A Tennessee Titans stadium tax fund is projected to generate nearly $3 billion over 34 years.

The fund is scheduled to pay for Nashville revenue bonds on the proposed $2.1 billion Titans stadium, collecting $2.9 billion through 2056, according to Metro Nashville — not including the state’s $500 million commitment.

The tax fund is set to pay off $760 million in revenue bonds from the Metro Nashville Sports Authority and will be used toward a capital improvements fund for stadium work in the future.

• A new 1% hotel tax in Davidson County is expected to collect $19 million in 2023 with a 2% annual increase, reaching $36.5 million in 2056 for a total of $912.6 million over 34 years.
• A $3 ticket tax for all stadium events is projected to generate $1.8 million annually from 2027.
• A 50% sales tax for a potential surrounding 130-acre development is expected to bring in $806.9 million starting in 2026 — the anticipated open date.

New to Nashville

At a capacity of 60,000, the stadium could be the smallest in the NFL. It would still be able to host the Super Bowl since the NFL has adjusted its requirements. 

A domed stadium has support from country music star Garth Brooks, who wrote a letter to Metro Council calling an enclosed stadium “a must.”

The 2022 FIFA World Cup’s group stage is almost over, but the tournament’s organizers are still switching up their policies.

FIFA assured fans on Wednesday that they could bring rainbow items and banners supporting protests in Iran after the country was eliminated a day earlier.

• Fans’ items with rainbow colors — a symbol of LGBTQ rights — and slogans such as “Women. Life. Freedom.” had been seized by stadium security staff throughout the tournament.
• Homosexuality is illegal in host nation Qatar.

“FIFA is aware of some incidents where permitted items were not allowed to be displayed at stadiums,” the governing body wrote. “FIFA has received assurances by authorities that venue commanders have been contacted in relation to the agreed rules and regulations.”

Hours before the tournament began, FIFA warned teams in the tournament that players would receive yellow cards if they wore multicolored “One Love” armbands during matches.

Saudis Say No

This year’s World Cup is the first time an Arab nation was awarded the tournament, and it could be a while until another hosts again.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s tourism minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said the nation was considering a joint bid with Egypt and Greece for the 2030 World Cup, but a tourism ministry spokesperson later clarified that “Saudi Arabia does not have an official bid to host the FIFA World Cup.”

La Liga has long-term plans in North America and its tapping one of the most popular sports brands to deepen its connections to fans there.

The Spanish soccer league is linking up with UFC in a deal that will promote both entities.

• La Liga and UFC athletes will raise awareness about the other league through podcasts and shows on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
• UFC and La Liga will organize at least three annual events in Spain.

“The focus we want to have in terms of content creation and activations is in the United States,” La Liga Head of Content and Distribution Adrian Sagovia told Front Office Sports, who also mentioned the natural affinity La Liga has with the Hispanic community in North America.

“For La Liga North America [a joint venture the league formed with Relevent Sports in 2018], it’s super important to have a relationship with a sport brand in the United States,” said Sagovia. “We are the only European soccer tournament that has a joint venture here.”

The ESPN+ Connection

UFC and La Liga initially explored a deal because they are both key properties for ESPN+. 

ESPN won U.S. rights to the Spanish soccer league in 2021 with an eight-year, $1.4 billion deal, joining UFC, which signed on in 2018 with a five-year, $1.5 billion deal — since extended by two years.

“With OTT, when you are on the same platform, it is easy to create content together to try to push a different property on that platform,” said Sagovia.

Hotels are discovering a new way to offer a luxury experience by leaning into fitness and wellness.

Siro, a brand of luxury hotel company One&Only, plans to become the latest entrant in the emerging space with a combined accommodation and health club location in Dubai next year, with one in Montenegro to follow in 2024.

• In March, ANTA Sports announced a collaboration with Hyatt to open a FILA-branded hotel in Shanghai.
• Peloton has been introducing its workout machines into hotels, health clubs, and universities.
• In October, Peloton teamed up with Hilton to offer workout machines at the hotel chain’s locations.

A Hilton survey found that 98% of respondents value wellness activities while traveling, while 90% of Peloton members are more likely to stay at hotels with the company’s bikes.

Fitness Destination

Fitness hotels can benefit by being destinations unto themselves. Siro expects around 40% of its Dubai guests to come from within the United Arab Emirates.

The company plans to offer rooms from $400-$500 per night, which will include access to a 10,000+ square-foot gym, studio workout classes, cryotherapy, and acupuncture, plus nutritionists, trainers, and other specialists available for hire.