Collectible sports cups are in

Sport & Story Daily May 13, 2026: Fans are going crazy over collectible sports cups.

Author

Kelsey Middleton
May 13, 2026

Collectible sports cups are in

May 13, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy
Fans are increasingly buying drinks at stadiums not for the beverage itself, but for the collectible cup, which has become one of the hottest new souvenirs in sports. Teams across leagues are creating unique, often limited-edition cup designs—like skate-shaped beer mugs or cooler-style cups—that sell out quickly and can even be resold for hundreds of dollars on secondary markets. Industry executives say the trend is driven by social media visibility and exclusivity, turning cups into status symbols and accessible collectibles, while also generating significant revenue—illustrated by the US Open selling more than 738,000 Honey Deuce cocktails and producing $17 million in sales tied largely to its signature cup.
Front Office Sports

Committee approves $55M tax break for United Center's 1901 Project as some voice concerns
A Chicago City Council committee approved a $55 million tax break for the United Center’s $7 billion “1901 Project,” clearing a key step for the development despite concerns from some alderpersons and community members. Developers say the incentive is critical, with about 80% of the project’s financing tied to it, and plan to transform surrounding parking lots into a mixed-use district that includes a music venue, hotel, and parking infrastructure. However, opposition centered on the use of public incentives and issues around minority contracting and union concerns, which may need to be addressed before the proposal advances to a full City Council vote.
ABC

New HBO docuseries filmed Team USA for four years leading up to 2026 World Cup
The HBO docuseries “U.S. Against the World: Four Years With the Men’s National Team” chronicles the U.S. men’s national soccer team over four years after its 2022 World Cup appearance, capturing both on-field struggles and off-field moments as it prepares for the 2026 tournament. It highlights a so‑called “golden generation” of young players under pressure to prove themselves, especially after inconsistent results and a disappointing 2024 Copa América performance that led to a coaching change. The series aims to give viewers a deeper look at the sacrifices and expectations facing players like Christian Pulisic, who says the team wants to “change soccer in America forever” as it approaches a World Cup on home soil.
NBC

FOX Sports and Sesame Workshop Announce Dynamic Collaboration Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™
FOX Sports and Sesame Workshop announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, integrating Sesame Street characters into FOX’s tournament programming to engage families and expand audiences. The partnership will feature custom segments throughout the tournament—such as educational and entertainment pieces with characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird—designed to explain the game, highlight moments, and add a fun, accessible layer to coverage. Overall, the initiative is positioned as a way to combine sports and education, using the global stage of the World Cup to create family-friendly content that both entertains and reinforces Sesame Workshop’s mission of helping children learn and grow.
FOX

Bills set opening date for new stadium
The Buffalo Bills will open their new 60,000-seat Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2026, hosting the Detroit Lions in a Thursday Night Football game streamed on Prime Video. The venue, designed by Populous, completes a three-year build that began in June 2023 and will replace the original stadium, which closed after the 2025 season and is set for demolition in 2027. The new facility includes features such as seven sensory rooms for fans, and its opening comes amid a broader wave of upcoming NFL stadium projects across the league.
The Stadium Business

Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Returns in 2027 Following Historic Inaugural Event
The IndyCar Java House Grand Prix of Arlington will return in 2027, with the race weekend scheduled for March 19–21, 2027 on the streets around Arlington’s entertainment district. The event follows a successful inaugural race that featured a sold-out grandstand and strong fan and partner support, prompting organizers to build on that momentum with an enhanced experience. The race will again combine top-level IndyCar competition with live entertainment, fan zones, and hospitality programming, positioning it as a destination event in North Texas.
Indy Car

Ryan Lochte to Coach College Swimming at $34 an HourRyan Lochte has been hired as an assistant swimming and diving coach at Missouri State, where he will earn $34.10 per hour under a 10‑month contract worth about $30,000 annually. The deal includes performance bonuses tied to conference titles and NCAA qualifications, and places his pay roughly in line with other assistant coaches on staff but well below the head coach’s salary. The role marks Lochte’s first professional coaching position and reflects broader changes in college sports after the NCAA eliminated unpaid “volunteer” coaching roles following a legal settlement.
Front Office Sports

TPC Network. Food & Beverage Manager.
This position is primarily responsible for all aspects of ala carte dining operations. Acting as a liaison between Club management, service staff and members/guests, focusing on ensuring exceptional service levels. Apply Now.

Dallas Stars. Assistant Controller.
The Assistant Controller supports the Controller in overseeing the day-to-day, monthly, and annual operations of the Accounting Department. This role is responsible for financial reporting, general accounting, treasury functions, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and budgetary controls for assigned entities and departments. The Assistant Controller also plays a key role in managing staff, maintaining internal controls, and improving financial processes and reporting efficiency.  This position is partially eligible for remote work, with supervisor approval. Apply Now.

U.S. Soccer Federation. Product Designer, Mobile
The Product Designer will own the design of U.S. Soccer's mobile application, the iOS and Android experience that connects members, fans, and participants to the game across the country. Reporting to the Director of Product, this individual will own the end-to-end mobile design experience and serve as the design lead for the app, setting up the bar for craft, usability, and brand expression on a platform that touches our community every day. 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.

CSC wins NIL arbitration case brought by Nebraska football players
The College Sports Commission won its first major enforcement case when an arbitrator upheld its decision to block NIL-related payments from Playfly Sports to 18 Nebraska football players, ruling the deals violated new compensation rules. The arbitrator agreed the contracts were “warehousing” arrangements, meaning they paid athletes without clearly defined endorsement deliverables, reinforcing limits on attempts to bypass the college sports salary cap. While the ruling sets an early precedent against above-the-cap payment structures, ongoing legal challenges and potential revisions to the deals indicate the broader regulatory framework remains unsettled.
ESPN

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

Reply

or to participate.