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Features
USA Weightlifting’s woes paint familiar picture for Olympic NGBs
US Olympic national governing body has suffered declining revenues and membership numbers since the onset of the health crisis but large financial reserves coupled with a move to put competitions and coaching courses onto digital platforms have stemmed losses.
Carla Varriale-Barker – More than words: the business of sports, Covid-19, and force majeure clauses
Carla Varriale-Barker, shareholder in the New York office of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, Ltd. and the chair of the firm’s Sports, Recreation and Entertainment practice group, discusses the meaning of increasingly prominent force majeure clauses in the sports industry
Mitchell Ziets – Key elements of the Covid-19 recovery
Mitchell Sports, chief executive of boutique sports advisory firm Tipping Point Sports LLC, examines the key elements of the industry's recovery from the pandemic
Bruin Sports Capital’s Pyne: pandemic heightens importance of core business fundamentals
Head of prominent sports investment vehicle sees significantly opportunity ahead, even amid a currently challenged sports industry. He discusses the firm's ambitions with US Editor Eric Fisher
Chris Russo | Will merger and acquisitions deal-making return this year?
Chris Russo, chief executive of Fifth Generation Sports LLC, looks at the US market for sports-related M&A deals and their future prospects amid the Covid-19 pandemic
CNN to show Woods-Mickelson rematch as Sky talks ‘break down’
News-based channel CNN International will provide global coverage of this Sunday’s charity golf match between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, which will be shown in the US by Turner Sports.
MLS Orlando tournament format taking shape
Major League Soccer's planned mini-tournament in Orlando, Florida, this summer is poised to comprise of four groups, with the top two advancing to a knockout round
USOPC implements widespread layoffs and furloughs in cost-cutting measure
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee is eliminating 51 positions and furloughing 33 more amid the continuing devastating financial effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic
NBA’s restart options present ‘exciting’ opportunity for sponsors, says marketer
A leading agency marketer expects National Basketball Association sponsors to get behind innovative plans to resume the season at one or more central venues later this year
LA Chargers leverage huge reach with “Bolt Up Your Small Business” initiative
The National Football League's Los Angeles Chargers, by offering a free team sponsorship through a new sweepstakes, are looking to reach out in a very different way to a local business community battered by the Covid-19 pandemic
Education technology company Everfi sees growing opportunity in sports
A wide array of major sports properties, both in and out of the US, have relied on DC-based outfit to engage students of many ages. Everfi co-founder and president of global partnerships Jon Chapman speaks with US Editor Eric Fisher on the company's work with the sports industry and the new EduCup Challenge
Pair of small US towns suffer heavy blow from loss of marquee baseball events
The cancellation of the Baseball Hall of Fame's Induction Weekend and the Little League World Series this summer are leaving big economic holes in the small communities that play host to the marquee events.
Premier Lacrosse League embraces structural flexibility to salvage 2020 season
The Premier Lacrosse League has become the latest tour-based model to announce its comeback from the Cobid-19 shutdown. PLL chief operating officer Andrew Sinnenberg tells Bob Williams the opportunities and challenges of staging the PLL Championship Series.
Youth sports in US look for reinvention, industry unity
LeagueApps president Jeremy Goldberg and Gators Baseball Academy partner Joe Lopez speak to SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher on the state of the $19bn American youth sports industry amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The second of a two-part series.
US youth sports industry grapples with heavy Covid-19 uncertainty
LeagueApps president Jeremy Goldberg and Gators Baseball Academy partner Joe Lopez speak to SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher on the state of the $19bn American youth sports industry amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The first of a two-part series.
How Professional Bull Riders has helped pave way for return of live sports in United States
Bull-riding circuit provides important test case after making Covid-19 comeback at event in rural Oklahoma. Bob Williams speaks to PBR CEO Sean Gleason about the opportunities and challenges of being a first-mover in the live-action return from the health crisis.
MLB makes big ticketing shift with new refund policy
The league makes a historic shift to allow refunds on games lost to Covid-19, creating widespread ripple effects across the industry. US Editor Eric Fisher reports.
USA Rugby pushed to very brink following “absolutely catastrophic” Covid-19 crisis
USA Rugby sent shockwaves throughout the US sports industry, as well as the global rugby community, when it filed for bankruptcy in March. Bob Williams examines how the organization is looking to escape from its latest financial crisis.
“Remote production is extremely difficult” | Inside the NHL Player Gaming Challenge
The NHL will this week become the latest major sports organization to launch a players-only esports competition in an attempt to stay relevant and keep fans engaged. Bob Williams reports.
Endeavor needs the UFC to make money, but at what cost?
Endeavor's financial difficulties are pushing the UFC to stage events, which could risk severe damage to the promotion's hard-won reputation.
Nascar begins to expand audience with iRacing Pro Invitational Series
Nascar's newly developed iRacing Pro Invitational Series after several initial races is proving to be a powerful tool in reaching fans who had not previously followed the organization.
NBA H-O-R-S-E competition proves mixed success due to “unique” logistical challenges
Individual shooting competition was a bold and innovative attempt to stage a rare non-esports competition to keep fans engaged amid the hiatus but various weather and WiFi issues prove problematic. Bob Williams reports.
US sports media landscape faces dramatic change amid Covid-19
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National Lacrosse League takes financial hit from sports shutdown but expands digital presence
The indoor lacrosse league, like other US sports properties, has taken a sizable blow from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. But it is looking to adapt quickly to change. Bob Williams reports.
US sports leagues eye potential return from pandemic, but with few known details
SportBusiness' US editor Eric Fisher looks at when the US major leagues expect to get back to normality in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Change is hard” – Los Angeles Rams refresh brand identity to mixed reception from fans
To coincide with their move to a new stadium, the LA Rams have unveiled a dramatic new look. Bob Williams speaks to Rams CMO Ronalee Zarate-Bayani about the process behind the redesign
NBA looks to stay ‘connected and engaged’ with fans via players-only esports tournament
The NBA has become the latest major sports organization to turn to esports as a means to help fill the void amid the sports shutdown. Bob Williams reports
Golf course operators discuss impact of Covid-19 pandemic
Reflecting on the impact of Covid-19, M. James Ward speaks to five golf facility operators to find out first-hand how the pandemic is affecting the golf industry.