Messi Bids Farewell To Global Soccer

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund PIF, which launched the league in 2022, will provide no new money beyond a bankruptcy loan of under $100M.

Players with millions in guaranteed payouts beyond 2026 have been offered settlements worth just a few cents for every dollar owed.

Private capital firm BC Partners may lead up to $300M in funding for a 10-tournament relaunch, attracted by LIV's $5B in tax-deductible losses.

Private equity firms RedBird and Weatherford pledged $500M to the Big 12, but no school has tapped its $30M credit line at 10% interest.

By contrast, the University of Utah handed sponsorships, ticketing and events to a venture backed by about $200M from investment firm Otro Capital.

Athlete pay will reach $3.78B this year, but Notre Dame and Big East commissioner Val Ackerman say investors' quick-return demands clash with schools' mission.

Shuman, who founded New York venture firm Lateralus Holdings, takes a passive stake, subject to NHL approval, while owner Scott Malkin keeps control.

Terms were not disclosed, but Sportico values the Islanders at $1.93B, and average NHL team values have more than doubled since 2022.

Shuman also chairs smart ring maker Oura, which was valued at $11B and could go public next month at $16B.

Wealth management firm Edward Jones is placing its logo on Duke’s historic court as part of a $34M sponsorship across three universities.

Duke needs this new revenue to fund direct payments to student-athletes, which could cost up to $21.3M annually under recent legal settlements.

Beyond cash, the financial firm will also provide Duke athletes with money management classes to help them handle new endorsement earnings.

Tournament organizer United States Tennis Association approved nearly 100 online creators for media passes this year, doubling its program to attract new audiences.

Pro players credit these social media stars with boosting the sport's profile and helping last year's event attract a record 1.14M attendees.

The 39-year-old retires as Argentina's all-time top scorer with 125 goals, cementing his legacy as one of the sport's greatest players.

His decision follows a recent World Cup finals loss to Spain and the emotional toll of his father's passing.

While his historic 21-year national career concludes, he will continue playing professionally for the US soccer franchise Inter Miami.

Kushner's venture capital firm Thrive sought to build a commercial arm for World Cup organizer FIFA, backed by up to $4.2B in private investment.

Kushner said the plan aimed to spread money equally across FIFA's 211 member nations, but Thrive underestimated the political dynamics of global soccer.

UEFA, European soccer's governing body, is seeking subpoenas for Thrive's records to build a criminal case against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, not against Thrive.

A federal court ruled that contracts offered by prediction market Kalshi are sports bets, allowing states to enforce local gambling laws against the company.

This decision contradicts another federal appeals court ruling from April, creating a legal divide that subjects the company to different rules across the country.

The Supreme Court rejects 99% of appeals, but this rare legal divide means justices will likely intervene to establish one national industry rule.