TCG’s Post

The Sports Business world has not taken this Holiday Season off. For this "TripR"(Read, Reflect, and Response) let's turn to Youth Sports. This Sportico article below is a great jumping off point for students to jump into the Business side of Youth Sport. Near and dear to many of their daily sports experiences, this topic should yield great engagement, creativity, and passion from HS Sports Business students. Large sports complexes that are anchored by a Hall of Fame have created a tractor beam for many aspiring young athletes and their families. Close to home, my nephew has three fund raisers going to help his team go to Cooperstown this Summer for a Baseball tournament.  While the rising costs of youth sport participation is not "new" news, this investment highlights that this trend is not slowing, and in fact becoming a more sophisticated area of investment. From traditional sports like Baseball, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Lacrosse, or Soccer to more niche sports like Snowboarding, Surfing, or Climbing to the much, unchartered territory of eSports, YOUTH SPORTS IS BIG BUSINESS. For the Reflection and Response, a few questions should get the juices flowing and conversation rolling. What are some things that "must be true" for this investment to be successful? What are some examples of other big investments in youth sports? What are some examples in your local area of Youth Sports flexing some "big business" muscles? What are some potential business opportunities that are under-utilized or untapped in your Local Youth Sports market? #sportsbusiness #sportsbusinesseducation #sportsmanagement Jesuit High School Portland Beaverton School District Fox School of Business at Temple University Portland State University - School of Business University of Oregon Lundquist College of Business

The momentum in women's sports doesn't stop or start with Caitlin Clark. For Sports Business Journal, I took a deep dive into viewership trends, sponsorship opportunities and brand investment into leagues like the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association), the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), college volleyball, softball and more. From Brian Lawlor at The E.W. Scripps Company Sports: "It's really hard to be a women’s sports fan in America. It’s just hard to find, and there’s no consistency on where to find these games.” The Walt Disney Company's Rita Ferro gives massive credit to Ally Financial Group's Andrea Brimmer for helping raise the tide. "It’s exciting to see what one person has pushed a marketplace to do, and now you’re seeing many others," said Ferro. Optimum Sports is seeing many clients with heavy interest in women's sports, and Octagon's Daniel Cohen says: "There’s finally a spotlight put on them, not just from a broadcaster perspective, but from a mainstream, cross-the-cultural-divide perspective." Women's sports are not just great, it's also just good business.

Deseret News Sports: A Comprehensive Overview of Utah's Athletic Excellence Introduction Deseret News Sports has been a cornerstone in covering Utah's rich and diverse sports landscape. From high school basketball courts to the professional soccer fields, Deseret News provides comprehensive coverage of all things sports in Utah. But what makes sports so integral to the fabric of Utah's communities? Let's dive into the vibrant world of Utah sports and uncover the stories that shape this dynamic state. History of Deseret News Sports The history of Deseret News Sports is a testament to its commitment to excellence and comprehensive coverage. Established in the mid-19th century, Deseret News quickly became a trusted source for news, including sports. Over the decades, it has chronicled the rise of local legends, the evolution of sporting events, and the milestones that have defined Utah's athletic identity. Coverage of Local High School Sports High school sports are the heartbeat of many Utah communities. Deseret News Sports shines a spotlight on these young athletes, celebrating their dedication and achievements. From thrilling basketball championships to intense football rivalries, the paper covers it all. Notable high school teams, like the Lone Peak High School basketball team and the Bingham High School football team, have earned state and national recognition, and Deseret News has been there to document every moment. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dDkQSQp3

The trajectory of women’s sports is on the rise. Viewership is increasing, revenue numbers are kicking down records, and investment continues to soar. In 2024, revenue from major women’s sports is projected to surpass $1 billion for the first time. Kansas City is poised to play a prominent part in the growth of women’s pro sports in 2024 and beyond.

A Game-Changer for Women's Sports: Bob Iger and Willow Bay Take Majority Stake in Angel City FC In a landmark move, Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife, Willow Bay are set to become the controlling owners of Angel City Football Club, the Los Angeles-based National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team. Valued at $250 million, this makes Angel City FC the most valuable women's sports team globally. Beyond this stake, Iger and Bay are injecting an additional $50 million to fuel the club’s growth and ambitions. Bob Iger, a titan in the entertainment industry, has guided The Walt Disney Company to unprecedented heights. Under his leadership, Disney expanded its empire through strategic and unexpected acquisitions and the launch of Disney+, solidifying its position as a global entertainment powerhouse. His vision has consistently championed creativity, inclusion, and innovation. Now, Iger’s expertise is poised to transform Angel City FC and, by extension, the landscape of women's sports. This investment not only boosts the club's potential but also serves as a catalyst for inspiring countless leagues, clubs, players, and fans worldwide. It’s a monumental step that underscores the growing significance and marketability of women's sports. This strategic move promises to usher in a new era, propelling women's soccer to new heights and inspiring a global movement. With Iger and Bay at the helm, Angel City FC is set to become a beacon of excellence, innovation, and inspiration in the sports world. The future of women's sports has never looked brighter. Angel City FC, founded just four years ago, is on the cusp of a transformative journey, one that will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy in the world of sports. Kudos to Julie Uhrman, Kara Nortman, Alexis Ohanian Sr., #natalieportmann & Co. For more details, read the full article in the comments

More brands officially investing in the W? You know we love to see it! 🤩⁣ • For more sports biz wins like this one, subscribe to our free, 3x-weekly sports biz newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eYH82ywF •⁣ New Balance and the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) today announced a multiyear agreement aimed at elevating women’s sports and inspiring the next generation of fans and athletes alike. 🙌⁣ •⁣ This new relationship with the WNBA will enable New Balance to expand its presence in basketball, alongside an organization renowned for advocating for women’s sports. The deal tips off midway through the season, just ahead of WNBA All-Star 2024, coinciding with the arrival of one of the most exciting draft classes, which will help in further amplifying women’s basketball like never before. 🤝⁣ •⁣ The partnership will establish New Balance as an official partner of the WNBA. Together, both brands will continue to push the boundaries of sport and transform the game through grassroots initiatives aimed at growing youth basketball and authentic community engagement. 📈⁣ •⁣ As part of the deal, New Balance will create authentic broadcast, digital and retail content featuring New Balance athlete and WNBA rookie Cameron Brink. Cameron, the second-overall selection in the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm, signed an NIL deal with New Balance in 2023. ⁣ •⁣ The partnership enables Cameron to continue empowering young athletes to fearlessly overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams, both in basketball and in life. 💪⁣ •⁣ Who else is stoked for this partnership? 🙋♀️

Thank you Suffolk University - Sawyer Business School and David Rader for hosting and taking the time to speak with us and share your experience and insight on the changing sports landscape. He covered topics ranging from AI, stadiums, private equity in sports, and the overall shifting sports ecosystem. Artificial intelligence is slowly but surely becoming more incorporated into our lives. David talked about how AI has made pumping out sports content easier than ever before, and how our habits and past choices are being used to keep us engaged. He covered Smart Stadiums, and that when a franchise chooses to build a new stadium it is not just a stadium, but rather they are creating entertainment districts now. The Tennessee Titans released the 3D model renderings of their new stadium, and they are following exactly what David had mentioned and what Robert Kraft started with the mall around Gillette stadium. Another interesting point was the shift we are seeing and the involvement of private equity in sports. In the past few years, there have been more ownership changes than I can previously remember. Many of the new owners are operating their franchises more as a business, cutting down on waste, and more focusing on what garners their attention as a team. When I think of this the Brooklyn Nets come to mind, not because they have changed ownership, but because of their approach towards short-form content and having their team be seen beyond their regular fan base; similar to how a business what's as many eyes on them as possible. Lastly, he talked about the ecosystem shifting as a whole. In an era where more and more people are cutting cable and moving to streaming services, how does this affect the sports world? He talked a lot about the increase in sponsorships, and the increased value we now place on social media content. Leagues have had to adapt to providing content for free or cheaply to reach younger viewers, this has allowed for more sponsorship opportunities as these leagues search to fill that revenue gap. Over the past couple of years teams and leagues have needed to invest more capital into social media and making sure their content can reach as many people as possible. Social media accounts for many of these teams have been more active in trends, and in general, have been willing to take risks in how they reach people than before. Again, huge thanks to David Rader, for sharing his insight and making us think about the ever-changing sports landscape a little bit differently. https://lnkd.in/eQa6rGxZ

The new hype very much needed in the world of sports! “Harris emphasized that Unrivaled Sports is committed to fostering future leaders by enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in sports throughout various communities.” Investing in youth is investing in our future. MLB development initiatives in youth leagues resulted in a 90% increase in casual participation. Most football teams in Europe have some sort of youth academy, and EHF has recently started pushing for more youth initiatives. Volunteering with youth in Africa, I have seen firsthand the importance of investing in youth through sports and the positive effect it can have on their development, motivation, personal drive, and overall success. With Gen Z switching to different sources of entertainment and consuming sports content, investing in youth sports is not anymore only for their benefit, but has become a favorable business opportunity. However, short-term profit should never outshine long-term development perspective.

Angel City FC gets a record-breaking valuation It’s always great to see a sports team owned by its fans, but this isn’t like the Green Bay Packers. Hollywood power couple and OG Angel City FC fans, TV journalist Willow Bay and her husband, Disney CEO Bob Iger, finalized a deal to buy the LA-based women’s soccer team. The sale values the club at $250 million, making it the most valuable women’s sports team in the world. Some details of the agreement: Bay and Iger will invest $50 million and take controlling ownership from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Bay will lead the board and represent ACFC on the National Women’s Soccer League’s Board of Governors. All existing owners—a group that reads like the invite list to Oprah’s birthday party—will continue to be involved, including Natalie Portman (a co-founder), Billie Jean King, and former USWNT players such as Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm. Show me the money: Bay predicts that ACFC can ride growing interest and investment in women’s sports to a $1 billion valuation in the “modestly near term.” The team generated $33 million in revenue last year, the most of any women’s sports team in the world (according to the team), and was No. 1 in NWSL attendance and sponsorship revenue. But it’s not without its devils…the team ranks 11th out of 14 teams this season and has been dogged by reports of infighting.—CC https://lnkd.in/eWbiTPiN

Global women’s sports industry is set to break $1 billion! 📈 With unprecedented growth in interest and attendance, now is the time for brands to invest. 🏆 The 2024 Women’s NCAA tournament averaged nearly 19 million viewers (with a peak of 24 million viewers) for the final game between Iowa and South Carolina — up 89% from the previous year 🏀 The 2024 WNBA Draft audience increased 511% and was up 668% with female viewers ages 2-17 🎟 Overall interest in the WNBA grew 29% between 2023 and 2024 Nielsen’s latest insights can help you understand how to capitalise on this momentum. https://bit.ly/3S48Cqm Gracenote WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) NCAA NCAA NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee #sports #sportsmarketing