
Bloomberg Business of Sports
Michael Barr, Scarlet Fu and Damian Sassower follow the money in the world of sports, taking listeners inside decisions that power the multibillion dollar industry. From media and technology to finance and real estate, leagues and teams across the globe have matured into far more than just back-page entertainment. The show explains the money behind the final score.
Latest episodes

Mar 28, 2025 • 38min
MLB Network's Harold Reynolds Previews 2025 MLB Season
Join hosts Michael Barr, Scarlet Fu, Damian Sassower and guest host Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. Former MLB All Star and MLB Network lead studio analyst Harold Reynolds joins to help celebrate the return of big league baseball. He shares his thoughts on some of the top storylines heading into the year. Then, we dive into the latest research from Bloomberg Intelligence with Bloomberg Intelligence technology and media analysts Geetha Ranganathan and Kevin Near on the value of NCAA Tournament programming and StubHub’s recently announced IPO plans. Plus, ImpactX Sports Group chairman and CEO Xavier Gutierrez details some of the biggest projects at his private investment and strategic advisory firm and where he sees the biggest moves in sports-related investing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 21, 2025 • 38min
Boston Celtics Now Most Valuable Team, Betting on March Madness
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and guest host Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. Bloomberg News global business of sports reporter Randall Williams details the sale of the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics to a consortium led by Bill Chisholm, co-founder of California-based private equity firm STG Partners. The $6.1 billion purchase is not only the biggest NBA deal ever, but also the largest ever sports takeover. Then, Bloomberg News global business of sports reporter Ira Boudway discusses his story on the flawed plan to gain control of college athletes’ pay. The NCAA is expected to approve a settlement that would pay $2.8 billion in damages to former athletes and establish a framework for schools to compensate current players, and establish a clearinghouse for player sponsorship deals. However, the implementation of the clearinghouse faces potential issues including athletes not disclosing their deals, boosters and collectives trying to funnel NIL money through non-associated entities, and legal challenges to the clearinghouse's authority. Plus, as March Madness gets into full swing, BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt examines the growing sports betting landscape in the United States and the significant spike in business generated by the NCAA basketball tournament. The popular mobile betting platform is offering new ways to wager on both the men's and women's tournaments as it seeks to build on recent gains in a crowded market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 14, 2025 • 39min
Man Utd Plans New Venue; Amazon Closing Streaming Gap Using Live Sports
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and guest host Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. Manchester United is planning to build a new 100,000-seat stadium in an attempt to catch up with the modern facilities built by some of Europe's biggest clubs. The big question will be how to pay for it - it's expected to cost over $2 billion. Bloomberg News UK business reporter David Hellier joins to talk through his reporting on it. Bloomberg Intelligence technology and media analyst Geetha Ranganathan also joins to break down her research on how Amazon is closing the connected-TV advertising gap with the likes of Disney with the help of live sports. Then, Vince Tizzio, president and CEO of Axis Capital shares his insight into the multi-billion dollar insurance business that exists within the sports ecosystem. Plus, Bloomberg News Dallas Bureau chief Julie Fine sits down with Kansas City Chiefs co-owner and FC Dallas President Dan Hunt to discuss his big plans ahead of the FIFA World Cup hitting the US. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 7, 2025 • 39min
Dallas Mavericks Fans Suffer Through Lost Season; Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette McGlade
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and guest host Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. Dallas Mavericks fans are not happy after the team traded young superstar and fan favorite Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Compounding issues is a series of awful injuries, including to remaining star Kyrie Irving. Adding insult to those injuries, the team announced they are raising season ticket prices. Bloomberg News Dallas bureau chief Julie Fine joins to discuss the city's outpouring of anger and how it's serving as an early test for the family of casino billionaire Miriam Adelson, which bought control of the Mavericks from Mark Cuban in 2023. Bloomberg News reporter Jennah Haque joins to discuss her story, co-written with Vanesa Perdomo, on the WNBA and women's sports has grown - and how players are hoping the uptick in interest and revenue for leagues and teams can finally start to translate to bigger pay days for athletes. Plus, Atlantic 10 commissioner Bernadette McGlade joins to talk about the conference's success and the college sports landscape ahead of this year's NCAA tournament. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 28, 2025 • 39min
ESPN Drops MLB, Growth in Sports Betting
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo, for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. Bloomberg Media Streaming reporter Hannah Miller on Major League Baseball and ESPN ending their broadcast relationship after the 2025 season, three years early from a seven-year deal.Bloomberg’s Patrick Gillespie on Argentine soccer teams signing top players to million-dollar contracts, in part attributed to Argentina’s President Javier Milei's efforts to slash the government's budget deficit, which has brought stability to the peso and increased purchasing power for Argentines. Plus, Gambling.com Group CEO Charles Gillespie on the growth of sports gambling in the United States and his company is helping people gain access to various sports betting sites.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 21, 2025 • 49min
Planning for 2028 Olympics, Kickoff for San Diego FC
Join hosts this week, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo, for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics; also a former Olympic gold medalist, and former head of the London Olympic Games committee on his hopes of becoming the next president of the International Olympic Committee and the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games. San Diego FC CEO Tom Penn on becoming the MLS’s latest expansion team as well as the process of putting together a major sports franchise, the record valuations being seen across the league and the growth of soccer in North America. Plus, tennis icon Billie Jean King on empowering girls worldwide to join sports and New Orleans Saints legendary quarterback Drew Brees on investing in pickleball.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 14, 2025 • 39min
NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off; Super Bowl "Trades" Rocks Sports Betting Industry
Join hosts Michael Barr, Scarlet Fu and Damian Sassower for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. With the Super Bowl behind us, Bloomberg global business of sports reporter Ira Boudway joins to break down the game's record viewership, and how Crypto.com, Kalshi and other non-sports betting companies created loopholes to get in on gaming action for the Big Game. Then, NASCAR President Steve Phelps previews this Sunday's Daytona 500 and examines the auto racing industry. Plus, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly discusses the state of the league and how it's making a big international push with its "4 Nations Face-Off".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 9, 2025 • 44min
Bloomberg Special: The Business of the Super Bowl
Bloomberg's Scarlet Fu and Jason Kelly break down the Business of the Super Bowl. They speak with: Mark Donovan, Kansas City Chiefs President Lloyd Howell Jr, Executive Director of the NFL Players Association Patriots Chairman and CEO Bob Kraft Anjali Sud, Tubi TV CEO Amy Howe, FanDuel President and CEO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 8, 2025 • 39min
Bloomberg Business of Sports: Super Bowl Special
Dive into the excitement surrounding the Super Bowl LIX with insights from former NFL executive Amy Trask, as she analyzes the Chiefs and Eagles rematch. Discover the implications of private equity investments in NFL teams, especially Gouw's involvement with the Buffalo Bills. The podcast features vibrant conversations from Radio Row, including chats with NFL legends like Joe Montana and Myles Garrett. Explore the evolving landscape of sports business, from diversity in teams to the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness on football trends.

Jan 31, 2025 • 39min
AI in Sports, Dallas Open 2025
Join hosts Michael Barr and Damian Sassower for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. Bloomberg Business of Sports reporter Randall Williams on expected viewership for Super Bowl LIX plus halftime performer Kendrick Lamar’s beef with Drake.Louise Johnson, CEO of sports and entertainment marketing agency Fuse discusses her recent panel at CES 2025 that focused on the growth of AI technology in sports and entertainment, and how her firm caters to increasing demand for "personalization" among sports content consumers. Plus, Dallas Cowboys' executive vice president Charlotte Jones and former pro-tennis star John Isner chat about getting into the tennis business with the Ford Center hosting the Dallas Open.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.