

Bloomberg Business of Sports
Bloomberg
Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo 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 games.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2018 • 14min
NFL Middle Finger; NBA Tell J.R. Smith to Cover Tattoo
Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including whether the first trial in the NCAA corruption case will be a litmus test for others. Also discussed is the National Basketball Association's banning of a J.R. Smith corporate logo tattoo, Earl Thomas being carted off the field -- and flashing the middle finger -- and a pair of baseball tiebreakers on the same day. Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr Producer: Madena ParwanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 27, 2018 • 34min
$200 Million Valuations? How Esports Teams Make Money
G2 Esports Owner and Chief Executive Carlos Rodriguez discusses a number of topics related to the burgeoning business of professional video game competitions, including team valuations that are eclipsing $200 million. He breaks down how esports franchises make money -- hint: it’s a bit different from traditional sports leagues -- and what he thinks the industry can learn from the NFL and NBA. Rodriguez was a successful professional gamer before making the move into ownership, catching the industry right as it began its rapid expansion. G2 is one of biggest global esports brands, with teams competing in 11 different game titles, including League of Legends, Fortnite, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr Producer: Madena ParwanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 26, 2018 • 18min
Lacrosse Gives Fans, Sponsors a Choice; Nike Reports
Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the news that lacrosse star Paul Rabil, with backing from -- among others -- The Raine Group, is starting his own outdoor lacrosse league. Players in the six-club Premier Lacrosse League will be full-time employees, get health insurance and equity. The PLL already has agreements with many players from Team USA and Canada. Also discussed are Nike's earnings, which impressed Wall Street but had little room for upside with the stock trading near record levels. Also talked about is the Army-Oklahoma football game, which went to overtime and was only available via pay-per-view. Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr Producer: Madena ParwanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 24, 2018 • 17min
Tiger Woods Returns to Golf's Winner's Circle
Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including Tiger Woods's win at the Tour Championship and what it means for the player and sport of golf. NBC's final round coverage of the tournament posted a 5.21 overnight rating, up 206% from last year. It's also the highest-rated PGA Tour telecast of 2018, excluding majors. Also discussed are the implications for Woods's upcoming head-to-head matchup against Phil Mickelson. The hosts also talk about whether Lionel Messi and Barcelona will actually play a regular-season game in Miami, and Detroit's win over New England and whether there are any longer-term implications for the league and Patriots. Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr Producer: Madena ParwanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 20, 2018 • 40min
Brooklyn to London as NBA's Nets Seek Global Audience
BSE Global Chief Executive Officer Brett Yormark discusses a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the worldwide opportunities being driven by Brooklyn as a brand. He also discusses the company's desire to expand internationally, including London. Yormark talks about the Brooklyn Nets, and the company's real estate holdings, which include venues like the Barclays Center, Nassau Coliseum and Webster Hall. He also touches on the NBA's growth and the future of media. Yormark oversees the business enterprise that manages and controls the Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, New York Islanders business operations, Nassau Coliseum and other entities. He oversaw all aspects of the Nets move to Brooklyn from New Jersey in 2012. Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr Producer: Madena ParwanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 19, 2018 • 18min
NFL Faces Hall-of-Fame Boycott; Lacrosse Pay Raises
Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including a proposed boycott by NFL hall-of-famers unless the league provides them insurance and salaries. Many high-profile HOF players (Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Jim Brown, for example) say they would not attend the annual induction ceremony until they receive a share of league revenue. Also discussed is University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank's testimony that the school could drop its athletic program if it has to start paying student athletes. In addition, the trio talks about a unanimous decision by Major League Lacrosse owners to increase the salary cap by 51 percent, which will lead to higher salaries. Host: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr Producer: Madena ParwanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 17, 2018 • 17min
Halftime Retirement; Fitzmagic and a Suddenly Fun NFL
Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the second week of the National Football League season. Among the items bantered about are the mid-game retirement of Vontae Davis, Ryan Fitzpatrick (or is that Conor McGregor) and ratings that are, once again, higher than last season's corresponding week. Also discussed are the Canelo-GGG fight, which may lead to a third installment of the series, and Formula 1's focus on technology-related sponsorship. Host: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr Producer: Madena ParwanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 13, 2018 • 29min
Patriots' Kraft Gave This Advice to DraftKings CEO
DraftKings Chief Executive Officer Jason Robins discusses a number of topics related to the business of sports, including what has happened at his company in the months since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed for legalized sports betting. Robins also talks about audience measurement and engagement, and the popularity of daily fantasy in the wake of sports betting. Robins also discusses his company's advertising plan, whether DraftKings may soon become a public company and whether his NFL owner investors (Jerry Jones and Bob Kraft) may have to sell their stakes. He also notes the advice he got from Patriots executive Jonathan Kraft. Robins co-founded the company in 2012 and oversees its strategy and operations. DraftKings became the first daily fantasy sports company to sign a league partnership, with Major League Baseball in 2013. Now it also has deals with the NHL and Nascar. Host: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr Producer: Madena ParwanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 12, 2018 • 14min
Hurricane Wreaks Havoc; $15 Billion for Youth Sports
Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the financial implications of Hurricane Florence on college football. A number of schools have canceled or rescheduled their games as the Category 4 storm heads for the East Coast. Also discussed is a video made by Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, and the mushrooming business of youth sports. Host: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr Producer: Madena ParwanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 10, 2018 • 17min
Serena Williams Drops a Match But Again Raises a Cause
Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a number of topics related to the business of sports, including the television ratings from the first week of the National Football League's regular season. Also discussed are the business implications of the ongoing risk of head trauma from playing contact sports. The trio also discusses the U.S. Tennis Open's women's championship match, which was marred by an altercation between Serena Williams and the umpire. The match was eventually won by Naomi Osaka, whose signature win buoys a host of off-court endorsement opportunities for the first tennis player from Japan to win a Grand Slam singles tournament. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


