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NBA Media Rights Lawsuit
TBS and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) have resolved their breach of contract lawsuit with the NBA, solidifying their 35-year partnership through a new 11-year agreement. The settlement guarantees the continuation of "Inside the NBA," and expands international broadcasting rights for WBD, and enhanced digital collaborations. Over the next five years, WBD will contribute $350 million in services, marketing, and advertising inventory for the NBA, while the league advances its $76.9 billion TV deal with Amazon Prime Video, Disney, and NBC/Peacock. This resolution not only preserves a longstanding partnership but also underscores the growing influence of streaming platforms in reshaping sports broadcasting agreements.
TBS and Warner Settle NBA Media Rights Lawsuit
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Breaks Records
Plan to Transfer RFK Site
Sports Tourism Soars
$30M to Transform Women’s Soccer in the U.S.
NFL Can Leverage a Major Court Decision
Sports Team Leaders
Partner | Los Angeles
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David Sunkin
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Brian Anderson
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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Despite technical glitches exposing Netflix’s struggles with live broadcasting, the event's massive viewership and record-breaking financial success highlight the rising popularity of crossover boxing events and the disruptive role of streaming platforms in sports broadcasting. Jake Paul’s victory over Mike Tyson drew 60 million households, peaking at 65 million concurrent streams. The event also set records at AT&T Stadium, generating $18 million in gate receipts and attracting over 72,000 fans.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Breaks Records Despite Netflix Live Streaming Glitches
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The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved a bill to transfer control of the RFK Stadium site to Washington, D.C., under a 99-year lease, advancing efforts to potentially bring the Washington Commanders back to the city. With their Maryland lease expiring in 2027, the Commanders, led by new owner Josh Harris, are exploring options for a new stadium. Redeveloping the RFK site could transform D.C.'s sports landscape, showcasing the influence of public-private partnerships and regional competition in shaping modern sports venues.
Senate Committee Advances Plan to Transfer RFK Site, Paving Way for NFL Commanders’ Return to D.C.
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The sports tourism industry is rapidly growing, driven by increased global interest in major sporting events and the rise of experiential travel. The sports tourism industry has shown significant growth, with direct spending hitting $52.2 billion in 2023. This contributed to a total economic impact of $128 billion and supported 757,600 jobs. In 2023, the number of sports travelers in the United States. reached an all-time high of 204.9 million. One notable trend propelling this expansion is the push by major sports leagues to host pre-season and regular-season games overseas. Examples include the NFL playing in London, Germany, Mexico City, and Brazil; MLB in Seoul, Mexico City, London, and Santo Domingo; and UK/EU soccer clubs doing pre-season tours in the United States. It also emphasizes that investing in sports infrastructure—such as new stadiums, arenas, venues, public transportation, and hotels—is a crucial commercial strategy for teams, leagues, and host destinations.
For a deeper dive into sports tourism, explore these articles: MLB, NFL, European Soccer Clubs, 2023 Sports Tourism Data, Sports Tourism Growth
Sports Tourism Soars
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Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, has committed $30 million over five years to U.S. Soccer—the largest donation ever made by a woman and the most impactful for its women’s and girls’ programs. This transformative funding will double youth national team camps, expand talent identification to reach 100,000 players, and provide professional development for 70,000 female coaches and referees.
Michele Kang Pledges Historic $30M to Transform Women’s Soccer in the U.S.
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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 team won the first-ever Women’s World Cup in 1991?
Weekly Trivia Question
Answer
The first-ever Women’s World Cup in 1991 was won by the United States. They defeated Norway 2-1 in the final, held at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, China. Michelle Akers-Stahl scored both goals for the U.S., making a significant impact in the tournament. This victory marked a historic moment in women's soccer, establishing the U.S. as a powerhouse in the sport.
REveal Answer
Which team won the first-ever Women’s World Cup in 1991?
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
