March 14, 2023
Read in Browser [[link removed]]
POWERED BY
Every year, one of the biggest [[link removed]] events of the sports calendar tips off from a small city with a population less than 140,000. Front Office Sports writer Doug Greenberg takes a look into March Madness launchpad Dayton, Ohio — the “Epicenter of College Basketball.”
Law Michael Irvin Files Third Lawsuit Against Marriott [[link removed]]
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Irvin’s legal pursuit of Marriott is heading to yet another venue.
Hours after the suspended NFL Network analyst dropped his $100 million lawsuit against the hotel chain in a Texas federal court, his lawyer announced a third lawsuit had been filed — seeking an unspecified amount — regarding the incident of alleged misconduct reported by a Phoenix hotel employee.
At a Tuesday news conference, attorney Levi McCathern showed [[link removed]] video footage of the Feb. 5 encounter outside a bar area of the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel to the public for the first time.
McCathern obtained the footage after about a month of legal wrangling both in Texas state and federal courts.
“They’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars, at a minimum, to keep you all from seeing this tape,” McCathern said. “Well, if it’s so good for a Marriott, why are they doing that? Because they know that any rational person can watch this and see this is either a setup or an after-the-fact invention.”
The Hall of Fame receiver was evicted from the hotel and suspended [[link removed]] from NFL Network in the aftermath of the misconduct allegation. No criminal charges have been filed against Irvin.
“I am so thankful for this video because without it, I just don’t know where this would have gone,” Irvin said.
The new lawsuit [[link removed]] filed in a Maricopa County court not only includes Marriott, but adds Renaissance Hotel Operating Company and four employees — including the unnamed accuser — as defendants. This latest suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.
An NFL Network spokesperson declined comment. Marriott did not immediately return multiple messages.
Markets Atlético Madrid’s Record Revenue Helps Narrow Loss [[link removed]]
Atletico Madrid
Atlético Madrid reported record revenue for its 2021-22 campaign despite sustaining another net loss.
The La Liga club recorded [[link removed]] $445.7 million in revenue, marking a 19% year-over-year increase, primarily attributed to stadium revenue, which rose from $4.7 million to $64.6 million with the return to live attendance. Atlético Madrid played nearly the entire 2020-21 season without fans.
The increases did, however, still come with a net loss of $26.9 million, narrowing from the $118.8 million it reported the year prior. The club’s net spend for the season on transfer business was $62.2 million.
Commercial revenue increased 10% year-over-year to $125.3 million and is expected to grow during the 2022-23 season thanks to a new stadium naming rights deal with Civitas reportedly [[link removed]] worth roughly $10.7 million annually.
There’s also a new deal with WhaleFin, though a February report [[link removed]'22-23%20season.] claims the club will lose the agreement, reportedly worth $42.8 million, after the 2022-23 season.
TV rights accounted for more than half the club’s income (57%), generating $255.4 million across all continental and domestic competition.
Atlético Madrid now has the third-highest revenue for Spanish soccer clubs behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.
SPONSORED BY NEXT LEAGUE
Sports Are Different
For those who are lucky to work in sports, regardless of the capacity, you know sports are different. With technology evolving faster than ever before, it continues to become a more important part of the sports business every year.
The team at Next League [[link removed]], who has been delivering technology solutions for global sports organizations for over 20 years, put together this 2023 Industry Outlook report [[link removed]] highlighting the nine sports technology topics they think will be most important for the industry this year (and beyond).
From Sports Betting and Artificial Intelligence to Real-Time Content Delivery and Smart Stadiums, there is a lot to focus on. Download the report [[link removed]] to learn how you can reach and engage a new generation of sports fans by leveraging the latest technologies and innovations.
Media Disney Calls Audible With XFL Schedule to Boost Ratings [[link removed]]
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Following viewership decline in the XFL’s first three weeks, Disney has moved some of the league’s broadcasts to its more popular ESPN and ABC channels in an effort to gain viewers.
In the first season of a five-year global broadcast deal — which will see all 43 games aired across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and FX and streamed on ESPN+ — ratings declined [[link removed]] by 50% from Week 1 to Week 2, and another [[link removed]] 11% from Week 2 to 3.
The opening round only brought in an average [[link removed]] of 1.3 million viewers across four games, down from the 2.5 million it averaged [[link removed]] on the first weekend in 2020.
Now, a total of four games — one in Week 5, two in Week 6, and one in Week 7 — will be moved [[link removed]] from FX to one of the other channels. The Week 7 game has also been moved to a day earlier.
Two other games in Week 7 will swap between ESPN and ESPN2, and will take place at different times than originally scheduled.
The XFL was revived when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners purchased the league in August 2020 for $15 million. It had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy months before due to the pandemic.
Conversation Starters Mark Grant is poised [[link removed]] to make sports TV history as the first Black lead director of CBS Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery’s joint coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Under Armour has revived [[link removed]] its “Protect This House” slogan with a new campaign featuring Steph Curry, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Plum, and Bryson Tucker. On Tuesday night, Nicaraguan pitcher Duque Hebbert struck out [[link removed]] three of MLB’s top stars against powerhouse Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic — and was signed by the Detroit Tigers before he left the ballpark.
PRESENTED BY PITCHBOOK
The Journey From Athlete to Investor
Michelle Wie West, a five-time LPGA Tour winner, angel investor, and PitchBook partner is building her investment portfolio, supporting brands she believes in, and empowering women and minority entrepreneurs.
In Driven With Michelle Wie West [[link removed]], a new series from Front Office Sports and PitchBook, Michelle sits down with some of her favorite female athletes to discuss their journeys as investors, and what it takes to win.
Check out all three episodes, featuring Chiney Ogwumike [[link removed]], Kerri Walsh Jennings [[link removed]], and Leslie Osborne [[link removed]].
What to Watch
The Washington Capitals (32-28-7) take on the New York Rangers (37-19-10) on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
How to Watch: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Betting Odds: Rangers -1.5 || ML -165 || O/U 6
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: [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20the%20Front%20Office%20Sports%20daily%20newsletter!&body=This%20newsletter%20from%20Front%20Office%20Sports%20summarizes%20the%20four%20biggest%20stories%20in%20the%20sports%20business%20world%20every%20weekday...all%20in%20five%20minutes%20or%20less.+[link removed]] Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Pro [[link removed]] Written by A.J. Perez [[link removed]], Abigail Gentrup [[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 © 2023 Front Office Sports. All rights reserved.
80 Pine Street Suite 3202 New York, NY 10005
