January 18, 2023
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It looks like Disney has scored [[link removed]] one for the record books. The Dallas Cowboys’ 31-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers averaged 30.6 million viewers across its five networks, according to preliminary figures — and the final total could surpass 31 million, which would make it Disney’s most-watched NFL playoff game ever.
Teams U.K. Billionaire Has Sights Set on Manchester United Ownership [[link removed]]
Manchester United FC
One of Britain’s richest people could soon make a childhood dream of owning Manchester United a reality.
Chemicals firm INEOS and its 70-year-old founder Jim Ratcliffe — who has an estimated [[link removed]'s%20most%20wealthy%20businessmen.&text=Ratcliffe%20is%20the%20first%20potential,interest%20in%20purchasing%20Manchester%20United.] net worth of $15.5 billion — are officially in the running to buy the Premier League team, an INEOS spokesperson confirmed [[link removed].] to several outlets.
“We have formally put ourselves into the process,” they said.
No other groups have announced intentions to acquire the club, though the sale has reportedly [[link removed]] attracted groups from the Middle East, Asia, and the U.S.
It was reported last week that Manchester United will invite formal takeover bids until mid-February. The club is expected to invite bids for total buyouts and minority stakes.
INEOS is also an owner of French side OCG Nice and Swiss club FC Lausanne Sport. There are no issues with acquiring Manchester United if the teams don’t play in the same competition.
The pair also have connections [[link removed]] to Formula 1, cycling, sailing, and rugby.
Takeover Time
The Glazers, who announced plans to explore a sale in November following criticism over misguided management, are reportedly looking for an offer of more than $7.2 billion. Forbes last valued Manchester United at $4.6 billion.
It was previously reported [[link removed]] that the Raine Group intends to complete a sale in the first financial quarter of 2023.
Real Estate Formula 1 Unveils Miami Upgrade Plans, Including Hard Rock Stadium [[link removed]]
F1
Formula 1 is set to stay in Miami for the long haul.
Miami Grand Prix organizers announced [[link removed]] a host of changes and improvements as it prepares for its second iteration on May 7.
A permanent 190,000-square-foot Paddock Club hospitality building has been built atop the team pit garages, overlooking the pit lane and starting line. The three-tiered building will include room for 6,000 guests, luxury suites, and a rooftop club. Team paddock areas and hospitality units, where drivers will stay throughout the race weekend, will be on the field where the Miami Dolphins play.
The 3.36-mile track surface, which goes around Hard Rock Stadium, will be repaved to improve grip levels in the hopes of allowing for more overtakes and excitement.
Organizers are also upgrading certain fan areas, including the “marina,” where real yachts were parked on fake water during the 2022 race.
No Race to Replace China
Formula 1 also announced that it will not add an event to replace the Chinese Grand Prix in 2023.
The Shanghai-based race was on the original calendar for this year but was removed due to uncertainty around travel and event restrictions as part of the nation’s zero-COVID policy.
Portugal and other locations emerged as a potential replacement, but F1 elected to make no further changes and keep the calendar to 23 races, the same number as last year.
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Deals Telemundo Scores Media Rights to U.S. Soccer [[link removed]]
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Telemundo has expanded its reach with the world’s most popular sport.
The broadcasting giant has secured a four-year media rights deal with the U.S. Soccer Federation for an undisclosed amount. The pact will make the NBCUniversal-owned TV network the exclusive Spanish-language broadcaster of the U.S. women’s and men’s national soccer teams.
NBCUniversal chairman Beau Ferrari said [[link removed]] that the network looks forward to “propelling the growth of soccer in the United States” and serving audiences across its platforms.
Telemundo will broadcast more than 20 U.S. team matches each year. That includes the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 2026 Men’s World Cup. The deal also includes coverage on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform Peacock.
Telemundo posted record viewership during the 2022 World Cup. In the first week of the month-long tournament — and including streams — the network reported [[link removed]] a 24% uptick in Spanish-language viewership compared to 2018.
A group-stage match between Argentina and Mexico on Nov. 26 averaged [[link removed]] 8.9 million viewers on Telemundo and Peacock — the most-watched group-stage game in Spanish-language history.
The match alone averaged 2.08 million viewers on Peacock.
Leveling the Playing Field
The USWNT will be a big part of the new media rights deal and is indicative of the growing popularity and value of women’s soccer.
In 2022, the USWNT agreed [[link removed]] to a settlement with U.S. Soccer, ending a six-year lawsuit over equal pay. The settlement included a $24 million payment, $22 million of which went to players.
Conversation Starters The popular “Sport Science” TV show will be back “on steroids” in 2023, creator and host John Brenkus told [[link removed]] Front Office Sports. Here’s a look [[link removed]] at Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ $225 million superyacht, which was spotted in Miami after undergoing maintenance in Bravo Eugenia, in St. Maarten. LIV Golf player Patrick Reed’s attorney has threatened [[link removed]] to sue CNN for more than $450 million as well as take legal action against Bob Costas and Bloomberg.
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In today’s episode, by NetSuite [[link removed]], Apple considers bidding for domestic Premier League rights, while Paris Saint-Germain is set to leave its home stadium. Plus, TaylorMade Golf invests in PopStroke, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup has already sold more than 500,000 tickets.
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Watch the Australian Open from Melbourne Park with no chance of a repeat champion following the retirement of Ashleigh Barty and Mackenzie McDonald’s upset over Rafael Nadal.
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