North America
Spotify to acquire Bill Simmons’ The Ringer
Subscription platform seeking to expand sports presence through platform created by popular media figure Bill Simmons
Wada expresses concern at US anti-doping bill
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has questioned the potential impact a new US anti-doping bill could have on the wider efforts to combat the use of illegal substances in sport
NBA Experience forges bold new ground for fan development
Christian Sylt takes a look inside the NBA Experience, the new immersive basketball venue at Walt Disney World in Florida.
NBA changing format of All-Star 3-point contest
The National Basketball Association is further shaking up this month's All-Star Weekend in Chicago by changing the format of the 3-point competition
Mets sale to billionaire Cohen in danger of collapse
Current majority owner Fred Wilpon reported to have sought last-minute deal changes, angering prospective buyer
ESPN+ climbs to 7.6m paid subscribers following Disney+ launch
ESPN+, ESPN’s direct-to-consumer sports streaming service, now has 7.6m paid subscribers, Disney chief executive Bob Iger revealed in a quarterly earnings call.
That is a huge climb from 3.5
Kansas City Chiefs’ merchandise sales spike following Super Bowl LIV victory
The Kansas City Chiefs are already reaping the commercial rewards of their Super Bowl LIV victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Miami at the weekend
CAA Sports adds basketball-focused Kauffman Sports to agency portfolio
The CAA Sports division of Creative Artists Agency has expanded its presence in the talent representation market by acquiring Los Angeles-based firm Kauffman Sports Management Group (KSMG)
Piedmont Healthcare named Atlanta United sleeve sponsor in expanded deal
Major League Soccer's Atlanta United has extended and expanded its deal with healthcare provider Piedmont Healthcare, which will become the team's inaugural sleeve sponsor
Mediapro introduced Atlético Madrid to CPL, says Clanachan
Canadian Premier League commissioner David Clanachan has revealed that Spanish media company Mediapro played a key role in LaLiga giants Atlético Madrid securing the rights to an expansion team in Ottawa.
Free-to-air WRC deals coming in Japan and Africa, US broadcaster still aspirational
The FIA World Rally Championship is close to announcing free-to-air broadcast deals in both Japan and Kenya ahead of stops in both countries on this year’s schedule.
Sportradar expands MLB alignment with virtual in-play game
Data company aligns with major US sports property for first time for its virtual gaming solution
Ticketmaster sets all-time company price record with Super Bowl LIV
Surging demand brings average ticket price for the game to nearly $9,000
PSG continues North American push with $70m Florida residential academy
Ligue 1 club Paris St-Germain is continuing its push into the North American market by opening a $70m residential soccer academy in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area in Florida
LA Lakers’ Kobe Bryant tribute draws big audience for ESPN
The Los Angeles Lakers' first game following the death of Kobe Bryant, against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 31, averaged 4.41m viewers on ESPN, according to Nielsen figures.
Yankees creating two new social gathering spaces at ballpark
Two new areas at Yankee Stadium follow extended sponsorship between club and Anheuser-Busch InBev
Super Bowl ratings up slightly but fail to draw 100m linear TV viewers once again
Compelling game delivers 1.4 per cent boost in viewership
Most MLS teams are profitable, claims Atlanta United owner Blank
Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank has claimed that most Major League Soccer teams are profitable