2026-02-17
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Finance & Investments
The Warriors, Knicks, and Lakers each crossed the $10B threshold, with average team value rising 18% year-over-year to $5.52B.
A new 11-year media rights deal worth $75.9B – 2.6x the prior package – is a key driver pushing franchise prices to record levels.
Recent sales of the Celtics ($6.3B), Lakers ($10B), and Trail Blazers ($4.1B) all closed well above prior estimated valuations.
The deal values Veloce at $61M and is expected to add over $20M in yearly revenue.
Veloce operates championship esports teams and a digital media network generating 500M monthly views.
This purchase helps SEGG Media, a global sports, entertainment, and gaming conglomerate, expand its business in sports content, sponsorship, and online sales.
The golf equipment maker faces $75M in total import fees due to manufacturing across Asia and Mexico.
With sales dipping to $2.08B, the company is raising prices to offset these higher government fees.
Callaway sold a Topgolf stake to private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners to pay down $1B in debt.
Chairman John Seidler expects a sale soon, with initial bids for the MLB franchise due in late February.
The owners seek nearly $3B, drawing attention from major investors like Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob.
Seidler confirmed the team will remain in San Diego, citing consistent top-tier attendance numbers.
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Media, Broadcasting & Sponsorships
The league aims to generate an extra $1.02B by taking control of 60% of stadium advertising.
This strategy replicates successful US sports models to maximize income for the competition’s 20 teams.
Individual clubs worry these new league-wide deals might conflict with their own existing sponsorship agreements.
The event drew 8.8M viewers across NBC platforms, nearly doubling last year’s 4.7M audience on cable.
Airing the game on broadcast TV between Winter Olympics segments attracted the largest audience since 2011.
A revised format pitting US players against global stars revived intensity and improved the viewer experience.
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Teams & Leagues
The national governing body seeks $65M to support talent ahead of a future home Olympics.
Money will improve local clubs and facilities for promising skiers not yet on the national team.
Investigators are checking if the team used a $300M corporate partnership to secretly pay its star player.
If guilty, the franchise faces severe penalties, including a $7.5M fine and the loss of draft picks.
The league retained the same prestigious New York law firm that handled previous major ownership scandals.
The Barcelona track will alternate annual hosting duties with the famous Belgian circuit until 2032.
Madrid becomes the primary host for the Spanish Grand Prix, though both cities host races this year.
The agreement ensures Barcelona stays involved by rebranding its event as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
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Miscellaneous
Private equity firm Providence plans to change the agency's name after the founder formally leaves.
Founder, Casey Wasserman, currently owns a 40% stake that will be sold to Providence or an outside buyer.
Providence, the majority owner since 2022, fully supports the firm's leadership changes.
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