July 20, 2022

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Fox’s coverage of the MLB All-Star Game may have introduced [[link removed]] a literal game-changer for baseball telecasts: the Ump Cam. The tiny camera affixed to home-plate umpire Bill Miller delivered thrilling views of Giancarlo Stanton’s monster home run and pitcher Clayton Kershaw’s duel with Aaron Judge.

New Stadium Could Push Titans’ Value Over $3B [[link removed]]

George Walker IV / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Tennessee Titans could be worth more than $3 billion when the team finalizes a deal for a new domed stadium in Nashville slated to open for the 2026 NFL season.

The Titans — currently valued [[link removed]] at $2.6 billion — would benefit from a new stadium that could garner higher ticket prices and the increasing value of NFL franchises following the record [[link removed]] sale of the Denver Broncos in June for $4.65 billion to a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton.

The Titans are the 28th-most valuable of the 32 NFL franchises, per [[link removed]] Forbes.The team generated $354 million in revenue in 2021, down from $422 million in 2020.A new stadium would make the Titans one of the 20 most valuable NFL teams at $3 billion.

The Titans plan to build a 1.7 million-square-foot stadium estimated to cost [[link removed]] between $1.9 billion and $2.2 billion. The stadium could host major events, including the Super Bowl.

Previous Plans

In January, the Titans planned upgrades [[link removed]] at Nissan Stadium that would have cost up to $600 million. The team’s current lease requires the city of Nashville and taxpayers to pay for maintenance. The Titans claimed the city would owe $1.8 billion under the current terms.

Those rising costs were highlighted by city leaders, leading to plans for a new stadium.

FaZe Clan Goes Public, Valued at $725M [[link removed]]

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Esports collective FaZe Clan went public on Wednesday after completing its merger with blank-check company B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp. in a deal valued at $725 million.

FaZe, which is trading on the Nasdaq, first announced plans [[link removed]] to go public in October 2021 and received SEC approval [[link removed]] in June. It also required approval by BRPM shareholders.

FaZe is the fourth-most valuable esports company at $400 million, per [[link removed]] Forbes.The valuation represents a 31% increase compared to 2020.It generated $52.9 million in revenue in FY2021, but reported a net loss of $36.9 million.The company started trading at $13 per share.

Known for its esports teams, FaZe also allows content creators to build their brands with their combined 500 million followers across social platforms.

Its creators include NFL quarterback Kyler Murray and LeBron “Bronny” James Jr.

Perfect Timing

FaZe has an opportunity to take advantage of a growing esports industry as a public company.

The global esports audience is projected to reach 532 million in 2022, up 8.7% year-over-year, per [[link removed]] data firm Newzoo. The growth in engagement is projected to have the esports market generate $1.38 billion in revenue in 2022 — with China accounting for nearly one-third.

The highest-grossing revenue stream for the esports market is sponsorships, with revenue estimated to reach $837.3 million by the end of 2022 — roughly 60% of the entire market.

FaZe has deals with brands including McDonald’s, DoorDash, and the NFL.

SPONSORED BY COINBASE

The Evolution of Esports and Crypto

Over the last few years, esports and gaming has grown exponentially. What was once only considered a hobby is now a legitimate, competitive segment of the sports world that is constantly evolving.

The rise of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have made a significant impact on the evolution of the esports industry.

In Lesson 3 of Crypto in Sports Essentials [[link removed]], Steve Arhancet, CEO & Owner of Team Liquid, sits down with Team Liquid member and professional gamer, Juan ‘Hungrybox’ DeBiedma, to discuss how the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies and NFTs is changing the landscape of the industry and improving the fan experience for all.

Sign up [[link removed]] for the course today.

IPL Owners Reportedly Buying Every Team in New Cricket League [[link removed]]

CSA

The Indian Premier League is already one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, and now its reach is expanding to new continents.

IPL franchise owners are reportedly set [[link removed]] to purchase all six teams in South Africa’s new T20 league, according to ESPNcricinfo.

The league will begin play in January 2023.The owners and parent companies of the Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals placed winning bids for T20’s six teams.The league, which is run by Cricket South Africa in partnership with broadcaster SuperSport, is expected to announce the new owners once the deals are finalized.

Twenty20, or T20, is a form of cricket designed to be shorter than traditional cricket, in which matches can last for days.

Cricket’s Big Leap

IPL owners have established a global presence. The Kolkata Knight Riders are a founding member of the U.S.-based Major League Cricket, which is set to begin play in 2023. The team’s ownership group invested [[link removed]] around $30 million in a dedicated cricket stadium in Orange County, California.

Another IPL franchise is working to join the six-team T20 league.

The IPL also has a presence through its team owners in the Caribbean Premier League and the United Arab Emirates-based International League T20.

Conversation Starters In The Leadoff, Tesla is working to integrate Steam into its vehicles, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard could gain FTC approval this month, the Premier League is set to ban gambling sponsors on shirts, and Notre Dame eyes a new media deal. Click here to listen [[link removed]]. United States Tennis Association executive Amy Choyne isn’t concerned about pickleball overtaking her sport — or a rich, upstart league like LIV Golf. Choyne covered [[link removed]] those topics and more in the debut episode of “The C-Suite,” hosted by Front Office Sports’ Chief Content Officer Lisa Granatstein. In his remarks during the ACC’s media days, commissioner Jim Phillips recognized [[link removed]] the conference’s concerns, but didn’t delineate a clear strategy for how it can move forward.

SPONSORED BY HULU

Check in to Your Obsessions

[[link removed]]

Maybe it’s a tale of true crime that gets your blood pumping. Or a long, dark trip into a dystopian reality to give you some perspective on what really matters. Or maybe the thing that floats your boat is actually a spaceship.

From Only Murders In The Building [[link removed]] to The Handmaid’s Tale [[link removed]] to Orville [[link removed]], all of your obsessions are in one place.

Book a stay at Hulu [[link removed]], and let your desires run wild. No judgements, no obligations, and no reason to stop.

Market Movers

U.S. stocks were mixed on Wednesday. Here’s a look at how sports-related stocks performed:

BYD [[link removed]]

Boyd Gaming Corp.

[[link removed]]

$54.91

[[link removed]]

+0.94%

[[link removed]] UA [[link removed]]

Under Armour Inc

[[link removed]]

$8.07

[[link removed]]

+2.47%

[[link removed]] DIS [[link removed]]

Walt Disney Co (The)

[[link removed]]

$103.16

[[link removed]]

+2.72%

[[link removed]] DKS [[link removed]]

Dicks Sporting Goods, Inc.

[[link removed]]

$94.91

[[link removed]]

+2.97%

[[link removed]] DKNG [[link removed]]

DraftKings Inc.

[[link removed]]

$14.28

[[link removed]]

+5.93%

[[link removed]] RCI [[link removed]]

Rogers Communications Inc.

[[link removed]]

$46.91

[[link removed]]

-0.36%

[[link removed]] (Note: All as of market close on 7/20/22) What to Watch

Get an inside look into the life and Hall of Fame career of Yankee’s legend Derek Jeter.

Watch “The Captain,” a seven-part docuseries about one of the best to ever play baseball.

How to Watch: Exclusively on ESPN+ / Stream all of “The Captain” on ESPN+ [[link removed]]*

*Sponsored content.

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Written by Justin Byers [[link removed]], Owen Poindexter [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

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