North America
Agency survey: US fans eager to return to venues
A new poll from experiential advertising agency Momentum Worldwide found that nearly two-thirds of respondents would go to a live sporting event as soon as they resume from the Covid-19 pandemic and fans…
“The Last Dance” ratings stay strong but take slight dip in Week 3
ESPN's highly acclaimed Michael Jordan-themed documentary series The Last Dance maintained strong US television ratings in Week 3, as Episodes 5 and 6 averaged 5.5m viewers across ESPN and ESPN2
Nashville SC re-signs local TV partners
Major League Soccer's Nashville SC has re-signed Fox 17, CW58, and MyTV30 as its official local broadcast partners, starting with the indefinitely-suspended 2020 season
First Financial Bank lands additional naming rights at FC Cincinnati’s West End Stadium
Major League Soccer's FC Cincinnati has announced that First Financial Bank has become the first company to secure the naming rights for a premium space at West End Stadium, which is scheduled to open in…
US Open could move to Indian Wells in November
The US Open could be moved from New York to Indian Wells and pushed back to November, United States Tennis Association executive director Michael Dowse has revealed.
NFL calls off 2020 international games
League calls off one planned game in Mexico, four in UK, shifts them back to the US
ESPN to air Korean baseball for US audiences
Live baseball is returning to US audiences following the completion of a new media rights deal between ESPN and the Eclat Media Group for rights to South Korea’s KBO League.
McIlroy to headline made-for-TV charity golf match for Covid-19 relief
Rory McIlroy will headline a made-for-TV golf event on May 17 that will attempt to raise $4m for Covid-19 relief efforts
NFL proceeding with 2020 schedule release
League moving forward with original timetables despite ongoing pandemic
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.
NHL looking to stage virtual draft in early June
The National Hockey League is pushing its teams to stage a fully virtual draft in early June before the 2019-20 season ends, according to a memo sent out by deputy commissioner Bill Daly
USWNT vows to fight on after suffering major legal blow in battle for equal pay
Members of the United States women's national soccer team have vowed to continue their fight for equal pay after a federal judge dismissed key parts of their wage discrimination lawsuit against the United…
NBA indefinitely postpones Draft Lottery, Draft Combine
The National Basketball Association has indefinitely postponed the 2020 Draft Lottery and Draft Combine, which were scheduled to take place in Chicago later this month
NBA considers December start to 2020-21 season
The National Basketball Association is considering pushing back the start of the 2020-21 season to December as a possible solution to buy more time to complete the 2019-20 campaign this year
Legalized sports betting goes live in Colorado
Legalized sports betting went active in the state of Colorado on May 1 after voters narrowly approved the measure in November 2019
Israeli bank agrees to pay $30m over role in Fifa scandal
Israel-based Bank Hapoalim B.M. (BHBM) and its Swiss subsidiary, Hapoalim Ltd, have agreed to forfeit $20.7m (€18.9m) and pay a fine of $9.3
NBA comms executive Acunto joins FINN Partners sports division
NBA communications executive John Acunto has joined marketing and communications agency FINN Partners as a senior partner in the agency’s new sports division.
NHL could start next season as late as December
League not fixed on traditional October start for 2020-21 season