15/5/5 For The Week of September 30th
15 TO WATCH
Alabama Triumphs in Classic Showdown Against Georgia: In a dramatic top-five clash, Alabama secured a 41-34 victory over Georgia, breaking the Bulldogs' 42-game regular-season winning streak. Despite a 28-0 lead by Alabama, Georgia clawed back to take a late lead, only for Alabama’s Ryan Williams to seal the win with a 75-yard TD. The game drew high-ticket prices, showcasing the continued significance of regular season matchups, even in the expanded College Football Playoff era.
UNLV Rallies Behind Hajj-Malik Williams for 4-0 Start after NIL Drama: UNLV dominated Fresno State 59-14, marking their first 4-0 start since 1976. Hajj-Malik Williams, stepping in after former QB Matthew Sluka left over NIL disputes, accounted for four touchdowns in a stellar performance. UNLV's defense shone with four interceptions and four sacks, solidifying their position in the Mountain West and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
U.S. Wins 10th Consecutive Presidents Cup: The United States continued its dominance in the Presidents Cup, defeating the International team 18.5-11.5 at Royal Montreal Golf Club. Keegan Bradley clinched the winning point for Team USA, leading a team that outscored the Internationals 13.5-6.5 in the final three sessions. The win marks the U.S.'s 10th straight victory in the tournament, with strong performances from Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa.
Oakland A’s Play Final Game in Emotional Farewell to Bay Area: The Oakland A’s played their final game at the Coliseum before moving to Sacramento, ending a 57-season era. The team won 3-2 against the Texas Rangers in front of 46,889 fans, the largest home crowd in over five years. The day was filled with nostalgia as A’s legends participated in ceremonies, though the focus was on the team's imminent departure to Las Vegas.
Pac-12 and Mountain West Target Expansion Amid Realignment: As the latest round of conference realignment continues, the Pac-12 and Mountain West are eyeing new members to fill out their rosters. The Pac-12 added five new schools, including Boise State and Colorado State, but both conferences must secure at least eight full-time members to retain their FBS status. Potential expansion targets include schools from Conference USA and the FCS level.
Mountain West Schools Sign Commitment to Stay Through 2032: Six Mountain West schools, including Air Force and UNLV, have signed binding agreements to remain in the conference until 2032, solidifying the league's future. This comes after the Pac-12's expansion efforts, which threatened to poach Mountain West schools. The remaining schools will receive tiered financial distributions, largely funded by Pac-12 exit fees.
Trump and Walz Attend College Football Games: Former President Donald Trump attended the Alabama-Georgia game, interacting with fans and handing out food in the stands. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic VP candidate, attended the Michigan-Minnesota game, meeting with Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck. Both appearances drew significant media attention during a weekend filled with high-profile college football action.
Pistons Owner Tom Gores Set to Buy Minority Stake in Chargers: Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores is on track to acquire a 27% stake in the Los Angeles Chargers, resolving a long-running ownership dispute among the Spanos family. The $5.1 billion deal will make Gores one of the largest minority shareholders in the NFL. The purchase does not include a path to majority ownership but grants Gores significant influence within the league.
Monday Night Football Doubleheaders Criticized for Overlap: ESPN’s new strategy of overlapping Monday Night Football doubleheaders has drawn mixed reactions from fans. While viewership reached over 19 million during the overlap, some games struggled to draw large individual audiences. ESPN is paying $2.7 billion annually for NFL rights, and this season features a record 21 MNF games, up from previous years.
FIFA Club World Cup Final Set for MetLife Stadium in 2025: The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will culminate at MetLife Stadium, with 32 teams from across the globe competing in the inaugural expanded tournament. Games will be played primarily on the East Coast to avoid clashing with the 2025 Gold Cup. The announcement signals FIFA's commitment to growing the tournament despite uncertainty around media rights and sponsorship deals.
Revised NIL Settlement Submitted in House v. NCAA Case: The revised NIL settlement in the House v. NCAA lawsuit has been submitted to a federal court in California. The new agreement focuses on third-party NIL deals, requiring athletes to receive "fair market value" for endorsements. The settlement could see athletes receiving $2.75 billion in damages over 10 years if approved, with Power Five conference athletes averaging $135,000 in payouts.
Premier League's Legal Costs Skyrocket Amid Financial Fights: The Premier League's legal expenses ballooned to $66 million last season, driven by financial disputes with clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea. The league faces mounting legal challenges over financial fair play rules, with Manchester City accused of over 100 breaches. These legal costs underscore the ongoing battle to regulate spending in the world’s most-watched soccer league.
Amazon Expands Sports Offerings with Monday Night Hockey: Amazon has announced a new deal to broadcast Monday Night Hockey in Canada, starting October 14, further expanding its sports portfolio. The streaming giant aims to replicate the success of its NFL Thursday Night Football coverage and has also partnered with the NHL for player and puck tracking technologies. Amazon's push into hockey reflects its growing influence in sports broadcasting.
UFC Agrees to $375 Million Antitrust Settlement: The UFC has reached a $375 million settlement with former fighters in a long-running antitrust lawsuit. The case, led by Cung Le, accused the UFC of restricting fighter pay and eliminating competition. While the settlement awaits court approval, it brings an end to nearly a decade of legal battles that have reshaped the landscape of MMA.
White Sox Set Record for Futility with 121st Loss of the Season: The Chicago White Sox lost their 121st game of the season, surpassing the 1962 Mets for the most losses in modern MLB history. The Sox, who were playoff contenders just three years ago, have endured back-to-back 100-loss seasons. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf remains committed to rebuilding the team, despite a disappointing year.
SPORTS TECH 5
Chiliz Launches Crypto Sports Sponsorship Agency: Chiliz, the parent company of fan token firm Socios, has launched a new division to broker sports sponsorships with blockchain brands. Chiliz has partnered with over 150 sports organizations, including NFL and European soccer teams, despite criticisms of declining fan token values. This new initiative seeks to position the Chiliz Chain as the leading blockchain in sports.
Big 12 Partners with TGI Sport for Enhanced LED Systems: The Big 12 Conference has partnered with TGI Sport to introduce advanced LED technology at AT&T Stadium and the T-Mobile Center. The partnership will boost fan engagement and corporate sponsorships during the Big 12 Football and Basketball Championships. This collaboration is expected to generate new revenue streams while enhancing the in-venue experience.
FluidLogic Raises $15 Million for Hydration Technology Expansion: Hydration tech company FluidLogic has raised $15 million in Series A funding, led by Solyco Capital. The company, which provides hydration systems for athletes, plans to expand into retail, targeting adventure sports like mountain biking. FluidLogic's growth comes on the heels of successful partnerships in motorsports, including NASCAR and IndyCar.
Genius Sports Brings NFL Data to Reddit: Genius Sports, the NFL's official data provider, is partnering with Reddit to deliver real-time NFL scores and stats to team-focused subreddits. This partnership allows fans to engage with live data in real-time, enhancing the fan experience on one of the internet's largest social platforms. Genius Sports continues to expand its reach through strategic sports data partnerships.
Awesome Golf Adds Real Courses to Simulator Platform: Awesome Golf, a leading golf simulator software company, has added two real-world courses—Wentworth’s West Course and Dubai’s Majlis course—to its platform. The update also includes new leaderboard features and competitions, catering to both casual players and serious golfers. Awesome Golf continues to innovate in the virtual golf space, providing an immersive experience for users.
GOOD SPORTS 5
Jaylen Brown Launches Independent Sneaker Brand: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has launched his own sneaker brand, Rover, after turning down $50 million from major shoe companies. Brown’s new performance brand, 741, gives him full creative control. This move aligns with the growing trend of athletes establishing their own brands to gain ownership over their image and products.
Surfer Humberto Gurmilan Turns Tragedy into Empowerment: After a tragic surfing accident left him paralyzed, Humberto Gurmilan founded the Gurmilan Foundation to support disabled students in Tijuana and South Bay. The foundation has provided 50 scholarships totaling $25,000, empowering students to achieve their goals despite physical challenges. Gurmilan’s journey back to the water after 18 years symbolizes his resilience and dedication to helping others.
Sports Card Auction Raises $6,400 for Childhood Cancer Research: Ryan Wise, a passionate sports card collector, raised $6,400 for childhood cancer research through a special auction event hosted on his Wise Community Clubhouse platform. Wise has pledged to donate 100% of his 2024 sales to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a foundation supporting cancer research, bringing his total contribution to $7,500. The event exemplifies how the sports card collecting community can come together for a noble cause, with athletes and collectors alike supporting charitable efforts.
Inaugural All-Female Athlos Track Meet Celebrates Women’s Sports: The first-ever Athlos NYC women-only track meet, organized by Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, was held at Icahn Stadium and received widespread praise from participants and fans alike. The event featured top athletes, a performance by Megan Thee Stallion, and a prize purse of $663,000, with sprinter Brittany Brown winning $85,000. Ohanian plans to make the Athlos track meet an annual event, blending sports and entertainment to elevate women's sports.
Calgary’s First Esports Arena Opens at Bow Valley College: Bow Valley College in Calgary has opened the city's first esports arena, featuring over $1 million in cutting-edge technology, including 40 gaming stations and motion-rigged simulators. Funded in part by a $5.5 million grant from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, the 3,500-square-foot facility aims to grow Calgary's esports and digital entertainment industries. The arena is expected to serve as a training ground for future professionals and foster entrepreneurial growth in the gaming sector.