

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

Jun 18, 2018 • 17min
Yankees Mull YES Network Buyback; Mickelson's Gaffe (Audio)
On this edition of the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast, Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discusses a host of issues, including the possibility that the New York Yankees will buy back the YES Network if Fox sells a slew of assets that include regional sports networks. Also discussed is Boris Becker's diplomatic status, Phil Mickelson's U.S. Open gaffe and the attendance dip at Major League Baseball games this season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 14, 2018 • 32min
Goooooooooooooooooool! World Cup es Mejor in Spanish
Telemundo Deportes President Ray Warren discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his network's plan to monetize the Spanish language broadcast rights to soccer's World Cup. Warren also discusses why, in his opinion, watching the event is better in Spanish. Warren also talks about companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook and Twitter bidding for live sports rights, and what the AT&T purchase of Time Warner means for the industry. In his role Warren oversees NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises' growing sports business and leads its strategy across all platforms and networks. He joined Telemundo from NBC Sports, where he was executive vice president and chief revenue officer of NBC Sports regional properties. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 11, 2018 • 11min
Ohtani's Injury, Federer's Millions and LeBron's Hand (Correct)
On this edition of the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast, Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues, including what might be a season-ending injury for the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani and why Uniqlo are preparing a big-money offer to entice Roger Federer from Nike. Also discussed are whether Justify got a little extra help in the Belmont Stakes and whether in a world of legalized sports betting athletes like LeBron James will be allowed to keep an injury private. They also weigh in on the San Francisco 49ers partnership with Mark Mastrov, whereby the team will have a branded gym called 49ers Fit.Correction: Removed incorrect reference to Novak Djokovic being sponsored by Uniqulo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 7, 2018 • 35min
What a Bed in Tibet Told One Owner about Sports Future
Mandalay Entertainment Chairman Peter Guber, who is part owner of the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Football Club, discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including what it takes -- and what it means -- to forge an emotional connection with the fans. He also discusses where the growth opportunities are in sports (hint: think population centers and media scale), as well as what he's learned from the movie business. Guber is co-executive chairman of Axiomatic Gaming, which owns Team Liquid. He also touches on virtual reality and how it can reshape the sports industry. Guber has a long history in the entertainment industry. Prior to Mandalay, he was chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, chairman of Polygram Entertainment, co-founder of Casablanca Records & Filmworks and president of Columbia Pictures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 4, 2018 • 14min
Golf Gets $2 Billion Discovery Deal; Yankees Mad at ESPN (Audio)
On this edition of the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast, Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discusses a host of issues, including Discovery's Inc.'s $2 billion contract to show the PGA Tour internationally. The 12-year deal begins next year and includes TV and online rights to the U.S.-based circuit and the development of a Netflix-like video service. The trio also discuss a brewing battle between the New York Yankees and ESPN, which moved one of the Major League Baseball team's games to night from the afternoon, even though the club has a rainout-forced doubleheader the following day in another city. Also discussed is Serena Williams pulling out of the French Open prior to her much anticipated match against Maria Sharapova. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 31, 2018 • 39min
250-to-1 Shows Knight Time Is Right Time for Maloofs
Vegas Golden Knights part owner Joe Maloof discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his National Hockey League expansion team’s unlikely run to the NHL Finals against the Washington Capitals. He also talks about what’s driving franchise valuations in professional sports, and he touches on his team’s approach to in-arena entertainment. Maloof also discusses what effect it’ll have on business when the NFL’s Raiders relocate to Vegas. He also touches on legalized sports betting, and the probability of another expansion team in Seattle, and how hangovers factor into what's next for the Maloof family. Maloof is an investor in the Golden Knights, who are controlled by Bill Foley. The Maloof family previously owned the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, who were sold to a group headed by Vivek Ranadive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 28, 2018 • 34min
Billion-Dollar Sports Valuations; Media Money Flowing
On this Memorial Day special edition of the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast, Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr are joined by guest co-host Chris Russo, a managing director at investment bank Houlihan Lokey who previously served as senior vice president, new media and publishing, at the National Football League. The group discusses some of the biggest trends in sports business, including an in-depth look at what the Carolina Panthers sale to hedge fund titan David Tepper for a league-record $2.3 billion means for not only the NFL but franchise values in all of sports. The group also discusses the wide-ranging effects of legalized sports betting, and talks about a media landscape where increasing numbers of viewers are moving to mobile. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 24, 2018 • 41min
Lacrosse Millionaire Rabil Takes Social Media by Storm
Professional lacrosse player and entrepreneur Paul Rabil discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his approach to creating, distributing and, ultimately, capitalizing on content creation and social media. Rabil, the first lacrosse player to amass a million-dollar sponsorship portfolio, also talks about how technical innovation has given niche sports like lacrosse the ability to augment its fan base. Rabil also touches on which athletes (hint: LeBron James is among them) are best utilizing social media. He also talks about this weekend's college lacrosse Final Four, which features Maryland, Yale, Duke and Albany. Rabil, whose podcast is called ``Suiting Up,'' played for Johns Hopkins. Rabil plays professionally for the New York Lizards of Major League Lacrosse. He also plays for Team USA. The 32-year-old is also co-founder of Rabil Ventures, which provides capital, advisory and operating expertise to to entrepreneurs and companies at any stage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 21, 2018 • 16min
Steph Curry Takes Aim at Golf Sponsorship; Knights Cup?
On this Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast, Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss Stephen Curry's attempt to land a PGA Tour event sponsorship, deepening his relationship with the sport of golf. The trio also discuss Justify's attempt at a Triple Crown, including whether the Belmont Stakes will include the horse's toughest competitor (Hint: Both have the same owners). Also discussed is Uber's decision to sponsor the Washington, D.C. metro, which needs private donations to stay open late when there are sporting events like a Stanley Cup playoff game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 17, 2018 • 33min
This Guy Bet on Betting and It's About to Pay Off
Joe Asher, chief executive officer of William Hill U.S., discusses a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the Supreme Court’s ruling that makes betting on sports legal. The ruling is likely to enrich every part of the sports economy, including team valuations, media rights fees, ticket sales and advertising revenue. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says it’ll result in franchise values doubling. The American sports-betting market is projected to be one of the biggest in the world. Research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming estimates that as many as 44 million people could place $245 billion in bets each year if all 50 states were to allow widespread betting. The more likely scenario, according to Eilers, is that 32 states would allow betting by 2023, with $120 billion in total bets creating some $6 billion in annual revenue for the sports book operators like William Hill.Asher has held his current position since 2012, when William Hill acquired Brandywine Bookmaking, a company he created. He has a long background in the gaming industry, dating to when he was a teenager. Asher has held management positions at several racetracks. Previously, he was an attorney with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


