2025-10-07
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Finance & Investments
WSL club revenues grew 34% year-over-year to £65M in the 2023/24 season.
Consulting firm Deloitte is also reportedly being lined up to advise on strategy.
Current deals include a ~£45M Barclays sponsorship and a ~£65M domestic TV deal.
The fund will offer non-dilutive capital, taking revenue from new customers instead of equity.
Investments of $4M to $30M will target profitable or near-profitable U.S.-based companies.
The capital comes from a single institutional partner to be deployed over two years.
The “PROTECT Act” would block schools from selling ownership or revenue to private equity.
It also prohibits ceding control over athletic decisions, branding, or personnel.
The bill follows reports of the Big Ten considering a $2 billion private capital deal.
The league launched with up to US$30 million to address athletics' lack of year-round interest.
It sought to emulate tennis' 'Grand Slam' model with four major, prestigious annual events.
The investor's exit followed a debut event with low attendance and broadcast interest.
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Media, Broadcasting & Sponsorships
Total annual sponsorship spending across the top five leagues now reaches $5.4 billion.
First-time sponsors account for 53% of all new deals signed this season.
International investors contribute 76% of total sponsorship spending across the leagues.
The new deal's annual value is nearly six times that of its current Adidas contract.
Effective July 1, 2026, the pact is a reunion with UA, its first college partner in 1996.
The agreement replaces a six-year partnership with Adidas that began in 2018.
NBCUniversal will launch the new channel, named NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), to complement NBC.
A secondary overflow channel is being considered for when multiple events air simultaneously.
Subscribers can also purchase the full Peacock service through YouTube Primetime Channels.
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Teams & Leagues
La Liga plans a December match in Miami; Serie A targets one in Perth.
UEFA granted approval reluctantly, citing unclear regulations in FIFA's current framework.
The decision is an exceptional case and now requires final authorization from FIFA.
A Round of 16 ticket rose from $895 to $980, with a quarterfinal ticket now costing $1,180.
The first presale offered 1 million tickets and drew 4.5 million lottery entrants.
FIFA also sells lottery-bypass tokens for thousands and takes two 15% fees on all resales.
The club is second in the Premier League with 15 points, one behind leader Arsenal.
Its spending was over 14% of the league's total $4.16B summer transfer outlay.
Increased parity is highlighted by Crystal Palace, which recently defeated Liverpool.
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Miscellaneous
Viewership declined, with Season 3 drawing 4.1 million views versus 4.8 million for Season 2.
The planned fourth season will have a reduced six episodes, down from seven in Season 3.
Potential storylines center on the Ryder Cup and new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp.
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