Rob Schaefer

finance @SBJ • as seen @NBCSChicago @TheAthletic @suntimes_sports @FortuneMagazine @ringer • 📩 [email protected]

[Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef]

Hey, Twitter. Personal update (hopefully my last for a little while):

Today I start as a Tech Reporter with @SBJ, a dream opportunity at this stage of my career for myriad reasons. I couldn't be more excited.

Tip line is open at the email in bio. And indulge a quick thread...

[Josh Carpenter @JoshACarpenter]

Brian Rolapp's first major deal with the @PGATour.

Visa is coming aboard in a massive sponsorship that sources expect to be in the high eight figures annually.

It'll get OMP status, be a sponsor of the new Tour Championship and 3 Challenger events. https://t.co/fKvPAfityi

[Mike Mazzeo @MazzNYC]

MLB’s facial ticketing program ‘Go-Ahead Entry’ continues to grow
@rob_schaef
https://t.co/lhJPrRsIY5

[Mike Mazzeo @MazzNYC]

DAZN lays out regional sports vision ahead of NBA, NHL seasons @rob_schaef https://t.co/WX5dFKI6Rj

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Jeff Blackburn’s primary focus in his first 16 months as chairman and CEO of Tennis Channel has been to remake the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming app 🎾

He has assembled a 10-person, in-house software development team to spearhead a rewrite of the app.

MORE: https://t.co/Pxxx0zialK

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

.@CocoGauff is joining the relaunched @WorldTeamTennis 🎾

The @WTA No. 4 will compete in two events for the Florida Flamingos on Dec. 14-15.

Her compensation includes equity connected to the franchise.

WTT returns in December after a five-year hiatus.

More on who else is playing: https://t.co/YmMljnekCC

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Beemok Sports & Entertainment is bringing college basketball to the tennis court.

The CareSource Invitational on Oct. 7 in Cincinnati will feature Cincinnati vs. Ohio State and Xavier vs. Dayton in an outdoor exhibition doubleheader.

MORE: https://t.co/lIhUaCQKuL

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The WTA Finals are headed to Charlotte, with Spectrum Center set to host the season-ending event from 2027-29 🎾

The WTA will also relocate its global headquarters from St. Petersburg to Charlotte over the next year.

MORE: https://t.co/80tFVuzzuQ

[Austin Karp @AustinKarp]

The @usopen drew its 4th-best full tourney audience on ESPN dating back to when the network first took over full TV rights in 2015.

ESPN's best U.S. Open tournaments:

🔲2019: 1.28 million viewers
🔲2015: 1.27 million
🔲2022: 1.21 million
🔲2026: 1.2 million
🔲2025: 1.1 million

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Ben Shelton, the trash talker...

Back in December at the Charlotte Invitational, @FTiafoe told us @BenShelton is his toughest opponent when it comes to mind games.

Now they meet on the biggest stage with a spot in the @usopen Final on the line.

Only one punches his ticket Friday...whose trash talk prevails? 👀

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The podcast came first.

Andy Roddick says the @Served_Podcast reignited his passion for tennis, sharpened his analysis and prepared him for ESPN's biggest stages.

Now, he's become one of the sport's most prominent media voices.

MORE via @rob_schaef: https://t.co/zGvPie2RrF

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Every tournament wants Alex Eala.

The 21-year-old Filipina has become one of tennis' biggest attractions, earning stadium-court placement, increased appearance fees and a rapidly growing endorsement portfolio.

MORE on her meteoric rise via @rob_schaef: https://t.co/r2WM8sjKwq

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The Miami Open will announce two new club spaces on its stadium court branded “The Pavilions.” 🎾

The 4,000-square-foot areas will offer direct court sightlines, bar and lounge seating, televisions and all-inclusive food and beverages.

MORE: https://t.co/Zgh5TbyMF9

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

A baseball fan built the app he wished MLB had, with features like mobile multiview, enhanced game tracking and Apple device integrations.

Four months later, MLB hired him.

@LemireJoe has the story of how it came to be: https://t.co/fdqPhPoJUN

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Monday’s U.S. Open day session featuring Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz has the highest get-in price at $298 📈

According to TicketData, that’s up 33% over the past three days and 157% compared to the same session last year.

MORE: https://t.co/6vjwA6oM5I

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The USTA won’t complete its $800M U.S. Open renovations until 2027, but fans will notice changes in Arthur Ashe Stadium 🎾

Courtside seats increased from 3,000 to 5,000, suites were renovated and the upper concourse expanded.

MORE: https://t.co/GmQWB4IKIW

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

N.Y. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has secured 1,000 “affordable” tickets for the U.S. Open in response to public concern over surging ticket prices.

The tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to local residents.

Via @TheAthletic | https://t.co/Qa2KJHRjTj

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

New USTA CEO Craig Tiley hit the ground running, meeting with section heads and senior leadership during his first week 🎾

Tiley will oversee grassroots tennis in the U.S., the U.S. Open and stakeholder relationships across global tennis.

MORE: https://t.co/lCQPJa6Ehc

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

A pandemic side project became a media brand for @andyroddick.

He turned on-air appearances with Tennis Channel into @Served_Podcast which is now entering its third season and boasts hundreds of thousands of followers.

🎧 FULL EPISODE — https://t.co/KNDV990CyU

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The 2026 U.S. Open will offer a record $108M in player compensation, up 20% from 2025.

Singles champions will each earn $5.5M, while $2M will fund a new player support program.

The news comes as the Grand Slams launch a new player advisory council.

MORE: https://t.co/mh9FAXE3Ze

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

World Team Tennis is back.

Jessica Pegula, Tommy Paul and Denis Shapovalov will headline the league’s three teams as WTT returns in December following a five-year hiatus.

The 2026 season will feature six events across New York, Florida and Toronto.

MORE: https://t.co/8VFp5vgumR