Mark Reel Jr

Part 2: NWSL Links to Multi club/Sport Ownership Utah Royals  * Valued $70m * Franchise Fee $2m 2017, $5m 2020, $2m 2023 * Established 2017 but ceased operations 2020 after allegations of misconduct into then Utah owner Dell Loy Hansen * The Yates report highlighted Hansen on multiple counts of failures  * Utah Soccer LLC, holding company of Utah Royals transferred ownership to Kansas City who began playing in NWSL 2021 * Upon transfer Utah Royals paid $5m for the right to re enter the NWSL at a later date and agreed a pre set franchise fee $2m * Utah are owned by Real Salt Lake owners David Blitzer (DB) & Ryan Smith (RS) who purchased Real Salt Lake & Real Monarchs (affiliate team) for $400m 2022 * 2023 DB, RS / NWSL announced the return of the Utah Royals * Arctos partners joined as a limited partner and minority investor * DB and Josh Harris (HB Entertainment) have a portfolio of American sports franchises * DB has his own portfolio of European football clubs RS owns  * NBA's Utah Jazz,  * Salt Lake City Stars (NBA G) * Salt Lake Bees (Minor League baseball) * 2024 paid $1.2bn for NHL Arizona Coyotes and relocated them to Salt Lake  * RS made his money through Qualtrics a family survey and analytics company, which was acquired by German company SAP for $8bn 2019 North Carolina Courage  * Valued $108m * Franchise Fee $2m * The North Carolina Courage established in 2017 by Steve Malik (SM) purchased the Western New York Flash, renamed & recoated to North Carolina. * SM owns USL team North Carolina FC * 2024 Marc Lasry (MS) (former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner) close to buying 60% in the North Carolina Courage * ML is the founder and CEO of Avenue Capital Group, AuM $12bn * ML Avenue Sports invests in * Premier League Ipswich Town * TGL Franchise ‘The Bay Club’ owned with Stephen Curry & John Stones (Man City) * PGA Tour Enterprises (with FSG) * Other Investors include Tennis star Naomi Osaka * Former Head Coach Paul Riley was dismissed in 2021 following findings in the Yates Report Washington Spirit  * Valued $95m * Franchise Fee $0 - Founding member 2012 * Originally owned by Bill Lynch 2013 * Majority stake sold to Steve Baldwin 2018 * Michele Kang (MK) became majority owner 2022 * MK initially a minority investor 2020 * 2021 allegations of abuse and mismanagement were aimed at the Head Coach & Steve Baldwin * MK and fan groups wanted a change in ownership, Baldwin initially resisted, despite being outnumbered 2-1 MK convinced several non-voting investors to convert their investments to voting shares which led to MK gaining control. * 2022 MK paid $32m for majority control * 2024 MK created Kynisca the holding company for her clubs * 2024 MK acquired 100% London City Lionesses * 2023 MK acquired 52.9% stake in Olympique Lyonnais Féminin for €54m  * 2024 Kynisca close to securing a $16m acquisition of Levante Las Planes controversially MK plans to relocate the club to Badalona & rebrand #multiclubownership #footballbusiness #footballfinance

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The last moment of Oakland A’s history: 😭 Jon Fisher epitomizes everything wrong with the “owner” mentality in today’s single-entity closed leagues operating as exclusive franchises. By consistently maintaining some of the lowest payrolls in Major League Baseball with the Oakland Athletics and in MLS with the San Jose Earthquakes, he has ensured both teams remain uncompetitive. This shortsighted approach has led to dwindling fan attendance and a lack of excitement surrounding the clubs, undermining the essence of sports and disheartening loyal supporters. Authentic sports teams thrive on community engagement and shared passion. They don’t abandon cities that have supported them for generations after siphoning off millions in revenue. It’s disgraceful when owners prioritize their own interests, leaving behind fans who have invested their time and loyalty. Exploiting a city for profit and then walking away is not just poor business; it’s a betrayal of trust. The empty stands at the Oakland Coliseum and PayPal Park are a direct result of Fisher’s choices. After taking millions from Oakland’s community, he announced a relocation to Las Vegas, severing ties with passionate fans. Instead of reinvesting in the teams and the communities, Fisher grabbed the cash and ran, showing a troubling disregard for the people who supported him. Fisher spent 20 years trying to get local taxpayers to fund a stadium, but he won’t get that in Vegas, as they don't have the money. Maybe he’ll also move his MLS team, the San Jose Earthquakes, to Vegas for a dual-use stadium. I know MLS wants Vegas badly for its entertainment value, and they’ve played in baseball stadiums before. Exclusive franchises must prioritize collaboration with their local communities rather than abandon them due to unfavorable conditions. If they can’t commit to being a positive force, they shouldn’t carry those cities’ names or seek public funding. It’s no wonder fans hesitate to invest in a franchise that has signaled its intention to leave. Investment in on-field success is crucial for attracting fans and building a vibrant sports culture. If Fisher had chosen to invest in his teams rather than focus solely on profits, he might have seen improved performance and attendance. Relying on public funds is unethical when leagues generate substantial revenue that could sustain their operations. Franchise sports often pick and choose when they operate as businesses and when they act like sports teams. But teams should stay loyal to their communities, even when times are tough economically. #Sports #Community #Leadership #SportsManagement #Authenticity #Investment

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If you follow college sports, you may have heard that the NCAA and the Power 5 Conferences are working to settle the House v NCAA case. It was just reported that the Big 12 presidents and chancellors voted unanimously in favor of the settlement terms. Learn more about the settlement terms with my latest below. #sportslaw #collegesports https://lnkd.in/etf4ReGU

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Earlier this week the valuation of an historic media rights deal was announced for the WNBA. The reported $2.2 billion over 11 years equates to six-times the amount the league was earning under its current deal with WNBA. The valuation also exceeds the amount league commissioner Cathy Engelbert hoped to drive for the rights. Despite these positive points, WNBPA executive director, Terry Jackson, and others question how the valuation was reached and if the league truly secured the highest possible valuation. Today I joined Marketplace's Savannah Maher to delve into the deal and its upside and downside. In my work for WIF and conversations with media and finance leaders, a sad truth has appeared: investments into men are made on potential, whereas women only receive investiture after proof. The WNBA is in the midst of an historic season where viewership has tripled, more arenas have sold out than ever before and a captivating group of women are leading the league. The question now, is whether $2.2 billion is a representation of today's current value of the league or a projection of how much further it can grow. You can listen to the interview here: https://lnkd.in/gP8ypApE

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Are your powersports vendors operating in compliance with your state laws? Violating state franchise laws can result in significant financial penalties, and the fines can add up quickly. Imagine a daily fine of $10,000 not just for each day, but for every infraction at each dealer in a state. This could easily escalate to millions of dollars per day for major brands with numerous dealers. Franchise laws, often crafted with the influence of auto dealer associations, protect both auto and powersports dealers. For example, in Texas, the motor vehicle commission can impose fines up to $10,000 per day per violation if a vendor fails to comply with the statutes. This emphasizes the importance for dealers to be aware of and enforce these laws to avoid hefty penalties. Dealers should understand that vendors might not always willingly comply with local statutes, often using the dealer's lack of knowledge to their advantage. Only a small percentage of dealers are familiar with the specific laws in their states. For instance, the Texas Automobile Dealers Association has already notified several vendors of non-compliance. While some vendors seek solutions, others are slow to respond, risking substantial fines and potential loss of their retail licenses. The TMDA prefers collaborative solutions, but if vendors do not act promptly, formal complaints and significant penalties are imminent. This situation is not unique to Texas; many states have similar statutes and enforcement mechanisms, underscoring the necessity for vendors to comply promptly to avoid severe repercussions. To read my full blog post on this topic, click on through.... https://lnkd.in/erhB8zvv And if you don't have a state dealer association, consider joining the National Powersports Dealer Association as we are working on a program to help stand up associations in every state. #Powersports #FranchiseProtections #MotorVehicle #Statute #Compliance #TX #Law #Vendor #BusinessPartner #TMDA #MotorVehicleCommission #NPDA

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📊 New Data Tool for Evaluating Sports Franchises The University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business has teamed up with Arctos Sports Partners to launch the pioneering Sports Franchise Index (SFI). This innovative initiative promises to transform how we understand the performance and valuation of sports franchises. 🔍 What is the SFI? The Sports Franchise Index offers a comprehensive and transparent measure of the financial and operational health of sports franchises. Utilizing robust data analytics, the SFI aims to provide deep insights into the sports industry. 💡 Notable Findings: - Long-Term Growth: The value of North American sports assets included in the index has compounded at 13.0% per annum over the last 60+ years, outperforming the equity market by 2.5%. - Superior Risk/Return: According to several measures of risk, North American sports assets included in the index possess risk/return characteristics superior to other traditional and alternative asset classes. 📊 Latest Performance Updates (as of Q1 2024): - Quarter-to-Date Return: 4.8% - Year-to-Date Return: 28.1% - Three-Years-to-Date Return: 16.7% 🔝 Year-Over-Year Performance: - Outperforming Assets: North American sports assets have outperformed global equities (23.8%), U.S. small cap stocks (19.7%), private credit (8.8%), private equity (6.0%), commodities (1.5%), and fixed income (1.3%). - Top Performers: The U.S. media and entertainment sector (53.6%) and U.S. equities (29.9%) have outperformed North American sports assets included in the index. This collaboration highlights a significant step forward in using data-driven strategies to revolutionize the sports industry. I've dropped a link to the announcement in the comments 👇 #linkedinsports #sportsfranchise

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North American teams have consistently been pioneers and trendsetters in the world of basketball. I've had the honor of working with some of the top European Elite teams from the Euroleague, Eurocup, FIBA Champions, and ACB for over eight years. And it's a remarcable journey so far, I need to admit! The University of Utah serves as a shining example and partially explains why North American basketball organizations, in my view, are often several steps ahead of elite European basketball clubs, both strategically and technologically. Consider how the women's teams and their coaches integrate live capturing and coding into their routines—it's not just groundbreaking; it's become the standard. This begs the question: can you name even two Euroleague teams that employ similar techniques? This highlights a significant opportunity for growth in our field. We have a lot of ground to cover to elevate European basketball to the level of North American teams. Thankfully, solutions like Hudl provide all the tools necessary to achieve these advancements. Let's embrace this challenge and make a concerted effort to incorporate these cutting-edge practices into our teams. It's time to learn, adapt, and innovate. Let's work together to bring European basketball to new heights!

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There is so much going oil college sports. Over the past 2 weeks there have been 2 major stories: 1. What will happen with the House settlement proposal; 2. UNLV's quarterback Matthew Sluka NIL contract issue. Check out my latest as I discuss what is going on in both of these stories. https://lnkd.in/eH5xWgg3 #collegesports #sportslaw #ncaa #nameimagelikeness

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Feeling inspired after our first Excelerator (young professional leadership development program) Brunch 'N Learn event, with SFIA - Sports & Fitness Industry Association's own Tom Cove, President and CEO. Tom shared a treasure trove of career and industry insights, including: i) Recognize skill gaps and navigate them with integrity and confidence ii) Pursue authentic, win-win partnerships from start to finish iii) Embrace diversity in collaboration - it's essential, not just a nice-to-have iv) Invest in all athletes (especially those who don't fit the profile norm) to boost participation and fitness activity in all sports v) Listen to both spoken and unspoken brand feedback - silence can be so telling Tom emphasized the need for more women in youth sports leadership (coaches and officials) and the need to focus on the insights behind the numbers, not just data. His advice on learning from failure and the ability to pivot quickly to a new direction struck a chord. Finally, his recommendations for words to live by for the Excelerators were authenticity, confidence, reading the room, and choosing your battles wisely. This session was a perfect kickoff to our Excelerator Brunch 'N Learn Series running through November. #ProfessionalGrowth #SportsIndustry #LeadershipLessons

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“Foster the best playing environments” Here is a question that was brought to my attention this week. Can an MLS Club protect up to 9 players in their region without informing the player? If that is the case: would that rule stand up in a court of law? If not the case: what is the “protect player rule” and why is the list not made public? Anyone with correct answers please respond! Thx Db

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Tonight’s Matchup: Duke vs. Arizona 🏀 Basketball fans, tonight we’re in for a thrilling clash as Duke takes on Arizona! Both teams are coming off promising starts this season, and the stats suggest we’re in for an exciting game. Let’s break it down: Key Stats Comparison * Points Per Game: Arizona leads with an impressive 94.3 PPG, outpacing Duke’s 88.5 PPG. Expect a high-scoring affair! * Defensive Performance: Duke holds the edge, allowing only 58.0 points against compared to Arizona’s 70.3. Defense could be a game-changer for Duke. * Rebounding Battle: Arizona dominates the boards with 45.7 RPG, including a massive 18.3 offensive rebounds, compared to Duke’s 42.2 RPG. Watch for second-chance opportunities. Efficiency and Scoring Trends * Field Goal Percentage: Duke shoots slightly better at 47.9%, compared to Arizona’s 45.6%. * Three-Point Shooting: Duke’s sharpshooters have the advantage at 37.2%, while Arizona lags at 27.4%. Perimeter shooting could tip the scales. * Points in the Paint: Arizona thrives inside, scoring 49.3 points in the paint, significantly higher than Duke’s 37.0. Expect Arizona to exploit their inside presence. Other Notable Insights * Fast Break Points: Arizona’s speed shines with 19.3 fast break points, nearly doubling Duke’s 12.2. * Turnovers and Discipline: Duke’s tighter control is evident with only 9.2 turnovers per game, while Arizona averages 10.0. * Free Throws: Arizona gets to the line more often (21.7 free throws per game), but Duke is more efficient at 75.8% FT accuracy. What to Watch For This game is shaping up to be a battle of Duke’s disciplined defense and shooting efficiency versus Arizona’s high-octane offense and rebounding dominance. If Duke can control the tempo and limit Arizona’s fast break chances, they may come out on top. On the other hand, if Arizona capitalizes on second-chance points and dominates inside, they’ll be tough to beat. At Blunt Picks, we transform stats like these into actionable insights for fans and bettors. Whether you're rooting for Duke or Arizona, let us help you make informed decisions. 📊 Ready to make smarter picks?
Visit bluntpicks.com for the latest game insights and expert tips. Let’s elevate your basketball strategy! 🚀

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Worth the quick read.

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Getting more from your "Search Firm" I have always considered Matrix Analytical a staff builder for head coaches and GMs more so than a search firm for Athletic Directors. However, I had an AD breakdown what we provide for our head coach searches relative to the standard search firm. In abbreviated form, here is what the next evolution in coach searches provides: - All important data metrics and grades on every head coach in simplified form for side by side comparison Use our real market value salary formulas for each conference to reduce risk of overpaying or underpaying any coach and creating a budget imbalance for total staffing. - All career grades on every OC/DC/STC and any unit coach they may be considering for the position of head coach (hire a guy that is elite at something if no head coach experience) - Enables the AD to ask for and review all staffing choices from each candidate to find their strengths and weaknesses in staffing (most HCs fail due to staffing). - Be on call for a full year for any staffing issues the AD or head coach has in the future. - 1/5th of the standard search firm invoice. Can you afford to know you have less information than what is available to all Athletic Directors, at every level, for the biggest decision any one of you will face now or in the future?

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Here are 27 players and 8 defenses to consider adding to your fantasy football team from your week 5 waiver wire! 👇👇👇 🟢 Kareem Hunt - 14 carries and 3 targets in week 4. Very possibly the Chiefs new RB 1 until Pacheco returns. Must be rostered. 🟡🟢 Trey Sermon - Jonathan Taylor *might* miss week 5 with an ankle injury, making Trey Sermon a potential plug-and-play RB 2 in a great matchup with the Jaguars in week 5. 🟡 Bucky Irving - Worked his way into a 50/50 split with Rachaad White. RB 3/flex moving forward with upside for A LOT more if anything happens to White. 🟡 Dontayvion Wicks - 13 targets, 5 catches, 78 yards, 2 TDs in week 4 after Christian Watson went down. Watson is dealing with a 2-4 week injury, making Wicks a WR 4/flex with matchup-enhanced upside for the next few games. Want more? There's A LOT more where that came from. I have a list of 27 player and defenses to consider adding from your week 5 waiver wire, including notes for each player and recommendations for whether or not they're worth waiver wire priority or blind bidding dollars. Want the list? 👉 https://lnkd.in/gff34gPu

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Do really know the rules of baseball? Baseball Rules in Black and White App has helped thousands learn and retain the rules of baseball. We are the only rule resource that covers 4 rule sets. See the difference in Black and White. https://lnkd.in/g_6N6GN #entrepreneur #doyoureallyknowtherulesofbaseball

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