IMG’s Post

Interesting insights into the key sports industry trends being observed in North America by my colleagues Ari Clark, CPA, Justin Krieger and Matthew Twomey, CPA, CFE. Many of these we are also observing in Europe, particularly in relation to Private Equity involvement, AI, data analytics and fan engagement, as well as growth in women's sports, which is becoming an increasing strategic priority for investors and (in my opinion) is long overdue. #rsmuk #sports

🏈 Dive into the sports agencies behind the Super Bowl! We used data from Booking Agent Info to research and find out the dominant sports agencies representing this year's Super Bowl contenders. ⭐️ Leading the pack, CAA Sports, SPORTSTARS, and Wasserman, with 1 of 1 Agency also commanding a prominent role in managing player representation for both teams. These agencies serve as the offensive line in negotiations, safeguarding and securing their clients’ professional advancement. ⭐️ It’s a diverse agency lineup scoring on the NFL field! The Kansas City Chiefs feature a diverse array of 45.6% of players affiliated with a variety of agencies, championing diversity in the league. The San Francisco 49ers are not far behind, with 35.6% of players represented by a spectrum of agents, with Athletes First and Lagardère Sports showing a strong presence in backing their roster. Follow Booking Agent Info for more insights like this. #SuperBowlLVIII #SBLVIII #NFLAgencies #BookingAgentInfo

Warner Bros. Discovery matched the new NBA media rights deal, likely Amazon’s $1.8 billion per year offer before Wednesday’s deadline, possibly leading to court action. The 11-year, $76 billion deal includes ESPN paying $2.6 billion annually, NBC $2.5 billion, and Amazon $1.8 billion, which also covers WNBA games at $200 million annually. The WNBA will receive $2.2 billion over the contract, significantly boosting its annual media rights value from $43 million to $260 million. This increase should raise average WNBA salaries to mid-six figures. The WNBA, in growth mode with rising attendance, viewership, and merchandise sales, sees this deal as undervaluing its future potential, as it places the WNBA’s annual value below the NHL and closer to MLS. Despite the new money, WNBA owners will get less than 50% due to the league's shared ownership structure. NBA owners stand to benefit immensely, with the WNBA becoming a premium sports property and an expectation that they will turn their first-ever annual profit next year. #DrexelSBIZ #SportBusiness #NBA #WNBA #NBAonTNT #ESPN #Basketball

Another great example of how to leverage college athlete partnerships. Marquee sports moments like CWS give athletes an elevated platform. And with speed and efficiency, brands can maximize their #NIL partnerships. Great job by the Postgame, LLC and HEYDUDE team's to pull this together. Article in the comments #NIL #sportsmarketing #influencermarketing #collegesports

Dive into the sports agencies behind the 2024 NBA All Star game. We used data from Booking Agent Info to research and find out the sports agencies representing this years all-star players. CAA Sports leads the pack, representing a striking 26.9% of top-tier talent, followed by Klutch Sports Group with an impressive 15.37%. Not far behind, Octagon and WME Sports each secure a strong 11.54% share, showcasing the competitive edge in the agency arena. 🏀📊 All-Stars Julius Randle and Joel Embiid are both included here though they won’t be playing in the game due to injuries. Trae Young and Scottie Barnes will be playing in their place, and they are also included here. It’s not just a game of points and plays, but also one of strategy and representation. This chart is your courtside ticket to the behind-the-scenes action of the NBA All-Star 2024. Follow Booking Agent Info for more insights like this #NBABusinessMinds #SportsAgency #AllStarStats #bookingagentinfo

With the North American sports market well exceeding $84 billion in value in 2023, the pro sports industry is showing no sign of slowing down. But radical revolutions in technology continue to transform sports marketing into an increasingly competitive landscape. As leading pro teams and leagues gear up to rise to the challenge, we’ve put together our top three predictions for pro sports marketing this year. Ready to bring your A-Game in 2024? Read on below. https://lnkd.in/gv2KYFh2

I'll be heading to Leaders next week alongside an all-star team of sports rights, production, sponsorship, streaming and strategy colleagues from IMG. Want to know how we’re helping sports teams, leagues, events and federations drive audience and commercial growth? Get in touch. We've been busy over the last 12 months... See you there! #SportsBusiness #DigitalMedia #LeadersWeek #SportsIndustry

If you start with the premise that sport is entertainment and understand that the big four leagues have transformed from live event businesses into media properties as broadcast rights have skyrocketed, then you recognize it is logical for clubs within those leagues to look around at what successful entertainment companies are doing and try to replicate some of their best practices. Few entertainment (and sports entertainment) assets have done a better job than WWE over the last four years. Publicly filed documents show company EBITDA was ~$175mm in 2019. By the time its merger with the UFC occurred in Sept. ’23 annual profits had reached ~$415mm, and WWE’s stock price had more than doubled since president Nick Khan assumed the position in August of 2020. Khan spoke at JohnWallStreet's Fall ’24 Sports & Media Huddle on Thursday. In a prep call for the event, he identified several strategic initiatives that collectively have enabled WWE to double its profits during his COVID-impacted tenure; many of which can be replicated by more traditional sports properties. #sports #media #entertainment #strategy #bestpractices cc: Ryan Dastrup, PhD Randall Friedman Jacie Brandes Chris Legentil https://lnkd.in/e9yEnCkx

Unlocking Success in Sports Management: My Journey with IMG Join me as I share my experience working with IMG, a leading sports management firm. Discover the keys to building a thriving organization, managing talent, organizing events, and leveraging media. Learn why teamwork and embracing one's limitations are crucial for lasting success. #SportsManagement #IMG #TalentManagement #EventOrganization #MediaCoverage #Teamwork #SuccessTips #SportsIndustry #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipSkills

🏀 Curious about where the NBA's billions come from? Dive into the world of NBA revenue streams with the latest article from Sportsnaut 💰 Find out how TV deals, sponsorships, and ticket sales all play a part in the league's financial success. 📺 🎟️ Plus, our partners at Sportsnaut want to hear from you! Do you think the NBA needs to re-evaluate who gets to vote for the awards? 👉Read more and join the discussion: https://ow.ly/6ijW50RWF4r #NBABusiness #SportsRevenue #SidedPoll #Sportsnaut #Sided