Bills top NFL Fandom Index
August 20, 2026
Buffalo tops Nielsen’s new NFL Fandom Index
Buffalo ranked No. 1 on Nielsen’s inaugural NFL Fandom Index with an average index score of 208, which is more than double the benchmark league average of 100. The index evaluated fan engagement across 30 NFL markets using eight metrics, including game attendance, merchandise sales, television viewership, streaming habits, radio listening, and social media activity. Despite being one of the smallest media markets by television households, Buffalo outperformed larger regions, while Los Angeles and New York rounded out the bottom of the list in 29th and 30th place.
Sports Business Journal
Major investor signs on with women's AUSL
Rule42 Sports Group, led by founder and owner Renée James, has announced a major investment in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) alongside the acquisition of softball coverage media outlet Softball America. The strategic capital injection follows a highly successful second season for the six-team professional league, which saw average viewership on ESPN jump by 152% and brought in major new corporate sponsors like adidas and Labcorp. With this deal, James joins the league's Board of Directors to help accelerate the expansion of women’s professional softball and scale amateur athlete discovery channels nationwide.
MLB
Jason Kelce could join the booth for some NFL Network games
ESPN is reportedly finalizing broadcast booths for seven regular-season games televised on NFL Network, with analyst Jason Kelce potentially being added to select game calls. Although expected commentary teams include Dave Pasch alongside Kurt Warner and Bob Wichusen with Louis Riddick, Kelce's exact role remains fluid and undecided. The slate includes five early-morning European broadcasts across London, France, and Madrid, alongside two domestic games scheduled for late December.
NBC Sports
WNBA Fever Dream continues with new cable viewership record on ESPN
Sunday's game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream set a new WNBA cable viewership record by averaging 2.58 million viewers on ESPN, peaking at four million viewers during the final quarter-hour. This milestone marks the eighth game of the season to reach at least 2.4 million viewers, continuing a historic surge in fan engagement led largely by star guard Caitlin Clark. The massive lead-in also benefited the subsequent Mercury-Fire game—featuring Diana Taurasi's jersey retirement—which drew 1.35 million viewers to become ESPN's most-watched regular season WNBA broadcast not featuring Clark.
Sports Media Watch
WNBA All-Star Game to Come to San Francisco In 2027
The WNBA officially announced that the 2027 WNBA All-Star Game will take place at the Chase Center in San Francisco on July 31, 2027. Hosted by the Golden State Valkyries in their second season, the midsummer showcase will feature a full weekend of fan festivities, including a shooting skills challenge on July 30. League leadership and local officials highlighted the Bay Area's extraordinary enthusiasm for women's sports as a driving factor behind bringing the marquee event to the region for the first time.
SFist
Mortgage Matchup Center to create ‘new benchmark’ with LED display
Mortgage Matchup Center, home to the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, is introducing the largest transparent LED display in both leagues across its plaza entrance. Spanning 226 feet wide by 41 feet tall with over 17 million pixels, the mesh installation allows natural light to enter the pavilion while serving as a continuous visual backdrop for outdoor watch parties and team content. Designed by OneRevel using Absen technology under team owner Mat Ishbia, the new centerpiece aims to elevate the fan experience starting with its autumn debut.
The Stadium Business
Pat McAfee’s ESPN Ascent Continues With ‘Monday Night Countdown’
Pat McAfee is joining ESPN's Monday Night Countdown studio show cast as part of the network's talent overhaul leading up to its first-ever Super Bowl telecast in February 2027. He and Jason McCourty are replacing Ryan Clark on the program, joining host Scott Van Pelt along with Jason Kelce, Marcus Spears, Adam Schefter, and Michelle Beisner-Buck. This new role expands McAfee’s growing ESPN portfolio, which already includes hosting his weekday show, co-starring on College GameDay, and hosting "Field Pass" broadcasts.
Front Office Sports
Los Angeles Rams. Video Editor.
The Rams are looking for a Video Editor responsible for editing video content for the Rams digital and social platforms as well as for external broadcast partners. In this role, you’ll craft original, thoughtful, and engaging stories that grow the brand and connect fans to the Rams organization. Additionally, you should have a keen eye for how to expand storytelling opportunities through social-first amplification. The ideal candidate is a post-production specialist at heart, with a deep knowledge of current video editing trends and platform-native formats. You’ll collaborate with a team of in-house producers and cinematographers to deliver content that engages fans and brings them closer to the people that make the Rams one of the top organizations in the NFL. The role will be expected to illuminate and elevate the Rams brand. Apply Now.
Dallas Stars. Senior Staff Accountant.
This position is responsible for assisting with the timely and accurate preparation of financial information for Dallas Sports & Entertainment, L.P., its subsidiaries, related parties, and interests. The incumbent performs accounting functions, data entry, and financial analysis. Apply Now.
San Diego Wave FC. Marketing Director.
The Director of Marketing will oversee all performance marketing initiatives for the club and play an integral role in driving revenue for the club. The Director of Marketing will oversee paid media and promotional efforts across all channels, partnering closely with the club's digital team on organic social and content execution, and will lead a team of two direct reports along with the club's third-party marketing vendors and agencies, collaborating closely with internal teams, external clients, the community, and partners to create cohesive marketing campaigns aligned with organizational objectives. Apply Now.
Looking to fill an open position with top talent in the sports media industry? Advertise in the Sport & Story Daily to reach over 25,000 senior-level executives and professionals—and connect your job opportunity with the right audience.
Michigan Athletics Launches Leaders and Best Champion Partners Program
Michigan Athletics has introduced the Leaders and Best Champion Partners Program, an initiative designed to integrate select corporate sponsorships into Michigan Stadium to support student-athletes amid evolving revenue-sharing and NIL dynamics. The program launches with inaugural partners Coca-Cola, Meijer, and Google Gemini, utilizing clean visual activations like field pads, scoreboard integrations, and potential jersey patches that conform strictly to a maize, blue, and white color standard. By partnering with Learfield's Michigan Sports Properties, the department aims to create modern revenue opportunities while carefully preserving the historic character, traditions, and game-day atmosphere of the iconic Big House.
Michigan Go Blue
Thanks for reading!
Sport & Story Daily is the sports industry’s daily resource for business news. In addition to serving up exclusive trends, Q&As, and columns, the newsletter connects readers to top platforms and stories from across the sports landscape.
Place your brand in front of the Sport & Story Daily audience and connect with the most influential people in sports.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here!
Feel free to read our Privacy Policy