Inside Track
Sports media’s transition to a streaming-based future grows more turbulent
SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher examines the implications of the increasing issues among many American sports media entities pivoting their businesses to streaming
Simon Cummins | Three C-suite sports business trends to watch in 2022
Simon Cummins, partner and head of the global sports, gaming, and media practice at executive search firm Odgers Berndtson, discusses three C-suite sports business trends he expects to play out next year
Adam Kleinfeld | OTE, NCAA, or G League? A wealth of options to chart a path to the NBA
Foley & Lardner attorney Adam J. Kleinfeld explores the various options young basketball players have when aiming for their ultimate goal of reaching the NBA, including the paths offered by OTE, NCAA, and the G League
Lewis Wiltshire | Web 3.0 and The Third Age of Sport are upon us
A new age of the internet is being formed by technologies including crypto, blockchain, NFTs and enhanced VR. Lewis Wiltshire of Seven League says sport will soon be operating in a very different digital environment and it is time to begin addressing it.
Harry Eckersley | How sport can play to protect the planet
With COP26 underway, Harry Eckersley, senior marketing executive, CSM Sport & Entertainment, looks at why climate change poses a significant threat to the ability to watch and play sport and points to the best sustainability initiatives from rights-holders
Michael Payne | Commercial lessons from Tokyo 2020
Sports marketing consultant and former IOC marketing director Michael Payne argues political opposition to Tokyo 2020 failed to extinguish the event’s symbolism. In this extended piece, he also asks what commercial lessons can be learned from the event
Julia Palle, Formula E | COP26 is mobilising the sports sector
Ahead of COP26, Formula E’s sustainability director, Julia Palle, calls on international sports events to make proactive, tangible sustainability commitments immediately, or face being left behind
Katy Walsh | It’s a data-fueled world – and sponsorship is not exempt
Sports sponsorship cannot escape brands’ growing demand for hard numbers, says uniqFEED communications and marketing manager Katy Walsh, but rights-holders also have much to gain from better data.
Taking control | Why lower-tier sports must own their streaming strategies
Genius Sports director of streaming Dhruti Gore makes the case for smaller rights-holders to grasp the opportunity of tumbling costs and take control of streaming their content.
James Fenn | IPL team auction signals cricket’s new world order
After an explosive Indian Premier League franchise bidding process, it is clear the tournament has changed cricket forever. James Fenn, associate director at Hill + Knowlton Strategies, looks at a landmark week for cricket
Johan Junker | Facebook outage is a warning to rights-holders to build their O&O
Last week’s Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram issues emphasise why it is important for sports rights-holders to develop audiences on owned-and-operated platforms, argues Johan Junker, chief executive and co-founder of fan development platform Antourage
Matthew Glendinning | Saudi takeover of Newcastle United puts Castore in spotlight
The Saudi takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United could be a gamechanger for its kit supplier Castore, but much will depend on whether there is a ‘change of control’ clause in the brand's sponsorship contract, says Matthew Glendinning.
Andy Marston | Players moving to internet personality platforms to share big news
Andy Marston, chief of staff at digital media platform Antourage, believes the power of sports media is shifting away from traditional outlets towards personality-led platforms – with this summer’s transfer window providing the most compelling evidence to date
Kevin McCullagh | Vital signs detected in Asia-Pacific media rights markets
Intriguing developments in Asia-Pacific media rights markets in recent months mean the picture for rights sellers is not as bleak as it looked in the depths of the pandemic last year, says SportBusiness Asia-Pacific editor Kevin McCullagh.
Murray Barnett | The major opportunities in micropayments
The director of specialist, independent OTT and direct-to-consumer media consultancy D2C Sport argues that microtransactions can bring welcome marketing and revenue benefits to sports rights-holders
Martin Ross | Saturday 3pm blackout – is the antiquated legislation on borrowed time?
Ronaldo’s recent second debut for Manchester United thrust the quirk of the UK broadcast landscape back into the limelight. SportBusiness’ global news editor looks at the cases for and against
Eric Fisher | Mission-driven strategy yields new levels of success for Dick’s Sporting Goods
SportBusiness' US editor looks at the achievements the big-box retail chain has accomplished in the face of a pandemic and stiff competition
Hal Robson-Kanu | Purpose-led sponsorship needed to rebuild trust with fanbases
Thomas 'Hal' Robson-Kanu, professional footballer and founder of UK-based vegan drinks company The Turmeric Co., appeals to governing bodies to rethink the sports sponsorship model by adopting healthier and more purposeful brand partnerships.