October 26, 2023

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The NBA’s return [[link removed]] to a traditional, conference-based format for this season’s All-Star Game highlights the growing struggle many leagues have had with maintaining a sufficient level of competitiveness at such events — particularly in an age of accelerating player salaries. The NFL addressed this last year in dramatic fashion, doing away with a standard game altogether in favor of the new Pro Bowl Games. Will the NBA and others ultimately follow suit with entirely different All-Star competitions?

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

Man United Posts Premier League-Record Revenues of $783M Amid Sale Talk [[link removed]]

Manchester United

The earning power of English soccer giants Manchester United is on display yet again via the club’s latest earnings report. For the 2022-23 fiscal year, Manchester United brought in revenue [[link removed]] of around $785 million — the most ever for a Premier League Club.

This year, Manchester United has signed long-term deals with Adidas and new shirt sponsor Snapdragon that will bring in close to $200 million annually.

However, despite the record revenues, Manchester United still posted a loss of nearly $35 million. Last season, the club competed in the Europa League instead of the more lucrative UEFA Champions League.

The report arrives as Manchester United is also mulling big changes to its ownership group.

Almost a year ago, the club said it would begin exploring strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of the team. Recently, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has emerged as a frontrunner [[link removed]] — not to buy a majority of the club, but to instead be a significant minority investor.

Ratcliffe is said to be discussing paying at least $1.5 billion for a 25% stake in Manchester United that could lead to eventually acquiring more of the club. If the deal goes through, Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold is expected to leave the club, according to The Athletic [[link removed]].

Giving sporting control to Ratcliffe is reportedly under consideration [[link removed]] as part of his deal.

Oregon State, Washington State Focusing On Two-Team Conference [[link removed]]

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

More than halfway through this college football season, the two remaining members of the Pac-12 still don’t have solid plans for their 2024 conference membership.

But one thing is clear: Oregon State and Washington State want to stick together.

The two schools have taken another step in their legal fight with the other 10 current Pac-12 schools leaving after this season for the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12.

After an initial lawsuit [[link removed]] filed against the Pac-12 and commissioner George Kliavkoff, OSU and WSU have now asked [[link removed]] a Washington State Superior Court to give them sole control of the Pac-12 conference once the other members leave. The University of Washington, which is heading for the Big Ten, previously sought to dismiss the case and ultimately disband the Pac-12 next year.

Meanwhile, OSU and WSU are exploring an alliance with the Mountain West Conference that would allow them to operate as a two-team conference in 2024, according to Yahoo Sports [[link removed]]. Specific details are unclear, but the move would provide the Pac-12 remnants with a solid schedule of games without having to fully join a new conference.

ACC Not Done?

With ACC commissioner Jim Phillips putting on a brave face in defending [[link removed]] the conference’s expansion moves this summer, several influential coaches are anticipating even further moves.

“For anybody to think this is the end of realignment, you’re fooling yourself,” Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer said [[link removed]] at this week’s media tipoff event in Charlotte. Virginia’s Tony Bennett noted the moves were about football, TV ratings, and revenue.

“I’m guessing it’s not over,” Miami basketball coach Jim Larranaga added.

The Big 12 is considering adding [[link removed]] Gonzaga and potentially UConn, which could have further ramifications on the rest of the college landscape.

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The New Playbook for Payroll

Every season is a challenge. With thousands of employees and millions of dollars at stake each year, keeping your pro sports organization functional, efficient and compliant is no small task.

Paycom [[link removed]] helps the New England Patriots and New England Revolution do just that with employee-guided payroll and HR tech.

“Just like our athletes take one more rep to be the best on the field, [Paycom allows us] to say, ‘We can do it even better each time because we have the metrics and analytics [[link removed]] to support it,’” said Miranda MacKenzie, Director of Benefits, Compensation, and HRIS for the New England Patriots.

Read the case study, How Paycom Helped the New England Patriots Achieve HR Victory [[link removed]], for a closer look on how to handle payroll like a pro with Paycom.

Peacock, Comcast Using Sports To Turn Corner In Streaming Battle [[link removed]]

Comcast

Peacock and parent company Comcast are beginning to turn a critical corner in the quickly escalating streaming battle — with sports standing as a key factor.

NBC’s streaming service posted a 64% increase in revenue to $830 million for its third quarter, added 4 million subscribers to hit a new total of 28 million, and narrowed the adjusted quarterly loss to $565 million. That adjusted loss is down from a comparable loss of $651 million in the second quarter and $614 million in last year’s third quarter.

The improved results, which follow a sluggish set [[link removed]] of quarterly financials in July, give Peacock and Comcast additional confidence in the competition among major streaming services — particularly as other Comcast businesses such as broadband and cable show their own signs of stress, prompting a sharp drop in the company’s stock.

Peacock boasts a strong sports lineup that includes the NFL, MLB, soccer’s Premier League, and Spanish-language rights to the World Cup and Women’s World Cup — not to mention the Olympics, Big Ten and Notre Dame football, NASCAR, and the PGA Tour.

But in recent weeks, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max has added [[link removed]] a sports tier, Amazon is hitting [[link removed]] new audience thresholds with “Thursday Night Football,” and Netflix is moving [[link removed]] into live sports with even bigger aspirations [[link removed]].

“We see all sports finding a way over the next [few] years to be more and more streamed,” said Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts. “And that’s going to require more bandwidth. And that’s going to require and create an opportunity for us to have the superior product in the market. That’s our strategy, and sports really is at the heart and soul of a lot of what we do.”

Traffic Trends

The multifaceted nature of Comcast’s overall business also leaves it in position to benefit from its streaming service rivals.

Comcast president Mike Cavanagh said its peak broadband network traffic has shifted from Sunday nights to Thursday as a result of Amazon’s exclusive streaming of “Thursday Night Football” on Prime Video, and NFL games now represent 25% of all its internet traffic on Thursday nights.

Broadband networks “will be put to the test as this transition of sports to streaming continues,” Cavanagh said.

The next test for Comcast will be in January, when Peacock exclusively streams [[link removed]] an NFL wild card game.

Conversation Starters De’Aaron Fox is the first NBA player to sign [[link removed]] a deal with Curry Brand, Steph Curry’s signature line at Under Armour. In a span of six days, the grounds crew in Philadelphia flipped Lincoln Financial Field for a Mexico-Germany soccer match, Temple-SMU, and Eagles-Dolphins. Take a look [[link removed]]. Another weekend, another 5,000 miles for Kirk Herbstreit to travel calling football games. Check out [[link removed]] his itinerary.

SPONSORED BY CHEVROLET

Hitting the Bike Trail With Zaire Wade

[[link removed]]

Zaire Wade is mostly known as one of basketball’s most promising young players and the son of a basketball legend. But like many professional athletes – Zaire has his own passions off the court.​

​In our new series, My Other Passion, presented by Chevrolet, we hit the outdoors [[link removed]] with some of the most recognizable athletes in sports to explore their interests outside the arena.​

​Learn how biking helps Zaire Wade move forward, find peace off the court, and gain the mental freedom he needs to succeed in pursuit of his dream.​

​Watch episode three [[link removed]] now.

Editor's Picks Bryson DeChambeau to Launch New Topgolf Competitor [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]UnderPar Life’s first location will be in Westworth Village, Texas. The Most Valuable NBA Franchises for 2023 [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]An imminent media rights deal and team sales boosted values league-wide. The Debate Over Amateurism Is Holding Up An NIL Law [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]"If this was just about NIL, you would have a bill." Join the NBA Action

Front Office Sports is partnering with Splash Sports to bring you an NBA Tiers Contest [[link removed]]for an action-packed Sunday slate of games including Wemby, the new look Bucks, the reigning champs and more.

Accumulate fantasy points for your player selections and have a chance at being one of three cash prize recipients! Sign up before games begin at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 29.

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