May 23, 2023

Read in Browser [[link removed]]

POWERED BY

One of the last surviving [[link removed]] stadiums of the Negro Leagues is open for the first time since 1997 after the completion of a $103 million renovation project. Paterson, New Jersey’s Hinchliffe Stadium hosted the Frontier League’s Opening Day contest between the New Jersey Jackals and the Sussex County Miners. The Jackals will play home games at Hinchliffe this season.

Fanatics Buys PWCC to Compete in Collectibles Auction Space [[link removed]]

Fanatics

Fanatics is pushing into collectibles auctions with a major acquisition.

The multifaceted sports company is purchasing PWCC, it confirmed to Front Office Sports. Terms were not disclosed. The acquisition grows Fanatics’ presence in collectibles after it purchased Topps for a reported $500 million in January 2022.

PWCC offers technology, a collectibles vault, and an established marketplace to Fanatics Collectibles after bringing all its technological operations in-house due to a dispute with eBay. The legacy auction platform removed its items in December 2021 amid accusations of shill bidding to raise prices — which PWCC vehemently denied.

While Fanatics holds trading card rights with several leagues and player associations — including MLB, MLBPA, the NBA, NBPA, and NFLPA — it didn’t have as strong a presence in the auctions space. It can now compete with Heritage Auctions and Goldin, subject of the Netflix show “King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch.”

“I think that for the sports collectible business, Fanatics is going to have the biggest impact,” Goldin founder and CEO Ken Goldin said on Front Office Sports Today [[link removed]] earlier this month.

Earlier this month, Fanatics made another high-profile acquisition, growing its sports betting division by buying PointsBet for $125 million. The company is working toward launching [[link removed]] a media division called Fanatics Live.

PODCAST

🎙️ They Said What?

“We just came off a series in which we had Steph Curry facing off against LeBron James and it went six games … That’s like if you got six consecutive games of Tom Brady versus Aaron Rodgers in the NFL. They would rate really well. It’s not a mystery.”

— Mike Greenberg, host of ESPN’s “Get Up,” on why the NBA playoffs are seeing their highest ratings in a decade. Check out the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today for more on Greenberg.

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

Mercedes Racing Looks to Silicon Valley for Inspiration [[link removed]]

Formula 1

Mercedes is looking to the future to recreate its past.

The once-dominant team in Formula 1 finds itself lagging behind rival Red Bull on the grid, but it’s investing [[link removed]] $87 million in its facility and staff in Brackley, England, in the hopes of creating a long-term advantage.

The team wants to attract top talent by looking beyond the standards of F1.

“We are not orienting ourselves toward our competitors in our sport,” Mercedes principal and CEO Toto Wolff told [[link removed]] Motorsport.com. “We are orienting ourselves toward the best technology campuses that we know from the United States.”

The changes to the facility — which Mercedes has used since 2017 and purchased last year — will include office buildings, restaurants, and gyms. The facility will use 100% renewable energy and aim to reduce water consumption by 50% per person per day, as well as 60% of office waste.

Wolff wants a facility where people want to work, especially with F1’s $135 million cost cap challenging the efficiency of the team once known for lavish spending: “We need to attract and retain the best people. We’ve seen with the cost cap that sometimes we are limited in the possibilities of paying people the same as any other industries.”

Red Bull principal Christian Horner said [[link removed]] last month that he believes six F1 teams violated the cost cap last year.

SPONSORED BY WSC SPORTS

Learn How the ACCDN is Growing its Fanbase

“WSC Sports has been a key driver in our ability to put out more content in an efficient manner.” – Matt Carstens, Executive Producer and General Manager of the ACC Digital Network in a recent interview [[link removed]] with Front Office Sports.

WSC Sports [[link removed]] automates the instant creation and distribution of video highlights by giving you access to sport-specific machine learning technology for over 20+ sports.

In addition to the ACCDN, over 300 partners, including the Pac-12 Conference, Conference USA, University of Pittsburgh, BYU, Rice University, and more rely on WSC Sports to build the premier modern fan experience.

You can’t provide the best experience without automation. Your most creative people need time to craft stories for fans. Stay ahead of the curve and click here [[link removed]] to learn more.

Saudis Poised To Make Another High-Profile Sports Move [[link removed]]

CAF

There’s another proposed “super league” in soccer poised to net a sizable financial boost — this time in Africa, courtesy of Saudi Arabia.

The Guardian reports [[link removed]] the Confederation of African Football is in talks with Saudi Arabia on a $200 million deal to support the new African Super League, a move that also would theoretically aid the country in winning hosting rights for a future FIFA World Cup.

Somewhat mirroring the themes of the prior, ill-fated Super League proposal in Europe, the African tournament plans to offer $100 million in prizes, including $11.6 million for the winner — more than five times the top prize for the current CAF Champions League.

CAF and FIFA announced [[link removed]] plans for an African Super League last year. That effort, however, is now targeted to begin with the 2024-25 season — to coincide with the start of the Saudi sponsorship — in a reduced, eight-team format.

The Saudi involvement also builds on a recent, five-year cooperation and development agreement between the CAF and Saudi Arabian Football Foundation. CAF has been seeking firmer financial footing since the 2019 termination of a $1 billion rights agreement with Lagardére.

The initiative also represents the latest attempt by Saudi Arabia — a country widely rebuked in global circles for its poor record on human rights — to use sports as a means to help boost its international standing.

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is the lead backer of LIV Golf [[link removed]], another high-profile investment that has attracted controversy and debate.

Tom Brady Finalizes Deal for Ownership Stake in Las Vegas Raiders [[link removed]]

Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady has agreed to acquire a minority share in the Las Vegas Raiders, his second investment in a team owned by Mark Davis. The legendary quarterback purchased [[link removed]] a stake in the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces in March.

Brady’s deal with the Raiders has been submitted to the NFL for approval, according [[link removed]] to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. The ownership transaction isn’t expected to impact Brady’s $375 million, 10-year agreement with Fox Sports to broadcast NFL games starting in 2024.

Reports of ownership discussions [[link removed]] between Brady and the Raiders emerged two weeks ago from ESPN. In 2020, the Raiders were rumored to be interested in signing Brady as the team’s quarterback before he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the final three seasons of his playing career.

The Raiders had a valuation of $5.1 billion last year, per Forbes. In addition to the Raiders and Aces, Brady’s ownership portfolio includes [[link removed]] a stake in a Major League Pickleball expansion franchise expected to begin play this year.

Brady’s other business endeavors include his NFT startup Autograph [[link removed]], which raised $170 million in 2022. He also has his own clothing company called Brady Brand [[link removed]] and is a co-founder of the sports media production company Religion of Sports [[link removed]].

The seven-time Super Bowl champion was also a significant shareholder and ambassador for FTX [[link removed]], the cryptocurrency exchange that filed for bankruptcy last year.

Conversation Starters The New England Patriots hired Maya Ana Callender, the first woman [[link removed]] to become a full-time scout in franchise history. Calendar has spent time with the Eagles and Bucs, as well as serving as Princeton’s Director of Football Operations. Wisconsin just opened its $113.2 million recreation center — which is five times larger than the previous one. The complex boasts eight basketball courts, an eight-lane pool, nap pods, and a rock wall. Check it out [[link removed]]. Las Vegas’ Kingpin Suite at the Palms Casino Resort can fit 10 guests to play on two pro bowling [[link removed]] lanes with personal shoes and bowling balls — for $15,000 per night.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS LEARNING

Elevate Your Professional Development

Front Office Sports Learning [[link removed]] is a series of complimentary, interactive courses designed to help professionals stay on top of today’s ever-changing sports landscape.

To date, over 20K+ professionals have taken our free online courses to better understand topics including NIL, cryptocurrency, ticketing, and more.

The flexible online courses which consist of video modules and brief quizzes, allow you to:

Learn anywhere, anytime Hear directly from top brands, experts, and industry leaders Earn a verified digital badge upon completion

Explore our lineup of courses to further grow and develop your knowledge, including courses from Coinbase [[link removed]], Ticketmaster [[link removed]], Meta [[link removed]], and more.

Register now [[link removed]].

Editor's Picks NFL’s Review of Commanders Sale Has ‘A Little Ways’ To Go [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]Colts owner Jim Irsay said the "complexities" of Josh Harris' deal to purchase the Commanders are being worked through. USC Looks For New AD Amid Impending Move To Big Ten [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]USC AD Mike Bohn resigned after reported misconduct. ESPN Unlikely to Renew Pac-12 Media Rights Deal [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]The Pac-12's deals with ESPN and FOX expire next year. Question Of The Day

Do you think AI and Machine Learning will benefit the industry / job you work in?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]] N/A [[link removed]]

Monday’s Answer

For their favorite watch brand, 19% of respondents chose Tissot, 8% chose Hublot, 60% chose Rolex, and 13% chose Cartier.

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Pro [[link removed]] Written by Owen Poindexter [[link removed]], Andrew Cohen [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here [[link removed]].

Update your preferences [link removed] / Unsubscribe [link removed]

Copyright © 2023 Front Office Sports. All rights reserved.

80 Pine Street Suite 3202 New York, NY 10005