Bloomberg Business of Sports

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr are joined by longtime Boston radio personality Mike Lynch to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including this weekend's conference call between President Donald Trump and the commissioners of the country's largest sports leagues. According to the White House and reporting from ESPN, Trump told them he wanted to have fans back in stadiums and arenas around August, and suggested that the NFL season should start on time in September. He also raised the idea of the leagues working together to lobby for entertainment tax incentives that were lost in 2017-18 tax reform. Also talked about is the UFC's plan to host its April 18 event at a secret location yet to be announced, and the NBA 2K Players Tournament, airing on ESPN, in which NBA stars compete against each other in video games.Hosts: Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Tim HerroSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Complexity Gaming co-founder and CEO Jason Lake joins Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including how esports is able to continue holding matches while the rest of the global sports calendar has ground to a halt. Part-owned by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Complexity Gaming is based out of the Cowboys' massive real estate development in Frisco, Texas. Lake talks about how the professional gaming industry might draw new fans as a result of the pandemic. He also discusses providing support for athletes who are competing from their homes, how sports broadcasters can best fill the void in their schedules, and how economics is changing the way people in esports think about the length of a pro career.Hosts: Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Tim HerroSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the NFL's announcement of broadcast partners for its two additional playoff games this season. One of the games, a Sunday afternoon game awarded to CBS, will also be broadcast live on ViacomCBS-owned Nickelodeon in a youth-centric telecast. Also talked about is sports-streaming startup DAZN's decision to stop paying sports league for games that have been postponed due to coronavirus, believed to be a first in the broadcast world. And also discussed is the PGA Tour giving cash advances to golfers, which will be deducted from their payouts at the end of the year.Hosts: Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Tim HerroSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the possibility that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson might play a mic’d up round of golf amid a total shutdown of sports programming. A fan on Twitter asked Mickelson about the possibility of playing a mic’d up round with Tiger Woods to give sports fans something to watch amid the Coronavirus shutdown. Mickelson responded with, “working on it.” The two did something similar in 2018, playing a round on pay-per-view with a $9 million purse on the line. Also talked about is New York Knicks and Rangers owner Jim Dolan’s decision to pay arena workers during the shutdown, joining the likes of Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola. Dolan has tested positive for the virus, MSG said, noting that he has developed few symptoms and is in self-isolation. And also discussed is how the NFL, NBA and Big 3 are going about returning to play.Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Tim HerroTo contact the reporters on this story:Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net;Eben Novy-Williams in New York at enovywilliam@bloomberg.net;Michael Barr in New York at mbarr18@bloomberg.netTo contact the editor responsible for this story:Scott Soshnick at ssoshnick@bloomberg.netSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the dearth of programming available to sports networks like ESPN amid the virus-related shutdown of professional leagues like the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and Major League Baseball, which would normally be celebrating opening day. The hosts also offer ESPN some unsolicited advice on what kinds of programming would be attractive to much its audience stuck at home. Also discussed is how some pro sports teams owners, many of them billionaires, are handling the shutdown in terms of their workforces. Most recently, Delaware North, which is controlled by Boston Bruins billionaire owner Jeremy Jacobs, said it was putting 68 full-time salaried associates on temporary leave with one week of paid leave and eight weeks of benefits. Other employees would be required to take an indefinite salary reduction.Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Tim HerroTo contact the reporters on this story:Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net;Eben Novy-Williams in New York at enovywilliam@bloomberg.net;Michael Barr in New York at mbarr18@bloomberg.netTo contact the editor responsible for this story:Scott Soshnick at ssoshnick@bloomberg.netSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the different ways sports teams and arenas are treating their salaried employees and hourly workers. Some teams are fully compensating them for games not held, while others are having layoffs and cutting pay. Josh Harris, the billionaire co-owner of the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers recently reversed course on a plan to cut the pay of salaried team employees, saying it was the "wrong decision." Also talked about is Steve Ballmer's $400 million agreement to buy the Forum in Los Angeles, a deal that clears a major legal hurdle for a new arena for his Clippers, and the much anticipated decision to postpone the Olympics to some point in 2021.Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Tim HerroSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the National Football League’s decision to push forward with negotiations aimed at completing new media rights deals amid the coronavirus outbreak. The NFL will soon embark on talks with the incumbents, who pay handsomely for the most popular programming on television. The NFL’s existing contract with ESPN ends after the 2021 season. The Walt Disney Co. unit pays about $1.9 billion annually for “Monday Night Football.” The league’s broadcast deals with the other networks -- CBS, NBC and fox -- wind down after the 2022 campaign. Disney, Comcast and ViacomCBS have lost about $46 billion in market cap since the NBA suspended games because of the pandemic. Also talked about is the increasing likelihood that the Tokyo Olympics will be postponed, and Nascar’s broadcast of its eNascar iRacing Pro Invitational Series race on FS1 over the weekend. The race was held on iRacing’s simulation platform, giving sports fans something to watch during the virus shutdown of games.Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Bob BraggSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Syracuse University sports management professor Rick Burton joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what sports management means during a prolonged absence of sporting events. Burton, a former commissioner of the Australian Basketball League and an ex-chief commercial officer of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, discusses a wide-range of topics, including whether the Olympics will be canceled and how much influence the athletes, and NBC, which shows the games in the U.S., have over the decison-making process. Burton also talks about the media business with no games being played, including how ESPN is reacting to live games disappearing from its air, and what sorts of creative things teams themselves can do to keep a link to their fans during the shutdown. Burton also talks about esports and sports betting, and how each industry is affected. He also discusses what it’s like to teach a college course on sports management when there’s no one on campus and no games games being played.Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Colin TiptonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady reportedly nearing a deal to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady is a rare athlete whose free agency can alter the business landscape of a whole league, and his move to Tampa should swing merchandise sales, ticket sales, betting lines and TV ratings. Also discussed is the NBA increasing its credit line to $1.2 billion amid uncertainty over how long the coronavirus pandemic might disrupt business. Also talked about is the growing drumbeat to cancel or postpone the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which organizers say will go on as planned.Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Tim HerroSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the NFL's new long-term labor accord. Despite vocal opposition from some big-name stars, NFL players voted narrowly to accept the new CBA, insuring a decade of labor peace that will let the league turn its attention to negotiating billions in new TV deals. Also talked about is the myriad ways the coronavirus pandemic is upending U.S. sports, beyond just the cancellation of games. They include stadium construction, media networks, ticket companies, gambling houses, hourly arena workers, college administrators, and plenty more.Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael BarrProducer: Tim HerroSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.