Top Stories

  • Fans will not be allowed to attend the Aug. 23 running of the Indianapolis 500 after Roger Penske, owner of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, scrapped plans announced last month to admit a 25 percent capacity crowd. Penske, who initially said he would not run the race without fans, cited rising coronavirus cases in Marion County as the reason for the decision, which comes a week after IMS partner IU Health issued a statement urging the venue to “consider an alternative to running the Indy 500 with fans in August.” (The Associated Press)
  • Colorado State football players and athletics staff members allege coaches have told players not to report COVID-19 symptoms, threatened to reduce playing time for those who quarantine and altered contact tracing reports to keep players practicing. Twenty-seven players — or about a quarter of the football team — were reportedly missing at practice on July 29, the team’s last before the university voluntarily paused practices because of an outbreak, and 11 football players had tested positive as of Sunday. (Fort Collins Coloradoan)
  • MLS and its players’ association are closing in on a plan to resume regular-season play in teams’ home markets following the conclusion of the MLS is Back tournament on Aug. 11, multiple people close to the situation said, with Aug. 21-23 targeted as the first full weekend of matches. Nashville SC and FC Dallas, the two clubs that were forced out of the MLS is Back tournament due to coronavirus outbreaks, would reportedly play each other twice in Texas from Aug. 12-15 in an effort to make up games. (The Washington Post)

Chart Review

Events Calendar (All Times Local)

08/05/2020
SportsPro Insider Series – Susatainability – Virtual
Morning Consult – 2020 Most Loved Brands: What Drives Brand Love In A Year Like No Other – Virtual
08/06/2020
University of Toronto – NBA/WNBA Partnership & Marketing – Virtual
The Aspen Institute – Project Play: The Rebuild We Need Now – Virtual
View full calendar

Webinar – Most Loved Brands: What Drives Brand Love In A Year Like No Other

Join Morning Consult today at 1:00 PM ET for a webinar breaking down the results in this year’s edition of Most Loved Brands.

The webinar will explore which brands topped the list, what factors tend to drive brand love and how brands can excel in the COVID-19 era.

Media

Disney And Fox See Declines, Hold Out Hope For Football
Anthony Crupi, Sportico

Speaking to investors during the Mouse House’s Tuesday afternoon earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Chapek sidestepped a question as to whether ESPN and ABC’s affiliate revenue would slump if fall football were to be sidelined by the coronavirus. A similar question was posed to Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch, who told analysts that the company “fully expect[s] both college football and the NFL to come back in the fall.”

Sinclair Could Make Foray Into College Multimedia Business
Michael Smith, Sports Business Journal

Outfront Media Sports, the company that owns the marketing and media rights to LSU, Maryland and Virginia, among others, has been on the sales block for more than a year, industry sources say. It now appears that a deal is near. A group that includes Sinclair Broadcast Group has emerged as a leading candidate to acquire Outfront’s college business.

NBA Launches Betting-Centric Telecast For Select Games Of Restart
David Purdum, ESPN

The NBA on Monday announced the launch of an alternate telecast centered on sports betting for select games, the latest broadcast enhancement for the NBA restart. NBABet Stream will feature overlays displaying point spreads and odds, as well as betting analysis.

IOC May Face Fresh NBC Broadcast Negotiations For Tokyo 2020
Ed Dixon, SportsPro Media

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) could be required to enter renegotiations with NBCUniversal over the amount the US broadcaster will pay for media rights to Tokyo 2020. A note in the latest financial statements of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) states that the postponement of the Games to 2021 has triggered a ‘Right of Abatement’ clause in the agreement that stipulates that ‘NBC and the IOC shall negotiate in good faith an equitable reduction in the applicable broadcast rights payments’.

National TV Ad Revenue Fell 9% in June to $3.2 Billion
Jason Lynch, Adweek

U.S. national TV ad revenues fell 9% in June to $3.2 billion. But without June staples like the NBA Finals, NHL Stanley Cup Finals or MLB regular season games, national ad spending on sports fell 60% compared to 2019.

NFL

Former Disney Executive Aims to Score With Disneyland of Football
Konrad Putzier, The Wall Street Journal

A former Walt Disney Co. executive, shrugging off the coronavirus pandemic and volatile capital markets, is pushing ahead with plans to build what he calls the Disneyland of football. The resort is centered around the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The NFL has always prioritized competitive fairness. That won’t be possible this season.
Mark Maske, The Washington Post

The regular season, if it proceeds, could end up being 10 or 12 weeks instead of the planned 17. One team could end up playing 12 games while another plays 14 and another plays all 16, with the standings set by winning percentages.

The NFL will fine players up to $50,000 for breaking coronavirus rules
Jessica Golden, CNBC

The league has issued a memo to all players and personnel outlining disciplinary measures for violating health and safety protocols. Failure to comply can result in escalating fines of up to $50,000, according to a memo obtained by CNBC. 

Rams Launch Scouting Apprenticeship Program To Help Minorities And Women
Emmanuel Morgan, Los Angeles Times

The apprenticeship, according to a news release, will offer participants experiential learning, mentorship and networking opportunities. The program will start in August and run through the 2021 NFL draft, scheduled for April 29 to May 1, 2021 in Cleveland.

NBA

W.N.B.A. Players Escalate Protest of Anti-B.L.M. Team Owner
Sopan Deb, The New York Times

Players for the Atlanta Dream and other teams across the W.N.B.A. have begun a public show of defiance by wearing T-shirts endorsing the Democratic opponent of the Dream’s co-owner Senator Kelly Loeffler, Republican of Georgia, who is in a tightly contested race for her seat and has spoken disparagingly of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Sources: Significant Doubt About Second Bubble For Eight Eliminated Teams
Shams Charania and Sam Amick, The Athletic

There is growing belief among the NBA’s eight franchises not in Orlando that a second bubble site being built for minicamps and intrasquad scrimmages will not happen, sources tell The Athletic. There is pessimism about in-market minicamps for group workouts happening as well.

Barclays Center Financials Show First Hint Of Venues’ Pandemic Problems
Brendan Coffey, Sportico

Financials released by Brooklyn’s Barclays Center Tuesday provide the first glimpse of how badly arenas have been hit. Revenue for the first six months of the year fell almost $50 million overall, led by a ticket sales plunge of 99.9% compared to the first half of 2019.

MLB

Motley Crew Of Marlins Pull Out Inspiring Win In Return
Gabe Lacques, USA Today

The avalanche of transactions that occurred Tuesday — 13 players to the injured list, 18 more added to the 40-man or active roster — culminated an unprecedented flurry of pandemic-driven roster activity. “You never anticipate needing to replace 18 players,” said Michael Hill, the Marlins’ president of baseball operations.

Angels’ Trout calls for daily virus tests, homers in return
Greg Beacham, The Associated Press

Mike Trout remains skeptical about the wisdom of completing the full baseball season amid the coronavirus outbreak, and the Los Angeles Angels’ three-time AL MVP would like to see the addition of daily testing to the sport’s safety measures. Trout spoke Tuesday after rejoining the Angels in Seattle following the birth of his first child.

Field of Dreams game postponed, White Sox still involved, MLB eyes August 2021
Vinnie Duber, NBC Sports Chicago

A day after it was reported the Field of Dreams game between the White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals was off, Major League Baseball officially postponed the Iowa-based event set for next week, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the reason why.

Perry’s Ice Cream Inks Five-Year Sponsorship Deal With Cleveland Indians
Dan Miner, Buffalo Business First

Perry’s Ice Cream has inked another major sponsorship as it seeks to drive deeper into the Ohio market. The Akron-based ice cream maker has struck a four-year deal making it the official partner of the Cleveland Indians.

NHL

Laval to host 2022 AHL All-Star Game after cancellation of next year’s event
The Canadian Press

The American Hockey League has cancelled its 2021 all-star game and awarded the 2022 All-Star Classic to the Laval Rocket. Laval was scheduled to host the 2021 game, which the AHL announced Tuesday is being shelved due to the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic.

College Sports

SEC Won’t Hold Traditional Fall Camps; Delays Practice to Aug. 17
Ross Dellenger, Sports Illustrated

The conference office has approved a new preseason plan that delays practice deeper into August. As part of the plan, teams can practice 25 times over a 40-day period beginning on Aug. 17, sources tell Sports Illustrated.

#WeAreUnited Players Reach Out To California Gov. For Help
Ralph D. Russo, The Associated Press

The Pac-12 players hope an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom could mandate player-approved, third-party oversight of COVID-19 rules at the Pac-12′s four California schools and ensure players who opt out of the coming season because of coronavirus won’t lose a year of eligibility.

Sources: Idaho Football Players Don’t Want to Play This Fall
Brett McMurphy, Stadium

Nearly three-fourths of Idaho’s football players don’t want to play this fall because of health concerns regarding the unknown long-term impact of COVID-19, sources told Stadium. Multiple players told Stadium they have communicated those concerns to head coach Paul Petrino, assistant coaches, athletic director Terry Gawlik and school president Scott Green.

Texas Tech women’s basketball players describe toxic culture
Jori Epstein and Daniel Libit, USA Today

In a series of season-ending exit interviews, players alleged a culture of abuse in the Texas Tech program since coach Marlene Stollings took over in April 2018. They say a toxic atmosphere has prompted an exodus of players, including 12 of 21 leaving the program, seven of whom were recruited under Stollings.

Alabama Football May Be On The Hook For More Than $3.5M For Canceled Non-Conference Games
Brett Hudson, The Tuscaloosa News

The move to a 10-game, SEC-only schedule could have the University of Alabama obligated to pay out more than $3.5 million to schools that were originally contracted to play the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa in the 2020 season. UA had scheduled home games against Georgia State on Sept. 12, Kent State on Sept. 26 and UT Martin on Nov. 14.

Soccer

Racist incidents stop work on FC Cincinnati stadium
Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer

Two “racist incidents” prompted a shutdown to work on Cincinnati’s soccer stadium, Turner Construction officials said Monday. David Spaulding, Turner Construction vice president and general manager, said work will only continue once “every single person on the site” has participated in anti-bias training.

Racing

Sources: Spire S&E Buying Leavine Family Racing Team
Adam Stern, Sports Business Daily

Leavine Family Racing Owner Bob Leavine today announced that he has sold the team, and while no buyer was announced, sources say that Spire Sports & Entertainment is the expected winner. THE DAILY first reported last month that Leavine was actively working on selling the team.

Golf and Tennis

Rafael Nadal Bows Out Of U.S. Open, Citing Travel Concerns Amid Pandemic
Liz Clarke, The Washington Post

Four-time U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal won’t defend his title this year, announcing Tuesday that he will skip the Grand Slam event in New York because of concerns about the novel coronavirus. In doing so, the 34-year-old will forgo an opportunity to tie Roger Federer’s men’s record of 20 major titles.

Tennis returns with dubious bubble and US Open confusion
Jared Schwartz, New York Post

Tennis has officially returned with the WTA Palermo Ladies Open this week, but safety protocols have already been called into question. An unnamed player has already been forced to withdraw after testing positive, and the “bubble” that WTA will attempt to uphold at each tournament has already been threatened.

Esports

T1 expands Twitch streaming alliance in multi-year deal
Andrew Hayward, Esports Insider

T1 Entertainment & Sports, the joint venture established between SK Telecom and Comcast Spectacor, announced today that it has signed an expanded streaming deal with Twitch. The exclusive multi-year agreement, which previously focused solely on T1’s League of Legends team, will now apply to all of the organisation’s players and content creators.

General

Black employees at Nike object to company’s new ad
Sara Germano, Financial Times

A group of black Nike employees voiced repeated objections to the release of a recent ad by the company, people familiar with the matter said, asking management to publicly acknowledge the company’s own internal shortcomings on equality before promoting the ideal to consumers. The internal pushback against the video ad, featuring footage of athletes including Colin Kaepernick and Serena Williams, illustrates persisting divisions within Nike, the world’s largest sportswear maker.

Bill aimed at reshaping U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee passed by Senate
Rick Maese, The Washington Post

The Empowering Olympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act passed the Senate by unanimous consent Tuesday. The bill, which was introduced in July 2019, had bipartisan support, and lawmakers are hopeful for a quick passage in the House.

Tokyo Olympics chief strikes defiant tone as sceptics question viability
Robin Harding and Leo Lewis, Financial Times

The 2021 Olympic Games will be held “with corona”, according to the chief executive of the Tokyo organising committee, even as sceptics question whether the games will ever happen. Toshiro Muto struck a defiant tone in an interview with the Financial Times, asserting that the Olympics would take place even without a resolution to the Covid-19 crisis.

XFL’s New Owners See Acquisition As “Relatively Cheap Option” Play
JohnWallStreet, Sportico

The hope is they’ll be able to land a big enough media rights deal to make the league financially viable. And they’ll willingly fund the short-term losses associated with getting the league up and running again knowing there is a clear path to profitability.

Vegas Golden Knights Owner Foley, Dodgers Investor Boehly Form New SPACs
Brendan Coffey, Sportico

Vegas Golden Knights owner William Foley filed for a $1.2 billion special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) with the SEC last night, while Dodgers and L.A. Sparks minority owner Todd Boehly filed for a $500 million SPAC after the close of business yesterday, according to the SEC website. While neither SPAC specifies sports as a specific target industry, the filings show how investor appetite for the novel form of taking companies public is meeting with team owners’ desire to expand their business empires.

Opinions, Editorials, Perspectives and Research

Leavine Family Racing Sale Underscores A Broken Team Ownership Model
Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic

NASCAR team ownership is a completely different animal. Not only does it necessitate a significant investment, but the business model in many facets was set up for owners to fail.

Early Stoppages Show Neutral Sites Are Key For MLB Playoffs, If They Happen
Evan Drellich, The Athletic

If Major League Baseball can safely hold its regular season and reach a postseason — a massive question that will linger every day until MLB either gets there, or doesn’t — the commissioner’s office and the Players Association appear to have little choice but to hold the playoffs in as close to a controlled environment as possible.

Morning Consult