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Each week, women’s sports seem to set a new record. The booming industry has seen the rise of myriad professional leagues such as Athletes Unlimited and League One Volleyball grow and thrive in recent years. Most recently, the PWHL made waves, drawing record crowds and showcasing women’s hockey in a way it’s never been done before.

Whereas previously, only tentpole moments on the sporting calendar, such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup or the Olympics, captured the attention of audiences worldwide, after 50-plus years of Title IX, women’s sports are finally getting their due. Both the NWSL and the WNBA have secured major media rights deals as demand for their games has grown exponentially.

Deloitte estimated that in 2024, women’s sports would break the $1 billion industry marker.

And we’re just getting started. From Caitlin Clark‘s historic run at Iowa to Nebraska‘s history-making volleyball crowd, the attention on the college game suggests that we’re nowhere near the crest of what’s possible.

Boardroom’s Gabe Oshin breaks down the business explosion in women’s sports and looks toward what’s possible in the future.

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The post The Business of Women’s Sports is Exploding appeared first on Boardroom.

As the holiday season leads to the calendar turning from 2023 to 2024, there are certain tentpole events in the sports business world that we’re already greatly anticipating.

The NBA is expected to sign a new media contract that would begin in 2025 and be worth vastly more than the $2.67 billion it makes on its current deal. After the Finals in June, local TV contracts for 15 NBA teams under Bally Sports will expire, ushering in a summer of media-free agency we haven’t seen in a long time. That same month, soccer’s highly anticipated European championships in Germany will be followed shortly thereafter in late July by the Summer Olympics in Paris, where the US men’s basketball team will look to avenge a fourth-place finish at this year’s World Cup.

A college football national champion will be crowned in January, the last title in the four-team College Football Playoff era before it expands to 12 in 2025. In February, the Super Bowl comes to Las Vegas for the first time. It could make the final year Vegas doesn’t have an MLB team, with the Oakland A’s set to move when their Oakland Coliseum lease expires next October. It’s an exciting time for a city that hosted its first-ever Formula 1 race in 2023 and houses the two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.

Enough talk, let’s look into the Boardroom crystal ball and make 10 sports business predictions for 2024!

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Amazon, NBC, and Peacock will gain NBA media rights deals.

The NBA can’t afford to lose ESPN and Turner as television partners, and vice versa. While they’ll eventually come to an agreement to extend their respective rights deals, both deals will come with fewer games as the league’s price tag will be a limiting factor given the networks’ need to spend on other sports media rights.

A streaming partner will be a necessity for any league moving forward — Amazon will get games at least weekly in their newest breakthrough deal to complement the NFL in the US. There’s going to be a fierce battle for Thursday night, with TNT wanting to keep its traditional slot and Amazon wanting to make Thursdays its signature live sports night to go with football.

And finally, who doesn’t love the ’90s NBA on NBC nostalgia? NBC and Peacock will get a few games per month, primarily for streaming non-exclusive local games like the NHL with Hulu and MLB with ESPN+. Disney won’t be happy with ABC not being the only traditional broadcast network getting games, but times change, and having the NBA back on NBC 5-10 times a year will feel so right.

After the deal gets done, the league will get more serious about expanding from 30 to 32 teams. Las Vegas and Seattle are the overwhelming favorites to land the new franchises.

The 12-team CFP will lead to further conference realignment and turmoil.

Expanding the College Football Playoff from four to 12 teams will make things more fair and equitable, right?

Wrong!

Just take a look at the top 12 in this year’s final CFP rankings. As of next season, Florida State will have been the only team outside the SEC and Big Ten in the top dozen. While each major conference champion will get automatic spots, the SEC and Big Ten will inevitably gobble up all the at-large bids. That will only lead to more big-time schools like Florida State and Clemson pressing to leave to the behemoths.

The big question is whether the Big 12 and ACC will stay competitive enough in a 12-team playoff era to sustain itself. I’m betting it won’t, leading to the two major conference models we’re seemingly destined to enter, with NIL further separating the haves and the have-nots.

Baseball expansion talks will gain some serious steam.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred‘s said for years that when the A’s and Rays get their stadium situations sorted, the league will start thinking about expansion. Late this year, the A’s got league ownership approval to move the team to Las Vegas, and the Rays reached an agreement to build a new stadium in St. Pete that will lead to decades more of dismally embarrassing attendance.

Cities like Nashville, Charlotte, Portland, Montreal, and Salt Lake are ready to ratchet up expansion discussions with MLB. For the first time in decades, the league will finally be open and receptive to expand for the first time since 1998.

Jude Bellingham will be regarded as the world’s best soccer player.

Maybe it’s the surreal brace I witnessed in Barcelona at El Clásico in October. Perhaps it’s the 17 goals in 20 games across all competitions for a 20-year-old in his first season at Real Madrid. But I believe 2024 is the year attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham becomes known as the best soccer player on the planet.

That designation will be sealed in June and July when Bellingham leads Madrid to the Champions League title over Erling Haaland and Manchester City, and Jude paces England to the Euro 2024 title over Kylian Mbappé and France. Mbappé will then star for the French at the Paris Olympics and turn around and spurn Paris Saint-Germain to join Bellingham at Real Madrid. But a year from now, we’ll be looking at Bellingham as the world’s top player, opening up a slew of marketing and portfolio-building opportunities for the youngster.

Barcelona & Real Madrid Need Each Other

Boardroom went behind the scenes in Spain to break down the business behind El Clásico.

Check it out!

MLB and NHL will seriously consider in-season tournaments of their own.

After seeing the NBA’s In-Season Tournament spice up its early season and increase national and local TV ratings by 26 and 20%, respectively, baseball and hockey will get on the cup bandwagon for 2025.

For MLB, this is a no-brainer. Have one Tuesday or Thursday game per week for a month in April and May count as Selig Cup matches, with the top eight heading to a single-elimination tournament at a warm neutral site over Memorial Day weekend. The NHL can do something similar, with the semifinals and finals replacing or adding to the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day.

It’s time we gave those sports some more early regular-season juice and conversational journey. All they need to do is simply follow the NBA’s lead. The NFL season is too short for a tournament, but we’ll soon see every team playing one neutral site, international game within the next 3-5 years.

The 2024 US men’s Olympic basketball team will rival the Redeem Team and the Dream Team as the best Team USA squads ever.

The last time a senior US men’s basketball team had a showing as poor as its fourth-place finish at the 202 World Cup, we got the legendary LeBron, Kobe, D-Wade, and Melo-led Redeem Team for the 2008 Olympics. I predict the projected roster for the 2024 team in Paris will end up being better than 2008, challenging the 1992 Dream Team for the best USA Basketball team ever.

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, and Damian Lillard? Plus, other All-Stars waiting in the wings, such as potentially Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, Paul George, Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green, and many others? The 2024 US team will be out for revenge in Paris and could emerge as the best basketball team ever assembled.

Bonus Olympics predictions: Look for the US women’s soccer team to avenge its poor World Cup showing, with Sophia Smith emerging as a household name. Another name to watch out for? Give me Sha’Carri Richardson dominating on the track.

The biggest women’s NCAA tournament ever will lead to the best WNBA rookie class ever.

With record crowds and television ratings, women’s college basketball has never been more popular. The game’s biggest stars like Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese will not only lead women’s March Madness to outshine the men once again but will also bring with it the best WNBA draft class ever.

Clark teaming with Aaliyah Boston with the Indiana Fever? Brink or Bueckers bringing the LA Sparks back to greatness or leading the Phoenix Mercury or Seattle Storm into their next eras? Sign me up!

On that note, the WNBA Draft needs more shine. Let’s put it at an arena where fans can bring the live energy. Even better? Hold it the night of or the night after the Final Four in the host city — ratings and buzz bonanza.

Look out for a company like Amazon or Netflix to try to get into the RSN game.

With Sinclair’s Diamond Sports in bankruptcy proceedings, more and more teams will follow the lead of the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and others to put their games on free TV with an added direct-to-consumer subscription product. But the opportunity is wide open for a streamer like Amazon or Netflix to gobble up Diamond deals across the NBA, NHL, and MLB.

Amazon is reportedly already in talks with Diamond for an investment to do just that with a multi-year Prime Video streaming partnership. But if that fails, streamers should try to pick teams up a-la-carte to bring more premium sports content to their subscribers. The RSN model is clearly dead, and 2024 will be when seismic change occurs in how local fans watch their sports.

As F1 interest levels off stateside, the league will try to pursue a fourth US race … in NYC.

While Formula 1 remains incredibly popular in the US, its average television viewership of 1.11 million per race is down from 1.21 million in 2022. It’s the first major sign of F1 popularity peaking in the US despite three American races on the schedule in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas.

As 2024 progresses, noise will grow louder about moving the Austin race to New York City in the future, whether at Central Park, the Brooklyn waterfront, or a more remote location like Randall’s Island.

Who are the Highest-paid F1 Drivers?

With all the familiar names at the top — led by reigning champ Max Verstappen — Boardroom outlines the highest-paid F1 drivers in 2023.

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“Racing in New York, in Manhattan, if that were ever to be possible, that would be great without discounting all the other venues,” Mercedes principal and part owner Toto Wolff told me earlier this year. “We’ll find a way around that’s spectacular. I don’t know where it would be, but racing on Fifth Avenue? It would be amazing.”

New York City would continue the sport’s momentum that may have finally leveled off in 2023.

Volleyball will separate itself as the next big women’s sport.

Women’s sports has never had more momentum. The WNBA is expanding and growing. The NWSL signed a record-breaking media deal, cementing its well-earned ascent. And after seeing the success of college volleyball, capped by Texas upsetting Nebraska in the national championship game, it’s clear to see that volleyball will emerge as the next big women’s sport.

Pro women’s volleyball leagues like League One Volleyball (LOVB) and Athletes Unlimited will take advantage of that in ways softball couldn’t, promoting the top college stars, combining them with the top global pros, and gaining more visibility. It’s a long, drawn-out process to gain relevance and popularity — look at pro women’s basketball and soccer— but volleyball is next.

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The post 10 Sports Business Predictions for 2024 appeared first on Boardroom.

Kevin Durant is heading back to Phoenix for his second season. Despite his meteoric rise as one of the best players in the history of the NBA, Durant’s impact extends far beyond the hardwood.

As he celebrates his 35th birthday, Durant can look back at a remarkable year during which he doubled down on his investments in sports teams and leagues, continued to build his production credits, and signed Nike basketball’s third-ever lifetime deal. KD is the blueprint for the modern athlete/investor. In addition to his investment in the MLS, NWSL, and Major League Pickleball, Durant has also set his sights on emerging sports leagues, such as the Premier Lacrosse League, Athletes Unlimited, and League One Volleyball.

Additionally, Durant announced Boardroom’s newest venture: the Boardroom Advisory, which will work with athletes, executives, and brands to create opportunities through venture and private equity investing, sports ownership opportunities, business strategy, and content creation.

Let’s take a closer look at the Kevin Durant business portfolio.

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Kevin Durant Business & Investments Overview

NOTE: This list is Boardroom’s curation of the most important Kevin Durant businesses and ventures and is not to be considered exhaustive.

35V

• Type: Sports, Media and Entertainment Company
• Role: Co-founder
• Founded: 2016
• Fun Fact: 35V includes investments in more than 100 startups, and serves as the foundation from which Boardroom was born.

Boardroom

• Type: Media Company
• Role: Co-founder
• Founded: 2019
• Fun fact: Prior to founding Boardroom, Kevin and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, hosted a limited-release show on ESPN called The Boardroom. The show brought fans inside the business of sports, featuring real-time conversations with athletes and executives about what’s really changing the game. The conversations that they had on that platform served as the foundation for the media company.

Durant Family Foundation

• Type: Philanthropic Foundation
• Role: Co-founder
• Founded: 2013
• Fun Fact: The foundation’s mission is to enrich the lives of at-risk youth from low-income backgrounds through educational, athletic, and social programs. DFF started the BUILD IT AND THEY WILL BALL initiative, which aims to build high-quality basketball courts in low-income neighborhoods. Since 2015, it has constructed 32 courts around the world, from Brooklyn to Guangzhou, China. Additionally, in 2019, DFF opened The Durant Center, a 10-year, $10 million investment in partnership with College Track, which provides out-of-school time programming for local youth of Prince George’s County and has served over 230 students to date.

Nike

• Type: Sportswear Brand
• Role: Lifetime Athlete
• Fun fact: Kevin is the Beaverton Brand’s third-ever lifetime basketball athlete, joining rare air with the elite company of Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Read More About KD’s Lifetime Deal with Nike

The NBA superstar is locking in with the Swoosh for the long haul — the enduring Kevin Durant Nike contract just became a forever deal.

Check it out!

Philadelphia Union

• Type: MLS Team
• Role: Minority Investor
• Year of Investment: 2020
• Fun fact: The Union claimed the Eastern Conference Championship in 2022 to advance to their first-ever MLS Cup Final.

NJ/NY Gotham FC

• Type: NWSL Team
• Role: Minority Investor
• Investment Year: 2022
• Fun Fact: Durant jumpstarted a long list of all-star investors in NJ/NY Gotham FC, which also includes Sue Bird and Eli Manning.

Brooklyn Aces

• Type: Major League Pickleball Team
• Role: Majority Owner
• Investment Year: 2022
• Fun Fact: Following the Brooklyn Aces‘ first season, the team added Michael B. Jordan, Drake, and Steve Stoute as new investors to the team.

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Athletes Unlimited

• Type: Network of Professional Sports Leagues
• Role: Investor
• Year of Investment: 2023
• Fun fact: Athletes Unlimited seeks to provide a new variety of professional sports leagues for women. Since starting 2020, AU has rolled out basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and softball leagues. Additionally, it is a Public Benefit Corporation founded on the values of innovation, inclusion, and excellence. Prior to making an official investment in 2023, Durant served on AU’s advisory board since its inception.

Premier Lacrosse League

• Type: Professional Lacrosse League
• Role: Investor
• Investment Year: 2022
• Fun Fact: Boardroom and the PLL teamed up for the first-ever street lacrosse event in Sept. 2023. The afternoon featured an updated version of North America’s oldest game and brought in athletes from across New York City.

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TMRW Sports

• Type: Professional Golf League
• Role: Investor
• Investment Year: 2023
• Fun Fact: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy founded the league, which is expected to make its debut in 2024. KD joins a deep list of investors, including Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Jayson Tatum, and Diana Taurasi.

League One Volleyball

• Type: Professional Volleyball League
• Role: Investor
• Investment Year: 2023
• Fun Fact: League One Volleyball raised $35 million in Series B funding with investments from Lindsey Vonn, Candace Parker, Jayson Tatum, and more.

National Cycling League

• Type: Cycling League
• Role: Investor
• Investment Year: 2023
• Fun Fact: The NCL is also the first majority-women-owned and minority-owned professional sports league in the US and is committed to diversity and inclusion.

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The National Cycling League, the first pro cycling league of its kind, has added Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman‘s Boardroom Sports Holdings, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, and former Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard as investors, the league announced Wednesday.

The league is comprised of 10 teams across men’s and women’s divisions that compete in 25- to 30-lap NCL Cup races on courses of two to three kilometers each in order to score points in the overall league standings. Points are scored in real time during races and riders can substitute in and out of the action, enabling a structure that’s more appealing to fans, including the more than 50 million cyclists in the US. The NCL is also the first majority-women-owned and minority-owned professional sports league in the US and is committed to diversity and inclusion.

“We’re excited to be a part of National Cycling League and its fan-focused business model,” Kleiman, Boardroom’s CEO and co-founder, said on the occasion. “We’re committed to helping the league grow and get even more eyes on the sport.”

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BSH, Robbins, and Howard join existing NCL investors Founder Collective, Collab Capital, Miami Dolphins Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowler Derwin James, Tennessee Titans Pro Bowler Kevin Byard, NFL analyst and author Emmanuel Acho, and former NBPA executive director Michele Roberts.

The NCL joins a diverse and robust group of investments for Boardroom Sports Holdings that includes MLS club Philadelphia Union, the NWSL’s NJ/NY Gotham FC, Major League Pickleball’s Brooklyn Aces, Athletes Unlimited, League One Volleyball, TMRW Sports, and the Premier Lacrosse League.

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The post Boardroom Sports Holdings Invests in National Cycling League appeared first on Boardroom.

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, and Boardroom, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s premier media brand covering the business of sports, music, and entertainment, have teamed up to produce CNBC X Boardroom Game Plan, an all-new, high-powered event on July 25 in Los Angeles focused on what drives today’s teams, leagues, and fans in a rapidly evolving world.

Keep it locked on this space for all the latest updates on the ground from this special event sponsored by Eventpipe and Jeep Wagoneer — and be sure to follow along on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #GamePlan23.

Kevin Durant: “I like my time.”

CONVERSATION: Keynote with KD

Stan Kroenke: Sports and real estate go together, and SoFi Stadium is the best there is

CONVERSATION: Winning: One-on-one with Stanley Kroenke

Stuart Duguid: Tennis and pickleball are lifting each other up

PANEL: The Future of Tennis & Athlete Brand-Building

Nick Kyrgios: It’s time for a players’ association for tennis

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Tamika Tremaglio: It’s about building equity for the athletes

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PANEL: Shifting Dynamics: Sports Leadership and the Future

Ashlyn Harris: We knew women’s soccer’s potential, brands are seeing it now

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Lexie Brown: Athletes Unlimited helps us build brands on our own terms

PANEL: The Ownership Game: Teams & Leagues Take Center Stage

David Blitzer: NFL’s business model still second to none

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PANEL: The Ownership Game: Teams & Leagues Take Center Stage

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Jessica Berman: NWSL is focused on the future fan

PANEL: The Business of Live Sports

Jimmy Pitaro: ESPN will consider sports leagues as strategic partners

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PANEL: The Business of Live Sports

Boardroom x CNBC Game Plan Panels & Speakers

The Business of Live Sports

• Moderator: Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Tech Correspondent, CNBC
• Jessica Berman, Commissioner, National Women’s Soccer League
• Aryeh Bourkoff, Chairman & CEO, LionTree,
• Jay Marine, Vice President, Prime Video / Global Head of Sport, Amazon
• Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN

 The Ownership Game: Teams & Leagues Take Center Stage

• Moderator: Scott Wapner, Host of Fast Money Halftime Report and Closing Bell, CNBC
• David Blitzer, Co-managing Partner, Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment / Global Head, Tactical Opportunities, Blackstone Inc.
• Lexie Brown, WNBA player, Los Angeles Sparks / Executive Committee, Athletes Unlimited
• Paul Rabil, Co-founder and President, Premier Lacrosse League
• Clara Wu Tsai, Vice Chair, BSE Global / Governor, New York Liberty

Shifting Dynamics: Sports Leadership and the Future

• Moderator: Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Tech Correspondent, CNBC
• Linda Alvarado, Co-owner, Colorado Rockies
• Ashlyn Harris, Global Creative Advisor, NJ/NY Gotham FC
• Jessica Holtz, Co-head of Basketball, CAA Sports
• Tamika Tremaglio, Executive Director, National Basketball Players Association

The Future of Tennis & Athlete Brand-Building

• Moderator: Rich Kleiman, Co-founder and CEO, Boardroom and 35V
• Stuart Duguid, Co-founder, EVOLVE Agency
• Nick Kyrgios, Professional tennis player

Pickleball: The Next Level

• Interviewer: Vinciane Ngomsi, Staff Writer, Boardroom
• Steve Kuhn, Founder, Major League Pickleball

Winning: One-on-one with Stanley Kroenke

• Interviewer: Scott Wapner, Host of Fast Money Halftime Report and Closing Bell, CNBC
• Stan Kroenke, CEO, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Arsenal FC, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids)

The Intersection of Sports x Entertainment: The Crossover  

• Moderator: Andrew Ross Sorkin, CNBC “Squawk Box” Co-Anchor
• Paolo Banchero, 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year, Orlando Magic 
• Larry Jackson, Co-Founder & CEO, Gamma
• Will Welch, Global Editorial Director, GQ

Keynote with KD

• Interviewer: Andrew Ross Sorkin, CNBC “Squawk Box” Co-Anchor
• Kevin Durant, Co-founder, Boardroom / Two-time NBA champion

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Athletes Unlimited is getting the documentary treatment. The professional women’s sports network announced plans on Tuesday for a feature that will honor the women making a name for themselves within the organization, which sponsors professional softball, lacrosse, volleyball, and basketball leagues.

“The athletes of Athletes Unlimited are truly creating a new model for pro sports and providing opportunities for countless women to achieve their professional dreams,” Cheri Kempf, Senior Vice President of Athletes Unlimited said. “Their stories are among the most compelling in all of sports, and we are so proud of the truly unique league we have created. Not only are Athletes Unlimited players beyond talented and dedicated to their sports, but we have also built a loyal and passionate audience and fanbase who follow our leagues with genuine excitement.”

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The program is a collab with Boardwalk Pictures, the same company behind Cheer, Welcome to Wrexham, and Last Chance U. Each of those sports-centered productions earned a large audience of dedicated viewers. Like the aforementioned titles, the unscripted doc will chronicle the challenges athletes face on and off the field and court. It will cover all angles of their seasons, on a personal and professional level.

“Athletes Unlimited is a rich, layered backdrop for a story about characters who are taking control for themselves,” Boardwalk CEO Andrew Fried said. “Not only are they some of the most decorated female athletes in our country, across multiple sports, but they are building a new model from the ground up. We’re excited to work alongside AU, capturing compelling stories about these outstanding women.”

Athletes Unlimited wrapped its second season of professional basketball in March and will host two softball competitions starting in June. Season three of lacrosse also starts in July, and in October, volleyball will kick off its third year from Arizona.

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This week, Athletes Unlimited made history as the first women’s sports league to be named “World’s Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company — and the three-year-old brand is additionally celebrating an expanded alliance with sportswear partner Nike. As AU announced Friday, The Swoosh will continue its mission to provide its signature top-quality uniforms and footwear for all Athletes Unlimited sports — softball, lacrosse, volleyball, and basketball — while contributing additional support toward grassroots and community events to shape the future of sports for women across the country.

“To have a partner like Nike that is engaging with Athletes Unlimited, supporting Athletes Unlimited, and leveraging its talent and relationship to help Athletes Unlimited is tremendous,” Athletes Unlimited CEO and co-founder Jon Patricof told Boardroom. “It can really change the game, especially for a company that has such incredible brand equity, a strong reach and so much creativity.”

Nike’s expanded partnership also signifies another key theme: women’s sports are not a trend, but rather a bonafide collective institution with respect to fan enthusiasm and business backing. AU Basketball advisory board member and 35V CMO Sarah Flynn said it best:

“Over the last several years, leaders in women’s sports have echoed the same refrain: If you make women’s sports more accessible to watch, the audience will follow. When Athletes Unlimited launched, it created an unconventional — and, it turns out, wildly successful — response to that thesis. By creating a women’s sports league that grants opportunities to players outside of other leagues’ regular seasons, AU has created more games to watch, more player visibility, and more revenue opportunities across the board, And they’ve done so with a business model that puts its talent at the center.”

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After a successful first season of AU Basketball, year two is officially up and running — this time from Dallas, Texas. From Feb. 23 until March 25, some of women’s basketball’s most talented athletes will push for victory for their teams while simultaneously striving for standout individual performances to put them in the running for MVP recognition. AU athletes earn points in the race for top honors based on assists, steals, blocks, and more; however, they can also lose credit due to fouls, turnovers, missed free throws, and other violations.

In speaking to Boardroom, Patricof identified the successes AU Basketball has made in the last year, especially when it comes to retaining key players.

“I think why we’re able to achieve so much more is because of our partnership with the athletes. It’s worth pointing out how they continue to play such a huge role in how the league is run and organized,” he said. “In a short period of time, they’ve also come to understand the values of the organization. That’s the biggest, most important factor in Athletes Unlimited, and our key factor for success since day one has been the athletes having a positive experience and wanting to return. And so having players now coming back for their second year or getting involved in other capacities has me so excited about the potential for 2023 and beyond.”

Select games from Athletes Unlimited Basketball are available to stream on CBS Sports Network, WNBA League Pass, the Women’s Sports Network, and Bally Sports’ regional sports networks. Later this month, Athletes Unlimited will also launch the Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Exhibition Tour featuring a team of its professional athletes traveling across the United States to play a series of friendlies against top college programs, while promoting the sport at a grassroots level and previewing the fall championship season.

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The post Athletes Unlimited Expands Partnership with Nike appeared first on Boardroom.

Athletes Unlimited softball is coming back.

Both AUX Softball and the Athletes Unlimited Softball Championship Season will play out this summer in Rosemont, IL, with AUX running from June 9-25 and the championship competition going from July 28-Aug. 27.

Rosemont’s Stadium at Parkway Bank Sports Complex, the first professional sports venue dedicated exclusively to women’s professional sports in the United States, will host both contests.

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“Athletes Unlimited continues to raise the bar for professional softball, and we are thrilled to make Rosemont our home for both the Championship Season as well as AUX this year,” said Sam Fischer, chair of the Athletes Unlimited Softball Player Executive Committee. “We are looking forward to another year of world-class competition in front of the best fans in the world.”

Nine additional athletes will join Fischer in the Chicago area this summer to play double-duty and suit up for both tournaments: Odicci Alexander, Sis Bates, Georgina Corric, Andrea Filler, Rachel Garcia, Victoria Hayward, Aubrey Leach, Amanda Lorenz and Tori Vidales.

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On the streaming front, both competitions will again air exclusively on ESPN platforms. Last year’s AUX Softball and Championship Season broadcasts generated a 56% increase in viewership over the previous year.

The exclusive Unlimited Club season ticket presale starts Monday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. CT. Season tickets will be available to the general public starting Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. CT on auprosports.com.

Softball isn’t the only Athletes Unlimited sport with already confirmed dates and locations for the upcoming season. Athletes Unlimited Basketball is headed to the Lone Star State next month and its second season will run from Feb. 22 to March 26 at the Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas, Texas.

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The post Athletes Unlimited Softball to Return in June appeared first on Boardroom.

Ahead of its third championship season, Athletes Unlimited Volleyball announced that they’ve come to a new media rights agreement with ESPN. The relationship is set to expand beginning in October 2023 when the women’s sports competition’s 30-match championship season will air live exclusively on ESPN’s television networks and its ESPN+ streaming service.

This marks an expansion of Athletes Unlimited’s relationship with ESPN, which already carries its softball and lacrosse competitions. ESPN’s coverage of AU Volleyball will also complement its coverage of NCAA Women’s volleyball at the same time of the year.

“As the only professional league in the United States, we’re excited to expand Athletes Unlimited Volleyball to give more people access to the highest level of the game,” said Cassidy Lichtman, Director of Sport for Athletes Unlimited Volleyball. “It’s amazing to see industry leaders like ESPN recognize the value of the sport and invest in its future.

In April, Athletes Unlimited and ESPN signed a two-year rights agreement for its softball and lacrosse leagues that saw 160 live women’s sports events broadcast across its linear and streaming platforms. At the time of the move, AU CEO and co-founder Jon Patricof emphasized how Athletes Unlimited is becoming a “major force” in the pro sports landscape and how ESPN continues its “commitment to women’s sports.”

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With the announcement comes news about a new volleyball exhibition tour that will be added to AU’s ever-expanding programming in the spring of 2023. The Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Exhibition Tour will feature a team of its top professional athletes traveling across the US to play a series of exhibition matches against top college programs while promoting the sport at a grassroots level and previewing the fall championship season.

“The Exhibition Tour is a great opportunity to reach the many volleyball fans across the country at the collegiate and youth levels and it will be really special for our athletes to go back to the places and programs that set them on the path to their professional careers,” Lichtman said.

The Exhibition Tour begins on March 23 and runs through April 21. It will feature a roster of top-15 professional players visiting eight college programs, including six of the top-15 schools in current volleyball rankings, with matches set to take their respective campuses.

Tour visits include the University of Louisville, Ohio State University, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, University of Texas, Baylor University, Howard University, and Penn State University, as well as the Windy City Qualifier in Chicago. 

The touring roster of athletes includes Ali Bastianelli, Amanda Benson, Kaz Brown, Taylor Bruns Tegenrot, Alisha Childress, Leah Edmond, Erin Fairs, Falyn Fonoimoana, Morgan Hentz, Sydney Hilley, Willow Johnson, Molly McCage, Deja McClendon, Taylor Reid, and Jenna Rosenthal. All told, the group includes one Olympian (Childress), five national champions, and eight All-Americans. 

Outside of the matches, Athletes Unlimited pros will visit local clubs, schools, and community events, and host clinics and other activities geared towards promoting the sport and building excitement about the AU Volleyball championship season in the fall. 

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The post Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Expands ESPN Partnership appeared first on Boardroom.

Athletes Unlimited Basketball is headed to the Lone Star State next year. On Tuesday, the innovative network of professional women’s sports leagues announced its second season will tip off on February 22, 2023 and conclude on March 26, 2023 from the Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas, Texas. Similar to its inaugural campaign, the roster of at least 30 athletes competing will include a number of current and former WNBA players like Naz Hillmon, Allisha Gray, and newly-crowned WNBA champion Sydney Colson.

“I am thrilled to be playing AU Basketball in front of the great fans in Dallas next year,” Gray told Boardroom on the occasion. “If anyone knows how supportive the fans are in Dallas, it’s me.”

“A combination of AU Basketball and the NCAA Final Four make Dallas THE hotbed for women’s basketball in 2023,” Hillmon added. “I hope we can build off this momentum and continue to grow our great game here in the United States.”

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Similar to its other leagues, Athletes Unlimited Basketball relies on a spectrum of scoring innovations to bring both competitors and spectators a unique and intense version of the game. Individual players earn points dependent on both team wins and individual performance in order to become the eventual champion. These points are earned on every play, and fans should expect the leaderboard to change constantly as a result. Team rosters also change each week, with the top four athletes in AU’s scoring system serving as captains tasked with selecting their respective lineups.

At the end of the five-week season, the player with the most overall points is crowned individual champion.

“We are excited about the quality of our roster, and the number of top players who have signed on to compete in Athletes Unlimited Basketball,” Athletes Unlimited CEO and co-founder Jon Patricof said to Boardroom. “In addition to some of the more recognizable names, we also have a significant number of bright young stars who see the opportunity to compete with other world-class players while recognizing the value of staying closer to home. This is clearly another great sign for the continued growth of women’s sports; not only in terms of AU Basketball returning, but to have CBS on board to carry five of the games as well as air a national broadcast special on AU, as well as the Air National Guard supporting us. Major brands and broadcasters are recognizing the power of this audience, and specifically the value of partnering with Athletes Unlimited to reach our passionate and growing fan base.”

When the first Athletes Unlimited Basketball league took place in Las Vegas last year, Tianna Hawkins was named the league’s individual champion, while Lexie Brown, Natasha Cloud, and Isabelle Harrison rounded out the top four players on the leaderboard.

Audiences curious about Athletes Unlimited’s remarkable rise should tune into a national special on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 1:30 p.m. ET — hosted by Heather Cox, the CBS Sports production Athletes Unlimited: A Pro Sports Revolution will chronicle the organization’s growth from its launch to the present day, provide a breakdown of AU’s scoring system, and highlight other innovations unique to Athletes Unlimited.

In September, the organization announced a monumental $30 million fundraise supported by a group of investors dedicated to growing the women’s game. Among those backers include Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and Cleveland Guardians owner David Blitzer, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V, and four-time US Olympic hockey player Angela Ruggiero.

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The post Athletes Unlimited Basketball Reveals 2023 Season Tip-off Location and Start Date appeared first on Boardroom.

Be prepared to hear a lot more about Athletes Unlimited. 

On Thursday, the network of women’s professional sports leagues announced a successful $30 million capital fundraising backed by a diverse group of investors with influence inside the world of sports and beyond.

Since its launch in 2020, Athletes Unlimited has expanded from one to four sports, including volleyball, softball, basketball, and lacrosse. The leagues enable a new style of play, which puts athletes first and disrupts the games, quite literally, with unique rules and operations.

In addition to providing expanded opportunities for post-collegiate athletes, Athletes Unlimited enables unparalleled innovation as it relates to athlete compensation and well-being, environmentally conscious operations, and philanthropy.

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Since AU’s inception, 35V co-founders Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman signed on as early supporters of the mission. Now, they have formalized their support with their participation in the fundraising round. 

“Kevin [Durant], Rich [Kleiman], Sarah [Flynn], and the entire 35V team have been an important part of the Athletes Unlimited Advisory Board from the very beginning. We’re thrilled they are participating in our first outside capital raise,” Athletes Unlimited CEO Jon Patricof told Boardroom. “We look forward to working with them to continue to grow Athletes Unlimited. They bring a unique athlete-driven perspective on all aspects of the sports industry.”

Other advisory board members include retired USWNT legend Abby Wambach, past President of the United States Tennis Association Katrina Adams, and sports broadcaster Taylor Rooks. 

“We have been advisors for AU since the very beginning, and we’re excited to be a part of this capital raise. Athletes Unlimited is at the forefront of women’s sports and an inspiration for how sports leagues can thrive with an athlete-first business model,” Durant said.

“Every pro sports league should take note of what AU is doing, especially the pathway for athletes to have a financial stake in their own leagues,” Kleiman added.

The successful fundraise was led by Schusterman Family Investments and also includes film producer Sharon Harel-Cohen, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and Cleveland Guardians owner David Blitzer, four-time US Olympic hockey player Angela Ruggiero, and Jane Gottesman.

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This investment marks the start of a new era for Athletes Unlimited. To date, the organization formalized partnerships with major sponsors, including Nike, ESPN, and Gatorade. However, it will continue to maintain a focus on creating impact at the grassroots level, too. 

“I think 2023 will be a big year for us. It’s going to be an opportunity for Athletes Unlimited to meet our goals past national coverage, but also do things on the ground in our communities,” Patricof added. “Having raised this amount of money in a short amount of time signifies the confidence that our partners have in us. This will, furthermore, allow us to accomplish the objectives we had in mind when we started in March 2020.”

“We’re hoping to have more leagues represented on national television and have our women athletes also be able to serve as brand leaders and connect with players of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds across the country and hopefully the world,” he said.

In 2022, AU launched its basketball league, which included a deep slate of WNBA talent, including Natasha Cloud, Courtney Williams, and Sydney Colson.

Athletes Unlimited represents the best of sports, and the new influx of funds will help further a greater mission to enrich the lives of adolescent girls, women, and fans with a vested interest in niche sports leagues.

As it looks to 2023 and beyond, the opportunities are endless.

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The post Athletes Unlimited Announces $30 Million Fundraise appeared first on Boardroom.

It was a cross-country whirlwind for Charlotte North last month as she flew out to appear at the ESPYs in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, then hopped a jet 2,700 miles to Baltimore, where she arrived just in time to suit up for her Athletes Unlimited debut.

It was representative of the last few months for the Boston College graduate, who capped off her college lacrosse career with a difficult 12-11 loss to UNC in the national championship game, joined Team USA to secure gold at the World Lacrosse 2022 Women’s World Championship, and kickstarted her professional career with Athletes Unlimited.

And to her, the game is worth the chaos.

“Lacrosse is in a great place. It’s given me so much. So many great relationships and memories,” North told Boardroom. “I want to continue to give back in any way that I can to the sport.”

North has been a key player in a new generation of athletes who are refining the boundaries of lacrosse. Ask any young laxer who they want to be, and chances are they’ll call out Charlotte North by name. Her signature eight-meter shot has been branded with her namesake.

Boardroom caught up with the powerhouse attacker to discuss her transition from the college game, what she is most excited about with Athletes Unlimited, and more.

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Soaring Eagle

The path to the pros has had its hiccups. North logged a wild college career, dictated in large part by the limitations of the pandemic. She spent her first two seasons at Duke, transferring to BC as a junior and cashing in on her extra COVID season while pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Administration.

In Chestnut Hill, she found a team that was tailor-made for her success.

“It’s just such a strong culture of winning and a strong culture of family and love. It’s something that’s unmatched,” she reflected. “That’s where you see those results. … It all comes from the coaches and the teammates [who] build that culture every day.”

From All-American honors to a National Championship in 2021, North made a name for herself and rewrote the Eagles’ record books along the way.

Branding North

Throughout her career, Charlotte has leaned into the creativity that first made her fall in love with the sport the moment she picked up a stick in seventh grade. Now she’s hoping to pass on that love to the next class of talent.

The summer before her final year, the landscape of college sports changed when NIL legislation enabled student-athletes to cash in. North capitalized on the opportunity, securing a partnership with Pennzoil and launching her own name-branded camp in her hometown of Dallas.

“The change was a long time coming and it’s huge for collegiate athletes. It’s something that everyone, I think, deserves a chance to have,” she said. “I think the coolest part for me was just being able to have those clinics. It’s just so special. [It’s] something that we’ve needed for a while.”

In building her legacy, North sees her name-branded camps as an opportunity for her to make her mark and enhance access to the sport she loves.

“It’s a goal of mine because it’s all about having access [in] the sport and growing it all over as much as possible. If I can play a small part in that, that’s definitely something I wanna do,” she said.

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Leaping Forward

Soon after her season ended, North swapped out the maroon and gold for red, white, and blue, representing the United States at the 2022 World Championship.

“[The opportunity to wear] the US jersey was unbelievable,” she said. “The memories we made over those few weeks together were just priceless. I’m just grateful that I got a chance to do that.”

Not one to take even a moment to slow down, Charlotte continued her world tour. Next stop: Athletes Unlimited. Fresh off her gold medal performance, she entered the four-week pro league that offers athletes an opportunity to extend their legacy, vying for individual and team success. This summer, AU has more eyes than ever, as ESPN is broadcasting a select set of matchups.

Heading into the final weekend of action, North sits in the league’s top-10 in points, with her signature scrappy style resulting in 23 goals.

“I think the rules here are so much fun,” North said. “It’s different. It’s a new challenge. And I just think it showcases the sport in a fun, new way.”

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But in Baltimore, Charlotte is playing for something bigger than herself. Each athlete in the AU universe selects a cause near and dear to their heart. North Is playing for Morgan’s Message, founded by the family of Morgan Rodgers, a former Duke lacrosse player who died by suicide in 2019. The Foundation is committed to de-stigmatizing mental health struggles, and Charlotte’s commitment to the cause is personal. The two were teammates during her first two college years at Duke.

“I think what Morgan’s Message is doing is just so incredible,” she said. “It has brought a strong conversation surrounding mental health into the light, [which] has just been something that is so needed and this is a long time coming. Any chance to represent this cause is an honor.”

As she looks toward the future, North’s eye is on the continued growth of lacrosse. While she is open to lending her name to businesses, she will be unwavering in her values and representing things that fuel her — including gender equity and sports. She is looking backward to look forward and is excited for what lies ahead.

 “Lacrosse is growing rapidly,” she said. “We’re finally getting the treatment and the coverage that we deserve. But there’s still so much more to be done. And I want to help that in any way shape, or form that I can.”

The post Charlotte North: Giving Back to the Game appeared first on Boardroom.

Sports Coverage Propels Comcast to $30B Q2 Earnings

In the battle of the streaming services, there is one thing that keeps cable relevant: live sports. With its latest earnings report, Comcast proved that cornering the sports market pays off. The cable company posted $30 billion in second-quarter earnings, a 9.2% net increase from last quarter. The numbers outperformed projections, which were placed at $29.68 billion.

Stadium Live Grows Digital World with $10M Funding

The digital world just received a hefty contribution. World creator Stadium Live raised $10 million to bring fantasy sports to a younger generation. The platform features over 500,000 users who can customize their avatar, purchase digital collectibles, and gain XP points by drafting teams during live matches. The new fundraising round was led by KB Partners and Union Square Ventures and attracted investments from Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman‘s 35V, Blaise Matuidi’s Origins Fund, Dapper Labs Ventures, and more. The Canadian company has a $32 million valuation. Stadium Live plans to put the raised funds towards hiring engineering and product resources to create more features for their growing audience.

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David Ortiz Lights Up with New Cannabis Brand

David Ortiz plans to hit a home run in the cannabis industry. The recently named MLB first ballot Hall of Famer announced Papi Cannabis in collaboration with the Massachusetts cannabis company, Rev Brands. The line was described as an “exclusive line of carefully curated cannabis products that keep healing properties at the forefront.” Ortiz highlighted the importance of cannabis throughout his life, as it helped with pain and stress.

Quavo Takes Over in Web3 Film “Takeover World”

Quavo is taking Quality Control beyond just music. As rumors swirl that Migos may be broken up, Quavo is expanding his entertainment portfolio into the world of film. Under Quality Control Films, Huncho is set to star as Guy Miller in the new action-thriller Takeover World. The film will mix animation and live-action stunt performance and launch an immersive open world in the Web3 space.

Porsche Accelerates Towards F1 with Red Bull Deal

Porsche wants in on the rapidly growing Red Bull F1 team. The luxury motor company plans to obtain a 50% stake in Red Bull’s Formula 1 operations, as stated in a document published by Morocco’s Conseil de la Concurrence. A previous collaboration was expected to be announced at this month’s Austrian Grand Prix. However,  a delay in the FIA’s approval of F1’s engine regulations for 2026 shelved the conversations.

JetBlue Acquires Spirit Airlines for $3.8B

JetBlue is targeting a major expansion, and they’ve tapped Spirit Airlines to help makes it happen. The airline is set to buy Spirit for $3.8 billion, making it the fifth largest airline in the United States. However, antitrust controllers in the Biden administration have voiced their concern about mergers, adding additional hurdles from the U.S. Justice Department. 

RapCaviar Extends Empire With Spotify Podcast

RapCaviar is extending its brand beyond music playlists. Earlier in the month, Boardroom reported the brand’s expansion into the world of on-screen entertainment with a Hulu docuseries. Now, the influential playlist is set to release the RapCaviar podcast hosted by Brandon “Jinx” Jenkins exclusively on Spotify. The show launches on the platform on August 4.

Adidas Puts the NHL on Ice, Walks Away from Jersey Deal

After six years of being the official NHL jersey supplier, Adidas is walking away from its duties following the 2023-24 season. ESPN reports that the Three Stripes will let their current deal expire without renewal. Adidas paid approximately $70 million per year as the official jersey sponsor.

NWSL Kicks Off Coverage With SiriusXM

The NWSL is putting all the pieces together for a successful next season. After increasing funds with CarMax and hints at expansion, the women’s soccer league’s live broadcasts will be available on the SiriusXM FC channel and the SXM App. In addition to weekly audio coverage, Sirius will provide audio for the NWSL Championship game on October 29. The news comes in the same week that Sirius secured a five-year deal with the NFL to lock up the radio rights for the shield.

Athletes Unlimited Reaches $1M in Nonprofit Donations

Through its Athletes Causes program, Athletes Unlimited has raised $1 million in funds for athletes in softball, lacrosse, volleyball, and basketball. Each season athletes choose a cause to play for, allowing them to highlight issues that are meaningful to them. The program hopes to have its Athletes Unlimited community amplify discussions for the causes, creating a network for support.

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The post LeBron James Peddles the Power of Cycling with New Investment appeared first on Boardroom.

Carli Lloyd is All-in on Gotham FC

Carli Lloyd hung up her cleats at the end of the last round of USWNT friendlies, but her impact on the game of soccer lives on forever. After a game-changing career, Lloyd has been pondering her next chapter. On Wednesday, she announced that she has re-joined Gotham FC, but this time she’ll make her way to the front office as a minority owner of the team. As part of her responsibilities, Lloyd will serve as a consultant and advisor to the team to help them grow their fan base.

Quavo to Star in ‘Takeover,’ Marking Quality Control’s Film Debut

Quavo is everywhere these days. From courtside at the Hawks game to lining up more features than he can count, the Atlanta rapper stays busy. Now, he’s making the move towards the big screen, announcing that he’ll star in “Takeover,” a new action thriller that will mark the official launch of Quality Control’s film division, Quality Films. 

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Serena Williams Building Takes Its Place on the Nike Campus

Serena Williams‘ impact on sports is nearly unmatched. Now the GOAT is getting the recognition that she deserves. The latest structure in the Swoosh’s expansive Beaverton campus is named in honor of the sports icon. The Serena Williams Building is now the brand’s largest of all its clustered buildings at one million square feet. The official opening comes as part of Nike’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. 

Laremy Tunsil Puts Viral Pre-draft Gas Mask Moment Behind Him with NFT

In 2016, a video of Ole Miss’s Laremy Tunsil smoking cannabis out of a gas mask bong cost him millions of dollars as it sparked his sinking draft position. Tunsil has recovered spectacularly, entering the final season of a three-year, $57.8 million contract with the Texans that could pay an additional $18.5 million in 2023. After six years, Tunsil is ready to put the moment behind him, minting a one-of-one NFT called simply “Draft Night.” A portion of the proceeds will go to the Last Prisoner Project.

Celtics and Nets Series Draws Huge Numbers

The Celtics served up the NBA Playoffs’ first major surprise, sweeping the Nets in four to take their spot in the second round. The series offered non-stop action, including a heartstopping buzzer-beater by Jayson Tatum to kick things off. Collectively, the games averaged 4.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched first-round NBA series since 2016, according to NBA PR. It also became the most-viewed Eastern Conference first-round series since the Heat took on the Knicks in 2012.

LEARFIELD and Opendorse Ink Deal to Support College Athletes 

The one-year anniversary of NIL is rapidly approaching. LEARFIELD and Opendorse have emerged as major players in the field over the short time, supporting athletes as they wade through the uncertain waters of NIL. The two companies announced a strategic partnership on Wednesday. Together, they will streamline resources to help student-athletes to enhance opportunities and offer a level of clarity to the process of signing deals. 

Athletes Unlimited Locks In Deal with ESPN 

Athletes Unlimited is changing the game. The company, which hosts basketball, volleyball, softball, and lacrosse leagues, inked a new deal to ensure that its athletes continue to get the exposure that they deserve. Athletes Unlimited and ESPN signed a two-year rights agreement for its softball and lacrosse leagues that will see 160 live women’s sports events broadcast across its linear and streaming platforms, the organizations announced Wednesday.

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The post Peyton Manning Honors Demaryius Thomas with Scholarship Fund appeared first on Boardroom.

Athletes Unlimited and ESPN signed a two-year rights agreement for its softball and lacrosse leagues that will see 160 live women’s sports events broadcast across its linear and streaming platforms, the organizations announced Wednesday.

More than half of those games — 90 in total — will be shown on linear, with 34 games on ESPN or ESPN2 and 56 on ESPNU. The rest will air on ESPN+, with the right to broadcast games internationally in Canada on TSN and across ESPN Latin America, among other channels.

“We are proud to collaborate with ESPN to solidify Athletes Unlimited Softball and Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse as two of the major pro sports leagues in the US,” said Jon Patricof, Athletes Unlimited’s CEO and co-founder. “This deal establishes our presence as a major force in the pro sports landscape in the US, while serving as yet another reminder of ESPN’s commitment to women’s sports.”

Athletes Unlimited Softball will debut a new two-week competition from June 13-25 called AUX Softball, which will feature 18 games in San Diego just days after the completion of the College World Series. Each game will be on ESPN linear, including an ESPN game on June 13 and an ESPNU doubleheader on June 23 on the 50th anniversary of Title IX, where players will be given more opportunities for more playing time and compensation. Those college stars will be eligible to be drafted on May 4 as part of an event that will stream live as part of the ESPN W Summit in New York.

Those selected will be eligible to play in AU’s championship softball season in Chicago from July 29 to Aug. 28.

“ESPN is excited to expand its relationship with Athletes Unlimited and be part of their innovative approach to women’s professional sports,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN’s President of Programming and Original Content. “We are looking forward to showcasing these world class softball and lacrosse athletes as part of our longstanding commitment to women’s sports.”

The agreement will also see a four-part documentary series on ESPN+ called Going Pro: Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse, following four AU Lacrosse players as they compete as pros for the first time. Britt Brown, Mira Shane, Ella Simkins, and Izzy McMahon will focus on the lessons learned and their experiences across their respective rookie seasons.

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2022 “AUX Softball” Schedule & TV Info

2022 Athletes Unlimited Softball Schedule & TV Info

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The post Athletes Unlimited Softball, Lacrosse Bring the Action to ESPN This Summer appeared first on Boardroom.

Kaytranada, Jamie XX to Headline FTX “Off the Grid” Formula 1 Festival

The Formula 1 craze is coming to Miami in May. And to celebrate, FTX announced on Tuesday that it will sponsor a music and arts festival to commemorate the epic event. “Off the Grid” will be a “unique and immersive experience at the intersection of crypto, culture, and cars.” The festival, which is scheduled to take place May 6-8, is set to feature major acts, such as Kaytranada, Jamie XX, and Disclosure. It will also include an NFT art gallery, and much more. 

NBA Top Shot Preps for WNBA Season with W Wednesdays

The WNBA Draft is in the books and the countdown to the season is on. To celebrate, Dapper Labs is teaming up with the W for W Wednesdays. Each week, one WNBA superstar will choose their own favorite play or highlight from the 2021 season that will then be minted as a Top Shot Moment Participating players will include: A’ja Wilson, Elena Delle Donne, Napheesa Collier, Diamond DeShields, and Arike Ogunbowale.

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Warriors Team Up with FTX for First-of-its-kind NFT Collection

The Golden State Warriors are playoff-bound. While the status of Stephen Curry’s ankle remains in question, the team is ready to make history regardless. In partnership with FTX, the Warriors will become the first professional sports team to release an NFT collection that will evolve based on how they perform on the court. The team will release 3,000 NFTs on April 15 which will each cost $499.99. As the Warriors progress through the playoffs, holders will receive new perks. 

FIFA+ Launches, Bringing Football to the Masses

Viva el fútbol. With the surging popularity of soccer across the globe, FIFA launched FIFA+, a new digital platform that will expand access to live-action play while also providing exclusive content. The platform will stream over 40,000 games, both men’s and women’s. Additionally, it will produce long-form, original content, profiling some of the biggest names in the sport including Ronaldinho and Carli Lloyd. It will also offer an archive featuring some of the greatest matches of all time. 

Athletes Unlimited Designated as Public Benefit Corporation

The AU Volleyball season is underway, following in the footsteps of the resounding success of the inaugural basketball season. On Tuesday, Athletes Unlimited revealed that it is a public benefit corporation, furthering its commitment to empowering its athletes and the surrounding community. AU also released a public benefits report, highlighting some of its accomplishments to date and areas for continued growth. 

The Indy500 Gets the Autograph Treatment with Upcoming NFT Collection

Penske Entertainment and the NTT IndyCar series join the non-fungible token collectibles craze as they gear up for the Indianapolis 500. Autograph, the digital collectibles platform co-founded by Tom Brady, unveiled an exclusive deal with Penske Entertainment and Team Penske racing, the companies announced Tuesday. The collaboration encompasses three legacy racing properties and institutions – Team Penske, the NTT IndyCar Series, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to the Indianapolis 500. The first collection will drop on May 29, the day of the 106th running of the Indy 500, one of motorsport’s premier events.

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The post Justin Bieber, Steve Aoki Lead Moonpay’s $86.7M Investment Round  appeared first on Boardroom.

Since it launched in March 2020, Athletes Unlimited has continually proven that it is about more than just sports. However, its most recent reveal is its most revolutionary to date.

Athletes Unlimited announced Tuesday that it is the first-ever professional sports league to organize as a public benefits corporation.

“Founded on the belief that athletes are what make the sport, Athletes Unlimited model challenges the conventions of traditional leagues by eliminating team owners, giving a bigger voice to athletes, and providing athletes opportunities to engage meaningfully in their communities,” reads the official release. “These commitments to advance the standards of traditional sports, underscore Athletes Unlimited’s resolve to be a driving force for good for its athletes, employees, communities and the planet.”

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Over the last two years, AU has launched four professional women’s sports leagues: basketball, lacrosse, softball, and volleyball. The inaugural basketball season ran for five weeks from January to February.

A public benefits corporation is meant “to generate social and public good,” and AU fulfills that definition through its Athlete Causes program. According to the league’s inaugural Public Benefits Corporation report, which can be read in full here, all 195 athletes associated with AU participates in Athlete Causes. Additionally, $600,000 has been spread across 121 benefitting charities each handpicked by players.

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Specifically, Athletes Unlimited is partnered with youth programs such as Starlings Volleyball USA, Little League Softball, Harlem Lacrosse, and CityLax. The league is also partnered with When We All Vote and Rally the Vote to encourage athletes to become registered voters. Prior to the 2020 election, per the PBC report, 100% of AU softball players and 98% of volleyball players were registered to vote.

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Simultaneous with the announcement, Athletes Unlimited released its first-ever PBC Report, highlighting its efforts over the course of the last two years. Some highlights include:

• AU’s celebration of equity, recruiting a diverse roster of athletes and designating substantial resources to lifting up their stories, in and out of sports.
• AU positions athletes’ well-being first and foremost and provides a wide range of opportunities for personal wellness and professional development for all of its athletes.
• AU centers athletes in the governance of its leagues, moving beyond traditional financial models and revolutionizing athlete empowerment.

“With the disparities between men and women in professional sports, our success has already had enormous public benefits by providing pathways for over 200 professional female athletes and elevating role models for millions of women and girls around the world,” said Jon Patricof, Athletes Unlimited co-founder. “We believe that athletes should participate in the long-term value they help create, and we are building a player community that has a tangible stake in that success, making a greater impact on and off the field.”

Athletes Unlimited joins other progressive companies such as Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s in adopting the designation of a public benefit corporation.

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The post Athletes Unlimited Makes History as Public Benefit Corporation appeared first on Boardroom.

Lexie Brown was “in shock” but not surprised when she saw Sports Illustrated‘s report that the WNBA had imposed a league-record $500,000 fine on the New York Liberty for a team trip to Napa and charter flights during the second half of the 2021 season, provided by Liberty owners Joe and Clara Tsai.

The private flights “vastly exceeded the allowable compensation to players” and violated the competitive balance rules in the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

“We laughed because we were like, ‘Well, damn, must be nice,'” Brown tells Boardroom, describing her and other players’ reactions to the news. “Meanwhile, we’re eating McDonald’s in the terminal because our flight got delayed.”

“I understand that we put it in the CBA, so [the WNBA] was following the rules,” the 27-year-old free agent adds. “I was just a rookie when the new CBA was being negotiated, and I really wish I knew what we were agreeing to.”

Brown’s WNBA journey began as the No. 9 overall pick to the Connecticut Sun in the 2018 WNBA draft. She spent her rookie season in Connecticut, and then the Sun traded her to the Minnesota Lynx in April 2019. The former Duke and Maryland star stayed in Minnesota for two seasons before signing with the Chicago Sky last June.

The Sky’s subsequent championship run — the franchise’s first — marked the first time Brown flew private as a WNBA player. The league provided charter flights to the Sky and the runner-up Phoenix Mercury between Games 2 and 3 of the 2021 WNBA Finals.

Brown recalls travel days as “super long” during her Sun tenure, filled with endless delays and hours stranded in airports.

“As pros, there’s a way we have to carry ourselves, take care of our bodies and put out a good product,” she said. “The fact that we are able to do that with the way we travel is commendable. And imagine how much better things would be if we didn’t have to travel that way.”

Brown says she’s been blessed to play for the Lynx and Sun, which she says have “owners that cared for us deeply.”

“You get caught up in the nonsense of people talking about how we’re just a loss or tax write-off or a charity case for owners,” she explains. “Really, I think some of them want better for us. [That] is so refreshing to know, but [I’m] definitely disappointed in how the WNBA chose to handle this.”

Brown’s opinion is widely shared by players across the league.

Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu called the punishment “a joke.” Newly signed Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Liz Cambage tweeted three upside-down smiley emojis. In early February, Cambage criticized the WNBA’s stark pay contrasts, tweeting her plan to “spend another season upgrading my seat on a flight to get to games out of my own pocket.”

Brown knows how it looks from the outside. She is constantly reminded that it appears as if she and her peers are “complaining just to complain.” As unfair as that assumption is, Brown wants to back her chatter with impactful action. Her plan is to become a player representative and join the group of players who work with the WNBPA because “then I think I’ll actually be able to help.”

“There are some amazing things about the league, but we would be doing each other a disservice for not calling out where they need to be better,” she says, later noting, “I just love this game and this league so much. I want so much better for it.”

But before Brown can have a hand in the WNBA soaring, she must find her footing.

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Just Keep Dribbling

The Sky don’t have enough cap space to re-sign Brown for the upcoming season, tipping off May 6.

After fulfilling a dream and earning a WNBA crown alongside Diamond DeShields, her best friend since they were 13 years old, Brown was jarred back into understanding the cutthroat nature of being a professional athlete.

“Front offices and coaches should be more transparent about why players come and go,” Brown says. “Sometimes, it’s just business. More times than not, it’s business.”

Basketball has been the Brown family business since before Lexie was born.

Her dad is Dee Brown. The former NBA point guard was selected by the Boston Celtics at No. 19 overall in 1990, and he remained a Celtic until the infamous 1998 trade that sent him to Toronto. Dee finished his playing career with the Raptors (1998-00) and Orlando Magic (2000-02).

“When it comes to this, he talks about how much better the new guys have it,” Lexie Brown says about the perks of being an NBA player relative to a WNBA player. “But it took time and work and lockouts for them to get to this point. The NBA today doesn’t look like it did 10 years ago. And it shouldn’t. But again, there’s way more money in the NBA, so it’s hard to compare.”

Lexie doesn’t compare her career to her dad’s, but there are some parallels. After retiring from the NBA, Dee became the head coach of the Orlando Miracle for the 2002 season.

“I loved [the WNBA],” Lexie remembers. “The women were amazing. I always wanted to be a pro. I was young, so I don’t remember [Dee’s coaching days], but he said it was tough.”

Dee’s year with the Miracle was the franchise’s last in Orlando before relocating and rebranding as the Connecticut Sun.

Roughly 16 years later, the Sun drafted his daughter.

And Lexie immediately got a first-hand taste of how tough things could be.

“I think they don’t want us — Black women — to truly feel empowered,” she says of her experience thus far. “Even the fans, when we walk in with our nice outfits. Designer shoes and bags. People always have something weird to say — like we don’t deserve it. I know that doesn’t have anything to do with ownership, but there’s a collective feeling that [we] can’t move past that we are changing and evolving. Basketball is what we do, not who we are.”

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During offseasons past, Brown has played overseas in France, Hungary, and Israel. The working conditions on those teams were considerably worse than in the WNBA. There isn’t an airplane controversy overseas because instead teams endure “lots of bus rides.”

This offseason, Brown reframed her mindset around what she can and cannot control as she searches for her next WNBA home.

Lexie Unlimited

Athletes Unlimited wrapped its five-week inaugural basketball season last weekend, and Brown finished fourth amongst all 44 players.

The groundbreaking league aims to establish itself as the go-to WNBA offseason destination, and already, it helped Brown re-establish her confidence as an accomplished talent.

“I have had a lot of negative conversation about me as to why I can’t really find my footing — or so I’ve been told,” she says. “No one can ever really tell me any specific details. Playing in AU allowed me to change my narrative and take control.”

AU Basketball took an especially empowered and innovative storytelling approach that markets players’ unique personalities. (“Everyone has a story to tell. And some of them aren’t full of trauma and drama. And that should be OK.”)

Throughout her playing career, Brown has been labeled as un-coachable.

“My college experience was incredible, even with the transfer [from Maryland to Duke],” she said. “But I did get a taste of a coach trying to tear down your character because I made a personal change. It didn’t affect me as bad as it has as a pro, but I saw how quickly things change if you just simply stand up for yourself.”

Brown has consistently prioritized her individuality over conformity, which has led to misconceptions.

“I was never problematic,” she said. “I really ended up just staying out of the way, which then was seen as ‘misunderstood’ or ‘antisocial.’ And I rolled with it. [That] was a mistake on my part because I am neither one of those things. I’m coachable [and] a positive person.”

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Brown’s confidence received a much-needed boost by winning the WNBA championship in Chicago and balling out in France before the holidays.

“I just knew I needed [AU] to really show how much I’ve grown as a person and player,” she said.

AU is a players’ league in the most literal sense, as teams change from week to week, but Brown can’t wait to join a WNBA team. She believes the best is yet to come for both herself and the league.

“I want the league to see that people do care and want better for us,” she said. “It’s like we’re trapped in this space where we think everyone is hating when it’s not like that at all. I was trapped there and finally got out. I’ve been so happy ever since.”

“I think my time is coming,” Brown added. “I’m just looking forward to the future. I love seeing conversations about the W, even if it’s [controversial]. It’s better than no conversation at all.”

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The post Lexie Brown Believes the Best is Yet to Come for the WNBA appeared first on Boardroom.

U.S. Olympic volleyball players Carli Lloyd and Alisha Glass Childress are among 20 athletes that will join Athletes Unlimited‘s volleyball league for its second season, beginning March 16 in Dallas, the organization announced Thursday.

Both athletes earned bronze medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro as setters, with Lloyd being named the Most Valuable Player when Team USA won gold at the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Other notable newcomers include:

• Middle Blocker Lauren Stivrins, who was selected to the NCAA Championships All-Tournament Team in 2017.
• Middle Blocker Yizhi Xue, who plays professionally in China for Liaoning Huajun and Beijing BAIC Motor.
• Outside Hitter Kalei Mau, a member of the Philippines National Team.
• Setter Natalia Valentin-Anderson, the current captain of the Puerto Rico national team.
• Outside Hitter Jamie Peterson, who was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

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Action will run for five weeks at Dallas’s Fair Park Coliseum. The broadcast partners will be the same as AU’s basketball league, with Fox Sports airing 12 live matches on Fox Sports 2 beginning with a doubleheader on March 18. CBS Sports Network will air seven matches, beginning with a twin bill on April 2. Bally Sports’ regional networks will air four matches, starting on March 16. Kevin Barnett, Heather Cox and Katie Carter will call the action.

“We are thrilled to host our second year of professional indoor women’s volleyball in Dallas and cannot wait to welcome fans to Fair Park Coliseum to watch 44 of the best players in the world,” AU’s CEO Jon Patricof said.

Top returning players for 2022 include Dominican Republic Olympian, Outside Hitter and 2021 AU volleyball runner-up Bethania De La Cruz, Outside Hitter and fifth-place finisher Karsta Lowe, Middle Blocker Taylor Sandbothe, and Outside Hitter Lindsay Stalzer. Live weekly drafts will be streamed on Athletes Unlimited‘s YouTube and Facebook pages every Sunday at 1 p.m. ET beginning March 13.

“I’m fired up to have the opportunity to stay in the U.S. and play again, especially within a league that has an emphasis on supporting not just the athlete but the whole person,” Lloyd said. “The fact that Athletes Unlimited has stood by me as a new mom coming back to compete has been very refreshing, and having this league as another option for professional volleyball players is exciting.”

Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Roster (as of February 24) 

The post Olympians Carli Lloyd and Alisha Glass Childress Join Athletes Unlimited Volleyball appeared first on Boardroom.

When the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Basketball season tipped off on Jan. 26 at the Athletes Unlimited Arena in Las Vegas, the players knew they were starting something special. But even with the anticipation and excitement, there was no way to know just how dynamic of an experience the league’s first campaign would soon become. 

That first week boasted wild on-court action — a triple-overtime game and highlights that would fit in seamlessly into SportsCenter‘s Top 10 — but it’s what was happening elsewhere that ultimately caught the attention of basketball fans near and far.

In the run-up to the season, AU tapped six content creators, journalists, and thought leaders in women’s basketball to cover the action from all angles. Paired with one of the most innovative social media teams in the game, it was tough not to tune into the coverage of the sport’s newest league. It was even tougher to ignore that Sheryl Swoopes — the WNBA’s first-ever signee and a Basketball Hall of Famer — was handling commentary on AU’s broadcasts.

Boardroom caught up with several players, creators, and executives to understand Athletes Unlimited’s distinct approach to the art of storytelling.

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Building the Bench

Nearly two years ago, Washington Mystics star guard Natasha Cloud opted out of the 2020 WNBA season.

“For the first time, I got to fully commit to supporting my wife while she was in-season,” Cloud told Boardroom.

Her wife is Aleshia Ocasio. The former University of Florida all-time great is now a star pitcher in Athletes Unlimited’s professional softball league, where she was named the 2021 AU Softball champion with 2,096 points.

After closely observing throughout the softball season, Cloud approached Athletes Unlimited founders Jon Patricof and Jonathan Soros. “I told them that I felt that [the AU format] would be great for basketball, and when that happens, I’d better be your first call,” she said.

Months passed, and she waited patiently: “Volleyball comes, and I’m like, This is awesome, where’s the basketball? Then lacrosse comes, and I’m like, This is awesome, where’s the basketball? Then, finally, I got that call one day and they were like, ‘Are you ready?’ And I said, ‘I’ve been waiting for this moment for almost two years.’”

Cloud helped source talent, putting in a call to all of her WNBA peers that were not planning to play overseas in the offseason. She was clear in stressing to them that the league did not exist in opposition to the WNBA, but rather as a complementary tool for growing the women’s game.

Soon, she had built a Player Executive Committee and netted a slate of committed recruits. The league was ready to take off.

One of those committed players was Sydney Colson.

When Cloud approached Colson, she saw the vision immediately and signed up.

“It was easy to hop on because you could see that [AU] had successfully done this in three other sports,” Colson told Boardroom. “You could see that it wouldn’t end up as a hoax. As a women’s basketball player, you hear about other things that are going to come around and talk about it, but it’s never anything legit.”

The Texas A&M Hall of Fame guard notes “a big part” in wanting to be a part of AU was the mutual support between the league and the WNBA from coaches and fellow players alike.

“People were trying to pit the leagues against each other — [as if] it was a world where both can’t exist,” she explained. “It’s really cool to see that the support goes both ways. It’s good for the game.”

Athletes Unlimited carefully considered how to position itself in women’s basketball, and the powers that be wanted to make a lasting first impression.

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“Our goal in the first season is to create incredible content, and that’s been a priority,” said Ilene Hauser, AU’s senior advisor of operations. “We want to create a visual that everybody will be attracted to, and then you throw in the incredible athletes that we have and the competition and the passion for sports for all of these women across all of these leagues. It’s just a really different model.”

Drawing from the success it had experienced in volleyball, softball, and lacrosse, the Athletes Unlimited team curated every detail. The league consulted with various people, including Twitter’s Head of Sports, TJ Adeshola. They tapped six well-known journalists, content creators, and advocates of the women’s game, including Jasmine Baker, Ari Chambers, Greydy Diaz, Terrika Foster-Brasby, Victoria Jacobi, and Khristina Williams,

To Kristen Miles, AU’s director of basketball, the process of selecting the voices around the game was a simple one: “[Each of these individuals] elevates the overall game for women. They are advocates. You want people who… enjoy telling the story and being a part of it to really be engulfed in it.”

Adds Jon Patricof, AU CEO and co-founder: “These women love the game as much as the athletes themselves.”

For Foster-Brasby, a self-described “Twitter nuisance” who has covered women’s hoops for a decade, the opportunity presented a new one as a journalist. She saw herself as part of a collective. She and each of her colleagues were hand-picked to apply their own lens to the growing game.

“The creators that were chosen, we didn’t know what each other may be doing, but we know each other well enough to know where we fall,” Foster-Brasby said. “When I see a Jasmine Baker, I instantly think, ‘She’s got to be doing something with merch.’ I see Khristina Williams and I say, ‘That’s our newsbreaker, that’s our storyteller,’ so I know she’s bringing something about free agency or what the women have been doing to prepare to get to this point. For me, it’s uplifting the voices and bringing a fun side.”

In January, all six showed up courtside in Vegas for the competition’s first weekend and got to work.

The 360-Degree View

Unlike other major sports that are built around the biggest stars, Athletes Unlimited intentionally pursues the opportunity to work with each of its 44 players to tell their own stories about their lives on and off the court.

The opportunity to humanize players and create content about their lives is a driving force for Jenny Jeffries, Director of Social Content at AU.

Several years ago, when working for the NWSL’s OL Reign, Jeffries remembers then-team captain Keelin Winters saying to her, “Soccer is what I do, not who I am.” This became her own mantra, and helping athletes tell their stories beyond the sport has guided Jeffries in her career ever since.

This AU hoops season is the culmination of that ethos.

AU invited the team of outside creators to join for the first full week of on-court action and promised a whole new level of access. They did so by knitting together a strategy that integrated the best of viral sensations, like League Fits and House of Highlights, while pioneering new opportunities for creative expression.

The access “enabled an openness, willingness, and timeliness for everything,” Chambers said. The results spanned from roundtable discussions to courtside interviews, giving fans an intimate and unprecedented window into their favorite players.

Foster-Brasby pointed to this manner of collaboration as a game-changer. “Anything you needed to tell your stories better, they were able to provide,” she said. “As a journalist, it’s not always easy to get access, to have people wanting and willing to be forthright with you about various things.”

Not only did it put the creators in the mix, but it allowed them to build relationships — both with the athletes and with one another — that took their craft to the next level.

The Art of Storytelling

Athletes Unlimed built its leagues with athletes at the center. As a result, its hoopers came to express a willingness to share their own stories. And when paired with great storytellers, the results were undeniable.

“I’ve seen nothing but an outpouring of love and a genuine interest to learn about the emerging players,” Chambers said. “AU allowed the space, energy, and investment to build content around the players.”

For Chambers, this allowed for her signature approach to journalism that focuses on the complexities of an athlete’s experience.

“[I want to tell stories that show] that Blackness in this space isn’t monolithic, that womanhood isn’t monolithic,” she said.

And over the last five weeks, an endless number of storylines have emerged — Taj Cole‘s rapid rise led to a WNBA training camp contract with the Connecticut Sun. Danielle McCray‘s side hustle as the owner of a trucking repair company has even gotten some love.

The players appreciate the attention and the opportunity.

“It’s the best marketing that I’ve ever been a part of!” Cloud beamed as she waved her hands enthusiastically. “I make sure to tell them that every single day, because sometimes, when you get in the professional settings, you only get a few stories here and there of the faces of the league. But here at AU, you get to know every single player on such a deep level because of the storytelling. That’s what makes it so special and so beautiful. And it has allowed us, as the 44 players, to connect on such a deep level [within] this environment that is fostered here.”

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Cloud had thought about this a lot in the year she sat out from the WNBA. She found herself under a microscope as a professional athlete, and she committed to using her platform as a microphone for issues bigger than her that deserve attention: “I am constantly fighting for intersectionality, for what it means to be me.”

Individuality is literally embedded within the fabric of AU, as there are no fixed teams and the leaderboard is based upon an individual points system. While every week presents a redraft and reshuffling of teammates, AU basketball director Miles says it best: “The team is the [league’s] 44 players.”

The five-week season finishes this Saturday, Feb. 26. And regardless of which of those 44 players finishes atop the leaderboard, the real victory is the barriers that have been broken and the paths paved toward ongoing success in the future.

“It’s my goal [that] in five years, people won’t be playing overseas in the [WNBA] offseason anymore,” Cloud promised. “They’ll hoop with AU.”

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The post Athletes Unlimited Basketball Has a Story to Tell appeared first on Boardroom.

Stephen Curry hit an NBA All-Star Game record 16 threes on Sunday night, but the last play of the game belonged to LeBron James. At 37 years old, LeBron is still that local kid from northeast Ohio, and his turnaround, one-legged, fadeaway jumper to win the game put the perfect cap on his homecoming weekend.

If he had made that shot in almost any other setting, it would have just been a run-of-the-mill highlight-reel shot that only the best players can make feel ordinary — but it wasn’t. It was a game-winner, and by merely adding a running clock to the game, it likely wouldn’t have happened at all.

That moment came thanks to the NBA’s take on the Elam Ending — the innovative end-of-game format that has seen success with every prominent event that has adopted it.

For the uninitiated, the Elam Ending’s purpose is to eliminate excessive fouling and teams dribbling out the clock, slowing the game down.

It first gained mainstream attention when The Basketball Tournament adopted it in 2017, putting this method on ESPN during the dog days of summer. In 2020, it hit the NBA All-Star Game, and on Sunday gave us that classic LBJ moment.

What is the Elam Ending and How Does it Work?

• At a predetermined time, the game clock shuts off. Usually, this is with a few minutes left, but in the All-Star Game, it’s the start of the fourth quarter.
• The two teams then play to a target score, which is determined by taking the leading team’s current score and adding a predetermined number.
  • FOR EXAMPLE: In The Basketball Tournament, the target score is the winning team’s total plus eight. So if Overtime Elite is leading Carmen’s Crew 70-65 when the clock is turned off, the first team to hit 78 points would win. On Sunday, the NBA simply played the first to 24 in the fourth quarter.
• By doing this, there is no need to foul, no clock to drain, and every game ends on a walk-off basket.

We’ve seen enough classic moments, and the Elam Ending has become popular enough that it’s time to try it on more important stages. We don’t need to throw it into the Final Four or NBA Finals just yet, but it’s worth seeing where else it could work.

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Here are a few events that could make for logical next steps in the ongoing expansion of the Elam Ending:

The NBA Play-In Tournament

Let’s be honest: The NBA Play-In Tournament is already a gimmick. Boiling an 82-game season down to one single-elimination opportunity for teams ranked seventh through tenth in each conference is the definition of manufactured drama. So let’s add a little more.

Let’s give an arena of 20,000 screaming Raptors fans the opportunity to lose their minds over Fred VanVleet shooting Toronto into the next round.

Oh, and you know you would put a few bucks on a prop bet for which player hits the game-winner. Just think of the amusing parlays that sportsbooks would jump at offering — the same player making the first and last shot, the Elam-ender being a free throw, hitting the over on the game-winning shot… the possibilities are endless.

We may look back one day and realize that it was inevitable.

Athletes Unlimited Basketball

Athletes Unlimited has already completely reimagined how we think about team sports, so adding another innovative element to its basketball league is more than just logical. It feels right.

Remember: in AU leagues, there are no set teams, per se. Players are scored based on individual and team performances, and the athletes at the top of the leaderboard each week serve as captains for the following week.

Throwing in the Elam Ending would add elements that you never even thought about in other leagues. Players can earn more points toward their individual totals by hitting game-winners. Maybe some team captains would think even more about clutch ability when drafting their teams. It also adds a revenge factor — think about sinking a dagger jay right in the face of the team captain that passed on you.

With a handful of current WNBA stars participating in Athletes Unlimited Basketball, this could even be a good test run for whether the Elam Ending could succeed in the W as well if the league happened to implement it into, say, the Commissioner’s Cup. More on that below!

The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup

This is another instance of a league building on its existing innovative ideas.

First, the obvious downside: Commissioner’s Cup games count toward the regular season standings and players aren’t likely to agree to regular season games that use different rules than others. Perhaps at the start, the Elam Ending only applies to the championship game. Even though that’s not a “true” regular season game, players are competing for a pool of prize money, so we’re going to get a true effort from all sides.

This game is also as much of an event as exists in the WNBA regular season. In 2021, the WNBA used the competition as a platform for holding important conversations around player activism and social justice. It also experimented with new tracking technology via wearable products to produce a more informative streaming broadcast.

There will be no more prominent opportunity outside of the playoffs to get the Elam Ending in front of a wide audience to see if it really works.

The NIT & WNIT

The National Invitation Tournament has long been the guinea pig event for NCAA rule changes. Experimental NIT rules have included playing quarters instead of halves, using a 30-second shot clock in the men’s game, moving the three-point line back, and using a wider lane.

After trying all those tweaks, the NCAA has adopted quarters in the women’s game, the 30-second shot clock in the men’s game, and a further three-point line in both.

The advantage to experimenting with the NIT: These are meaningful postseason basketball games that have no impact on the national championship picture. That means you’re guaranteed to get teams actually trying harder than some sort of exhibition game, but we do need to be honest: The NIT doesn’t matter much.

College basketball could probably benefit from the Elam Ending even more than in the pros given a 30-second shot clock vs. 24 seconds, as well as in-game atmospheres that, when buoyed by thousands of “well-hydrated” college students, could dwarf anything an NBA arena could produce.

An added bonus on the men’s side: putting the Elam Ending in the NIT means the semifinals and finals will end on walk-offs at Madison Square Garden — a venue made for the big moment.

So give it a shot here. If the fans, coaches, and players don’t like it, scrap it.

But keep this in mind: the Juwan Howard incident last weekend never would have happened if Michigan and Wisconsin were playing to a target score.

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The post Who Should Try the Elam Ending Next? appeared first on Boardroom.

Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” Slated for Mar. 11 Premiere

Formula 1 is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, and much of its exponential development over the last few years could be tied back to the Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive.” The show takes viewers behind the scenes of the global sensation, introducing them to the dynamic personalities of the sport. This year, the cameras are back and the 10-episode fourth season is set to premiere on Mar. 11, providing the perfect preview for the official launch of the 2022 circuit on Mar. 20. 

ViacomCBS Rebrands as Paramount as Sports Broadcasting Drives Revenue Surge

ViacomCBS posted fourth-quarter earnings that far outpaced expectations, reporting a 16% year-over-year increase in revenue, putting them over the $8 billion mark. The company announced that it is rebranding as Paramount in order to streamline with its streaming service Paramount+, which has 56 million subscribers across the globe. The surge in revenue is a byproduct of many factors, including ViacomCBS’ deep portfolio of sports broadcasting, which includes the NFL, PGA TOUR, and the Champions League.

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Boardroom Announces Partnership with FanDuel

Boardroom and FanDuel have agreed to a multi-year exclusive content-focused partnership that spans web, editorial, video, audio, and social media, the companies announced on Wednesday. As part of the deal, FanDuel is now the exclusive sports betting, fantasy, horse racing, gaming, casino, and poker partner to Boardroom, as well as its official odds provider. Boardroom and FanDuel will co-create a show debuting later this year that will be featured on both companies’ networks, with FanDuel also sponsoring other select Boardroom content.

Buffalo Bills Emerge as Early Super Bowl LVII Favorite

The parades are still rolling in Los Angeles as the Rams continue to celebrate their hometown victory. However, it’s never too early to place your bets on next year’s Super Bowl odds. The NFL futures odds at FanDuel Sportsbook have the Buffalo Bills as the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy (+700). They are followed by the Chiefs (+750), a repeat for the Rams (+1200), and the Cowboys (+1200). 

The Atlanta Braves Prep to Bring World Series Trophy to the Metaverse

Pitchers and catchers are glaringly not reporting to spring training this week as scheduled, as the MLB’s labor battle rattles on. However, the World Series champion Atlanta Braves are preparing to greet fans in the metaverse. The Braves are teaming up with gaming company Unreal Engine to build Digital Truist Park. Together, they will create a full-on, gamified, in-browser reconstruction of the 2021 World Series champions’ home venue in the limitless land of the metaverse.

Apple Makes Critical Amendments to Cannabis Policies, Seeks Reform

Last summer, Apple joined Amazon as the only premier tech companies that directly amended its policies to favor legalizing cannabis in the United States. As part of the move, Apple allowed products in the App Store that facilitate the delivery of legal recreational and medicinal bud in states where it is legal. The change is considered to be a step towards changing mainstream minds and behaviors in the quest towards full-scale legalization in the US. 

Tiffany’s Tips Off NBA All-Star Weekend with Daniel Arsham Signature Ball

Daniel Arsham is everywhere these days. The Cavs Creative Director teamed up with hip hop sensation Gunna late last year to design a custom statue in advance of his highly anticipated album drop. In his most recent collab, Arsham is teaming up with Tiffany & Co. for a signature Wilson basketball in the iconic Tiffany blue colorway. The limited release will only be available at the Tiffany & Co. x StockX pop-up in Cleveland for the NBA All-Star Weekend and retails at $575. 

Virgin Atlantic Prepares for Space Return

Looking to join the ranks of Elon Musk and Michael Strahan? Richard Branson has you covered. Virgin Atlantic has re-opened its ticket sales for suborbital space travel. Interested? The priceless experience will only set you back $450,000, a massive jump from the previous price tag of $200,000-250,000.

Athletes Unlimited Launches “All on the Table” with HighlightHER

The Athletes Unlimited basketball league is entering the fifth week of its inaugural season, and the competition – and the content coverage – has been fierce. In addition to the top-tier play, the league has assembled an All-Star list of content creators to document the action, including HighlightHER’s Ari Chambers. Together they launched “All on the Table” – a long-form YouTube series rooted in candid discussion, where the players have honest and unfiltered conversations about their experience in sports and life. 

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The post Kobe Bryant’s 81-Point Pre-game Jersey Heads to Auction appeared first on Boardroom.

TurboTax and Coinbase Team Up to Allow Crytpo Tax Refunds

Tax season is upon us. As you prepare your returns in the run up to April, this year you’ll have a new option for your refund. TurboTax, the popular tax preparation platform, will allow users to receive their refunds in cryptocurrency through an exclusive partnership with Coinbase. Don’t have a crypto wallet yet? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered – learn everything you need to know about how to get yours set up. 

WWE Surpasses $1B in Profits with Historic Year

The WWE is back. The organization posted its fourth-quarter earnings, which revealed the most profitable year in history at $1.1 billion. It was the first time that the WWE eclipsed $1 billion without adjusting for inflation. Revenue also increased by 30% to $310.3 million. As it looks to the future, the WWE anticipates continued growth through a number of avenues of potential expansion, including licensing in international markets. 

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Lewis Hamilton Makes Social Media Appearance, Hints at F1 Return

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team had begun to prepare itself for the departure of its star driver from the sport. However, on Saturday, Sir Lewis Hamilton returned to social media after an extended hiatus, simply captioning the photo, “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!” the Formula 1 season is set to kick off in Bahrain in March, and insiders believe that the 37-year-old Hamilton will be back behind the wheel. 

Bubba Wallace Prepares for Daytona with New Apparel Line with Columbia 

All eyes are on Daytona and the starting line of the NASCAR season. One of the best drivers in the sport, Bubba Wallace, revealed his new partnership with outdoor sportswear company Columbia. The collab includes a new clothing line — The Bubba Wallace Collection — featuring colors from 23XI Racing . Wallace becomes the first athlete with a signature collection for the outdoor sportswear company. This season marks Wallace’s second with Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, and in recent years, he’s assembled a deep portfolio of sponsors. In addition Columbia, Wallace is endorsed by Toyota, McDonald’s, Door Dash, Dr. Pepper, and more.  

Listen to Bubba Wallace in conversation with Rich Kleiman on the Out of Office podcast.

Tianna Hawkins Goes Off in Athletes Unlimited Play

Week Two of Athletes Unlimited basketball has proven to be just as fun and dynamic as the opener. Tianna Hawkins’ 38 points – 17 of which came in the fourth – lifted Team Brown over Team Russell 98-85. Hawkins will serve as team captain for the Gold Team next week, as her play qualified her for the league’s ultimate honor. Last week, Hawkins signed a free agency deal with the Connecticut Mystic. 

The post Liz Cambage is Leaving Las Vegas, Commits to Sparks appeared first on Boardroom.

A week after Athletes Unlimited‘s first-ever basketball season tipped off in Las Vegas, the women’s sports league network announced a partnership with sports integrity giant Sportradar to help protect their competitions, the companies announced Thursday.

Sportradar Integrity Services, a division of Sportradar, will provide protection from match fixing and bet-related corruption through its wide range of services. That includes its universal fraud detection system, education and prevention services, conducting an audit of AU’s current match integrity policies, and assisting the company in investigations should threats to match integrity arise.

As women’s sports grows in both the U.S. and international marketplaces and with the possibility of AU eventually bringing on an official sports betting partner, straightening its safeguards against corruption seems like a logical step.

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“We are thrilled to partner with global industry leader Sportradar as we continue to expand our betting  platform for our fans,” said Nicole Powak, Athletes Unlimited’s senior director of special projects. “We are committed to building a legitimate and safe experience that will help us generate increased interest in our sports leagues while preserving the integrity of our play.”

Sportradar already has partnerships with the NBA, MLB, NHL and NASCAR to protect those leagues from match fixing, enabling the company to accumulate massive amounts of data to help its clients and partners worldwide.

“By choosing Sportradar as its integrity partner, Athletes Unlimited is taking a critical and proactive step in safeguarding its brand and business, as its competitions continue to grow and attract more interest  from fans,” said Jill Exley, Sportradar’s North American integrity partnerships director. “We look forward  to supporting them with our industry-leading integrity products and services and being a part of their exciting journey as they revolutionize how women’s professional sports are organized and experienced  by fans.” 

The post Athletes Unlimited Partners with Sportradar to Protect Game Integrity appeared first on Boardroom.

On Wednesday, a new basketball adventure begins in Las Vegas. Athletes Unlimited, the innovative network of women’s pro sports leagues that’s already put a fresh spin on softball, lacrosse, and volleyball, is taking its act to the hardwood.

For the next several weeks, 44 professional hoopers will fight for AU Basketball supremacy. Here’s what you need to know about the new league, including the tip-off times, the big names to follow, and how to watch the action.

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What is Athletes Unlimited?

Founded in 2020, AU is a pro sports organization that set out to rethink the way we organize our leagues and cultivate and showcase athletic talent.

Athletes Unlimited hosts four women’s professional sports leagues across volleyball, softball, lacrosse, and basketball, the latter of which is the most recent to debut. AU doesn’t have formal teams with formal majority owners; the athletes themselves own equity in the league and contribute directly to decisions on rules and regulations.

A weekly player leaderboard is kept that’s guided by a scoring system taking into account both team and individual performance. The players at the top of the leaderboard become team captains for the following week and draft new teams for the next round of competition.

What is AU Basketball?

Athletes Unlimited basketball is the newest league under the AU brand and features 44 players distributed across four teams. The player pool is a combination of past and present WNBA players, pros from other clubs in the US and overseas, and former college basketball standouts from all corners of the country.

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Who are the team captains for the first week of play?

Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Mercedes Russell (Seattle Storm), Odyssey Sims (Atlanta Dream), and DiJonai Carrington (Connecticut Sun)

Who are some of the other notable players in the league?

Fans can expect names like Natasha Cloud (Washington Mystics), Sydney Colson (NCAA national champ, seven WNBA seasons), Ty Young (10 WNBA seasons), Courtney Williams (2021 WNBA All-Star, most recently of the Atlanta Dream), and Essence Carson (2011 WNBA All-Star, 2016 WNBA champion) to get busy early and often this season and have their say on the leaderboard.

Click here to read the full roster of 44 players.

When is the first game?

AU Basketball tips off at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 26 with Team Russell vs. Team Sims. The game streams live on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.

At 11 p.m. ET, Team Mitchell takes on Team Carrington on CBS Sports Network.

How long is the season?

AU Basketball will showcase five competition weeks lasting through Feb. 26.

How can I watch AU Basketball?

Athletes Unlimited Basketball’s television broadcast partners are FOX Sports, CBS Sports, and Bally Sports’ regional networks.

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More AU Basketball Coverage

• Full Player Roster Revealed for Inaugural Athletes Unlimited Basketball Season
• EY, Baden Sports Join Athletes Unlimited as Official Partners
• AU to Run First Carbon Neutral US Sports Leagues
• Athletes Unlimited Basketball League Reveals All-Star Signings
• AU Announces New Women’s Basketball League

The post Welcome to Athletes Unlimited Basketball appeared first on Boardroom.

Jake Paul Levels up Dana White Feud with Endeavor Investment

It’s no secret that there’s bad blood between Jake Paul and Dana White. Just last week, Paul announced that he would retire from boxing to take on a UFC career if White agreed to a laundry list of conditions, which included higher base pay and benefits for UFC fighters. The YouTube star-turned boxer took his battle one step further on Tuesday as he announced that he has invested in UFC’s parent company, Endeavor. In sharing the news, Paul cited his hopes for UFC’s future to include better fighting conditions for its athletes. 

Trading Card Authentication is eBay’s Next Big Move

The online auction site announced on Tuesday that it is extending its authentication practices for trading cards. The move signals an extension of eBay’s “Authentication Guarantee” program, and will help the company further its position in the trading card marketplace. In the first half of 2021, eBay facilitated $2 billion in trading card sales as the hobby boomed. 

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Microsoft Outpaces Projections in Q2 Earnings Report

With its earnings report in for Q2 of the fiscal year, things are looking up for the tech giant. Microsoft demonstrated earnings and revenues that outpaced projections. Although the stock initially dropped a bit, it surged after a follow-up report indicated a strong forecast for Q3. The report comes in the wake of Microsoft’s massive purchase of Activision Blizzard, which positions it to take over a major stake in the gaming industry. 

Crypto Cannabis Club Launches Own Bud

The Crypto Cannabis Club NFT community launched its own physical cannabis brand and named cannabis industry veteran Ryan Hunter as its new CEO, the company announced Wednesday. Crypto Cannabis Club is partnering with leading direct-to-consumer cannabis platform Camp Nova beginning in March, with CCC NFT holders getting discounts to start for product delivery in California. Each package of premium flower will include custom artwork from the CCC and three packages will include ownership of an “NFToker,” which has a current $800 average value, per NFT-Stats.

Sports Betting Brand Bally’s to Sell to Standard General in $2.07B Deal

The casino company jumped at the opportunity for a full buyout from existing stakeholder Standard General. The hedge fund currently owns 21% of the company and will purchase the remaining shares at a 30% premium, at $38. Bally’s portfolio includes sports betting licenses and properties in 10 states, gaming, and more. While the arrangement is not official, all signs signal that it is everything but a done deal. 

Athletes Unlimited Brokers Official Sponsorships with EY and Baden Sports

Athletes Unlimited tips off its inaugural season tonight in Las Vegas. The new women’s basketball league is just one of AU’s offerings, which also include volleyball and softball. And on Tuesday, it announced that it has two new key sponsors in its quiver, which already includes Nike, Gatorade, and Topps. EY — officially Ernst & Young, one of the “Big Four” global accounting firms — joins as an official sponsor for its basketball and volleyball leagues and Baden Sports will be the official ball partner of AU Basketball.

Meta and Overtime Elite to Bring Dunk Contest to VR

You can now get up close to the action of the dunk contest thanks to a partnership between Meta (formerly known as Facebook) and Overtime. The companies announced on Tuesday that Meta’s Quest 2 VR headset will be the official VR headset of Overtime Elite, and with that partnership will come some jaw-dropping displays. Central to the deal will be Meta Quest’s sponsorship of four of OTE’s dunk shows, two of which will be broadcast live in VR beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.

Baron Davis Soars into Web3 with Playrs

Turn2 Equity Partners and Baron Davis Enterprises are joining forces with a new holding company and Web3 venture partnership, Playrs Holdings, that will fund content creation, share resources, and maximize operational efficiencies, the companies announced Tuesday. Turn2 was founded by Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker, former New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles general manager Jim Duquette, and others who approach their business as a mix of venture and mergers and acquisitions in the realms of tech, data, media, events, and consumer products. Davis, a two-time NBA All-Star and entrepreneur, will enhance the joint venture’s access to athletes, entertainers, and Web3 and crypto technology.

Skechers Shapes Up the Metaverse

The metaverse will not be short on footwear options. Skechers became the most recent company to indicate that it is making moves towards the metaverse, as it filed eight trademarks that suggest moves into virtual goods and gamified online communities. The filings include Skechers’ name, logos, and other phrases the company uses, including “Twinkle Toes,” “Arch Fit,” “Go Walk,” and “Bobs.” The company has not made an official announcement of its metaverse plans at this time. 

Kentucky Shaedon Sharpe Inks NIL Deal with SoleSavy

The Canadian five-star stud shooting guard has just announced an NIL partnership with community-oriented sneaker startup SoleSavy. By signing the 18-year-old Sharpe, SoleSavy looks to drive a deeper connection with the new era of sneakerhead through person-to-person interaction, storytelling, and appreciation for footwear that goes beyond price tag and hype.

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The post FTX Reaches $8B Valuation Following $400M Series A appeared first on Boardroom.

On the eve of its first-ever basketball season, Athletes Unlimited has announced two new partners, EY and Baden Sports, and extensions with seven other brands with existing deals, including Nike, Gatorade, and Topps.

EY — officially Ernst & Young, one of the “Big Four” global accounting firms — joins as an official sponsor for its basketball and volleyball leagues and Baden Sports will be the official ball partner of AU Basketball. Nike, Gatorade, Topps, NFT partner Giglabs, and VKTRY insoles have extended existing deals through 2022, while CBD partner Blue Sky CBD and wine partner WEST + WILDER have extended their deals through AU’s basketball and volleyball seasons.

“The new and continued support Athletes Unlimited is receiving from blue-chip brands is testament to growing interest in our innovative model and women’s professional sports,” said Athletes Unlimited co-founder and CEO Jon Patricof. “These sponsorships align with our values as an  organization and help amplify our programming on and off the field or court while providing robust  and purposeful exposure opportunities for the partners.”

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As part of its deal, EY will present a player with a new civic leadership award during the basketball and volleyball seasons, as well as provide a workshop for AU’s Athletes+ program that offers resources to help players succeed off the court.

The AU basketball season begins Wednesday, with 44 athletes competing from Las Vegas in front of national TV audiences on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2, and Bally Sports’ regional networks. FOX will broadcast 14 of AU’s 30 basketball games and air 12 volleyball matches on FOX Sports 2. CBS Sports Network will air three basketball games and seven volleyball games, and Bally Sports will show eight hoops games and four volleyball matches.

The post Athletes Unlimited Adds EY, Baden Sports as Official Partners appeared first on Boardroom.

Nets Get Set to Hoop in the Metaverse with Patent Filings

The Brooklyn Nets have filed three separate applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the trademark “Netaverse,” according to trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben Intellectual Property. The trademarks encompass game coverage, merchandise, and technology. It is believed that the Nets are the first major professional sports team to indicate interest in joining the metaverse on their own.

LaMelo Ball Unveils Newest Venture, MB1 Gaming

LaMelo Ball is no stranger to forging his own path. Last year’s Rookie of the Year announced on Monday that he is teaming up with esports tournament platform One Up to launch esports brand MB1 Gaming. Ball recently released his PE shoe in partnership with Puma. MB1 Gaming will host esports tournaments on One Up’s platform, starting with an NBA 2K tournament in February. Appropriately, Puma will be the sponsor.

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Overtime Links with Billionaire Boys Club for Exclusive Apparel Drop

Sports and lifestyle just forged an all-new team-up in the form of a limited-edition apparel collection. Overtime and the Pharrell-founded Billionaire Boys Club unveiled the project, which includes custom Overtime Elite player uniforms, in an official announcement Monday. OTE players will debut the special uniforms during games scheduled for Friday, Feb. 4 and Saturday, Feb. 5 at their home campus in Atlanta. The collection will be highlighted in a new marketing campaign featuring Overtime Elite players and Los Angeles rapper BLXST.

BIG3 Basketball League Re-ups Deal with Monster Energy Drink

Monster Energy and BIG3 tipped off their partnership last season with a wild range of activations, which included everything from in-game BMX riders and breakdancers to multiple ad spots. And they announced on Tuesday that they are running it back for a second season. The 3-on-3 basketball league’s founder, Ice Cube, said in a statement that the partnership allows Big3 to connect with its fans in direct and exciting ways. 

Lamborghini Taps Swiss Artist Fabian Oefner for Inaugural NFTs

The time has come when you may finally be able to own a Lamborghini. The pinnacle brand in luxury vehicles revealed that it is working on a set of NFTs and that they have brought in Swiss artist Fabian Oefner to engineer the design. Oefner is well-known for his art that “explores the boundaries between time, space, and reality.” Details continue to evolve, but the collection will include five space-themed collectibles, which will be unlocked by “Space Keys.”

Bored Ape Yacht Club Gets Two New Members in Kevin Hart and Paris Hilton

The Bored Ape Yacht Club just got two new all-star members. On Monday, comedian Kevin Hart revealed that he purchased #9258, which has a multi-colored whirly hat and wears a yellow shirt – for 79.5 Eth ($200,041). Similarly, Paris Hilton joined fellow Bored Ape owner Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, where she debuted her purchase of #1294. 

Athletes Unlimited Tips off Partnership with Ari Chambers and HighlightHER

Athletes Unlimited is set to launch its inaugural season on Wednesday, where it will debut an innovative format that will not have set teams. And on Monday, the league announced an exclusive partnership with Ari Chambers and HighlightHER. The partnership includes content & social collabs — kicking off with a new long-form series where she will lead roundtable discussions with AU athletes.

Tyler, The Creator’s Golf Wang Drops New Collection and Campaign Featuring Jordan Clarkson

Tyler, the Creator is a man of many talents. The rapper has most recently been seen riding a bike on the Louis Vuitton stage for its men’s show, for which he curated the string soundtrack. His line, Golf Wang, debuted the “CHAMPIONSHIP Collection.” Modeled by Utah Jazz guard, Jordan Clarkson, the set includes basketball jerseys, shorts, a varsity jacket, a cream-colored sweatsuit, and a gold signet ring featuring the GOLF league logo.

NBC Universal Teams up with TikTok for Winter Olympic Coverage

The Winter Olympics are nearly here. While few fans will be able to be in the stands for the live events, people around the globe will have access to various types of on-the-ground content due to a new partnership between NBC Universal and streaming platform Tik Tok. As part of the agreement, there will be daily content and a three-part livestream series.

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The post Oscar-winning DNEG Studio Preps to Go Public Via SPAC in $1.7B Deal appeared first on Boardroom.

Athletes Unlimited has confirmed its full list of 44 players who will compete in its first-ever women’s basketball league season, the company announced Tuesday.

Among the 31 newly announced players include star Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell, WNBA champ Lexie Brown of the Chicago Sky, and Seattle Storm center Mercedes Russell. The trio joins previously announced stars who will compete from Jan. 26 to Feb. 26 in Las Vegas like Natasha Cloud, Sydney Colson, Ty Young, Courtney Williams, Tianna Hawkins, and Odyssey Sims.

“I am honored and thrilled to be part of Athletes Unlimited’s inaugural basketball season,” said Mitchell, who was No. 8 in the WNBA in scoring last season at 17.8 points per game. “AU offers women another opportunity to play professional basketball in the United States and will provide national television exposure that will help us grow the game we love to play.”

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Athlete’s Unlimited will play nationally televised basketball games on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2 ,and on Bally Sports’ regional sports networks. Other notable names on the full roster include Atlanta Dream center Kalani Brown, Dallas Wings forward Isabelle Harrison, and former Dallas, Atlanta, and Chicago center Imani McGee-Stafford.

Becca Wann-Taylor, Taj Cole, Briahanna Jackson, and Takoia Larry earned AU roster spots from open tryouts that took place last month in Atlanta.

“We are very pleased with the diverse and dynamic Athletes Unlimited Basketball roster for our inaugural season,” said Kristen Miles, Athletes Unlimited’s Director of Basketball. “True to our intentions from the beginning, we are providing an additional opportunity for women to play professional basketball in the U.S., whether on a current roster or not. A whole new breed of women’s pro hoops is soon to be unleashed on Las Vegas, and these incredible athletes will surely make for a historic first season that can’t be missed.”

2022 Athletes Unlimited Basketball Roster 

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The post Athletes Unlimited Unveils Full Player Roster for Inaugural Basketball Season appeared first on Boardroom.

Nas Democratizes Rights to Upcoming Drop with NFT Project

For the better part of the last three decades, Nas has been a cornerstone of hip hop. The Brooklyn rapper is looking towards the next chapter of his career, and to do so is teaming up with Royal, a platform that allows music fans to purchase a piece of the publishing rights and earn royalties. For the upcoming release of two new tracks, Nas will offer “limited digital assets” that function as NFTs with additional functionality that entitles holders to the streaming rights. The singles are set to drop on Jan 11. 

Dwyane Wade Doubles Down on SLC with Real Salt Lake Stake

Dwyane Wade has been announced as part of the ownership group behind the Real Salt Lake purchase, which is led by Qualtrics founder Ryan Smith. He joins the team along with the Smith Entertainment Group, which also owns a stake in the Utah Jazz. The deal also includes the rights to Salt Lake’s NWSL team, which moved to Kansas City in the off-season but teases the possibility of a future expansion team.

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The New York Times Purchases The Athletic for $550M

The long-rumored sports media acquisition appears to have finally happened: The New York Times has agreed to buy The Athletic for a whopping $550 million in a deal first reported by The Information on Thursday. The subscriber-only platform had reportedly been exploring a sale for a while now as the worlds of sports and media retool themselves in light of COVID-19, and a lot had to transpire to get us to this point.

Samsung Taking Its NYC Storefront to the Metaverse

The shortened CES closed out yesterday and if there was one major takeaway from this year’s conference it was that the metaverse has arrived. Several companies revealed various technologies that will enable life in Web3. And one tech giant unveiled a new partnership that will take its sales to the universe. Samsung announced that it has partnered with Decentraland to launch the metaverse version of its NYC flagship store. While the store will only be open for a limited time, the company indicated that they will roll out similar projects across other platforms.

Buffalo Bills Tap FanDuel as Official Betting Partner

On the heels of the announcement that sports betting is imminent in New York state, the Buffalo Bills and FanDuel are making things official. FanDuel will be the official mobile sports betting partner of the Bills Mafia and will introduce themselves via video and TV spots. In addition, FanDuel will serve as the presenting sponsor of the team’s official podcast.

NFTs and Crypto Serve as Foundation of GameStop’s Next Act

Game Stop is implementing a new division to develop a marketplace for NFTs and establish cryptocurrency partnerships. The unit’s goal is to build an online hub for buying, selling, and trading NFTs of virtual videogame goods. In response to the news, the retailer’s stock was up 17% before trading opened on Friday.  

Athletes Unlimited Reveals Basketball, Volleyball Broadcast Partners

Athletes Unlimited announced that its spring basketball and volleyball leagues have partnered with FOX Sports, CBS Sports, and Bally Sports’ regional networks for 48 televised games, the company announced Thursday. The remaining basketball games and volleyball contests that are not featured on the network outlets will stream on Athletes Unlimited’s YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook accounts. The basketball broadcast team will be led by Cindy Brunson on play-by-play, with basketball Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes and Carol Ross as analysts.

Kyler Murray Announces Equity Stake in JUST Egg 

On Thursday, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray joined up with JUST Egg, the fastest-growing egg brand in the United States, to become the brand’s latest pro athlete ambassador. Murray joins Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, Los Angeles Lakers center DeAndre Jordan, and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, each of whom is an ambassador for the company.

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The post Mobile Sports Betting Goes Live in NY Saturday Morning appeared first on Boardroom.

Athletes Unlimited announced that its spring basketball and volleyball leagues have partnered with FOX Sports, CBS Sports, and Bally Sports’ regional networks for 48 televised games, the company announced Thursday.

FOX will broadcast 14 of AU’s 30-game basketball slate and 12 volleyball matches on FOX Sports 2, CBS Sports Network will air three basketball games and seven volleyball games, and Bally Sports will show eight hoops games and four volleyball matches.

The remaining five basketball games and seven volleyball contests will stream on Athletes Unlimited’s YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

For both basketball and volleyball, which will be carbon neutral leagues, there are unique scoring rules for individual competitions in addition to the games themselves. Points are scored on every play, with leaderboards constantly changing. Athletes earn points based on team wins and individual performances, with the four highest-scoring players each week becoming team captains to draft squads for the following week.

After each five-week season, the player with the most points is named an individual champion.

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The basketball broadcast team will be led by Cindy Brunson on play-by-play, with basketball Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes and Carol Ross as analysts. The basketball opener will air on AU’s social channels at 8 p.m. eastern on Jan. 26, with the 2nd game airing at 11 on CBS Sports Network.

With the basketball teams changing each week, there will be live drafts every Sunday at 3 p.m. eastern on the AU Facebook page starting on Jan. 23. There will be doubleheaders every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from Jan. 26 to Feb. 26. Games will be played at Athletes Unlimited Arena at the Sports Center of Las Vegas.

“We are thrilled to be bringing fans 30 basketball games and 30 volleyball matches on national TV and digital channels in 2022,” said Jon Patricof, Athletes Unlimited’s CEO and co-founder. “I want to thank CBS Sports and FOX Sports for their continued support of Athletes Unlimited and welcome Bally Sports as a new partner for live game distribution.  Most of the games on Bally Sports will take place before or after NHL or NBA games, ensuring a great lead-in audience for our broadcasts.”

The full basketball schedule is below:

The second season of the Athletes Unlimited volleyball league will run from March 16 to April 16 at Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas. There will also be doubleheaders every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, beginning with the first game on AU Digital and the nightcap on Bally RSNs. Kevin Barnett and Salima Rockwell return as the lead broadcast team. Drafts will also be held every Sunday on the AU Facebook page, beginning March 13.

The full volleyball schedule is below:

“FOX Sports is thrilled to showcase Athletes Unlimited events again in 2022,” said Bill Wanger, EVP and Head of Programming and Scheduling at FOX Sports. “AU’s expansion into women’s professional basketball is a welcome addition to our robust programming roster.” 

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The post Athletes Unlimited Reveals 2022 Basketball, Volleyball Broadcast Partners appeared first on Boardroom.

Click here to read Boardroom’s recent interview with Crocs President Michelle Poole

Post Malone Turns Childhood Obsession Into Dream Collaboration with Magic: The Gathering

Post Malone says that he’s been obsessed with Magic: The Gathering since he was a little kid. And this week, the entertainer announced a new collaboration with the interactive card game, which will kick off with its signature Friday Night Magic tournament series. While the total details of the partnership are not presently available, Post Malone promised fans: “We’ll be doing some cool stuff so keep an eye out.”

TikTok Replaces Google as Most Trafficked Domain

TikTok continues its meteoric rise, and in 2021 people around the globe found themselves caught in its neverending stream of viral content. According to Cloudflare’s Year in Review, the video site clocked the most visits in 2021, eclipsing Google as the top domain. The leap to first was a big one for Tik Tok, which was listed in the list’s seventh spot in 2020.

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Shareef O’Neal Highlights Linktree’s First-ever Collegiate Class

Linktree, a market-leading linking platform, announced its inaugural class of collegiate athlete partners Wednesday. Linktree’s NIL athletes are Shareef O’Neal (LSU men’s basketball), Alana Walker (University of Virginia volleyball), Grant Horvat ( Palm Beach Atlantic golf), Margzetta Frazier (UCLA gymnastics), and Masai Russell (University of Kentucky track & field). The organization is continuing to build out its sports offerings and resources to aid college athletes in fully utilizing their name, image, and likeness rights.

Gucci and Adidas Collab on the Horizon

Gucci has had a huge year in collaborations. So far, 2021 has seen the Italian fashion house connect with The North Face for an outdoor line, Xbox for a special edition case, and many others. And as the clock ticks on the calendar year, the internet has revealed that Gucci is set to launch yet another collaboration with Adidas. The leaked image features a combined pattern of Gucci’s signature interlocking Gs and the Adidas trefoil. No other details are available at this time.

Athletes United Adds Star Power to Board

Athletes Unlimited operates women’s professional softball, volleyball, and lacrosse leagues, and is set to debut its basketball competition in 2022. In order to support its robust programming, the organization announced two major appointments to its Board of Directors on Wednesday. Former USA Volleyball outside hitter Cassidy Lichtman and former United States Tennis Association CEO and President Katrina Adams have each been selected to serve one-year terms. With her appointment, Lichtman becomes the first active athlete to join the board of directors for a professional sports league.

Tiffany Haddish to Bring Fitness Into VR with Supernatural

Tiffany Haddish has been on a personal fitness journey for the last few years, and she is teaming up with Supernatural to serve as a celebrity coach for its second annual This Year, Be You campaign. The industry leader in virtual reality fitness uses the Meta Quest 2 to provide members with a wide range of workouts that target mind and body. In a statement, Haddish said she’s become obsessed with the platform over the last year as she trains to play Florence Griffith Joyner in an upcoming biopic, so the collaboration was a no-brainer when the opportunity arose. 

Triller to Execute Reverse Merger, Newly Formed TrillerVerz Will Go Public at $5B Valuation

Triller was popularized in large part by its exclusive boxing streams and the massively popular Verzuz series has announced that it will go public, following a reverse merger with SeaChange. The newly formed entity, which will be called TrillerVerz, will be listed on the Nasdaq and has generated a valuation of $5 billion. The approach allows a faster path to going public than a traditional IPO and is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.  

Women’s Hockey Gets First Official Card Series with PHF and Upper Deck Deal

The NWHL rebranded as the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) earlier this year, and the league is ready to kick off its next season with the help of a new multi-year partnership with Upper Deck. Upper Deck previously produced women’s hockey trading cards, dating back to the 1997-1998 NHL® Collector’s Choice Series, but the announcement marks the first-ever professional women’s hockey trading cards, which will launch in the 2022-2023 season.

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The post Crocs Goes Global with $2.5B HEYDUDE Purchase appeared first on Boardroom.

Athletes Unlimited, the pro sports organization that emphasizes individual achievement in addition to team success, has announced two major appointments to its Board of Directors. Former USA Volleyball outside hitter Cassidy Lichtman and former United States Tennis Association CEO and President Katrina Adams have each been selected to one-year terms.

With her appointment, Lichtman becomes the first active athlete to join the board of directors for a professional sports league. She competed in Athletes Unlimited’s 2021 volleyball season, plans to play next year as well, and will take the position of Athlete Representative. Upon completion of her term, league athletes will vote on the next representative to fill that seat in the future.

Athletes Unlimited operates women’s professional softball, volleyball, and lacrosse leagues, and will debut its basketball competition in 2022.

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“When Athletes Unlimited says they are an athlete-led organization, they mean it,” Lichtman said in a press release. “In giving an athlete a seat on the Board of Directors, Athletes Unlimited continues to give us a voice in the organization in unprecedented ways and I’m honored to be the first to step into that role.”

Lichtman played for the US national team from 2011-16, earning bronze, silver, and gold medals in two Pan Am Games and four Pan Am Cups. She is also a member of the US Volleyball Board of Directors and founded the non-profit P/ATH, which works to build a culture of empathy and empowerment in sports.

As for Adams, she has made waves in every stop of her career. As a Northwestern Wildcat, she won a Big Ten championship in 1986 and an NCAA Doubles Championship in 1987. She then played professionally for 12 years, winning 20 career doubles titles. From there, she went to TV and is currently part of the all-female sports panel We Need To Talk on CBS Sports Network. As an executive, she became the first African American, first former professional tennis player, and youngest-ever USTA President.

Adams will be the Athletes Unlimited Board’s Independent Director, as selected by other members of the Board.

“I am thrilled to join the Athletes Unlimited Board of Directors,” she said. “Being a decision-maker in one of the most innovative companies, designed to inspire women to be their best selves in a competitive athletic environment is in my DNA.”

Athletes Unlimited began competition in 2020 with its softball league, adding volleyball and lacrosse in 2021. Basketball is slated to begin in 2022. Rather than a traditional team format, Athletes Unlimited rewards individual athletes both for personal accomplishments and team success. The top performers each week become captains for the next week, picking new teams to help them move up the individual leaderboard.

Jon Patricof and Jonathan Soros co-founded the organization, which includes Boardroom and Thirty Five Ventures co-founders Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman Rich Kleiman on its advisory board.

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The post Athletes Unlimited Adds Tennis and Volleyball Star Power appeared first on Boardroom.

Athletes Unlimited reached a multi-year partnership with Aspiration, a leading sustainability platform, that will allow AU to operate the first professional sports leagues in the United States that are fully carbon neutral, the companies announced Friday.

That initiative begins when Athletes Unlimited Basketball launches next month in Las Vegas and will continue with its volleyball, softball, and lacrosse leagues. The pact also includes a two-year jersey patch deal — a first for Athletes Unlimited — that will apply to its basketball and volleyball leagues.

Physical and digital signage elements and activations that promote sustainability will apply to all of its leagues, while Aspiration will also be the presenting partner for each league’s five national broadcasts per season.

“Our innovative mindsets and core values are precisely aligned, highlighted by a deep-seated commitment to growing our leagues, investing in our athletes, and bettering the world around us,” said Jon Patricof, Athletes Unlimited’s CEO. “Social responsibility is one of the foundations on which Athletes Unlimited was built, and Aspiration’s expertise will help advise and guide us on how we can minimize our environmental impact. This partnership is a testament to the continued growth and traction of the fast-growing sector of women’s pro sports, as well as the power of building complementary leagues across four sports, a network of national TV and digital partners, and robust fan engagement platforms.”

Aspiration will empower Athletes Unlimited to implement climate change-fighting actions on a daily basis as well as providing engagement opportunities for its fans.

AU’s first basketball season will run from Jan. 26 to Feb. 26 and include WNBA players like Natasha Cloud, Sydney Colson, Ty Young, Courtney Williams, Odyssey Sims, and Essence Carson.

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The post Athletes Unlimited to Run First Carbon Neutral US Sports Leagues appeared first on Boardroom.