Eben Novy-Williams
@ebennovywilliams.bsky.social
๐ค 596
๐ฅ 30
๐ 299
deputy editor @Sportico. join our club! --->
https://club.sportico.com/
On the eve of the World Baseball Classic, we dove into the insurance market that is keep a number of stars--Francisco Lindor, Jose Altuve, Elly De La Cruz, Mike Trout--out of the tournament. Here's the latest
@clubsportico.bsky.social
breakdown ๐
club.sportico.com/p/world-base...
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The secret market dictating World Baseball Classic rosters
How a lesser-known insurance company threw a wrench into the upcoming international baseball showdown.
https://club.sportico.com/p/world-baseball-classic-insurance-issues
about 20 hours ago
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This is wild. Anyone else get this when they google "World Cup Schedule 2026"??
3 days ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
Sportico
4 days ago
MLS is scouting for Don Garber's potential replacement ๐
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MLS Selects Korn Ferry to Run Search for Next Commissioner
MLS owners hired the Korn Ferry search firm to run the process for a potential new commissioner. Don Garber's contract is up at the end of 2027.
https://www.sportico.com/leagues/soccer/2026/mls-hires-korn-ferry-commissioner-search-1234885494/
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Today's
@clubsportico.bsky.social
Pick Six: - The golden goal camera angles ๐คข - Figure skating bias โธ๏ธ - The Jerome Tang Threshold ๐ฝ - Mick Cronin ๐ - Mark Cuban on affordability ๐๏ธ - a tanking fix, via the @thepwhlofficial? ๐
club.sportico.com/p/how-not-to...
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How not to shoot a gold medal goal
Plus: Olympics judging bias, morals clauses, and a fun tanking fix.
https://club.sportico.com/p/how-not-to-shoot-a-gold-medal-goal
5 days ago
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18 of the last 19 Winter Olympics host nations (and 17 of the past 19 Summer hosts) have increased their medal haul vs. the prior Games.
www.sportico.com/leagues/olym...
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Home Spoils: Italyโs Medal Count Surges at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Italy is having its best-ever Winter Olympics on home soil. It continues a trend of host nations outperforming their prior medal hauls.
https://www.sportico.com/leagues/olympics/2026/italy-medal-count-host-nations-boost-milan-cortina-1234885166/
8 days ago
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In the past two weeks, Giannis Antetokounmpo partnered with Kalshi, bought into a soccer team, invested in a startup, launched a candy brand, flirted with trades and posted memes on X. Today's
@clubsportico.bsky.social
is about the evolution of a humble star ๐
club.sportico.com/p/giannis-an...
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Giannis Antetokounmpo had himself a week
The Greek Freak has always been a different type of NBA star. Last week he redefined what that means.
https://club.sportico.com/p/giannis-antetokounmpo-kalshi-gopuff-chelsea-injury
15 days ago
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Get the ๐ out. Here's the latest
@sportico.bsky.social
valuations for all 154 team in the big five U.S. leagues: ๐ด NFL - $7.13 billion average ๐ NBA - $5.51 billion average ๐ข MLB - $2.82 billion average โซ๏ธ NHL - $2.1 billion average ๐ต MLS - $767 million average
18 days ago
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"On a hypothetical depth chart of mocked NFL players, Sam Darnold is QB1" In todayโs Club Sportico, we ask whether a Super Bowl ring will change how the internet talks about the Seahawksโ quarterback:
club.sportico.com/p/sam-darnol...
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NFL Fans May Need a New Punching Bag
The internet loves to make fun of Sam Darnold. Does a Super Bowl ring change that?
https://club.sportico.com/p/sam-darnold-redemption-mono-ghosts-super-bowl
19 days ago
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Netflix vs. YouTube is daytime's new hot drama. Today's Club Sportico essay breaks down what's really happening with Netflix's push into sports podcasts. It might not be what you think...
club.sportico.com/p/netflix-sp...
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Netflix vs. YouTube is daytimeโs hot new drama
Now starring your favorite sports podcasters???
https://club.sportico.com/p/netflix-sports-podcasts-youtube-simmons-barstool-deal
29 days ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
Walter Hickey
about 1 month ago
omfg
add a skeleton here at some point
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The Kansas City Royals are moving their outfield walls after a careful analysis--done by a computer science PHD--of their current roster of hitters and pitchers. Why isn't this more common? Today's Club Sportico post dives deep into... Moneywall!
club.sportico.com/p/moneywall-...
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'Moneywall' could be baseball's next frontier
The Kansas City Royals just revealed a whole new type of analytics for teams to exploit. Why isn't this more common?
https://club.sportico.com/p/moneywall-could-be-baseballs-next
about 1 month ago
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Eben Novy-Williams
How well did you follow the money in sports in 2025? Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
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Our Year-End News Quiz
How well did you follow the biggest sports business news of the last 12 months?
https://club.sportico.com/p/sports-business-news-quiz-2025-year-review
about 2 months ago
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How well did you follow the money in sports in 2025? Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
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Our Year-End News Quiz
How well did you follow the biggest sports business news of the last 12 months?
https://club.sportico.com/p/sports-business-news-quiz-2025-year-review
about 2 months ago
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Here's a fun one: Had Utah been Kyle Wittingham's last job, his 11 grandkids would all have been able to attend the University of Utah for free. His taking the Michigan job appears to have terminated that benefit. More from
@daniellibit.bsky.social
at Sportico ๐
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
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Whittinghamโs Michigan Gig May Cost Grandkids Free Utah Tuition
Whittinghamโs decision to accept a new coaching job at Michigan rather than retire comes with consequences for his progeny.
https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2025/kyle-whittingham-michigan-utah-contract-tuition-1234879902/
2 months ago
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For the next two weeks,
@sportico.bsky.social
is handing our AM newsletter over to a different writer each morning to look back on 2025 ๐ and ahead to 2026 ๐ฎ. Here are some excerpts so far from Lev, Anthony and
@jacobfeldman.bsky.social
๐
2 months ago
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BREAKING: The Chiefs are set to receive $1.8 billion (!) in public money for a new $3 billion stadium in Kansas. That's the largest public subsidy ever for a U.S. sports stadium project. More coming for practice facility, too.
www.sportico.com/business/rea...
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Chiefs Land Record $1.8B in Public Money to Cross Kansas State Line
The Kansas City Chiefs are moving to Kansas. Their $1.8 billion in public subsidy money is the highest total ever for a U.S. stadium project.
https://www.sportico.com/business/real-estate/2025/chiefs-kansas-stadium-cost-public-money-1234879708/
2 months ago
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BREAKING: Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley is in advanced talks to become the next CEO of the @USTA, sources tell Sportico. Tiley has experience running both a governing body and a grand slam. Process comes at a critical time for global tennis. More ๐๐พ
www.sportico.com/personalitie...
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USTA Near Deal to Tap Australian Open Boss as Next CEO
The USTA's CEO search has narrowed to Craig Tiley, the CEO of Tennis Australia and the director of the Australian Open. He is nearing a deal.
https://www.sportico.com/personalities/executives/2025/usta-ceo-search-craig-tiley-australian-open-1234878977/
3 months ago
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Can you figure out what's happening in these three circles? In today's Club Sportico essay,
@jacobfeldman.bsky.social
lets you in on a fun little trivia challenge: deciphering the oddities in the NFL's Sunday TV map.
3 months ago
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In today's Club Sportico early week missive, we're talking about the College Football Playoff selection process, which managed to make even a surreal World Cup draw look sane and well managed...
club.sportico.com/p/world-cup-...
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College football makes FIFA look competent
Plus: How the World Cup schedule gets made and why Notre Dame has already lost fans' sympathy
https://club.sportico.com/p/world-cup-draw-memes-college-football
3 months ago
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In today's Club Sportico newsletter, we're talking about the new posterchild for college football's mercenary era ๐
club.sportico.com/p/lane-kiffi...
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College football's mercenary era has a new posterboy
Lane Kiffin's dramatic Sunday included leaked audio, an R-rated airport sendoff, and a healthy dose of hypocrisy.
https://club.sportico.com/p/lane-kiffin-ole-miss-lsu-plane-video-tweets
3 months ago
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UMass has been FBS's worst football team since it moved up in 2012. Its struggles include spilled hydraulic fluid, a failed stint at an NFL stadium 90 miles away, and unmet "pie-in-the-sky" projections. Now the school is doubling down. More w/ Daniel Libit ๐
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
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Sunk-Cost Football: UMassโ Faltering Quest to Belong in the FBS
UMass bought the promise of big-time football in 2011, when it joined the FBS. Fourteen brutal years later, the Minutemen are doubling down.
https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2025/umass-football-fbs-finances-history-1234877386/
3 months ago
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This morning in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid president Florentino Pรฉrez proposed amending the team's fan-controlled structure slightly, to allow the club to sell a passive 5% equity stake. He believes that could provide the team $500+ million. More via Club Sportico ๐
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
Today at
@sportico.bsky.social
, we're talking about the delicate balancing act underway at Real Madrid. Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
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Real Madrid is prepping a delicate balancing act
The worldโs most valuable soccer team has historically been unable to court new owners. Now itโs trying to raise ~$1 billion without losing its soul.
https://club.sportico.com/p/real-madrid-ownership-change-explanation-socios
3 months ago
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Today at
@sportico.bsky.social
, we're talking about the delicate balancing act underway at Real Madrid. Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
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Real Madrid is prepping a delicate balancing act
The worldโs most valuable soccer team has historically been unable to court new owners. Now itโs trying to raise ~$1 billion without losing its soul.
https://club.sportico.com/p/real-madrid-ownership-change-explanation-socios
3 months ago
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Happy Monday. In this week's Pick Six, we're talking about: ๐ The two shocks of Curry's Under Armour separation โท๏ธ Skiing on top of the world ๐ Advertising that I actually enjoy watching ๐ซ โNow there are sort of good bots and bad botsโ โฝ The NWSL's Rodman problem
club.sportico.com/p/steph-curr...
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Steph Curry is wearing Nikes?!
Plus: A soccer league's existential crisis, AI ticketing, and skiing on top of the world.
https://club.sportico.com/p/steph-curry-nike-under-armour-club-sportico
3 months ago
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SCOOP:
@jacobfeldman.bsky.social
and I got details of MLS's revised Apple deal - Ends in June 2029 (3.5 years early) - Apple gave up 2027 opt-out - MLS gets: $200M in 2026, $107M for 2027 "sprint" season, $275M in final two seasons Via
@sportico.bsky.social
๐
www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...
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Apple, MLS Deal Will End in 2029 With Revised Payment Structure
MLS and Apple's streaming rights agreement will now end three and half years early, letting the league explore new partners after the 2026 World Cup.
https://www.sportico.com/leagues/soccer/2025/apple-mls-streaming-contract-change-1234876902/
4 months ago
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Two years ago, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank said he "couldnโt imagine Under Armour without Stephen [Curry], or Stephen without Under Armour" Today, his company and its biggest endorser announced the unimaginable. More via
@sportico.bsky.social
๐
www.sportico.com/business/com...
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Under Armourโs CEO Just Did the Thing He โCouldnโt Imagineโ
Under Armour is cutting ties with Steph Curry's brand, the latest in its billion-dollar cutback of sponsorship deals with leagues, teams and athletes.
https://www.sportico.com/business/commerce/2025/under-armour-steph-curry-brand-leave-1234876832/
4 months ago
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๐จ Sportico's F1 valuations are out ๐๏ธ Here's the full list, plus how each franchise compares to its next "Big Four" comp...
4 months ago
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If you thought the NBA betting scandal was bad, wait until the Feds are done with college basketball...
club.sportico.com/p/theres-a-g...
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Thereโs a gambling hurricane coming for college basketball
If you thought the recent NBA bet-rigging details were bad, brace yourself for whatโs about to happen in college basketball.
https://club.sportico.com/p/theres-a-gambling-hurricane-coming
4 months ago
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I wrote today about the blackmail of Jontay Porter. The concern for the NBA and other leagues isn't that players will forever think they can get away with rigging games. It's that players will always be coerced into trying ๐
club.sportico.com/p/nba-gambli...
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The blackmail is the real concern
For the past two years, Jontay Porter has been the posterchild for dumb athlete gamblers. This week, his story grew into something else.
https://club.sportico.com/p/nba-gambling-investigation-porter-rozier-blackmail
4 months ago
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Two classic stories here (one about batting cages, the other about Japanese toilets) from the Dodgers' free agent courtship of Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki
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4 months ago
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In today's Club Sportico, we're talking about the Big Ten's $2.4 billion loan, Michigan's vociferous pushback, and the curious ways that college sports leaders talk about the creep of institutional capital...
club.sportico.com/p/the-big-te...
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The Big Tenโs $2.4 Billion Loan is on Life Support
As the Big Ten vigorously debates the merits of a $2.4 billion pension fund loan, we should all be speaking differently about institutional capital and college sports.
https://club.sportico.com/p/the-big-tens-24-billion-loan-is-on
4 months ago
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If there's one main takeaway from me on
@sportico.bsky.social
's latest NBA valuations, it's this: The league is moving toward an NFL-style model. It's gotten closer to fixed costs, and the league-wide media distributions (now $143M) have grown into a significant revenue stream.
4 months ago
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We just entered a 49-day stretch with NFL or FBS college football *every day*. In the latest
@clubsportico.bsky.social
Jacob and I wrote about business levers that led to this panoply of pigskin ๐
club.sportico.com/p/nfl-colleg...
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Welcome to the Great Gridiron Grind
The NFL and college football are rapidly colonizing the calendar. They make more money, and you get to gorge on pigskin.
https://club.sportico.com/p/nfl-college-football-tv-schedule-49-day-game-streak
5 months ago
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Of interest here, the contract was finalized and executed by the league's four-person executive committee, without a final vote from all owners. Some source said that the committee was given that mandate earlier this summer. Others said they believed all owners should still vote
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
SCOOP: NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman has a new three-year contract, per sources. Under her guidance the league has seen large commercial growth and undergone multiple expansions.
#NWSL
More via
@sportico.bsky.social
๐
www.sportico.com/personalitie...
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NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman Receives 3-Year Contract Extension
Jessica Berman received a 3-year extension as NWSL commissioner. The deal was executed by the league's four-person executive committee.
https://www.sportico.com/personalities/executives/2025/jessica-berman-nwsl-commissioner-contract-extension-1234873443/
5 months ago
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SCOOP: NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman has a new three-year contract, per sources. Under her guidance the league has seen large commercial growth and undergone multiple expansions.
#NWSL
More via
@sportico.bsky.social
๐
www.sportico.com/personalitie...
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NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman Receives 3-Year Contract Extension
Jessica Berman received a 3-year extension as NWSL commissioner. The deal was executed by the league's four-person executive committee.
https://www.sportico.com/personalities/executives/2025/jessica-berman-nwsl-commissioner-contract-extension-1234873443/
5 months ago
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SCOOP: The Houston Dash are in advanced talks to sell for $120M to RHC Group. RHC's founder is Richard Hsiao, a 24 y/o Bucks superfan and son of a Chinese billionaire who disappeared from public in 2017 under sketchy circumstances.
#NWSL
More at Sportico ๐
www.sportico.com/business/tea...
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Dash Near $120M Sale to Group Led by Son of Disappeared Chinese Mogul
The NWSL's Dash are in talks to sell for $120M to Richard Hsiao's RHC Group. Hsiao, 24, is the son of imprisoned Chinese billionaire Xiao Jianhua.
https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2025/houston-dash-sale-rhc-group-richard-hsiao-china-1234873062/
5 months ago
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In today's Club Sportico essay, we're talking about a 1961 law that helps form the bedrock of the NFL's $22+ billion business. How serious are the politicians that say the law might be under threat?
club.sportico.com/p/nfl-sports...
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โThe only person that ever made the NFL quiverโ
There are many reasons for the NFLโs massive success. Are we overlooking its antitrust exemption?
https://club.sportico.com/p/nfl-sports-broadcasting-act-debate-smith
5 months ago
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I wrote today about growing pains at the NWSL and WNBA. The two women's league, both undergoing rapid commercial growth, are also facing labor issues, expansion challenges, and in the soccer league's case, a real threat overseas.
www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...
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Big-Time Womenโs Sports Are Experiencing Growing Pains
The NWSL and WNBA are undergoing massive commercial growth. That hasn't come without growing pains around expansion, labor and investment.
https://www.sportico.com/leagues/soccer/2025/nwsl-wnba-growing-pains-labor-europe-expansion-1234871176/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
๐จ Lee Corso Data Viz ๐จ As the College GameDay host approaches his final mascot pick,
@sportico.bsky.social
went back through all 430, dating back to Oct. 1996. He's 286-144 (66.5%) through the years. A quick thread ๐งต
6 months ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
RedditCFB
6 months ago
This is a great series of visual breakdowns, check it out!
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
Ryan McCrystal
6 months ago
Lee Corso's headgear picks would be a really cool addition to his
@sports-reference.com
page cc:
@sportinfo247.bsky.social
@sean-forman.com
add a skeleton here at some point
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๐จ Lee Corso Data Viz ๐จ As the College GameDay host approaches his final mascot pick,
@sportico.bsky.social
went back through all 430, dating back to Oct. 1996. He's 286-144 (66.5%) through the years. A quick thread ๐งต
6 months ago
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add a skeleton here at some point
6 months ago
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Today's Club Sportico round-up hits on an absurd trading card, the collapse of an athlete's Hollywood story, Aaron Rodgers' helmet fiasco, and more...
club.sportico.com/p/trading-ca...
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Trading cards have gone too far
Plus: The NFL's favorite contrarian strikes again, Jim Dolan outdoes himself, and 'Advantage, Ms. Maristany Zuleta De Reales.'
https://club.sportico.com/p/trading-cards-have-gone-too-far
6 months ago
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If you want to better understand Michigan's ~$30 million spying fine relative to the Wolverines balance sheet...
7 months ago
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๐ค๐ค๐ค
add a skeleton here at some point
7 months ago
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SCOOP: Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has an agreement in place to buy the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. His group intends to keep the team in Oregon. More at
@sportico.bsky.social
๐
www.sportico.com/business/tea...
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Tom Dundon to Buy Portland Trail Blazers From Paul Allenโs Estate
Tom Dundon is leading a group that is buying the Portland Trail Blazers. The group intends to keep the NBA franchise in Portland.
https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2025/dundon-portland-trail-blazers-sale-paul-allen-1234866910/
7 months ago
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BREAKING: The Pohlad family, one of MLB's longest-tenured owners, will keep control of the Twins after exploring a sale. LPs coming in instead. No path to control. More at
@sportico.bsky.social
w/ @soshnick ๐
www.sportico.com/business/tea...
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Pohlads to Keep Control of Twins Amid Minority Stake Sale
The Pohlad family will keep control of the Minnesota Twins after exploring a potential sale. Instead the team will bring on a few minority partners.
https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2025/minnesota-twins-sale-pohlads-control-minority-partners-1234866859/
7 months ago
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