Sport & Story Daily September 2, 2024

Expanding the Media

September 2, 2024

Good morning! From Athlete to Entrepreneur

ESPN eyes local broadcasts and AI-powered personalized SportsCenter roundups for DTC service
ESPN is interested in adding local broadcasts to its planned direct-to-consumer service. They are also looking to see how artificial intelligence can deliver personalized editions of its SportsCenter new shows. The service is due to launch next year and could strike deals with individual franchises who have traditionally sold their local media rights to regional sports networks or agree to broader deals with major leagues.
^Sportico

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion
The summer transfer window closes on Friday for major European soccer leagues. The Premier League is set to be the top international spender for soccer talent. As of Aug. 26, the league has shelled out nearly $2.4 billion. Some of the biggest EPL transfers this summer have been Leny Yoro’s move from Ligue 1’s Lille to Manchester United for $68 million.
^{Front Office Sports}

NCAA Nixes QR Codes In Move Criticized As Outdated
Oklahoma State was planning on placing 1.5-square-inch QR codes on players’ football helmets. The NCAA prohibited this from happening. The school intended to use them when the Cowboys faced South Dakota. It would’ve directed users to the athletic program’s general NIL fund. The NCAA saw the QR codes have prohibited advertising marks.
^Sportico

NHL’s National TV Broadcast Schedule Centers Star-Stacked Teams
The Oilers, Penguins and Avalanche will have the most TV time this season, with 17 games each. They will be broadcast on TNT Networks, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+. The Rangers, Blackhawks and Wild are next in line with 15 national broadcasts each.
^Sportico

Stephanie Druley, ESPN's highest-ranking female production executive, among recent layoffs
ESPN’s highest-ranking female production executive in company history, head of content operations Stephanie Druley, has been let go. She is one of the half-dozen execs to be let go as part of this week’s company reorganization.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Portland, Bhathal Family Get Wnba Expansion Franchise
The WNBA awarded Portland its 15th franchise. This is the first expansion franchise since Atlanta in 2008. The Bhathal family, who are minority investors in the Sacramento Kings, will be the owners of the team. The team will begin play in 2026.
^Sportico

Vegas Kickoff Classic the most sought-after CFB ticket on secondary market
LSU and USC competed on Sunday in the Vegas Kickoff Classic. It was the most sought-after college football game this season on the secondary ticket market. The game was held at the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore still not under contract 7 months after promotion: Report
Sherrone Moore made his debut as Michigan’s full-time head coach on Saturday when his team faced Fresno State. Moore did so without a contract. Moore and the school have yet to execute a contract that would lock in Moore as head coach. It has been seven months since Moore was announced the successor for Jim Harbaugh.
^{Yahoo Sports}

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.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here!

Feel free to read our Privacy Policy