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Average NWSL Team Valuation Rises
Angel City, considered the most valuable team at US$250 million, increased their value by 39% and second-placed Kansas City Current saw the biggest jump in value from 2023, with its valuation up 141 per cent YoY to US$182 million.
Average NWSL Team Valuation Rises by 57% to US$104 Million
NASCAR Joins Forces with Ticketmaster
NFL Expected To Spur Record In Sports Wagers
Ex-Michigan Players Sue NCAA
UFC Reaches $375 Million Settlement
NFL Can Leverage a Major Court Decision
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Sheppard Mullin's Sports Industry Team is uniquely positioned to address the complex and dynamic needs of our sports industry clientele. Our sports practice offers the expertise necessary to provide full service legal counsel to owners, teams, leagues, governing bodies, facility operators, key rights holders, advertising companies, sponsors and others involved in sports-related transactions or disputes.
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A weekly summary of the key trends and stories in sports business.
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Following a thorough RFP process, NASCAR has named Ticketmaster its official ticketing partner in a move that complements Ticketmaster’s longtime partnership with Speedway Motorsports and further unifies ticketing for fans of the sport. The partnership will allow fans to discover, purchase and enjoy NASCAR events at facilities nationwide, beginning with the 2025 racing season.
NASCAR Joins Forces with Ticketmaster
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The American Gaming Association projects that $35 billion will be legally wagered on the NFL this season, marking a 30% increase from last year’s $26.7 billion. This surge is driven by the expansion of legal sports betting to more states, including Maine, North Carolina, and Vermont, and the relaunch of sports betting in Florida. Despite this growth, stocks of major gambling companies like DraftKings, Penn, and Caesars have not seen a corresponding rise. Competition among sportsbooks is intensifying, with companies like FanDuel launching new promotions to attract customers during the NFL season.
NFL Season Expected to Spur Record $35 Billion in Legal Sports Wagers
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Four former University of Michigan football players, including Braylon Edwards and Denard Robinson, have filed a $50 million federal class-action antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA and the Big Ten Network. The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, claims that the NCAA and the network unlawfully used the players’ names, images, and likenesses (NIL) without compensation. The plaintiffs argue that their NIL rights were exploited in broadcasts, advertisements, and other commercial ventures, and they seek compensation for both past and future uses of their NIL. This case highlights ongoing legal battles over NIL rights in college sports and aims to rectify the alleged exploitation of former athletes.
Ex-Michigan Players Sue NCAA, Big Ten Network for $50M Over NIL
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The Agreement requires court approval; judge previously rejected a lower settlement amount. Under the revised settlement in the larger of two cases, Le v. Zuffa, TKO Group — the parent company of UFC — will pay $375 million to the plaintiffs. Previously, TKO had agreed to pay around $300 million to the plaintiffs who are party to the Le lawsuit.
UFC Reaches $375 Million Settlement In Antitrust Lawsuit With Former Fighters
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A U.S. District Court jury ordered the National Football League to pay more than $4.7 billion in damages for antitrust violations. The ruling held that restricting negotiations over rights to broadcast teams’ out-of-market Sunday games to a single, bundled TV package violated competition laws. The lawsuit covered 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses in the United States who paid for out-of-market games from 2011 through 2022 on DirecTV. The plaintiffs claimed that the NFL broke antitrust laws by selling its Sunday games package at an inflated price. While the League plans to appeal the decision, the ruling could prompt changes in how rights to air games are distributed, potentially benefiting football teams and fans alike. If the ruling stands, the NFL could lose out on one big-ticket payday. But dicing up rights could spark a wider feeding frenzy. The pot for sports rights is expected to grow to $30 billion annually by 2024.
NFL Can Leverage a Major Court Decision to Boost How Teams and Fans Watch Games
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Weekly Trivia Question
Weekly Trivia Question
In which year was NASCAR founded?
Weekly Trivia Question
Answer
1948
REveal Answer
In which year was NASCAR founded?
Weekly Trivia Question
In which organization are teams individually owned and belong to governing bodies which promote and relegate teams to different leagues based on performance?
Weekly Trivia Question
a. National Football League (American Football)
b. English Premier League (Soccer)
c. Major League Soccer (Soccer)
d. Serie National de Beisbol (Cuba) (Baseball)
Correct!
b. English Premier League (Soccer)
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Hide Answer
In which organization are teams individually owned and belong to governing bodies which promote and relegate teams to different leagues based on performance?
Weekly Trivia Question
a. National Football League (American Football)
b. English Premier League (Soccer)
c. Major League Soccer (Soccer)
d. Serie National de Beisbol (Cuba) (Baseball)
Correct!
b. English Premier League (Soccer)
Hide Answer
Incorrect
try Again
