Eben Novy-Williams
@ebennovywilliams.bsky.social
📤 622
📥 31
📝 328
deputy editor @Sportico. join our club! --->
https://club.sportico.com/
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).
4 days ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
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...
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Haslams Pay $205M for NWSL Expansion Team in Columbus
The NWSL is adding a Columbus expansion team, owned by the Haslam Sports Group, at a record $205 million expansion fee.
https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2026/nwsl-expansion-columbus-haslam-fee-205-million-1234890812/
4 days ago
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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...
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Haslams Pay $205M for NWSL Expansion Team in Columbus
The NWSL is adding a Columbus expansion team, owned by the Haslam Sports Group, at a record $205 million expansion fee.
https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2026/nwsl-expansion-columbus-haslam-fee-205-million-1234890812/
4 days ago
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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...
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LIV And Let... Live?
Plus: The Iran war is impacting sports, Chelsea's risky financial gamble, and a shoe company's AI computing pivot.
https://club.sportico.com/p/liv-funding-status-future-trump-chelsea-tottenham
6 days ago
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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...
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LIV, NBA Europe: Has the Iran War Curbed Middle East Sports Spending?
The Iran War is changing how Middle Eastern sovereign funds, like Saudi Arabia's PIF and Qatar's QIA, approach sports. LIV Golf may be the latest.
https://www.sportico.com/business/finance/2026/iran-war-middle-east-sovereign-sports-investment-liv-golf-1234890297/
10 days ago
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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.
19 days ago
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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...
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Young Coaches Are I-Bankers Without the Money
Plus: The hotel that NBA players hate, UCLA's ticket sales, and Tiger Woods' mugshot capsule collection.
https://club.sportico.com/p/college-basketball-coach-dusty-may-career
19 days ago
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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...
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College Basketball’s Canaries Are Falling Ill
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.
https://club.sportico.com/p/college-basketball-budgets-di-spending
23 days ago
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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...
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NFL’s Flag Football Backers Include Ariel, Sixth Street, Blue Pool
The NFL's flag football investors include five institutional firms: Ariel, Sixth Street, Dynasty, Blue Pool and a group associated with Silver Lake.
https://www.sportico.com/business/finance/2026/nfl-flag-football-investors-sixth-street-ariel-blue-pool-1234888708/
26 days ago
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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...
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The Sun Sets in Connecticut
Plus: A European soccer mystery, the plight of the modern MLB umpire, and SWISH!
https://club.sportico.com/p/connecticut-sun-move-houston-why-boston-hartford
27 days ago
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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...
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For Sale: A Seattle Sports Empire
If you have $17B lying around, you and your richest friends could buy the two most valuable teams, in the two most valuable leagues, in one of America’s largest cities.
https://club.sportico.com/p/for-sale-a-seattle-sports-empire
29 days ago
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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...
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Ohanian Buys 2nd $20M WTGL Team as Men’s Franchise Values Jump
TGL golf club valuations have jumped to $90-$100 million as the first few women's teams sell for around $20 million, including one to Alexis Ohanian.
https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2026/tgl-valuations-womens-golf-league-million-1234888302/
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
Michael McCann
about 1 month ago
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:
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NCAA Sues DraftKings to Block Use of March Madness Trademarks
The NCAA demands a restraining order to block DraftKings from using "March Madness," "Final Four" and similar marks to sell sports betting products.
https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2026/ncaa-draftkings-trademark-lawsuit-1234887985/
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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...
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One Shining Check - The Value of a March Madness Win
YouTube video by Sportico
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTKaBAoSySo
about 1 month ago
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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...
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Cat Macario Signs Record NWSL Contract With San Diego Wave
The USWNT star is joining the NWSL and set to earn nearly $8 million in guaranteed money with the San Diego Wave, the league's biggest deal ever.
https://www.sportico.com/personalities/athletes/2026/catarina-macario-contract-nwsl-san-diego-wave-1234887043/
about 1 month ago
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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...
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Maryland is the poster child for college basketball’s volatility era
The Maryland men’s basketball team made the Sweet 16 last year 🙂. It just finished its worst season in 37 years 🙁. It has a Top 10 recruiting class incoming 🙂. Welcome to modern college basketball!
https://club.sportico.com/p/maryland-basketball-fans-reaction-svp-2026-buzz-mills-ncaa
about 1 month ago
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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...
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A WNBA labor deal is finally (maybe?) close
Plus: The war in Iran, the undefeated RedHawks, and college sports reform-mogging
https://club.sportico.com/p/sports-business-news-wnba-iran-trump-ncaa
about 2 months ago
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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...
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Grambling Scores ‘G’ Trademark as UGA, Packers Give Blessing
The USPTO approves the "G" trademark for Grambling State after the school, Green Bay Packers and Georgia figured out a way each could use a similar G.
https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2026/grambling-state-g-trademark-packers-uga-uspto-1234886487/
about 2 months ago
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In today's
@clubsportico.bsky.social
essay, we're talking about Dick's Sporting Good's push to become more than just a big box retailer. And why your workout data is part of that future 👇
club.sportico.com/p/dicks-work...
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Dick’s will pay you pennies for your data
In its quest to become more than a big box retailer for sports gear, Dick's is looking for information on how you work out.
https://club.sportico.com/p/dicks-workout-rewards-data-tech-push
about 2 months ago
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Here are
@sportico.bsky.social
's most recent valuations for the WNBA and NWSL.
#WNBA
#NWSL
🟠 WNBA -- $269 million average 🔵 NWSL -- $184 million average
about 2 months ago
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SCOOP: Tom Dundon has agreed to sell 12.5% of the Hurricanes at a $2.66 billion valuation. Comes as he leads a group buying the Trail Blazers for $4.25B. More at
@sportico.bsky.social
👇
www.sportico.com/business/tea...
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Dundon Sells 12.5% of Hurricanes at $2.66 Billion Valuation
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has sold 12.5% of the NHL team at a $2.66 billion valuation. It comes as he's buying the NBA's Trail Blazers.
https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2026/carolina-hurricanes-sale-owners-tom-dundon-1234886395/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
Basically the entire
#NWSL
has a new control owner (or was an expansion team) within the last ~six years. 🔴 = expansion or new control owner
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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Basically the entire
#NWSL
has a new control owner (or was an expansion team) within the last ~six years. 🔴 = expansion or new control owner
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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SCOOP: Marc Lasry's fund is buying a large chunk of the NWSL's North Carolina Courage. He's putting in $40M at a $155M pre-money valuation. This comes two years after Lasry tried to buy the whole team. More via
@sportico.bsky.social
👇
www.sportico.com/business/tea...
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Marc Lasry Invests in NWSL’s NC Courage at $155M Valuation
Billionaire Marc Lasry is buying a stake in the NWSL's North Carolina Courage via his Avenue Sports Fund. The deal values the club at $155 million.
https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2026/marc-lasry-nwsl-north-carolina-courage-1234886270/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
Justin Birnbaum
about 2 months ago
Lin Bin, the co-founder of smartphone giant Xiaomi, has bought a 1% stake in the holding company that owns the Miami Dolphins and other assets at a $12.5 billion valuation. From
@soshnick.bsky.social
,
@ebennovywilliams.bsky.social
and me at
@sportico.bsky.social
:
www.sportico.com/business/tea...
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Chinese Billionaire Buys Miami Dolphins Stake at $12.5B Valuation
Chinese phone magnate Lin Bin is buying a 1% stake in the NFL's Dolphins at a record valuation of $12.5 billion.
https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2026/miami-dolphins-stake-sale-lin-bin-record-valuation-1234886169/
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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 👇
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 2 months ago
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This is wild. Anyone else get this when they google "World Cup Schedule 2026"??
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
Sportico
2 months ago
MLS is scouting for Don Garber's potential replacement 🔍
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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 🤢 - Figure skating bias ⛸️ - The Jerome Tang Threshold 🎽 - Mick Cronin 👎 - Mark Cuban on affordability 🎟️ - a tanking fix, via the @thepwhlofficial? 🏒
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
2 months 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: Italy’s 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/
2 months 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 👇
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
2 months ago
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Get the 🔎 out. Here's the latest
@sportico.bsky.social
valuations for all 154 team in the big five U.S. leagues: 🔴 NFL - $7.13 billion average 🟠 NBA - $5.51 billion average 🟢 MLB - $2.82 billion average ⚫️ NHL - $2.1 billion average 🔵 MLS - $767 million average
2 months ago
1
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"On a hypothetical depth chart of mocked NFL players, Sam Darnold is QB1" In today’s Club Sportico, we ask whether a Super Bowl ring will change how the internet talks about the Seahawks’ 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
3 months 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 daytime’s hot new drama
Now starring your favorite sports podcasters???
https://club.sportico.com/p/netflix-sports-podcasts-youtube-simmons-barstool-deal
3 months ago
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reposted by
Eben Novy-Williams
Walter Hickey
3 months ago
omfg
add a skeleton here at some point
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1
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
3 months ago
1
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reposted by
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
4 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
4 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 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
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Whittingham’s Michigan Gig May Cost Grandkids Free Utah Tuition
Whittingham’s 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/
4 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 🔙 and ahead to 2026 🔮. Here are some excerpts so far from Lev, Anthony and
@jacobfeldman.bsky.social
👇
4 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/
4 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 👇🎾
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/
4 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.
4 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
5 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 👇
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
5 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 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
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Sunk-Cost Football: UMass’ 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/
5 months ago
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This morning in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez 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 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
5 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 world’s most valuable soccer team has historically been unable to court new owners. Now it’s trying to raise ~$1 billion without losing its soul.
https://club.sportico.com/p/real-madrid-ownership-change-explanation-socios
5 months ago
0
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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...
loading . . .
Real Madrid is prepping a delicate balancing act
The world’s most valuable soccer team has historically been unable to court new owners. Now it’s trying to raise ~$1 billion without losing its soul.
https://club.sportico.com/p/real-madrid-ownership-change-explanation-socios
5 months ago
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Happy Monday. In this week's Pick Six, we're talking about: 👟 The two shocks of Curry's Under Armour separation ⛷️ Skiing on top of the world 🐂 Advertising that I actually enjoy watching 🎫 “Now there are sort of good bots and bad bots” ⚽ 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
5 months ago
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1
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