SportBusiness Finance Weekly

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Len Perna, chairman and chief executive of TurnkeyZRG. Fisher and Russo also discuss  the National Football League's handling of governance matters surrounding the life-threatening injury of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, ownership changes within Candy Digital, Cristiano Ronaldo's historic signing with Saudi Arabian football club Al Nassr, Vince McMahon's return to operational control of World Wrestling Entertainment, and John Henry's leadership of Fenway Sports Group. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview David Palmer, founder of Bernoulli | Locke. Fisher and Russo also discuss the National Football League's new deal with YouTube for NFL Sunday Ticket, the sale of the National Basketball Association's Phoenix Suns and Women's National Basketball Association's Phoenix Mercury to Mat Ishbia, the appointment of Charlie Baker to lead the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the sports advertising and sponsorship market during the first quarter of new year, and the 2023 CES.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Anne Worcester, strategic advisor to Major League Pickleball. Fisher and Russo also discuss the findings of the latest investigation into the National Women's Soccer League, Fox Sports' linear television rights deal with Major League Soccer, Jeff Zucker's arrival to new investment vehicle RedBird IMI, and the pair detail their top sports industry stories of 2022. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Matt Gibbons, managing director of private equity at Manhattan West. Fisher and Russo also discuss the latest infusion of capital for global sports merchandising giant Fanatics, the record-setting contract for Major League Baseball superstar Aaron Judge, dramatic changes within Bally Sports operator Diamond Sports Group, a new round of funding for athlete marketing platform Opendorse, and heightened efforts by Genius Sports to merge live video and sports betting in the United States.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Adam Davis, managing director of North America for Two Circles. Fisher and Russo also discuss Merritt Paulson's move to sell the National Women's Soccer League's Portland Thorns, the National Basketball Association's embrace of new sources of team investor capital, accelerated plans to expand the College Football Playoff, Major League Baseball's sale of its BAMTech equity stake, the Boston Red Sox's jersey patch sale, and the departure of Lenny Daniels from Warner Bros. Discovery.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Josh Rawitch, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Fisher and Russo also discuss the Glazer family's move to consider selling Premier League giants Manchester United, initial business results from the start of the 2022 men's Fifa World Cup, Bob Iger's return to lead the Walt Disney Co. and the impact on ESPN, revived dealmaking in youth sports, and Major League Baseball's offseason free agency period.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Jon Middleton, chief executive of Nifty Games. Fisher and Russo also discuss the National Football League's large-scale joint venture with Skydance Media, MaximBet's decision to shut down its sportsbook operations, commercial issues surrounding the start of the 2022 Fifa World Cup, a new stadium deal for Major League Soccer's NYCFC, and Liberty Media's move to split off Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas. Fisher and Russo also discuss the still-turbulent world of sports streaming amid a new batch of third-quarter earnings reports, the strategic merger between Major League Pickleball and the Vibe Pickleball League, the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX that has led to a bankruptcy filing and dissolution of some sports sponsorships, the National Basketball Association's move to heighten its strategic investment activity, and deepened chaos for prominent social media platform Twitter under new owner Elon Musk.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Kash Shaikh, chairman and chief executive of startup pro baseball league Baseball United, and Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, a Baseball United owner and board member. Fisher and Russo also discuss Dan Snyder's move to consider potential equity transactions regarding the National Football League's Washington Commanders, the star-studded investor group for golf technology startup TMRW Sports, new investment for prominent agency Wasserman, a historic high point in North American pro teams up for sale including the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators, and business impacts from the marked decline in the market for sports-related non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview E.J. Johnston, founder and chief executive of 3ICE. Fisher and Russo also discuss the first season for LIV Golf as it concludes, MSP Sports Capital's deal with ESPN to acquire majority control of the X Games, new executives and funding for fantasy football-focused media entity The 33rd Team, the completion of Elon Musk's $44bn purchase of Twitter, and Major League Baseball's 2022 World Series between Houston and Philadelphia.

In this week's episode podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Jon Stainer, managing director of Nielsen Sports in North America. Fisher and Russo also discuss significant schedule and ownership developments from the National Football League's recent Fall Meetings, major moves by TelevisaUnivision and Peacock in US Spanish-language sports media, National Basketball Association superstar Kevin Durant's entry into Major League Pickleball team ownership, FuboTV's shuttering of its sportsbook operations, and the planned new stadium for the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Sohrob Farudi, co-founder and chief executive of Fan Controlled Sports & Entertainment. Fisher and Russo also discuss rising athlete investment activity in emerging entities such as Major League Pickleball and Gym Class VR, renewed calls to expand college basketball's March Madness, the ongoing sexual abuse scandal in the National Women's Soccer League, the National Football League's upcoming Fall Meetings, and Major League Baseball's trailblazing sponsorship deal with consumer cannabidiol (CBD) producer Charlotte's Web. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Sandra Douglass Morgan, the new president of the National Football League's Las Vegas Raiders. Fisher and Russo also preview the 2022-23 National Basketball Association season, including accelerating media change with the debut of the newly redesigned official NBA mobile app, developments in the forthcoming sale of the Phoenix Suns, and the New York Knicks seeking a new jersey patch partner. They additionally discuss the newly expanded Major League Baseball postseason, and the latest commercial implications surrounding the new American League single-season home run record for New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge.  

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview  Arne Rees, co-founder of the newly formed Velocity Capital Management. Fisher and Russo also discuss the $30m (€31.2m) round of funding for Athletes Unlimited, continued change and turbulence in United States college sports, the National Football League's accelerating push for greater internationalization, collector impacts surrounding the historic home run chase of Major League Baseball superstar Aaron Judge, and heightened legal friction between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Patrick Crakes, principal of Crakes Media. Fisher and Russo also discuss Robert Sarver's decision to sell the National Basketball Association's Phoenix Suns and Women's National Basketball Association's Phoenix Mercury, Apple's sponsorship of the National Football League's Super Bowl Halftime Show, the upcoming 2022-23 National Hockey League season, the debut of sports-focused investment firm Velocity Capital Management, and the infusion of Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso into the sports industry.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Jim O'Connell, president of Athletes First Partners. Fisher and Russo also discuss RedBird Capital Partners' sale of its stake in OneTeam Partners, the National Football League's new collaboration agreement with the German Football League, Ares Management raising $3.7bn (€3.7bn) to invest in the sports industry, the pending sale of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels, and ownership turbulence with the National Basketball Association's Phoenix Suns.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Steve Pangburn, chief executive of North America for concessions operator Sodexo Live! Fisher and Russo also discuss a series of impactful developments in the fast-growing trading card and collectibles space including the National Basketball Association's new deal with Sorare, as well as the start of the 2022 National Football League regular season, and seismic changes within the Major League Baseball Players Association.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Tony Knopp, co-founder and chief executive of TicketManager. Fisher and Russo also discuss the $238m (€238m) Series E fundraising for New York-based ticketing company SeatGeek, RedBird Capital Partners' takeover of Italian football club AC Milan in partnership with Major League Baseball's New York Yankees, expansion of the College Football Playoff, executive Ed Hartman leaving the United States Football League for gaming operator PointsBet, and the business success of MLB's Atlanta Braves.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Ahmad Nassar, newly named as executive director of the Professional Tennis Players Association and chief executive of its for-profit affiliate Winners Alliance. Fisher and Russo also discuss the state of tennis amid the start of the 2022 US Open, the development of TMRW Sports with star golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, the debut of FanDuel TV, a competitive and operational shift for the Savannah Bananas, and the state of Major League Baseball's special events following the Field of Dreams and MLB Little League Classic games.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Michael Levine, co-head of CAA Sports. Fisher and Russo also discuss the latest developments around LIV Golf, the National Football League's punishment of the Miami Dolphins, the establishment of the United International Baseball League, a seed fundraising round for sports technology firm Sportsbox AI, and the deaths of industry icons Bill Russell and Vin Scully.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Frank Supovitz, president and chief experience officer of Fast Traffic Events & Entertainment. Fisher and Russo also discuss the National Football League's development of its NFL+ streaming service, ongoing changes in United States college sports fueled in part by the Big Ten and American Athletic Conferences, the state of the trading cards and collectibles industry, key upcoming business decisions for the NFL, and the improving financial state of LaLiga giants FC Barcelona.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Janet Evans, LA28 chief athlete officer. Fisher and Russo also discuss business results and ratings from Major League Baseball's 2022 All-Star Game, a Series D funding round for the Premier Lacrosse League, prominent esports entity FazeClan's $725m (€709.2m) special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) deal to become a public company, the upcoming National Sports Collectors Convention, and the National Basketball Association's fan experiences partnership with QuintEvents.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Alon Werber, Pixellot chief executive. Fisher and Russo also discuss a series of business advancements for the National Women's Soccer League under new commissioner Jessica Berman, the state of Major League Baseball at the All-Star break, the National Football League's efforts to place flag football in the 2028 Olympics, last week's SBC Summit North America, and Major League Baseball's New York Yankees turning to Legends to sell their jersey patch sponsorship.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Tom McMillen, president and chief executive of the college sports' Lead1 Association. Fisher and Russo also discuss Major League Soccer's new eight-year betting data and streaming rights deal with Endeavor-owned IMG Arena, the Las Vegas Raiders' historic hire of new team president Sandra Douglass Morgan, a preview of merger-and-acquisition activity in sports in the second half of 2022, a pair of key upcoming industry conferences, and the new five-year employment contract for Live Nation chief executive Michael Rapino. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Brad Griffith, founder and chief executive of mobile-focused ticketing company Gametime. Fisher and Russo also discuss the dramatic move of the University of Southern California and University of California-Los Angeles to the Big Ten Conference, the Big 12 Conference's hire of new commissioner Brett Yormark, the completion of the revived United States Football League's first season and new search for additional partners, an investment by US-based Sixth Street into a share of FC Barcelona's television rights for LaLiga, developing expansion plans for the National Women's Soccer League, and additional legal turmoil for Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Meredith McPherron, chief executive and managing partner of Drive by DraftKings. Fisher and Russo also discuss ongoing turbulence and change in the golf business spurred by the arrival of LIV Golf, Bruin Capital's sale of streaming video technology company Deltatre, Susquehanna Investment Group's new support of sportsbook PointsBet, a non-fungible token partnership involving the National Hockey League and NFT distribution platform Sweet, and moves by Fanatics chief executive Michael Rubin to sell his equity in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and further position the company into sports betting.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Ameeth Sankaran, Religion of Sports chief executive. Fisher and Russo also discuss Major League Soccer's landmark global media rights agreement with Apple, the ongoing ownership dispute involving Major League Baseball's Baltimore Orioles, historic revenue for the National Hockey League during the 2021-22 season, the formation of a new sports investment firm by industry veterans Don Cornwell and Jonathan Nelson, and David Blitzer's acquisition of an equity stake in MLB's Cleveland Guardians.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Michael Schreiber, founder and chief executive of Playfly Sports. Fisher and Russo also discuss the tumultuous week surrounding the competitive debut of LIV Golf, the record-setting sale of the National Football League's Denver Broncos, the NFL's rising business and talent development interests in Africa, a $50m (€48.6m) round of fundraising for Religion of Sports, and Warner Bros. Discovery's hire of Luis Silberwasser to lead its sports business.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Matthew Caldwell, president and chief executive of the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers. Fisher and Russo also discuss the dissolution of the planned $1.35bn (€1.26bn) merger between SeatGeek and RedBall Acquisition Corp., the unsolicited offer by Nike co-founder Phil Knight to buy the National Basketball Association's Portland Trail Blazers, the debut of the New England Sports Network's new direct-to-consumer streaming service, ratings prospects for the NBA and NHL postseason title rounds, and the new arena pursuit of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes.

 In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Tony Khan, founder, co-owner, president, and chief executive of All-Elite Wrestling; vice chairman of the English football club Fulham FC; and co-owner and chief football strategy officer for the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars. Fisher and Russo also discuss PepsiCo's shedding of sponsorship rights to the National Football League's Super Bowl Halftime Show, the NFL's partnership with Mythical Games to develop a new gaming experiences centered around non-fungible tokens (NFTs), tennis icon Billie Jean King working with the Professional Women's Hockey Players' Association to establish a fully fledged league, the ongoing sale of the NFL's Denver Broncos amid the record-setting deal for the Premier League's Chelsea FC, and a $30m (€28m) funding round for upstart ticketing entity Gametime.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Irwin Raij and Chuck Baker, newly appointed by prominent international law firm Sidley Austin LLP as partners and co-chairs of the entity's Entertainment, Sports, and Media industry group. Fisher and Russo also discuss the abrupt departure of Sean Bratches as LIV Golf's chief commercial officer, the new global media rights agreement between the revived XFL and the Walt Disney Co., the $380m (€360m) investment deal between LaLiga giant Real Madrid and United States-based global investment Sixth Street, Major League Cricket's securing of $120m in new funding, and ongoing turmoil involving name, image, and likeness rights in US college sports.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Todd Cooper, founder and chief executive of blockchain technology outfit NuArca Labs. Fisher and Russo also discuss National Football League quarterback Tom Brady's high-profile plans to eventually join Fox Sports as an on-air analyst, Sorare's entry into baseball non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, tennis star Naomi Osaka's move to form her own agency, Rich Strike's absence from the upcoming Preakness Stakes after the horse's upset Kentucky Derby win, and EA Sports' video game licensing split with Fifa. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Sean Bratches, chief commercial officer for LIV Golf. Fisher and Russo also discuss Sinclair Broadcast Group's developing plans for the Bally Sports+ streaming service, the start of the 26th season for the Women's National Basketball Association that includes an expanded relationship with Twitter, pending sales for the Premier League's Chelsea FC and National Football League's Denver Broncos, the New York Times' purchase of sports content site The Athletic, and a record-setting sale of a jersey worn by late soccer legend Diego Maradona.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Reagan Carey, the new commissioner of the Premier Hockey Federation. Fisher and Russo also discuss ongoing turbulence in United States college sports with the forthcoming departure of Mark Emmert from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and predictions of a breakup of Division I athletics, Athletes Unlimited's media rights deal with ESPN, a $300m funding round for German digital sports media entity OneFootball, viewership boosts for the National Hockey League, and Comcast's successful programming link of the National Football League's Super Bowl LVI and Beijing 2022 Olympics. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Nikhil Bahel, managing partner for Elysian Park Ventures, the private investment group arm of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers' ownership group. Fisher and Russo also discuss Wimbledon's ban of Russian and Belurusian players at this year's tournament, the precipitous stock fall for Netflix following a loss of subscribers, a run of jersey patch deals in Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League, initial returns from the revived United States Football League, and Formula 1's upcoming Miami Grand Prix. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Angela Ruggiero, co-founder and chief executive of Massachusetts-based Sports Innovation Lab. Fisher and Russo also discuss the rebirth of American football entity the United States Football League, the beginning of operations for the newly merged media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Major League Baseball's renewed streaming deal with YouTube, the upcoming 2022 National Football League Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada, and billionaire Elon Musk's unsolicited $43bn (€34.3bn) bid to acquire social media platform Twitter. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Blake Lawrence, chief executive and co-founder of Nebraska-based athlete marketing platform Opendorse. Fisher and Russo also discuss the return of golfer Tiger Woods from a serious auto accident to compete in The Masters, the opening of the legal sports betting market in the Canadian province of Ontario, Major League Baseball's new streaming agreement with NBCUniversal's Peacock, the ongoing sale of the National Football League's Denver Broncos, and MLB's new use of PitchCom technology. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Marc Badain, lead executive on Oak View Group's dramatic arena and entertainment complex planned for Las Vegas, Nevada. Fisher and Russo also discuss a recently completed stadium funding plan for the National Football League's Buffalo Bills, a $100m financing round for trading card and collectibles company Collectors Holdings Inc., Sorare's expanding presence in the United States through a new agreement with Major League Soccer, college basketball's Final Four, and the forthcoming debut of Major League Baseball games on Apple TV+.

In this week's episode podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Mitesh Mehta,  senior vice president of betting, gaming, and strategic sports for NBC Sports Next, the network's technology and innovation division. Fisher and Russo also discuss the still-increasing presence of the cryptocurrency industry in sports sponsorship, New York City's decision to exempt pro athletes from a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, an accelerating march into United States college sports by data companies such as Genius Sports and Sportradar, and Nike's recent earnings report that was quickly followed up by a renewed relationship with the estate of the late Kobe Bryant.

In this week's episode podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Chris Giles, co-founder and chief executive of California-based FanRally. Fisher and Russo  also discuss the recent earnings report from Ultimate Fighting Championship parent Endeavor Group Holdings Inc., ESPN's high-profile acquisition of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman for its Monday Night Football booth, ongoing sports-related issues from the Russian invasion of Ukraine including the forthcoming sale of the Premier League's Chelsea, and a ballpark development setback for Major League Baseball's Oakland A's.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Lou DePaoli, managing director at global sports consulting and management firm General Sports Worldwide. Fisher and Russo also discuss the new collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, MLB's streaming rights agreement with Apple, continued developments with the Premier League's Chelsea and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, the National Football League's season-long suspension of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for gambling offenses, and ownership moves for the Premier Hockey Federation's Toronto Six and Boston Pride. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Julie Uhrman, Angel City FC co-founder and president. Fisher and Russo also discuss Major League Baseball's cancellation of the first week of the 2022 regular season and further impacts from the ongoing labor dispute with the MLB Players Association, the move of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to sell the Premier League's Chelsea FC, a $1.5bn fundraising by Fanatics that now values the company at $27bn, and rising political pressures surrounding National Hockey League star Alexander Ovechkin.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Jessica Berman, National Lacrosse League interim commissioner. Fisher and Russo also discuss ongoing labor negotiations with the MLB Players Association, heightened turbulence in the United States sports betting market impacting entities such as DraftKings and Churchill Downs Inc.'s TwinSpires, a new funding round for digital sports media company Wave Sports + Entertainment, the sports industry's response to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, and the state of spring leagues for American football.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Ishveen Jolly, founder and chief executive of OpenSponsorship. Fisher and Russo also discuss the state of the National Basketball Association as it reached its All-Star Game, rising prospects in motorsports for both Nascar and Formula 1, a $100m fundraising round for WSC Sports, the College Football Playoff's decision to stand pat with a four-team format, and opioid issues surrounding Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Wayne Kimmel, managing partner of SeventySix Capital. Fisher and Russo also discuss events happening in and around the National Football League's Super Bowl LVI, the state of sports streaming following a robust earnings report from the Walt Disney Co., a resurgence in international games from the NFL and National Hockey League, and ongoing labor negotiations in Major League Baseball.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Dave VanEgmond, founder and chief executive of Bettor Capital. Fisher and Russo also discuss the historic $75m capital raise for the Women's National Basketball Association, the departure of WarnerMedia News & Sports chairman Jeff Zucker, mounting off-field issues for the National Football League ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl LVI, and the start of the Beijing Olympics. 

In this week's episode podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Alexandre Dreyfus, chief executive of blockchain platform Socios.com and its parent organization Chiliz. Fisher and Russo also preview the upcoming Beijing Olympics facing widespread political and operational challenges, discuss recent financial news surrounding Genius Sports and Comcast, and look ahead to forthcoming developments surrounding the National Football League's Denver Broncos and Washington Football Team. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Carsten Koerl, Sportradar global chief executive. Fisher and Russo also discuss the demise of the split-season plan advocated by Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays, new funding rounds for non-fungible token (NFT) companies Autograph and Animoca Brands, historic investment into the Premier Hockey Federation, a large-scale betting pact between Fubo Gaming and two Texas-based pro soccer clubs, and a reimagined model of governance for US college sports.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Mike Raffensperger, FanDuel chief marketing officer. Fisher and Russo also discuss the start of the National Football League playoffs following a banner regular season for the property, the completion of a digital rights agreement between Sinclair Broadcast Group and the National Basketball Association, and the Covid-19 drama between Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic and the Australian government.

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Ken Solomon, Tennis Channel president. Fisher and Russo also discuss The New York Times Company's $550m (€486.9m) deal to acquire sports media outlet of The Athletic, Fanatics' market-shifting, $500m purchase of the sports and entertainment assets of The Topps Co., and the National Football League's deliberations around the forthcoming Super Bowl LVI in California amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. 

In this week's episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Varun Sudhakar, co-founder and chief executive of sports betting platform startup BetDEX. Fisher and Russo also discuss ongoing challenges in the sports industry due to the Covid-19 pandemic, preview forthcoming developments in 2022 in the team acquisition, media rights, and sports betting sectors, and they remember recently deceased National Football League icon John Madden.