Bloomberg Business of Sports

Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the Chicago Cubs decision to pull away from their partnership with NBC Sports Chicago -- and start their own television venture. The Cubs have hired former MSG Network President and St. Louis Blues CEO Mike McCarthy to lead the TV venture. Also discussed is Amazon's hiring of former ESPN executi...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the French Open’s decision to bar Serena Williams from wearing a black, full-body outfit that’s known as a Catsuit. French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis Magazine that one must respect the game and the place. Williams sponsor Nike responded in an a...

United States Tennis Association Chief Revenue Officer Lew Sherr discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports -- and the U.S. Open in particular -- including what’s driving revenue at America's annual tennis grand slam. Sherr talks about everything from the roofs atop the National Tennis Center's biggest stadiums to why President Donald Trump won't be attending this year. Sherr als...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the effect new NFL rules changes, aimed at making the gamer safer, might have on the league this season. The new rules have drawn confusion and criticism from coaches, players and fans during preseason. The trio also discuss new kind of season ticket package for fans of the B...

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the addition of esports to this year's Asian Games. Competitive video gaming, which is exploding in popularity among younger consumers, will be a demonstration sport in Jakarta later this month, and is under consideration for inclusion in the Olympics. Also discussed are the University of Al...

Sportradar Chief Executive Officer Carsten Koerl discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what's driving the value of data in professional sports. He also talks about the company's prospects in the U.S., and how investors like Mark Cuban, Ted Leonsis and Michael Jordan are helping to drive deals and revenue. Koerl also discusses sports betting in the U.S. and the nee...

Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams travel to San Francisco and speak with Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, who was among the participants at the second annual Players Technology Summit. The event, which is Co-sponsored by Bloomberg, brings together venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and athletes for a day of discussion about how they can all work together. Brown speaks about his background...

Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the Business of Sports, including fans don't have to get out of their seats to get a beer at Dodger Stadium. Also discussed are the ratings for Fox and the World Cup. When you factor in the bars and parties watching the games, the ratings are better than first thought. Also, Tiger Woods and a strong second place finish behind Br...

Oak View Group co-founder Tim Leiweke discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how his group is transforming the old Key Arena in Seattle as it prepares to land a hockey and basketball team. He also talks about the technological evolution in sports, and how it affects the distribution of content as well as the in-arena experience. Leiweke also talks about facilities...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the arrest of Nascar boss Brian France for driving while intoxicated. France has since taken an indefinite leave at a time when the auto racing circuit is seeking a minority investor. Also discussed are LeBron James's programs with Showtime and CBS, and the suspension of a nu...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the Boston Red Sox sweep of the New York Yankees and the possible ramifications to YES Network's ratings later in the season. Also discussed is the upcoming retirement of PepsiCo Inc. Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi, who oversaw one of the dominant global sports sponsors....

Monumental Sports founder Ted Leonsis discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what can be gleaned from the National Basketball Association's recent 3-year, $25 million deal with MGM International, which became the league's official gaming partner. Leonsis, whose company includes Washington's Wizards of the NBA and Stanley Cup champion Capitals of the NHL, also discu...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the National Basketball Association's new deal with MGM International, which becomes the league's first sports gambling partner. The three-year deal is worth $25 million. Also discussed is the Oakland A's new season ticket plan, which gives customers the option to move around...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the sale of Genius Sports, a sports data firm, to private equity funds advised by Apax Partners. It's the latest in a series of investments tied to legalized sports betting in the U.S. Also discussed are Seattle Mariners executives and workplace misconduct, as well as more Ma...

NFL Players Inc. President Ahmad Nassar discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how the role of sports unions -- and unions in general -- have changed over the years. He also discusses the business of NFL players, including the NFLPA's Ace Media, which helps members gain access to content opportunities with traditional and non-traditional broadcasters. He also talks...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the change over pouring rights at MSG-owned venues. Pepsi takes over for Coke, which had held the rights for more than 100 years. Also discussed is the U.S. government's lawsuit against sports apparel company Fanatics, Inc., whose investors include the National Football Leagu...

Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the Tour de France. They also discuss Comcast and Charter selling their shares of baseball's New York Mets. Both companies have ownership through their investment in SNY, the team's regional sports network, which is the actual owner of the shares. In all, more than 10 percent of the Mets a...

The Basketball Tournament founder Jon Mugar discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his idea for a big-money, winner-take-all basketball tournament. TBT, as the tournament has become known, has grown into a 72-team affair where the winning team (and its top fans) share in the $2 million prize. Mugar talks about the mistakes he made, lessons learned, and how the rise...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including Mississippi State's decision to reduce the prices on a number of its concession items. For instance, a 44 ounce soda is priced at $4, down from $7. A hot dog is $2, down from $5. The trio also discusses Major League Baseball's All-Star game and DraftKings' plan to obtain a Ne...

Bruin Sports Capital founder George Pyne discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his quarterback son's committing to the University of Notre Dame. Pyne also discusses the past and future of Nascar, a media landscape in which Comcast and Disney are bidding for Fox's assets -- including a gaggle of regional sports networks -- and how the rise of direct-to-consumer net...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including EQT's sale of its 35 percent stake in sports data company Sportradar. The deal values the Swiss company at $2.4 billion, demonstrating the value of official data two months after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed for the state-by-state legalization of sports betting. Also discus...

DC United Senior Vice President Sam Porter discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the recent signing of former Manchester United and Everton player Wayne Rooney. The former England international is the latest big-name import to Major League Soccer. Porter also discusses how Rooney affects the team’s business, including sponsors like Audi, which has its name on the...

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss the move of LeBron James from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Lakers. The basketball icon has agreed to sign with the Lakers, one of the premier franchises in the National Basketball Association. His move to L.A. has widespread implications on a number of businesses, including AEG, Nike, Fanatics, ABC/ESPN, Turner and Wish, an...

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On this edition of the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast, Scott Soshnick and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues, including the Ricketts family -- owners of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs -- showing interest in buying Italian soccer team AC Milan. They also discuss World Cup ratings, and the possibility that one of soccer's iconic stars, Lionel Messi of Argentina, might not qualify for...