North America
Features
New York sees big potential in online sports betting, but operating model unclear
New York, America's fourth most populous state and home to its largest media market, is on the cusp of legalizing online sports betting. But there remains significant political disagreement about the operating model in which it would happen. US Editor Eric Fisher explores the potential and pitfalls of opening up the Empire State to mobile sportsbooks.
International Women’s Cup unveils plan to become direct rival to Relevent’s Women’s ICC
SportBusiness speaks to John Reynal, the founder of Onside and FXE Futbol, about the strategy behind the IWC and the potential threat of legal action from Relevent Sports.
Stadiums and arenas represent key tool in US Covid-19 vaccination efforts
Following last fall's repurposing of many sports facilities as voting centers, an increasing number of venues are now being used as mass vaccination centers, though the logistics to do so remain complex.
NHL helmet sponsors offer stop-gap solution – and insights about the future
Keith Wachtel, NHL's chief business officer, speaks to SportBusiness about the wider strategy behind the league's new division and helmet sponsorships for the 2020-21 season.
Frederick “Freddy” Starr | Achieving peak brain performance for athletes
Neuroscientist Frederick "Freddy" Starr explores how remote neurofeedback will transform competition for top athletes, redefine how training happens, and create new business opportunities for numerous entities in the athlete performance ecosystem
49ers increase Leeds United stake to 37 per cent
The National Football League's San Francisco 49ers have increased their minority stake in Leeds United to 37 per cent, providing a major financial boost to the Premier League club
WWE, Peacock strike landmark deal for WWE Network
Comcast expands long-running relationship with WWE through streaming product
MLB, Yankees move to dismiss lawsuit from former MiLB affiliate
MLB club, league argue end of MiLB agreement undercuts claims against them
Super Bowl LV ticket market reaches record levels
Buccaneers' presence in title game, attendance restrictions fuel unprecedented pricing
Third time’s a charm? | Fan Controlled Football looks to succeed where XFL and AAF failed
Fan Controlled Football, set to debut next month, will feature a unique style of play and a more conservative business model. US Editor Eric Fisher asks if it can succeed where the second edition of XFL and the Alliance of American Football failed.
Nickelodeon, CBS Sports “Nick-ify” NFL playoff game to reach younger audience
Nickelodeon's broadcast of the NFL wild card game between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears represents the latest – and most technically-advanced – attempt yet by the NFL and its media partners to attract younger fans.
Jason Mezrahi | Keeping a fantasy sports business going during a pandemic
Jason Mezrahi, founder of daily fantasy sports and betting information company Win Daily Inc., explains how his company responded the Covid-19 pandemic by increasing payroll and marketing budgets and freezing membership payments
Longs look to overcome short build-up time to make NWSL Kansas City immediate success
Chris and Angie Long tell SportBusiness about the opportunities and challenges of acquiring an NWSL expansion team in Kansas City just six months prior to the 2021 season.
Nicole Marschean | Crucial ticket learnings for MLB’s 2021 season
Foley & Lardner LLP's Nicole Marschean explores the legal hurdles MLB teams must look at surrounding their ticketing strategies in preparation for the 2021 season
Eric Fisher | Things could get worse before they get better in 2021
SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher on trying to fill empty seats, both here and across the industry
Triller looks to transform pro boxing, company’s profile after success of Tyson fight card
Triller co-owner Ryan Kavanaugh tells SportBusiness how the Tyson-Jones fight came together and how the social media platform is looking to use live sports to compete in the short-form digital space.
MLB Draft League team owner says new developmental baseball entity represents industry upgrade
Chuck Greenberg, veteran minor league baseball club owner and chairman and managing partner of the State College (Pennsylvania) Spikes discusses the historic shift of the franchise from the lower-levels of professional baseball to a new amateur league aimed at showcasing draft-eligible players.
Nascar ready for lift-off with revamped schedule, Michael Jordan as team owner
After successfully staging its 2020 season in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nascar is primed to reach new heights next year. "We set a path that we wanted to be a leader,” Daryl Wolfe, Nascar's chief operations and sales officer, tells SportBusiness.
De Vos seduced by Oregon’s sport-centric model for World Athletics Championships
Former UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos talks about his new role as executive director for the Oregon 2022 World Athletics Championships, and explains how the event is trying to pioneer a more cost-efficient and athlete-centric hosting model.
How MLS capitalized on shifting landscape to secure inaugural midweek primetime TV slot
At extremely short notice, MLS moved its Western Conference Semifinal game between Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United back a day to gain coverage on the main Fox network. League executive Seth Bacon tells Bob Williams how the switch happened.
Nostalgia, internet, and investment | How Covid-19 fueled a sports trading card boom
Jason Howarth, Panini America's vice-president of marketing, tells SportBusiness how the industry has looked to capitalize on the rising popularity and value of trading cards
Athletes Unlimited looks to reimagine women’s sports with player-focused model
Start-up sports league organization has created a radical new model which firmly puts the focus firmly on athletes and not teams. Bob Williams reports.
Eric Fisher | Disney stands at center of sports industry turbulence
SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher explores how the American media and entertainment giant is at the fulcrum of large-scale change across the sports industry
Canelo’s split with Golden Boy and DAZN was written in the stars
Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez has departed his deal with Golden Boy Promotions, tearing up his 10-fight deal with DAZN in the process after only two events. Callum McCarthy explores how the boxer made himself a free agent.
49ers helping USA Cricket to push niche sport into the mainstream
USA Cricket is working with 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, in its bold attempts to popularize the sport in the country. USA Cricket chief executive Iain Higgins speaks to SportBusiness.
Matthew Glendinning | Kamala Harris, Nike and iconic moments
Amid the drama that followed the US Presidential elections, the Nike brand was present at the iconic moment when Kamala Harris told the President-Elect: “We did it, Joe.” SportBusiness' Matthew Glendinning explains why Nike’s moment of marketing gold owed as much to judgement as it did to luck.
Sports sponsorships transform Hyperice’s profile and spur dramatic growth
Following partnerships with NBA, MLB, UFC, PGA Tour and numerous star athletes, the recovery and performance technology company has transformed its financial fortunes, as well as its domestic and international profile, this year. Bob Williams reports
FIU’s Garcia, mid-major level of college sports look to weather storm of Covid-19
Operating without large-scale revenue guarantees and dedicated media networks enjoyed by many of the Power Five conferences, mid-major conferences and their member schools are facing their own particular challenges amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Pete Garcia, athletic director of Conference USA's Florida International University, discusses the current situation with US Editor Eric Fisher.