North America
Features
“It’s like having a Summer Olympics” | Orlando prepares for the arrival of NBA and MLS
Florida city ready to capitalize on its position as the epicenter of professional sports in the US this summer to rejuvenate its tourism industry and secure major sporting events. Bob Williams reports
Jared Melzer | The real power of sponsorships – driving social activism
Having led sponsorships for major B2C and B2B brands in the US, Jared Melzer shares his perspectives around sponsorships and Black Lives Matter
Jarren Ginsburg | Rams jerseys point toward future NFL uniform ads
Jarren Ginsburg, associate and litigation lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP's sports and entertainment group, explores how the Los Angeles Rams' new uniforms are poised to help open an important new area of sports sponsorship
Wall Street embraces promise of US sports wagering
Despite ongoing turbulence in the US stock market due to Covid-19, sports gambling has been a high-performing sector with analysts expecting robust long-term growth
MLB looks for audience lift in reformatted Draft
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic helped lead to a dramatic reduction in the number of rounds for the MLB Draft. But the league and its media partners are still hoping for lift among a competition-starved fan base
NWSL Pride withdraw from Challenge Cup after 10 positive Covid-19 tests
Positive tests continue sharp uptick in cases in Florida
NBA finalizes series of offseason dates
League looks to proceed on season restart efforts
Nascar’s race issues deepen as noose found in Wallace’s stall
Property also struggles with ban on Confederate flag
MLBPA weighs next steps in ongoing battle with MLB
Salary dispute rocked by growing Covid-19 fears
Charles Schwab ready to seize its moment in spotlight as PGA Tour makes return
Multi-national financial services company will gain huge reach as the title sponsor of the first event back on the PGA Tour in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, writes Bob Williams
Jason Thomas | How can sports engage fans now for a successful return
The arrival of Covid-19 has hit the events industry hard, but sports are poised to make a big comeback – with or without fans physically present.
World TeamTennis poised to set significant precedent for staging events in front of fans
Mixed-gender professional tennis league will hold its entire season at The Greenbrier in West Virginia this summer, becoming one of the first sports events in US to be held in front of limited spectators. Bob Williams reports.
James Fenn | Lessons from “The Last Dance”
James Fenn, content and publishing strategist at Hill + Knowlton Strategies, explains how the "The Last Dance" broke all the rules to become a streaming sensation.
Coca-Cola’s Ricardo Fort: Tokyo Olympics next year set to be “great sign of the recovery of the world”
Ricardo Fort, who as Coca-Cola vice-president of global sports partnerships oversees one of the largest sports sponsorship portfolios in the entire world, discusses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the prospects of recovery.
Iconic Strat-O-Matic games find new lift during pandemic
Venerable maker of sports simulation games has seen a strong resurgence amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Eric Fisher reports.
USA Weightlifting’s woes paint familiar picture for Olympic NGBs
US Olympic national governing body has suffered declining revenues and membership numbers since the onset of the health crisis but large financial reserves coupled with a move to put competitions and coaching courses onto digital platforms have stemmed losses.
Carla Varriale-Barker – More than words: the business of sports, Covid-19, and force majeure clauses
Carla Varriale-Barker, shareholder in the New York office of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, Ltd. and the chair of the firm’s Sports, Recreation and Entertainment practice group, discusses the meaning of increasingly prominent force majeure clauses in the sports industry
Mitchell Ziets – Key elements of the Covid-19 recovery
Mitchell Sports, chief executive of boutique sports advisory firm Tipping Point Sports LLC, examines the key elements of the industry's recovery from the pandemic
Bruin Sports Capital’s Pyne: pandemic heightens importance of core business fundamentals
Head of prominent sports investment vehicle sees significantly opportunity ahead, even amid a currently challenged sports industry. He discusses the firm's ambitions with US Editor Eric Fisher
Chris Russo | Will merger and acquisitions deal-making return this year?
Chris Russo, chief executive of Fifth Generation Sports LLC, looks at the US market for sports-related M&A; deals and their future prospects amid the Covid-19 pandemic
LA Chargers leverage huge reach with “Bolt Up Your Small Business” initiative
The National Football League's Los Angeles Chargers, by offering a free team sponsorship through a new sweepstakes, are looking to reach out in a very different way to a local business community battered by the Covid-19 pandemic
Education technology company Everfi sees growing opportunity in sports
A wide array of major sports properties, both in and out of the US, have relied on DC-based outfit to engage students of many ages. Everfi co-founder and president of global partnerships Jon Chapman speaks with US Editor Eric Fisher on the company's work with the sports industry and the new EduCup Challenge
Pair of small US towns suffer heavy blow from loss of marquee baseball events
The cancellation of the Baseball Hall of Fame's Induction Weekend and the Little League World Series this summer are leaving big economic holes in the small communities that play host to the marquee events.
Premier Lacrosse League embraces structural flexibility to salvage 2020 season
The Premier Lacrosse League has become the latest tour-based model to announce its comeback from the Cobid-19 shutdown. PLL chief operating officer Andrew Sinnenberg tells Bob Williams the opportunities and challenges of staging the PLL Championship Series.
Youth sports in US look for reinvention, industry unity
LeagueApps president Jeremy Goldberg and Gators Baseball Academy partner Joe Lopez speak to SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher on the state of the $19bn American youth sports industry amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The second of a two-part series.
US youth sports industry grapples with heavy Covid-19 uncertainty
LeagueApps president Jeremy Goldberg and Gators Baseball Academy partner Joe Lopez speak to SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher on the state of the $19bn American youth sports industry amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The first of a two-part series.
How Professional Bull Riders has helped pave way for return of live sports in United States
Bull-riding circuit provides important test case after making Covid-19 comeback at event in rural Oklahoma. Bob Williams speaks to PBR CEO Sean Gleason about the opportunities and challenges of being a first-mover in the live-action return from the health crisis.
MLB makes big ticketing shift with new refund policy
The league makes a historic shift to allow refunds on games lost to Covid-19, creating widespread ripple effects across the industry. US Editor Eric Fisher reports.