September 27, 2022

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Today’s Leadoff is a battle between future hopes and present challenges: Egypt is interested in hosting the 2036 Olympics, a senator is pushing for a WNBA team in Portland, the Pro Bowl is gone, and Juventus reports a record financial loss. Click here to listen [[link removed]].

Qatar Scurries for Security Help As World Cup Nears [[link removed]]

FIFA

The Qatari government is tapping into its military services — as well as civilians and diplomats from around the globe — to beef up security at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

The tournament’s opening match takes place at Doha’s Lusail Stadium on Nov. 20. The final is scheduled for Dec. 18.

The host nation is requiring that “hundreds of civilians” work checkpoints at stadiums during the tournament, according [[link removed]] to Reuters, including diplomats recalled to the country.

A source told Reuters the government told civilians it was their “patriotic duty” to participate.

There are some volunteers, but many are seemingly being forced against their will to work.Qatar is anticipating 1.2 million fans, who will be searched for weapons and banned substances like alcohol. Turkey will also provide [[link removed]] 3,000 riot police for stadiums and hotels.

The move is just the latest controversial labor-related decision as Qatar gears up to host the World Cup.

The nation has come under fire by multiple human rights groups for improper compensation of construction workers — many of whom were put in dangerous situations.

Added Trouble

Qatar’s journey toward the November competition has been a rocky one.

Lusail Stadium, the $767 million crown jewel for the event, had a less-than-stellar debut [[link removed]] when it hosted its first match earlier this month.

A lack of water accessibility and bathrooms, long transportation lines, and poor air conditioning were some of the issues noted by the 77,000 fans in attendance.

DAZN Grows European Soccer Presence with Eleven Acquisition [[link removed]]

DAZN

DAZN’s latest acquisition pushes it further into the European soccer market.

The sports streaming service is buying [[link removed]] streaming and media company Eleven, which will add the top soccer leagues in Belgium and Portugal to its offerings.

The move is expected to add $300 million in annual revenue to DAZN’s balance sheet.

DAZN will integrate the 40,000 games streamed on Eleven each year.Eleven provides support for production and distribution on FIFA+, the global soccer governing body’s streaming service for the live games of more than 90 FIFA member associations.The companies claim that the deal gives DAZN the world’s largest portfolio of women’s soccer content.

Eleven also has a presence in Poland, Taiwan, and certain Southeast Asian countries.

DAZN is also acquiring sports content company Team Whistle in the deal — the latter boasts over 700 million followers across all its channels.

IPO on Hold

DAZN is putting off a planned IPO to grow its reach and revenue, especially in Europe and North America. The company has signaled a pivot toward betting, bringing in former Entain CEO Shay Segev as CEO in January.

DAZN launched its DAZN Bet sportsbook in August in the U.K., with Canada and other European and Asian markets on the horizon.

The company is not yet profitable but anticipates “significant strides” in that direction in the next 18 months.

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The Essential Hub for FIFA World Cup 2022™

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Gavi is the top Breakthrough Player [[link removed]] in Nielsen’s index of likely World Cup players, ahead of Brazil’s Raphinha and Antony.

Gavi, who made his Barcelona and Spain debuts in the last year, has increased his following over 5000% since August 2021 to reach 5.5 million followers. His posts have an incredible engagement rate of nearly 30%.

FIFA World Cup 2022™ will capture the attention of nearly a billion people around the world, providing brands the opportunity to partner with the right footballers to effectively reach their target audiences. Having the appropriate tools, like Nielsen’s Influencescope [[link removed]], to identify the right match can make all the difference.

Visit Nielsen’s FIFA World Cup 2022™: the essential data hub for more insights [[link removed]].

D.C. United Reportedly Selling Minority Stake at $800M Valuation [[link removed]]

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

D.C. United might hold Major League Soccer’s worst record this season, but it’s reportedly on the verge of securing a landmark investment.

The club is close to landing an $800 million valuation through a minority stake sale to several new investors, according to a report [[link removed]], which is thought to be an MLS record for a club selling a minority stake. The highest-valued MLS team is Los Angeles FC at a reported [[link removed]] $860 million.

D.C. United’s valuation includes $150 million in debt.The investment covers up to 5% of the team.The investors’ identities participating in the round is reportedly unknown.

Last year, D.C. United inked a $710 million valuation [[link removed]] following an investment from New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram II.

A few months later, the club announced [[link removed]] another round from investors including rapper Yo Gotti and Swansea City AFC owner Jake Silverstein, who also recently purchased [[link removed]] a stake in the Brisbane Bullets.

D.C. United Holdings paid [[link removed]] Anschutz Entertainment Group $33 million for the team in 2007.

Soccer Sportsbook

The investment comes just months after FanDuel’s retail sportsbook at D.C. United’s Audi Field began [[link removed]] taking wagers — the first of its kind at an MLS stadium. The venue, also home to the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, does not offer mobile betting.

Conversation Starters On Tuesday, Phil Mickelson and three other LIV golfers withdrew [[link removed]] as plaintiffs in the antitrust lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour. An Independent Accountability Resolution Process panel found [[link removed]] that Memphis men’s basketball coach Penny Hardaway provided impermissible benefits to players, but that the benefits didn’t constitute major violations. Conor McGregor’s Lamborghini yacht, nicknamed the “Supercar of the Sea,” weighs 24 tons, travels up to 70 mph, and is one of 63 that exist. Take a look inside [[link removed]].

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Join Bill Squires — consultant for the New York Giants and Columbia University lecturer — and Program Director Scott Rosner for a virtual Q&A [[link removed]] in their Conversations with Faculty event on Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. ET.

Get a taste of what it’ll be like to learn from an esteemed faculty that includes industry thought leaders, experts, and current practitioners associated with many of the biggest brands in sports.

Join Columbia #InALeagueOfOurOwn [[link removed]] in New York City — the center of the Sports Universe.

Market Movers

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

CWH [[link removed]]

Camping World Holdings Inc

[[link removed]]

$23.68

[[link removed]]

+0.30%

[[link removed]] T [[link removed]]

AT&T, Inc.

[[link removed]]

$15.71

[[link removed]]

-0.47%

[[link removed]] BYD [[link removed]]

Boyd Gaming Corp.

[[link removed]]

$46.89

[[link removed]]

-0.85%

[[link removed]] MSGS [[link removed]]

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp

[[link removed]]

$139.51

[[link removed]]

-1.25%

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

MGM Resorts International

[[link removed]]

$30.01

[[link removed]]

-2.06%

[[link removed]] (Note: All as of market close on 9/27/22) What to Watch

The Toronto Blue Jays (87-67) host the New York Yankees (94-59) on Tuesday at Rogers Centre.

How to Watch: 7:07 p.m. ET on TBS

Betting Odds: Yankees -1.5 || ML -110 || O/U 8

Pick: Expect the Yankees to expand on Sunday night’s win. Take New York to cover.

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Written by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]], Owen Poindexter [[link removed]], Abigail Gentrup [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

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