April 14, 2023

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Women’s college gymnastics boasts several athletes with big potential [[link removed]] to profit off their name, image, and likeness. LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne has a projected annual earning potential of $3.5 million — more than any other women’s sports athlete and third overall among high school and college athletes.

Media PGA Tour Viewership Numbers Are On The Rise [[link removed]]

Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun

The PGA Tour’s adjustments to compete with LIV Golf look like they’re working.

This year, the Tour created six designated events with more at stake than ever, whether in the form of prize purses or points. Already, viewership is up across the board, according [[link removed]] to Sports Business Journal.

All but one one of the six events have enjoyed viewership increases on Golf Channel, CBS, and NBC. Golf Channel has seen a 15% increase this year. CBS is averaging 4% more viewers this year compared with last year, with just under 3 million. NBC has also experienced a modest increase at 3%.

The Masters’ final round saw an increase of 19% on CBS — perhaps partially due to the farewell of broadcaster Jim Nantz, who will retire this year.

‘Drive to Survive’ Effect

Live events make up just one of the many success stories for the PGA Tour.

Social media has gotten a 31% uptick in engagement, and ESPN+’s coverage of the Tour has gone up as well.

Even the Tour’s docuseries version of “Drive to Survive,” called “Full Swing,” has gained steam. The week of Feb. 19, the show was in Netflix’s Top 10 in the U.S. That same week, the show also made the top-10 list on Netflix for the entire globe.

PODCAST

🎙️ They Said What?

“I’m pulling like hell for ESPN to extend that contract [with the NBA] … In light of all the business implications for Disney and us, I’m optimistic we’ll get it – but until we sign that contract, I’ll take nothing for granted.”

— Doris Burke on the NBA’s upcoming media rights renewal and her hopes for the league to continue its deal with ESPN. Hear more from Burke about her experience as an NBA broadcaster, her thoughts on the playoffs, and more on Front Office Sports Today.

Listen and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Google [[link removed]], and Spotify [[link removed]].

Media Warner Bros. Discovery Focused on Premium Sports Properties [[link removed]]

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to premium live sports properties as it shapes content strategies.

WBD CEO David Zaslav turned heads this week by telling [[link removed]] CNBC that the company has a “building attack strategy” on sports and news — seemingly in contrast with his previous statement that “we don’t have to have the NBA.”

But a source familiar with the matter said that nothing has fundamentally changed about WBD’s approach.

The media giant, which owns numerous entities including TNT, Eurosport, and Bleacher Report, is primarily interested in retaining sports rights with a broad appeal, including those of the NBA.

The network is willing to accommodate additional NBA broadcasters as it negotiates for new rights deals, provided that it retains its position as a broadcaster of top regular-season and playoff games.

TNT averaged 1.4 million viewers for its NBA broadcasts in the most recent season and had the top five cable NBA telecasts, per sources. The network added around 20 advertisers to its NBA All-Star Game coverage.

The network is taking a similar approach to MLB and the NHL, and will broadcast the Stanley Cup Final for the first time this year.

While live sports haven’t been announced as part of the network’s new streaming service, Max, U.S. Soccer is likely to be included, and other sports properties could be added before long.

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Executives Potential New Formula 1 Team Focus of Billionaire’s Recent Talks [[link removed]]

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Formula 1 is considering adding up to two teams — and a billionaire backer could tip the scales and expand the league’s geographic reach.

Calvin Lo, CEO of insurance company RE Lee International, is in talks with multiple potential entrants into F1. The FIA charges an entry fee of $200 million for new teams, though some existing teams want to increase that figure to $600 million or more.

“The financial part, believe it or not, to me, is actually not the biggest problem,” Lo told [[link removed]] Reuters. “It’s actually gathering all the expertise … the mechanics, the whole team together into one unit.”

Lo, who is involved with the Williams team already, said there wouldn’t be a conflict of interest in backing a new team.

While he wouldn’t disclose his potential partners’ identities, Lo denied dealing with either the all-American tie-up of Andretti Autosport and Cadillac or the Hitech Grand Prix group, which already has a presence in Formula 2 and Formula 3.

Driving Expansion

Lo has said he wants to grow [[link removed]] F1’s connections to Asia and has considered establishing a racing academy in Hong Kong.

F1 races around the globe, but 15 of its 20 drivers hail from Europe. The series has two Asian drivers, Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu and AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda.

F1 held its first race in China in 2004 but hasn’t done so since 2019 due to the country’s restrictive pandemic policies.

Real Estate Philadelphia to Study Proposed $1.3B Arena Before Moving Forward [[link removed]]

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia’s government is conducting an independent study to evaluate the impact of the 76ers’ self-funded proposal to build a new $1.3 billion arena.

Officials will examine the economic impact of the proposed arena — on Market Street between 10th and 11th streets — as well as study other potential effects on urban planning, parking, and traffic.

A recent survey [[link removed]] found more than 90% of business owners, and residents in Philadelphia’s Chinatown opposed the Sixers’ attempt to build an arena near the neighborhood amid concerns over rising rents and the loss of its culture.

Philadelphia’s African American Chamber of Commerce has voiced support [[link removed]]for the proposed 76ers arena, citing the economic growth it could bring to the city. The 76ers also said it is committed to giving 40% of the arena’s concessions spaces to Black-owned businesses.

Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown saw a decline [[link removed]] in Chinese population following the opening of Capital One Arena in 1997.

“Given the size and scope of this proposed project, it is too early in the process to know the specific impacts of the proposed downtown arena,” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said.

Kenney didn’t specify who would be leading the independent study, leaving some local residents to voice further concerns during Wednesday’s meeting [[link removed]] in Chinatown.

Construction would begin in 2028, with a targeted opening date in 2031.

Conversation Starters The Front Office Sports Rising 25 Award [[link removed]], presented by Anheuser-Busch, celebrates the careers of the brightest young stars in the business of sports. Nominations for the Class of 2023 are open through May 2. Each year, over 98% of student-athletes will go pro in something other than sports. That’s over 100K future leaders who often get overlooked, till now. Learn more [[link removed]].* Recently retired NFL defensive end J.J. Watt and his wife, NWSL player Kealia Watt, paid $7 million for a Phoenix-area [[link removed]] home, sold to them by another sports couple — former NHL star Mike Modano and former pro golfer Allison Micheletti Modano. USFL TV partners Fox Sports and NBC Sports have finalized [[link removed]] their announcer lineups. Play-by-play announcer Curt Menefee and analyst Joel Klatt will serve as Fox’s No. 1 announce team, while Jac Collinsworth and Paul Burmeister will handle play-by-play for NBC.

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The event includes discussion with representatives from organizations across the sports industry, including the NBA, San Francisco 49ers, New Jersey Devils, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, ACC and the University of Miami.

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Today's Action

MLB

06:07 PM

Rays (-115) at Blue Jays (-105)

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NBA

06:00 PM

Bulls (+185) at Heat (-215)

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MLB

07:15 PM

Pirates (+140) at Cardinals (-165)

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*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.

*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.

Question Of The Day

How often do you play golf?

Very Often [[link removed]] Often [[link removed]] Sometimes [[link removed]] Never [[link removed]]

Thursday’s Answer

65% of respondents plan on watching at least some of the NBA Playoffs this year.

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