December 22, 2022

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With Google reportedly close to acquiring the rights to the “NFL Sunday Ticket,” DirecTV’s long-running “Sunday Ticket Red Zone” could be eliminated, sources told [[link removed]] Front Office Sports. That would leave the NFL Network’s “NFL RedZone” as the only whip-around channel for Sunday highlights next season.

World FIFA President Has Plan for World Cup Every Three Years [[link removed]]

Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Soccer fans might not have to wait four years between World Cups.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reportedly [[link removed]] wants a triennial tournament following the success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup — it delivered record revenue of $7.5 billion.

The report comes the year after Infantino backed [[link removed]] the idea of a biennial World Cup, which he said would increase revenue by $4.4 billion over a four-year cycle.

The Daily Mail report noted that changes to the international calendar wouldn’t be possible until after the 2030 World Cup. Infantino says he plans to serve three full terms, which would end in 2031.

The shortened cycle was not a part of FIFA’s plans recently publicized [[link removed]] by Infantino.

The 2025 Club World Cup will expand to 32 teams and take place every four years. FIFA will launch friendly tournaments called the FIFA World Series. Soccer’s global organizing body announced plans to introduce the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup and establish the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.

FIFA expects [[link removed]] to make $11 billion during the 2023-26 cycle, not including the 2025 Club World Cup.

MLS Moves

FIFA isn’t soccer’s only governing body that might have changes in mind.

MLS released its 2023 schedule — including St. Louis SC’s debut [[link removed]] — but did not include the date of the 2023 MLS Cup final. Outlets have reported [[link removed]] that the league might be considering an expanded playoff format.

Real Estate Titans Eye 2026 Kickoff for New $2.2B Stadium After Key Vote [[link removed]]

Tennessee Titans

A new stadium for the Tennessee Titans is one step closer to reality.

Members of Nashville’s Metro Council voted to approve the term sheet of a new proposed $2.2 billion domed stadium, which will be located next to the Titans’ current home, Nissan Stadium.

The proposed [[link removed]] facility will be 1.7 million square-feet and have a capacity of roughly 60,000. It will feature a high-tech translucent roof and could host major events like the Super Bowl.

Metro Council members voted [[link removed]] 27-8-3 in favor of the term sheet. The group must approve finer details related to the project for a deal to be finalized. The Titans aim to have the stadium open [[link removed]] in 2026.

A new home field for the Titans could bring an economic boost to Nashville, but the costs of the pending project and how it would be financed has raised concern amongst city officials.

The Titans — the 27th-most-valuable NFL team at $3.5 billion, per [[link removed]] Forbes — commissioned a study in July that found its current lease at Nissan Stadium would cost [[link removed]] $1.8 billion in the next 17 years, and city council members are waiting on another consultant’s $200,000 report.

The report was expected [[link removed]] to be released in November.

Virginia Throws One Up

A Virginia government official hopes to conduct a study of his own to lure the Washington Commanders to build a new stadium in “The Old Dominion.” Gov. Glenn Youngkin has proposed spending [[link removed]] $500,000 to study the viability of a stadium in Virginia.

Last year, Virginia lawmakers rejected deals for an NFL stadium following controversy shrouding the Commanders.

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Real Estate Las Vegas’ Most Expensive Sports Venue: MSG Sphere [[link removed]]

MSG Sphere

Madison Square Garden’s lavish Las Vegas project is getting even pricier than planned.

The construction price of the MSG Sphere entertainment venue has grown [[link removed]] by $300 million in the four years since groundbreaking — and has now hit $2.2 billion.

The 17,500-seat venue, slated to open in 2023, can host boxing, mixed martial arts, and other fighting events, in addition to a wide range of immersive entertainment. In May, MSG inked a deal with Formula 1 related to its Las Vegas race in November 2023. The track will pass through MSG Sphere’s 17-acre site, and the venue will erect temporary grandstands for the event. The Sphere will be Las Vegas’ most expensive sports venue, surpassing the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium, which cost $1.9 billion and opened in 2020.

The owner of the New York Knicks and Rangers, and Madison Square Garden is looking to make good on the investment through events and corporate deals, including those related to advertising on its 580,000 square-foot, outdoor LED screen.

New Neighbors

Las Vegas could add MLB and NBA teams in the coming years. The Oakland A’s have explored a move to Sin City, but even if they remain in Oakland, MLB will likely expand in the next decade.

Meanwhile, LeBron James has said he wants to own an NBA team in Las Vegas.

The city will host Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024.

Deals Andretti Closer to F1 Entry With $200M Fee Covered [[link removed]]

Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Andretti Autosport now just needs the green light to enter Formula 1 as the 11th team.

The American racing giant received [[link removed]] key financial backing from Guggenheim Partners, a private equity firm with $285 billion in assets under management.

The firm will provide funding for Andretti’s $200 million facility in Indiana. It will also cover the $200 million entry fee for Formula 1, a sum intended to offset revenue dilution for other teams. Andretti still needs approval from the FIA, F1’s governing body. To date, other F1 teams have been resistant to adding more cars to the grid.

The racing group is run by former racer Michael Andretti, son of legend Mario Andretti, and has teams in IndyCar, Formula E, Extreme E, and several other series.

New Digs

Whether or not the group is able to enter F1, Andretti is committed to constructing a 575,000-square-foot facility that will house a restaurant, Andretti museum, and outdoor amphitheater.

The facility will also house Andretti’s IndyCar operations, with an eye toward an F1 entry and potentially NASCAR as well.

“We want to be in all forms of auto racing, from Le Mans to Monaco to the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500,” Michael Andretti said [[link removed]]. “And eventually in the future, we want it all to be under one roof. That’s our big goal, and we’ve got a lot of plans in the works to get there.”

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In a new episode, Ernest Baker, editor in chief of Front Office Sports, sits down with Whoop CEO Will Ahmed to talk about his journey as an entrepreneur, why wearable technology is on the rise in sports, and what inspires him outside of the office.

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Conversation Starters From buzzer-beaters on the hardwood to Hail Marys in the end zone, Atmosphere Sports is bringing sports back to the center with scores, highlights, and more. Learn more [[link removed]].* The NCAA’s NIL “clarifications” stated department officials could request that donors give to collectives, and as a result, athletic directors have issued [[link removed]] letters requesting fans and alumni contribute to NIL entities. Fox Sports’ coverage [[link removed]] of Argentina’s epic victory over France was the most-watched World Cup men’s final on American English-language television. Question Of The Day

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Wednesday’s Answer

27% of respondents listen to audiobooks; 16% don’t yet, but want to.

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