman without a certificate and violating national defense airspace on Jan. 28. In November, the administration said it would investigate a drone that briefly delayed a Ravens-Bengals game. Hebert, who was wearing a Ravens jersey was visiting the home of friends in Baltimore for the football game, said he didn’t know about restrictions around the stadium during the game, according to the affidavit. He faces a maximum of one year in federal prison for willfully violating United States national defense airspace.

Persons: Matthew Hebert, Chadds, Hebert, David Rodski Organizations: BALTIMORE, T, AFC, Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Attorney’s, District of Maryland, NFL, MLB, Federal Aviation Administration, Bengals, Maryland, FBI, States Locations: U.S, Chadds Ford , Pennsylvania, Baltimore

☆ It’s not just the Super Bowl. Catching a game is becoming unaffordable
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In 2023, the average NFL ticket climbed 8.6% to $120, according to Team Marketing Report, a sports market research company. Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home of the Super Bowl, is the third smallest NFL stadium. The closing of the upper deck in Oakland helped the Athletics raise ticket prices during the early 2000s, for example. Five of the most recent seven NFL stadiums have seating for 71,000 or less. Relatively small, that ranks it 27th out of 30 NFL stadiums in capacity.

Persons: ”, Victor Matheson, Lionel Messi’s, Todd Kirkland, ” Matheson, Kirby Lee, Dennis Coates Organizations: New, New York CNN, Super, NFL, College of, Nebraska, Lionel Messi’s MLS, Atlanta Braves, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, Ticketmaster, New York Yankees, USA, Reuters, Athletics, Oakland, Las, University of Maryland, Minnesota Twins, Florida Marlins, NFL’s Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers Locations: New York, Las Vegas, Oakland, Baltimore County

☆ Father of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes accused of DWI a week before Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Sara Smart | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Patrick Mahomes Sr., father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Tyler, Texas. Mahomes Sr., 53, was arrested by the Tyler Police Department and released Sunday on a $10,000 surety bond, according to jail records. Mahomes Sr. told CNN on Thursday he planned to be at the game in Las Vegas to watch his son. Mahomes Sr. is a former MLB pitcher who played 11 seasons for six teams from 1992 to 2003 after being drafted out of high school in Lindale, Texas. CNN has reached out to the Tyler Police Department requesting information about Mahomes’ arrest but has not heard back.

Persons: Patrick Mahomes Sr, Patrick Mahomes, Mahomes, “, ” Mahomes, he’s, hasn’t, CNN’s, De la Fuente Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, Tyler Police Department, Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, “ CNN, MLB Locations: Tyler , Texas, Las Vegas, Lindale , Texas

When they acquired All-Star right-hander Corbin Burnes on Thursday night, the Orioles sent a message to their own fans — not to mention the rest of baseball — by making it clear they weren't resting on their laurels after such a successful 2023. Corbin Burnes is exactly what we needed,” Elias said Friday. And the trade for Burnes is an example of what they can acquire with path No. Baltimore sent a pair of 25-year-olds — infielder Joey Ortiz and left-hander DL Hall — to the Brewers for Burnes. Once they did that, I think we have the firepower in our farm system to make these trades.”___

Persons: Mike Elias, Corbin Burnes, —, Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, ” Elias, “, ” Burnes, Cy Young, “ I've, Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Joey Ortiz, Ortiz, Holliday, Henderson, Burnes, we'll, Rodriguez, Bradish Organizations: Baltimore Orioles, AL, Orioles, NL Central, American League, Baltimore, Brewers, Burnes, Triple, Milwaukee, ” Locations: Baltimore, Milwaukee

Donations poured in Wednesday to replace a destroyed statue of Jackie Robinson on what would have been the 105th birthday of the first player to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier. Major League Baseball pledged support. “We have after school education, enrichment and tutoring.”One of the largest donations is a $10,000 pledge from an anonymous former Major League Baseball player who won a World Series. And, we make every effort to educate our kids about the role that Jackie Robinson played in life and civil rights, his life beyond sports. “We can’t imagine, being named League 42 without a Jackie Robinson statue in our park," he said.

Persons: Jackie Robinson, Robinson, Bob Lutz, Lutz, Leslie Rudd, We’re, ” Lutz, “, Joe Sullivan, ” Sullivan, John Parsons, ”, He’s Organizations: Major League Baseball, Wichita , Kansas . Police, McAdams, league, Brooklyn Dodgers, Fire, Little League, MLB, Leslie Rudd Learning Center, Wichita, Kansas City Monarchs, Negro Leagues Locations: Wichita , Kansas

☆ Carlyle billionaire David Rubenstein is buying MLB's Baltimore Orioles: reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Carlyle Group cofounder David Rubenstein is fronting a group buying the Baltimore Orioles, reports say. Fellow private equity billionaire Michael Arougheti is also expected to be involved in the deal. AdvertisementFamed private equity investor David Rubenstein is reportedly planning to buy the Baltimore Orioles. Puck broke the news Tuesday that the Carlyle Group cofounder and Baltimore native is fronting a group expected to take a 40% stake in the Major League Baseball franchise. AdvertisementThe Orioles are owned by the Angelos family, who bought the MLB franchise in 1993.

Persons: David Rubenstein, Angelos, Puck, Michael Arougheti, —, Cal Ripken, Jr, Rubenstein, he'll, Peter Angelos, John, Carlyle, Josh Harris Organizations: Carlyle, Baltimore Orioles, Major League Baseball, Service, Carlyle Group, Baltimore, Ares Management, Orioles, MLB, Financial, National Basketball Association, Apollo Global, National Football League's

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Tropicana Las Vegas, a Sin City landmark for more than six decades, is shutting its doors in the spring to make room for a $1.5 billion Major League Baseball stadium that will be home to the relocating Oakland Athletics. All 30 MLB owners in November gave their approval for the A's to move to Las Vegas. The company's announcement came just a month after the Tropicana and the Culinary Workers Union, which represents about 500 workers there, reached an agreement for a new five-year contract. For veteran workers at the Tropicana, Pappageorge said, that totals tens of thousands of dollars. “In Las Vegas, hotels are bought and sold on a regular basis," Pappageorge said.

Persons: Tiffany, ”, George Papanier, Bally's, Ted Pappageorge, Pappageorge Organizations: LAS VEGAS, Tropicana, Major League Baseball, Oakland Athletics, Bally's Corp, Las, NFL’s Vegas Raiders, Golden Knights, Culinary Workers Union Locations: Vegas, Sin, Las Vegas, Oakland, Rhode

☆ Moneyball-Plus: What Happens When Investors Treat Athletes Like Startups
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Joseph Bien-Kahn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +27 min

What if athletes could sell a percentage of their future earnings to investors, the same way tech entrepreneurs offer a stake in their promising new ideas in return for venture capital? "We look at the game very, very differently than everyone else," Schwimer tells the pitcher. Finlete is launching a fund that allows fans to buy shares in a prospect's future earnings. What if you could sell a share of your future earnings, he asked, for $10,000? Today, he says, more than 80% of the players BLA has invested in are outside the league's top 300 prospects.

Persons: They're, Michael Schwimer, —, Schwimer, BLA, haven't, Fernando Tatis Jr, We've, it's, Daniil, David Liberman, Garrett Broshuis, he'd, He'd, Houdini, Christian Petersen, Erik Kratz, Kratz, Cole Hamels, Hamels, Sean M, Marvin Bush, George W, Bush, Paul DePodesta, bankroll BLA's, Bill Miller, Miller, HBO's, Michael, Jeff Bezos, Bezos, I'd, I'm, Steven Duncker, Goldman Sachs, Elly De La Cruz, Dylan Buell, phenom, Scott Boras, Yermín Mercedes, Francisco Mejía, countersue Mejia, Gervon Dexter, they're, Dexter, Wharton, He's, he'll, isn't, scoffing, he's Organizations: Philadelphia Phillies, Big League, San Diego Padres, Benchmark Capital, Sports, Wharton Sports Business, MLB, University of Virginia, Partners, Phillies, Getty, AAA, Arizona Fall League, Ritz Carlton, Cleveland Browns, Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Big League Advance, Chicago Bears, University of Florida, Huntsman, NCAA Locations: Maryland, Philadelphia, United States, baseball's, Latin America, America, Dominican Republic, Cleveland, Florida

☆ Netflix is the king of streaming. But can it last?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In today's big story, we're looking at what to expect ahead of Netflix's big earnings report. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. And as other streamers scramble to figure out long-term business plans, Netflix has been crowned the winner of the streaming wars thus far. Netflix is so big it even has shows from other streamers, a sign of how ubiquitous it has become. AdvertisementGet in touchinsidertoday@insider.comTo read unlimited articles, subscribe to Business Insider.

Persons: —, It's, Scott Stuber, Stuber, Insider's Lucia Moses, That'll, dealmaking, isn't, Insider's Peter Kafka, Peter, it's, James Leynse, Griffin's, Shaw, Griffin, Gary Weathers, Morgan Stanley, Tesla, Stellantis, Tommy Parker, They're, Oscar, Zazie Beetz, Jack Quaid, They'll, Tim Spector's, Dan DeFrancesco, Diamond Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Jordan Parker Erb, Hayley Hudson, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, IRS, Business, Netflix, Netflix Films, Traders, Computer Terminals, Goldman, Getty, UBS, Griffin's Citadel, LCH Investments, BlackRock, Los, Peugeot, Chrysler, Dodge, BI, Balyasny, Management, National Baseball Hall of Fame, MLB Network, Procter, Gamble, Electric, Verizon Locations: Goldman Sachs, Los Angeles, Boston, Suez, Panama, New York, San Diego, London, Edinburgh

☆ Amazon entertainment layoffs stir 4 big questions for insiders about the tech giant's Hollywood ambitions
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The layoffs hit Prime Video and the Amazon MGM Studios division, with many of the cuts related to Amazon's $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM in 2022, the second biggest deal in the tech giant's history. The layoffs, combined with other factors straining the entertainment business — from strikes to content spending pullbacks — have heightened concerns about the future of the company's entertainment ambitions. These are the questions that came up the most about that future, according to conversations with six people close to Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. As part of the layoffs, two MGM teams were integrated under Chris Brearton, a business-side exec who joined Amazon with the MGM acquisition in 2022. How will sports impact original content spending?

Persons: what's, Jen Salke, Freevee, didn't, Who's, Chris Brearton, Salke, Mike Hopkins, What'll, there's Organizations: Amazon, Amazon MGM Studios, MGM, Amazon's, Hollywood Reporter, Hollywood, Diamond Sports, MLB, NHL, NBA Locations: Salke, Africa, MENA, Northern, Central

Amazon will partner with Diamond Sports as part of a restructuring agreement as the largest owner of regional sports networks looks to emerge from bankruptcy. Diamond Sports has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Southern District of Texas since it filed for protection last March. Under the terms of the restructuring agreement, Amazon will make a minority investment in Diamond and enter into a commercial arrangement to provide access to Diamond’s content via Prime Video. Customers will be able to access their local team's content on Prime Video channels where Diamond has rights. Under an agreement with creditors last year, Diamond Sports Group became a separate company from Sinclair.

Persons: Diamond, Sinclair, David Preschlack, ” Diamond, ___ Organizations: Amazon, Diamond Sports, Bally Sports, —, NBA, NHL, Southern District of, MLB, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Padres, Diamondbacks, Diamond, New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, YES, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Walt Disney Co, Disney, Department of Justice, Diamond Sports Group, Sinclair, RSA, Major League Baseball Locations: Southern District, Southern District of Texas, Diamond’s

☆ The Chiefs-Dolphins game on Peacock was the most-streamed live event in US history
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The “Peacock Exclusive Wild Card” game garnered 23 million total viewers, according to Nielsen. NBC said in a release that the game sets records for the “most-streamed live event in US history” and was also responsible for the most internet usage ever in the US on a single date, consuming 30% of internet traffic during the Saturday night game. That number also includes viewership figures from the local NBC affiliates in Miami and Kansas City and on the NFL+ mobile app, where the game was also shown outside of Peacock. Notably, the ratings for the exclusively streamed game was up 6% over last year’s primetime AFC Wild Card Game that was shown on NBC’s broadcast network. It recorded an average of 27 million viewers overall, which NBC said at the time made it the most-watched Sunday show since the 2023 Super Bowl.

Persons: New York CNN — Peacock, Peacock, ”, Brian Roberts, “, Roger Goodell, Taylor Swift’s, Travis Kelce, Swift, CNN’s Ramishah Maruf Organizations: New, New York CNN, NFL, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Nielsen, NBC, Kansas City, Comcast, English Premier League soccer, MLB, WWE, “, NBC Sports, Chiefs, Jets Locations: New York, Miami, Peacock

Search resuls for: "mlb"

25 mentions found