Matt Korpela

Thoughts on sports business, media & tech, some even rational | Investor | Striving to improve my Finnish 🇫🇮

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

Yes to all this. One day, enterprising soccer execs may see the vast potential of a league stretching from Montreal to Mexico City. Something tier 1 properties can't easily replicate. Already many shared fans, sponsors, media, etc.

[JohnWallStreet @HowieLongShort]

MLS’ calendar pivot will give it a fresh start. But that alone is not going to change the league’s trajectory.

Only a leader capable of reimagining how it is packaged, promoted and sold can. That is what makes the choice of MLS’ next commissioner so consequential. 👇

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

Audacy rival iHeartMedia previously shared some ownership ties with SiriusXM and was in merger talks with them earlier this year. So sorta surprised they didn't do this first.

[Andrew Marchand @AndrewMarchand]

📻NEWS: WFAN and top Audacy sports stations are headed to SiriusXM, The Athletic has learned. https://t.co/91nEMLDA8y

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

If the NBA really favors LV over SEA, it's because the One Roof bid is seemingly so ready (arena, financing, organizationally) compared to LV, its boxed out other SEA bidders to the NBA's dismay. And a convenient way for the league to threaten PDX. Typical NBA leadership display

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says there are more expansion ownership groups than anyone realizes, with the majority of interested bidders in both Las Vegas & Seattle remaining private.

Sources say the league expects to have at least a 31st franchise by the 2028-29 season, with Las Vegas viewed as the likely favorite.

MORE: https://t.co/yl7qork4OG

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

In the 8yrs MLS had to prepare for this moment:
- Games on a streamer that gets less views than Tubi.
- Schedule calendar flip not ready.
- Little LigaMX integration beyond farcial Leagues Cup.
- Rules that still encourage barbell roster management.
Imagine if they had less time.

[Front Office Sports @FOS]

For Major League Soccer, the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup is far from lightning in a bottle.

The league plans on capitalizing on the hype: “As the water level for the sport grows, we’ve got a lot of boats on it," commissioner Don Garber tells FOS.

https://t.co/vyGjMldLRZ

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

⚽🇺🇸

[Andrew Marchand @AndrewMarchand]

I love that the next game is in Seattle. That home field is incredible.

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

@SeattleSC Hey #SeattleSC, you're doing some great things. This tweet is not among them. 👍

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

Future opportunities for One Roof might range from sooner (#Sonics) to later (#Storm, #Torrent). Shared arena, perhaps shared TV/audio partners someday. Sponsors and fans can benefit from some multiteam ownership group bundling.

[Seattle Sports @SeattleSports]

A big step towards a Seattle Sonics return?

Seattle Kraken ownership announced a new parent company just ahead of the NBA's vote this week on expansion in Seattle and Las Vegas, which is expected to be approved.

https://t.co/ORWchRaUMi

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

Following Nexstar-Tegna merger, #King5 now w new ownership. $NXST also owns CW network, 5th largest broadcast net. Figure they might move that affiliation from $SBGI owned KUNS to KONG eventually. Nexstar latest broadcaster to focus on news/sports. #SeaKraken

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

Canary in the NBA expansion valuation coal mine? Fenway Sports Group reported out at NBA's asking price. FSG long associated with Las Vegas bid, but also wanted to build an arena too. Kraken ownership doesn't need to worry about that. But outside money ain't cheap.

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

Kevin Durant wants to return to Seattle? We've seen the player/coach dual role way back. He can introduce the player/team social media admin role. #Supersonics

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

@SeaTimesSports Good recap from Bob. Yes, there's a chance they move. 1. If new owner wants new stadium. 2. Wants public to pay for it. 3. Govt says no. 4. NFL lets owner move to San Antonio, St. Louis, Salt Lake City or wherever public will fund stadium.

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

🇺🇸🏒✌️

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

🇫🇮🏒✌️

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

@SeaTimesSports @sophia_vesely While noting potential traffic conflict with the M's on 9/9, the more obvious stadium conflict is not called out. The Sounders have a home game 9/9. And the Reign on 9/11.

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

@Sportico 1. SEA fans will not look favorably on new Seahawks ownership if Schultz included. 2. Ballmer has said in past his wife will leave him if he buys another team. 3. 25% of Sounders in trust as well. Plus club looking for strategic capital, so possible control change there too...?

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

@TVGrimReaper Yes, but also MLB Net and NHL Net. Probably tens of us like that...

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

Happy Finnish Independence Day to all who celebrate! And those who don't. 🇫🇮

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

@Aquinas82nd As you know, it's not easy. Maybe the calendar flip helps. I'd suggest more of a tie-in with Liga MX beyond Leagues Cup (interleague play?). It's all just window dressing if the player payroll doesn't expand significantly.

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

Amongst all the $WBD/$NFLX drama, TNT Sports will indeed split off with the cable networks. But maybe not for long? As an independent, it's unlikely to be able to retain its NHL, MLB, NCAA rights when they're up.

[Matt Korpela @MattKorpela]

Decent for the P12 to get the games on linear, though USA Sports probably ranks behind TNT Sports, to say nothing of the major broadcasters. But, USA Sports is what makes Versant even a little bit relevant after the #CMCSA split.

[Front Office Sports @FOS]

After near extinction, the Pac-12 is in the midst of a remarkable rebuild.

The league is adding USA Sports to its growing broadcast portfolio when the league expands in 2026.

The Pac-12 still has media rights on the market, which could net the league additional partners.