2025-12-31
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Finance & Investments
Super Bowl LIX became the most-watched game in history, drawing a record 127.7 million viewers.
An 11-year, $77 billion NBA media deal raised annual fan access costs to nearly $1,400.
The World Series averaged 15.7 million viewers, surpassing a low-rated NBA Finals featuring small markets.
Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) and Unified World Pickleball Federation (UWPF) target a mid-2026 union.
They seek Brisbane 2032 entry, requiring 60-75 active nations and global anti-doping protocols.
Officials are negotiating inclusion in the 2027 Pan American Games and 2027 African Games.
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Media, Broadcasting & Sponsorships
The NFL and college football combine for 92 spots, led by 84 professional games.
An expanded College Football Playoff secures a record eight positions for the sport.
Political broadcasts and annual entertainment specials fill the final four non-sports rankings.
The organization invests $13M in football while bypassing reported $8M fees for single Super Bowl spots.
Campaign spanning 1,600 games drove a record 6% consumption increase during the late-year season.
Strategy targets Gen Z consumers and the South Atlantic region where sales volume is highest.
Arkansas, Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky complete the top five men’s programs.
Iowa State, UConn, Notre Dame, and Louisville follow Iowa in the women’s rankings.
Rankings reflect Nielsen data gathered approximately two months into the basketball season.
Streaming services will increasingly license low-cost podcasts and YouTube shows to fill programming libraries.
MLB legend and broadcaster Jerry Coleman predicts broadcasters will eliminate update anchors and reduce expensive three-host radio teams.
Agent David McFarland reports brands and speaking opportunities are disappearing for LGBTQ+ athletes.
A University of Southern California expert cites a shrinking economy and hostile political messaging.
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Teams & Leagues
Nnaji is the first drafted men's player cleared to compete in college basketball.
He remains eligible as he never signed an NBA contract despite being drafted.
NCAA confirms that players who have signed NBA contracts remain ineligible.
Sponsorships for football and basketball could generate $500K to $12M annually per institution.
Discussions are set for Jan. 13-16, with potential implementation planned for the 2026-27 season.
LSU and UNLV have already pre-sold inventory in anticipation of the rule change.
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Miscellaneous
The Sports Betting Alliance claims state law prohibits these municipal fees taking effect Jan 1.
Operators say they must halt city activity or risk noncompliance impacting licenses in other states.
Illinois recently added separate taxes of 25 to 50 cents on every individual wager.
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