December 14, 2021

Read in Browser [[link removed]]

POWERED BY

Nike announced Monday that it has acquired RTFKT — a creator of virtual sneakers and collectibles. In November, the Swoosh filed a trademark application for its signature logo and “Just Do It” slogan for use in digital worlds.

U.N.: Illegal Sports Betting Reaches $1.7T Annually

Kimberly P. Mitchell/Design: Alex Brooks

The legal sports betting industry is on the rise, but according to a United Nations report from last week, it pales in comparison to the illegal market.

The report [[link removed]], from the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, estimates that global illegal sports bets total up to $1.7 trillion each year and are often used by organized crime groups for money laundering.

The legal market checked in at around $40 billion in 2020, per the report, primarily from Asia ($19.6 billion) and Europe ($15.2 billion).

The picture in North America ($2.3 billion) is in flux as more states legalize sports betting.

By The Numbers

The U.N. report cited a 2020 American Gaming Association study which found that 52% of U.S. sports bettors participated in the illegal market — and that 82% of them were surprised to learn they were using illegal websites.

The report estimates that up to $140 billion is laundered through sports betting each year.The amount unlawfully wagered on sports betting is estimated to be between $340 billion and $1.7 trillion.The Asian Racing Federation estimated that up to 80% of global sports bets are made illegally.Cryptocurrencies have enabled surreptitious payments related to illegal gambling.

The report recommends governments work with payment companies to identify illegal transactions and develop regulations that require licensed betting operators to publish lists of shareholders, parent companies, and subsidiaries.

NFL International Market Assignment Details Emerge

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Unofficial until the NFL’s league meeting on Wednesday, details of team international market assignments have emerged, according to [[link removed]] Sports Business Journal.

In October, the NFL allowed teams to market in specific foreign countries for the first time ever, with new regulations that authorize promotional tours, merchandise, and sponsorships.

Last month, 19 of the NFL’s 32 clubs submitted a total of 28 bids across eight countries.

Australia: Los Angeles RamsBrazil: Miami DolphinsCanada: Seattle SeahawksChina: RamsGermany: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Carolina PanthersSpain: Chicago BearsUnited Kingdom: San Francisco 49ers, Bears

International market assignments will be finalized pending approval by all 32 NFL owners. The NFL, which has 190 million fans in the U.S., expects its next [[link removed]] 50 million fans to come from abroad.

High Demand in Mexico

There is speculation that the NFL will allow more than its original target of six teams in Mexico since the country received the largest number of bids, ahead of the U.K. and Germany.

The Dallas Cowboys, Rams and 49ers are likely to secure market access in Mexico — which has roughly [[link removed]] 48.5 million NFL fans — but it’s not yet clear exactly how those assignments will pan out.

SPONSORED BY COINBASE

Give Crypto for a Holiday Slam Dunk

‘Tis the season of (crypto) giving.

Your friends and family deserve a gift that will set them up for the future, and Coinbase [[link removed]] is here to help.

Now you can send personalized crypto gifts [[link removed]] of any amount to anyone, and each gift also comes delivered in a digital card featuring unique artwork from an up-and-coming artist.

The future of gifting is here. Click here [[link removed]] to learn how to win the holidays now.

FIFA Targets More Partners for Esports, Women’s Soccer

FIFA/Design: Alex Brooks

FIFA is restructuring its commercial partnership format for the first time in eight years.

Soccer’s governing body will now include verticals across men’s soccer, women’s soccer, and esports/gaming — the first time brands can dedicate partnerships to the latter two.

The focus on women’s soccer and esports follows an uptick in interest for both categories.

The value of the global esports market grew nearly 50% [[link removed]] from 2020 to 2021. By 2024, it’s estimated to be worth $1.62 billion.As of 2020, the highest-value esports team brought in an estimated $45 million in annual revenue [[link removed]].A Wasserman survey of people across the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and Russia found [[link removed]] that 88% of people would watch women’s soccer if given more opportunities.The National Women’s Soccer League shattered league ratings records by almost 300% [[link removed]] in 2020.

Regarding women’s soccer, Anna Afolabi, integrated strategist at Wasserman, says that “it is important that brands, sponsors, and partners don’t just sit and wait for this interest to increase further.”

Commercial Packages

FIFA will provide [[link removed]] more tailored packages for companies via four categories: World Cup/women’s football/FIFAe partners, sponsors, tournament supporters, and FIFA partners.

FIFA partners receive global partner status and the “highest level of association.” Right now, Adidas, Coca-Cola, Visa, Hyundai, Qatar Airways, and Wanda Group are the six companies that hold the status.

Pickleball Popularity Soars

PPA/Design: Alex Brooks

The pandemic has become a time to pick up new hobbies, and pickleball is reaping the benefits.

The paddle sport — which has nothing to do with pickles — saw around 4.2 million players in 2020, a 21% year-over-year increase according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

It’s the “ fastest [[link removed]]-growing sport in America” per the Economist, and Franklin Sports president Adam Franklin thinks [[link removed]] it could be growing even faster than predicted, based on the company’s pickleball-related sales.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if by 2030 we saw 20 to 30 million active players,” Franklin told Bloomberg.

Commissioner of the Professional Pickleball Association Connor Pardo estimates the sport will become “as big or bigger than tennis.”

The PPA entered a deal [[link removed]] with Fox Sports to broadcast pickleball events. The Tennis Channel, ESPN3, and CBS Sports Network also air games.Last month, Hyundai became the PPA’s first [[link removed]] car partnership. Pickleball Earnings

The PPA hosted 16 tournaments this year, double the amount it hosted in 2019 — the tour’s first year. Prize money has grown to more than $2.5 million slated for next year, compared to the $500,000 up for grabs in 2019.

The total purse for the USA National Championship — which [[link removed]]ends Tuesday [[link removed]] — is $90,000. Ben Johns, the world’s best pickleball player, makes around $250,000 [[link removed]] each year.

SPONSORED BY SIMPLISAFE

Save 40% on Award-Winning Home Security

SimpliSafe is comprehensive home security [[link removed]] without the hassle or expense of the traditional brands.

With sensors for every room, window, and door, and cameras for inside and out, SimpliSafe makes it easy to blanket your home in gapless security. In an emergency, our 24/7 professional monitoring service springs into action, dispatching police to your door fast.

Your custom SimpliSafe system ships to your door and takes just 30 minutes to set up [[link removed]] – no special tools needed. Monitoring service starts at just $15 per month (way less than the other guys) with no activation fees or long-term contracts.

Order today [[link removed]] to save 40% on your SimpliSafe system, and even get an HD indoor camera included free.

Conversation Starters Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce launched [[link removed]] Tru Kolors, a clothing line inspired by vintage ‘90s sports gear. In 2022, Windows users will have access [[link removed]] to Google Play games through a new app on desktops, laptops, Windows tablets, and mobile devices. Soccer agents Abdilgafar Ramadani and Pietro Chiodi are being investigated [[link removed]] by Italian prosecutors for alleged tax evasion and money laundering. Nielsen Sports is changing the game of college recruiting. Check out how the Nielsen Impact Score (NIS) [[link removed]] is helping universities recruit student-athletes by quantifying the marketing value of each athletic program.*

*Sponsored Content

Today's Action

NHL

07:10 PM

Senators (+235) at Panthers (-300)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

NBA

07:40 PM

Raptors (+320) at Nets (-425)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

NHL

07:10 PM

Canadiens (+235) at Penguins (-300)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.

*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.

Question Of The Day

Have you ever played pickleball?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]]

Monday’s Answer

42% of respondents own a pair of sneakers that costs more than $150.

Written by Owen Poindexter [[link removed]], Justin Byers [[link removed]], Abigail Gentrup [[link removed]]

MORE FROM FOS:

Sports Section [[link removed]] - Daily Sports Newsletter

The Leadoff [[link removed]] - Daily Business of Sports Podcast

Front Office Sports Insights [[link removed]] - The most promising opportunities where sports meets industry

*If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2357)(IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN). 21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN/MI/VA only. Odds and lines subject to change. Eligibility restrictions apply.” See [[link removed]] for details.

Copyright © 2021 Front Office Sports. All rights reserved.

80 Pine Street Suite 3202 New York, NY 10005

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

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

An FOS Brand [[link removed]]