January 10, 2023
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Despite the threat of streaming, this NFL season proved [[link removed]] once again that the league’s TV draw is unrivaled not only in sports, but in all of entertainment. In fact, Fox Sports, NBC, and CBS all improved on year-over-year ratings.
Teams Patrick Mahomes Now Co-Owner of NWSL’s Kansas City Current [[link removed]]
KC Current
The Kansas City Current is building the first purpose-built stadium for a women’s soccer team — and now has the help of its local NFL superstar.
Patrick Mahomes is joining [[link removed]] his wife Brittany and Angie and Chris Long as a co-owner of the team, becoming the first active NFL player with a stake in an NWSL team.
The Kansas City Chiefs QB is already an owner of MLB’s Kansas City Royals and MLS’ Sporting Kansas City. Brittany Mahomes has been an owner of the Current since the Longs bought rights to the formerly Utah-based team in 2020.
Mahomes’ entrance is just the latest indication of the NWSL’s growth.
Angel City FC president Julie Uhrman recently said [[link removed]] the Los Angeles club is “going to be the first women’s team to have a billion-dollar valuation in five years.”
The NWSL is also looking to add two expansion teams in 2024, with the highest initial bid reportedly [[link removed]] over $40 million.
Making Moves
Amid the growth, the NWSL is tightening its business by addressing ethics concerns.
Following an investigative report by the league and its players’ union, the NWSL announced [[link removed]] this week it issued lifetime bans to four coaches: Paul Riley, Christy Holly, Rory Dames, and Richie Burke.
The Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns, who were recently put up for sale by their owners, were fined a respective $1.5 million and $1 million.
Exclusive NFL Brand Power Hits New Height with $2.7B Haul [[link removed]]
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL’s brand power has never been stronger.
The league booked a record $2.7 billion in sponsorship revenue in the 2022-23 season — led by deals in alcohol and tech — according to SponsorUnited.
The league’s 32 teams combined for $2.05 billion from sponsor deals, with the league securing the remaining $650 million. The league’s teams crossed $2 billion in sponsorship revenue for the first time after earning $1.8 billion in 2021-22, per SponsorUnited. The Jacksonville Jaguars topped all teams with at least 170 deals, followed by the Dallas Cowboys (140), and Buffalo Bills (135).
The NFL opened up new markets for teams by awarding international marketing rights in December 2021. The league scored another major new deal when Apple Music bought rights to the Super Bowl Halftime Show in September 2022.
“The NFL continues to impress with not only the amount of sponsorship revenue, but the diversification of industries leveraging those partnerships,” said Bob Lynch, founder and CEO of SponsorUnited.
Media Mammoth
The league is also set to break media revenue records when its deal with Google for “NFL Sunday Ticket” kicks in next year.
The out-of-market games package could reportedly be worth [[link removed]] up to $2.5 billion per year, factoring in additional deals that allow it to be shown in bars and restaurants.
The league also earns around $10 billion per year from its 11-year media deals with Comcast (NBC), Disney (ABC, ESPN), Paramount Global (CBS), Fox, and Amazon.
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Real Estate Virginia to Propose New Stadium Plan for Commanders [[link removed]]
Lauren Roberts/USA TODAY NETWORK
Virginia has plans to lure the Washington Commanders across state lines.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin plans to pitch a new stadium to the Commanders’ next owner. The team’s headquarters and training facility is in Ashburn, Virginia.
In November 2022, current team owner Dan Snyder and his wife, co-CEO Tanya Snyder, hired [[link removed]] Bank of America “to consider potential transactions” for the franchise amid five active investigations into alleged [[link removed]] workplace misconduct and financial irregularities.
“I will look out for Virginia taxpayers first and foremost, but I think there’s a real opportunity here,” Youngkin said [[link removed]].
The Commanders’ current home stadium, FedEx Field, opened in 1997 in Summerfield, Maryland. The team’s lease at the facility runs through 2027. Last year, it planned [[link removed]] a new $3 billion stadium in Virginia that included a “mini-city.” The proposed project failed to garner the government support needed.
An NFL stadium in Virginia could prove to be an economic boost for the Old Dominion. One study [[link removed]] found that a new stadium and surrounding development could bring in $24.7 billion in direct economic activity by 2033.
Changes Ahead
The Commanders have failed to reach the NFL postseason the last two years. Snyder purchased the Commanders for $800 million in 1999, and the team was worth $5.6 billion as of August 2022, per [[link removed]] Forbes.
Jeff Bezos has emerged as a potential [[link removed]] bidder for the Commanders, along with Fenway Sports Group — the owner of the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Conversation Starters Riot Games released [[link removed]] a “State of the Game” video for LoL Esports in advance of the Season 2023 Kickoff event that starts today.* Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson has purchased [[link removed]] a $7.5 million mansion in his hometown of San Antonio, according to San Antonio Express-News. In today’s Leadoff: Formula 1 targets $500 million in revenue for its Las Vegas race, Chicago proposes $2.2 billion in upgrades to Soldier Field, New York sets another sports betting record, and Bowlero has its best year yet. Listen here [[link removed]].
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What to Watch
The Phoenix Suns (20-21) face the Golden State Warriors (20-20) on Tuesday night at the Chase Center.
How to Watch: 10 p.m. ET on TNT
Betting Odds: Warriors -12 || ML -700 || O/U 229
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