Netflix Experiences Sports Boon

Netflix Raised 2025 Revenue Guidance By $500 Million

January 22, 2025

Sports Delivers Netflix Record Signups in Latest Quarter
SBJ’s Mollie Cahillane reports: “Netflix added a record 19 million subscribers in its fourth quarter, driven largely by Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul and the NFL. That brings the streamer’s total to 302 million paid subscribers, excluding Extra Member accounts.

“Netflix raised its 2025 revenue guidance by $500 million to $43.5 billion-$44.5 billion, which the company said is due to higher-than-expected Q4 performance. Operating income exceeded $10B for the first time in company history in 2024.

“Netflix also recently added the rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for 2027 and 2031, and earlier this month, it began its WWE ‘Raw’ package.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Naomi Girma Set to Be First $1 Million Transfer in Women’s Soccer
FOS’ Margaret Fleming writes, “U.S. women’s national team defender Naomi Girma is close to signing a deal that would reset the bar in women’s soccer.

“Chelsea has agreed to pay a record $1.1 million transfer fee for the San Diego Wave defender, according to The Athletic, which would be the first seven-figure transfer fee in women’s soccer. The negotiations aren’t yet finalized, the outlet reported.”
^{Front Office Sports}

Former NFLers Leaving Barstool Sports, Taking 'Bussin' With The Boys' Podcast Independent
Former NFLers Will Compton and Taylor Lewan are leaving Barstool Sports after five years and taking their popular podcast, "Bussin' With The Boys," with them to become an independent production. The duo made their announcement on today's episode, with Compton saying that the reason for leaving was the show received "a massive offer" that "we ultimately could not say no to." Lewan added, "We have, for whatever reason, positioned ourselves to where other people, other sponsors, want to be a part of 'Bussin With The Boys' in a big way."
^{Sports Business Journal}

NFL Divisional Audience Down 8% From Record 2024
The four games during NFL Divisional weekend averaged 36.6 million viewers, the lowest mark for the second round of the playoffs since 2021, per fast-national data. The Saturday/Sunday matchups were down 8% from around 40 million viewers last year, which was a record for the NFL.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Report: Patriots to Hire Ex-Bill Belichick OC Josh McDaniels for Same Position Under Mike Vrabel
Yahoo Sports’ Jason Owens writes, “The band is getting back together in New England.

“Newly hired Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is hiring Josh McDaniels as his offensive coordinator, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports.

“McDaniels was New England's offensive coordinator under Bill Belichick for 13 seasons across two stints and an assistant coach under Belichick for five years before that. Vrabel played linebacker in New England for eight seasons (2001-08) while McDaniels was on staff.”
^{The Athletic via Yahoo! Sports}

Las Vegas Lands 2027 CFP National Championship Game
The Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Mick Akers writes, “Last week, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority approved a measure that opened up the possibility for the city to hold the game, earmarking up to $40 million to facilitate hosting the championship. The millions of dollars would go toward various aspects of hosting the title game, including game management, event goods and services, event permits, team practice sites, marketing and advertising, and police and first responders.

“The approved amount includes an initial $25 million commitment, with up to $15 million available for contingencies.”
^{Las Vegas Review-Journal}

Ohio State Celebrates and Gets Ready For All the Changes Coming to College Football in 2025
AP News’ Eddie Pells writes, “A program that won the title by spending lavishly (a reported $20 million) and used the transfer portal judiciously (QB Will Howard and RB Quinshon Judkins were the headliners) joins everyone else in not knowing exactly what the rules will be in this rapidly changing game when next fall rolls around.

“The landmark legal settlement that allows schools to pay players directly while also cutting down on roster sizes (but increases the number of scholarships available) is set to take effect for next school year.”
^{AP News}

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