Sports Business Journal

Indiana University Bloomington President Pamela Whitten pens an op-ed for SBJ: As we shape the future of college athletics, listening to our fans may point the way Everyone, it seems, has an opinion on the subject. But there was a remarkable lack of data on what the people who care most about college athletics really think. I believe in empirical decision making, so we at Indiana undertook a carefully designed survey to determine what avid fans from around the country think. The results are in, and what we learned should guide policymakers not only on campuses and in conferences but in the halls of government as well. https://lnkd.in/ey-MJJuk

“We don’t want to have molten Pop-Tart missiles shooting out of the trophy.” Come for what might be the best quote I've ever gotten for a story, stay to learn how the Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy (which is an actual working toaster) came to be with the collaboration of Florida Citrus Sports, GE Appliances, a Haier company and FirstBuild: https://lnkd.in/efwGUf3a

It's the most wonderful time of the year...Sports Business Journal SBA nomination season! I'm excited to review all the incredible and innovative deals, content series, activations, and events everyone has been working on in 2024! Nominations are now open! Let me know if you have any questions 😊 https://lnkd.in/entWRNqi

Two big pieces of news around the PGA TOUR this morning. The tour is launching a search for a new CEO: https://lnkd.in/ePw8AzgF Also, COO Ron Price, one of the tour's highest-paid executives with more than $13M in compensation in 2023, is retiring: https://lnkd.in/ezkqQjCB

Among some of the newcomers to SBJ's annual Most Influential People In Sports Business list: * Caitlin Clark * Shohei Ohtani * Elliott Hill * Michele Kang * Pat McAfee * Egon Durban and Greg Mondre * Ted Rogers Full list below ...

LIV Golf has had high-level discussions with Fox Sports over a potential agreement that would move the tour’s tournaments to the company's airwaves starting next year, according to sources. LIV tournaments have aired on The CW for the past two years. That deal had an option for a third year that was not picked up. https://lnkd.in/edgR7Cz4

On a podcast last week, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred discussed a variety of topics including expansion, Juan Soto's record deal and pitching injuries.

In just the few days since I wrapped up a story on sports memorabilia, yet another headline-grabbing auction saw Freddie Freeman's World Series grand slam ball sell for nearly $1.6 million. Those kinds of eye-watering prices are just one of several reasons why investors are pouring into the sports collectible industry, and insiders say there's no reason to expect a slowdown anytime soon. More on the trend in this week's Sports Business Journal: https://lnkd.in/g5Q7SEdr

Together with Sports Business Journal, we're excited to partner with Major League Soccer and CONCACAF to launch The Business of Soccer conference. Over the coming years, the global #sportsindustry will descend upon North America for the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals, 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics. During an unmatched time of opportunity for the sport in North America, we're delighted to provide a platform for football's biggest stakeholders to come together and explore the business opportunities plus developments shaping the future of the beautiful game. Find out more about the inaugural edition of The Business of Soccer, set to take place on 19 - 20 March 2025: https://bit.ly/3ZAwi8J

Sports Business Journal and Leaders in Sport are excited to partner with Major League Soccer and CONCACAF for The Business of Soccer. This new conference will explore the prolific opportunities in sports business as the international soccer community descends upon North America over the coming years. #bizofsoccer https://bit.ly/SBJ-TBOS