March 6, 2023

Read in Browser [[link removed]]

POWERED BY

This year’s Formula 1 season started in Bahrain over the weekend, but some are also engaged in a high-stakes contest off the track: the race to become America’s team [[link removed]]. However, on Sunday, Dutch driver Max Verstappen kicked off his title defense with a dominant season-opening victory.

Executives NBA’s Adam Silver on Shortlist to Succeed Bob Iger at Disney [[link removed]]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is on the shortlist to succeed Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to Front Office Sports.

Fox Business Network’s Charles Gasparino [[link removed]] was the first to report the news.

While FOS’ source was unable to speak to the other names on the reported shortlist —which includes Candle Media co-founder and co-CEO Kevin Mayer, and Disney co-chairman Dana Walden — they clarified that Silver is only being considered for the top position, and cannot serve on Disney’s board due to the NBA’s broadcast partnership with the media giant causing a conflict of interest.

Silver’s contract with the league runs through 2024.

Iger — who returned to Disney in November [[link removed]] after initially retiring in 2021 — was never intending to stay as the company’s chief executive for long, beginning his search for a new successor almost immediately following his return.

Disney struggled with Iger’s first successor — Bob Chapek — at the helm, missing [[link removed]] revenue expectations in Q4 2022 while increasing its operating loss for streaming to $1.5 billion. Disney’s stock price jumped [[link removed]] 6.3% following the announcement of Iger’s return.

A timeline for Silver — or any of the other candidates — to be hired at Disney is unknown at this time.

Media ESPN Wants to Be the Hub Connecting Live Sports [[link removed]]

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN wants to be the launchpad for all live sports.

The company has reached out to major sports leagues and networks about a feature that would connect users to live sporting event broadcasts, regardless of which channel or streaming network the game is on, according [[link removed]] to CNBC.

The hub would be on ESPN.com and its app. It could include Apple TV+, which broadcasts every MLS game and select MLB games, as well as Amazon Prime Video — the home of “Thursday Night Football” — and some Premier League matches. Regional streaming services could also be considered.

There is no timeline for when the offering may be available, but it could provide centralization in an increasingly fractured sports media landscape.

Sinclair’s Diamond Sports Group, which owns 19 regional sports networks, could be headed toward bankruptcy [[link removed]] after missing a $140 million interest payment. That would leave the local rights for over a dozen MLB, NHL, and NBA teams in flux.

Meanwhile, certain regional networks have launched their own streaming services, such as NESN 360, which shows Boston Red Sox and Bruins games, and the coming MSG+, which will show New York Knicks and Rangers games [[link removed]].

ESPN could also direct users to linear broadcasts.

The network could collect a fee from networks when a user signs up for a service after finding it through ESPN.

SPONSORED BY UNILEVER

Forgettable Underarms, Unforgettable You

[[link removed]]

Whether you’re playing in a pick-up game, heading into a big interview, or hugging someone you care about, new and improved Dove Men+Care [[link removed]] 72 hour antiperspirant helps prevent underarm distractions like sweat and odor so you can forget about your underarms and focus on being unforgettable.

New Dove Men+Care antiperspirants are reformulated with 72 hours [[link removed]] of sweat and odor protection, one-quarter moisturizing cream, and long-lasting fragrance.

You can purchase Dove Men+Care antiperspirant sticks, aluminum-free deodorant sticks, or dry sprays wherever personal care products are sold. Learn more [[link removed]].

Markets Hibbett Scores Record $1.7B in Sales [[link removed]]

Hibbett Sports

After a disappointing [[link removed]] second quarter, Hibbett, Inc. rebounded nicely with a strong end to its fiscal year.

The athletic-inspired fashion retailer reported net sales of $458.3 million during the fourth quarter — a 19.6% increase from the same period in the previous fiscal year.

It led to Hibbett posting a record $1.7 billion in net sales for the year.

CEO and president Mike Longo noted that the company was “especially pleased” with its e-commerce business, which increased comparable sales 21.4% in Q4 and 14% for the year.

On the other hand, brick-and-mortar sales increased 14.3% year over year for the quarter — but actually decreased 4.9% for the entire year.

Hibbett may have achieved the feat by cutting costs: Capital expenditures were $15.4 million for the quarter, compared to $27.3 million for the same quarter a year before.

Longo is expecting some challenges as the company turns its calendar.

“​​As we look ahead to Fiscal 2024, we believe there are several headwinds including inflation, higher interest rates and a more promotional retail environment,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, another company in the sporting goods space is not experiencing the same type of success.

Retail Ecommerce Ventures LLC — the owner of Modell’s Sporting Goods, as well as other companies like Pier 1 Imports and RadioShack — is reportedly [[link removed]] seeking financing for a possible bankruptcy.

Deals Canadian Women’s Soccer Team Reaches Equal Pay Agreement [[link removed]]

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Canada Soccer and the country’s women’s national team struck a deal on interim funding for 2022, helping to resolve an issue that had the team threatening to strike last month.

Canada Soccer said that the deal reflects [[link removed]] that of the men’s national team with regards to incentives and compensation. The team had previously raised issues around funding and equal pay.

The two sides are still negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, after the previous one expired in 2021.

“We have been consistent and public about the need to have fairness and equal pay be pillars of any new agreements with our players, and we are delivering on that today,” said Canada Soccer general secretary Earl Cochrane.

Citing budget cuts and pay disparities, the women’s team had threatened [[link removed]] to boycott the SheBelieves Cup, played between the U.S., Japan, Brazil, and Canada last month.

The strike was called off after Canada Soccer threatened to sue the Canadian Soccer Players Association for millions of dollars in damages. The team played the cup under protest, defeating Brazil and losing to the other two teams.

The team is preparing for the Women’s World Cup, which begins in July in Australia and New Zealand.

The U.S. women’s soccer team earned $13 million from the men’s team’s 2022 World Cup run to the round of 16, due to a revenue sharing agreement between the two squads.

PRESENTED BY PITCHBOOK

Investing in Soccer in Silicon Valley

Introducing Driven with Michelle Wie West [[link removed]], a new video series from Front Office Sports in partnership with PitchBook, where the former golf pro sits down with some of her favorite athletes to discuss their journeys as investors and what it takes to win.

In the third and final episode, Michelle sits down with former U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Member, Co-Founder of Hustle Beauty, and Co-Leader of #NWSLToTheBay, Leslie Osborne [[link removed]].

Learn how Osborne’s post-playing career has evolved from investor to entrepreneur and, most recently, co-Leader of a group that has successfully fundraised and bid to bring an NWSL expansion team to the Bay Area.

Watch the full episode [[link removed]] now.

Conversation Starters Sports insiders today have massive followings, sign mega-deals, and even go through their own free agency. Just like the athletes they cover. It is high pressure in the high-stakes life of the modern sports insider [[link removed]]. Despite Netflix’s sports doc expansion, the question will always linger as to if or when the company will bid for live sports rights [[link removed]] — and the answer might be never. Chicago Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer has put his Massachusetts home on the market [[link removed]] for $6.58 million. Front Office Sports Today They Said What?

The Courier-Journal

“I think what’s happening is we’re seeing this whole new wave of golfers that are playing golf in a different way. They are playing through simulations … It’s reaching a whole new level of individuals.”

— PGA Superstore CEO Dick Sullivan on how golf has continued to grow, even through the COVID-19 pandemic, on the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today.

Listen and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Google [[link removed]], and Spotify [[link removed]].

Today's Action

MLB

03:10 PM

Brewers (-110) at Reds (-110)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

NBA

07:40 PM

Hawks (+135) at Heat (-155)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

MLB

03:07 PM

Royals (-105) at Athletics (-115)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.

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

Question Of The Day

Would you consider starting your own business?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]] I already have [[link removed]]

Friday’s Answer

27% of respondents cook 1-2 times a week; 62% cook 3+ times a week.

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Pro [[link removed]] Written by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]], Owen Poindexter [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Greg Lee [[link removed]]

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

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

Copyright © 2023 Front Office Sports. All rights reserved.

80 Pine Street Suite 3202 New York, NY 10005