December 19, 2022

Read in Browser [[link removed]]

POWERED BY

Lionel Messi’s Instagram post celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win has been liked [[link removed]] over 49.7 million times as of Monday afternoon, making it the second-most-popular post in the platform’s history — but still no match for The Egg.

Leagues Silver Confirms NBA’s Interest in Mexico Team [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mexico could join the U.S. and Canada as countries with NBA teams.

Ahead of Saturday’s Miami Heat-San Antonio Spurs game in Mexico City, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said [[link removed].] that Mexico City is “doing all the things necessary to demonstrate to the league that ultimately we may be positioned to house an NBA team here.”

“There’s no doubt we will be looking seriously at Mexico City over time,” he said.

Silver acknowledged logistical concerns that have come with NBA teams in Canada, but also referenced Mexico City’s population, facility, and fan support as arguments in its favor.

Mexico City is the most populated city in North America with an estimated 9 million people. Mexico City Arena seats 22,300 fans — while United Center, the NBA’s largest arena, seats [[link removed]] nearly 21,000 for Chicago Bulls’ games. There are reportedly [[link removed]] around 30 million NBA fans in the country.

Las Vegas and Seattle are often considered other possible contenders for a new franchise, but the league hasn’t added a team since 2004.

Prioritizing Pennies

NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum told [[link removed]] Front Office Sports that expansion is not in the league’s immediate plans — a new collective bargaining agreement and media rights deal are taking priority.

The NBA will seek [[link removed]] $50 billion to $75 billion for its next media agreement. Amazon NFL host Charissa Thompson “absolutely” believes the tech giant can handle it.

Media World Cup Final Draws Record Viewership in France [[link removed]]

Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

This year’s World Cup final is being called the best ever, and some television networks would likely agree.

France’s leading broadcaster TF1 averaged [[link removed]] a record 24.1 million viewers when Argentina defeated France on Sunday, with a peak of 29.4 million and a market share of 81%.

France’s 2018 World Cup final win over Croatia averaged just 19.3 million, peaking at 22.3 million. The last record in France was the country’s 2006 World Cup semifinal against Portugal, which averaged 22.2 million viewers. It was the first edition for which audience measurement firm Médiamétrie counted out-of-home-viewing.

BeIN Sports also broadcast the game in the country but hasn’t released figures.

The game was the third-most-watched Qatar World Cup match in the U.K. BBC One reportedly [[link removed]] peaked at 14.9 million, while ITV One peaked at 4.4 million. The channels averaged at a respective 9.1 million and 2.7 million viewers.

England’s quarterfinal loss to France was the U.K.’s most-watched match of the tournament and of the year across U.K. TV.

In India, 32 million viewers [[link removed]] tuned in on JioCinema.

Red, White, and Les Bleus

Fox Sports hasn’t released its figures for viewership in the U.S. yet, but it has high expectations.

Argentina’s semifinal win over Croatia on Dec. 13 brought in 6.47 million viewers [[link removed]] — making it the most-watched World Cup semifinal on English-language TV.

SPONSORED BY STREAMLAYER

Profitability Driving Live OTT Strategy

StreamLayer [[link removed]], a Chicago-based company focused on audience engagement around live OTT content, is in the spotlight as the global streaming industry shifts its focus to profitability.

Developed over a period of 3+ years, the company’s powerful interactive platform allows streaming clients to increase revenues [[link removed]], and do so in a way that both reduces churn and attracts younger audiences.

“Streaming platforms can’t rely solely on the traditional subscription model going forward,” said John Ganschow, StreamLayer CEO.

“They also need to monetize in fan-friendly ways by incorporating gamification, sports betting, ecommerce, sponsored watch parties and contextual interactive ads directly into the live viewing experience. StreamLayer’s solution delivers this functionality, and our metrics demonstrate significant increases in viewing times and engagement.”

For partnership inquiries, please contact Andrew Fleming [mailto:[email protected]].

Law Epic Games Sorts Out $520M Settlement with FTC [[link removed]]

Catalina Fragoso-USA TODAY Sports

The maker of “Fortnite” has resolved legal disputes with a government agency over child privacy laws.

Epic Games has agreed [[link removed]] to a $520 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission following allegations that it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

The FTC alleged that Epic collected personal information from “Fortnite” players under the age of 13 without parental consent. It alleged [[link removed]] that Epic illegally enabled voice and text chat communication for children and teens, exposing them to “dangerous and psychologically traumatizing issues.” The regulator also alleged that the North Carolina-based company coerced millions of players into making unintended in-game purchases. Epic will pay $275 million for violating the COPPA and pay $245 million for the inadvertent purchases.

Epic reported [[link removed]] $5.5 billion in profit from “Fortnite between 2018 and 2019” — its first full year on the market. Available on multiple platforms, the title has more than 400 million players.

In April, Epic raised [[link removed]] $2 billion in funding from Sony and Kirkbi, owner of The Lego Group, to build its metaverse offerings and expand. The funding gave Epic a $31.5 billion valuation.

Staying Busy

Earlier this month, the FTC sued [[link removed]] to block Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of “Call of Duty” owner Activision Blizzard.

The agency believes the sale would give Microsoft “both the means and motive to harm competition” amid concerns of price increases and command over the cloud gaming sector.

The pending deal is also under regulatory scrutiny in the U.K., European Union, and Australia.

Conversation Starters In The Leadoff, Argentina wins the World Cup amid record spending and viewership, Mark Cuban wants the Dallas Mavericks in an arena with a casino resort, E.W. Scripps Co. wants in on sports, and FIFA revamps the Club World Cup. Click here to listen [[link removed]]. Wrexham AFC co-owner Rob McElhenney has confirmed [[link removed]] the club will take an American tour in 2023 — with plans to play a handful of MLS teams. Argentina will take home a record [[link removed]] $42 million in prize money following its World Cup final win over France.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS AWARDS

2022 Best Employers in Sports

The wait is over … Front Office Sports is pleased to announce the 2022 Best Employers in Sports.

Now in its fourth year, the Best Employers in Sports recognizes organizations across the sports industry that are doing the best for their employees.

The award is based on anonymous employee survey data and analyzed by our research partner, Canvs [[link removed]], using patented AI technology — free from subjectivity and human bias.

This year’s survey focused on five key areas, including:

Leadership Diversity, equity and inclusion Professional development and advancement Employee wellbeing Philanthropic/social responsibility

The companies on this year’s list represent the top 15% of those who participated. Check out the entire list, including multiyear winners here [[link removed]].

What to Watch

The Los Angeles Rams (4-9) face the Green Bay Packers (5-8) on “Monday Night Football” at Lambeau Field.

How to Watch: 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN

Betting Odds: Packers -7.5 || ML -330 || O/U 39.5

Refer Friends, Win Merch

Ready to rep your favorite newsletter? Refer your friends and colleagues to Front Office Sports and you could win FOS merchandise.

It’s easy to spread the word. Copy and paste your unique link below and share it in an email or on your timeline.

Referral Count: 0

Copy your invite link: [link removed] [[link removed]]

Or share on social media: Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcasts [[link removed]] Pro [[link removed]] Written by Abigail Gentrup [[link removed]], Justin Byers [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here [[link removed]].

Update your preferences [link removed] / Unsubscribe [link removed]

Copyright © 2022 Front Office Sports. All rights reserved.

80 Pine Street Suite 3202 New York, NY 10005