November 16, 2023

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After years of buildup, live Formula 1 action finally hits the Las Vegas Strip tonight as teams get their first practice session for this weekend’s grand prix. I won’t be staying up for this 10:30 p.m. PT start, but I’m more than looking forward to Saturday night’s race.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]]

Silver Hints At Potential NBA International Expansion As More Games Planned [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While much of the current conversation around NBA expansion has been focused [[link removed]] on Las Vegas and Seattle, league commissioner Adam Silver is already thinking several steps beyond that — even outside the U.S.

Appearing [[link removed]] this week on NBC Sports Boston’s coverage of a Celtics-Knicks game, Silver said he’s actively thinking about a potential NBA franchise in Mexico, as well as further expansion in Canada.

“One day, I think that would be incredible if we could actually expand to a market like Mexico City,” Silver said.

The commissioner added there’s also “interest” in bringing a team to Montreal, as well as in a potential return to Vancouver, where the Grizzlies played from 1995 to 2001 before relocating to Memphis.

“It began so much as a hockey market when we first expanded there,” Silver said of Canada. “Obviously, they still love their hockey there, but there will be more opportunity over time.”

In any instance, league expansion won’t likely move forward until after the NBA completes its upcoming round of domestic media rights negotiations.

More Globetrotting

The NBA recently returned from its latest game in Mexico City and will play again in Paris in January. Silver said that while playing more international games is likely, he remains highly mindful of the impact of extended travel on players.

“It’s a balance,” Silver said. “But we are very much a global [[link removed]] league.”

PODCAST

🎙️ They Said What?

“If you get a $300 million contract in baseball, you are going to see that money. With what’s happening with [Deshaun] Watson … I don’t see five years fully secured in the NFL anymore.”

— Andrew Brandt, former NFL executive and sports columnist, on why the NFL is likely to lean away from fully guaranteed contracts going forward. To hear more from Brandt about both the NFL and NCAA football, check out the latest episode of FOS Today.

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

Manchester City Breaks Premier League Revenue Record [[link removed]]

Manchester City FC

Manchester City’s record-breaking 2022-23 season keeps delivering, even months after the conclusion of its historic campaign.

In June, Man City became the first English soccer team to win the treble since their crosstown rival Manchester United in 1999. Now, just weeks after Man United set a Premier League record [[link removed]] for annual revenue with $773 million, Man City has bested the Red Devils yet again — reporting revenue of $884.3 million for this past season

Profits came in at almost $100 million — nearly double the sum from a year ago — as commercial, broadcast, and matchday earnings all improved year-over-year.

Winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League came at a steep cost, though. Man City’s $525 million spent on play salaries is also a Premier League record [[link removed]]. Previously, no other club had even topped $500 million.

Man City, which is owned by Abu Dhabi-based City Football Group, currently has a valuation of nearly $5 billion — the fifth-highest in the world among soccer clubs, according to Forbes [[link removed]]. The club’s brand value [[link removed]] tops all others though at $1.6 billion.

Don’t expect the success on and off the pitch to end anytime soon. Man City is currently first in the Premier League through 12 games of the season and has won all four of its Champions League group-stage matches.

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Sportsbooks Focus on User Engagement

StreamLayer [[link removed]], a B2B tech platform that recently executed one of the largest interactive streaming events on record, is now helping sportsbooks increase user engagement and revenue.

StreamLayer’s patented technology will encourage sportsbook users to keep their apps open while watching live games by offering a fun communal betting experience built around real-time bet prompts, next-gen stats, and innovative watch party features. The company will be debuting its sportsbook functionality later this year, in partnership with one of the fastest growing operators in the world.

“Our technology has already helped media companies increase app sessions by nearly 2X,” said John Ganschow, StreamLayer CEO. “We’re confident we can deliver similar results to the sportsbook industry, resulting in significantly increased handle.”

For partnership inquiries, please contact COO Andrew Fleming [mailto:[email protected]].

LPGA’s Record Prize Money Highlights Major Investment in Women’s Sports [[link removed]]

Syndication: The Enquirer

The LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship tees off on Thursday with a purse of $7 million — a season-high outside of the major championships.

Next year, that number will be even bigger.

In 2024, the LPGA’s season-ending event will pay out $11 million, including a whopping $4 million check for the winner. The total purse matches that of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, while the winner’s portion will double this weekend’s prize — and is on par with the $4 million awarded to winners at many of the PGA Tour’s signature events and LIV Golf’s cash-induced tournaments.

It’s also more than any men’s major offered to its winner in 2023.

The additional funding comes from title sponsor CME Group, which has extended its deal through 2025.

It’s not the only sponsor stepping up to support women’s golf this year. Ally is reportedly close [[link removed]] to a deal with the U.S. Women’s Open, while KPMG and AIG both extended their respective deals with the Women’s PGA Championship and Women’s British Open this year as purses continued to increase across the board.

Not Just Golf

Women’s soccer has also seen an influx of new money this year, highlighted by new $240 million media rights deals [[link removed]] for the NWSL that begin next season. Expansion fees [[link removed]] for the league are trending north of $50 million.

Internationally, the Women’s FA Cup is doubling [[link removed]] its prize money to more than $7 million, and Football Australia is boosting its women’s national team player salaries.

A’s Controversial Las Vegas Move Set For MLB Approval [[link removed]]

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Despite protests and political efforts [[link removed]] both in Oakland and Arlington, where MLB owners are meeting this week, the relocation of the A’s to Las Vegas is set to become official on Thursday.

While nearly every pro team relocation is fraught with division and hard feelings, the situation surrounding the A’s takes that dynamic to a new level.

After nearly two decades of unsuccessful attempts to develop a successor facility to the Oakland Coliseum in the Bay Area, the club is now heading to what will be MLB’s smallest market — despite Las Vegas’ current status as a sports boomtown.

The $380 million in public funds toward a proposed $1.5 billion ballpark project along the Las Vegas Strip also remains the subject of a potential referendum [[link removed]] by an education advocacy group. Questions also remain [[link removed]] on where the A’s will play during the 2025-27 seasons, and union leaders have been critical [[link removed]] of the planned move.

Approval of the relocation requires support from at least 23 of 30 team owners, a threshold expected to be cleared easily.

Fisher Meets With Protestors

On Tuesday, typically reclusive A’s owner John Fisher made [[link removed]] the unusual step of meeting with a trio of protestors who traveled to Oakland to plead their case for the team to stay in Oakland.

Fisher was said to have been polite with the fans, but made it clear that the nearly two decades of unsuccessful stadium development efforts in California had to come to an end.

“It’s been a lot worse for me than you,” Fisher told the fans.

Conversation Starters Yankees GM Brian Cashman made comments [[link removed]] about star slugger Giancarlo Stanton’s ability to stay healthy. Now, Stanton’s agent is warning free agents to think twice before considering joining the team. LSU has a multimillion-dollar deal with Nike — but some of their biggest stars, like Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith, have signed with other brands. Jordan Rogers breaks down [[link removed]] the most fascinating team in sports marketing. Check out [[link removed]] the North Face’s CGI ad campaign on London’s famous Big Ben. Editor's Picks ESPN Off To Best ‘Monday Night Football’ Start Ever [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]Through its first 11 telecasts this season, 'Monday Night Football' on ESPN has attracted 101 million viewers. The Dallas Stars Want to Be Part of NHL’s Mexico Movement [[link removed]]by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]The NHL shortlisted Mexico City as a future host city. Streaming Might Be The Future, But Over-The-Air Sports Aren’t Going Away [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]Sports broadcasts are experiencing a major shift in how fans consume them. NWSL’s Record Deal Caps Banner Season, Marks Turning Point For League [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]The 2023 campaign saw gains in attendance, TV, and franchise expansion. Question Of The Day

How often do you drink coffee?

Daily [[link removed]] Weekly [[link removed]] Monthly [[link removed]] N/A [[link removed]]

Wednesday’s Answer

87% of respondents plan to watch the Paris Olympics.

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

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