Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver DK Metcalf has signed with SMAC Entertainment as his management, according to Deadline. SMAC, which is led by the superteam of Constance Schwartz-Morini and Michael Strahan, will help Metcalf identify the best business opportunities for him off the field, including getting involved in entertainment productions as well as future endorsements and partnerships. Metcalf, 26, is coming off back-to-back 1,000-plus yard campaigns and has cracked the 900-yard mark in each of his five NFL seasons. SMAC’s roster of top talent also includes Deion Sanders, Erin Andrews, and many more.

Boardroom sat down with Strahan and Schwartz-Morini to learn how they’ve built SMAC into a sports and entertainment empire.

Paramount Stock Rises Following News of Apollo’s $11B Bid

After news that the private equity firm Apollo made a proposal to acquire Paramount Global‘s film and television studio, Paramount’s stock rose nearly 12% on Wednesday, closing at $12.51 per share. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apollo offered $11 billion in its offer for the studio, a higher mark than the company’s current market cap of $8.6 billion. The future of Paramount has been the topic of discussion in Hollywood for months now, with companies such as RedBird Capital and Skydance rumored to have held talks. Whether or not the Apollo bid goes through, it’ll likely turn up the pressure on anyone else who might be interested in Paramount.

WNBA to Take on Team USA at 2024 All-Star Weekend Ahead of Olympics

Similar to the NBA, the WNBA is continuously looking for ways to upgrade its All-Star Weekend format, and it’s got something cooking for this upcoming season. The WNBA All-Stars who also represent Team USA will square off against the remaining All-Stars at the 2024 All-Star Weekend in Phoenix ahead of the Paris Olympics. This will be the second time the league has tried this format, with the first being in 2001, a 93-85 win for Team WNBA.

UFC to Pay Out $335M After Reaching Settlement in Antitrust Lawsuits

TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of the UFC, has agreed to pay out $335 million to roughly 1,200 fighters after reaching a settlement in two antitrust lawsuits, it was revealed Wednesday. The settlement was reached on March 13. The first antitrust suit was filed in 2014, with fighters claiming that the UFC participated “in a scheme to acquire and maintain monopsony power in the market for elite professional MMA fighter services.” Before reaching this settlement, a trial was scheduled to begin on April 15, and it was expected to last at least a month and cost over $1.5 billion in damages.

USMNT Star Weston McKennie Joins Christian Pulisic on Puma Roster

Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie is joining USMNT teammates Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah by signing with Puma, the brand announced Wednesday. McKennie has previously been signed with Adidas but decided he wanted to be a part of Puma‘s “growing roster of talented soccer players as one of the new faces of the FUTURE silo.” McKennie joined Juventus in 2020-21 and immediately made an impact, becoming the first US international player to win the Coppa Italia that season. 

NWSL, Liga MX Femenil Announce Summer Cup in New Strategic Partnership

The NWSL and the Liga MX Femenil have announced a new partnership on Wednesday that will connect two of the top women’s leagues in the world. Part of the new deal will include a first-ever NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, a tournament that will boast 14 teams from the NWSL and six with the most points achieved in Liga MX Femenil Clausura and Apertura in 2023 — Tigres UANL, Club América, Chivas de Guadalajara, Rayadas de Monterrey, Pachuca, and Tijuana. The 33-match tourney will kick off on July 19 and consist of 30 group stage games. The semifinal round will take place the week of Aug. 4, while the championship is set for the weekend of Oct. 25-27.

The post DK Metcalf Teams Up with Constance Schwartz-Morini & Michael Strahan at SMAC appeared first on Boardroom.

NFL free agency officially began at noon ET on Monday, and teams were off to the race on Day 1. Some of the biggest names in the league are reportedly off the board – Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles, Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons, Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders, Josh Jacobs to the Green Bay Packers, and so much more. One of the bigger names remaining in the RB free agent market is Derrick Henry, with teams such as the Dallas Cowboys reportedly in the mix. However, as many already assumed, a return to Tennessee is even more unlikely following the first day of NFL free agency after the Titans reportedly signed Tony Pollard.

Muhammad Ali is Heading to the WWE Hall of Fame

Muhammad Ali will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Variety reported on Monday. The ceremony is scheduled for April 5 in Philadelphia during WrestleMania 40 weekend. Ali, who died in 2016 at the age of 74, was the special guest referee in the main event of the first WrestleMania, a tag-team showdown featuring Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. During his career, Ali won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics and went on to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion, beating some of boxing’s best in Sonny Liston, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman.

Amazon, NWSL Expand Business Partnership With Retail Deal

The NWSL and Amazon are deepening their relationship with an extended deal that sees the league rely on Amazon as its “exclusive retail partner” and official league licensee. Per the Monday announcement, supporters can now purchase t-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, and more in men’s, women’s, and youth styles and sizes on the e-commerce platform. However, it does not include items from Nike, the NWSL‘s official uniform manufacturer. More looks will be added throughout the 2024 season, but the Amazon Fan Shop is already open ahead of the league’s return this weekend.

North Carolina Becomes 30th US State to Officially Launch Sports Betting

North Carolina became the 30th state in the US to legalize sports betting on Monday, with online sportsbooks officially launching in the state. Per The Associated Press, registered citizens can bet on professional, college, or Olympic-style athletics. Sports betting will also be allowed at approved retail sportsbooks in or around sporting events and racing sites. “The legalization of sports betting will provide a significant boost to North Carolina’s economy and will allow our thriving sports industry to continue to grow,” Governor Roy Cooper said. Earlier in March, FanDuel announced a multi-year partnership with the Carolina Panthers to be the team’s official sports betting partner.

New ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Coming in 2026

Following the billion-dollar box office success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie last year, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination Entertainment’s Chris Meledandri shared via YouTube that the next movie is in development. A release date is already set for April 3, 2026, but the project will not be called Super Mario Bros. 2. Instead, Miyamoto says they are “broadening Mario’s world further” and that it’s “set in the world of Super Mario Bros.” Released in April 2023, The Super Mario Bros. Movie made $1.36 billion worldwide, with almost $800 million of that internationally. It became the second-highest-grossing movie last year, beaten out only by Barbie ($1.44 billion).

Liquid Death Valued at $1.4 Billion After New Financing Round

Liquid Death, one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverage companies, is currently valued at $1.4 billion after closing its most recent round of financing. That mark doubles the company’s $700 million estimation in 2022. The new fundraising round from strategic partners and investors was valued at $67 million and included actor Josh Brolin and NFL wideout DeAndre Hopkins. Per Bloomberg, the capital will be used for product creation, like new flavors for its existing drinks. Liquid Death, which debuted iced tea last year, has already reached the top spot for bottled iced tea sales on Amazon.com, the company said on its website.

The post Saquon Barkley to Eagles, Kirk Cousins to Falcons in NFL Free Agency appeared first on Boardroom.

While NFL free agency doesn’t officially begin until next week, the football world is already abuzz with salary cap cuts, franchise tags, contract extensions, and an avalanche of rumors surrounding a fascinating group of impact players who could switch teams.

To preview free agency, Boardroom assembled a panel of experts: three-time Super Bowl champion executive Scott Pioli, former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins general manager Mike Tannenbaum, and Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson, who discussed everything from the unexpected salary cap spike, the running back market, and more.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

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Shlomo Sprung: The NFL’s salary cap number for 2024 is $255.4 million, more than $12 million higher than initial projections. What do you think the biggest impacts will be from this spike?

Scott Pioli: Teams that were feeling a crunch and the pressure of time to get in compliance with the cap now have a lot more time and space to make decisions that they weren’t projecting to be able to make. So, it helped all 32 teams. Unfortunately, a couple of teams made moves prior to that number coming out that they may otherwise would not have made.

Mike Tannenbaum: For the teams that were going to be stuck against the cap, it’s going to give them a lot more wiggle room than they expected. Teams like Kansas City and Dallas, in particular, will benefit from it.

Sam Monson: Teams weren’t prepared for that kind of jump. They’re all going back to the board and re-running all the numbers and recalculating everything they have planned. What makes it intriguing is that 32 of them are doing that, so it’s all very inflationary with more money going around. It will change the dynamic a little bit for a team or two where maybe they didn’t think they could get a move in or didn’t think they could apply a franchise tag.

Generally, it will just inflate certain contracts this offseason.

SS: It seems like the running back market is in the same place as last year, minus players getting franchise-tagged with lower-than-expected salaries despite a stacked free agent class. What do you think the state of that position looks like to you?

SP: It’s a very interesting dynamic. If you ask players in every position except for quarterback, they all think that their number is too low. And for some reason, last year, there was a lot of public attention given to that specific position. But again, players at every position think that the numbers should be higher. The skill positions that are uniquely fantasy football point generators are always in focus, and running back is one of those positions.

The other skill positions have gone up exponentially, and the running back position, there’s a lot of attention drawn not just the players at that position, but the agents for the players at that position, making sure that story gets told.

MT: There’s a tremendous amount of supply. And because of it, for Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, it’s going to put a ceiling on what they can earn because there’s just so much more supply than demand. You’re going to see a depressed market just because of the laws of economics. 

SM: It’s tough for running backs right now. It’s this unique position currently where the best years of a running back are the first contract, which almost invariably that’s not the case for any other position. You get the best years out of every other player on their second contract or even beyond, but running backs might be done by the time they hit that second contract or reaching a point where they’re potentially damaged goods. 

Saquon Barkley is a great example of that. He’s 27 years old and hitting that second contract, looking to get paid. But we’ve seen multiple season-ending type issues, and we’ve seen evidence that even when he’s playing great, he might not be able to move the needle in terms of wins and losses. So the landscape for an NFL team to throw him a giant sum of money the way they would have 15 years ago just isn’t there. Teams have smartened up to that. As good as running backs are, they’re probably not changing the dynamic of and losses unless everything else is already in place.

So you’ve got Barkley, Josh Jacobs, guys absolutely in their prime looking to hit that big deal, but I don’t know how many teams are willing to give that big contract. If those guys can’t get big-money contracts, then almost nobody can. 

Derrick Henry. who is all of the red flags rolled up into one, is an X-factor. He’s almost 30 years old. He’s got an insane amount of mileage on the clock. On the other hand, it’s Derrick Henry. And for his entire career, he’s been an exception. He’s been the guy that goes against the rules of everything you think you know about running back deals. So, I’m actually curious to see if somebody’s willing to give him a couple of years at good money on the basis that he just isn’t the same as other running backs.

Introducing the NFL Running Backs Association

It’s time to win back equity — and dignity — for football’s backfield bruisers before a running back salary crisis consumes the league. Here’s how we do it.

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SS: Who are some big names that we should be watching out for, not necessarily as the most obvious people on your radar, but who might move the needle the most in terms of the impact?

SP: Something that happened during the season that’s really going to impact a specific positional market is the backup quarterback position. When we look at how many starting quarterbacks were hurt and missed games this year and how many teams’ futures were put in the hands of backup quarterbacks, there’s always the haves and the have-nots with starting quarterbacks. Last season, we witnessed a case of the haves and have-nots with backup quarterbacks, and it made a difference. The backup QB market is going to change significantly, and there will be people paying high premiums on insurance.

MT: Who’s interesting to me is Tyron Smith. He’s an “A” player. He had some bumps in the road with injuries, but he’s a great player. It’s unusual for a player with his ability to be out there. Danielle Hunter can’t be franchised. He’ll do well because of his length and his production. He’ll have a pretty strong market as well.

SM: Plenty of players will probably get re-signed, like Mike Evans from Tampa Bay or Justin Madubuike from Baltimore, but there will be really intriguing players that hit the market. Guys like Tyron Smith, who’s still only 33 years old, which it’s not young, but we’re in a world now where offensive tackles are playing deep into their 30s, if not towards 40. He’s shown that when he’s on the field, he’s still one of the best left tackles in the NFL. Injuries are a constant risk or concern with him, but there are tackle-needy teams out there that could absolutely bring him in and immediately fix that position as long as he’s out in the field.

One guy that’s I think one of the most important players in this free agency is Bryce Huff, the edge rusher from the New York Jets. He’s neither the best edge rusher on the market nor the biggest name. Those would be Danelle Hunter or Brian Burns if he hits the market. But Huff has been one of the most effective pass rushes in the NFL over the last two years in terms of a per-snap basis. His pass rush win rate has been ridiculous. He’s been part of this Jets defensive line rotation, which has been incredibly strong, but if a team is willing to give him the kind of Cameron Wake treatment and say, “Let’s scale up his work, let’s see if this still works.” As an every-down player, he’s a potential star for a defense.

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SS: What’s an important free agency trend that people may not be talking about that you think will come to the forefront next week?

SP: The way the Baltimore Ravens handled free agency last year, signing a number of veterans to short-term deals that paid dividends. Since they only got the players for a year, the players tried to perform. It’s exactly what we used to do in New England in the early 2000s, and some teams tried to pick up on it. In 2001, our first Super Bowl year, we signed 23 free agents, many of them very short-term veteran contracts. The benefit is that you get the player at a good, fair price. If the players succeed, they get rewarded not only in the moment but with the next contract. And then the team also has a chance to get additional compensation on the other side through the compensatory pick system. The Ravens brought this strategy back to people’s minds.

MT: The lack of quarterbacks besides Kirk Cousins and getting Justin Fields resolved. Most teams are going to have to look towards the draft for a quarterback. Assuming Baker Mayfield resigns with Tampa Bay, there’s going to be six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the draft.

SM: Free agency this year is a real opportunity for teams to fix offensive lines, and there’s a few teams out there that really need that to happen. It’s a good draft for offensive linemen as well, but a general team-building strategy is that the less you run into a draft with needs, the better shape you’re in. You want to try and fix holes with free agency and give yourself the flexibility to just draft the best players. This free agency presents teams with a real opportunity to go and attack offensive lines. While it’s not big on style power, this group is actually quite deep with capable, solid starting offensive linemen at a variety of different positions that won’t break the bank.

There are teams out there, say the New York Jets, with a desperate need to overhaul an offensive line before next season, and they can do that without that much money in free agency. It’s kind of the way the Cincinnati Bengals improved a couple of years ago. After Joe Burrow got destroyed in his rookie season, they went out there and signed three offensive linemen that first free agency.

SS: Who are some of the biggest players you think can change teams next week, or players that will receive contracts that turn some heads?

SP: Look out for Christian Wilkins from Miami, Chris Jones from Kansas City, and Danielle Hunter from Minnesota.

MT: Danielle Hunter‘s going to do real well. Jonathan Greenard from Houstons can do really well, and Kirk Cousins will get a deal north of $40 million a year.

SM: With the Chiefs tagging L’Jarius Sneed, Chris Jones is almost certain going to hit the market. I don’t see any reason why he would re-sign with Kansas City on the eve of free agency because it’s only going to cost him money. Jones is absolutely a top-tier free agent available. He’s still under 30, and he’s arguably been the best interior pass rusher over the last couple of years, even superseding a guy like Aaron Donald, who’s one of the best of all time. There’s a team out there that’ll give Chris Jones a crazy contract, and he’ll probably justify it for at least two or three years or so.

Kirk Cousins is the obvious one as well. He’s the only high-quality starting-caliber quarterback available as a veteran. If you don’t have a quarterback and you’re not in the first couple of draft picks this year, Cousins is your guy. So a team like Atlanta, picking at No. 8 overall in the draft, if you don’t think you can maneuver for one of those top quarterbacks or you don’t like them, the Falcons have a team that’s ready-made to be good.

Can’t Keep Kirk Cousins Down

Following his injury last year, Boardroom sat down with Cousins to talk about the NFC North, his NFL future, and much more.

Check it out!

The Vikings don’t want to go where Cousins does in terms of contract, whether it’s overall costs or structure. He wants a repeat of the kind of deals he’s been getting, the three-year fully guaranteed contracts, but at 35 years old, coming off an Achilles injury, it’s understandable the Vikings don’t want to go there. But some team probably will, whether it’s the Falcons, Raiders, Patriots, or some team out there willing to do the type of deal Cousins wants that could be pretty huge with the increased cap.

SS: What else is on your radar that we should be looking out for?

SP: Due to the unexpected significant salary cap increase, that extra space not only allows you room to sign players, but room to move on from players, particularly teams with new coaches or new leadership groups in the front office. When you bring in a new head coach or a new head coach and GM, there’s always players that the new regime wants to move on from but can’t necessarily do it.

MT: Because of the increase in cap, and we saw it with Mike Evans, the bigger money will go to players that are returning to their teams, between the franchise tag and long-term extensions. The increase in the cap gives flexibility to structure around their own players.

SM: It’s going to be interesting for teams searching for wide receivers. It’s not the best wide receiver group. You’re already down to Marquise Brown, and then it gets pretty weak after him. But there’s always trades. And trades are the interesting element of free agency that we tend not to focus on too much heading into it.

All these guys that got franchise tagged are potential trade candidates, as are players reaching the end of their deals. Wide receiver is one of the most important positions in the NFL. It’s a great draft. A lot of teams will be looking to fill that need there, but if you’re searching for an impact number one guy, maybe a trade is the way of making that happen.

I know Tee Higgins has been the subject of some trade speculation rather already having got the franchise tank. But a guy like Brandon Aiyuk who’s reaching the end of that deal, the 49ers already have five or six guys with a $20 million cap hit next year. Aiyuk’s an amazing player. I’m sure they’d love to have him back. I’m sure they could bring him back, but at some point, they’re going to have to pay Brock Purdy a big money deal, and maybe they would prefer a first-round pick, reset the clock at that position, and get a bit younger and cheaper.

So trades are always the big X-factor in free agency, and we don’t have a great line of sight on them until they happen.

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The post NFL Free Agency 2024: Increased Salary Cap, Running Back Market & More appeared first on Boardroom.

@boardroom The NFL combine is trending up and down at the same time. #nflcombine #nfl #nfldraft #calebwilliams #jaydendaniels #marvinharrisonjr ♬ original sound – Boardroom

All eyes are on Indianapolis this weekend, with the 2024 NFL Combine having kicked off on Thursday. Thousands have descended upon the Colts‘ Lucas Oil Stadium for the weekend, with executives, reporters, and players alike all hoping to leave Indy more informed on what the future holds than when they got there.

The NFL‘s annual pre-draft event has grown exponentially since originating in the 1970s and has been an economic boom for the local economy by bringing in nearly $10 million every year. Instead of simply using the event to allow teams to evaluate NFL Draft prospects, the league has turned the entire weekend into a fan experience. On top of that, millions more will be watching the telecast of these soon-to-be pro athletes performing this glorified drill session.

While it’s been a success when it comes to the Indy economy and fan interest, there’s a flip side to the NFL Combine — the main one being the various ways a prospect’s draft stock could drop via poor performance, bad test scores, or, worst-case scenario, serious injury.

Taking all of this into account, it begs the question: How is the annual event bigger than it’s ever been before, yet on the brink of being irrelevant at the same time? Boardroom’s Gabe Oshin breaks it down.

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The post The Good & Bad of the NFL Combine appeared first on Boardroom.

The NFL drafted its first class of players 94 years ago in 1930. For players attending HBCUs looking to play professional football, they really wouldn’t have that opportunity until 1950.

As was with most cases during that period, Black people were prohibited from participating in events run by their White counterparts. More specifically, select execs across the league weren’t keen on providing athletes from historically Black institutions a chance to play elite football.

The first team to bet on a player from an HBCU was the Los Angeles Rams when they signed Paul “Tank” Younger after he went undrafted in 1949. Younger would go on to win a Super Bowl and earn four Pro Bowl nods in his career while he currently sits as the Rams’ sixth-leading rusher of all-time.

His signing led to the first HBCU player being drafted the following season in 1950 when the New York Giants selected Bob “Stonewall” Jackson out of North Carolina A&M (now North Carolina A&T State University). Taken in the 16th round (202nd overall), the Virginia native played both fullback and linebacker for two seasons before graduating with a master’s degree from Springfield College. Jackson went on to have a successful coaching career, spending most of his tenure at North Carolina Central in addition to other stints at Johnson C. Smith University, St. Augustine’s University, Shaw University, and Texas Southern University.

Simply put: Younger and Jackson were pivotal game-changers when it comes to the HBCU representation in professional football.

In 1951 and 1952, the NFL added another seven players from HBCUs, and in 1954, fullback Maurice Bassett from Langston made history as the highest-drafted player from an HBCU when Cleveland and the team’s first head coach, Paul Brown, took him in the third round of that year’s draft. One year later and five years since Jackson’s selection, a quarterback from an HBCU would finally taste NFL promotion. With the 185th pick in the 16th round, the Green Bay Packers selected Prairie View A&M alum Charlie Brackins.

Another one wouldn’t be chosen for 13 years, but it’s clear the league wouldn’t be where it is today without HBCU athletes.

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Carrying the Torch

According to the NFL, players hailing from an HBCU make up nearly 10% of all players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (35 out of 371 honorees). Some of your favorite players didn’t excel at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI), which makes the necessity of recruitment from HBCUs all that more important.

Some of the league’s most popular figures who happen to be HBCU alums include:

• Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State: Three-time Super Bowl champion and NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards and most career touchdowns
• Michael Strahan, Texas Southern: Super Bowl champion and New York Giants Ring of Honor member
• Bob Hayes, Florida A&M: Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor member and the only player to win both a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic gold medal
• Doug Williams, Grambling State: The first Black quarterback to both start and win a Super Bowl
• Shannon Sharpe, Savannah State: Three-time Super Bowl champion and Denver Broncos Ring of Fame
• Larry Little, Bethune-Cookman: Two-time Super Bowl champion and Miami Dolphins Walk of Fame

Perhaps the most fitting example of HBCU’s permanent impact in the NFL is the namesake for the league’s most illustrious award. A Jackson State alum, Walter Payton was selected fourth overall in the 1975 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. The Mississippi native played 12 years professionally before retiring at the end of the 1987 season with a Super Bowl trophy, MVP honors, and more accolades to his resume. Having received the award himself in 1977 when it was called NFL Man of the Year, the distinction was renamed following Payton’s death in 1999 to commemorate his work as a humanitarian.

Continuing its responsibility of recognizing HBCU players off the field as well, RISE, a non-profit that empowers athletes and sports leaders to become effective advocates for change, recognized a host of athletes past and present during last month’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas at the HBCU Legacy Commemoration Reception, sponsored in part by Amazon Music, NFL Votes, and NFL Network. The ceremony was attended by the likes of Amazon Music’s Phylicia Fant and Deputy Director of White House HBCU initiatives Naeem Jenkins Nixon, while NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche (a Howard alum) led a fireside discussion with James “Shack” Harris. The former QB from Grambling State was Director of Pro Personnel from 1997 to 2003, when he won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.

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“Historically Black Colleges and Universities are the cradle of excellence, nurturing talent and resilience. Celebrating their profound impact, RISE sports recognized the pivotal role of HBCU football players, whose indomitable spirit not only transformed the game on the field but paved the way for diversity, unity, and inspiration in the NFL and beyond,” said Alan Williams, Senior Advisor for External Engagement in the office of Vice President Kamala Harris.

“But for RISE sports and HBCU Endzone, this vital conversation would have been absent from the Super Bowl week of festivities, it was truly impactful to witness and hear the stories that are at the bedrock of the NFL as we know it today and those stories remind all is that representation matters, and RISE embodies that idea.”

Joe Briggs, the Global Head of Equity Initiatives at Amazon, says participating in the HBCU Legacy reception allowed him to marry two of his favorite things in football and his HBCU, Florida A&M University.

“Sharing information about how my HBCU enhanced my journey to a sports career and beyond reminded me just how important these institutions are to both future students and our community,” Briggs said. “Showcasing executives across many fields who had their start at an HBCU should remind everyone else just how powerful investments in HBCUs can be when you lean in with them.

“Thank you, RISE, for allowing space for me to attend and share that part of my story. My hope is this will open up other opportunities for students, families, and companies to learn about the talent and opportunities available through HBCUs.”

Keep Building

Football started during the Reconstruction era, a particularly precarious time for Black Americans. There were several Black players when the NFL was formed in 1920. However, bigoted personalities and other factors prevented these athletes from being recognized as true assets to the game. Those notions have thankfully changed, and now benefits are set up to ensure HBCU players are receiving much overdue attention so they follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned Hall of Famers.

For those with a longstanding desire to toss that yellow penalty flag, every year, NFL Officiating awards scholarships for its Officiating Development Training sessions that include clinics, game evaluations, and continued education. They communicate with HBCU conferences like the SIAC, SWAC, CIAA, and the MEAC to promote the next generation of game day officials.

The league also just held its HBCU Legacy Bowl over the weekend, an HBCU football All-Star game that puts the top draft-eligible prospects in front of top recruiters across all 32 franchises. In partnership with the Black College Football Hall of Fame, the NFL has also instilled a two-day quarterback coaching summit that works to find and strengthen the coaching and personnel development pipeline for offensive coaches of color.

All of the progress made over the years can be circled back to the pioneering playing of Younger and Jackson, paving the way for generations moving forward. Seventy-five years later, there’s still work left to be done, but the safe space created by former HBCU athletes for all men of color to achieve a lifelong dream continues to grow.

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The post Jerry Rice, Shannon Sharpe & More: The Legacy of HBCUs in the NFL appeared first on Boardroom.

The NFL salary cap will make a significant jump up to $255.4 million per team for the 2024 season, the league confirmed on Friday. The new mark is up a record $30.6 million from 2023, when the cap was set at $224.8 million, previously the record. Each team will also receive an additional $74 million for player benefits, pushing total 2024 player costs to $329.4 million per franchise. That’s over $10.5 billion across the NFL. The NFL justified the cap hike, saying the “full repayment of all amounts advanced by the clubs and deferred by the players during the Covid pandemic as well as an extraordinary increase in media revenue for the 2024 season.” Franchises have until 4 p.m. ET on March 13, when the new league year begins, to get under the salary cap before the free agency period kicks off.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool to Play in Premier League’s US Preseason Tour

Clubs from the Premier League will once again be heading stateside this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United kicking things off at SoFi Stadium on July 27. This marks the second time the Gunners have faced the Red Devils on American soil, the first being last July in front of a sold-out crowd at MetLife Stadium. Days later, Arsenal is scheduled to face Liverpool in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field on July 31. Liverpool will then head to the south for a clash against Man U at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC, on Aug. 3.

Chiney Ogwumike Launches ‘The Chiney Show’ on YouTube Channel

Already a staple on cable TV, Chiney Ogwumike has a new platform to talk all things sports. The Los Angeles Sparks player announced Friday the premiere of her new program, The Chiney Show, with PlayersTV. Describing it as “your home for hoops… ALL hoops!” episodes will also live on her YouTube channel. Ogwumike has been with ESPN since 2018, when she signed a multi-year contract to become a full-time basketball analyst. Two years later, in August 2020, the former Stanford athlete became the first Black woman to host a national radio show for the network while also making history as the first WNBA player to do so as well.

Sam Altman Set to Make Major Profit as Reddit Goes Public

Before Reddit officially filed to go public, it was revealed that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will stand to earn a heavy payday thanks to several investments dating back to 2014. According to CNBC, Altman has invested at least $60 million in the online messaging company. After using the platform daily for nine years, Altman shepherded Reddit’s $50 million Series B funding round in 2014. Seven years later, he invested $50 million during the company’s Series E funding round in early 2021. Reddit shared in SEC filings that its total revenue was $804 million and a net loss of $90.8 million in 2023.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Brings Over $1B to Australia

Last summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, proved to be a significant economic boom for the former, bringing in $1.32 billion, according to a report from Football Australia. Additionally, the profits from Australia jerseys sold during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 were up 19% compared to the 2019 competition. While studies have shown that girls are likely to drop out of sports by the time they reach 14 here in America, that doesn’t appear to be the case Down Under. Participation has spiked in school with women and girls, growing from 21% in 2021 to 26% now.

United, American Airlines Raise Checked Baggage Fees in Same Week

Suddenly, packing all your things into a carry-on bag doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Following in the footsteps of other airlines, United Airlines said Friday that it is raising its checked baggage fees by $5. Starting Saturday, fliers will pay $40 for a first checked bag or $35 if they prepay online at least 24 hours ahead of their scheduled departure. A second checked bag will cost $50 at the airport or $45 ahead of check-in. The news comes on the heels of American Airlines announcing Tuesday it is increasing its checked bag fee by $10, from $30 to $40, for bags checked at the airport. For belongings checked online through American’s website, the fee is rising from $30 to $35. A second bag will go up from $40 to $45.

The post NFL Salary Cap to Take Historic Leap to $255.5 Million in 2024 appeared first on Boardroom.

Most sports and football fans are already familiar with the New England Patriots‘ 21st-century run of six Super Bowl championships and nine AFC Championship Game appearances, the greatest stretch by any team in NFL history.

The challenge for Dynasty: The Rise of the New England Patriots, a 10-part docuseries premiering on Apple TV+ on Friday, is bringing new insight and narrative beyond the winning — Spygate, Deflategate, and Aaron Hernandez. Academy, Emmy, and Grammy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer, Dynasty‘s executive producer, believes the challenge has been more than met.

“I don’t think even the fans have experienced the internal drama of the triumphs, tragedies, and embarrassment that we bring them into,” Grazer told Boardroom earlier this month.

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A major common denominator for the 72-year-old legend who’s produced classics like A Beautiful Mind, 24, Arrested Development, 8 Mile, Friday Night Lights, and so many other iconic films and shows, is exploring worlds he’s interested in but doesn’t have expert knowledge in.

Grazer met Patriots owner Robert Kraft in 2012 and learned about his and the team’s origin story. Kraft bought the Sullivan (later Foxborough) Stadium parking lot, eventually leveraging that into purchasing the team in 1994 for $172 million. Forbes currently values the Patriots at $7 billion.

When Grazer read Jeff Benedict’s best-seller Dynasty in 2020, he experienced everything from a different lens and saw key elements that would make for entertaining and engaging television.

“I love power paradigms. I love when people are balancing power and the power dynamics,” Grazer said. “And this book encapsulated all of that with the power dynamics of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Kraft and how they were able to create this dynasty.”

In the two-and-a-half years it took from conception to completion, Grazer and director Matt Hamachek brought the book’s words to life on screen, exposing the good, bad, and ugly aspects of the Pats’ two decades of dominance.

More than 70 players, coaches, executives, rivals, and celebrities went on the record for Dynasty, including Roger Goodell, Randy Moss, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Jon Bon Jovi, and Rupert Murdoch. Those subjects help bring out elements nobody would want to be exposed, but all the major power players were down, Grazer said, because that’s where real drama and conflict come from.

“These are the people who were in the room when the decisions were being made that led to incredible success and the people that were there to witness the dynasty crumbling down,” Hamachek told Boardroom. “I got to listen to them tell me their side of the story. What you’re left with is a deeply human story. It’s Shakespeare with footballs.”

Grazer said he loves underdog stories like Cinderella Man with Russell Crowe. And with Kraft purchasing a team in disarray, Belichick having failed in his first head coaching job in Cleveland, and Brady being picked 199th in the 2001 NFL Draft, the Patriots dynasty certainly qualifies.

But in winning all those championships in relatively rapid succession, it was only inevitable that New England would become pro football’s villains.

Spygate and Deflategate only accelerated the Patriots’ heel turn. But as the football universe turned on New England, the Pats became underdogs again, in a way. As they dug out of their various scandals and ascended once again to the top of the league, it’s a dynamic Grazer said he and Hamachek were able to capture.

When Brady was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season, the fans and his teammates rallied around their quarterback like never before. And there was a certain touchpoint about Brady that made Dynasty particularly shine for Grazer. He’s had many opportunities to go into the Pats’ locker room after a game, but at first, it was an all-new experience.

“There pretty quickly becomes immediate silence, complete silence,” Grazer said. “And Belichick kind of walks around, doesn’t say much, puts his hand on his chin, and looks again, even though they won, deeply contemplative, not gigantically happy, not elated in any way.

“But the thing that I was really struck by is that during this very quiet kind of solemn moment, Brady brought so much soul to the brotherhood of these athletes. He gets down on one knee and does a prayer, and everyone is deeply involved in this prayer. And I remember I was touched to the point it brought tears to my eyes. He just literally brought so much sincerity and empathy to these guys and throughout the prayer.

“Brady quickly became more than an athlete. He became an aura.”

Brady was the reason the Patriots and all of New England endured the scandals that would’ve sunk a vast majority of sports teams. It’s why one line from the series resonated so much with Grazer: While the Patriots worked for Bill Belichick, they played for Tom Brady.

Scenes like the one Grazer described in the locker room are how Dynasty brings the audience into the proverbial huddle and onto the field.

“While it’s about one of the most iconic NFL franchises, it really transcends the sport and has all the elements of a drama series,” Justin Wilkes, Imagine Entertainment’s president, said. “The most interesting things had nothing to do with the sport.”

Dynasty, Grazer said, lets the audience engage with the story and the characters as they experience the 10 episodes, acting more like a roller coaster ride than anything else.

Throughout the triumphs and trials during its two-decade run as the most successful franchise in NFL history, the New England Patriots always managed to make things interesting, with the football universe revolving around the three central figures that make this story sing.

Read more from Grazer on what to expect in Apple TV+’s newest series by subscribing to Boardroom’s revamped Inside the Boardroom newsletter.

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The post Brian Grazer Peels Back the Curtain on Patriots Dynasty appeared first on Boardroom.

The longest Super Bowl game will also go down as the most-watched in US television history. According to CBS, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night averaged 123.4 million viewers across all television and streaming platforms. That shattered last year’s Super Bowl mark of 115.1 million for the Chiefs‘ last-play victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, registering a 7% increase. Overall, 202.4 million people tuned in and watched at least part of Super Bowl LVIII, making it the highest unduplicated total viewership in history.

LeBron James Adds New Men’s Grooming Line to Extensive Business Portfolio

LeBron James is no stranger to style. The Louis Vuitton spokesman unveiled his most recent business venture on Tuesday, launching his new men’s grooming line, The Shop, ahead of his appearance as one of the captains at this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend. The new offering is an extension of LeBron‘s show of the same name, which he co-founded with Paul Rivera and Randy Mims as part of the SpringHill brand. “We created The Shop out of a deep love and passion for the barbershop experience. Our show was designed to bring people inside the shop for the debates, the arguments, and the therapy you can only get at a true neighborhood spot. Now we want to give people another side to the experience,” Rivera said in a statement.  The products are coming this April to 1,600 Walmart stores around the United States and will feature an accessible price point.

Jayson Tatum Gets Assist From SoFi in Pursuit of Providing Aid to Families in St. Louis

Financial services company SoFi has gifted Jayson Tatum‘s namesake foundation $1 million to help build generational wealth for low-income, single-parent families in the Boston Celtics star’s hometown of St. Louis. SoFi, which just revealed it has entered a partnership with the NBA, will contribute to the initiative over the next 3-5 years and will provide financial advisory tools and services. Tatum‘s non-profit will select participants for the program. “I can’t stress enough how excited I am just knowing how many lives and the families that we can impact,” Tatum said of the partnership with SoFi.

Usher Spotify Streams See Massive Uptick Following Super Bowl Performance

Usher may not have been compensated for his halftime performance at SB LVIII, but the R&B legend is still reaping the benefits of his star-studded performance. According to Spotify, Usher’s overall streams increased 550% in the United States. The Atlanta native’s opening song, “Caught Up,” surged 2,000% between 6 p.m. and midnight PT on Sunday, marking Usher‘s largest percent gain ever, while his other songs also saw notable jumps. The Grammy winner recently announced his Past Present Future Tour and TickPick notes that 38% of the total tickets for the nationwide jaunt came after last night’s game. Finally, after seeing him dazzle on skates, searches for “roller skates” surged more than 1,850%.

Paramount Lays off 800 on Heels of Record-breaking Telecast

Days after airing a record-breaking Super Bowl telecast, Paramount Global announced Tuesday it is laying off 800 people, or an estimated 3% of its workforce. In a memo to employees, Paramount‘s CEO Bob Bakish said that the cutbacks are part of a plan to “return the company to earnings growth.” Paramount Global owns various channels, including CBS, Paramount Pictures, Pluto TV, Paramount+, and cable networks like Nickelodeon, BET, and Comedy Central. At the end of 2022, Paramount Global reported about 24,500 full-time and part-time staffers.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer Racks Up over 365 Million Views in 24 Hours

Marvel dropped the first official trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine on Super Bowl Sunday, finally showing the humorous hero, played by Ryan Reynolds, ready to spring into action with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Per Variety, it has officially broken the record previously held by Spider-Man: No Way Home for the most-viewed trailer of all time within 24 hours, with over 365 million views. The highly-anticipated film, previously known as Deadpool 3, is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 26, 2024.

Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre Serving Up ‘Gin & Juice’ Cocktails

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre created a cultural phenomenon when they dropped the Grammy-nominated song “Gin and Juice” in January 1994. Thirty years later, the hip-hop duo is joining forces to drop Gin & Juice canned cocktail drinks, and Billboard says the beverages begin shipping to potential US distributors this week. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre‘s Gin & Juice arrives in four flavors: apricot, citrus, melon, and passion fruit. At the moment, packaging sizing and prices have not been revealed.

The post Chiefs’ OT Win Over the 49ers at SB LVIII Breaks Viewership Records appeared first on Boardroom.

In the modern media landscape, precious few annual events bring the United States together.

A presidential election, perhaps. The Oscars, maybe. But with streaming services and gaming dividing America’s attention, even massive global sporting events like the Olympics or the World Cup don’t attract the audiences they once did.

The lone exception? The Super Bowl. Of the 30 most-watched television broadcasts in US history, 23 are the NFL’s championship match. The only non-Super Bowl in the top 10 is the moon landing (heard of it?) in 1969.

Interestingly, these 10 games all took place in the last 13 years. Las Vegas’ first ever Super Bowl became the most watched sporting event of all time, the second year in a row that record was broken, both won by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Phoenix has hosted two of the top three, with two appearances each from Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in America’s most popular sporting spectacles.

So, without further ado, Boardroom presents the 10 most-watched US sporting events in history, per Nielsen Media Research ratings.

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Most-watched US Sporting Events Ever

Super Bowl 58, 2024

Viewers: 123.4 million
Network: CBS
Host City: Las Vegas
Score: Kansas City Chiefs 25, San Francisco 49ers 22, overtime
MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Halftime Performer: Usher

Super Bowl 57, 2023

Viewers: 115.1 million
Network: Fox
Host City: Phoenix
Score: Kansas City Chiefs 38, Philadelphia Eagles 35
MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Halftime Performer: Rihanna

Super Bowl 49, 2015

Viewers: 114.4 million
Network: NBC
Host City: Phoenix
Score: New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24
MVP: Tom Brady
Halftime Performers: Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott

Super Bowl 56, 2022

Viewers: 112.3 million
Network: NBC
Host City: Los Angeles
Score: Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20
MVP: Cooper Kupp
Halftime Performers: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Anderson .Paak

What’s the Most-viewed Super Bowl Halftime Show of All Time?

Ahead of Rihanna’s return at Super Bowl LVII last year, we dove into the YouTube numbers to determine whose Halftime Show performance is the one true viewership GOAT.

Check it out!

Super Bowl 48, 2014

Viewers: 112.2 million
Network: Fox
Host City: New York
Score: Seattle Seahawks 43, Denver Broncos 8
MVP: Malcolm Smith
Halftime Performers: Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Super Bowl 50, 2016

Viewers: 111.9 million
Network: CBS
Host City: San Francisco
Score: Denver Broncos 24, Carolina Panthers 10
MVP: Von Miller
Halftime Performers: Coldplay, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson

Super Bowl 46, 2012

Viewers: 111.3 million
Network: NBC
Host City: Indianapolis
Score: New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17
MVP: Eli Manning
Halftime Performers: Madonna, LMFAO, M.I.A., Nicki Minaj, Cee Lo Green

Super Bowl 51, 2017

Viewers: 111.3 million
Network: Fox
Host City: Houston
Score: New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28
MVP: Tom Brady
Halftime Performer: Lady Gaga

Super Bowl 45, 2011

Viewers: 111 million
Network: Fox
Host City: Dallas
Score: Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25
MVP: Aaron Rodgers
Halftime Performers: The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash

Super Bowl 47, 2013

Viewers: 108.7 million
Network: CBS
Host City: New Orleans
Score: Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31
MVP: Joe Flacco
Halftime Performers: Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child

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The post The Most-watched US Sporting Events of All Time appeared first on Boardroom.

Sandra Douglass Morgan might be an unfamiliar name to those living outside Las Vegas. However, the veteran executive and current president of the Las Vegas Raiders has made herself a household personality and remains committed to breaking barriers in the NFL and, quite frankly, beyond football.

Born in Knob Knoster, Mo., Douglass Morgan moved to Las Vegas as a toddler. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Nevada in Reno, eventually going on to earn a JD from the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV.

From there, Douglass Morgan blazed new trails everywhere she went. Long before making history as the first Black and Asian woman to serve as a President of an NFL team, Douglass Morgan became the first Black person to hold the role of civil attorney for North Las Vegas, a role she held from 2008 to 2016. Before that, Douglass Morgan was the first Black person to serve as chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (2019-2021). On top of that, she holds board positions with Allegiant Travel, Fidelity, and the UNLV Foundation while also being a member of the State Bar of Nevada and the District of Columbia Bar.

“I think anytime that you’re the ‘first’ or doing something that people around you want to keep highlighting, there is additional pressure,” Douglass Morgan said at the fifth annual Sports Power Brunch in Las Vegas last week ahead of the Super Bowl. “I think as the first Black woman in this role as President, I thought there would be an announcement, and I would move on and do the work. But to see so many women being encouraged maybe thinking about the opportunity to lead in sports marketing, management, and just the general entertainment industry, it’s been incredibly heartwarming.”

The historic achievements with the Raiders don’t just end with Douglass Morgan. Within the AFC West team, its leadership team is 50% women, and the business operation team is 30% women. And while the Raiders weren’t playing in Sunday’s SB LVIII, these teams within the organization — with Douglass Morgan at the helm — played a large part in Las Vegas having an incredibly successful week as the host of the Big Game.

But before that, during the Sports Power Brunch, Douglas Morgan was honored with the Leadership Award and acknowledged the many women who, like her, also bet on themselves.

“For me, this award is not just a reflection of my own personal journey, but a testament to the collective effort and resilience of the countless women who dared to dream and challenge the status quo,” she said to the audience.

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Building Raiders with Vegas

When Douglass Morgan was appointed the Raiders’ President in July 2022 by owner Mark Davis, he called her “a force to be reckoned with,” and her accomplishments within the organization surely reflect that. As head of the team, Douglass Morgan oversees all business operations of the Raiders, including but not limited to ensuring corporate obligations are met and growing the franchise’s footprint in the overseas market.

As anyone who’s been to Sin City knows, Las Vegas has long been a hotbed for entertainment and fun. But these days, with Douglass Morgan and the Raiders expanding their reach to new corners of the city, Vegas is making a case for itself as the hottest, newest sports market.

The Vegas Golden Knights are the reigning Stanley Cup champions, while the Las Vegas Aces are setting the standard in the WNBA as the back-to-back champions of the league (Aces President Nikki Fargas was also honored at the Sports Power Brunch with the Impact Award). And, of course, there’s the Raiders, who are attracting the likes of Tom Brady to their ownership group, with another fellow Oakland franchise in the Athletics potentially on the way after having been approved by MLB owners to relocate.

Seemingly, everyone is trying to get in on the sports action in Las Vegas, and with all eyes on as the host city of Super Bowl LVIII, Douglass Morgan had a big responsibility to execute. Leading up to it, she held the role of Vice Chair on the host committee. In this role, like her year-round obligations and duties, Douglass Morgan helped secure six-figure sponsorships, scouted and selected locations of events during Super Bowl week, managed any concerns at Allegiant Stadium, and more.

Simply put, this last week in Las Vegas doesn’t happen without Douglass Morgan’s tireless efforts.

“There’s been over two years of planning, and now we’re seeing the execution take place right before our eyes,” Douglass Morgan told Boardroom. “We’ve had an incredibly hardworking team help pull this off for us. So, I’m grateful to have been able to be a part of bringing a Super Bowl to Las Vegas.”

Not Done Yet

Even though the Super Bowl festivities are in the rear-view mirror in Las Vegas, all eyes will remain on the Raiders in what will be a pivotal offseason.

After a strong showing under the interim tag, the team officially made Antonio Pierce its head coach heading into the 2024 campaign, a popular move among the players. The franchise’s front office is proof that diversity remains a priority, and while she can only speak on behalf of the Raiders, Douglass Morgan lauded the NFL for its effort to encourage more exposure and create more opportunities for women in football — in business, football operations, scouting, etc.

“I have to give hats off to Jonathan Beane [NFL Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer],” she said. “We’re kind of leading the charge as well. We’re happy to support the NFL and the league in any of their diversity initiatives.”

This upcoming season will mark two years in her role for Douglass Morgan, but as for what’s next, the pioneering playmaker said that she’ll concentrate on maintaining the momentum of the Super Bowl excitement this offseason. Fans and tourists alike can look forward to more unique activations across the city that strengthen the club’s relationship with Las Vegas.

Douglass Morgan carries a great sense of pride as the first Black woman president of an NFL team, but she hopes she won’t be alone for much longer. She’s already busted down the doors and hopes her efforts will inspire those who come after her.

Just minutes after receiving her award at the Sports Power Brunch, Boardroom asked Douglass Morgan what she might tell her younger self if she could.

“To be confident to support and surround yourself with positive people who want to see you excel on your journey and wholeheartedly support you along the way,” she said with a smile.

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The post Sandra Douglass Morgan: A Force to be Reckoned With appeared first on Boardroom.

It was an overtime nail-biter in Las Vegas. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs secured their second consecutive NFL championship on Sunday, beating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime. The victory came on a Mahomes pass to Mecole Hardman with three seconds left on the clock. The win secures Mahomes’ place in the GOAT conversation, as the 28-year-old secured his third Super Bowl win in his young career. Additionally, Mahomes told his team to avoid the glitz and glamour on their “business trip,” promising that he would fly the full team back to Las Vegas at a later date.

Beyoncé Drops Two Songs, Announces “Act II”

Beyoncé may be one of the most popular Super Bowl halftime acts of all time. The singer made yet another impact on the biggest night in American sports on Sunday. Not only did Bey make an appearance in Verizon’s Super Bowl spot, but she also took the opportunity to announce new music. The ad unveiled Act II. The first two tracks “Texas Hold ’Em” and “16 Carriages” hit streaming services immediately after the ad first appeared. The follow-up to Renaissance will drop on March 29.

Universal Music Publishing Group Tops Labels with 18 Musical Super Bowl Advertising Appearances

The Super Bowl is the most powerful moment on the advertising calendar. The $7 million spots drew star power, from Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Lopez, and Tom Brady for Dunkin’ to the aforementioned Beyoncé for Verizon. Billboard analyzed this year’s offerings and crowned Universal Music Publishing Group as the night’s biggest king. Eighteen UMG songs made an appearance in ads. The report also revealed that music rights for the moment range from $150,000 to more than $1 million.

Off-White Makes Super Bowl Costume Design Debut

Virgil Abloh’s lasting legacy was on stage during Usher’s star-studded halftime show. Off-White’s art and image director Ib Kamara confirmed that the Abloh-founded line designed the sparkling blue and black ‘fit featured during the second half of the performance. In a conversation with GQ, Kamara confirmed that Usher reached out personally with the request. The blue and black ensemble included 394,000 crystals.

WWE, X Agree to Bite-sized Match Format

The WWE is coming to X. The wrestling giant followed up its news that it inked a massive deal with Netflix. Now, the WWE announced it will broadcast five-minute matches on the social media platform. WWE Speed will kick off a two-year partnership between the two companies. The timed matches will take place each week for the whole year. The move may be part of a larger effort by X to contract more live sporting events,  as it recently inked a deal with Fox to stream content during both the upcoming Olympics and FIFA World Cup.

The post Kansas City Chiefs Secure Back-to-Back Super Bowl Titles appeared first on Boardroom.

A peek into today’s edition: 

• Big Tech is doing it big at Super Bowl LVIII
• Bluesky opens to the public
• Disney invests $1.5 billion in Epic Games

How Big Tech is Taking Over Super Bowl LVIII

Technology is showing up in big ways at Super Bowl LVIII, with brands such as Microsoft, Verizon, Apple, and Google snagging multi-million-dollar advertising spots during the year’s biggest sporting event. But commercials aren’t all you’ll see from the tech world, with brands like Snapchat integrating with the NFL to bring its augmented reality tech to Allegiant Stadium, Verizon working overtime to hook up 5G connectivity for the thousands of fans who will be at the game, and the NFL is even partnering with creators to attract new viewers.

Moments like this remind me that tech touches everything. That’s kind of the slogan I say when people ask me what type of work I do and why. This is it, connecting the dots to how all of these tech brands ended up in the same room.

Check out my story, All Things Tech at Super Bowl LVIII, for a full download on what each tech brand has planned for the big game.

Jack Dorsey’s Bluesky Enters the Market Full-time

Bluesky, a decentralized social media network launched by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is now open for anyone to join. Dorsey officially incorporated Bluesky in 2021 after spinning the project out from Twitter. Since opening the platform’s waitlist in October 2022, the only way to get on Bluesky was through an invite code from a user already on the platform. Bluesky had roughly 3 million sign-ups before it opened to the public earlier this week, and within a few days, it amassed more than 850,000 new users.

The surge in interest for Bluesky might mean it’ll genuinely become a competitor for X and Instagram‘s Threads. Bluesky’s public launch also comes a month and a half after it launched a new logo with a butterfly to symbolize change and transformation. The logo models the sky blue and white colors the Twitter logo used to have.

Google Says Goodbye to Bard & Hello to Gemini

Last weekend, leaked documents detailed Google’s plans to rebrand its generative AI tech, Bard, and launch an app dedicated to it. It turns out the rumors were true since Google confirmed on Thursday that Bard will now be known as Gemini, the Big Tech company’s most powerful and flexible AI model that can run on everything from mobile devices to data centers. Gemini is the name of Google’s flagship AI model and the name of its conversational AI chatbot, which it also confirmed can be accessed via the Gemini App on Pixel and Android devices and through the Google App on iOS devices. Users can communicate with Gemini in over 40 languages.

With this rebrand and app launch, Google also announced Gemini Advanced, the AI model’s premium tier that costs $19.99 a month via a Google One subscription. The new offering comes with 2TB of storage, and interested users can try it out with a two-month free trial.

• Disney announced that it’s investing $1.5 billion in Epic Games, which comes with an equity stake and an expansive collaboration with the game developer’s Fortnite universe. Disney CEO Bob Iger shared the news during the company’s earnings call earlier this week, marking it as the brand’s biggest entry into the gaming industry.
• Gaming investments aren’t all that Disney is getting into right now. The entertainment leader is partnering with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery to launch a new streaming app focused on sports programming, a venture that will pull content from ESPN, TNT, and Fox Sports.
• Apple is reportedly developing two foldable iPhone prototypes, according to The Information, though they aren’t slated to be released anytime soon. The Big Tech giant hasn’t confirmed the new products, but after announcing the Vision Pro from stealth last year, it’s safe to say Apple is always up to something.
• YouTube TV has hit 8 million subscribers, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan detailed in his annual letter to the community, where he also shared that YouTube has paid over $70 billion in the last three years to creators and media partners. Mohan also said YouTube is making big bets on AI innovations this year and investing more in creators on the platform.
• Meta is adding AI-generated labels to images created with third-party tools from OpenAI, Microsoft, Adobe, Midjourney, and more. OpenAI will also be adding visible symbols and invisible watermarks to image metadata for content created on its image generator, DALL-E 3, and via ChatGPT.
• Snapchat is laying off 10% of its global workforce, which is about 550 employees. Snapchat’s parent company is cutting its headcount in an effort “to reduce hierarchy and promote in-person collaboration,” which also means letting go of some senior-level staff members.

Reddit generated $800 million in revenue last year, a 20% increase year-over-year. This comes as the social news aggregator and forum prepares for an IPO, but I’m going to bet that Reddit won’t go public at the reported valuation of $5 billion; it’ll be under that, especially since it’s not profitable yet.

The post How Big Tech is Taking Over Super Bowl LVIII appeared first on Boardroom.

Ahead of his fourth Super Bowl appearance this weekend, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has unveiled his second signature shoe with Adidas. The new Mahomes 2 also arrives with apparel in the form of full-zip hoodies, pants, graphic tees, and shorts. In a statement revealing the sneakers, Mahomes said that he and Three Stripes spent over a year perfecting every detail in the Mahomes 2, including the timepiece symbols featured on the first shoe and the hoodie zippers. “Our hard work and passion comes to life today, and I can’t wait to see fans rocking the collection.” The Adidas Mahomes 2 will be available for purchase starting this month through limited releases.

From Messi to Ice Spice to Usher, Super Bowl Ads Set to Break Spending Records

Over the years, the cost of Super Bowl ads has significantly increased, and it’s no different for Super Bowl LVIII. Per the Financial Times, this year’s Big Game has brands spending an estimated $650 million on securing commercials. For a 30-second spot, companies are shelling out roughly $7 million, about a 10% jump compared to last year’s numbers. Even though most ads haven’t aired live yet, some brands have slowly revealed the famous faces starring in respective spots. Lionel Messi made his Super Bowl commercial debut for Michelob Ultra alongside Jason Sudeikis and Dan Marino, while Dunkin’ and Ben Affleck reunited for yet another ad. For its first-ever Super Bowl ad, Starry enlisted the help of Ice Spice, and Uber Eats enlisted an all-star cast of David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston, Jelly Roll, Usher, and David & Victoria Beckham for its spots.

NFL Adding Spain to International Schedule for 2025 Season

The NFL is expanding its international footprint. On Friday, the league announced plans to host its first regular-season game in Madrid, Spain, in 2025. Although teams have yet to be announced, the match will be played at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of LaLiga club Real Madrid. Spain will become the fifth different country the NFL has played a game, joining the United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany, and Brazil. Earlier this week, the NFL revealed that the Philadelphia Eagles would play in the NFL’s first South American regular-season game in Brazil on Friday during Week 1 of next season.

Jay-Z & Roc Nation Unveil Exclusive New Versace Partnership

On Friday, Roc Nation announced a multiyear partnership with Italian fashion house Versace. According to Complex, the collab will revolve around sponsored activations that focus on “cause-focused initiatives” like a sponsored scholarship at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment. The Long Island University program develops its curriculum centered around entrepreneurship, music, and sports management. SBLVIII marks the start of the partnership, with Versace sponsoring the Roc Nation Super Bowl event.

Davante Adams, Micah Parsons, Damar Hamlin Help Fanatics Surprise Make-a-Wish Group

With the help of Davante Adams, Micah Parsons, and Damar Hamlin, Fanatics surprised 20 Make-A-Wish kids from around the country in Las Vegas this week. While the children all wished to attend the Super Bowl in person, they were not expecting to meet Adams, Parsons, and Hamlin. Even better, the trio later accompanied the group of kids on a shopping spree at Lids, followed by a trip to Paradise Card Breaks hobby shop, where the recipients were treated to a unique trading card experience and engaged in a “Pack War” event for sought-after cards.  Not only was this Fanatics‘ first time participating in a Make-A-Wish initiative at the Super Bowl, but 2024’s group of 20 children now holds the title for most wishes granted at a Super Bowl in Make-A-Wish history.

DJ Khaled Partners with Gatorade to Launch Membership Platform

Marking the start of a new digital era for the sports drink, Gatorade officially launched its free and personalized membership platform, Gatorade iD, this week. To celebrate the occasion, Gatorade partnered with DJ Khaled to release the “Gatorade x DJ Khaled” capsule. The collection includes a DJ Khaled-personalized Gx Bottle and towel, and a Jordan Brand hoodie sweatshirt. This collab is the first in a series of Gatorade iD drops and is available exclusively for purchase for Gatorade iD members on gatorade.com. As we near Super Bowl Sunday, FanDuel estimates that orange has the highest odds (+240) to be the Gatorade color poured over the winning coach, and water/clear (+1000) has the lowest.

Amazon Set to Stream NFL Wild Card Game Next Year

Following in the footsteps of Peacock’s NFL first, Amazon will exclusively stream an NFL wild card match up in Jan. 2025. This year’s wild card game between the Chiefs and the Dolphins netted more than 23 million viewers, making a strong case for the steep price tag for the event. The news comes on the heels of the NFL’s Black Friday takeover of Prime Video, during which the internet retailer paired in-game deals for its viewers. Additionally, Amazon will continue to be the home of Thursday Night Football next season.

The post Patrick Mahomes, Adidas Reveal Second Signature Shoe Ahead of SBLVIII appeared first on Boardroom.

After three seasons and countless imitators, ESPN and Omaha Productions’ ManningCast remains the gold standard for alternative sports telecasts. Peyton and Eli Manning‘s 10-episode run featured a blend of insightful and entertaining insight and analysis with celebrity guests from the worlds of sports and entertainment, averaging 1.24 million viewers on ESPN2 during the regular season.

How and why does the ManningCast still resonate across the sporting landscape, generating hysterical viral moments without the hot takes now ubiquitous in all media, sports or otherwise?

“At the end of the day, it comes down to Peyton and Eli,” Sam Pepper, the ManningCast’s Supervising Producer for Omaha Productions, told Boardroom. “You have two of the greatest football players to ever live that also happen to be two of the most engaging, smart, and funny people on television.

“They give off the vibe that both the viewer and whoever comes on the show are just watching football on the couch, a positive celebration of football in an age where there’s a lot of negativity on television out there. And it’s a celebration of family, too, with brothers just watching a game together.”

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The common denominator between the ManningCast, the NBA on TNT‘s studio show, or other generally beloved programs boils down to a good hang, said Pepper. Peyton and Eli achieved that by leaning into things that had already come naturally to them. Not calling the traditional play-by-play, the Mannings are able to talk about what they see on the field, become excited in the moment, and have fun with the guests watching with them.

While Pepper, ESPN, and Omaha felt like the element of fun was great over the first two seasons, they wanted to embrace more intelligent, analytical angles for Season 3. With the help of digital creative agency Girraphic, ManningCast integrated an augmented reality table where Peyton could uniquely display his savant-level analysis in an interactive way with viewers.

Another addition for the third season was the Perfect Prediction Panel, where guests would forecast whether a team would score from the red zone, and how, keeping a leaderboard throughout the season. It should come as no surprise that Week 10 guest Patrick Mahomes fared the best, perfectly calling a Denver Broncos three-play scoring drive to the Mannings’ delight.

During that guest appearance, Mahomes also admitted he’d worn the same pair of red underwear every game day since his rookie season for good luck, a disclosure that instantly went viral. Some of Pepper’s other favorite guests from the season included John McEnroe and Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 1, Tiffany Haddish in Week 7, Arnold Schwarzenegger and his donkey Lulu in Week 9, and Mina Kimes and her dog Lenny in Week 15.

“It’s a thrill to be able to watch football with all the guests that we’ve had this season,” Peyton Manning said. “From current players to coaches to action stars and comedians, we’ve been able to have so many great friends with us, wanting to celebrate the game.”

That action star was Schwarzenegger, whose feeding of Lulu on air elicited reactions of shock and surprise from the Manning brothers.

“Who wouldn’t want to watch a game with Peyton and Eli? They know so much about the game, and they’re hilarious,” Schwarzenegger said. “When you go on the ManningCast, you know they just want to talk football as if you are in their living room with them. And more importantly, you know you’re going to have a fantastic time. Eli and Peyton are the best. I loved it.”

Later on in Week 10, after guest segments with Mahomes and Lindsey Vonn, NFL Network host and TV personality Kyle Brandt joined the Mannings for the remainder of what turned out to be a thrilling, bizarre Broncos-Bills game. He called it an appearance he’ll remember for the rest of his life.

Most of even the best-produced shows and podcasts grow formulaic, Brandt told Boardroom. A guest is welcomed, hosts throw an icebreaker in, they discuss various topics and headlines, bring up some offbeat personal story, the guest is asked to promote whatever they have going on, and the segment ends.

“The ManningCast is like jumping onto a moving skateboard while you’re blindfolded,” Brandt said. “I’ve done a lot of podcasts, radio shows, and TV talk shows. I’ve never had more adrenaline than I had on the ManningCast.”

To Brandt, it was the combination of talking football with Peyton and Eli live without knowing what would happen during the game. He compared it to being on stage with two incredible Broadway actors, going on a ScienceCast with Albert Einstein and Neil deGrasse Tyson, or being Christian Laettner on the 1992 Dream Team next to Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. Brandt wasn’t exactly calling for the ball during his segment, but he wanted to contribute.

Peyton and Eli like to be pushed and asked questions, Brandt was told when he joined the show during a close game. So he called Peyton out after Manning said the game was over in the second quarter, which Brandt said Peyton loved. He then asked the brothers whether it felt better to win a big game in front of your home fans or take the air out of a stadium on the road.

“You could almost see them light up because it’s a question about football and something they can relate to. They both just ran with it,” Brandt said. “It’s not going on Peyton and Eli’s podcast, and it’s not sitting there watching a game. It’s both at the same time. I was really invigorated by it. I don’t think there’s anything like it.”

The guest booking process is a collaboration between ESPN and Omaha, with the main criteria being that the person needs to love football. Nicole Solomowitz, Omaha’s Head of Talent, and Jen Aiello, the lead talent booker, factor in who the Mannings and ESPN set their sights on, prioritizing ties to the particular team playing that night, enthusiasm and passion for the game and the willingness to join the show remotely. If guests have a previous relationship with one of the Mannings, that certainly works in their favor.

When able, Omaha will conduct pre-interviews with guests to reinforce the show’s overall vibe and potential talking points, setting the tone for what the show will be about. Conversations with Vonn before the Week 10 show and Bruce Arians before the Wild Card Weekend broadcast were singled out as especially helpful.

“They got me ready as if I was going to have to speak for a 10-part documentary about myself,” Brandt said. “They’re asking me things about my high school football career. I’m not making this up. They probably would’ve made fun of the haircut I had at the time. They’re that deep and thorough.”

During the NFL season, Pepper speaks nearly daily with lead ESPN producers Drew Gallagher and Joshua Hoffman, discussing guests, talking points, research, and show elements to the point where it feels like they’re all working for the same company. Now, with numerous alternative broadcasts and podcasts in the Omaha stable, the company’s come a long way since Josh Pyatt and Jamie Horowitz pitched Peyton on the concept in 2020.

But still, it’s the ManningCast flagship that still resonates the most.

“Viewers have told us they like the mixture of authentic, off-the-cuff commentary from Peyton and Eli, the insightful, yet laid-back nature of the guests, and the spontaneity of the show,” Gallagher said. “The overall environment leads to unprompted moments, such as Tua playing his guitar or Arnold feeding his pet donkey, becoming signature segments viewers love.”

As of now, ManningCast will have the same number of shows for next season, Pepper said. Among dream guests he’d like to have in the future, he mentioned Larry David (Eli specifically singled out the Curb Your Enthusiasm star as someone he’d love to have on the show eventually), Adam Sandler, Denzel Washington, and Ryan Reynolds.

There are plenty of imitators in the alternative broadcast space. But as long as Peyton and Eli headline the ManningCast, Pepper believes there’s no replicating the chemistry the brothers bring to live TV. Like Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on ESPN, they have the chemistry of longtime friends who know how to play off one another, Brandt noted.

“They’re like sitcom characters in a way,” Brandt said. “One of them is the super erudite one, and then one of them is the sillier one who people at home sympathize with. Then you, as a guest, come in, and you’re the neighbor next door who peeks his head in and tries to contribute.”

In the world of alternative broadcasts, there are the Mannings, and then there’s everyone else. With Peyton, Eli, and their teams at ESPN and Omaha in place, they plan on keeping it that way for years to come.

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The NFL will integrate Snapchat’s Camera Kit Technology for the first time Sunday at Super Bowl LVIII inside Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, the technology giant said Wednesday, a major moment for one of Snap’s earliest brand partners.

Stadium screens and scoreboards will show various custom Snap lenses, like Las Vegas-themed helmets on fans for both the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, that will be visible during the game, not just during commercial breaks. Top Snap stars and creators, including Jack Settleman and Brittney Elena, will also be on-site to help capture the fan experience.

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“Every year we activate around the Super Bowl, we’re always thinking about how we can top the previous seasons. This year, we’re really excited to showcase the Snap brand in a unique and immersive way off-platform,” Anmol Malhotra, Snapchat’s Head of Sports Partnerships, told Boardroom. “This will be one of the most comprehensive 360 activations we have ever executed around the Super Bowl.” 

On the Snapchat app, an NFL lens will allow Snapchatters to predict various game outcomes via AR technology by tilting their head right or left. The company will be able to track what percentage of fans are picking each outcome as part of a new API technology and will be able to see how their selections stack up after the game.

The NFL is one of the first partners to test this API functionality, Snap said. There will also be special Super Bowl stickers in the cameo sticker section.

Through Snap’s live garment transfer technology, fans can try on jerseys from both teams via Snap’s lens carousel, search, and the NFL’s official profile. And directly from that lens, fans can visit NFLShop.com to buy the jersey without leaving the app. The NFL app will also be outfitted with a special camera kit. Lenses will gamify fans’ Super Bowl user experience with a trivia contest featuring Chiefs- and 49ers-themed questions.

Another NFL partnership in Snap’s Spotlight section will be the #TouchdownDance Challenge, running from Feb. 7-13, encouraging fans to show off their best touchdown dance for the chance at a share of $20,000 in prizes. The NFL will also post directly to its Spotlight page throughout Super Bowl Week, highlighting top user submissions. NFL content on Snap Discover this week will feature the evolution of the Super Bowl ring and the most unbelievable moments in Super Bowl history.

Snap technology will also be integrated during Super Bowl Week, with an AR mirror at NFL House, the players’ official hospitality space inside Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas. There, players and guests can take photos with Super Bowl and NFL lenses. Last year’s Super Bowl saw nearly 10 million unique viewers of Super Bowl content, Malhotra said, and Snap hopes to top that this weekend.

“For us, it’s really about aligning with the league. Having worked alongside one another for so many years, we have a really good rhythm going and know what the other is going to bring to the table and the time needed to execute at a really high level,” Malhotra said. “The NFL has been an incredible partner in launching new initiatives together as we make sure we are doing everything we can across all services of Snap and reaching fans every way we are able to.”

On Location is Going Big for SB LVIII

Boardroom sits down with On Location CCO Scott Jernigan to discuss Super Bowl product offerings and its big plans for the rest of 2024.

Check it out!

The roughly 110 million fans watching at home will probably be wondering whether Taylor Swift will make an appearance at the game, and Tara Carey, Snapchat’s Manager of Sports Partnerships, understands that Swift brought a new level of excitement and curiosity around the NFL to many new fans.

“The Snapchat community is a young community filled with passionate, diverse users, and there are also a lot of casual NFL fans that tune into Snapchat for NFL content,” Carey told Boardroom, “so having a major celebrity like Taylor Swift included in our NFL-produced coverage is pretty special and helps us to extend our reach and potentially attract new fans. We’re looking forward to seeing the unique POVs from our creators that highlight Taylor Swift across spotlight and stories. This moment uniquely places Snapchat at the intersection of pop culture, sports, and entertainment, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

For Malhotra, this Super Bowl partnership is not only a chance to show what Snapchat is capable of but also to get key exposure for potential future partners who can see how the company can scale at America’s biggest sporting event.

“When you execute on the highest stage like the Super Bowl, it opens the door for a whole lot more,” he said. “Ultimately, our ambition is to leverage our tech around every major tentpole in every major venue, and this is a tremendous step in that direction. We look forward to trailblazing alongside the league, ultimately opening the doors for more across sports, entertainment, and beyond.”

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Cam Newton has a two-pronged plan for success. First, build a media empire the likes no one has ever seen. Next, surround himself with the right people to help execute his vision.

Both goals propel a feeling of ownership for the 34-year-old. The days of studying game film are long past him. But Newton fuels a penchant for learning another way: studying some of the biggest names in media and their ascent from nobodies to billionaires. “Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Oprah. They all have something in common,” he tells me. “They own everything. So, anytime I have the opportunity to own an IP, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Listening to Newton break down his master plan, I’m struck by how in-depth it is. It contains attainable short- and long-term goals backed by the steps he’s already completed to reach said milestones. For Newton, this plan has been in process since he emerged from Auburn.

The former NFL MVP sat down with Boardroom to discuss how he’s taking his MVP work ethic into his next chapter, the businesses he’s building, and much more.

Entering the Next Era

From the moment we were introduced to Cam Newton the college quarterback in 2008, there was always something that stood apart. Rather than appealing to how the so-called “leader” should act, Newton blazed his own path. Thus, it’s perhaps no surprise that when asked what network would sponsor his new venture, he was quick to emphasize that it’s both solo-funded and free of corporate influence.

“Being independent, I wouldn’t even say it’s harder, but it requires more grit and grind rather than somebody having an already set platform, like ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS, and things like that. I don’t think if I were on those platforms, I would be able to truly give the consumer me. You would get a version of me, but that wouldn’t be the real me. I’m just sitting back and trying to build Iconic Saga as the leading minority business company and we have to start somewhere.”

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Founded in 2012, Iconic Saga is a full-service production company Newton started that focuses on scripted and non-scripted digital content, children’s programming, animation, and more. Anything you see Newton attach his name to, it’s surely an Iconic Saga project. What’s taking up a chunk of his time these days is his weekly web series, Funky Friday. There, he moderates a conversation on a variety of topics from lifestyle, to relationships, the latest in pop culture, and more. A second series, 4th & 1, centers more on sports.

For Newton, the shows are more than a chance to link up with some of his famous friends. Rather, it’s a way for him to set the narrative.

“I would challenge and encourage other athletes to take control of their narrative,” says Newton. “When I want to hear about football, I want to hear it from a football player. If I want to hear about basketball, I want to hear about that from a basketball player. Media is at a very interesting space right now because you have people who are gaining more validation by being able to speak on certain topics, as opposed to the days where somebody can just voice their opinion and say, ‘Okay, boom. That’s the show.’ Well, in this day and age, it is being able to be authentic to what you’re talking about and how you’re talking about it. And we’re seeing more and more creatives or creators create stories, storylines, and content that’s true to them.”

Newton is just one of several athletes and former athletes reclaiming their narrative from traditional sports news. Rather than sharing their stories with traditional outlets, they’re creating a safe space of their own. They are also creating content, which they play a role in developing and finding a permanent home on a platform they create and finance — and profit from.

While Cam has a unique vision for what he wants to make, he looks to others who have come before him for inspiration, both in sports and entertainment. Newton referenced two well-known modern content creators when discussing who have successfully disrupted media consumption: Logan and Jake Paul. After meeting Logan, Newton says he found him to be “very smart and strategic about what and how he did certain things.” A YouTuber-turned-fighter-turned-sports drink mogul, Paul boasts nearly 26 million subscribers on YouTube, and Newton attributes the 28-year-old’s success to understanding his audience.

“People just throw content on platforms, whether it’s Instagram, X, or TikTok. What I’m learning is that good content creators study their audience, the bad content creators study just themselves.”

Building on the Strength of a Solid Team

While Newton has always set himself apart from the crowd, he knows better than anyone how critical it is to have a solid team behind him. The strength of his team was core to his success in football and now serves as a steady foundation for what he’s building with Iconic Saga.

In a separate office behind where we’re sitting, Newton’s team is busy editing the latest episode of 4th & 1. Newton shares he’s had people working on his behalf ever since the age of 17. Attending open houses, classes, picking up supplies at the bookstore, and even down to deciding what to eat. “That was the job of someone else,” says Newton. By the time he entered the league, Newton had a full-fledged unit negotiating on his behalf.

Despite the benefits of dedicated personnel, however, Newton now sees ways that it can function as a hindrance to growth. “Because you skip steps of really understanding your business and understanding what you need. It took me a while to recognize I was not the priority for a lot of people’s focus. … I had ideas and whether those ideas were hits or flops, I wanted it to be a person’s focus. Well, it’s hard to have that focus for somebody when they’re just a contractor.”

As someone who prides himself on long-lasting relationships. Newton’s staff is an indication of that virtue. His producer is someone who has been with him since his first stint with the Carolina Panthers, and his chief of staff joined his team well before he was named NFL MVP in 2015. Relationship building, according to him, functions by one simple question: “Who gets me?” Newton says. “The people who I put in charge have to understand my mental process. They have to be my quarterback. They have to be an extension of me in a way where you got to be gritty, you got to be professional. You got to be detailed. You got to understand the most important part of your job is the attention to detail.”

Newton then boasts about Omari Collins, his head of digital content with such esteem that it’s obvious Iconic Saga doesn’t function without him. Bringing him into his universe wasn’t contingent on negotiations, because Newton tells me he was willing to pay what it took to acquire Collins’ services. “I was like, ‘bro, tell me what you need, I’m going to figure it out.’ Now we’ve grown to understand each other in a way that reaches far beyond the workplace.”

It’s fascinating hearing Newton reiterate his thought process in real-time. He doesn’t just think of those around him as people on his payroll with the sole purpose of making him look good. They’re instrumental to his success as a content creator and his evolution as a businessman. Newton describes the fun they have in great detail, and it’s apparent by the way he speaks highly of his team at every chance he gets.

“I want people to come into this space and feel vindicated. I want them to feel empowered. I want them to have fun. I want them to be rewarded for what they create.”

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Writing the Playbook Behind 4th & 1

When it launched in 2020, Funky Friday was only supposed to be a non-football activity during the season. During his tenure in New England, Newton describes the days as very strenuous. “I was just thinking about football, football, football. Going through the pandemic. It was football, football, football.”

Thus, an escape was born. The show became a way for him to “breathe,” he tells me. Podcast culture was booming. These days, anyone is a few hundred dollars is 3-5 business days away from having their own microphone to spew whatever inner thoughts they’d suddenly want broadcast to the public.

“I was witnessing other people using their platform to start podcasts or shows. I was like, ‘Yo, they talking about anything? I just want to talk about anything,” he joked. “Anybody who knows me knows I always have questions of the day. I love talking to people.” Newton motions to our setup. “This shit right here, I can do this all goddamn day. I just love that,” he continues. As candid as he was to me, you can only imagine how rewarding it is to do Funky Friday. Newton gushes about how much fun recording the program is, mainly because he gets “to talk to people and just have fun.”

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In another moment of transparency, Newton acknowledges that his guests remain the nucleus, emphasizing that his number one goal is to make them comfortable. After all, the more comfortable they are, the more guests are willing to share. I point out that it’s a net positive to be invited as a guest of an NFL legend. “I have this ‘I don’t give a fuck mentality,'” Newton quips, flashing his signature grin before continuing, “But I don’t want to be a pot stirrer all the time. I just want to have a good conversation. I want to bring something out of you that nobody has ever bought out of you. I want to curate a vibe that is just unmatched.”

So far, Funky Friday has welcomed the likes of comedian Gary Owen, Brandon Marshall, Eli Manning, T-Boz from TLC, and dozens more. A quick browse through the show’s YouTube page reveals hours of discourse between everyone from social media influencers to people he used to suit up against. As far as guests go, Newton tells me he favors the “controversial people who’ve been through some shit.” Or, the commonly misunderstood individual. Most times, those go hand in hand.

Doing It All His Way

Newton and I have been talking for a couple of hours in his office by now. We’ve discussed plenty of football and business, but there are a few more topics I want to cover while I still have his attention. Celebrated for his heroic antics on the football field, Newton’s off-field ensembles became another major topic of discourse. Newton’s love of fashion started at an early age. The son of a pastor, he jokes that “even though The Bible says come as you are, my grandma wasn’t letting me come in no church with flip flops, shorts, or a plain white t-shirt.” Dressing up, even at an early age, was a form of self-expression for him, and it heightened once Newton enrolled in JROTC.

“JROTC is very strict. But I learned nothing about strictness other than fashionable gems that I didn’t necessarily know before…” he says. “Most importantly, JROTC taught me how to tie a tie. And I was so happy about that because a lot of people, especially people I was around, didn’t know how to tie a tie. I guarantee I could go into my dad’s closet right now. He’s going to have hundreds of already tied ties, probably been tied for 20 years now.”

Of course, Newton is wearing one of his signature bow ties as we speak. I jokingly asked if he could fasten it without looking in the mirror. He smirks, puts down the cigar he’s been smoking since we started the interview, and unravels the accessory. Fifty-five seconds later, the tie is back to being perfectly cinched in the middle of his neck.

“That’s the thing about ties. It got personality to it, you know what I’m saying? And that’s me, a personable guy.”

Another thing that adds to Newton’s charm? His unique way of typing. A combination of upper and lowercase letters with oddly placed accent marks, It’s created so much controversy that Newton’s Instagram bio reads: ĪM ÑØT ČHÅÑGĪÑG TH£ ₩ÅŸ Ī TŸ₽£; gêt ōvêr îtÿōū pōšt ÿōūr wâÿ; Ī ₽اT MĪÑ£…”

So, what’s the reasoning behind this decision? It’s all a part of his brand. “Did the way I type sacrifice deals? Yeah. Did it come off as narcissistic to some people? Sure, but they don’t know me. It’s a form of self-expression. If we don’t all write the same, why should we all type the same?” Newton informs me that to generate his font, he uses an app called I Post My Way.

The final thing that makes Newton a maestro of charisma is his hair. Over the years, we’ve seen it grow from a low fade to now a head full of locs. Before you ask, Newton has absolutely no plans to cut his signature look. His hat brand, Meshika, even makes custom headgear to withstand the locs that sit straight up.

In combination, Newton’s style has grown with him — with little consideration of any expectations of him.

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What’s Next For Super Cam?

Iconic Saga has a busy 2024 ahead. Although Newton’s focus is on becoming the most famous athlete-turned-YouTuber, he’s got even bigger plans to cement himself as Atlanta’s premiere businessman.

He and his older brother Cecil “CJ” Newton Jr. own Fellaship, a cigar bar in downtown Atlanta that’s a short walk from the Falcons’ home of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A new restaurant called The End Zone is forthcoming, and alongside his business partner, Newton wants to create the number one minority brokerage company in the world.

Newton then exclusively reveals to Boardroom that plans for a private, membership social club are in the works. Named Cosa Nostra, it is set to open later this year.

Newton says he got the inspiration for the moniker from the mob.

“I’m a big fan of drug dealers,” he adds. “They’re the best businessmen in the world. Have you ever seen Pablo Escobar? Now, was he corrupt? Yeah, but I love his business mindset.” With two shows, multiple businesses, and a foundation to manage, it seems like football is the last of his priorities. Newton assures me the arm still works, but that’s no longer the focus.

So, what does he want his legacy to be?

“I want to monetize my life my way. I got control over my shit. Is it going to be harder? Yeah, but I ain’t want this shit to be easy. If it were, anybody could do it. I’m trying to learn from other people’s mistakes and other people’s successes and apply it to my own. I know my compensation may not always come in the form of financial. My compensation comes with joy. Every time I walk through these doors and I see the team and I see guys that stay here past the eight-hour shift, that’s the shit I get happy about.

“So you’re asking me, ‘Okay Cam, are you still playing football?’ My answer is ‘Hell no.’ But I’m busier than I’ve ever been because I could take what football taught me and implement it in every single one of my businesses. The structure, the discipline, the sacrifice, the mental stamina that’s needed. And that’s the conversation. The grind. The joy is in the journey.”

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The post Cam Newton Calls His Own Plays in Media Master Plan appeared first on Boardroom.

For an event as enormous as the Super Bowl in a city as grand and ostentatious as Las Vegas, the NFL’s official hospitality partner has a herculean task in front of it in order to meet the weekend’s unprecedented demands.

On Location, according to Chief Commercial Officer Scott Jernigan, has the experience, strength, and operational capability necessary to serve an estimated 35% of fans who plan on attending the Kansas City Chiefs–San Francisco 49ers game on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium. This will be the 10th year the Endeavor-owned brand leads Super Bowl hospitality efforts, but this time, On Location has to serve what could be the busiest and most lucrative day in Vegas history for its first Big Game.

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On Location presides over a sports hospitality dynasty, with a client list including UFC, The Masters, MLB, NCAA, WWE, NASCAR, the Indy 500, and, for the first time this year, the Olympic Games. An army of 800 consisting of 400 On Location staff, 200 local ambassadors, and 200 NFL-affiliated staff will be on hand to serve everyone from the tens of thousands of fans who purchased hospitality packages to the friends and family of the Chiefs and Niners players, coaches, and front office employees.

“This is a team across all of our different properties that’s incredibly passionate about what they do, and that shines through into our activations and how we think of all the different product offerings,” Jernigan told Boardroom. “The rights holders trust us to deliver for their most passionate fan base and their friends and family, something that you have to do an excellent job year after year to deliver for those key constituents. Our team takes a lot of pride in continually delivering and exceeding expectations.”

On Location said Super Bowl LVIII is its strongest year of sales since it began as the rights holder in 2015. Several premium packages, including everything inside the Super Bowl campus, are sold out, while the remaining packages start at roughly $6,500.

In addition to premium seats to the game itself, here’s what else fans can expect when they purchase an On Location Super Bowl package:

• A three-night stay at a premium Las Vegas hotel, with participating locations including the Aria, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Delano, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Paris, Vdara, and Wynn.
• Access to an On Location lounge featuring appearances from NFL legends like official company Super Bowl ambassador Howie Long.
• For the first time, packages include attendance at NFL Honors the Thursday before the big game, where the league’s biggest annual awards are given out.
• In-stadium hospitality during the game, including talent meet-and-greets, sushi bars, and unlimited top-shelf liquor.
• Postgame field access, including the Lombardi Trophy presentation, the confetti shower, and an inclusive champagne toast.
• A gift bag of Las Vegas-themed souvenirs and a 24-hour on-call concierge staff.

And if that’s not luxurious enough for your tastes, On Location’s pre-game parties are even more over the top. Here’s a glimpse at two of the several packages being offered:

On The Fifty brings fans inside Allegiant Stadium’s Champions Club. This package features:

• A full open bar with a live DJ, as well as an elevated culinary experience featuring food offerings from celebrity chef Tom Colicchio. Also included is a gourmet brunch, live oyster shucking, carved A5 Wagyu tenderloin from Japan, sushi tacos, a grand seafood ice display, roasted bone marrow, a gourmet pastry chef dessert affair, specialty cocktails, a boozy coffee station, and champagne toasts galore.
• A meet and greet with Howie Long.
• Appearances from the newly named Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024 in the first year of On Location’s new HOF partnership.
• Photo ops with Super Bowl rings, a Lombardi Trophy display, and Las Vegas entertainment décor and photo ops.

Club 67 and Touchdown Club pre-game parties outside the stadium feature chef-curated cuisine, a premium open bar, two 35-minute sets from rock icon Billy Idol, and NFL legend and Hall of Fame player appearances.

In hospitality these days, people are always looking for more curated client experiences, Jernigan said. So, anyone in the industry is constantly tasked with meeting the demand for customized offerings that deliver for often exorbitant prices people pay.

“People have shown a willingness to take part and participate in very unique high-end offerings,” Jernigan said, “and our challenge is to constantly think through everything and meet that demand. We’re always wrestling with providing the guests with a high level of product personalization.”

The best hospitality companies pour their all into logistics, and the traffic in and around the Vegas Strip and Allegiant Stadium will be a challenge this year, compounded by the stadium’s lack of parking and smaller footprint in terms of square footage around the venue and a smaller seating capacity compared to previous Super Bowl sites. But regardless of the event, Jernigan and On Location constantly focus on the guest experience, ensuring no corners are cut on any detail, from the high-end experiences like the performances and celebrity chefs to the most basic amenities.

Jernigan has been in the ticketing and hospitality business for over 30 years, founding and leading three separate companies that were eventually bought by On Location in 2017 before Endeavor purchased On Location for a reported $660 million in January 2020.

As CCO, Jernigan works closely with the different leagues and properties the company serves as part of a daily schedule he called “a Rubik’s cube of time management.” That includes morning calls with European officers to afternoon and evening meetings with his West Coast teams, reacting and adapting to the day’s given opportunities and challenges, including new business opportunities.

For all of On Location’s partners, Jernigan leads the effort across all his teams to ensure each relationship is different and that every event is unique and bespoke to the client’s needs and specifications. It’s a balance between not being cookie-cutter and taking the best learnings from each event and applying them to different areas.

Right after the Endeavor acquisition, On Location provided a detailed RFP to the International Olympic Committee for the Olympics contract and won a three-games deal — Paris 2024, Milano Cortina 2026, and Los Angeles 2028. With more than 775 ticketed events over 16 days in a sprawling city, On Location will face its most daunting challenges yet as part of a 2024 slate Jernigan said was the busiest he’s ever encountered.

There are already 200 employees working in Paris on these efforts, not including dozens of additional staffers in offices in the US, UK, and around the world. When the Games begin on July 26, On Location will employ more than 4,000 staffers for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

When we spoke in early January, Jernigan said On Location had been working for a few months on the campus footprint for Super Bowl LIX next year in New Orleans. On Location is already selling Priority Access packages for the next three Super Bowls through the 2027 weekend in Los Angeles.

Over more than three decades of executive experience in the most premier hospitality group in sports, the biggest lesson Jernigan has learned is always to anticipate tomorrow’s problems today. That takes good communication from people who love what they do and who see to it that the client never sees you stressed.

“There’s something that always comes up, always happens,” Jernigan said. “And it’s all about being ready for it and handling it with grace under fire.”

With an expansive collection of the world’s biggest sporting events, Jernigan and On Location will take on the Super Bowl and the Olympics in the same year for the very first time, looking to show grace under fire in Las Vegas and Paris until the Olympic torch is extinguished.

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EA Sports will team up with the NFLPA for a Madden Bowl after-party called The 99 Club on Feb. 8 at House of Blues Las Vegas, combining the best of music and football, the company announced Thursday.

Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will host the event, with a performance by Grammy Award-winning musician Darius Rucker and an appearance from Grammy Award-winning producer and rapper Hit-Boy.

“I’m starting the offseason by trying to increase my overall next season any way I can,” Tagovailoa, rated an 88 in Madden 24, said. “No doubt my hosting skills will earn me a 99 rating, for sure.”

A diehard Dolphins fan, Rucker said he’s especially excited to perform in front of his QB.

“I’m going to give an electrifying set,” he said, “and I’m hoping Tua may join me to show off his impressive guitar skills as well.”

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Hit-Boy produced the Madden 24 soundtrack, which features Jack Harlow, IDK, Polo G, and BIA among its 36 songs. Rucker’s 99 Club performance will come after Madden Bowl’s musical lineup of BRELAND, Killer Mike, Big Boi, and Green Day as one of the many premier events happening in Las Vegas leading into Super Bowl LVIII.

“The NFL players who lay it all on the line each Sunday make our game what it is. To have the opportunity to celebrate them ahead of the biggest game of the year is awesome,” Anthony Stevenson, EA Ventures Marketing’s senior vice president, said, “and the NFLPA is the perfect partner to bring it to life.”

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Michelob ULTRA typically tends to move the needle when it comes to its Super Bowl ads, and this year is no different. Ahead of the big showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at SBLVIII, the beer company unveiled its star-studded ad, reminding fans that “you don’t have to choose between an active and a social life.”

In the 60-second “Superior Beach” spot, Michelob teamed up with Inter Miami star Lionel Messi for his first-ever Super Bowl commercial appearance. Messi appears alongside Emmy award-winning actor Jason Sudeikis and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino in a beachy ad that celebrates joy, athleticism, and spontaneity.

The commercial follows Messi enjoying an impromptu game of pick-up beach soccer while waiting for a Michelob beer, with commentary from Sudeikis and a reminder that Marino’s cannon of an arm still works.

“It’s a relatable moment, playing soccer on the beach,” Ricardo Marques, Michelob’s Vice President of Marketing, said to Boardroom. “And then you add the GOAT, Leo Messi with Marino and Sudeikis, you get an entertaining spot that is relevant not only for soccer fans. Of course, soccer fans will love it, but it’s relevant for everybody because everybody sees themselves integrated into the story.”

Some might wonder what the world’s biggest soccer star is doing in a promotional video during an American football game, but the Super Bowl campaign is all part of the next chapter in Michelob’s partnership with Messi and its investment in the sport overall. Following the Super Bowl, the company will be turning its focus to Copa América USA 2024 as the official global beer sponsor of the tournament.

The world’s oldest national team tournament, Copa América will see 16 teams — 10 from CONMEBOL and six from CONCACAF — battle it out across 14 host cities in the United States from June 20 to July 14. The reigning champions? Messi’s Argentina.

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“Consistency has always been at the top of our game,” said Marques. “This brand has been incredibly successful for the past two decades in celebrating this idea that some of the best moments are exactly what our spot captures, and of course, every year, we bring the creative voltage.

“We have the start of soccer season after the Super Bowl, and we’re all excited to see Messi back on the pitch. So, this Super Bowl ad sets up for what will be, I believe, an incredible year for Michelob ULTRA.”

For those heading to Las Vegas, Michelob will be throwing a Super Bowl Party featuring performances by Lil Wayne, T-Pain, and Alesso, and will be hosted by Alex Morgan and Marino. The soiree is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 10, from 7-12:30 p.m. PT at the local Topgolf. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

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The post Messi & Michelob: Inter Miami Star Makes Super Bowl Commercial Debut appeared first on Boardroom.

On Wednesday, the NFL unveiled an exclusive capsule collection of Super Bowl LVIII merchandise co-designed with Usher, this year’s Apple Music halftime show performer. The “one-of-a-kind” line includes jerseys, hoodies, jackets, and t-shirts designed by Mitchell & Ness and New Era headwear in collaboration with clothing brand Just Don. Interested fans can also snag Riddell helmets or a limited-edition Wilson football. Products feature the purple and pink colorway seen across Super Bowl LVIII imagery alongside the iconic emblem that draws inspiration from Usher‘s diamond-studded “U” necklace. Items drop Feb. 7 and will be available for purchase on-site at the Usher Super Bowl LVIII Collection in Las Vegas at Super Bowl Experience, as well as online at nflshop.com/usher, newera.com, mitchellandness.com, and wilson.com.

UMG Removes Popular Music Artists from TikTok in Ongoing Feud

Music from popular artists like Drake, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and SZA is set to vanish from TikTok by the end of Wednesday after the short-form video app failed to agree to a new deal with Universal Music Group. The previous agreement between the parties expired at the end of January. In a statement shared early Wednesday, UMG said it would pull its tracks due to a lack of compensation for musicians and songwriters. “TikTok proposed paying our artists and songwriters at a rate that is a fraction of the rate that similarly situated major social platforms pay,” UMG said in its statement. TikTok responded by accusing UMG of putting “their own greed above the interests of artists and songwriters.” Considered one of the three giants of global music companies, some of UMG’s licensed artists include The Beatles, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Adele, and many more.

Boardroom’s Michelai Graham has more on TikTok and Universal Music Group’s ongoing feud.

LeBron James Joins DraftKings as Talent Ambassador

In what they’re calling a “legendary team-up,” DraftKings announced Wednesday that LeBron James has joined the company as a talent ambassador in a multi-year deal that will see the NBA legend contribute around football and select key tentpole events. “We look forward to working with a passionate sports fan who shares the same competitive mindset that echoes throughout the walls at DraftKings while delivering exciting engagement opportunities to our customers and his loyal fanbase for years to come,” the company said in a statement. LeBron isn’t the first active athlete to link up with a sportsbook — Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon has a deal with MaximBet, while Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid has a deal with BetMGM.

PGA Tour, Strategic Sports Group Agree to $3B Deal

The PGA Tour and Strategic Sports Group have reached an agreement in which SSG will invest up to $3 billion into the Tour’s new for-profit organization, PGA Tour Enterprises, it was announced Wednesday. The deal’s conditions mean that Strategic Sports Group, led by a Fenway Sports Group that includes multiple current US sports team owners, would invest $1.5 billion upfront with the possibility of another $1.5 billion coming later. The PGA Tour added that nearly 200 of its members would have access to a “first-of-its-kind” program that would permit them to become equity holders in PGA Tour Enterprises. Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, will also serve as a commercial adviser to this entity.

Byron Allen Submits $30B Offer to Take Over Paramount, Assume Debt

Comedian-turned-media mogul Byron Allen has made a $14.3 billion offer to buy all outstanding shares of Paramount Global, he confirmed through his media company on Wednesday. This deal would also mean that Allen Media Group assumes Paramount’s roughly $15 billion debt load, valuing the shares at about a 50% premium to their recent trading prices. “We have more than enough capital available to us. The real challenge is certainty of close,” Allen said to CNBC. “This deal lives or dies at the [Federal Communications Commission],” he continued. Allen, who has been in the mix for many deals over the years, including for BET, ABC, the Denver Broncos, and the Washington Commanders, said he has not yet received a response from Paramount concerning this most recent offer.

Leagues Cup 2024 Groups Set; Introduces Tiered Ranking System

Although we’re still many months away from the Leagues Cup, MLS recently revealed more details about the summertime soccer tournament. Once again featuring 47 clubs — 18 from Liga MX and 29 from MLS — the tournament will introduce a new tiered ranking system, as well as hubs for the highest-ranked Liga MX clubs to reduce travel. MLS teams will be ranked based on the 2023 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, while Liga MX clubs will be ranked based on the cumulative 34 matches in the 2023 Clausura and Apertura. As for scheduling,  reigning champions Inter Miami begin its title defense against Mexican powerhouse Tigres. The Leagues Cup kicks off on July 26 and concludes with a final on Aug. 25.

Utah Jazz Get In on Stanley Cup Craze with Merch Deal

The Utah Jazz captured one of the hottest partnerships in the game — the NBA franchise and highly-coveted reusable cup brand Stanley announced a multi-year deal. The partnership will bring Jazz-branded Stanley merchandise to the masses and support future joint activations, focusing on sustainability. The viral success of Stanley’s Quencher cups led the company to increase its annual revenue tenfold in just four years, from $70 million to $750 million in 2023.

The post Usher, NFL Collaborate on Exclusive Merchandise Collection for Super Bowl LVIII appeared first on Boardroom.

Tom Brady has been rewriting the script on health and wellness for decades. He seemingly outlasted Father Time during his 23-year career. Now, he’s making a business move that mirrors the secret formula that kept his so successful for so long.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion’s nutrition and wellness company, TB12, and his Brady Brand apparel company have merged with Mike Repole’s performance training brand NOBULL. The deal brings the NFL GOAT’s core businesses under the NOBULL umbrella, the companies announced Tuesday.

Repole, the billionaire entrepreneur who co-founded and sold Glaceau’s Vitamin Water and Bodyarmor, described the combined company as a $250 million startup focusing on all aspects of wellness. That includes sneakers, apparel, nutrition, supplements, protein, and mental health guidance. In a conversation with Boardroom, Brady and Repole discussed the connection they built over the last two years, bonding over business, family, and shared values that ultimately led to the two partnering together.

“Being part of great teams is what has brought the most joy to my life,” Brady, who will be the company’s No. 2 shareholder behind Repole, told Boardroom, “and as I’ve transitioned from playing sports, I still want to be a part of a great team. Since the day I met Mike, I recognized him as an incredible leader and I wanted to join forces with him. This was the best opportunity to do it.”

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Repole’s Impact Capital bought a majority stake in NOBULL last July, falling in love with a company founded in 2015 by Marcus Wilson and Michael Schaffer, two former Reebok employees who initially focused on the CrossFit community and remain at the company. With its newest deal in place, The 55-year-old Repole believes the business is a lot more scalable as it expands its consumer base with Brady’s help. NOBULL recently ended a run of three seasons as the title sponsor for the CrossFit Games, but remains the title sponsor for the NFL scouting combine as well as a sponsor for New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, who the team drafted as Brady’s heir apparent.

Brady founded TB12 in 2013 with wellness coach and business partner Alex Guerrero. The company focuses on protein powder, electrolytes and supplements, marketing the sporting legend’s disciplined nutritional regiment and work ethic to the masses. Brady Brand launched in 2022, kicking off by signing 10 collegiate athletes to NIL deals, including Shedeur Sanders. Guerrero and the seven-time Super Bowl champion reportedly dissolved their business relationship in October. Brady will now focus on combining staffs with Repole to build an overarching wellness and lifestyle group that would help people become resilient and overcome adversity.

“What Tom has done with TB12 as a part-time entrepreneur, most brands would’ve never even made it this far,” Repole told Boardroom. “We see this as a bigger opportunity to take the brand to the next level.”

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Throughout his life and Hall of Fame 23-year career, Brady, 45, said he learned more from losing and encountering challenges than he did while winning. Helping people manage and cope with those tougher times to become the best versions of themselves will be major parts of the NOBULL platform.

“The ability to help people and build grit and resilience is the NOBULL mentality that will lead to this NOBULL lifestyle,” Repole said. “And Tom being the narrator of this lifestyle is going to be having an incredible impact globally for this brand and for people.”

Repole believes NOBULL’s disruption will be organic. It’s the first company he’s been a part of, he said, that doesn’t worry about financial goals. The vision and the mission are there, so the strategy, tactics, and execution will come with the combined forces of Repole and Brady’s respective companies and family offices working closely with one another and NOBULL’s experienced management team. The new NOBULL is all about, Repole said, helping people becoming better versions of themselves every day.

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Brady is just three years removed from winning his seventh championship and fifth Super Bowl MVP. His most recent ring came in the form of win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes goes for his third ring on Feb. 11 against a San Francisco 49ers squad led by a quarterback in Brock Purdy who, like Brady, was also a late round draft pick. Brady said he sees himself on both of this year’s big game signal callers.

“I’ve been where Brock’s been, and I’m fortunate to be where Patrick’s been, and I can definitely relate to both,” Brady said. “I have a lot of respect for Patrick and what he’s accomplished. He’s a real competitor. He is a winner. And there’s a part of this world that’s so self-focused right now, very self-serving. What I really respect about Patrick is he does the work, he puts the time in. And Brock in the same way. He’s got great values. The team cares about him. A lot of people talk a lot of shit about him, and he doesn’t seem to care. He just goes about his work and gets the job done.”

The Super Bowl will take place in Sin City for the first time, a city Brady personally invested in when he bought stakes in the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces last year. With 40 million visitors a year, he’s bullish on the city’s future as a major sports city.

“They’re trying to get a baseball team, they’re trying to get a basketball team. UFC is based there. There’s just a lot of great things happening,” Brady said. “It’s a great sports hub and hopefully we’ll continue to be for a long time.”

There’s also been plenty of speculation whether Brady would actually join FOX Sports as its lead analyst after he agreed to a reported 10-year, $375 million contract last February upon his second and final (we think) retirement. With FOX set to call Super Bowl LIX next year in New Orleans, the city and network where he played his first Super Bowl, Brady was asked if he expects to be on that broadcast.

“Oh you’re damn right I do,” he said. “And I can’t wait for it. The great John Madden was on the call [in the Patriots’ first win over the St. Louis Rams]. So it’s very meaningful to me.

“There’s a lot of time between now and then, and there’s a lot of goals I’m going to have to personally meet myself in order to be prepared for that. But I’m going to do it like I did everything else. I’m going to go work my ass off and show up every day and put the team first and be the best I can be for my teammates at FOX and hopefully provide the viewer a little different experience than they’ve had based on some of the experiences that I’ve had over the course of my 23-year playing career.”

It sounds like Brady is serious about his 2024 future both in the booth and in the boardroom as he dives headlong now into the second act of his public facing life.

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You may have been a sucker for Lady Gaga allegedly base-jumping off the scoreboard in Houston. You may have beamed at Super Bowl LVI’s hip-hop blowout in Inglewood starring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. You may believe — 100% correctly, to be clear — that Prince bringing the house down in Miami in 2007 owns eternal musical GOAT status for football’s biggest night.

But before Usher takes the stage in Las Vegas at the midpoint of Super Bowl LVIII between the 49ers and Chiefs, we’re not here to talk about nostalgia, hype, or even television ratings. With an assist from JeffBet.com, Boardroom got up close and personal with viewer data from the official NFL YouTube account to determine which performance owns the honest distinction of being the most-watched Super Bowl Halftime Show there is.

Click here to read Boardroom’s staff roundtable (with a special appearance by ChatGPT) about the past, present, and future of the Super Bowl Halftimes.

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What’s the Most-viewed Super Bowl Halftime Show of All Time?

Rankings based on official NFL YouTube viewership data via JeffBet.com.

1. Jennifer Lopez & Shakira

• Super Bowl LIV (2020)
• Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
• 302 million official YouTube views

Accept no substitutes! Just weeks before COVID-19 lockdowns put all of society and culture on pause, the Super Bowl let civilization as we knew it go out with a bang of the rarest tier.

2. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent

• Super Bowl LVI (2022)
• SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
• 251 million official YouTube views

We were promised a ton of star power, and we got it. They even decided to throw a bonus 50 Cent appearance in there for good measure.

Not a bad way to celebrate a Super Bowl in LA (even if you believe the tales that Dr. Dre wasn’t actually playing that piano).

Click here to watch the full Super Bowl LVI halftime performance on YouTube.

3. Rihanna

• Super Bowl LVII (2023)
• State Farm Stadium
• 207 million official YouTube views

The Rihanna Navy showed up as Apple took over the halftime show for the first time. Despite her laundry list of collabs, Rih put on the stunning performance solo, backed by hundreds of dancers and on-point choreography from Paris Goebel.

Plus, she debuted her baby bump, drawing a huge online response — and ensuring that her legions of fans would have to stay waiting for a new album.

Click here to watch Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII halftime performance on YouTube.

So, how about the rest of the top 10?

Top 10 Most-watched Super Bowl Halftime Show Performances

Data up to date as of Jan 29, 2024

*Exact video appears to have been removed from YouTube — number is valid as of Feb. 2024.

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The post What’s the Most-viewed Super Bowl Halftime Show of All Time? appeared first on Boardroom.

Trips to Las Vegas for Super Bowl 58 are on the line Sunday as the NFL’s two conference championship games take center stage.

First at 3 p.m. ET on CBS, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs visit presumptive 2023 MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Kansas City has reached the AFC title game in each of Mahomes’ six seasons as a starter, with three Super Bowl appearances and two championships to show for it. It’s Baltimore’s fifth conference championship appearance since moving from Cleveland in 1996, the last trip coming when the Ravens won it all 11 years ago.

Then, at 6:30 p.m. ET on Fox, Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the Detroit Lions look for their first-ever Super Bowl appearance as they take on Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and the San Francisco 49ers. Detroit’s Wild Card round win over the LA Rams was its first playoff win since 1992, the last time it made it this far with a 41-10 loss to Washington. Prior to the Super Bowl era, the Lions won NFL titles in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957 but have barely sniffed a postseason run this deep since.

The 49ers are a different story, reaching this stage in four of the last five seasons. They have just one Super Bowl appearance, a 2020 loss to Kansas City, to show for it in that span. Let’s dive into the many different angles Sunday’s action provides.

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NFL Championship Weekend: Top Conference Title Game Salaries & Incentives

Chiefs vs. Ravens

• Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore: $80 million
• Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City: $59.35 million
• Roquan Smith, LB, Baltimore: $27 million
• Chris Jones, DE, Kansas City: $21.67 million
• Jawaan Taylor, LT, Kansas City: $20 million

Per Spotrac’s 2023 cash rankings, Jackson and Mahomes are the NFL’s two highest-paid players this season. And it’s Jackson, not Mahomes, who was named as one of the five MVP finalists. Since Jones was named first-team All-Pro, a Chiefs win would earn him a $1 million bonus.

Lions vs. 49ers

• Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco: $51.01 million
• Jared Goff, QB, Detroit: $25.98 million
• Javon Hargrave, DT, San Francisco: $24.93 million
• Trent Williams, LT, San Francisco: $20.12 million
• Charvarius Ward, CB, San Francisco: $14 million

While not on this list, Purdy and McCaffrey are the only teammates among the NFL’s MVP finalists. While CMC is eighth on the team with a $12 million salary this season, Purdy’s $870,000 has him tied for 46th on the 49ers. Per CBS, Goff would receive $945,000 for playing 1% of snaps in a Lions Super Bowl appearance, meaning a ton is on the line Sunday in Santa Clara.

Betting Angles via FanDuel SportsBook

First of all, Boardroom partnered with our friends at FanDuel SportsBook for the Brand Builders Parlay, a four-leg bet for Sunday’s games centered around players whose off-field endorsements and investments are as impressive as their on-field excellence. On the FanDuel app, you’ll be able to ride Jackson, Kelce, McCaffrey, and George Kittle to victory (bet responsibly, please!). A few other notes to watch out for:

• San Francisco has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six home games. The Niners are seven-point favorites against Detroit.
• Over the last three years, home teams have won 55.4% of NFL games. That number drops to 40.8% in games refereed by Shawn Smith, per Sharp Football, the lead official for the Chiefs-Ravens game.
• Baltimore is favored by 3.5 points on Sunday, just the sixth time in Mahomes’ career his team is a three-plus point underdog. The Chiefs are 5-0 in those previous games.

Other Entertaining Game Notes

• The Ravens are going all out Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are Sunday’s legends of the game. Jonathan Ogden will be the honorary captain. Michael Phelps will deliver the game ball. And T-Pain will perform at halftime.
• CBS Sports contributing analyst JJ Watt joins CBS’ two-hour pregame show live from Baltimore. The show will feature taped interview segments with KC’s Isiah Pacheco and Baltimore’s Zay Flowers.
• Sunday evening’s game at Levi’s Stadium will mark a milestone for both the Niners and the denim purveyors. Thursday, the 49ers and Levi’s announced a 10-year, $170 million naming rights extension running through the 2043 season. So even if the Niners lose, they’re already monetary winners this weekend.

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The post Salaries, Stats, and Strategic Wagers — All the Smoke for NFL Championship Weekend appeared first on Boardroom.

Four NFL teams are now just one win away from reaching Super Bowl LVIII next month in Las Vegas.

The AFC Championship pits Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on the road in Baltimore against the top-seeded Ravens. The NFC championship has the Detroit Lions looking to make their first-ever Super Bowl appearance on the road against the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers.

And not only are the players competing this weekend dominant on the field — with a combined 26 Pro Bowl selections this season between the four semifinalists — there are plenty of superstars off the field with expansive investment and endorsement portfolios.

In collaboration with our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook, we put together a four-leg parlay fans can wager on Sunday on the FanDuel Sportsbook App and retail locations across the country. The Boardroom Brand Builders Parlay celebrates four successful entrepreneurs who can help you score big this weekend during the conference championship games.

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Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

The overwhelming favorite to win his second career MVP award, Jackson is also a budding restauranteur. The South Florida native owns Play Action Soulfood And More in his hometown of Pompano Beach. In 2022, he filed a trademark for “You 8 yet?” to combine his food business with his Ravens jersey number.

Other pending trademarks, per Gerben Law, include “Truzz” for film, music, and video production, “Era 8” for athletic bags and apparel as part of his Era 8 apparel company, and other clothing marks like “you’re gonna get a bowl out of me” and “not bad for a running back.” The 27-year-old is also the face of Status Pro’s officially licensed NFL VR video game, NFL Pro Era, and has endorsement deals with Oakley, among other brands.

Even without an agent, Jackson negotiated a five-year, $260 million contract extension with Baltimore with $185 million guaranteed and a $52 million annual average salary that was the highest in the league upon signing. A win on Sunday gets Lamar to his first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

Boardroom Bet: 50+ rushing yards (-270 via FanDuel Sportsbook)

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

If you’re reading this, you probably know Kelce has been everywhere this season.

His New Heights podcast with his football-playing brother Jason reigns atop the Apple podcast charts among all categories, not just in sports. Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift helped his social media following explode across the board and also improved his visibility to appear in even more NFL commercials than Chiefs teammate Patrick Mahomes and even Jake from State Farm.

You can catch Kelce pitching insurance for State Farm, touting vaccines for Pfizer, slinging satellite for DirecTV, selling soup for Campbell’s, hawking home improvement for Lowe’s, and improving credit with Experian. The New York Times recently profiled Kelce’s business managers, André and Aaron Eanes, and their yearslong plan to make the 34-year-old tight end as famous as The Rock. That included launching a clothing line, hosting Saturday Night Live, and a portfolio of more than two dozen investments, including the Alpine Formula 1 team, ZenWTR, Draftea, Kodiak Cakes, and Hydrow, per Crunchbase. He also recently applied for trademarks ranging from apparel to cereal.

A win over Baltimore on Sunday would mark Kelce’s fourth Super Bowl appearance as he looks for his third NFL title.

Boardroom Bet: Anytime touchdown (+115 via FanDuel Sportsbook)

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

While the photogenic 27-year-old star of the NFC’s top seed may not be as popular of a pitchman as Kelce, McCaffrey stars in more than his fair share of commercials as an endorser. During the football season, you may have seen CMC in ads for Visa and Lowe’s. But he’s also dabbled in investments, joining Hyperice in their Series A round in 2020 and Pair Eyewear in funding rounds in 2021 and 2023.

On Friday, McCaffrey reportedly signed an endorsement deal with online retailer Brookstone to be the face of their brand through fall 2025. He also has deals with Nike, Bodyarmor, and Flag Anthem, among others. And McCaffrey has a celebrity starlet of his own, announcing his engagement to actress, model, and influencer Olivia Culpo back in April.

CMC is just one home win away from his first Super Bowl appearance and the Niners’ second in five years.

Boardroom Bet: Anytime touchdown (-370 via FanDuel Sportsbook)

George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

The charismatic 30-year-old tight end has his hands in a bunch of endorsement and investment projects as he looks to help get the Niners over the hump in their third straight conference championship game appearance and fourth in five years.

In addition to ongoing commercial spots for Little Caesars, Bud Light, and others, Kittle recently collaborated with Apple to promote its original film “The Family Plan,” one of many paid social posts for his 1.3 million Instagram followers. Those posts also include deals with Alka-Seltzer and TechnoGym, supplementing a wide-ranging PepsiCo endorsement contract that includes pitching Gatorade and Frito-Lay products. He’s also collaborated on product lines with his wife Claire for Zenni Optical, Chubbies, Levi’s, and more.

Kittle also founded Tight End University in 2021 along with Kelce and Greg Olsen, an annual three-day immersive program to bring the tight end community together. From film study, on-field drills, bonding, and charity initiatives, TEU has become a unique tradition that’s quickly become a cultural football staple. With a good game and a win, Kittle could pay huge dividends for both you and the 49ers.

Boardroom Bet: 50+ receiving yards (-192 via FanDuel Sportsbook)

All combined — a big day on the ground for Lamar, a few long catches for Kittle, and trips to the end zone for Kelce and McCaffrey could mean good things for your FanDuel account come Sunday night. Here’s your 4-leg parlay odds, according to FanDuel Sportsbook:

Boardroom Brand Builders Parlay Total: +479

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The post Boardroom Brand Builders Parlay: A 4-Leg Play for NFL Conference Championships from FanDuel appeared first on Boardroom.

The 2023-24 NFL season didn’t exactly pan out how Kirk Cousins imagined, ending in Week 8 after tearing his Achilles when the Minnesota Vikings visited NFC North rival Green Bay. Even so, the quarterback is looking ahead with renewed confidence.

“Yeah, we’re about 2.5 months into the process after surgery. Every day, every week, I get a little better,” said the 12-year veteran when asked how recovery is going. “But I’m feeling good. We’re on schedule, and I was told that the process would be full of ups and downs, kind of like the stock market. However, it’s been a bull market for me. It’s been a positive deal since surgery, which is exciting.”

Until his injury, the 35-year-old Cousins was having an enviable season, completing 69.5% of his throws for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He was tied for the most touchdown passes and was second in passing yards in the league when he got hurt.

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Cousins’ absence for the rest of the year was felt by the Vikings, especially since the NFC North has gained reasonable attention for being one of the more fun divisions to watch this season — Detroit Lions and the Packers will face off in divisional round games this weekend.

Cousins acknowledged the league is always changing, and the NFC North’s dominance was seemingly inevitable after various roster moves over the last few years.

“The NFC North is a great example of where two, maybe three years ago, it was Aaron Rodgers winning the MVP for the Packers. The Lions were building something, and now, the Lions win the division. The Packers are a younger team, and even the Bears are a defense force. So it’s a league constantly changing, and our division is no different, and I think that’s what makes it so fun to watch.”

When the Washington Commanders selected Cousins in the fourth round of the 2012 draft, nothing was really promised for a rookie who led the Big Ten in pass completions, pass attempts, and passing yards in 2011 while at Michigan State. However, Cousins has solidified himself as a true QB1 in this league, and he has four Pro Bowl selections to prove it.

“I remember putting on a pro helmet the first practice and thinking, “If I don’t make a pass today and they cut me, at least I got to wear a helmet one day.’ Now I look back, and I’m just so grateful for this opportunity to live this dream. I’m hoping there’s more up ahead, too, but what a privilege to be able to live out your dream the way I’ve been able to.

“When I arrived in Washington and met my coaches Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan, Matt LaFleur, and Sean McVay, I realized I’m in a special place. And it was a really cool opportunity to learn from them and to develop as a quarterback there and also to be in Washington DC, a place that, to this day, I still really miss and love. I was so fortunate to have it end up the way it did for me.”

There’s been minor discourse concerning Cousins’ future in Minnesota. His current contract with the Vikings is set to expire in March after the Illinois native signed a one-year, $35 million extension with the team last offseason. As for where he forecasts playing next year, Cousins was mum about a final destination but reiterated that he’s not ready to leave the game yet.

“Football has kind of brought our family to experiences and places that we never would’ve had if not for playing this great game. So, we’re excited to kind of see where this journey takes us next,” he said.

While Cousins and the Vikings won’t be playing in the Super Bowl next month, the QB will still have a presence after teaming up with Tostitos for its SBLVIII campaign.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tostitos (@tostitos)

Fans who follow Tostitos on Instagram and like the collaboration post between the company and Cousins, while also commenting on their favorite game-day dish with the #TostbyTostitos and #Entry hashtags, will be entered to win Super Bowl tickets, travel, and accommodations to Las Vegas. The winners will also get a VIP reservation at the Tost by Tostitos pop-up restaurant with tableside service from a professional chef and Cousins himself. He admittedly “doesn’t do spicy very well,” but Cousins assured Boardroom there are plates to satisfy all palates.

As for who he projects could be playing nearby at Allegiant Field in the big game, after some slight hesitation, there’s one team in particular that still looks promising in Cousins’ eyes.

“I think the Kansas City Chiefs have always kind of been the favorite last few years with being at home and having such convincing wins all season long,” he said. “But who knows, we could be seeing two teams in the Super Bowl that haven’t been there in a really long time, which I think could be a lot of fun.”

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The post Can’t Keep Kirk Cousins Down appeared first on Boardroom.

On Tuesday, the NFL revealed the artists who will grace the stage ahead of Super Bowl LVIII. Reba McEntire will perform the national anthem, while Post Malone is set to sing “America the Beautiful.” Andra Day will deliver a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” on Feb. 11 from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The halftime performance will be delivered by Usher, which was previously announced. Scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS has the broadcast rights to this year’s showdown and there will be an alternative, youth-friendly broadcast on Nickelodeon. The Super Bowl will also be streamed live on Paramount+.

Former Milwaukee Bucks Exec Raven Jemison Selected as Next President of KC Current

The Kansas City Current has appointed Raven Jemison as its next president, the NWSL club announced Thursday. Jemison arrives in KC after a three-year stint as the Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Bucks. Jemison’s career in sports dates back to the NHL. She jumpstarted her career as a Client Services Manager for the Florida Panthers. She also boasts stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco 49ers, as well as the NBA, where she joined its Team Marketing & Business Operations department. Allison Howard, who has served as the Current’s president for the past two seasons, has moved to a new position as Advisor to the Board for the club.

OpenAI Links with Arizona State University as First-ever Postsecondary Partner

Arizona State University announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with OpenAI, allowing the school full use of the company’s flagship software, ChatGPT. “Our collaboration with OpenAI reflects our philosophy and our commitment to participating directly to the responsible evolution of AI learning technologies,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. Come February, ASU will invite faculty and staff to submit methods to implement the use of ChatGPT Enterprise. ChatGPT has been controversial in academic spaces, given that one use case could be to produce a term-paper length document simply by asking a question. The partnership, which has been in the works for six months, will focus on increasing student success, finding new avenues for research, enhancing tutoring opportunities, and streamlining processes.

Aly Raisman Joins ESPN as Gymnastics Analyst

In her first foray into television commentary, two-time U.S. Olympian Aly Raisman will join ESPN as a gymnastics analyst. The three-time Olympic gold medalist will call her first meet alongside fellow U.S. Olympian John Roethlisberger on Friday when No. 6 Kentucky and No. 8 LSU meet at 9 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. Raisman captained the gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016 and is the third most decorated American gymnast of all time. “It’s been so fun to watch these incredible athletes and see how much gymnastics continues to grow. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and the opportunity to try something different within the sport,” Raisman said in a statement confirming the news.

Kith Collabs with Bose for Fashion-forward Headphone Design

Bose and Kith are joining forces to launch the limited-edition Kith for Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. The new buds feature an ingenious cuff-shaped design with polished, soft edges. The devices provide comfort for all-day wear and arrive in a sleek matte black colorway co-designed by the two brands, with each earbud showcasing a uniquely altered Kith logo in Bose’s iconic block lettering. The Kith for Bose Ultra Open Earbuds will be available for $300 starting Monday, Jan. 22nd in limited quantities exclusively on Kith.com and in select Kith stores.

Tyler, the Creator Tops 2023 Rap Vinyl Sales

Tyler, the Creator has been named 2023’s best-selling rapper on vinyl, selling 552,000 units. That number not only makes him the best-selling rapper of the year but also 2023’s best-selling male artist and third best-selling artist overall. Sales of vinyl made up 47.1% of all sales in the U.S. last year, and 57% of all physical albums sold. A total of 49.61 million vinyl records were sold in the U.S. last year, reflecting a 14.2% increase from 2022’s 43.46 million. Other hip-hop musicians to crack last year’s top 10 include Travis Scott at No. 4 with 474,000 units sold, Kendrick Lamar at No. 6 with 382,000 albums, and the late Mac Miller at No. 10 with 354,000 records.

The post Reba McEntire, Post Malone & Andra Day Set For Super Bowl Pre-game Performances appeared first on Boardroom.

If you’re a fan of closely contested NFL playoff games, you were largely disappointed over the long holiday weekend.

Aside from the Detroit Lions‘ thrilling 1-point win over the Los Angeles Rams in their first postseason game at home in 30 years, the Super Wild Card round wasn’t competitive. Houston blew out Cleveland, Kansas City froze out Miami, Green Bay destroyed Dallas on the road, Buffalo had little trouble with Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay cemented Philadelphia‘s nosedive.

Since the NFL expanded the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams in 2020, only nine of the 24 Super Wild Card games were decided by a touchdown or less, 37.5%. That’s nearly 10 percentage points less than the number of close games during the 2023 regular season, when 128 of the 272 games were decided by 7 points or less, a 47% clip.

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The bottom line is that, on the field, the NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend has resulted in a Subpar Wild Card Weekend. Off the field, however, it’s no surprise that the two extra playoff games have been a financial boon for the league.

Having six games in the first round instead of four allows the NFL to placate its four linear TV partners — CBS, NBC, Fox, and ABC/ESPN. It also gives the league more room to experiment and innovate, taking $110 million from NBC to broadcast Saturday night’s Chiefs-Dolphins ice bowl on Peacock, the first exclusive streaming playoff game in NFL history.

The plan clearly worked.

Nielsen said that 23 million viewers tuned into the blowout, the most streamed live TV event in US history, though that number includes linear viewers in the two local markets and the NFL+ audience. That number was up 6% from last year’s NBC-only playoff game, with a likely jump in subscriber growth that will make every streamer salivating at the thought of getting in on the action.

It won’t be long before more playoff games are on Paramount+, ESPN+, and Amazon’s Prime Video, as it’s a win-win situation — the two extra games make it vastly easier for the NFL to say “yes” to its media partners, and the league keeps everyone happy.

Eyes Always on the NFL

History shows that people will tune in to the NFL, as the league dominates the list of most-watched US sporting events ever.

Check it out!

Having one more playoff team per conference gives more teams hope during the regular season and provides a greater incentive to gun for the top seed with just one bye total per conference. But the current postseason structure is coming at the expense of the Wild Card round.

While the seventh-seeded Packers were a great story that wouldn’t have had the opportunity in the previous playoff system, they were the only road team to win over the weekend. In the 14-team playoff era, home teams won 16 of the 24 Super Wild Card games. The numbers would suggest that, competitively, going back to 12 teams would make first-round games better.

Given how much more money the league makes now during the current format, reducing playoff teams will never happen. But if the playoffs remain the same as currently constructed, four years of data shows that you’re just not going to get great Wild Card round games.

Viewership remains sky-high. Dallas’ flop on Sunday got 40 million viewers on Fox, up 20% from its similar window last year. Streaming-only playoff games gives the NFL yet another nine-figure source of revenue while spreading the inventory among its media partners.

The games on the field may not be competitive compared to the regular season, but the NFL isn’t really incentivized to care. The Subpar Wild Card Weekend era is here to stay, and it doesn’t seem like the NFL’s tens of millions of fans really mind at all.

Business is booming, good games be damned.

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The post The NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend Problem appeared first on Boardroom.

There’s no shortage of key storylines as the NFL kicks off the playoffs with six games over three days as part of its holiday Wild Card Weekend.

We’ve got Tyreek Hill playing his former team in the playoffs as the Miami Dolphins visit the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Detroit Lions won a division title for the first time in 30 years, and their reward is a battle against longtime former Lions QB Matthew Stafford, now leading the Los Angeles Rams. Mike McCarthy won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and now has to face them as Dallas Cowboys head coach.

Weather will also play a major factor in a pair of AFC matchups. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the single digits Saturday night in Kansas City, with a wind chill well into the negatives. In Buffalo, a state of emergency is in effect with a snowstorm expected to hit the area and winds gusting to 50 miles per hour leading into Sunday’s Bills home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From media to betting, mixed with a few important incentives, here’s everything you need to watch out for Wild Card Weekend in the NFL.

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NBC, Peacock Making History

For the first time in NFL history, a playoff game will be exclusively broadcast on a streaming service. NBC reportedly paid $110 million for Saturday night’s Chiefs–Dolphins Wild Card matchup to only be on its Peacock streaming service, except for the involved local markets. Like its December regular-season exclusive between the Bills and Chargers, the fourth quarter will be commercial-free (perhaps more time to pan the cameras Taylor Swift‘s way).

NBC clearly hopes the game will drive permanent subscribers, or perhaps at least people who sign up for a free trial and forget to cancel the subscription later on. Other networks will be closely watching how many tune in Saturday night, with ESPN‘s ESPN+, CBS‘ Paramount+, Fox‘s Tubi, and Amazon Prime Video likely itching to be the next streamer to get a postseason game.

And if this works in the NFL, where there are fewer playoff games, you can imagine that Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max and ESPN+ will angle for exclusively streamed NBA playoff games soon, perhaps with baseball and hockey not far behind. It seems hard to slam the streaming playoff door shut unless Saturday’s experiment yields disastrous results.

Top Betting Trends to Watch

Without going too far into the weeds, here are some betting splits and trends to watch courtesy of our friends at FanDuel SportsBook:

• An overwhelming 80% of the money is on the Cleveland Browns to cover 2.5 Saturday afternoon in Houston against the Texans. Bettors love a David Njoku anytime touchdown at +180.
• In frigid temperatures, 83% of the money is on the Chiefs -230 to beat the Dolphins. Isiah Pacheco over 64.5 rushing yards is one of FanDuel‘s most popular player props.
• With Buffalo favored by 10, the largest spread this weekend, a lot of money is on Pittsburgh at favorable odds. Steelers +400 moneyline is getting 41% of the money, and Pittsburgh +10 is at 44% as bettors see strong value.
• While a whopping 69% of bets are on Green Bay at +265 to upset Dallas, 64% of the money is on Dallas to hold serve at home at -335. A CeeDee Lamb anytime touchdown at -160 and Jordan Love over 22.5 pass completion are popular player props here.
• Monday night’s game of the free-falling Philadelphia Eagles visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has bettors split on the outcome. While 63% of the money is on Philly to cover the 3-point spread, 55% of the money is on Tampa to pull the home upset at +134.

3 Key Monetary Incentives

After a slew of players cashed in on contract incentives in Week 18, three quarterbacks have a little extra individual motivation to win this weekend, per Spotrac. Joe Flacco earns an extra $250,000 if the Browns win at the Texans, Love would receive $500,000 if Green Bay wins and he plays 65% of the offensive snaps, and Baker Mayfield gets $250,000 if Tampa beats Philadelphia and he plays 75% of the offensive snaps.

Enjoy this weekend’s games!

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The post NFL Wild Card Weekend: All Eyes on Peacock’s Exclusive Chiefs-Dolphins Stream appeared first on Boardroom.

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have decided to part ways after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles together. Now, the team has reportedly found its successor right in its home locker room. Former Patriot standout — and current linebackers coach — Jerod Mayo will take over the head coaching position, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Patriots side-stepped interviewing rules, as they implemented the path to the succession plan last year when Mayo crafted his extension with the team. The news is expected to be confirmed next week in a team press conference. In addition to six Lombardi trophies won, Belichick led the Patriots to 333 career victories (including playoffs), 17 AFC East division titles, the most by a head coach in league history, and nine conference championships, the most by a head coach in the Super Bowl era. “I will always be a Patriot,” Belichick said at a Thursday press conference. “I look forward to coming back here. But at this time, we’re going to move on. I’m excited about the future.” Mayo will become the first Black head coach in New England Patriots history.

Google Lays Off Hundreds; Fitbit Co-founders Also Leave Company

Google has laid off hundreds of employees across its hardware, voice assistance, and engineering teams as part of increased cost-cutting measures, the tech corporation confirmed to Reuters on Thursday. As of September 2023, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, had 182,381 employees worldwide. Additionally, the co-founders of Fitbit — Google bought Fitbit in 2021 for $2.1 billion — James Park and Eric Friedman are also leaving the company. The cuts continue a recent trend of tech layoffs after large companies such as Google, Meta, and Amazon started 2024 by dismissing hundreds of their own respective employees recently.

Bears, Vikings, Jaguars to Host NFL London Games in 2024; Panthers Headed to Munich

On Thursday, the NFL announced the “home” teams for the league’s European games during the 2024 season. London will feature separate games with the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings hosting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while the Jacksonville Jaguars will play at Wembley Stadium. The league’s final international contest of the 2024 campaign will see the Carolina Panthers travel to Munich. Their respective opponents, kickoff times, and dates will be announced this spring. NFL clubs recently voted to increase league-operated international games from four to up to eight in a season, beginning in 2025.

MLS Introduces Innovation Lab to Team Up with Startups

Major League Soccer wants to allow aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their ingenious products. On Thursday, the league unveiled the MLS Innovation Lab, a program permitting startups the league could potentially invest in to demonstrate their products in front of league and team executives at three key events. After whittling the list of small businesses down to six for Thursday’s announcement, three of them will advance to MLS All-Star in Columbus this July, where they’ll present to the MLS Board of Governors. Once the league selects which companies to invest in, the process of selecting applicants will restart in the fall.

Boardroom’s Shlomo Sprung spoke with league executives about the MLS Innovation Lab, including highlighting the six startups that made the cut.

NBA Draft Reportedly Split Into 2 Days, Pending NBPA Approval

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the 2024 NBA Draft is preparing to move to two days on June 26-27. However, Woj added that the league is still working on the approval of the Players Association. Should the league receive final sign-off, 2024 would mark the first multi-day draft in the history of the NBA. Commissioner Adam Silver teased that this change was coming during an interview with SiriusXM NBA in December, naming off the benefits, such as time for announcers and the media to better understand who those players are, among other advantages.

US Consumer Prices Rise More than Expected in December, CPI Closes 2024 up 3.4%

According to data released Thursday by the Labor Department, US consumer prices grew slightly faster in December, capping off a year that saw plummeting inflation. Per the posted earnings summary, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the average price changes for commonly purchased goods and services, rose 0.3% in December from November, slightly higher than the projected 0.2%. Overall, in 2023, the CPI closed up 3.4%. 

The post Jerod Mayo Reportedly in Line to Take Over the Patriots Head Coaching Position appeared first on Boardroom.

Last year, FanDuel’s first-ever Super Bowl commercial featured Rob Gronkowski attempting a field goal live on air. The “Kick Of Destiny” campaign kicked off with the NFL playoffs, leading to a 25-yard attempt during the third quarter.

The kick? It started strong, but the wind pushed it wide left, which was no good.

But FanDuel is giving Gronk a second chance with “Kick Of Destiny 2,” the company announced Tuesday. Gronkowski’s attempt will come right before the kickoff of Super Bowl LVIII, and this time, it’ll be done in front of a live audience.

FanDuel SportsBook customers can make a free make-or-miss pick, with correct guessers getting a share of $10 million in free wagers for the big game. FanDuel TV’s Kay Adams will be the commentator during the 30-second spot, culminating another branded postseason campaign.

“I can’t lie — when I missed the Kick of Destiny during last year’s Super Bowl, it was devastating. I told the team at FanDuel I knew I could do better and needed a shot at redemption this year,” Gronkowski said. “I’m going to show America I can make that kick, even with all the pressure of doing it live in front of the entire country. No wind is going to stop me, and we’re going through the uprights this year for everyone who picks that I’m going to make the kick.” 

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The first “Kick Of Destiny 2” teaser opens with Gronk in the desert, looking devastated after the missed kick and searching for redemption. Iconic actor Carl Weathers serves as his new coach as he makes friends and enemies along the way, including John Cena, who can’t wait for the legendary tight end to mess it up all over again.

“I rarely get to play the villain, so I’m ready to fully embrace this role,” Cena said. “I remember watching Gronk’s kick last year and am so excited to be working with a brand like FanDuel to make this sports moment more exciting for their fans, but do I think he’s going to make it? No chance!”

Fans can track Gronk’s progress on FanDuel’s Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts.

“Last year’s Kick of Destiny campaign saw tremendous engagement from our customers as they were captivated with what would happen during our live Super Bowl commercial,” Andrew Sneyd, FanDuel’s executive vice president of marketing, said.

“With the introduction of the Make or Miss free pick function and Rob’s desire for redemption, this year will be even more exciting for FanDuel customers. Rob is an authentic embodiment of the FanDuel fan, passionate, entertaining, and trailblazing. And we’re ready to make history, again.”

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March 21, 2024

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The post Gronk Gets Shot at Redemption in FanDuel Super Bowl Commercial appeared first on Boardroom.

The NFL has dominated television in recent years, and 2023’s ratings are strong proof. Sportico recently published Nielson data of last year’s television viewership, and sporting events were 96 of the top 100 most-watched TV broadcasts of 2023. Of those 96 telecasts, 93 were NFL games, most watched in real-time. The Dallas Cowboys were the biggest ratings drivers, recording an average draw of 25.2 million viewers per game across 13 national TV appearances. The most-viewed program in 2023 was the Super Bowl LVII thriller between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, drawing over 115 million viewers.

Utah Jazz, Shaun White’s WHITESPACE Collab on Snowboard & Apparel Collection

On Friday, the Utah Jazz and WHITESPACE, the active lifestyle brand founded by three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, announced a new collection to honor the 50th season of the Jazz franchise while celebrating White‘s prolific snowboarding career. The limited-release capsule comprises four jackets and three snowboards, which feature WHITESPACE and Jazz imagery. Priced at $800 and $500 for the snowboards and jackets, respectively, products will be available exclusively in person at the Utah Jazz team store inside the Delta Center on Jan. 11.

White joined Boardroom’s Out of Office to reflect on life post-competition, the development of WHITESPACE, and much more.

Stephen Curry Assists Callaway Golf in Uninterrupted Coverage of The Sentry

Callaway Golf will provide uninterrupted coverage of the final hour of The Sentry broadcast live on Golf Channel and Peacock, with the coverage getting a kick-start with a personal welcome from Callaway ambassador, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. Sunday’s continual coverage of the final round of the first PGA Tour event of the 2024 season is scheduled to begin around 7 p.m. ET, with Curry getting the show started. The four-time NBA Finals champion will promote the new Chrome Tour golf ball, officially released by Callaway on Wednesday. Last June, Callaway presented uninterrupted final-hour coverage of the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on NBC and Peacock.

Former WNBA Player, NCAA Coach Raegan Pebley Named New LA Sparks GM

The Los Angeles Sparks announced Friday the hiring of former WNBA player Raegan Pebley as general manager, replacing Karen Bryant, who will focus solely on the team’s business operations. Drafted by the Utah Starzz as the 21st overall pick in the 1997 draft, Pebley played in the WNBA from 1997-98. She was a TV analyst for the Dallas Wings from 2016-23 and served on the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association board from 2018-23. As a head coach, Pebley boasts stints at Utah State, Fresno State, and most recently, nine seasons at TCU, finishing with an overall record of 283-268. The Sparks have the No. 2 & 12 overall picks in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

US Jobs Increase by 216K in December, Beating Economists’ Projections

Employers added 216,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7%, the US Labor Department said on Friday. CNBC notes that this beats Wall Street economists surveyed by Dow Jones, who had only predicted a 170,000 increase in payroll. The most significant job increases in Friday’s report were seen in government, where 52,000 jobs were added. Meanwhile, healthcare added 38,000 jobs. Considering amendments to previous months’ counts, the report brought 2023 job gains to 2.7 million, or a monthly average of 225,000, down from 4.8 million (399,000/month) in 2022.

Fat Joe, Jelly Roll, Wyclef Jean to Advocate For Healthcare Transparency in DC

Fat Joe, Jelly Roll, and Wyclef Jean announced plans on Friday to team up with Power To The Patients for an event in Washington, DC, on Jan. 10 to advocate for a more affordable and equitable healthcare system through price transparency. Joined by leaders in Congress and other government officials, the artists will shed light on injustices created when hospitals and insurers hide prices, which stifles competition and leads to other problems. Fat Joe will also serve as emcee, while Jelly Roll and Wyclef Jean will perform. This event follows a September 2023 effort where Joe tapped Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, French Montana, Method Man, and Chuck D to unveil a PSA demanding elected officials commit to price transparency to allow for more honest, affordable, and equitable healthcare nationwide.

The post NFL Records 93 of 100 Most-watched US TV Broadcasts in 2023 appeared first on Boardroom.

This article originally appeared at FanDuel Research.

This final week of the NFL regular season is here. Strap in — we could be in for a wild ride.

As has become a Week 18 tradition, the gridiron action will get started on Saturday rather than Thursday or Sunday. Fortunately for fans and bettors alike, Saturday offers an AFC doubleheader that is intrinsically linked to postseason ramifications.

First up, it will be a rivalry clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. For Pittsburgh to have any playoff hopes, they’ll need to win in B-More at “The Bank.” Still, being that the AFC No. 1 seed is cemented, can we count on Lamar Jackson playing in this contest?

For Saturday’s nightcap, the AFC South will be on primetime display. With playoff hopes on the line, the Houston Texans will visit the Indianapolis Colts. Naturally, the winner here punches their playoff ticket while the loser will begin preparing for the offseason.

With a few days to spare, let’s dive into the odds and lines for Saturday, placing emphasis on the most valuable of the traditional betting markets.

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. Lines may change after this article is published.

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NFL Betting Picks (1/6/24)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
• Spread: PIT -4 (-110)
• Moneyline: PIT -200/BAL +168
• Total: 35.5

As one of the most physical NFL rivalries of the modern era, the Steelers and Ravens will get together to close out the regular season in Baltimore. Notably, the Ravens waited until Wednesday to decide if MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson (-20000) would play in Week 18; it has now been confirmed that he will be out (rest).

With Lamar sitting, and Pittsburgh the only side with something to play for in this game, the Steelers are now favored to win on the road by more than a field goal. That brings in Tyler Huntley to take the snaps for Baltimore while Mason Rudolph will continue starting for the Black and Yellow. So, who has the edge?

Again, Pittsburgh has everything to play for in this regular-season finale. Conversely, the Ravens are simply looking to keep their best players healthy. Baltimore may already have an eye on the playoffs, but if you know this rivalry, I would not expect “the Flock” to take it all lightly.

Through 2023, Baltimore boasted the top scoring defense in the NFL (16.4 PPG allowed). Even before head coach John Harbaugh arrived in Maryland in 2008, aggressive D has long been a staple of Ravens football. Naturally, the same can be said about the Steelers. Even in a down year, Pittsburgh has held opponents to just 19.6 PPG (seventh-best).

Best Bet: Under 36.5 (-112)

In the modern era of this rivalry, we typically do not see both sides score 20 or more points. Of course, Baltimore and Pittsburgh have already met once this season. Back in October, the Steel Curtain grounded the Ravens, winning at home 17-10. Being that I am eager to play under 36.5 for this Saturday’s clash, a result like Week 5 would do just fine.

Further back, the last six Steelers-Ravens meetings have produced an average total of 31.2 PPG. Of course, it is a game that is annually known as the hardest hitting of the season. From there, the forecast in Baltimore on Saturday brings a 65% chance of showers along with temperatures in the upper 30 degrees — not exactly ample scoring weather.

All that considered, I like under 36.5 here. Also, I fully anticipate T.J. Watt to make a game-changing play. Bold, right?

Which Players Have Cash on the Line During Week 18?

The final games of the 2023 regular season are about more than just playoff seeding. Boardroom breaks down the NFL players with contract incentives at stake in Week 18.

Check it out!

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
• Spread: HOU -1.5 (-104)
• Moneyline: HOU -118/IND +100
• Total: 47.5 (-105/-115)

In what is essentially a do-or-die game for both sides, the Texans will head north to Indy for their second meeting with the Colts.

The first time around (Week 2 in Houston), Indianapolis cruised behind two rushing touchdowns from rookie signal-caller Anthony Richardson, winning 31-20. Of course, Richardson is still rehabbing from season-ending shoulder surgery, so the Gardner Minshew show will continue.

On the other side, Houston still has the luxury of their first-year quarterback, C.J. Stroud. Stroud had a phenomenal season, rook or not. At FanDuel Sportsbook, the Ohio State alum yields -850 odds to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Simply, Stroud has been incredibly efficient behind a 21:5 TD-INT ratio and has a quality shot to go over 4,000 yards passing on the campaign (needing 156 through the air on Saturday).

We should have a scratch-and-claw meeting in Indy. In what will be a contentious divisional series for years to come, this game will decide who sets the tone in said rivalry. Remember, this one also features two first-year head coaches in DeMeco Ryans and Shane Steichen — both men are contenders to win COTY at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Best Bet: Colts +1.5 (-118)

Push will come to shove at Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend. Admittedly, it is a tough game to gauge, but taking the points on the hometown Colts feels most wise. Indy has been a top-10 scoring offense this year, producing 23.6 PPG. In their own building, that clip is amped up to 26.5 PPG. Largely, tailbacks Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss along with receiver Michael Pittman have led the charge. The trio has combined for 18 TDs in 2023.

Still, the Colts will have to slow down the Texans’ dynamic passing attack. Truthfully, Houston does not run the ball very well (averaging just 3.8 YPC), but Stroud has developed a solid rapport with pass catchers Nico Collins (15.5 YPR) and Dalton Schultz (5 TDs). However, speedster Tank Dell has been out since Week 13 with a broken leg.

At numberFire, the NFL game projections show an estimated score of 23.06-22.51 in favor of the Colts. If you’re interested in what the public is doing, the Texans have received much greater support on the moneyline and against the spread at FanDuel Sportsbook. Even so, I’m on Indy with the points this Saturday night — let’s hope for a fun one!

– Gabriel Santiago

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The post NFL Odds Week 18: Breaking Down the Saturday Slate appeared first on Boardroom.

@boardroom The Cleveland Browns have an interesting dilemma on their hands. #joeflacco #deshaunwatson #clevelandbrowns #nfl #quarterback ♬ original sound – Boardroom

Cleveland Browns fans find themselves rejoicing as we enter the final week of the NFL regular season. The team sits in second place in the AFC North at 11-5.

However, not even the most keen of NFL analysts could have predicted who would be a cornerstone of the team’s success towards the end of the season. Heck, even the man himself seems surprised by his success. Veteran QB Joe Flacco inked a one-year deal with the team on Dec. 13.

Did You Know Flacco is Among the Highest-Paid NFL Players Ever?

Having been around since being drafted in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, where does the Browns QB sit on the all-time career earnings list?

Show Me the Money!

Flacco started his first game for the Browns on Dec. 3, and in his five-game stint, he’s led the team to a 4-1 record and helped them clinch the No. 5 spot in the AFC. He’s also cracked the 300-yard plateau in four of his five starts while throwing for at least two touchdowns in all of them. Not bad for a guy who thought his NFL career was over.

The story isn’t all sweet for Browns fans, though. The team lost its franchise quarterback, Deshaun Watson, earlier this season. Watson signed a five-year contract worth $230 million in guaranteed cash ahead of the 2022 NFL season, meaning they’re paying him a hefty check for each week of missed action.

Boardroom breaks down the Browns’ tale of two QBs.

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Sports April 4, 2024

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CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit Returning in 2024

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The post The Cleveland Browns & the Tale of 2 Quarterbacks appeared first on Boardroom.

Christmas has come and gone, which means the beginning of contract incentive season in the NFL. With a week left in the regular season, the Denver Broncos got us started off with a bang just ahead of Week 17.

While quarterback Russell Wilson has had a resurgent season under center, among the league’s top 10 in touchdowns and passer rating, the Broncos’ offense still remains below average as they’ve now missed the playoffs for an eighth straight season. Wilson is guaranteed $39 million for 2024 but would be owed an additional $37 million if he can’t pass a physical in March.

Not wanting to risk a long-term injury for Wilson that would be dangeRuss (sorry) for Denver’s bottom line, the 35-year-old will be benched for the remainder of the season in favor of Jared Stidham. Numerous reports suggest Wilson will not be a member of the Denver organization following this season, marking the beginning of the end of a disastrous tenure for Wilson in Colorado, whose trade from Seattle could be one of the worst gambles in league history.

Below, we’ll highlight the most interesting potential contract incentives in the NFL to be hit this season rather than focus on next year’s vesting options. Some include big paydays for playoff appearances. But for some, while their postseason hopes may be dashed, their opportunities to lock six and seven-figure raises are very much alive.

All numbers via The 33rd Team.

Baker Mayfield Set to Cash In On Second Act

Baker’s big comeback year with Tampa Bay is earning him millions in NFL contract incentives and setting himself up for a huge free agency payday.

Check it out!

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mayfield has played every snap for the Bucs this season, who are now -250 to make the playoffs at FanDuel SportsBook. The following are the incentives he needs to meet to make an additional $4.5 million:

• 66% of the team’s offensive snaps: $500,000
• 75% of offensive snaps: An additional $250,000
• 85% of offensive snaps: An additional $250,000
• Finishes 2023 regular season ranked Top 10 in the NFL or Top 5 in the conference: passer rating, TD passes, total yards passing, completion percentage, yards per pass ($300,000 each)
• 66% of offensive snaps, plus team makes playoffs: $1 million
• 75% of offensive snaps, plus team makes playoffs: An additional $500,000
• 85% of offensive snaps, plus team makes playoffs: An additional $500,000
• 75% of offensive snaps, plus 75% of playoff game snaps: $250,000 per playoff game

Baker also has a chance to rack up those statistical incentives with a game at Carolina to close out the regular season.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Baltimore Ravens

OBJ’s one-year, $15 million comeback contract with $13.835 million guaranteed has already earned him an extra $1 million for 30 receptions, 250 and 500 yards receiving, and three touchdowns. Here’s what else he can achieve:

• 40 receptions: $250,000
• 50 receptions: An additional $250,000
• 60 receptions or leads team: An additional $250,000
• 750 yards receiving: $250,000
• 1,000 yards receiving or leads team: An additional $250,000
• 5 TDs: $250,000
• 7 TDs: An additional $250,000
• 9 TDs or leads the team: An additional $250,000

He needs five receptions for 40 and two TDs for five, with Baltimore hosting Pittsburgh to close it out.

Gardner Minshew, QB, Indianapolis Colts

When first-round pick Anthony Richardson underwent season-ending surgery after Week 5, Minshew Mania truly arrived in Indy. The Colts are somehow 8-7, with +110 odds to make the playoffs with home games against Las Vegas and Houston remaining. If Minshew stays healthy, he’s on pace for an extra $2 million on top of his fully guaranteed one-year, $3.5 million contract.

• 30% of offensive snaps: $500,000
• 40% of offensive snaps: An additional $500,000
• 50% of offensive snaps: An additional $500,000
• 60% of offensive snaps: An additional $500,000

Devin Singletary, RB, Houston Texans

Singletary left Buffalo for a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Houston, $2.5 million of which is guaranteed. Last week against the Titans, the 26-year-old pocketed an extra $125,000 by eclipsing 1,000 total scrimmage yards for the season. With a game at Indianapolis remaining, the back sits at 1,026 yards rushing and receiving and played in 54% of the Texans’ snaps. Singletary will need a big game if he wants to earn himself an extra $375K going into free agency.

• 50% of Texans’ offensive snaps: $125,000
• 55% of offensive snaps: $125,000
• 66% of offensive snaps: $250,000
• 1,000 total yards: $125,000
• 1,100 total yards: $125,000
• 1,200 total yards: $250,000

Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle Seahawks

After a season with the Los Angeles Rams, Wagner returned to Seattle, where he spent the first 10 years of his standout career, helped lead the franchise to its only Super Bowl title, and was a six-time first-team All-Pro.

The one-year, $5.5 million fully guaranteed contract could be boosted by an additional $1.5 million in incentive pay. To unlock the boost, Wagner needs to play more than 75% of the defensive snaps (currently, he’s played 98%, so that seems locked in), and the team needs to win the division. Given the 49ers’ success, the latter is out of reach. However, if Wagner earns an unexpected spot on the All-Pro first team, he’s eligible for an additional $750,000. 

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Additional highlights

• Houston’s tight end Dalton Schultz (54 catches, 593 yards) will receive $250,000 each if he reaches 700 yards receiving and 60 receptions.
• Minnesota running back Alexander Mattison needs 74 rushing yards in his last game to reach 750 and an extra $250,000.
• Atlanta defensive end Calais Campbell’s 1.5 sacks in Week 16 got him to 5.5 and an extra $500,000. He can earn an extra $500,000 with 2.5 more sacks in Week 18.
• Bud Dupree, Campbell’s fellow Atlanta defensive end, has 5.5 sacks on the season. If he gets to seven, that’s an extra $1 million in his bank account.
• Green Bay cornerback Keisean Nixon gets $250,000 each if he ends up in 40, 50, and 55% of the Packers’ defensive snaps. He’s currently at 73%, with one interception on the season. If he gets a second, third, or fourth, that’s an additional $250,00 each. Both Nixon and the Packers have a ton to play for in the final week of the regular season.

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March 21, 2024

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The post NFL Player Contract Incentives on the Line in Week 18 appeared first on Boardroom.

So many current and former pro athletes moved into the literal boardroom in 2023 in major and substantial ways. Whether taking on senior roles at different companies and corporations, purchasing equity stakes in pro sports teams, or getting involved in TV and film production, a slew of big names put themselves behind ventures and projects this year.

With some honorable mentions mixed in at the end, here are 10 such athletes — in alphabetical order — who made massive Boardroom moves.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo

Day job: Milwaukee Bucks forward
Venture: Nashville SC minority owner

Giannis and his brothers bought a minority stake in the MLS club in March, fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning a soccer team that began with his late father, Charles. Reese Witherspoon and Tennessee Titans All-Pro running back Derrick Henry already own stakes in Nashville SC.

Other athletes already invested in MLS include Kevin Durant with the Philadelphia Union, Patrick Mahomes with Sporting Kansas City, James Harden with the Houston Dynamo, and Russell Wilson with the Seattle Sounders.

Tom Brady

Day job: Retired NFL champion, serial entrepreneur
Ventures: Numerous sports franchises

Brady isn’t just partnering with companies like Fanatics, Meta, and Delta but is investing in teams from several different sports.

TB12 is all in on Las Vegas, purchasing a minority stake in both the Raiders and two-time defending WNBA champion Aces in addition to his previous ownership stake in Major League Pickleball‘s Night Owls. He also joined the ownership group for English Championship club Birmingham City and an E1 electric boat racing team. He also plans to join Fox Sports as their lead NFL analyst next year.

Myles Garrett

Day job: Cleveland Browns defensive end
Ventures: Team owner, equity partner

Garrett’s had a monster season on the field but is also setting himself up really well for whenever he decides to hang up his cleats. The 27-year-old purchased a minority stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers in October and bought into Mark Wahlberg‘s active lifestyle brand MUNICIPAL.

Myles Garrett Suits Up with MUNICIPAL

The Browns DE spoke with Boardroom’s Bernadette Doykos about what attracted him to the company, how he identifies investment opportunities, and much more.

Check it out!

Andre Iguodala

Day job: Acting executive director, NBPA
Ventures: Basketball executive, VC investor, sports team owner

Upon retiring from his outstanding NBA career in October, Iguodala took the helm of Mosaic, a $200 million venture capital fund he had just raised with longtime business partner Rudy Cline-Thomas. He also bought a stake in NWSL expansion club Bay FC and a stake in English Championship club Leeds United. If that wasn’t enough, Iguodala was named the acting executive director of the National Basketball Players Association in November, putting the 39-year-old in one of the most powerful positions in sports.

LeBron James

Day job: Los Angeles Lakers forward
Venture: Prospective TV executive

In addition to a museum dedicated to him in Akron and being a face of Pharrell‘s spring-summer 2024 Louis Vuitton collection, James’ SpringHill Company, Peyton Manning‘s Omaha Productions, and the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions are deep in talks with Netflix for an NBA series modeled after Manning’s hit “Quarterback” show. The potential for that show is off the charts, and it’s only fitting that James would be leading the charge in a potential seismic collab.

Patrick Mahomes

Day job: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Ventures: Sports team owner

Mahomes and his wife Brittany added to their portfolio of Kansas City sports teams, which includes a piece in the Kansas City Royals, by purchasing a stake in the NWSL’s Kansas City Current. Then, in October, Mahomes joined a $211 million funding round into the Alpine F1 team along with Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce, Rory McIlroy, Anthony Joshua, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alexander Zverev. Investment management firm APEX joined the broader fundraising effort.

Lionel Messi

Day job: Inter Miami forward
Ventures: MLS revolutionary, esports owner, IPO executive

If winning his record eighth Ballon d’Or while being named Time‘s 2023 Athlete of the Year wasn’t enough, Messi’s groundbreaking move to MLS’ Inter Miami also included shares in new MLS Season Pass subscriptions for Apple TV and a share of Adidas’ MLS-related merchandise sales. He also joined former Argentina teammate Sergio Agüero‘s esports company KRÜ Esports as a co-owner, and his MCO Global lifestyle brand launched a NASDAQ IPO in January.

Naomi Osaka

Day job: Tennis superstar, mom, entrepreneur
Venture: VC queen

In April, Osaka and business partner Stuart Duguid’s production company, Hana Puma, announced a $5 million raise that allowed it to spin off from James’ SpringHill umbrella. SpringHill invested with Fortnite maker Epic Games, Fenway Sports Group, The Kinoshita Group, and Disruptive.

The Business Behind Naomi Osaka and Victoria’s Secret

The tennis superstar and Evolve co-founder is now the lingerie giant’s first individual collaborator in its 45-year history.

Check it out!

Candace Parker

Day job: WNBA legend
Venture: Volleyball investor

Just weeks before winning yet another WNBA title, this time with the Aces, Parker was announced as one of the new investors in League One Volleyball along with her daughter Lailaa Williams. The mother and daughter duo joined the $35 million Series B funding round with Lindsey Vonn, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s Boardroom Sports Holdings, Left Lane Capital, Ares Management Funds, and actress Amy Schumer.

JJ Watt

Day job: Retired NFL legend, dad
Ventures: NFL analyst, Premier League owner

Watt’s NWSL star wife, Kealia, introduced him to the world of soccer, and this year, the duo became minority investors in Premier League club Burnley. The pair spoke with our Bernadette Doykos about the next chapter in their lives following Watt’s Hall of Fame NFL career, including a part-time job as a studio analyst for the NFL on CBS.

Honorable Mention: Shane Battier, Haley and Hanna Cavinder, Maxx Crosby, Elena Delle Donne, Ons Jabeur, Travis Kelce, Peyton Manning, Jayson Tatum, Dwyane Wade.

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Upcoming Article

Tech Talk April 7, 2024

ChatGPT, Voice Engine, Sam Altman & More Updates from OpenAI

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CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit Returning in 2024

The post Top Athletes in the Boardroom in 2023, From Giannis to LeBron to Osaka appeared first on Boardroom.

The NFL continues to deliver for its network partners. Looking back on this year’s Nielsen ratings, the biggest storyline is the impact of the writers’ and actors’ strikes on primetime viewing numbers. With limited programming, CBS, Fox, and NBC each saw a substantial drop in their numbers. However, ABC experienced a 15% year-over-year boost, driven by its Monday Night Football contract, which brought in an average of 10 million viewers each week. The figures were more than double of those from last season (4.3 million) and highlight the stronghold that the NFL has over domestic audiences.

NYT Sues OpenAI & Microsoft for Copyright Infringement

The battle between OpenAI and the mainstream media wages on. On Tuesday, the New York Times sued ChatGPT parent company OpenAI, alleging copyright infringement due to the software’s use of the outlet’s articles to train its artificial intelligence. The suit indicates that the Times began negotiating with OpenAI for compensation for use of its products back in April; however, the company indicated that the materials it used to train the language model was “fair use.” In the suit, the Times refutes this claim, saying, “Because the outputs of Defendants’ GenAI models compete with and closely mimic the inputs used to train them, copying Times works for that purpose is not fair use.” Although the NYT is not the first major media outlet to take legal action, it is the first to include Microsoft, due to its massive investment and role on the OpenAI board.

New Bill Proposes ‘Jay-Z Day’ in New York City

The man who made the Yankees hat more famous than the Yankees can, Jay-Z, is the latest celebrity in consideration for his own commemorative day. Various New York council people, including Farah N. Louis, Chi A. Ossé, Kevin C. Riley, Crystal Hudson, and Jennifer Gutiérrez presented the proposal to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations. In it, they claim that Dec. 4 should be recognized as “Jay-Z Day” to celebrate ” his legendary status as a masterful MC and lyricist and as an innovative entrepreneur.”

Apple Watch Ban Temporarily Lifted by U.S. Appeals Court

Just a day after President Joe Biden expressed support for the Apple Watch ban, a United States appeals court curbed the efforts. In October, the International Trade Commission administered an order to stop the watch’s production of its most recent model due to a copyright claim from a California-based company that the watch’s blood oxygen gauge utilized its technology. The temporary pause on the ban will extend through Jan. 10, by when the ITC must file a response.

Amazon Prime Bringing Ads to the Platform

Netflix turned around its financial future with the help of its new ad tier. The streaming giant’s success may have inspired its competitors, as Prime Video announced that it will roll out ads beginning in late January. To avoid targeted ads, the Amazon streaming service’s subscribers will have to shell out an extra $3 each month. Ahead of the shift, Amazon announced that it will show “meaningfully fewer” ads than cable stations.

The post NFL Drives One of Few Bright Spots Amid Broadcast Dip appeared first on Boardroom.

Before we turn the calendar to 2024, let’s reminisce on some major moments that got us talking in 2023. We’re all aware of just how seamlessly sports, entertainment, and music intersect into popular culture. From Monday through Saturday each week, Boardroom lands in your inbox with our Headline to Go newsletter, which surfaces the most relevant headlines that will keep you up-to-date and informed.

This year, there was no shortage of buzzworthy topics that took over the headlines — looking back it is almost impossible to believe how much has happened in the last 12 months. We analyzed the topics that resurfaced most frequently throughout the year. From Messi Mania to the NFL’s superior reign as the top sports league in the U.S., there were some topics that we returned to over and over … and over again.

Ahead are the top 10 topics we covered in our daily newsletter, Headline To Go.

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NFL

In February, the Kansas City Chiefs became Super Bowl champions for the second time in four years, beating the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in a thriller. However, viewership peaked at halftime as Rihanna took over the stage … and unveiled her second pregnancy. With 115 million viewers, it became the most-watched game in history.

Even in the offseason, the shield kept things buzzing. The game bid farewell (again) to the GOAT, Tom Brady. Running backs brought attention to a crumbling market for the position. Meanwhile, multiple starting quarterbacks inked record-breaking extensions, and Aaron Rodgers barely played a full drive before being sidelined for the season after rupturing his Achilles.

For the 2023 season, the NFL has continued its monumental stronghold on American sports fans, drawing an astounding 9.2 million viewers on average for each regular season game.

Beyoncé

While she may not have dropped the visuals for Renaissance, Beyoncé gave her fans something better. The Renaissance Tour took its global lap in 2023, amassing more than $570 million in 55 stops. She also joined Taylor Swift in bringing the tour experience to the silver screen, brokering a deal with AMC Theaters for Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, a nearly three hour spectacle that takes viewers both behind the scenes and in the front row of the incredible live experience.

So far, the movie experience of the sold-out tour is currently No. 5 on the Top 10 Music Concert Films of All Time.

NBA

The Denver Nuggets were crowned first-time NBA Finals champions, getting the best of the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games.

In an action-packed offseason, the Boston Celtics ensured Jaylen Brown wouldn’t be leaving the Northeast anytime soon. The 17-time champions and their star forward agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax extension, the richest contract in NBA history. Elsewhere, the Dame drama came to a close, as he took his talents to Milwaukee.

However, the 2023-24 season brought a new challenge: the in-season tournament. After a slow start, the Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural in-season tournament title, easily beating the Indiana Pacers 123-109, adding an extra spark to the league’s pre-Christmas schedule.

Apple

In 2024, Apple made history as the first $3 trillion company, and the tech company’s stock hit its all-time high on July 31 and it remains the most valuable publicly traded U.S. company. They released of a range of new product models, from the coveted iPhone 15 lineup to AirPods, laptops, and updates to its iOS software.

Additionally, after years of speculation, the Cupertino company unveiled the Apple Vision Pro. The VR headset will go on sale in 2024 at a pricepoint of $3,499.

@boardroom Drake’s music industry dominance is stamped once again by his ubiquitous presence on listeners’ Spotify Wrapped as a top-5 artist. #drake #spotify #spotifywrapped #rap #hiphop #rapper #champagnepapi #spotifywrapped2023 ♬ original sound – Boardroom

Drake

Drake began 2023 on a high note: the Canadian rapper returned to the stage at the Apollo, performing his chart-toppers and a few deep cuts at the famed Harlem venue.

Then, Drizzy hit the road with 21 Savage for the It’s All a Blur tour, earning $140.5 million, according to numbers reported to Billboard Box Score. He also released a new Nocta basketball line, joined the investment group of the MLP team, the Brooklyn Aces, dropped two albums, and picked up two Grammy nominations after a multi-year boycott of the awards.

Disney

Bob Iger returned to the CEO’s chair at Disney to round out 2022, but his impact has been widely felt throughout the last 12 months. After a series of challenging fiscal years, the House of Mouse focused on its comeback in 2023. Under Iger’s tough leadership — and amidst some layoffs — the company began to see an uptick, largely fueled by the massive profitability of its theme parks. Revenues for the quarter and year grew 5- and 7% compared to 2022 amounts, respectively. In addition, they also added 7+ million core subscribers to their streaming services in Q4.

However, Disney wasn’t fully exempt from the drama. In April, Disney filed a First Amendment lawsuit against DeSantis in federal court, claiming “a targeted campaign of government retaliation.”

Next up: Disney may seek to sell off its ESPN properties, having released a valuation figure for the sports media giant for the first time ever, which clocked in at $24 billion.

NWSL

November’s NWSL final marked the final professional game for two GOATS: NJ/NY Gotham FC defender Ali Krieger and OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe. After an intense 90 minutes, Gotham won its first-ever championship after beating their opponents 2-1.

The grand finale was the perfect end for a season that highlighted immense growth for the league. In November, the NWSL signed a sweeping media right deal, worth $240 millions. The 40X increase in the value of the contract highlights that the league itself is on the rise. The Houston Dash recently inked Maria Sánchez to a record-setting three-year contract valued at $1.5 million — a record for the league. Additionally, it attracted new big-name investors, including tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Ons Jebeur (NC Courage) and Carolyn Tisch Blodgett (NY/NJ Gotham FC). 

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Lionel Messi

There are few athletes who have even stepped in the same meteoric sphere of a year of success as Lionel Messi.

The Argentinian footballer made waves when he departed Paris St. Germain for the MLS and Inter Miami CF. In addition to his salary, Messi brokered a deal that will yield him a portion of the profits of the league’s deal with Apple TV, as well as the revenues from his jersey and merchandise sales from Adidas.

Messi landed stateside and had an immediate impact, driving prices of tickets way up everywhere that Miami landed.

Netflix

The crackdown on password sharing proved to yield some success for Netflix because the streaming platform added nine million subscribers in the third quarter and its $6.99 ad-supported tier has amassed 15 million global monthly active users. The streaming platform also ventured into live sports with “The Netflix Cup,” featuring athletes from “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” and “Full Swing.”

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Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani stunned MLB audiences yet again this past season, putting up historic numbers and amazing performances. While also netting major deals off the diamond, including a new partnership with New Balance.

His quest for a new contract became the storyline of the offseason, but it garnered a bigger number than most fans dared to even dream of. Ohtani inked a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Though the move couldn’t be much geographically closer than his former home team, the conditions of his agreement couldn’t be much more different.

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The post Beyoncé, Shohei Ohtani, & the 10 Topics That Took Over the Headlines in 2023 appeared first on Boardroom.

@boardroom Salaries and valuations, awards and donations. #brockpurdy #49ers #archmanning #texasfootball #texaslonghorns ♬ original sound – Boardroom

First off, let’s get this out of the way right now — we do not know, nor is there an official way of knowing, how much money University of Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning has actually raked in during his freshman campaign in Austin.

As one of the most hyped-up recruits coming out of high school in the last decade, Manning was sought after by nearly after college football program in the country before he settled on the Longhorns. So it’s no surprise that, despite throwing the ball just five times in mop-up duty against Texas Tech in November, the freshman QB’s NIL valuation ranks No. 2 in the country at $2.8 million, behind only Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders ($4 million).

To further emphasize: The $2.8 million figure is NOT how much money Manning has officially earned through various NIL deals, although it could be. It also could be higher, or lower.

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We truly do not know, but On3’s NIL Valuation tool, which uses an algorithm based on 27 years of data to project an athlete’s annual value, is one of the more reliable — and oft-cited — sources in the NIL space, therefore making it a good measuring stick for comparisons. Even so, speaking of comparisons, it’s hard not to throw that Arch Manning number up against, say, one of the favorites to win NFL MVP this season in San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy.

His story is well-known by now — Mr. Irrelevant, drafted with the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, earning his way to the top of the depth chart to lead the 49ers to the top of the NFC as bonafide contenders. With the QB position being a premium one in the NFL, with teams seemingly always overpaying for guys that don’t end up living up to that contract, it’s the opposite in San Francisco.

Not long after being drafted, Purdy signed a four-year, $3.73 million contract with the 49ers, presumably to be the backup. But after beating out his competition and taking over as QB1, Purdy has now become the ultimate bargain steal at the position, making just $870,000 this season.

Boardroom’s Gabe Oshin breaks down how a backup college football QB in Arch Manning could be potentially raking in more money than the guy who may end up taking home the MVP trophy for the 2023 NFL season in Brock Purdy.

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The Good & Bad of the NFL Combine

Sports February 26, 2024

The Business of Women’s Sports is Exploding

Sports February 9, 2024

The Kansas City Chiefs & the Origin of the Super Bowl

Deals & Investments January 12, 2024

Nick Saban: The Best Business Partner in Sports

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Aux Money: Laremy Tunsil Expands the Expectations of Modern Athlete

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The Cleveland Browns & the Tale of 2 Quarterbacks

The post Does Arch Manning Make More Money than NFL MVP Favorite Brock Purdy? appeared first on Boardroom.

@boardroom Call him "Tampax Trav." #traviskelce #taylorswift #tampax #tampon #onmyperiod ♬ original sound – Boardroom

Travis Kelce is on track for his eighth consecutive 1,000-yard season. However, while he may end up on an All-Pro roster, most will remember this as 2023 (Taylor’s Version).

In addition to his on-field accolades, Kelce has also made major moves off the field. Heading into the season, Kelce was riding on the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl high and leaning into his new-found success as a podcaster alongside his brother, Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jason Kelce. When he went public with his relationship with Taylor Swift, the future Hall of Fame tight end achieved a new level of stardom, debatably never seen before in the NFL.

In addition to a new boo, Kelce picked up several new contracts throughout the season. The research firm iSpot.tv released a new report that shows that Kelce is the league’s most-seen spokesperson, appearing in 3% of all in-game ad impressions. His endorsement portfolio reached a new level this year. Between touchdown drives, he appears in campaigns for:

• Campbell’s
• DirectTV
• Experian
• Lowe’s
• Pfizer
• State Farm

His date night ‘fits have inspired many, driving searches for “Travis Kelce Fashion” up by 667%.

Additionally, thousands of Taylor’s fans have begun to tune into New Heights each week, where he often breaks down their paparazzi-ed adventures of the last week. However, keen listeners may have noticed a new surprising sponsor in the mix.

Boardroom’s Gabe Oshin breaks down why the Kelces newest check is simply a signal of how dating Taylor Swift has completely changed his life.

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Sports February 26, 2024

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Sports January 2, 2024

The Cleveland Browns & the Tale of 2 Quarterbacks

The post Travis Kelce is Seeing Red … and Green appeared first on Boardroom.

As 2023 comes to a close and all champions for the calendar year have been named, it’s time to see what the most expensive sporting event was. According to TickPick, the top spot was Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, averaging $5,795 per ticket. Coming in second was Session 25 from the US Open, which featured the men’s final and women’s doubles final, averaging $1,778 a pass. The NBA took over the following two spots, with the 2023 NBA All-Star Game ($1,512) and Game 5 of the NBA Finals ($1,414) between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat claiming third and fourth, respectively. Game 5 of the NHL Finals between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers rounded out the top five at an average of $1,398 a ticket.

Boardroom’s Griffin Adams breaks down the complete top 10 list.

Gotham FC’s Krieger, O’Hara, Purce to Drop the NYE Ball in Times Square

NJ/NY Gotham FC are taking their 2023 championship-winning season into the new year. On Tuesday, the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment,co-organizers of Times Square New Year’s Eve, announced that Gotham FC players Ali Krieger, Kelley O’Hara, and Midge Purce will push the crystal button in the center of Times Square, which signals the lowering of the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball. Past guests designated for this job include Muhammad Ali, Lady Gaga, former presidents, Broadway stars, and more.

Kia Takes Over the Naming Rights for the Orlando Magic’s Arena

Starting Wednesday, the Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic, will be officially renamed the Kia Center. The partnership will consist of new indoor and outdoor signage, the installation of EV charging stations, Kia vehicle displays, and the Kia Terrace, a hospitality lounge to be used by concertgoers and Magic fans alike. As the NBA‘s official car brand, this reveal coincides with the historic launch of the first three-row, all-electric SUV — the Kia EV9. Kia also becomes an Orlando Magic “Champion of the Community” partner and will work on impactful Central Florida community relations activations. Kia also has naming rights for the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

Jake Paul, USA Boxing Team Up for Olympics

YouTube celebrity-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul will join the US Boxing team in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics and accompany the team at the Games in July. Paul posted the news to his Instagram, saying he is “determined to make my impact outside the ring bigger than anything I do within it.” USA Boxing executive director Mike McAtee added that Paul will also give his audience a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s Olympic journey to France and mentor athletes to develop their brand inside and outside the ring. Team USA won four boxing medals at the Tokyo Games in 2021 (three silver, one bronze), the most at an Olympics since 2000.

TRINITI & Sounds.Studio Partner to Streamline AI in Music

TRINITI, an artistic intelligence platform powered by music tech studio CreateSafe, announced a partnership with modern music production platform Sounds.Studio on Tuesday to place music AI software in the hands of the creators and consumers. Sounds.Studio will leverage the capabilities of TRINITI’s technology to allow users to create and distribute music seamlessly, all in one place. Over the summer, CreateSafe worked with musician Grimes, cloning her voice and authorizing artists to use it in new original songs. Since then, over 1,000 pieces have been created since its collab.

Online Shopping Exceeds 2020 Pandemic High

A CNBC All-America Economic Survey found that 57% of Americans identify online shopping as their top one or two destinations for Christmas gifts, ending the two-year slump that followed the unprecedented levels during the pandemic. Online shopping hit an all-time high in 2020 when 55% responded it was their top choice at the height of lockdown. Per the Tuesday report, Amazon is the No. 1 choice for online shopping, with 74% of consumers identifying the marketplace as their preferred spot. In second place (by a long shot) is Walmart, rising to 16% from 12% in 2022.

The post Super Bowl LVII Easily the Most Expensive Sports Ticket of 2023 appeared first on Boardroom.

It’s no secret that if you want to attend a high-profile sporting event, it will cost you. It was no different in 2023.

With inflation hitting the country across the board, sports are not exempt. Relative to other categories, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps track of year over year, the admission price of sporting events recorded the highest annualized inflation rate out of the hundreds of categories that make up the to-come.

So, which sporting events were the most expensive to attend? Boardroom breaks down the top 10 with the highest ticket prices in 2023.

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Data courtesy of TickPick. The ticket prices are the average for each respective event.

1. Super Bowl LVII: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs — $5,795

Again, no surprise here. It’s not even close and likely won’t ever be. The Super Bowl remains one of the marquee sporting events across the globe, and it doesn’t really matter who is even playing. However, in 2023, the matchup between the Chiefs and the Eagles brought a ton of intrigue, from a young superstar QB battle with Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts to a brotherly rivalry between Jason & Travis Kelce. And with a 38-35 finish, the game lived up to the hype.

2. US Open Championship: Session 25 (Men’s Final/Women’s Doubles Final) — $1,778

With how much of a spectacle the US Open has become in the last few years, it’s no wonder the ticket prices to attend continue to rise. This year, Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in the men’s final, while Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe bested the duo of Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva in the women’s doubles final.

It was an exciting US Open throughout the entire tournament — the top three seeds in the men’s semifinals (then-World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz fell to Medvedev in this round) as well as the rise of American phenom Ben Shelton — which likely contributed to the crescendo that was the final.

3. 2023 NBA All-Star Game — $1,512

It’s funny how everyone complains about the NBA All-Star Game, with players somewhat goofing around and having fun (imagine that) during the event, yet folks are still willing to pay top dollar to see it live. Given, the experience of seeing the biggest stars of the NBA in one place and up close in person is much different than sitting on one’s couch and watching it all on TV.

4. NBA Finals: Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat (Game 5) — $1,414

While it wasn’t the sexiest matchup in the 2023 NBA Finals, it makes sense why Game 5 was an expensive one. It was also the first chance the Denver Nuggets had to clinch their first NBA title in the series being up 3-1 heading in. With the win and securing the championship, Denver fans certainly got what they paid for.

5. NHL Finals: Las Vegas Golden Knights vs. Florida Panthers (Game 5) — $1,398

Las Vegas’s rise as one of the nation’s top sports cities came to a peak this year. From F1 to not one, but two championships, Sin City is becoming one of the hottest destinations for sports fans.

Speaking of fans getting their money’s worth, the Golden Knights provided their faithful with that by winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in their home arena by a dominant 9-3 score.

6. Formula 1: 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix — $1,355
7. Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia — $1,312
8. NBA Finals: Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 4) — $1,244
9. Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo — $1,127
10. NFC Championship: San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles — $1,113

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The post The Top 10 Sporting Events of 2023 by Average Ticket Price appeared first on Boardroom.

Success is never guaranteed in the NFL, even for Heisman Trophy-winning No. 1 overall picks like Baker Mayfield.

A number of factors led to Mayfield’s trade from Cleveland to Carolina during the 2022 offseason. Hyped as the Browns’ franchise savior when he was drafted first out of Oklahoma in 2018, inconsistent play on the field, a vocal split with top wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and a divide with the front office led to Cleveland trading for Deshaun Watson and Baker being deemed a disappointment.

A rough 2022 hardly dispelled that sentiment. Mayfield went 2-8 as a starter last season with a 26.3 QBR between Carolina and the L.A. Rams, forcing him to sign a one-year, $4 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as perhaps his final chance to get a meaningful opportunity as an NFL starter at just 28 years old.

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The potential for Baker was always there. His 26 touchdown, eight interception season with Cleveland in 2020 when the Browns went 11-5 and won their first playoff game in 26 years was proof. This season with the Bucs is his best season since then, capped by an incredible performance in Sunday’s win over Green Bay that propelled them into the thick of the playoff race.

Statistically, Mayfield had one of the best road QB performances in NFL history. He’s the third player to ever post a perfect 158.3 passer rating on the road with at least 375 passing yards (Mayfield had 381) and four TDs in a 34-20 victory at Lambeau. At 7-7, Tampa Bay is now -135 to win the NFC South, according to FanDuel SportsBook, which will likely be decided in a New Year’s Eve matchup against New Orleans.

Improbably, Mayfield is now seventh in the league in pass attempts that result in TDs, eighth in TD passes, eighth in adjusted yards per attempt, ninth in passer rating, ninth in yards per completion, and ninth in interception percentage.

Those numbers underscore how much the Bucs got themselves a steal this season in Baker, with his $1.7 million cap hit ranked 49th in the league among QBs this season, per Over The Cap, below C.J. Beathard, Cooper Rush, Andy Dalton, Mike White, and Jared Stidham. But Mayfield’s contract came with a potential extra $4.5 million in incentives that will drastically increase his 2023 payday based on his impressive play.

Baker Mayfield Contract Incentives

Many of the incentives Mayfield agreed to before the season, per The 33rd Team, look pretty attainable right now:

• If Mayfield plays in 66% of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps: $500,000
• 75% of offensive snaps: An additional $250,000
• 85% of offensive snaps: An additional $250,000
• If Baker finishes the 2023 regular season ranked Top-10 in the NFL or Top-5 in the Conference in: Passer Rating, TD Passes, Total Yards Passing, Completion Percentage, Yards Per Pass: $300,000 each.
• If he plays in 66% of offensive snaps plus team makes playoffs: $1 million
• 75% of offensive snaps plus team makes playoffs: An additional $500,000
• 85% of offensive snaps plus team makes playoffs: An additional $500,000
• 75% of offensive snaps plus 75% of playoff game snaps: $250,000 per playoff game

Assuming Mayfield stays healthy in the final three games, he’ll get an extra $1 million for snap percentage, several hundred thousand in season-long passing incentives, and an extra $2 million on top of that if Tampa Bay makes the playoffs. There may be no more motivated player to reach the postseason in the league than Mayfield, who could go into free agency in March coming off a redemptive second act that may just lead to the enormous payday many thought he’d eventually get all along. Right now, Baker is more than earning it.

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