2025-12-10
💸
Finance & Investments
A new for-profit company will manage commercial rights like sponsorships, ticketing, and NIL.
Otro Capital takes minority stake in the venture expected to generate nine figures in revenue; Utah will retain majority control of the company's board and all athletic decisions.
Deal marks the first private equity investment in a university athletics holding company.
The deal is a full acquisition of the second-tier team, pending regulatory approval.
Eupen was previously owned by Qatar's state-funded Aspire Zone Foundation since June 2012.
The purchase expands QSI’s portfolio, which also includes a minority stake in Portugal's Sporting Braga.
British Cycling Ventures will oversee all commercial activity, focusing initially on expanding events.
The new entity has appointed Oakwell Sports Advisory to secure strategic investment partners.
The governing body reports its commercial revenue has increased 286% since 2023.
📺
Media, Broadcasting & Sponsorships
Group stage matches will feature inconsistent kickoff times ranging from 12 PM to Midnight ET.
In the U.S., FOX will broadcast 69 of the 104 matches, with 35 airing on FS1.
Only three of the final 16 knockout games are scheduled to start after 5 PM ET.
The Indiana-Ohio State game peaked at 19.99M, the season's second-most-watched college game.
For the first time, the Big Ten title game outdrew the SEC Championship (16.9M).
The record viewership occurred despite the game having no impact on playoff qualifications.
The test marked the first-ever commercials on the traditionally ad-free service.
Advertisements were shown in a split-screen format alongside live game action.
A permanent ad change will not happen until next year at the earliest.
🏆
Teams & Leagues
The new competition aims to attract high-level investors for franchises in major European cities.
A key concern is ensuring existing EuroLeague teams can still compete and generate revenue.
The launch would occur one month after the FIBA World Cup concludes in September 2027.
Each half will feature a three-minute break around the 22-minute mark for player hydration.
The breaks, citing player welfare, will occur in every game regardless of weather or venue.
This creates new ad opportunities for Fox, which charged up to $600K per 30-second ad in 2022.
🎁
Miscellaneous
The proliferation of cell phones has intensified the 24/7 pace of front-office negotiations.
A former “gentleman’s agreement” for a holiday break around Christmas has completely eroded.
Notable deals include a signing during a Disney safari and trades from a hospital.
The complaint, filed by advocacy group FairSquare, details four alleged breaches of political neutrality.
It also requests an investigation into the creation of the new FIFA Peace Prize.
The filing cites Article 15 of FIFA's Code of Ethics requiring political neutrality.
If you have any comments or feedback, just respond to this email!
Was this email forwarded to you? Then sign up here to receive the Daily Playbook in your inbox every weekday.