15/5/5 For The Week of August 12th
15 TO WATCH
U.S. Tops Olympics Medal Tally; NBC Wins Big, Too: The U.S. finished strong at the 2024 Paris Olympics, securing the top spot in the medal tally with 126 total medals, including 40 golds. NBC also saw significant success, with viewership reaching 31.3 million, an 82% increase from the Tokyo Games. The network's coverage, including the Gold Zone on Peacock and a final Saturday viewership of 30.7 million, highlighted the broad appeal of these Olympics.
Paris 2024: Record-Breaking Olympic Games On and Off the Field: The Paris 2024 Olympic Games set new records with 9.5 million tickets sold and over 12 billion social media engagements. With 95% of venues being temporary or existing, the Games also emphasized sustainability, and initiatives like a national policy for daily physical activity in French schools aim to leave a lasting legacy.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Team USA’s Most Influential Athletes on Instagram: A study by GambleSpot highlighted LeBron James as Team USA's most influential athlete on Instagram, with 159 million followers and the potential to earn $412,800 per sponsored post. Other top influencers include Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, showing the strong intersection of sports and digital influence.
Team USA Men's Basketball Secures Gold in Paris Behind Steph Curry's Heroics: Team USA defeated France 98-87 in the Olympic men's basketball final, marking their fifth straight gold medal. Stephen Curry's 12 points in the final minutes sealed the victory in a game that saw high-profile spectators, including French President Emmanuel Macron and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
USA-France Thriller Is Top Olympic Hoops Final Since '96: The USA-France basketball final drew 19.5 million viewers, the highest for an Olympic basketball game since 1996. With a peak of 22.7 million viewers, this match not only marked a significant victory for Team USA but also showcased the enduring appeal of Olympic basketball.
L.A. Focusing on What Has, Hasn't Worked from Paris in Prep for 2028 Games: As Paris 2024 concludes, Los Angeles shifts focus to preparing for the 2028 Olympics. With plans to address concerns like traffic and athlete comfort, L.A. aims to build on Paris's successes while showcasing its own unique style, including a push for more skateboarding events led by Tony Hawk.
New Investment Puts WNBA's Dallas Wings at League-High Valuation: The Dallas Wings' valuation has soared to $208 million, thanks to recent investments and plans to move to a new downtown Dallas venue in 2026. With a 31% increase in attendance and new lucrative partnerships, the Wings are positioned as a top franchise in the WNBA.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Tries Hail Mary to Get Out of Fanatics Lawsuit: Arizona Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. is embroiled in a legal battle with Fanatics over a disputed agreement. Harrison's camp claims the deal was signed by his father, Marvin Harrison Sr., while Fanatics insists the younger Harrison was involved, leading to ongoing litigation.
Angel Reese Set to Launch First Footwear and Apparel Collection with Reebok: WNBA star Angel Reese will debut her first footwear and apparel collection with Reebok on August 23. The line, featuring performance and lifestyle pieces, is a significant step for Reese, who aims to become the face of Reebok Basketball, following her endorsement deal with the brand.
Algerian Boxer Khelif Files Legal Complaint Over Online Harassment: Algerian Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif has filed a legal complaint following online harassment about her gender. Despite the scrutiny, Khelif secured victory in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris Olympics, emphasizing her qualifications and identity as a woman.
New Antitrust Suit Against NCAA Seeks Damages for P5 Athletes Who Received Partial Scholarships: A new antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA, Cornelio v. NCAA, seeks damages for Power Five conference athletes who received partial scholarships. The suit challenges the NCAA's scholarship limits, alleging they result in wage-fixing and antitrust harm to athletes.
Women’s March Madness Could Finally Get $25M in ‘Units’: The NCAA is proposing a $25 million performance fund for the Women’s March Madness tournament, set to start in 2025. This move aims to address gender equity in college basketball, with funds increasing annually and aligning the women's tournament more closely with the men’s in terms of financial rewards.
Cleveland Browns Unveil Plans for $2.4 Billion Domed Stadium in Brook Park: The Cleveland Browns announced plans for a $2.4 billion domed stadium in Brook Park, marking a potential relocation from their downtown home. The team is exploring both a new stadium and a $1.1 billion renovation of their current venue, weighing options for the future.
Everton Secures Landmark Partnership with Aramark for New Stadium: Everton FC has partnered with Aramark as the official culinary experiences partner for their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. The deal, one of the most significant in the club's history, aims to enhance fan experiences with advanced technology and tailored culinary offerings.
F1 on Track for Record Year as Additional Races Boost Q2 Revenue: Formula 1 reported a 20% year-on-year revenue increase for Q2 2024, driven by additional races and growth in media rights and sponsorship. With $871 million in revenue and a forecast for continued growth, F1 is on track for a record-breaking year.
SPORTS TECH 5
Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule: Guardian Caps, padded shells for helmets, are now permitted in the NFL for regular-season games. With a reported 50% reduction in concussions during preseason practices, the widespread adoption of Guardian Caps could significantly impact player safety.
Trail Blazers Lead Staff Through Ways Artificial Intelligence Can Build the Business: The Portland Trail Blazers have integrated AI into their business operations, conducting an AI boot camp for staff. The initiative, led by Christa Stout and David Long, focuses on enhancing efficiency and addressing workflow challenges using AI, with early successes like budget management tools and customer service improvements.
NCAA Launches NIL Matchmaking and Data Platform to Help Student-Athletes and Drive Transparency: The NCAA has introduced "NIL Assist," a platform developed by Teamworks to help student-athletes navigate the NIL landscape. The platform offers matchmaking services, educational content, and transparency tools, aiming to empower athletes in their NIL endeavors.
Mastercard Comes on as Presenting Sponsor for VR FedExCup Playoffs: Mastercard has signed on as the presenting sponsor for the VR FedExCup Playoffs in Golf+, marking the first such sponsorship for the virtual reality golf game. The collaboration with the PGA Tour is expected to drive significant user engagement and brand integration.
Vivid Seats Sees 20% YoY Increase in Revenue but Net Income Loss of $1.2M for Q2 of FY24: Vivid Seats reported a 20% year-on-year increase in revenue for Q2 2024, reaching $198.3 million. However, the company also posted a net income loss of $1.2 million, highlighting challenges such as event cancellations and the competitive landscape in the secondary ticket marketplace.
GOOD SPORTS 5
Olympic Sponsor Coca-Cola Making Concerted Effort to Address Athlete Plastic Pollution Concerns: Coca-Cola, a long-standing Olympic sponsor, is addressing concerns raised by athletes about plastic pollution. The company has implemented measures at the Paris Olympics to reduce waste, including providing refillable options and recyclable packaging, as part of broader sustainability efforts.
Canadiens: Alex Newhook Golf Classic Raises $113,000 for Charity: The Alex Newhook & Friends Golf Classic raised $113,000 for charities, including The Real Program, Cancer Care Foundation, and Iris Kirby House. The event, held at Bally Haly Country Club, brought together professional athletes and local sponsors to support these important causes.
7-Year-Old Makes Hole-in-One on First-Ever Round: Walter Hall, a seven-year-old golfer, made a hole-in-one during his first round of golf at Ross-on-Wye Golf Club. His achievement, celebrated with a pizza party, serves as an inspiring reminder that golf can be enjoyed by all ages and that extraordinary moments can happen at any time.
High School Students Gain Industry Insights at First Sports Media and Business Academy: Seton Hall University’s Center for Sports Media hosted its inaugural Sports Media and Business Academy, providing high school students with a deep dive into the sports industry. The program featured sessions with industry experts and hands-on experiences, preparing students for future careers in sports media and business.
Olympians Carl Lewis, Michael Phelps Honored at Gala for Philanthropy Contributions: Olympians Carl Lewis and Michael Phelps were honored at the Sports for Peace gala in Paris for their contributions to sport and philanthropy. The event, which included an auction to support Lewis' foundation, highlighted the impact of sports figures in promoting peace and supporting charitable causes.