Wink, Wink College Sports Era

Sportico’s Daniel Libit writes, “Beyond specific schools and individuals, the entire landscape of college sports has been turned on its head.”

March 14, 2025

College Hoops Prosecutor Defends DOJ Bribery Probe’s Legacy
Sportico’s Daniel Libit writes, “Beyond specific schools and individuals, the entire landscape of college sports has been turned on its head. Players can now hire agents and get paid for their NIL—wink, wink—and, come next academic year, many Division I college basketball players are expected to receive revenue-sharing payments directly from their schools.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Bay FC Investigation Puts Cloud Over Upcoming NWSL Season
The NWSL’s investigation into Bay FC is yet “another troubling development” for the league, which has been “plagued for years by concerns about coaching abuse and toxic cultures,” according to Ann Killion of the S.F. CHRONICLE via SBJ. The league launched an independent investigation into the club “due to allegations of coaching staff misconduct after Bay FC players complained about bullying and a toxic environment.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Monarch Collective Closes $250M Debut Fund to Back Women’s Leagues, Teams
Monarch’s debut fund, believed to be the first ever raised to invest specifically in women’s teams, leagues and rightsholders, was originally a $150M vehicle. The firm’s leadership, managing partners Kara Nortman and Jasmine Robinson, opened it to further fundraising late last year, largely due to pressure from their existing investors. Nortman said Monarch was aiming to reach at least $200M but instead wound up hitting a pre-set hard cap of $250M.
^{Sports Business Journal}

CBS, TNT Sell Out March Madness Ad Inventory
“We typically don’t get into percentage of sales, but we’re happy to say we’re virtually sold out,” said Ryan Briganti, EVP and head of sports sales at Paramount Advertising, speaking to reporters during a joint call Wednesday afternoon.

Chief U.S. advertising sales officer at Warner Bros. Jon Diament and Briganti confirmed advertising numbers are hitting historical records –- surpassing $1B in the last couple years. Insurance, pharma, auto, banking and travel have all been strong growth categories.
^{Sports Business Journal}

NFL Signs Novartis as First Pharmaceutical Partner-Source
The National Football League has signed its first-ever pharmaceutical partner in a multi-year deal with Switzerland-based firm Novartis (NOVN.S), opens new tab, a league source told Reuters on Thursday. The partnership focuses on the NFL's health initiatives, including its annual health and safety summit, as well as its "Crucial Catch" cancer awareness program.
^Reuters

DirecTV’s MySports Adds RSNs in 18 Markets, Including Chicago
Sportico’s Jason Clinkscales writes, “Ahead of MLB’s Opening Day, DirectTV has officially added regional sports networks to its MySports skinny bundle in 18 markets via its MyHome Team add-on.

“MyHome Team isn’t only alluring for baseball fans but also basketball and hockey fans; several NBA and NHL teams in these markets are currently in the hunt for the playoffs in their respective leagues.”
^Sportico

IOC, NBC Reach $3B Extension on U.S. Media Rights
Comcast NBCUniversal has signed a $3B extension with the IOC, retaining the U.S. media rights for the Games through 2036. The four-year extension keeps the rights for NBCU through another domestic Games with Salt Lake City to host in 2034 and gives the IOC further financial stability in the waning days of Thomas Bach’s presidency.

The announcement comes as the IOC is set to elect Bach’s successor during its session in Greece in a week’s time.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Aces Make Scripps Sports Local Broadcast Home
The back-to-back WNBA champion Aces have signed a multiyear deal with Scripps Sports to make Vegas 34 the home of all non-national Aces games. Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed. The Fever, Liberty and most recently the Wings are the only known teams receiving local rights fees.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Tampa Bay Rays Withdraw From Planned $1.3 Billion Ballpark in St. Petersburg, Citing Storms, Delays
The Tampa Bay Rays withdrew Thursday from a $1.3 billion project to construct a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field, citing a hurricane and delays that likely drove up the proposal’s cost.

The team issued a statement by principal owner Stuart Sternberg saying “a series of events” in October, which included severe damage to the the Trop and financing delays, led to what he called “this difficult decision.”
^{AP News}

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Modernizing the Business Of College Sports
Playfly Sports, the sports industry’s leading revenue maximization company, today announced the release of its latest FanScore report, a white paper entitled Modernizing the Business of College Sports. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, offering insights that show why Athletics Departments that adopt an ‘enterprise mindset’ will outpace their peers.
^{Playfly Sports}

American Athletic Conference Sets Minimum for Schools to Share With Athletes at $10M Over 3 Years
AP News’ Eric Olson reports: “AAC presidents approved the plan last week after they reviewed a college sports consulting firm’s study of the conference’s financial wherewithal. The three-year plan will go into effect once a federal judge approves the $2.8 billion House vs. NCAA antitrust settlement, which is expected next month.

“Commissioner Tim Pernetti said Wednesday that 13 of the 15 AAC schools would opt in to the House settlement, which, among other things, provides for payments to athletes of up to $20.5 million per school the first year. Army and Navy are excluded because they do not offer athletic scholarships and their athletes cannot accept name, image and likeness money.”
^{AP News}

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