NBA Needs Beyonce to Match NFL

Video Views Generated by NFL Based on Beyonce’s Halftime Performance
(Plus, a LOT More NFL Coach Hirings/Firings)

January 8, 2025

The NBA Can Compete With the NFL—If Social Video Views Count
FOS’ Colin Salao writes, “The data shows that from Dec. 25 to Dec. 27, the NFL drew 921 million video views, about 14% more than the 811 million views the NBA delivered. The NFL was able to do this despite streaming two games during about a seven-hour run time compared to the NBA, which had its first game tip-off at noon ET with the final game ending around 1 a.m. ET.

“However, a deeper look into the Videocites numbers shows slightly more than half of the video views generated by the NFL were based on the 12-minute halftime performance of Beyoncé (464 million). The games themselves generated 457 million video views.”
^{Front Office Sports}

Jerry Jones’ ‘Landman’ Cameo Worth $1M for Cowboys
Sportico’s Eric Roberts writes, “Jones made a cameo on the Paramount+ Western drama series Landman on Sunday. Playing himself in the ninth episode of the first season, Jones visits Jon Hamm’s character (Monty Miller) in a Fort Worth, Texas, hospital.

“His nearly four-minute appearance, where he is seen sporting his signature star pin on his lapel, scored the Cowboys a $1 million in equivalent brand value, according to Apex Marketing Group.”
^Sportico

Parker, Montgomery, Jbara to Lead TNT Sports’ Unrivaled Studio Coverage
TNT Sports announced three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP Candace Parker, former WNBA All-Star Renee Montgomery and host Lauren Jbara will anchor studio coverage for upcoming three-on-three women’s basketball league Unrivaled.

Lisa Leslie, Brendan Glasheen and Sarah Kustok will join in-game coverage throughout Unrivaled’s inaugural season, with a rotation of reporters including Taylor Rooks, Allie LaForce, Stephanie Ready and Ros Gold-Onwude.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Titans Fire GM Ran Carthon After Two Seasons
The Tennessee Titans fired general manager Ran Carthon on Tuesday morning, and as SI points out, it’s a major decision that comes after Carthon joined the team two years ago. The Titans went 9–25 record during his tenure. President of football operations Chad Brinker will now lead the search for a new GM, and current head coach Brian Callahan will continue in his role.
^{Sports Illustrated}

Robert Saleh One of Eight Big Names Jaguars Looking to Interview for HC Job
SI’s Brigid Kennedy writes, “Saleh's name was among the eight candidates the Jags have requested interviews for their head coaching position, recently vacated by Doug Pederson. Pederson, who had been at the helm since 2022, was fired Monday after Jacksonville's terrible 4–13 year, though he finished his three-season tenure with a combined record of 22–29.
^{Sports Illustrated}

Raiders Fire Head Coach Antonio Pierce After One Season
SI’s Karl Rasumussen reports: “The Raiders made the decision to fire the team's head coach on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. Pierce, who took over in an interim capacity in 2023 after the team parted ways with Josh McDaniels, served just one season as the full-time head coach. Las Vegas had a 4–13 record this season, finishing dead last in the AFC West.

“The Raiders become the sixth team looking for a new head coach in this cycle. Whoever they hire will be the team's fifth coach since 2020.”
^{Sports Illustrated}

Cowboys Deny Bears' Request to Interview Mike McCarthy for Head Coaching Vacancy
SI’s Mike McDaniel reports: “With head coach Mike McCarthy's contract set to expire on Jan. 14, the Dallas Cowboys have denied a request from the Chicago Bears to interview him for the franchise's head coaching vacancy, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

“Although no decision on McCarthy's future has been publicly made known for 2025 and beyond in Dallas, this is the first indication that the Cowboys likely intend on giving McCarthy a new contract. McCarthy's current deal expires on Jan. 14.”
^{Sports Illustrated}

Jets Interview Rex Ryan, Who Led Franchise to its Last Playoff Appearance, For Head Coaching Job
AP News’ Dan Waszak Jr. reports: “Ryan went 50-52, including 4-2 in the playoffs, in six years with the Jets before being fired after the 2014 season. He has lobbied openly for the job during recent TV and radio appearances and said Monday on ESPN New York radio that he’s the perfect candidate and expected to be hired.”
^{AP News}

With College Football Playoff Down to 4 Teams, Not Much Looks Different With Big Ten and SEC
“The SEC won a lot of these for a while, but this year, here, we’ve got two strong traditional programs from up north,” said Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, whose program plays an ACC-heavy schedule each season while remaining an independent. “Michigan broke through last year, and Washington was in there, too. I don’t know if it’s a trend, but since it’s us, I hope it is.”
^{AP News}

Maryland Commits to $20.5M for Student-Athlete Revenue Sharing
Univ. of Maryland AD Damon Evans said that the school “will begin sharing the maximum-allowable amount” of $20.5M with its athletes beginning this fall, according to Taylor Lyons of the BALTIMORE SUN via SBJ. The “vast majority” of that amount will be "distributed among the three 'revenue-producing sports' -- football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball." Evans said that he expects the athletic department to take on more than $25M in “new expenses" as a result of the House v. NCAA settlement.
^{The Baltimore Sun via Sports Business Journal}

Northern Illinois Football to Join Mountain West; League to ‘Pause’ on Adding New Members
Northern Illinois will join the Mountain West as a football-only member in July 2026, the school announced Tuesday, following approval of the $2 million membership fee from its board of trustees.
^{The Athletic}

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