August 29, 2024

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Colorado is back under the big lights as Coach Prime enters his second season. After a tough end to 2023, the Buffs are looking to bounce back—and everyone’s watching. With ESPN spotlighting them tonight, the hype is real. Can Deion Sanders deliver?

— David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], and Colin Salao [[link removed]]

Coach Prime’s Colorado: High Hopes, Pressure Builds As Year 2 Kicks Off [[link removed]]

Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

One year ago, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders (above) turned Boulder into the Hollywood of college football [[link removed]]. Now, as the Buffaloes kick off their 2024 season Thursday, the spotlight is still shining bright, even with measured on-field expectations and continued off-field controversies.

Colorado ended 2023 on a six-game losing streak to finish 4–8, last in the Pac-12. This season, now as a member of the expanded, 16-team Big 12, the over/under for the Buffaloes’ win total is 5.5 at most sportsbooks. Coach Prime, entering the second campaign of a five-year, $29.5 million contract, will likely need his squad to overperform to make a bowl game. But that isn’t slowing down the hype.

ESPN chose North Dakota State–Colorado, one of 21 games featuring FBS schools Thursday, to air on its flagship network Thursday night, even though it also has rights to four games involving teams ranked inside the AP Top 25 poll. It’s likely a smart decision, though. Colorado was a ratings darling in the first half of last season, routinely playing in the most-watched game of the week [[link removed]].

Other networks will try to cash in on the Sanders buzz while they can, too. NBC and CBS will feature Colorado in prime time for matchups against Nebraska on Sept. 7 and Colorado State on Sept. 14, respectively.

Prime Pros and Cons

In the spring, Colorado sold out of football season tickets for the second consecutive year. Before Sanders was hired, it hadn’t done so even once since 1996. The school had a record-setting 68,000 applicants [[link removed]] for this fall semester.

But the lead-up to the football season hasn’t been all roses and butterflies. Colorado banned Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler [[link removed]] from asking questions to Sanders and other staffers, due to what the school called “a series of sustained, personal attacks.” The athletic department cited Keeler’s use of phrases like “false prophet,” “Deposition Deion,” and “Bruce Lee of B.S.,” among others.

Last week, Colorado had to distance itself [[link removed]] from former special teams coordinator Trevor Reilly’s claim that he sought NIL (name, image, and likeness) money from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, in an exclusive Front Office Sports report [[link removed]], sources revealed that Colorado reached out to the Pac-12 last season, alleging that Oregon had accessed its private data following a Ducks win over the Buffaloes last September.

EVENT

Front Office Sports’ inaugural Tuned In sports media summit will come to life Sept. 10 as a one-day event in New York City. Led in part by senior media reporter Mike McCarthy, this event will feature intimate discussions with leaders from ESPN, NBC, YouTube, Roku, and more.

Register now [[link removed]].

New York First: Yankees and MSG Go All In on Live Sports Streaming Pact [[link removed]]

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

What began as strange bedfellows among former New York–area sports rivals has grown into an even larger partnership, one with potential industry influence beyond the country’s largest media market.

The Yankees-controlled YES Network and MSG Networks, which in January struck a joint venture based on streaming technology [[link removed]], have expanded that deal to form a new streaming app combining programming from both regional sports networks.

The newly formed Gotham Sports app, set to debut this fall before the start of the NHL and NBA regular seasons, will include both the YES app and MSG+, representing a particularly unique bundling of separate RSNs services in a single market. The product will include live games for the Yankees, Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Nets, and Sabres. Normal broadcast territorial rules for the various teams and leagues will still apply.

The pact marks a material enlargement of Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment (GAME), the digital joint venture involving the Steinbrenner family who owns the Yankees and a controlling interest in YES Network, and James Dolan, MSG’s executive chairman. Even with the two ownership groups’ considerable resources and placement in the unrivaled size of the New York area, accelerating levels of disruption in the RSN industry across the country are helping prompt new levels of thinking and different strategies.

Some entities have chosen to leave the RSN world altogether, such as Warner Bros. Discovery and an increasing number of pro teams spanning multiple sports. In the case of YES Network and MSG+, that accelerating change means working even closer together.

When GAME was initially formed, live game rights were not included, but the deal included a pathway for the type of larger collaboration now happening. The platform will be supplemented by other features such as live stats and a fan loyalty program.

“With the increased fragmentation of outlets carrying fan-favorite sports programming, the Gotham Sports app allows fans of our teams one easy access point for New York–area sporting events,” said Andrea Greenberg, MSG Networks president and CEO.

Price Breaks

The Gotham Sports app will be available for both authenticated TV subscribers at no additional cost. But for direct-to-consumer purchasers, the new product will allow for significant savings compared to the stand-alone prices of the YES app and MSG+.

The combined platform will cost $41.99 per month, compared to the individual prices of $24.99 for the YES app and $29.99 for MSG+. An annual purchase of the Gotham Sports app will be $359.99, while the YES app by itself is $239.99 and MSG+ costs $279.99.

SPONSORED BY MASTERCARD

Tee Off With Taste at the TOUR Championship

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This year’s TOUR Championship in Atlanta isn’t just about world-class golf—it’s also a celebration of local flavors [[link removed]].

Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways [[link removed]] program in partnership with Capital One Business highlights the city’s dynamic culinary scene, featuring small businesses like Guacamole by Freddie, and T’s Coffee & Brews. This unique experience offers fans a chance to savor the city’s best while witnessing top golfers in action.

With mentorships and $10,000 grants on the line, these businesses will showcase their creations at The Landing, adding a delicious twist to the championship experience. Plus, get the scoop on other local East Lake staples like Poor Hendrix.

Learn more [[link removed]] about Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways and the fusion of sport and cuisine by signing up for the Mastercard Small Business Community [[link removed]] to access the latest resources and support to protect, manage, and grow your business.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY Why NFL Players Say DraftKings Owes Them $65M

FOS illustration

The NFL Players Association is suing DraftKings for $65 million, alleging the sports betting operator is reneging on an NFT name, image, and likeness deal from 2021. Front Office Sports breaking news reporter Margaret Fleming joins the show to explain why DraftKings might actually benefit from a judge ruling they broke the law.

Plus, USA Swimming enjoyed new levels of attention this summer. COO Shana Ferguson discusses what they learned from the Paris Games and from holding Olympic trials at an NFL stadium. Also, the NCAA is considering eliminating a transfer window, and an NBA job posting hints at technology taking a greater role in the on-court action.

Watch, listen, and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Spotify [[link removed]], and YouTube [[link removed]].

NIL WATCH Six-Pack

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Front Office Sports keeps you updated on the latest NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals shaping college sports. Here’s who is cashing in now:

Athletes: Donovan Edwards (Michigan), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), Dillon Gabriel (Oregon), Travis Hunter (Colorado), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), DJ Uiagalelei (Florida State) Sport: Football Brand: Celsius

The deal: The energy drink brand launched a campaign with college football stars called “The Essential Six.” While the financials of the deal were not disclosed, the athletes will promote the brand on social media activation and be featured in TV commercials.

The six stars are all in the top 100 of On3’s NIL rankings [[link removed]] for college football—and Hunter, Milroe (above), and Gabriel in the top 10. Celsius’s previous NIL deals have also been with top football stars, notably Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 NFL draft picks Caleb Williams and Bryce Young.

SPONSORED BY 3D DIGITAL VENUE

The Ticketing Evolution

In 10 years, what will you use to get into a ballpark, stadium, or arena for a game, and what will the experience look like once you’re in? The answer isn’t so clear, and the only thing everyone agrees on is things could look dramatically different.

Join us Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Ticketing [[link removed]], presented by 3D Digital Venue.

From new technology and utilizing consumer data to QR codes, NFC chips, and fingerprint scans, all of the changes will get their moment at our latest virtual summit featuring industry experts fluent in ticketing innovation.

Register now [[link removed]].

Conversation Starters Make sure you check out [[link removed]] Nike’s new ad announcing its NIL deal with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis hasn’t slowed down—or stopped cashing in—since winning another gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Learn more here [[link removed]]. ESPN is launching “Where to Watch”—a guide to help fans figure out where all games are streaming. Take a look [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks NBA Hiring Team to Oversee Automated Officiating [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]The league is coming off a terrible year for officiating. Non-Power Conferences Decried the House v. NCAA Settlement. Now They’re Falling in Line [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]After blasting the NCAA for the House settlement, execs have gone quiet. PIF, Other Sovereign Wealth Funds Now Have Entry Point Into NFL [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]The league has approved a select list of private equity funds. Question of the Day

Are you more or less interested in Colorado’s football team this year?

MORE [[link removed]] LESS [[link removed]]

Wednesday’s result: 65% of respondents support the NFL’s decision to allow private equity firms to invest in team ownership.

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Written by David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], Colin Salao [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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