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☆ Victoria Lee, rising MMA star, dies at 18
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Francesca Gariano | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Mixed martial arts rising star Victoria Lee has died at 18. In an Instagram post on Saturday, MMA fighter Angela Lee shared that her younger sister, Victoria, had died last year on Dec. 26, 2022. The best daughter, the best granddaughter and the best godma / aunty to Ava and Alia.”“We miss you so much sis. “The ONE Championship team is devastated over the tragic passing of Victoria Lee,” a post on Twitter read. In recent years, she defeated Victoria Souza with a TKO in the second round in September 2021.

☆ Fanatics Hires CFO for Collectibles Business After Topps Deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Nina Trentmann | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Fanatics said this week that Greg Abovsky started as chief financial officer for the collectibles business earlier this month. As CFO, Mr. Abovsky plans to build out the division’s finance team and its trading card business as it looks to expand. Fanatics plans to expand its portfolio into culture and entertainment cards, said Mike Mahan, chief executive officer of the collectibles business. Fanatics expects its collectibles business will fare well in the coming years, despite the threat of a potential downturn. Both Mr. Abovsky and Mr. Mahan declined to comment on if and when Fanatics could list on the public markets.

☆ YouTube's NFL 'Sunday Ticket' deal is a win for traditional TV networks, too – here's why
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Traditional TV networks got what they wanted out of it, too. Google's YouTube TV bundle includes broadcast stations like CBS, Fox and NBC. Sports, and particularly the NFL, have long been considered the glue holding the traditional TV bundle together. YouTube TV had more than 5.3 million subscribers as of the third quarter, putting it above its competitors like Disney's Hulu Live TV+, Fubo TV and Dish's Sling, according to data from MoffettNathanson. "This is a win for YouTube TV as it serves a larger goal for them getting more subscribers.

☆ Disney should spin off ESPN and ABC, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But one Wall Street analyst has an idea for how Disney could get back on track. Wells Fargo’s Steven Cahall thinks Disney should spin off cable sports giant ESPN and traditional TV network ABC… two slow-growth (and some would argue, dying) businesses. Cahall wrote in his report that “we think Bob Iger is returning to {Disney] ready to make big changes. ESPN, in theory, may have an easier time negotiating with sports leagues as part of a pure play media network. “We think ESPN and ABC are integrally linked as the broadcast [network] improves negotiations in sports rights, and we’re seeing more of those sports on both networks,” he wrote.

☆ Bank of America downgrades Caesars, Penn Entertainment as gaming industry faces a growth slowdown
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's time for investors to take a pause on shares of Caesars Entertainment and Penn Entertainment , Bank of America said Wednesday. Analyst Shaun Kelley downgraded both gaming stocks to neutral from buy and lowered the bank's price targets to $55 and $40, respectively. He said in the note to clients Wednesday that growth trajectories are stabilizing for both stocks, with shares shedding more than 2% before the bell. Going forward, don't be surprised if Caesars struggles to gain market share as it focuses on its digital business and pays down its debt, Kelley said. For Penn, Kelley anticipates risks as momentum from its stake in sports media company Barstool unwinds.

☆ Read the pitch decks that helped 9 sports and gaming startups raise millions of dollars
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Colin Salao | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Here are pitch decks that nine sports startups used to raise millions in Series A and Seed rounds. This has opened the opportunity for startups to build marketplaces or creator tools to help student-athlete creators. Insider talked with a handful of sports startup founders who've pitched their startups to investors about their process. They broke down the pitch decks they used to secure millions of dollars in funding. Read the pitch decks that helped nine sports-focused startups to raise millions of dollars:

As recently as August, Lachlan Murdoch described sports betting as "a huge opportunity" for Fox Sports, telling Wall Street it would fuel viewer engagement. The sports betting app Fox Bet is available in four states, with just 0.2% share of the U.S. market, according to researcher Vixio. A free version called Fox Bet Super 6 has attracted some 6 million users whom Fox hopes to eventually convert to gamblers. The growth of Fox Bet has stagnated since market-leading FanDuel's owner, Flutter Entertainment Plc (FLTRF.L), acquired Stars Group in 2020. The matter is the subject of an arbitration case and Lachlan Murdoch told investors a decision is expected imminently.

☆ NYC Marathon to harness livestream in fight to attract new fans
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Athletics - TCS New York City Marathon - New York, United States - November 7, 2021 People react at the finish line. REUTERS/Carlo AllegriNEW YORK, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The New York City Marathon is embracing livestreaming in a fight to create a new generation of athletics fans this year, becoming the first marathon major to broadcast the race live on its mobile app, organisers said on Wednesday. The marathon on Nov. 6 will already be broadcast to some 530 million homes worldwide but organisers hope the livestream will reach existing fans abroad without access to a traditional telecast. "So if you have content and you have valuable content, you have to migrate where the audience is." For Des Linden, a two-time Olympian who won the Boston Marathon in 2018, the appeal of livestreaming in athletics is simple.

☆ Seeking nominations for the top athlete creators and media personalities in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Colin Salao | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nominees may include active or recently retired professional or amateur athletes. LeBron James, Pat McAfee, and Alex Morgan are just some of the athletes that have started media companies. Recently retired athletes are those that have retired within the last five years (since 2018). Eligible retired athletes include Brandon Marshall (last played in 2018) and Redick (retired in 2021). Ineligible athletes include Lobo (2003), Rose (2007), and Pat McAfee (2017).

☆ Read the pitch decks that helped 7 sports and gaming startups raise millions of dollars
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Colin Salao | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sports betting has also added new facets to the industry in the S.Here are pitch decks that seven sports startups used to raise millions in Series A and Seed rounds. This has opened the opportunity for startups to build marketplaces or creator tools to help student-athlete creators. Insider talked with a handful of sports startup founders who've pitched their startups to investors about their process. They broke down the pitch decks they used to secure millions of dollars in funding. Read the pitch decks that helped seven sports-focused startups to raise millions of dollars:

☆ Amazon's head of sports video is riding the success of 'Thursday Night Football' and setting her sights on deals with the NBA, college sports, and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Colin Salao | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Amazon's VP of global sports video spoke Wednesday on "The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast." The exec described how "Thursday Night Football" is attracting a younger demographic to the NFL. She also said Amazon is targeting deals with more "marquee sports partners," like the NBA. Amazon VP of global sports video Marie Donoghue. She mentioned interest in college sports and the NBA, whose current rights deals with Disney and TNT expire after the 2024-25 season.

☆ 14 top private equity firms investing in sports, as a swell of funding enters the sector and helps teams, leagues, and stadiums build businesses beyond game day
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Colin Salao | Claire Atkinson | Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Private equity firms are investing more in sports teams, leagues, and other ancillary businesses. From Apollo to Sixth Street, here are 14 private equity firms betting on sports. A few factors are drawing private equity firms to the sector. And sports betting has hastily altered the landscape, opening a new sector for media, leagues, teams, and other businesses to tap. Below are 14 private equity firms — listed alphabetically by company — that have made prominent investments in sports through 2022.

☆ 6 top podcasts that sports media execs from ESPN to Amazon say help them keep up with the evolving industry
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Colin Salao | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Insider interviewed top sports media leaders that are shaping the industry. Execs from ESPN, Amazon, CBS, and Overtime shared their favorite sports media and business podcasts. This evolution means that even the most established leaders in sports media are trying to keep up with how the industry is changing. Some of these podcasts tackle the sports media business directly, while others are more about the culture within sports. Here are six podcasts recommendations from some of the sports media industry's top executives, listed alphabetically.

☆ Sports streamer DAZN agrees to buy rival ELEVEN
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterInternet streaming service DAZN's logo is pictured in its office in Tokyo, Japan March 21, 2017. Team Whistle, a short-form original social media content provider, is also included in the deal, which will bring total revenue of around $300 million a year, DAZN said. DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev said the deal was "a big step forward in our mission to be the leading global sports platform". Backed by billionaire Len Blavatnik, DAZN has expanded into more than 200 countries, offering sports including soccer and boxing. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ How Josh Harris, the owner of the 76ers and Devils, upset Apollo insiders with the time he spent on personal investments
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Casey Sullivan | Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

One former Apollo executive couldn't wrap his mind around how the firm got investors onboard with Harris' personal activities. One advisor to Harris' family office said there would be an internal conversation every year to ensure the proper expense allocations. Several former Apollo employees, however, said other Apollo executives were concerned about Harris' use of firm resources. Few if any sources Insider spoke with expected much to change in how private-equity executives managed their personal investments. The lawyer said that the documents often state that a firm's executives will dedicate "as much time as reasonably necessary" to managing their investments.

☆ Mark Cuban fires business partners and NBA players for the same reason: 'A team can have 1 knucklehead, you can't have 2'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-16 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In boardrooms and on basketball courts, billionaire Mark Cuban says he's noticed one factor that consistently leads to success: team culture. He said he's fired business partners and traded basketball players because of their personalities — especially when the team has multiple self-centered or combative members. When he's hiring, Cuban specifically looks for people who can help make the workplace a better experience for others. "[They] may not have had the experience on the business side that we otherwise would have gone for," Cuban said. In basketball, Cuban said he doesn't necessarily screen new players for narcissism, but he has traded players to spark motivation within the team.

☆ How sports betting is changing the media industry in the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-07 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Colin Salao | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The ties between media outlets and gambling operators have only deepened since. Read more about how FuboTV is rethinking its sports betting strategy after August layoffs. On top of that, the US sports gambling industry is still in its infancy. New York turned on mobile sports betting in January, which could be a boon for the media industry even though the market could be tricky for gambling companies. A list of our recent coverage of the US sports betting industry follows.

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