15/5/5 For the week of July 28th

15 TO WATCH

1. WBD Takes NBA to Court Over Media-Rights Dispute with Amazon: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has taken legal action against the NBA, contesting the league’s rejection of its media-rights matching offer and subsequent deal with Amazon. Filed in New York’s Supreme Court, WBD alleges the NBA breached their contract on three fronts, seeking injunctions to prevent the league from granting rights to Amazon. The lawsuit comes as WBD faces investor backlash and aims to retain its NBA ties amid a significant media-rights dispute.

2. Love and Tagovailoa Surpass NFL Legends’ Pay as QB Market Inflates: Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa have signed record-breaking contract extensions, with Love’s four-year, $220 million deal and Tagovailoa’s four-year, $212 million deal setting new benchmarks in the NFL. These contracts highlight the rapid inflation of quarterback salaries, driven by increasing salary caps and market dynamics. Both quarterbacks are now among the top earners in the league, showcasing the evolving financial landscape of the NFL.

3. Highest-Paid Paris Olympic Athletes: Top 20 Earn $1.35B: The top 20 highest-paid athletes participating in the Paris Olympics have collectively earned $1.35 billion in the past year. Spain’s Jon Rahm leads the list with $210 million, followed by NBA stars LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kevin Durant. The athletes’ earnings include salaries, bonuses, prize money, and endorsements, reflecting the commercial appeal of professional sports in the Olympics.

4. Historic College Athletics Settlement: A New Era of Fairness and Revenue Sharing: A landmark settlement in the House, Hubbard, and Carter antitrust cases promises to reshape college athletics, pending approval. The proposed settlement includes $2.8 billion in back pay for athletes, a revenue-sharing formula, and the elimination of scholarship limits. The revenue-sharing formula allows schools to share up to 22% of their average media, ticket, and sponsorship revenues directly with athletes, projected to rise significantly.

5. Paris Sees Best Summer Opening Ceremony TV Ratings Since 2012: The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics drew 28.6 million viewers, the highest for a Summer Olympics since 2012. The ceremony’s combined live and primetime coverage on NBC and Peacock surpassed viewership for the Tokyo and Rio Games. This surge in ratings reflects growing interest and engagement with the Paris Olympics.

6. Real Madrid Breaks €1 Billion Revenue Mark, Setting New Record in Soccer: Real Madrid has become the first soccer club to surpass €1 billion in annual revenue, reporting €1.073 billion for the 2023/24 season. The club’s financial success was driven by their 15th UEFA Champions League win and increased stadium-related income. Despite growth in all business areas, broadcast rights revenue saw a decline compared to the previous season.

7. AC Milan CEO: U.S. Investment Is ‘Professionalizing’ Euro Soccer: AC Milan’s CEO Giorgio Furlani highlights the impact of U.S. investment on European soccer’s professionalization. The club’s U.S. tour, featuring matches against Manchester City and Real Madrid, underscores the importance of the American market. U.S. private investment is driving operational improvements and brand growth for European clubs, exemplified by Milan’s recent profitability.

8. Canelo Alvarez Headlines Mexican Independence Day Weekend with High-Stakes Bout: Canelo Alvarez will defend his titles against Edgar Berlanga on September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout, coinciding with Mexican Independence Day weekend, competes directly with UFC 306 at The Sphere. Both events are expected to draw significant audiences, maintaining the tradition of high-profile boxing matches on this holiday.

9. NBC Says 32 Million Watched Olympics Saturday: NBC’s coverage of the Paris Olympics’ first day of competition drew 32.4 million viewers, an 83% increase from the Tokyo Games. The viewership included live afternoon coverage and primetime presentations across NBCUniversal platforms. The high ratings indicate strong audience interest in the Paris Olympics.

10. Paris Providing Olympians with Vast Athletes Village with Wide-Ranging Amenities: The Paris Olympic Village spans both sides of the River Seine, offering state-of-the-art facilities including gyms, training centers, and a polyclinic. The complex aims to enhance the athlete experience, addressing past issues seen in Rio and Tokyo. The village’s design promotes community and well-being, aligning with the Games’ sustainability goals.

11. Toyota Promoting 'Mobility for All' at Paris Games: Toyota is showcasing its vision of “Mobility for All” at the Paris Olympics, with a fleet of 2,650 electrified vehicles and 700 last-mile mobility products. The company aims to demonstrate its broader mobility solutions beyond traditional vehicles. This initiative aligns with Toyota’s commitment as a TOP sponsor and its focus on inclusive mobility.

12. WNBA Media Deal Has Price Reevaluation After 2028: The WNBA’s new media rights deal, worth $2.2 billion over 11 seasons, includes a price reevaluation after 2028. This reassessment reflects the league’s rising popularity and potential for further growth. The deal with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon sets a floor value of $200 million per year, with future increases based on ratings and expansion.

13. 14-Year-Old Mak Whitham Debuts for NWSL Team, Tops Cavan Sullivan Record: McKenna "Mak" Whitham debuted for NJ/NY Gotham FC at 14 years and one day, making her the youngest player in a major North American pro sports league. Whitham’s early signing with Nike and her participation in Gotham’s preseason highlights her exceptional talent and potential. Her debut surpasses the previous record set by Cavan Sullivan, emphasizing the growing prominence of young athletes in professional sports.

14. Golden State Valkyries Set Record with 15,000 Season Ticket Deposits Ahead of Debut: The Golden State Valkyries, a new WNBA expansion team, have set a record with over 15,000 season ticket deposits. This unprecedented demand reflects the growing enthusiasm for women’s basketball. The team’s debut in 2025 at the Chase Center marks a significant milestone for the WNBA’s expansion and popularity.

15. Chicago Sky Joins WNBA Trend with New $38 Million Practice Facility: The Chicago Sky announced plans for a $38 million practice facility in Bedford Park, set to open in December 2025. The new facility aims to enhance player development and brand building, featuring state-of-the-art amenities. This investment aligns with the WNBA’s broader trend of improving training spaces to attract top talent and support the league’s growth.

SPORTS TECH 5

1. Big Changes Coming in NFL Stadium Credentials: The NFL is launching a new credentialing system using facial authentication software for high-security zones in all 32 stadiums. This system, starting in the first week of preseason, aims to improve security and accountability. The initiative addresses vulnerabilities in the current credentialing process and enhances access control across the league.

2. Reddit Strikes NFL, NBA, and MLB Content Partnerships: Reddit has partnered with the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA Tour, and Nascar to provide exclusive content on its platform. These partnerships offer video highlights, player AMA sessions, and behind-the-scenes footage, enhancing user engagement. The initiative follows a successful test with the NFL, boosting brand favorability and user growth on Reddit.

3. Big Ten Joins ACC and SEC to Use Apple iPads on College Football Sidelines: The Big Ten Conference has partnered with Apple to use iPads on the sidelines of its football games, joining the ACC and SEC. This technology will provide in-game video review capabilities, enhancing coaching and player performance. The partnership reflects the increasing integration of digital tools in college sports.

4. Google Reverses Decision to Phase Out Third-Party Cookies: Google has reversed its plan to phase out third-party cookies from its Chrome web browser, opting for an opt-in tracking system instead. This decision impacts the sports industry by maintaining a crucial advertising technology. Google will continue to develop alternative technologies like Privacy Sandbox to balance user privacy and data collection needs.

5. Olympic Beach Volleyball Sand Is Money at Eiffel Tower Venue: The beach volleyball venue at the Paris Olympics features 2,000 tons of sand from Sibelco’s Montgru-Saint-Hilaire quarry, costing approximately $134,000. This high-quality sand enhances the playing experience and aligns with the Games’ sustainability commitments. The sand will be repurposed for beach volleyball courts in Paris after the Olympics.

GOOD SPORTS 5

1. Michele Kang Invests $50 Million to Boost Women’s Sports: Y. Michele Kang, owner of multiple women’s soccer teams, has launched Kynisca Sports International Ltd to enhance female athletic performance. The nonprofit aims to raise $100 million, with Kang contributing $50 million in seed funding and matching funds. Kynisca Innovation Hub will focus on female sports science research, aiming to unlock the potential of female athletes.

2. Rays Fans Shower Pete Fairbanks's Charity with Donations After Emotional Save: Pete Fairbanks, a Rays pitcher, has been donating to the Turner Syndrome Foundation in memory of his daughter. Following an emotional save, fans increased their donations, supporting the charity significantly. Fairbanks’s efforts have raised awareness and funds, demonstrating the positive impact of sports figures on charitable causes.

3. Former Yankees Manager Joe Torre Hosts Charity Event at Sleepy Hollow Country Club: Joe Torre hosted a golf and tennis outing to raise money for the Safe at Home Foundation, which he founded to support children affected by domestic violence. The event included sports greats and aimed to provide safe spaces and trauma intervention for kids. Torre’s foundation has opened 20 safe spaces across the U.S., promoting safety and empowerment for children.

4. Merrill Partners with Sports Education Brand for Financial Awareness Program: Merrill has partnered with IMG Academy to provide financial education to student athletes and their families. The program will offer resources on savings, spending, credit, and investing, tailored to the unique financial landscape faced by athletes. This initiative aims to enhance financial literacy and prepare athletes for long-term financial stability.

5. Texas Tech NIL Collective to Pay Softball Pitcher NiJaree Canady Upwards of $1 Million: NiJaree Canady, a top softball pitcher, has committed to Texas Tech with an NIL deal worth nearly $1.2 million. This unprecedented deal reflects the growing influence of NIL in college sports. Canady’s transfer and the substantial NIL deal highlight the evolving landscape of athlete compensation and college sports recruitment.