Morning Consult Sports: Capital One Reportedly Replacing Bank of America as MLB Banking Sponsor
 

Sports

Essential sports industry news & intel to start your day.
January 19, 2022
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The Next Frontier in Sports Betting
Amid the proliferation of legal wagering in the United States, sports broadcasters have started to weave more betting-related content into their telecasts. Many gaming industry insiders believe this only scratches the surface of how betting will be integrated into the sports betting experience in the coming years. In the second of three deep dives into sports gambling this week, Morning Consult examines how sports betting is evolving from a second-screen experience to a single-screen experience and whether bettors will embrace this shift. Inside the Next Frontier in Sports Betting: Integrated Viewing

 

Top Stories

  • Financial services company Capital One Financial Corp. has signed on as MLB’s new banking sponsor, according to industry sources, in a deal that includes broad rights across the category, including credit cards. The designation became available when the Bank of America Corp. reportedly decided not to renew its league-level deal after 18 years, though it will still sponsor seven MLB teams. (Sports Business Journal)
  • Microsoft Corp. agreed to purchase video game publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. for $68.7 billion (adjusting for Activision’s net cash), marking what would be the largest acquisition in the technology company’s history. The deal, which could be completed by June 2023, could have significant ramifications for esports, a space in which Activision Blizzard operates leagues based on two of its most popular titles, “Call of Duty” and “Overwatch,” that feature a franchise-style ownership model that resembles traditional professional sports. (The Dallas Morning News)
  • The Big 12 is planning to temporarily restructure as a 14-team football conference for the 2023 and 2024 seasons to accommodate realignment by dividing into two seven-team divisions, according to league sources. The Big 12 reportedly expects to be at 14 teams for two seasons based on assumptions that both Texas and Oklahoma will stay in the conference four more years before heading to the Southeastern Conference, and that BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF will join the Big 12 before the 2023-24 athletic year. (CBS Sports)
 

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Events Calendar (All Times Local)

 

What Else You Need to Know

 
Media
 

Struggling RSNs Find Bright Spot in Advertising Boomlet

John Wall Street, Sportico

Playfly Sports founder and CEO Michael Schreiber said “advertising [revenue] has been increasing in a significant way for these networks… It’s one of the few growth areas in all of local sports right now.”

 

Twitter Kicks Off Out-of-Home Campaign Featuring Celebrities’ Affirmation Tweets

David Cohen, Adweek

The social network said more than 39 billboards in cities including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto were unveiled Tuesday. The billboards feature tweets from Leonard Fournette, Patrick Mahomes, Michaela Onyenwere and Bubba Wallace.

 

PGA Tour to Tee Up Twitter Spaces During Its 2022 Season

David Cohen, Adweek

The PGA Tour and Twitter will continue to hit the links together following a renewal of their existing content agreement. The golf circuit will continue to provide real-time highlights on each day of official PGA Tour tournaments, as well as branded and player-specific highlights and weekly Twitter Moments.

 

PGA Tour reaches multiyear extension with SiriusXM

Jay Rigdon, Awful Announcing

The PGA Tour and SiriusXM announced Tuesday that they’ve reached a new multi-year agreement to continue their broadcasting relationship. The deal runs through 2024.

 

The Arena Group to acquire AMG/Parade

Sara Fischer, Axios

The Arena Group, a digital publishing company formerly called Maven, plans to acquire AMG/Parade in a $16 million cash and stock deal. AMG (Athlon Media Group) includes a professional sports magazine arm called Athlon Sports.

 
NFL
 

NFL reply to Jon Gruden lawsuit due Wednesday; league will likely seek to toss case

Daniel Kaplan, The Athletic

The NFL is scheduled to file its reply to former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden’s lawsuit against the league and commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday, a league official said. Legal experts said it would almost certainly include a motion to move the case to arbitration and also to dismiss it entirely.

 

Potential No. 1 NFL Draft Pick Kayvon Thibodeaux Signs With Starface Skincare Brand

Erika Wheless, Ad Age

Skincare company Starface tapped Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, a top NFL draft pick, as its first male athlete influencer. Starface also touts athletes like Michigan gymnast Sierra Brooks, LSU gymnast Elena Arenas, UCLA soccer player Kaila Novak, and Maryland basketball player Lavender Briggs, as partners.

 
NBA
 

San Antonio Spurs now backed by Airbnb’s billionaire co-founder

Madalyn Mendoza, The San Antonio Express-News

Joe Gebbia, the billionaire co-founder of Airbnb, joined the Spurs’ investor group. His introduction comes months after Sixth Street, a top global investment firm, and Texas billionaire Michael Dell joined the investor group in June 2021.

 

NBA to keep 10-day hardship contracts in place through Feb. 17

The Athletic

The NBA will keep its 10-day hardship contracts in place through Feb.17, extending the original deadline from Jan. 19, the league said in a memo Tuesday. The rule allows teams to sign one replacement player for each player under contract who tests positive for COVID-19.

 

Art of Sport Launches Latest Scent With James Harden

Obi Anyanwu, Women’s Wear Daily

Body care brand Art of Sport launched on Tuesday its new scent, Defy, on Amazon this month, made in partnership with Brooklyn Nets star and brand partner James Harden. Defy, the brand’s latest signature scent, is light and energetic with notes of sandalwood and peakwood, and is available in the brand’s full product range.

 
MLB
 

Dodgers promote fast-ascending executive Brandon Gomes to general manager

Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers are making Brandon Gomes their new general manager, promoting the 37-year-old executive to a post that had been vacant since Farhan Zaidi’s departure four years ago.

 

Free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa hires Scott Boras to represent him

Jeff Passan, ESPN

Star free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa has hired agent Scott Boras, Correa told ESPN over the phone Tuesday night. Correa, who in seven seasons with the Houston Astros made two All-Star teams and won the 2017 World Series, entered this winter on the top of most free-agent boards.

 
NHL
 

Canadiens hire longtime NHL agent Kent Hughes as general manager

Pierre LeBrun et al., The Athletic

The Montreal Canadiens hired longtime NHL agent Kent Hughes to be their next general manager on Tuesday. Hughes, 51, has been an agent for more than 25 years, representing Patrice Bergeron, Kris Letang and Darnell Nurse, among others.

 

MLSE looking for new president and CEO as Michael Friisdahl lands new job

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

Michael Friisdahl is leaving at the end of February to become executive chairman of Signature Aviation, a British-based multinational aviation services company. Chief financial officer Cynthia Devine has been named interim president and CEO during the search for Friisdahl’s successor.

 

NHL to stop testing asymptomatic players post-All-Star break

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press

The NHL will stop testing asymptomatic players, coaches and staff who are fully vaccinated following the All-Star break in early February, saying coronavirus cases continue to decline across the league. The current policy will remain in place until the All-Star break begins Feb. 3.

 
College Sports
 

Monmouth is leaving MAAC, Big South for Colonial Athletic Association

Adam Zagoria, NJ Advance Media

Monmouth is leaving the MAAC and the Big South for the Colonial Athletic Association, multiple sources confirmed to NJ Advance Media. The CAA is also targeting Stony Brook and Hampton beginning in the 2022-23 school year after James Madison left the CAA to join the Sun Belt in November.

 

Microsoft, College Football Hall of Fame Strike Multi-Year Deal

Emily Caron, Sportico

The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame has struck a three-year deal with Microsoft, making the tech giant one of the museum’s top-tier partners and exclusive tech provider for connecting with fans and giving visitors interactive exhibit experiences. The agreement includes an additional two-year option.

 

Alabama football coach Nick Saban urges West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin to support Freedom to Vote Act

Alex Scarborough, ESPN

Alabama football coach Nick Saban was among a handful of sports figures from West Virginia to sign a letter urging Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, to support the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act.

 

Record year on tap for college sports venue openings

Michael Smith, Sports Business Journal

A new basketball arena at Texas, a new football stadium at San Diego State and a new look inside iconic Rupp Arena will make 2022 the busiest year ever for venue openings and renovations in the college space. A predicted $2.8 billion will be invested in college venues that are scheduled to open in 2022.

 
Soccer
 

Columbus Crew: Longtime MSG Sports executive Kristin Bernert named head of business operations

Jacob Myers, The Columbus Dispatch

The Crew have hired Kristin Bernert as the club’s new president of business operations, taking over for Steve Lyons who was reassigned to an advisor position with Haslam Sports Group in November 2021. 

 

LaLiga Kicks Off Facebook Fantasy Game LaLiga 3 to Win

David Cohen, Adweek

Spanish soccer league LaLiga kicked off a new Facebook Fantasy Games entry over this past weekend: LaLiga 3 to Win. Facebook Fantasy Games debuted last September, and they are available free-of-charge via the social network’s flagship Android and iOS applications.

 
Racing
 

Brown admits Audi talks, expects Porsche/Red Bull tie-in

Chris Medland, RACER

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown says his team has had conversations with Audi over a potential Volkswagen Group entry in Formula 1, and believes Porsche will also join in partnership with Red Bull. The VW Group has been linked with a move into F1 on a number of occasions.

 

Formula 1 Marketing and Comms Chief Ellie Norman Departs

Stephen Lepitak, Adweek

Motor sport Formula 1’s marketing chief Ellie Norman is leaving the organization after four-and-a-half years. Norman joined the organization following the acquisition of the sport by Liberty Media in 2017 from Virgin Media.

 
Golf and Tennis
 

Djokovic’s Sponsors Stick By Him Or Stay Silent—But He Could Lose Millions From Missing Grand Slams

Derek Saul, Forbes

Raiffeisen Bank International said it would continue to sponsor Djokovic, and Swiss watchmaker Hublot similarly stuck by Djokovic. French clothing company Lacoste is Djokovic’s only sponsor to cast doubt on its partnership with the athlete.

 

Tour assigns designated areas for autographs, prohibiting outside ‘paraphernalia’

Rex Hoggard, Golf Channel

One of the ongoing issues faced by PGA Tour officials since the circuit restarted its schedule in the summer of 2020 was how to handle autographs, which were originally banned upon the resumption of play. That policy has been adjusted for this season with the Tour creating designated areas for players to sign autographs “with a primary focus on young fans,” according to a memo sent to players late last year.

 
Esports
 

Nerd Street Gamers partners with Riot Games for 2022 VCT Stage 1

Jonno Nicholson, Esports Insider

Riot Games has named esports infrastructure company Nerd Street Gamers as its exclusive partner for the first stage of the 2022 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) for North America. The deal will see Nerd Street Gamers lead the tournament circuit’s operations and broadcast.

 
General
 

China warns foreign Olympic athletes against speaking out on politics at Winter Games

Eva Dou, The Washington Post

A member of China’s Olympics organizing committee warned that foreign athletes may face punishment for speech that violates Chinese law at the 2022 Winter Games, spotlighting concerns about the country’s restrictions on political expression.

 

Official Beijing 2022 Olympics Mobile App Is Marred by Security Flaws, Researchers Say

Liza Lin, The Wall Street Journal

A mobile app that’s mandatory for all participants in next month’s Winter Olympics in Beijing contains security flaws that could make it easy for a hacker to steal sensitive personal information, cybersecurity researchers in Canada warn.

 

Women’s hockey league to increase salary cap, add 2 teams

John Wawrow, The Associated Press

The Premier Hockey Federation is more than doubling each teams’ salary cap to $750,000 and adding two expansion franchises next season in a bid to capitalize on the wave of attention women’s hockey traditionally enjoys following the Winter Olympics.

 

Fully vaccinated fighters, corner people won’t be tested for COVID-19 during fight week of UFC 270

Marc Raimondi, ESPN

For the first time during the coronavirus pandemic, vaccinated UFC fighters will not be tested for COVID-19 during fight week. Fighters and their corner people who are fully vaccinated will not have to undergo COVID testing nor any quarantining at UFC 270 this week in Anaheim, California, UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell confirmed Tuesday with ESPN.

 
Morning Consult