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Atlanta Braves’ Development Revenue
Atlanta Braves Holdings (“ABH”) reported a 49% year-over-year increase in revenue from mixed-use development, reaching $25 million in Q2, driven largely by the acquisition of Pennant Park and new leases. The Pennant Park transaction, which added office space and parking, is expected to contribute around $20 million in additional net operating income this year, alongside increased rental and sponsorship revenues. The mixed-use development continues to serve as a strategic commercial asset for ABH, complementing steady baseball-related income—$287 million in Q2, up 8%—from growing broadcasting, ticket sales, and sponsorship deals. The Braves’ ability to leverage real estate alongside baseball operations demonstrates a diversified financial strategy, positioning the franchise as an industry leader in extracting long-term shareholder value from ancillary commercial developments.
Atlanta Braves’ Development Revenue Jumps 49%
Valuations for Europe’s Soccer Powerhouses
Grand Slam Track Faces Closure
Aaron Rodgers-Backed Startup
WNBA Connecticut Sun Eye Potential Sale
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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The data highlights a clear trend: when institutional capital enters an industry like European soccer, revenue and valuations rise. Over a third of clubs in Europe’s top five leagues now have backing from private equity, venture capital, or private debt, including a majority of Premier League teams. M&A activity in European soccer has climbed sharply, rising from €66.7 million in 2018 to nearly €2.2 billion in 2024. U.S. investors are increasingly turning to multi-club ownership models to grow their portfolios and leverage sporting (player development and trading), marketing, and financial opportunities. But regulators are pushing back: UEFA recently barred Crystal Palace from the Europa League because American investor John Textor holds stakes in both Palace and Lyon, and both clubs had qualified for the competition.
U.S. Investors Drive Record Valuations for Europe’s Soccer Powerhouses
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Following its inaugural season, Grand Slam Track has faced significant financial challenges after failing to pay athletes and vendors, raising concerns about the league’s future viability. The league first promoted a $12.6 million prize pool and claimed $30 million in financial commitments, but disappointing ticket sales and event cancellations have brought its cash flow and debt obligations under scrutiny. Despite securing new partners and continued backing from current partners, the league has prioritized resolving outstanding debts and is actively seeking additional investors to continue operations. This situation underscores the volatility and financial risk inherent in launching alternative sports leagues, especially when revenue sources and investor commitments do not materialize as anticipated.
Grand Slam Track Faces Closure Amid Athlete Compensation Issues
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Aaron Rodgers-backed AthleteAgent.com has evolved its business model with a $30/month subscription targeting marketers seeking direct access to athlete agents, providing enhanced data to facilitate off-field endorsement and partnership deals. The platform, which has raised $3 million to date and is currently in a $2.5 million seed round, claims hundreds of paying subscribers and active user growth, especially among agencies seeking additional business for their athletes. Key financial differentiators include both free access to player contract data and premium marketing services, aiming to support not only top-earning athletes but also the broader pool, including younger players seeking brand-building opportunities. By expanding its reach and leveraging AI applications, AthleteAgent.com is well-positioned to fill a key market gap, potentially democratizing financial opportunities for athletes beyond the elite tier.
Aaron Rodgers-Backed Startup Aims to Streamline Advanced Data and Athlete Endorsements
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The Connecticut Sun’s ownership group is negotiating options to sell the WNBA franchise, seeking to maximize value with a record $325 million proposed sale and bids from investment groups led by Steve Pagliuca, minority owner of the Boston Celtics, and Marc Lasry, former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. The proposed sale is facing resistance as the WNBA has countered with a $250 million purchase offer, citing strict relocation and expansion rules that have impacted both $325 million bids. The Sun’s ownership group has rejected lower bids from other expansion candidates and has expressed concern regarding the league’s preference to control both relocation and sale price, particularly as franchise valuations and media revenues surge league-wide. Given rapid growth in WNBA valuations and expected profitability from new media deals, the league’s handling of the Sun’s sale could set a precedent for how other high-value team transactions are brokered in the future.
WNBA Connecticut Sun Eye Potential $325 Million Sale
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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
Which NBA player is known as “The Greek Freak”?
Weekly Trivia Question
Answer
Giannis Antetokounmpo
REveal Answer
Which NBA player is known as “The Greek Freak”?
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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Incorrect
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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
Following its inaugural season, Grand Slam Track has faced significant financial challenges after failing to pay athletes and vendors, raising concerns about the league’s future viability. The league first promoted a $12.6 million prize pool and claimed $30 million in financial commitments, but disappointing ticket sales and event cancellations have brought its cash flow and debt obligations under scrutiny. Despite securing new partners and continued backing from current partners, the league has prioritized resolving outstanding debts and is actively seeking additional investors to continue operations. This situation underscores the volatility and financial risk inherent in launching alternative sports leagues, especially when revenue sources and investor commitments do not materialize as anticipated.
Grand Slam Track Faces Closure Amid Athlete Compensation Issues
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