April 25, 2022

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Thom Mayer may have accomplished some of his most important work in the last month. The NFL Players Association’s medical director and his team spent the last three weeks in Ukraine, where they treated 350 patients and trained 1,700 local personnel, according to ESPN.

Coca-Cola Pours It On With Sports Drinks in Q1

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Coca-Cola reported $10.5 billion in first-quarter revenue, beating analysts’ estimates of $9.83 billion.

The company’s sports drinks segment, which includes [[link removed]] BODYARMOR and Powerade, grew 22% during the quarter, and hydration products increased 8%.

Sports drinks and sparkling soft drinks led growth for the quarter in North America.Hydration’s growth was predominant in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

After the beverage giant first bought a 15% stake in 2018 to become BODYARMOR’s second-largest shareholder, Coca-Cola acquired the remaining shares in November for $5.6 billion. Coca-Cola’s earnings report marks BODYARMOR’s first full-quarter under the brand.

Cheers to Metaverse

As Coca-Cola’s sports drink segment continues to grow, so does its product innovation. Last month, Coca-Cola’s Byte appeared [[link removed]] globally on Pixel Point, an island in the “Fortnite” game. The drink, which is set to be released in the U.S. next month, is supposed to taste like pixels. It’s currently only available [[link removed].'] (in real life) in select Latin American countries.

The company, which also has a partnership with game developer Riot Games, describes Byte as the “first-ever Coca-Cola flavor born in the metaverse.”

CEO James Quincey said [[link removed]] during the earnings call that the company is trying to invest in brands so Coke drinkers will pay more, reasoning that a price hike is more favorable now than in a recession.

Activision Blizzard Misses Q1 Target As ‘Call of Duty’ Underwhelms

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY

Activision Blizzard failed to meet expectations with its latest earnings report on Monday.

The California-based video game publisher generated [[link removed]] $1.8 billion in revenue in Q1 2022, compared to $2.3 billion for the same period a year prior.

It reported $642 million in operating cash flow, compared to $844 million in Q1 2021.Monthly active users reached 372 million, down [[link removed]] from 435 million in Q1 2021.

Activision attributed its lackluster results to the underwhelming launch of “Call of Duty: Vanguard,” due to competition from other publishers and an average reception from gamers.

The publisher will release its latest addition to the “Call of Duty” franchise this year but will take a break in 2023 to focus on building its live services businesses, according to [[link removed]] Bloomberg.

It will mark the first time “Call of Duty” will be without an annual release in nearly two decades.

Legal Issues

In March, Activision reached [[link removed]] an $18 million settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after several sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits.

Last week, the company learned it is no longer facing [[link removed]] a class-action lawsuit that claimed it misled investors regarding similar allegations, but it is still facing an ongoing investigation.

The investigation could stand in the way of Microsoft’s deal to acquire [[link removed]] Activision for $68.7 billion. The deal, announced in January, is currently under regulatory review.

SPONSORED BY FIDELITY

Making the Most of Every Opportunity

At 5’7”, Andrew “Hawk” Hawkins [[link removed]]’ 7-year NFL career was as improbable as his post-NFL successes in media, business and entertainment.

If you ask him, he’d tell you it was all part of the plan. From the moment he achieved his dream of playing in the NFL, he’s been thinking about and working toward his second act.

His main focus these days is StatusPRO, which he co-founded with college teammate Troy Jones. Backed by some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, the sports tech company combines player data, AR, and VR to create a revolutionary suite of training and gaming products.

Check out the latest episode [[link removed]] of Second Acts, presented by Fidelity [[link removed]], to learn more about Hawk’s impressive post-playing career.

U.K. to Kick In Independent Soccer Regulator

England FA

Soccer has long been a national obsession for the United Kingdom, and now the government is getting involved.

The U.K. will appoint [[link removed]] an independent regulator to oversee the Premier League, English Football League, and the Football Association, the governing body that oversees soccer leagues in England, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.

The regulator’s purview will include ensuring that team owners and directors meet various criteria, such as the ability to fund the team on an ongoing basis.The official will also have the authority to investigate and gather information on club finances.

The move was one of 10 recommended by a fan-led review of U.K. soccer governance published in November by former sports minister Tracey Crouch.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that “we are taking forward the fan-led plans to secure the future of our national game,” while touting a $292.9 million government investment in improving soccer fields and facilities, which made its first disbursements last month.

Fan Power

The reforms will also bestow governance power on fan groups, largely around “heritage issues” such as changes to stadiums, logos, names, and kits.

There could be further financial reforms to alter the distribution of funds to teams lower in the pyramid system.

The review from November proposed [[link removed]] a 10% fee on Premier League player transfers that would support lower-tier clubs, which would have generated an estimated $203.7 million over the last five years.

Conversation Starters In The Leadoff, a $2 billion stadium could follow a new owner for the Denver Broncos, the English Football League is reviewing a $148 million takeover bid for Sheffield United, the Oakland A’s see record-low attendance at the start of the season, and the Arizona Coyotes are charging premium prices for limited seating next season. Click here to listen [[link removed]]. Fox Sports might return [[link removed]] to a three-person broadcast booth on its No. 1 NFL TV team for the first time since 2004. The network could give announcer Kevin Burkhardt two game analysts for the 2022 season, sources told Front Office Sports. Naasir Cunningham will join [[link removed]] Overtime Elite next season but will not receive a salary, allowing the 2024 No. 1 men’s prospect to keep his NCAA options open. Overtime Elite, which held its inaugural season this year, is backed by Kevin Durant, Drake, Jeff Bezos, and other investors. In February, the blockbuster James Harden-Ben Simmons trade looked like a win for both sides — but that was assuming the latter would play [[link removed]]. Now, the Philadelphia 76ers are a win from advancing in the playoffs, while the Brooklyn Nets are on the brink of elimination — and Simmons still hasn’t suited up. Subscribe to Scoreboard for more [[link removed]].

SPONSORED BY BASBAS

Try the Most Awarded Hierbas in the World

Known for its complex flavor and easy drink, Basbas [[link removed]] is a luxurious spirit made from herbs native to Ibiza.

First distilled in the 15th century by the monks living in northeastern Spain, it was often used as a remedy. They fermented wild anise, then extracted essential oils from other medicinal herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage into the alcohol.

To this day, the spirit is present at every toast, meal, and celebration in Ibiza, but it’s relatively unknown outside of the region. As the most awarded hierbas in the world, Basbas is set to change all that.

Basbas just received 95 points and the distinction of Spanish Liqueur of the Year [[link removed]] at the New York International Spirits Competition. Get Batch 001 [[link removed]] while it lasts.

Market Movers

U.S. stocks experienced declines across all three major indexes on Monday. Here’s a look at how sports-related stocks performed:

BATRK [[link removed]]

Liberty Media Corp.

[[link removed]]

$26.11

[[link removed]]

+0.19%

[[link removed]] WYNN [[link removed]]

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

[[link removed]]

$72.21

[[link removed]]

+0.91%

[[link removed]] LVS [[link removed]]

Las Vegas Sands Corp

[[link removed]]

$36.31

[[link removed]]

+1.99%

[[link removed]] PLAY [[link removed]]

Dave & Buster`s Entertainment Inc

[[link removed]]

$48.50

[[link removed]]

+3.37%

[[link removed]] AESE [[link removed]]

Allied Esports Entertainment Inc

[[link removed]]

$1.63

[[link removed]]

+3.82%

[[link removed]] SIRI [[link removed]]

Sirius XM Holdings Inc

[[link removed]]

$6.16

[[link removed]]

-2.53%

[[link removed]] (Note: All as of market close on 4/25/22) What to Watch

The Boston Celtics face the Brooklyn Nets on Monday at Barclays Center. Celtics lead the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series 3-0.

How to Watch: 7 p.m. ET on TNT

Betting Odds: Nets -1 || ML -115 || O/U 220

Pick: Expect the Nets to extend the series. Take Brooklyn to cover.

Refer Friends to Score Your Favorite Team’s Jersey

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

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