The Tour de France has two obvious favorites, but the most intriguing rider is a third entrant--a French teenager that is carrying the weight of the nation's 41-year Tour drought. Read more about Paul Seixas is today's Club Sportico essay 👇 club.sportico.com/p/paul-seixa...

🎾🚨One of tennis's craziest stats could end tomorrow 🚨🎾 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has won more than $11.7 million in tennis prizes, by far the most ever by a player that hasn't won a single tournament. Tomorrow he plays Ethan Quinn in the Mallorca finals...

Earlier this year Capelli Sport signed a four-year deal to outfit the Cape Verde soccer team. So why is another company also selling Cape Verde jerseys? Everyone's favorite World Cup underdog has berthed a licensing battle. More via Sportico 👇 www.sportico.com/business/com...

This AM we're talking about: - a Knicks/NYC love letter 🏆 - Scottish fans in Boston 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 - Two good ads (really) 🏀 - Backyard Baseball's return ⚾️ & more 👇 club.sportico.com/p/knicks-vid...

I wrote today about why the World Cup's many off-field issues—visas, tickets, transportation, etc.—are only putting more pressure on the USMNT to deliver for soccer in America. More via Club Sportico 👇 club.sportico.com/p/us-soccer-...

I wrote today about why the World Cup's many off-field issues—visas, tickets, transportation, etc.—are only putting more pressure on the USMNT to deliver for soccer in America. More via Club Sportico 👇 club.sportico.com/p/us-soccer-...

Free ticket giveaways are, of course, a good thing. But does democratizing access have to happen only as a last-minute scramble designed to preserve FIFA's very extractive, money-only ticket approach? My latest @sportico.bsky.social column 👇 www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...

There are two World Cups happening in North America this summer:

🚨Club Sportico Hang 🚨 On Thursday, we're teaming with substack and Backyard Sports for an NYC gathering, where you can play the new baseball video game When: 6-9P What: Video games, trivia, pizza Where: NYC Who: Club Sportico subscribers. More 👇 club.sportico.com/p/backyard-s...

UPDATE: Nine hours after this story was published, and following a lot of online criticism, the W sent @Sportico the following statement: “Like other major sports leagues, we are exploring how best to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary. Nothing has been finalized at this time.”

NEW: The WNBA is planning to have the Trump-supported USA 250 patch on All-Star Game uniforms in July, sources told Sportico. The league was not part of the original Jan. announcement, and many of its stars have been outspoken against Trump. www.sportico.com/leagues/bask...

The ten highest paid players in the World Cup, counting salaries and endorsements, come from ten different countries.

As Chinese consumers turn away from many western brands (like Nike), Steph Curry's deal with Li-Ning will drastically accelerate the growth of his brand in China long after he's done playing. My quick reaction for Sportico. Link in replies👇

There have been some epic men's matches at the French Open, but will people keep watching? I wrote this AM about a fascinating men's tennis experiment underway this week at Roland Garros: How popular is the sport when you don't know the athletes playing? www.sportico.com/leagues/tenn...

Here's the hard-hitting stuff you need on a beautiful Friday afternoon: HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST EVERY BAR IN MANHATTAN TO STREAM KNICKS FINALS GAMES club.sportico.com/p/knicks-fin...

Why are face-value World Cup tickets (and Knicks tickets, and US Open, and Taylor Swift, and and and…) so freaking expensive now? It’s part of the so-called “extraction economy,” and it may be here to stay Story with @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social www.sportico.com/business/com...

Sky-high early prices. A gradual roll-out. Opaque hospitality inventory. Like it or not, the World Cup’s ticketing strategy may be the future for fans of big events. A very worthwhile read from @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social and Sara Germano at @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/business/com...

“'From my perspective, this is really a feeling like when the Lakers started many, many decades ago,' Soon-Shiong said. 'The opportunity in women’s sports is growing, and Los Angeles is obviously a very important market.'" (via @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social) www.sportico.com/business/tea...

On the latest Sporticast we talked about Gucci, Aryna Sabalenka and fashion's growing push into tennis 👇

Today at Club Sportico we’re talking about: Tennis fashion wars 👗 A new soccer billionaire 💰 Lacrosse economics 🥍 The NBA Finals in t-shirts 🏀 A sports league with a spine! ⚽ & more! club.sportico.com/p/sabalenka-...

In today's @clubsportico.bsky.social essay, we ranked all 32 NFL schedule release videos. - Can the @Chargers repeat as No. 1? ⚡ - What's a chrysalis? 🦬 - Why is one of them 13 minutes? 🦅 - "MMMmmm Sauce Gardner" 🐎 - & more 🏈! club.sportico.com/p/nfl-schedu...

ICYMI: Gotham FC is in advanced talks to move to Queens in 2028. Fans of the team have likely noticed some early indicators: the team is playing in July at Citi Field, the NJ/NY moniker was dropped, and a recent third jerseys features the Statue of Liberty and NYC's official blue and orange colors

SCOOP: Gotham FC are in advanced talks to move to Queens, to the new NYCFC stadium, starting in 2028. The #NWSL club currently plays in New Jersey. More at @sportico.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...

Wrote today about Digital Brands Group and its Avo apparel, which issued millions of #$DBGI shares to its college sports partners. The stock jumped, then it cratered. What's next for a co. with a volatile past and a lot confidence? More w/ @daniellibit.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...

🚨🚨 @jacobfeldman.bsky.social just built a website that will let you see every single #MLB team's backdrop in 2016 vs. 2026. If you're curious about how advertisements (and new camera angles) have crept into baseball broadcasts, it's a fascinating tool. Quick 🧵

🚨🚨 @jacobfeldman.bsky.social just built a website that will let you see every single #MLB team's backdrop in 2016 vs. 2026. If you're curious about how advertisements (and new camera angles) have crept into baseball broadcasts, it's a fascinating tool. Quick 🧵

Really good convo with @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social from @sportico.bsky.social today on the new investment into MLS Next Pro and what it says about the league's ambitions. youtu.be/NcjQT5zJ6iQ?...

SCOOP: Aditya Mittal, an Indian steel magnate and Celtics investor, is prepping a bid for the Seahawks. He's teamed with former Celtics control owner Wyc Grousbeck. More at @sportico.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/business/tea...

NEWS: KKR is investing across MLS Next Pro. It is committing ~$170 million to a new JV with the league, called Hometown Soccer, that will oversee the development league's commercial growth. More via @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...

EXCLUSIVE: When Arthur Blank committed $165M to join #NWSL, his deal had a unique clause that would have lowered the fee if the next team paid less than $200M. The Haslams' $205 million deal will ensure the full amount. More at @sportico.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/business/tea...

EXCLUSIVE: When Arthur Blank committed $165M to join #NWSL, his deal had a unique clause that would have lowered the fee if the next team paid less than $200M. The Haslams' $205 million deal will ensure the full amount. More at @sportico.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/business/tea...

Here's a crazy stat ⚽: In 2016, soccer teams were the No. 2 (Real Madrid), No. 3 (Barca), No. 5 (Man U) and No. 12 (Bayern) most valuable sports teams in the world. Ten years later, they're at No. 15 (Real Madrid), No. 22 (Barca), No. 30 (Man U) and No. 42 (Bayern).

SCOOP: The Haslams have landed the latest NWSL expansion team. They've agreed to pay a record $205 million fee, separate from practice facility project and stadium upgrades. More at @sportico.bsky.social w/ @jacobfeldman.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/business/tea...

SCOOP: The Haslams have landed the latest NWSL expansion team. They've agreed to pay a record $205 million fee, separate from practice facility project and stadium upgrades. More at @sportico.bsky.social w/ @jacobfeldman.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/business/tea...

Today's Club Sportico Pick Six is actually a Pick Seven! We're talking: - LIV Golf's status ⛳️ - Chelsea finances 💸 - A shoe company's AI computing pivot 👟 - Tottenham on the brink 📉 - Bar viewing 📺 - & more 👇 club.sportico.com/p/liv-fundin...

Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds reshaped global sports in the last ten years. Now the war in Iran threatens to shake things up again. www.sportico.com/business/fin...

So the Big Ten wins both the men's and women's titles, and takes home the biggest NCAA payday from both the men's and women's tournaments. On the men's side, the Big Ten earned 30 units, which will pay about $60 million over the next six years. SEC second, Big 12 third.

Today's Club Sportico Pick Six: - UCLA women's basketball ticket sales 🎟️ - The Tiger Woods DUI capsule collection 👕 - What's with the NBA Memphis hate? 🏀 - The rough career path for young college coaches 🧢 - More ⚽! club.sportico.com/p/college-ba...

Today's Club Sportico essay: As the nation’s best teams prep for the Final Four, others are waving the white flag. It’s a healthy surrender, even if some coaches and administrators can’t stomach it. club.sportico.com/p/college-ba...

SCOOP: The NFL has tapped five institutional firms--Ariel, Blue Pool, Dynasty, Sixth Street and Silver Lake--to be top partners in their new flag league, per sources. TMRW Sports is operating partners. Smaller investors too. More at @sportico.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/business/fin...

Today's Club Sportico: - Why the WNBA's Sun are moving to Houston, despite bids from Boston and Hartford 🏀 - A Euro soccer mystery ⚽️ - ABS humor ⚾️ - SWISH! 🗑️ - TGL economics ⛳️ - A Big Ten flex 🎓 club.sportico.com/p/connecticu...

There is only one NFL owner that owns an NBA team in the same city. But there's an opportunity for another right now in Seattle. Today's @clubsportico.bsky.social essay looks at the process, the likelihood, and the many hurdles--primarily, the 💰. club.sportico.com/p/for-sale-a...

Some TGL business notes ⛳️: - Women's teams are selling for about $20M - Multiple teams have raised at $90+ million - Atlanta Drive raised around ~$100 million - multiple teams are cash flow positive in the seven figures More at Sportico 👇 www.sportico.com/business/tea...

The NCAA sues DraftKings for trademark infringement in use of "March Madness" and other tournament phrases. Super interesting case that combines worries about sports betting + usage of common terms. On @sportico.bsky.social, @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social and I dive into the case:

Every year, the NCAA distributes hundreds of millions to conferences based on their March Madness success. The specifics are confusing, and widely misunderstood. Two years ago, we made this video to be the definitive explainer on NCAA "units." www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTKa...

BREAKING: Catarina Macario is joining the San Diego Wave on the largest contract in total dollars in NWSL history. She'll be paid a shade under $8 million in fully guaranteed money over the next five seasons. More via @sportico.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/personalitie...

Maryland basketball just wrapped a historically bad season. Fans are frustrated with: - Outsider coach - No roster continuity - No local players - Conference realignment that killed rivalries Sound familiar? Welcome to modern college basketball's mercenary era 👇 club.sportico.com/p/maryland-b...

In today's Club Sportico Pick Six, we're talking about: - WNBA labor urgency 🏀 - WBC sponsors ☕ - The undefeated Miami Ohio basketball team 🦅 - College sports reform-mogging on Capital Hill 🏛️ - More! club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...

Grambling has secured a trademark for this G, with written support from the Packers and UGA. With @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social, a rare story about similar looking logos that includes collaboration, not litigation 👇 www.sportico.com/law/analysis...