Sports Business Journal

At the epicenter of the sports industry.

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Investment firm Brand Velocity Group has acquired RCX Sports, which operates league-licensed youth sports properties including NFL Flag, Jr. NBA and NHL Street. https://t.co/cakBCQYVHF

[Ben Portnoy @bportnoy15]

Nick Saban compared college sports to a Ferrari hurtling toward the Grand Canyon in need of brakes. Sens. Cantwell and Cruz agree.

And yet, the SEC and Big Ten won't back Congress' attempt to legislate help.

On today's Senate hearing and a steep divide: https://t.co/bGmPQGvADB

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

How many is too many MMA promotions? “We believe there’s quite a bit of runway left,” Tom Fox, the COO for Scott Coker's new promotion, says. https://t.co/SPVE2VdnVH

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Colorado's sports betting industry will face new regulations under a bill signed by Gov. Jared Polis, according to @csgazette.

The law limits customers to six deposits within a 24-hour period and bans the use of credit cards to fund betting accounts.

MORE: https://t.co/39RxH93cwT

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

N.C. State was set to make $2M playing in Brazil. Now the game's back in Virginia.

N.C. State is owed $1.5M for breach of contract. The first college football game in South America won't happen this season.

https://t.co/ue2fYud97U

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The Tampa Sports Authority plans to urge local officials to prioritize funding renovations to the Buccaneers' Stadium over a new ballpark for the Rays.

The Bucs are discussing a lease extension and a stadium renovation project expected to cost around $1B, per @TBBJnewsroom.

MORE: https://t.co/gzScPQ1lme

[Josh Carpenter @JoshACarpenter]

John Deere Classic tournament director Andrew Lehman says the PGA Tour has not asked to move the JDC to Chicago https://t.co/j569huXY1M

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

College sports may finally have the legislative path it has so desperately sought 📍

Our @bportnoy15 spoke with Sen. Maria Cantwell about the Protect College Sports Act and why she wanted to be involved in the issue.

MORE: https://t.co/NZNj1vmCWG

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Stephen Curry's 10-year endorsement deal with Li-Ning is worth more than $400M, according to ESPN 💰

Curry reportedly had comparable offers from other brands, including at least one worth more, but chose Li-Ning to power Curry Brand.

MORE: https://t.co/AREzNzTCXk

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

https://t.co/ngO4MACpAL

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Nick Saban compared the NIL boom to a Ferrari headed for a cliff during Senate testimony on the Protect College Sports Act, highlighting the explosive growth of Alabama’s collective and warning of an unsustainable path ahead.

MORE: https://t.co/riDFhVlTNo

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

Sportswriter @ScottAgness says the Indiana Fever revoked his credentialed access to team events.

He said the team cited the spread of inaccurate and unsubstantiated information, including his report on Caitlin Clark's injury status before a May 20 game.

MORE: https://t.co/svtUg5Ac6w

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

College football is increasingly becoming a 365-day-a-year sport, and conference spring meetings are proof.

Here are a few of the biggest storylines our @bportnoy15 is keeping tabs on as the summer heats up.

Read more: https://t.co/N1lrFtV5jc

[Ben Portnoy @bportnoy15]

Pete Bevacqua asked about the media rights pooling piece of this.

Notes that the media deals in college sports at the moment run well into the next decade, meaning the window for this is difficult, if nothing else.

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed a report that he has begun laying the groundwork for his eventual exit 🏒

The speculation follows a league reorganization that reduced the number of direct reports to Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

MORE: https://t.co/UgSudpGw80

[Ben Portnoy @bportnoy15]

Nick Saban beginning his testimony with a banger:

"If you had the biggest, baddest Ferrari that you could ever have, and it was going 150 mph toward the Grand Canyon, someone needs to tap the brakes. That's what we all need to do here."

[Ben Portnoy @bportnoy15]

Gee talking about the perspective of presidents, who he says are to blame for plenty of the issues today:

"I fully understand the power of college athletics and its impact on the university. For example, I have yet to convince 110,000 people to show up to a chemistry lecture."

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

What started as a long-shot bid in Zurich became one of the most important rights deals in Fox Sports history ⚽

As the network prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, CEO Eric Shanks reflects on the deal that changed everything.

MORE: https://t.co/kwTM2JO0Y1

[Ben Portnoy @bportnoy15]

Interesting nugget: Saban said the collective at Alabama in its first year started at $2.7 million.

Said it progressed to $7 million then $10 million. "I retired. Next year [it was] $17 million. Next year, $24 million."

"Now you have schools that have close to $40 million."

[Sports Business Journal @SBJ]

The Big Ten and SEC announced they do not support the Protect College Sports Act in its current form, citing concerns around federal preemption, rule enforcement, and potential impacts on the House settlement revenue-sharing framework.

The Senate hearing set for today.

https://t.co/stUKHOtybQ