Trump Tariffs Reach Sports

The possibility of the Canadian dollar dropping could negatively impact NHL; Sportswear companies also affected

March 7, 2025

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Says U.S. Tariffs Could Be ‘Painful’ for League if Canadian Dollar Drops
The Athletic’s Lauren Merola writes, “NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called the current political tensions between the United States and Canada ‘really unfortunate,’ during an interview on CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box,’ and said the potential economic fallout could negatively affect the league.

“After confirming that 25 percent of the league’s revenue comes from the seven franchises in Canada, Bettman said any impact on the Canadian economy will affect the rest of the league, regardless of where teams reside.”
^{The Athletic}

🗣 Front Office Sports also featured: What Sportswear Companies Are Saying About Trump Tariffs

Caitlin Clark’s Fever Boss Sees ‘America’s Team’ Potential
Sportico’s Jacob Feldman writes, “Record after record fell during Caitlin Clark’s first year with the Indiana Fever … But come playoff time, the team’s momentum stalled in a first-round sweep by Connecticut.

“So this offseason saw more change. Kelly Krauskopf, who oversaw the roster from Indiana’s first year in 2000 through 2018, returned as president of basketball and business operations. A new COO/GM followed, then coach Stephanie White—who won a title with the Fever as an assistant in 2012, and dispatched Indiana as Sun coach last year—was brought back too.”
^Sportico

Fanatics Enters Ticketing Market Via Partnership With Ticketmaster: What This Means for Fans
Fanatics has officially entered the ticketing market. The company has teamed up with Ticketmaster to launch the Fanatics Ticket Marketplace. In addition to apparel and collectibles, the Fanatics app will let people buy resale tickets. This partnership is part of a broader collaboration between Fanatics and Live Nation’s Ticketmaster, enabling Ticketmaster tickets to be listed on Fanatics while Fanatics merchandise becomes available on Ticketmaster.
^{The Athletic}

PGA of America Reports $172M in Revenue in Most Recent Fiscal Year
The PGA of America reported total revenue of more than $172M for its fiscal year that ended March 31, 2024, an increase of 33%, or $43M, from the year prior, according to the association’s most recent tax filing. It marked the PGA’s second-highest revenue year going back to at least 2010, trailing only the 2021-22 fiscal year, when the PGA brought in over $192M in its last U.S. Ryder Cup year. The PGA saw a more than $15M increase in investment income in 2023-24, up to $20.5M, and a nearly $27M increase in program service revenue, up to $149M.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Agree to $100M Contract That Lets Him Talk More About Politics: Sources
Stephen A. Smith has agreed to a new contract with ESPN worth at least $100 million for five years, an agreement that will result in Smith continuing to star on “First Take” on ESPN while scaling back some of his other required appearances on the network, which would free him up to talk even more about politics, sources briefed on the agreement told The Athletic.
^{The Athletic}

Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks Loves IndyCar, Wants to Help the Sport Grow
Fox Sports CEO and Exec Producer Eric Shanks’ “bravado, energy and passion” for a sport he now works in-step with is apparent as he tries to “help return IndyCar to national mainstream notoriety,” according to Nathan Brown of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Some of that boost “will come simply from the opportunity the network has given the sport,” with 19 national network TV windows this season that includes all 17 races and both days of Indy 500 qualifying.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor Set for Trilogy Bout in July Headlining MSG Card on Netflix
The biggest rivalry in women’s boxing history is set for a trilogy. A third bout between Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) and Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) will take place at Madison Square Garden on July 11, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced Thursday. The highly anticipated bout will headline the first-ever all-women’s boxing card in Madison Square Garden history.
^{The Athletic}

Oregon Coach Dan Lanning Signs Contract Extension Through 2030, Joins Fraternity of $10 Million-Plus Coaches
CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah writes, “Oregon coach Dan Lanning has agreed to a contract restructure that makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, according to Yahoo Sports. The deal pushes his six-year contract to an average of $11 million per year through 2030. It is fully guaranteed. 

“Lanning reported a salary of $8.2 million for the 2024 season, according to USA Today, but will join seven other coaches in pushing past the $10 million plateau in 2025. Only Georgia's Kirby Smart and Clemson's Dabo Swinney earned more than $11 million.”
^{Yahoo! Sports, CBS Sports, USA Today}

Yahoo Sports AM: Portal Madness
Yahoo Sports’ Kendall Baker and Jeff Tracy write, “Duke associate head coach Jai Lucas has agreed to become Miami's new head coach and will officially join the Hurricanes this weekend, leaving the Blue Devils on the eve of the postseason.

“The new normal: Abrupt exits are nothing new in the coaching profession. But an assistant coach leaving a title contender and the possible No. 1 overall seed a week before Selection Sunday? That's definitely new — and you can blame the transfer portal.”
^{Yahoo! Sports}

Broncos Fire OLB Coach Michael Wilhoite After Arrest for Felony Assault of Police Officer
The Denver Broncos are dropping outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite after an incident at Denver International Airport resulted in his arrest on a charge of assaulting a police officer.

In a statement obtained by Mike Klis of 9News, Broncos head coach Sean Payton said the decision was made after thorough discussions and a meeting with Wilhoite:

Utah Hires Alex Jensen as Basketball Coach: Mavericks Assistant Who Played For Utes Will Replace Craig Smith
Ten days after firing Craig Smith, Utah has landed its next men's head basketball coach. The school is hiring Dallas Mavericks assistant Alex Jensen, sources confirmed to CBS Sports. Jensen is a 48-year-old alum who played for Rick Majerus and was on the legendary 1997-98 Runnin' Utes team that went all the way to the national title game against Kentucky. ESPN first reported Jensen's impending hiring on Thursday.
^{CBS Sports, ESPN}

Manchester United Departures Continue With Three Senior Executives to Leave Club
The Athletic’s Adam Crafton writes, “It continues the radical transformation that United’s executive leadership team (ELT) has undergone since the club conducted a ‘strategic review’ after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS acquired a minority stake in the club in early 2024. United sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, insisted the executives have not been forced out but have chosen to leave.”
^{The Athletic}

A’s hire Former Raiders President Marc Badain for the Same Position
Former Las Vegas Raiders President Marc Badain was hired Thursday for the same position with the Athletics. Badain succeeds Dave Kaval, who announced his resignation on Dec. 27. Sandy Dean, who has been spearheading approval and construction of a new stadium in Las Vegas approved, had been the acting president.
^{AP News}

Target Field Gets Fan Experience Upgrade For ‘25
The Twins, Minnesota Ballpark Authority, and Delaware North spent just over $4M on fan-facing upgrades to Target Field ahead of the stadium’s 15th season and its April 3 home opener against the Astros. The team will roll out MLB Go-Ahead Entry at select ballpark entrances, swapped belly-up concession stands for an open market concept on the main concourse, and more.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Texans Plan to Renovate NRG Stadium Instead of Building New Stadium
Texans President Mike Tomon said the team is “focused on a renovation” of NRG Stadium and not building a new venue, according to Chandler France of the HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL.
^{Houston Business Journal via Sports Business Journal}

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Realignment Has the ACC, Big Ten Spanning 4 US Time Zones. League Play Meant Long Trips -- and Ls
AP News’ Jane McCauley and Aaron Beard write, “Realignment has shaken things up for college programs everywhere, yet it has been particularly grueling in the ACC and Big Ten as power-conference leagues spanning the four contiguous U.S. time zones with footprints touching both the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. The changes have led to long hours on planes, extended time away from campus, and unforeseen travel issues. What it hasn’t added up to is wins.

“The ACC and Big Ten men’s and women’s teams had won just 30.6% of their games (38-86) as of Thursday when traveling from the Eastern time zone to the Pacific time zone, or vice versa.”
^{AP News}

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