15/5/5 For the week of September 9th
15 TO WATCH
Chiefs-Ravens Kickoff Game Breaks Viewership Records: The Kansas City Chiefs’ thrilling victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL season opener drew a record-breaking 28.9 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, peaking at 33 million during the second quarter. The presence of pop star Taylor Swift, who attended to support Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, boosted viewership. This game marks the second-most live-streamed NBC NFL game, underscoring the league's growing global appeal.
Jannik Sinner Claims U.S. Open Title and $3.6 Million Prize: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated Taylor Fritz to win the U.S. Open, claiming $3.6 million in prize money, pushing his 2024 earnings to $10.6 million. Despite controversy surrounding a prior positive drug test, Sinner's victory continues to signal the changing of the guard in men’s tennis, as younger stars like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz rise in the sport.
Dak Prescott Signs Record $60 Million-Per-Year Contract: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott signed a historic four-year, $240 million extension, making him the NFL’s highest-paid player at $60 million annually. The contract includes $231 million guaranteed, setting the Cowboys up for a continued pursuit of Super Bowl glory. Prescott's off-field endorsement deals, second only to Patrick Mahomes, further enhance his financial stature.
Northern Illinois Upsets Notre Dame, Secures $1.4 Million Payday: Northern Illinois delivered a stunning 16-14 victory over No. 5 Notre Dame, marking its first-ever win against a top-10 opponent. As part of the agreement, NIU will receive a $1.4 million payout for the game. The upset joins a list of major college football surprises and demonstrates the unpredictability and excitement of the sport.
NFL Debuts in Brazil with Eagles-Packers Showdown: The Philadelphia Eagles' 34-29 win over the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil, marked the NFL’s first game in the country. Over 45,000 fans attended the event, which had a playoff-like atmosphere. The game is part of the NFL's strategy to grow its global presence, with Brazil seen as a key market.
Caitlin Clark Breaks NBA TV Viewership Records for WNBA: Caitlin Clark set another viewership record for a WNBA game on NBA TV, with 652,000 viewers tuning in to see the Indiana Fever play the Dallas Wings. The broadcast surpassed previous NBA TV viewership records, showcasing Clark’s star power and growing the WNBA’s media presence.
NCAA NIL Collective Settlement Faces Judicial Pushback: A judge raised concerns over the NCAA's proposed settlement in the House v. NCAA case regarding NIL collectives. The current settlement would reduce NIL funding for athletes, but plaintiffs' attorneys argue it might limit future opportunities. The NCAA has three weeks to address these issues or potentially face trial, with stakes reaching as high as $20 billion in damages.
Northwestern’s Temporary Stadium Generates Unexpected Profits: Northwestern University’s temporary 12,000-seat football stadium has proven surprisingly profitable, out-earning its former 47,000-seat stadium due to premium seating and expanded tailgating experiences. With alcohol sales and high-end ticket packages driving profits, the stadium serves as a model for how temporary venues can generate significant revenue during renovations.
Chicago Bears Stadium Delays Risking Loss of Major Events: Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren urged the city to resolve issues regarding the team’s $4.7 billion stadium proposal. Warren stressed that Chicago is missing out on major events like the Super Bowl and the College Football Playoff without a domed stadium. The team is still negotiating with local governments and considering suburban Arlington Heights as a potential location.
Formula 1 Renews and Expands Partnership with Lenovo: Formula 1 has renewed its multi-year global partnership with Lenovo, expanding to include Lenovo’s Motorola brand as the official smartphone provider for the series. The deal will continue to provide F1 with cutting-edge technology solutions, contributing to the sport’s sustainability goals and enhancing broadcast efficiency.
ESPN Extends U.S. Open Deal, Adds Streaming and New Features: ESPN has extended its broadcasting rights for the U.S. Open through 2037 in a $2 billion deal. The new agreement includes enhanced streaming coverage via ESPN+, new fan engagement programs, and the debut of a "Red Zone"-style whip-around show for tennis. This long-term commitment solidifies ESPN’s dominance in covering major tennis events.
Mavericks Sign Broadcast Deal with TEGNA, Drop RSN Model: The Dallas Mavericks have signed a multi-season broadcast deal with TEGNA, shifting away from the traditional regional sports network model. The agreement will allow Mavericks games to be broadcast to 10 million viewers across Texas, with additional streaming options expected to follow. This move aligns with a growing trend among NBA teams to broaden their broadcast reach.
NYCFC Enlists Klutch Sports to Secure New Stadium Partnerships: New York City FC has partnered with Klutch Sports to secure founding partnerships for its upcoming $780 million soccer-specific stadium. Slated to open in 2027, the stadium represents a major step forward for MLS and New York soccer. Klutch will leverage its global partnerships team to attract top-tier sponsors for the state-of-the-art venue.
Travis Hunter Signs NIL Deal with United Airlines: Colorado’s dual-threat athlete Travis Hunter has signed a NIL deal with United Airlines to promote new flight routes between college towns. Hunter, a projected top NFL pick, will appear in social media campaigns throughout the season, following in the footsteps of last year’s United NIL partner, Caleb Williams.
Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing in Dispute with NASCAR: Michael Jordan's NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, is at odds with the sport’s governing body over a new charter agreement. The team, co-owned by Jordan and Denny Hamlin, declined to sign the extension by the deadline, raising concerns about the future structure of NASCAR's revenue-sharing and team ownership models.
SPORTS TECH 5
ESPN Introduces AI-Generated Game Recaps for NWSL and PLL: ESPN will begin using generative AI to create game recaps for the National Women’s Soccer League and Premier Lacrosse League. This technology aims to enhance coverage for underserved sports, allowing ESPN to focus more on in-depth analysis and breaking news.
Home Run Dugout Raises $22.5 Million in Series A Funding: Baseball-themed entertainment company Home Run Dugout raised $22.5 million in its Series A round, led by Lagniappe Capital Partners. The company, which operates similar to TopGolf, plans to expand to new locations in Texas and Arizona, capitalizing on the growing popularity of sportainment.
PGA of America Launches State-of-the-Art Multimedia Studio: The PGA of America unveiled a new multimedia studio at its PGA Frisco campus, designed to produce content for national and regional sports organizations. The facility will allow the PGA to create high-quality content for digital platforms, furthering its efforts to engage golf fans.
Saudi Pro League Partners with TikTok for Global Expansion: The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has partnered with TikTok to boost its digital presence and reach a global audience. The collaboration will feature exclusive content on TikTok’s platform, further positioning the SPL as a rising force in global soccer.
Drone Racing League Signs Google Cloud Deal: The Drone Racing League’s parent company, Infinite Reality, has signed a five-year deal with Google Cloud to enhance its AI-powered 3D experiences. The partnership will drive technological advancements in sports and entertainment, including virtual worlds and immersive fan experiences.
GOOD SPORTS 5
Florida Atlantic Hosts Military Homecoming at Football Game: During FAU’s Military Appreciation Day, U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Jacob Drevecky surprised his family by returning home from deployment in South Korea. The emotional reunion took place on the field during halftime, making it a special moment for the Drevecky family and fans alike.
South Africa Prepares for Professional Women's Rugby League Launch: The South African Rugby Union is launching a professional women’s rugby league by 2025, centrally contracting up to 150 players across four or five teams. This move will elevate women’s rugby in the region, making it one of the few countries with a professional domestic league.
Tennis Stars Speak Out Against Cyberbullying: French tennis player Caroline Garcia, along with other stars like Coco Gauff, has raised awareness of the cyberbullying athletes face from bettors. Grand Slam tournaments and tennis organizations are working with AI companies to filter abusive content on social media, aiming to protect players from harassment.
Roger Federer’s Foundation CEO Steps Down After $100 Million Milestone: Janine Handel, CEO of the Roger Federer Foundation, is stepping down after 20 years of leadership. Under her guidance, the foundation has raised over $100 million to support early childhood education in Southern Africa and Switzerland. Federer praised her contributions as she passes the baton to Maya Ziswiler.
TikTok Star Hunter Woodhall Wins Paralympic Gold: Paralympian and social media star Hunter Woodhall won gold in the 400-meter T62 race at the Paralympics, solidifying his place as a fan favorite. With millions of followers across TikTok and Instagram, Woodhall is helping to elevate the profile of Paralympic sports through his engaging content and athletic achievements.