Sports Business Journal

At the epicenter of the sports industry.

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

PLL Championship Week is underway ahead of Sunday’s title game at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The PLL teamed with Whirlpool to kick things off with “Lacrosse After Dark: Blue Light Edition,” featuring PLL and WLL players and a NYPD-FDNY matchup under the lights at Pier 17.

MORE: https://t.co/wvGV9Ni0ce

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

A new study shows how much women’s sports struggle to break through in news and highlight shows compared to football, basketball and baseball.

Out-of-season coverage for men’s sports still rivals or eclipses in-season coverage of women’s sports.

MORE: https://t.co/voRsomKshV

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Fort Wayne, Ind., takes the No. 8 spot in SBJ’s 2026 ranking of minor league sports markets, its 10th top-10 finish in 11 editions 📍

The region of 466,000 residents drew 6.6 million fans during the measurement period, the best ratio among markets in the top 50.

MORE: https://t.co/XojTjZrdqM

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

North Alabama will host its first on-campus home football game in its 196-year history today with the opening of Bank Independent Stadium.

The new $65 million venue seats more than 10,000 and has prospects for future expansion.

MORE: https://t.co/BcPciWRxcI

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Before the rodeo starts, the dirt arrives. More than 1 million pounds of it.

Hondo Rodeo Fest spends months sourcing, testing and transporting the perfect mix to keep competitors and animals safe.

MORE: https://t.co/14GidCE1yd

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Knoxville, Tenn., takes the No. 7 spot in SBJ’s 2026 ranking of minor league sports markets, marking its first top-10 appearance 📍

Its teams filled 78% of available seats, up 8 percentage points from the 2024 study.

MORE: https://t.co/OEG0GAJ2SN

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The Panthers have renovated Club Stoli into the Champions Club, presented by JetBlue, following back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

The mid-seven-figure project features new premium seats, bars, food stations and franchise memorabilia.

MORE: https://t.co/UlyLBQvuVI

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The NFL recently issued $743M in new debt to support stadium construction projects and other operating expenses.

Fitch Ratings assigned A and A+ ratings, citing the league’s strong strategic position and long-term contracts.

MORE: https://t.co/kSWRbBw2cV

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Texas A&M’s logo will be featured on Cole Custer’s No. 41 Chevy for this weekend’s Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The car will be painted maroon for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race with the Texas A&M logo on the hood, per the @dallasnews.

MORE: https://t.co/hxrpYs3zfZ

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The New Mexico Open drew buzz for golf’s first autonomous tournament commentator, Duff Foreman ⛳

The AI agent was built by Massachusetts-based digital media company Gopher Hole Productions.

Via @GOLF_com | https://t.co/oi9YL3DNnm

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is planning an estimated $135M in updates to Ball Arena 🏒

The project includes an expanded East Atrium, wider concourses, tech upgrades and additional premium space, with completion expected for the 2028-29 season.

MORE: https://t.co/SkW1JwAP3R

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and wife Jolin Ellison have become two of Michigan’s largest contributors to NIL 💰

Jolin Ellison said the couple has contributed about $10M to the school, per the @WSJ.

MORE: https://t.co/u4itHqleUB

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Scott Coker is returning to MMA with Ki MMA, set to launch in early 2027.

The World Grand Prix competition will feature around a dozen events across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

MORE: https://t.co/fbRDuafjjH

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford for LSU-Ole Miss will see the largest presence of officers ever assigned to a college football game day by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

Around 65-70 officers are expected to be deployed, per the @NOLAnews.

MORE: https://t.co/kQab8sr1jx

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The sweetest collab in women's basketball just dropped 🏀

Angel Reese, Reebok, and REESE'S unveil the Angel Reese 1 'REESE'S' colorway — inspired by the candy's iconic orange, yellow, and brown palette.

Born from fan demand. Limited-edition orange box included.

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Hannah McNair’s presence and influence in the Texans organization has only grown 🏈

Her influence can be seen in the Texans’ recent business ventures and organizational changes, including the team’s rebranding, hirings & pursuit of flag football teams.

Via @HoustonChron | https://t.co/7UZghMAt7o

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The Padres went from a perennial loser with a diminishing fan base to one of MLB’s biggest draws as ownership increased spending ⚾

Payroll jumped from $68.5M in 2017 to $255M in 2023, and last year the Padres drew more fans than every MLB team except the Dodgers.

MORE: https://t.co/TfrdpdqYlf

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

After concerns that virtually all game-day stadium footage could be considered league-controlled content, NFL teams say new guidance has brought much-needed clarity.

"It's nice and crisp and clean now," says one team president.

MORE: https://t.co/IXGWTD2e6j

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

As MLB owners push for a salary cap, the MLBPA is making a clubhouse-by-clubhouse effort to explain what's at stake for players.

The battle over baseball's future is already underway.

MORE: https://t.co/o92TWcRPTe

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The Univ. of Kentucky is approaching the final planning stages for its on-campus Sports Adjacent Entertainment District.

The school is now in phase three, with final requests for proposal and executive summaries expected by December or January.

Via @On3 | https://t.co/8dqKuXpkGG