December 5, 2022

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PointsBet went viral with an epic prank [[link removed]] featuring an NFL icon. A video depicting Saints legend Drew Brees being struck by lightning racked up 2 million views by the afternoon, and many believed the stunt was real — instead of a clever ad for the company’s Lightning Bets promotion.

World Cup Could Grow by 40 Games in 2026 [[link removed]]

Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

The World Cup is already planning a big expansion in 2026, but organizers reportedly have designs to grow the tournament to an unprecedented size.

The 2026 edition, which will be played across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will expand from 32 to 48 teams.

Organizers had initially planned to break teams into 16 groups of three, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout stage.However, FIFA is considering a shift to 12 groups of four, in which the top two teams from each and eight third-place teams would advance to a 32-team bracket, according [[link removed]] to multiple sources.While 16 groups of three would grow the World Cup from a total of 64 games to 80, the alternate arrangement would extend it to 104. Mixed Incentives

The 16-group plan would mean that 16 teams would play only two games instead of three, and could lead to scenarios where opposing teams don’t have much to play for or could be tempted to play for a draw.

It would also make simultaneous final group-stage games impossible.

FIFA has not made any public statements on the matter, and any official changes would likely be decided on next year.

The organization previously sought to double the frequency of the World Cup to every two years before being dissuaded by UEFA, CONCACAF, and other entities.

NBA Team Stakes Now Open to World’s Largest Funds [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA is opening its doors to some of the world’s biggest pools of money.

League owners voted [[link removed]] to allow sovereign wealth funds, pensions, and endowments to buy minority stakes in teams.

Any investment must receive approval from the league’s board of governors. The league has said that human rights and geopolitical standing will be factored into these decisions, which could affect potential investment from notable funds such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.The league’s new rules only permit passive investments.

Public pension funds held around $21.4 trillion in 2021, while sovereign wealth funds held roughly $10.5 trillion. The NHL is reportedly likely [[link removed]] to follow the NBA’s lead in allowing institutional investors.

Private Party

The NBA began allowing private equity investors to buy limited team stakes in 2020. Private equity firms may own up to 20% of a franchise, and no investment fund may own more than 30% of a team.

Arctos Sports Partners holds stakes in the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils.

Dyal HomeCourt has pieces of the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, and the Kings.

The investments allow owners to partly cash in on rising team values without giving up control of their franchises.

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The Battle for Fan Attention

The decentralization of content is leading sports organizations, brands, and broadcasters into a battle for fan attention with social media platforms, content creators and even athletes.

With fans consuming on-demand content more than ever, those willing to capture their attention must deliver highly engaging and personalized experiences [[link removed]]. And technology is reinventing the game, allowing brands to create data-driven, automated, interactive, and scalable experiences as an extension of their network.

To deliver beyond their expectations across many touchpoints and mediums, top sports organizations are partnering with Globant [[link removed]], a global digital transformation service company with deep expertise in the sports and hospitality industry.

Organizations like FIFA, LA Clippers, and La Liga are partnering with them to leverage the latest technology and reinvent their fan experiences at every level.

Learn more [[link removed]].

FSG Considers Partial Sale of Liverpool [[link removed]]

Liverpool FC

Fenway Sports Group may explore a partial sale of Liverpool FC after putting the storied soccer club up for sale in November.

“FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool,” FSG told [[link removed]] The Athletic.

The Premier League club has yet to receive [[link removed]] a “compelling offer” — with a $4.45 billion valuation Liverpool is the fourth-most-valuable soccer team, per [[link removed]] Forbes.

FSG also owns the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins.The sports investment company bought Liverpool in 2010 for $353.4 million.

Underwhelming offers for Liverpool may be the byproduct of a potential sale of Premier League rival Manchester United, which along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is owned by the Glazer family.

The Glazers have hired The Raine Group, which handled the $5.4 billion sale of Chelsea, for a potential transaction and is reportedly [[link removed]] looking for more than $7.2 billion for Liverpool.

Potential Buyers

A consortium comprised of private investors from Saudi Arabia and Qatar is planning to present an “initial bid in the region of $3.9 billion” for the team, according [[link removed]] to the Sporting News.

Liverpool has also received interest [[link removed]] from Mukesh Ambani, owner of the Indian Premier League’s Mumbai Indians. The oil, retail, and telecom entrepreneur is the richest sports team owner in the world and could handle FSG’s hefty asking price with a net worth [[link removed]] of $97.5 billion.

Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment is mulling [[link removed]] its options on a potential bid, while Los Angeles Clippers owner and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer wasn’t interested [[link removed]] in buying another sports franchise as of last month.

Audi Gears Up for F1 with Major New Facility [[link removed]]

Audi

Audi won’t enter Formula 1 until 2026, but it’s already making massive investments.

The German auto manufacturer, which will be the power unit supplier for Sauber, is expanding [[link removed]] its manufacturing capabilities to support its new role. Audi acquired a stake in Sauber as part of the deal.

Audi is expanding its Neuburg facility with a roughly 10,000 square-foot building that will include test benches for power unit development.The facility, which opened in 2014, has been used to forward Audi’s other racing efforts including Formula E, the World Endurance Championship, and the Dakar Rally.Audi has already added around 220 employees since announcing its entry into F1 in October and plans to bring on another 80 people by the middle of next year.

The expanded team will help develop [[link removed]] the new vehicle’s energy recovery system, electric motor, battery, combustion engine, and transmission. The first tests of the power unit are planned for 2025.

Cleaner Machines

Audi was convinced to join the global racing series due to its growing commitment to sustainability. Engine regulations for 2026 include sustainable fuel and an electric drivetrain that provides nearly the same level of power as the combustion engine.

Porsche — which like Audi is owned by Volkswagen — expected to join F1 in 2026 through a deal with Red Bull, but the latter backed out. It is still interested in striking a deal with another F1 team.

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From Classrooms to Boardrooms

Behind every sports business legend is a strong, battle-tested mentor. A guiding hand to help navigate the choppy waters of the fast-paced sports industry.

Few universities recognize the power of these relationships as strongly as the University of Massachusetts [[link removed]] Amherst’s Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management.

With over 50 years of successful alumni powering the sports industry and currently ranked #1 [[link removed]] in the world in SportsBusiness’s annual postgraduate ranking, McCormack’s approach towards alumni mentorship inside and outside of the classroom is second to none.

And the stories of recent graduates Katie Yates and Jack Davis are further proof.

Leveraging the power of McCormack’s tight-knit alumni network, both 2022 MBA/MS graduates landed their dream jobs in sports.

Now it’s your turn.

Want to learn more? Read the full story here [[link removed]].

Conversation Starters An early Saturday morning U.S.-Netherlands World Cup match in the Round of 16 did not scare away viewers as Fox scored [[link removed]] a 13 million audience as the USMNT fell, 3-1. On Sunday, the College Football Playoff announced its four teams vying for this season’s national title, but the CFP finally closed [[link removed]] on what it wanted – an expansion of 12 teams in 2024. As part of his work for Fox Sports, Tom Rinaldi is simultaneously [[link removed]] covering the World Cup in Qatar, as well as NFL and college football games all around the U.S. Chris “The Bear” Fallica is leaving [[link removed]] ESPN for Fox Sports after being with the Disney-owned network since 1995, per Awful Announcing. Today's Action

WC

03:00 PM

Spain (-165) at Morocco (+550)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

NFL

01:15 AM

Saints (+160) at Buccaneers (-190)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

NHL

01:30 AM

Capitals (+135) at Oilers (-155)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.

*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.

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