September 15, 2022

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Front Office Sports has launched a new podcast! In The Newsroom, senior writer Owen Poindexter talks with our editorial staff about the biggest stories where sports is shaping business and culture. Get an inside look at the highly controversial LIV Golf in our first episode on Apple [[link removed]], Spotify [[link removed]], or YouTube [[link removed]].

NFL Sees Huge Viewership Numbers Heading into Amazon’s ‘TNF’ Debut [[link removed]]

Joe Rondone/USA TODAY NETWORK

The NFL and Amazon will test their combined clout, starting Thursday night, as they look to transform the viewer experience.

Coming off of a first week in which games averaged [[link removed]] 18.5 million viewers – up 3% from last year and the highest figure since 2016 – the NFL is testing its might with its first streaming-only property.

Amazon has invested heavily to deliver a familiar product with some premium touches.

The e-commerce giant is paying around $1 billion per season through 2033 to broadcast “Thursday Night Football.”It hired veteran broadcasters Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit in deals reportedly worth [[link removed]] a respective $11 million and $10 million annually.Amazon augments its broadcasts with features such as its X-Ray technology, which provides data about players on the field. Apple has taken a similar tack with live probability data on its MLB broadcasts.

Meanwhile, the NFL is seeking to push further into streaming with its next deal for NFL Sunday Ticket, which has drawn interest from Amazon, Apple, and Google at a potential price tag of $2.5 billion per season.

Amazon on Offense

Amazon is leveraging [[link removed]] its massive reach as a retail giant to drive viewers to Thursday’s game, as well as associated products.

A banner across the top of its home page advertises the game, and Amazon Prime Video displays a countdown clock until kickoff.

In addition to Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime Video memberships, the sites make it easy to purchase the company’s Fire TV, as well as gear for the first “TNF” teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.

Ares Raises $3.7B for Sports Leagues, Teams [[link removed]]

Atletico Madrid

Ares Management is set to widen its sports footprint even further.

The alternative investment manager has raised [[link removed]] $3.7 billion of dedicated funding for sports leagues, sports teams, sport-related franchises, and media and entertainment companies.

The Ares Sports, Media, and Entertainment Finance fund is more than 25% committed to date — equity commitments neared $2.2 billion, although the total available capital is estimated to be $3.7 billion including “anticipated leverage and related transaction vehicles.”

The initial target for the fund was $1.5 billion.

Through the SME fund, Ares has already committed roughly $1 billion to 19 sports companies around the world.

In June 2021, Ares agreed to a roughly $216.9 million capital increase [[link removed]] to Atletico Madrid.In March 2021, Ares bought [[link removed]] around $100 million in debt from the San Diego Padres.In September 2021, Ares closed [[link removed]] on a $150 million preferred equity investment in Inter Miami CF.

“We have witnessed significant demand for new and original content among fans, streaming platforms, and networks, and this has driven sports-related businesses to require flexible and scalable capital to help fuel this secular growth,” said Mark Affolter, partner and co-head of U.S. direct lending at Ares.

Star-Studded Board

Ares has also established an advisory board with investors, athletes, and sports, media, and entertainment executives including Los Angeles Football Club co-owner and former FIFA player Mia Hamm, Sportsology executive chairman Mike Forde, and recording artist Lionel Richie, among others.

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Another Premier League Club Is Up for Sale [[link removed]]

AFC Bournemouth

The owner of AFC Bournemouth has hired California-based investment bank and financial advisory firm Montminy & Co. to facilitate a sale of the top-flight soccer club, according to Bloomberg.

Bournemouth — a member of the Premier League — is owned by Maxim Demin, who became the majority owner in 2013. The Russian businessman purchased a 50% stake in the club in 2011 in a deal valued [[link removed]] at $975,000.

A takeover sale [[link removed]] for the club could now fetch at least $150 million.Bournemouth is already in talks with one group of investors.A deal with a U.S. investor would put half [[link removed]] of the Premier League’s 20 teams under American ownership.

The club was promoted to the Premier League this year after finishing second behind Fulham FC in the English Football League Championship for the 2021-22 season. Bournemouth is expected to generate $172 million in revenue in 2023, up from $136 million in 2022.

The club fired [[link removed]] its former manager Scott Parker in August following a 9-0 loss to Liverpool, which marked its third consecutive defeat. The change came just 25 days into the new season.

League of Their Own

Manchester United, owned by the Glazer family, could also be on the market.

The Glazers — who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — are reportedly looking [[link removed]] for roughly $4.3 billion for the Premier League club, according to a report by The Daily Mail.

The family purchased Man U for $954.48 million in 2005.

Conversation Starters On Thursday, Roger Federer — who has made $130.5 million in on-court winnings— announced [[link removed]] that he will retire from competitive tennis after the 2022 Laver Cup, which begins Sept. 23. Ever wonder what goes into executing a Super Bowl, Olympics, or F1 Grand Prix? We caught up with the North American CEO of hospitality giant Sodexo Live!, Steve Pangburn, on the latest episode of My Other Passion for a behind-the-scenes look at how his company pulls off massive live events. Listen or watch now on Apple [[link removed]], Spotify [[link removed]], and YouTube [[link removed]]. Barstool launched [[link removed]] an NIL marketplace open to all Barstool athletes called TwoYay, which won’t take a commission from deals from either the athletes or brands on the platform.

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Market Movers

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

LYV [[link removed]]

Live Nation Entertainment Inc

[[link removed]]

$92.13

[[link removed]]

+0.09%

[[link removed]] MGM [[link removed]]

MGM Resorts International

[[link removed]]

$34.39

[[link removed]]

+1.33%

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

Dicks Sporting Goods, Inc.

[[link removed]]

$114.40

[[link removed]]

-0.33%

[[link removed]] VFC [[link removed]]

VF Corp.

[[link removed]]

$40.63

[[link removed]]

-1.12%

[[link removed]] GOLF [[link removed]]

Acushnet Holdings Corp

[[link removed]]

$49.06

[[link removed]]

-1.41%

[[link removed]] (Note: All as of market close on 9/15/22) What to Watch

The Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) face the Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) on Thursday night at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How to Watch: 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video

Betting Odds: Chiefs -4 || ML -190 || O/U 54

Pick: Expect the Chargers to come out strong. Take Los Angeles to cover.

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

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