Celebs Flock to Sports Ownership

FOS notes, “Soccer is where the celebrity ownership trend is moving the fastest, in part because of the prohibitive prices in the NFL, NBA, and MLB.”

August 11, 2025

Everyone in Sports Wants to Be an Owner
FOS’ Daniel Roberts writes, “[NWSL alum-turned-NWSL-team-owner Leslie] Osborne launched Bay FC, the NWSL’s 14th club, with fellow USWNT alums Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, and Danielle Slaton, but she gave first-mover credit to Angel City FC, launched in 2020 by actress Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman, and media exec Julie Uhrman, plus soccer legends Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, and Julie Foudy as investors. ‘It was a smart cap table to put together,’ Osborne said. ‘A lot of heads turned.’

“Angel City quickly went from star-studded start-up to business powerhouse. Its $30 million in annual revenue far outstrips any other NWSL team, and its $250 million valuation when it was recently sold to Bob Iger and Willow Bay set a record in women’s sports at the time. Soccer is where the celebrity ownership trend is moving the fastest, in part because of the prohibitive prices in the NFL, NBA, and MLB.”
^{Front Office Sports}

WNBA CBA Meetings Resume Amid Investor Clamor for Sun Sale
Representatives from the WNBA and Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) reconvened this week in New York to continue collective bargaining negotiations after the last in-person meeting took place three weeks ago during the league’s All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.
^Sportico

Report: USGA Near Updated Media Rights Deal With NBC, Netflix Makes Bid
The USGA is “close to re-upping its rights deal with NBC,” which would “keep the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open on the broadcast network, USA Network, and Golf Channel,” according to sources cited by John Ourand of PUCK. The new agreement, which is “expected to be announced later this month,” also would mark “Versant’s first sports rights deal.”
^{PUCK via Sports Business Journal}

Sports Weathers Gnarly Ad Quarter While Everything Else on TV Tumbles
Sportico’s Anthony Crupi writes, “The second quarter of 2025 proved to be a rough patch for sports’ biggest media partners, as stressors on the ad market, seasonal declines in political spend and an ongoing dilution of TV impressions drained billions of dollars from the revenue pool.

“But for a few notable outliers, the April-June period was marked by a significant contraction of commercial dollars, as sales at Warner Bros. Discovery’s cable networks dropped 13% to $1.95 billion, which works out to a net loss of $261 million versus the year-ago period. WBD, which closed out its final quarter of NBA coverage, was hampered by missing out on the spring NCAA men’s Final Four and championship games, as the tourney’s premier events shifted back to CBS in keeping with the standard schedule rotation.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Netflix Lands Women’s World Cup Rights in Canada
Netflix has “secured the exclusive broadcasting rights in Canada for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031,” mirroring a rights deal in the U.S. announced in December. The Women’s World Cup marks the streamer’s “first foray into live soccer.”
^Variety

Rob Gronkowski to Replace Retired Jimmy Johnson on Fox Pregame Show
Johnson, 82, announced his retirement in March. Gronkowski previously made guest appearances on the pregame show. The 36-year-old Gronkowski won four Super Bowl rings, three with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the Fox show, he will join host Curt Menefee and Pro Football Hall of Fame members Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Michael Strahan. NFL insider Jay Glazer also returns.
^Reuters

Bears Push for Tax Relief for Arlington Heights, Say Fall Vote is Critical
The Bears are “pushing for passage of a ‘mega projects’ bill this fall that would improve their tax responsibilities on the 326-acre property” in Arlington Heights where a new stadium would be constructed. However, there are “no promises the bill will generate any momentum” when the Illinois legislature’s fall session convenes. Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren said, “Without that legislation, we are not able to proceed forward.” Warren reiterated that the property the Bears own in Arlington Heights “remains the central focus for the stadium project.”
^{Chicago Tribune via Sports Business Journal}

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‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 
FOS’ Amanda Christovich writes, “The further Trump gets into his term, the more he is leaving his fingerprints on college sports policy. He hasn’t shied away from associating himself with the professional leagues, either—but he has already taken multiple executive actions directly impacting the NCAA level. “President Trump has shown more interest in college sports than any other president in recent memory. Perhaps ever,” says Jarrod Loadholt, partner at D.C. lobbying firm Ice Miller.”
^{Front Office Sports}

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