Sports Business Journal

At the epicenter of the sports industry.

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

LeBron James, Kevin Durant & other major sports names are backing a new play in elite youth basketball.

FBL launches in 2027 with 12 teams & 120 prospects. Teams have sold for $6M each, with owners also receiving league equity.

MORE via @rob_schaef: https://t.co/Lx0Q7RfYls

[Matt Fortuna @Matt_Fortuna]

As the CFP expands, what becomes of everyone else?

@SBJ story ⬇️

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

By 2031, NFL venues with coverings or roofs will outnumber open-air stadiums, 16-14 🏈

As the NFL’s business expands beyond football, covered stadiums offer more opportunities for year-round events and entertainment.

MORE: https://t.co/96oTh6AheQ

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The NFL reached a new seven-year deal with Ticketmaster, which will power an open-distribution setup for NFL Ticket HQ 🏈

SBJ breaks down three remaining questions about the league’s ticketing future.

MORE: https://t.co/GV3E0Wvslz

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The @WTA sees an untapped opportunity in merch.

New collaborations with Hello Kitty and Togethxr are the beginning of a broader consumer products push designed to generate revenue, reach new fans and strengthen the tour’s brand.

MORE: https://t.co/BOPbOVp1kU

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The Kraft Group is in the early stages of planning 10 data center buildings in Sutton, Massachusetts, totaling more than $16B in investment.

The proposal would be the largest in Massachusetts by far, with buildings opening in phases from 2029 through 2033.

Via @BosBizJournal | https://t.co/PGNQcW11Hn

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The @Big12Conferenceis working with TurnkeyZRG to find its next commissioner.

The firm previously helped hire Brett Yormark in 2022 and advised the Big Ten and ACC on their commissioner searches.

Yormark will remain through Jan. 31, 2027.

https://t.co/ljUwa7CPi1

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The College Football Playoff is expanding to 24 teams, marking a jump from four to 24 teams within a five-year span.

The move represents another major shift in college football’s postseason format, per @mercnews.

MORE: https://t.co/OfzHFbC5v4

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

About 6,500 seats in the upper west end zone at Bank of America Stadium will be permanently removed as part of renovations 🚧

The stadium’s overall capacity will shrink from 75,000 to 69,900, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Via @theobserver | https://t.co/FvYfcPSQSh

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The Calgary Flames are set to move into their new $850M arena, Scotia Place, next season 🏒

The organization will then turn its attention to potential development around the venue.

MORE: https://t.co/AIAFpCSYFl

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Women's sports continue to gain ground with corporate America.

Fortune 500 companies sponsoring women’s sports grew 18% in 2026, while the number of deals jumped 38%, according to a new study from Gather.

MORE via @RachelAxon: https://t.co/8cicO75NAG

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Birmingham City has confirmed the departure of minority investor Tom Brady, who joined the club shortly after Knighthead’s takeover in 2023.

Brady’s arrival helped market the club to an international audience, with an Amazon Prime Video documentary soon following.

Via @birmingham_live | https://t.co/C453mG5Qoz

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗕𝗝’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟬 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 🎉

Congratulations to this year’s honorees, the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, risk-takers and disrupters re-imagining the sports experience and the way business is done.

Meet the full class: https://t.co/MemsOvr7oo

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Tennessee men’s basketball and Athletes. org have developed a model CBA for college sports.

Three Vols players helped create a term sheet covering salary caps, transfer windows, eligibility, health and wellness, enforcement, and academics.

AD Danny White calls it a first step.

More on this: https://t.co/eiWLRyH9O6

[Adam Stern @A_S12]

.@F1 has confirmed that it told the Imola circuit in Italy that it won't be needed as a backup venue this season, meaning it is going ahead with the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi after next week's event in Las Vegas.

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

.@thepwhlofficial has unveiled the identities for its four expansion teams:

• Detroit Clutch
• Hamilton Havoc
• San Jose Sea Lions
• Vegas Vanguards

The teams join the league for the 2026-27 season, which opens Dec. 5-6.

https://t.co/3A3p6PL1Yu

[Matt Fortuna @Matt_Fortuna]

Of his constant push for a CBA, Vols AD Danny White tells @SBJ:

“I probably have a disease where I hate unsolved problems, and I can’t ignore them. And I have a boss, my chancellor (Donde Plowman), who kind of sees the world the same way.”

⬇️⬇️

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The San Diego City Council approved a 105-year lease & redevelopment deal for the 48.5-acre Midway Rising property 🤝

The city expects to collect $896.3M in rent over the lifetime of the agreement, including a fee on tickets sold at the future arena.

Via @sdut | https://t.co/L6NgJDKrP3

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow is open to making upper-level executive hires after losing two assistant GMs in the past year-plus.

Last month, Taylor Smith left Boston to become the A’s president of baseball operations.

Via @BostonGlobe | https://t.co/MGruAkUcbx

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The WTA has roughly half the revenue and 20% of the assets of the ATP, despite similar expenses 🎾

WTA Chair Valerie Camillo believes greater control over high-profile events and media rights could help close the financial gap.

Via @TheAthletic | https://t.co/SEMAEwp4m0