July 31, 2023

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Kevin Mayer is far from a household name, but he’s quietly been one of the most influential media figures over the past decade with senior-level stops at Disney, TikTok, and DAZN. Now he’s back at Disney, along with longtime colleague Tom Staggs, in an advisory role to help CEO Bob Iger solve tough issues around ESPN and their other TV networks.

Meanwhile, Manchester United strikes a major deal that could outlast the Premier League’s club current ownership, and the University of Miami’s NIL efforts face new questions with business issues involving top booster John Ruiz.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

Manchester United Inks Record $1.15B Adidas Deal Amid Sale Rumors [[link removed]]

Manchester United

Manchester United and Adidas are extending the most lucrative jersey collaboration in international soccer.

The German brand has re-upped as Man United’s uniform supplier after agreeing to pay [[link removed]] the Premier League club at least $115 million a year through 2035. That’s an EPL record [[link removed]] and a significant increase from the current annual figure of around $95 million.

In 2022, Manchester United reclaimed the top spot in worldwide soccer jersey sales [[link removed]] with more than 3 million — thanks in large part to the brief return of Cristiano Ronaldo, which sparked [[link removed]] more than $200 million in sales in just 10 days. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Barcelona rounded out the top five.

In 2021, TeamViewer replaced Chevrolet as the club’s front-of-shirt sponsor in a deal [[link removed]] reported to be worth $57 million a year.

Staying On Top

It’s unclear if the new Adidas deal keeps the provision that lowers the company’s payment by 30% if Man United fails to qualify for the UEFA Champions League two seasons in a row — which hasn’t happened since 2017.

The Adidas extension arrives as the club returns to Champions League this season — but also as the unpopular Glazer family ponders a sale. In May, the owners delayed [[link removed]] a decision on further news until after the season, but a week out from the new EPL season, there have been no major updates.

Disney Brings Back Execs As It Weighs ESPN Equity Sale, Future Leadership [[link removed]]

Shutterstock

Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger is turning to two former colleagues to help solve one of the ESPN parent’s thorniest issues — prompting questions about the company’s future leadership.

Just days after indicating he would be open [[link removed]] to outside equity partners for ESPN, Iger has called [[link removed]] in former Disney senior executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs to consult with him, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, and others shaping the future of Disney’s linear TV business.

Mayer previously led Disney’s direct-to-consumer operations and played a key role in the $3.83 billion, four-step purchase [[link removed]] of MLB’s BAMTech, the technological backbone of ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu. Staggs spent more than a quarter-century at Disney, mostly as CFO.

Both separately left Disney after failing to secure the CEO post held by Bob Chapek for nearly three years before Iger’s November 2022 return.

Iger said [[link removed]] he could sell parts of Disney TV networks like ESPN and ABC, which is understandable. ESPN has lost nearly 28 million linear subscribers since 2011, and cord-cutting has slashed [[link removed]] the number of traditional pay-TV households from 102.1 million in 2014 to 63.2 million in 2023.

The move also revives speculation as to whether the pair of former Disney confidantes have reentered the mix to be Iger’s ultimate successor.

A newly agreed two-year extension will keep Iger in place through 2026, when he’ll be 75 — but the deal specifically calls for a clear CEO succession plan. Disney next reports quarterly earnings on Aug. 9, which could offer further clues on the company’s linear TV direction.

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Join Front Office Sports on Tuesday, August 8th at 1 p.m. ET for Making Youth Sports Accessible in the Modern Age, presented by TeamSnap [[link removed]].

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Reported Federal Probe Puts Miami In NIL Spotlight Again [[link removed]]

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The University of Miami continues to stay at the center of the NIL drama — in an increasingly negative light.

Miami became the first [[link removed]] school to receive sanctions involving NIL earlier this year, and now top Hurricanes donor John Ruiz and his health insurance claims company LifeWallet are potentially under criminal investigation, according [[link removed]] to the Miami Herald. Ruiz has refuted [[link removed]] the report.

While one report [[link removed]] pointed out that about 80% of Miami’s NIL deals are no longer tied to LifeWallet, Ruiz still distributed [[link removed]] more than $10 million in deals in the first year of NIL.

Ruiz was also responsible for bringing the following players to Coral Gables:

Kansas State guard Nijel Pack Basketball players Isaiah Wong, Jordan Miller, and Norchad Omier Haley and Hanna Cavinder

At one point, LifeWallet carried a valuation of more than $32 billion with a stock price over $10. Ruiz was once thought of as a potential savior for Miami athletics for his potential to bring in NIL money for top recruits. Now, the company is currently trading at under 25 cents.

NIL Era’s Earliest Stars

Miami gained notoriety — and scrutiny — with the rise of the Cavinder twins, who were at the center of the NIL sanctions along with Ruiz. The twins ended [[link removed]] their college careers with an estimated earning potential of $900,000 from a dozen marquee deals and helped the women’s basketball team earn a surprising bid to the Elite Elite of the 2023 NCAA tournament.

In football, Miami is moving forward with head coach Mario Cristobal, who is heading into the second season of his 10-year, $80 million contract. Miami’s football team was 5-7 last year and hasn’t had a 10-win season since 2017. However, most recruiting rankings credit Miami with the seventh-best recruiting class in 2023.

Conversation Starters This season, a record nine women [[link removed]] are set to serve in full-time coaching roles in the NFL. Ex-Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko has listed [[link removed]] his Michigan mansion — which has been owned by multiple NBA players and features an indoor basketball court — for $4 million. Steph Curry’s alma mater Davidson is making big moves [[link removed]] for its football program, investing $54.5 million in a new football stadium and athletics fieldhouse for 2024.

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Caleb Williams On NIL Deals, Lofty Goals

USC quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams has one of the top NIL portfolios among college athletes. However, he has his sights set on much bigger prizes. The star quarterback is aiming for a national championship, a second Heisman, and to be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Williams joined Front Office Sports Today to talk about his aspirations, how he approaches NIL deals, and how winning the Heisman changed his life.

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

Editor's Picks Will The Pac-12’s Next TV Deal Be Enough To Save It? [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]There’s no guarantee replacement schools will bridge the gap. Philadelphia Union Captain Calls for MLS Salary Cap Boost Amid Messi’s Arrival [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]Philadelphia Union captain Alejandro Bedoya wants MLS to loosen salary cap restrictions. Doris Burke Poised To Be First Woman To Call Men’s Championship [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]ESPN's Doris Burke could enter the history books. Refer Friends, Win Merch

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