NBC and Premier League Extend Deal with 6-Year Agreement
NBC is hedging its bets on the global popularity of soccer. The Peacock will retain streaming rights for the Premier League, which it has held since 2013. Reports indicate that the deal is worth $2.76 billion, covering 380 matches a year and it also includes the Spanish language rights.
Nike Prepares for the Metaverse with Launch of NIKELAND
Nike unveiled an all-new virtual universe called NIKELAND on Thursday, loudly announcing its official launch into the metaverse. The sneaker and apparel giant’s new digital world gamifies the Nike experience and offers fans new ways to meet, share, and compete.
MLB Owners Solidify Minor League Housing Plan
Starting in 2021, athletes playing minor league ball will be eligible for housing assistance from the league, MLB owners announced on Thursday. The new deal, which will cover 90% of all players including those in Triple-A, Double-A, Single-A, High-A and Low-A, will cover utility bills, ensure that there is one bed per player, and include housing optional that are located within a reasonable distance of the ballpark.
Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.
Pau Gasol Joins Therabody Team
Therabody has assembled a deep bench of all-star brand ambassadors, and on Thursday they announced their newest addition, two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol. The recently retired six-time All-Star will also serve as an investor and strategic advisor to the health technology company that specializes in recovery solutions.
Shohei Ohtani and Bryce Harper Take Home MLB’s 2021 MVP Awards
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani is a generational talent who dazzled baseball fans across the country with his performances on both sides of the mound. And on Thursday, his talents were rewarded with a unanimous American League MVP vote. On the National League side, Phillies’ right fielder Bryce Harper took home his second MVP award with 17 of 30 votes.
CJ McCollum Nets StormX Deal
The crypto rewards company serves as the patch sponsor for the Portland Trailblazers and is teaming up with the team’s standout guard CJ McCollum. As a brand ambassador, McCollum will participate in exclusive events held at the team’s Moda Center and will appear in ads for the company.
WNBA Reveals New Playoff Format
The WNBA postseason will look different starting in 2022. The league will simplify its playoff format by eliminating byes and re-seeding, changing it to a standard eight-team tournament it announced on Thursday. The first round of the playoffs will consist of a best-of-three series, with the No. 1 seed playing No. 8, the 2 facing the 7, 3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5. The teams that advance will play a best-of-five semifinal series and those winners will play in a best-of-five WNBA Finals.
NFT Tickets Will Take Over the NFL Starting This Thanksgiving
The next use case of NFTs has arrived. The NFL announced they will distribute complimentary virtual commemorative tickets as NFTs for the remainder of the season, starting with the Thanksgiving Day events. The non-fungible tokens produced alongside Ticketmaster will provide fans with a special kind of memento with an assist from the ever-expanding world of blockchain-powered collectibles.
Overtime Sets to Empower Soccer Stars with NFT Capabilities
Overtime is partnering with NFT FC, which uses non-fungible tokens, crypto technology, and Web3 community-building to financially support young, up-and-coming soccer players. Starting on Nov. 24 there will be monthly drops through March, with one character available for purchase at once.
Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.
