Sports Business Journal

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment has hired ESPN analyst and former Warriors GM Bob Myers as President of HBSE Sports 💼 Myers joins the organization in a full-time role across HBSE’s portfolio of sports properties, which includes the Devils, 76ers, Premier League club Crystal Palace, and an investment in NASCAR’s Joe Gibbs Racing. Per ESPN, he will also continue to support Harris, Managing Partner of the Commanders, and work closely with Harris and Blitzer. https://ow.ly/v3Ig50XefxA

As President and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays and one of only two active executives overseeing both baseball and business operations, Mark Shapiro’s role is uniquely comprehensive ⚾ He manages key stakeholders, leads high-level baseball decisions including major contracts like Anthony Santander’s five-year deal and the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension, oversees $400M in ballpark renovations, and acts as a conduit between ownership and MLB. His leadership reflects a rare combination of strategic oversight, operational excellence, and long-term vision for the franchise. MORE: https://ow.ly/IoOi50Xeep9

Talks that began quietly a year ago between Big Ten Conference administrators and Commissioner Tony Petitti are now nearing a landmark moment. The Big Ten is exploring a $2B investment from UC Investments, the University of California’s $180B pension fund, to launch Big Ten Enterprises — a new commercial arm that would consolidate media rights, sponsorships and other revenue streams under one umbrella. 𝐒𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭? The deal would mark the first time a Power Four conference takes on outside capital. In return, schools would sign a 10-year grant of rights extension through 2046, ensuring long-term stability for both investors and the league. Ben Portnoy breaks it down: https://ow.ly/XoqX50XecAn

From the SBJ Tech newsletter: AMB Sports and Entertainment and its CTO Karl Pierburg are always focused on bringing more ease into the life of a fan. Here's how he sees the org's work on facial ticketing with Wicket expanding to other potential use cases in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium experience. https://lnkd.in/efBpD7s4

Checking out a completed renovation today in Charlotte Spectrum Center

"Every single decision is a competitive advantage in his mind, and he thinks that way, whether that's on the player facilities side or the fan experience side." For this week's Sports Business Journal: The Toronto Blue Jays have had an incredible bounceback season (heading into a massive Game 5 tonight), and President/CEO Mark Shapiro's steady leadership on both the baseball and business sides is a significant reason why.

The NFL is exploring a major shakeup in ticketing ahead of its 2027 network deal expirations 👀 On the table: league-owned platforms, full control of fan data and even locking out resellers. Could the future of NFL ticketing be in-house? Ben Fischer, Ethan Joyce & Bret McCormick are on the case: https://ow.ly/5xJ450Xeac6

Earlier this week, execs from the NBA, ESPN, NBC, and Amazon joined us to preview the upcoming NBA season. They touched on how this new era will enhance accessibility, modernize broadcasts and elevate the live game experience. From AI-powered recaps on Prime to revamped studio shows and immersive app features, the league is leaning into tech and storytelling to shape the future of sports media. Hear from Justin Byczek, Rosalyn Durant, Scott Kaufman-Ross and Charlie Neiman: https://lnkd.in/eAXjc5WD

College coaching has changed — and Dick Vitale says that’s exactly why icons like Roy Williams, Nick Saban, and Mike Krzyzewski stepped away when they did. From NIL to the transfer portal, the demands of modern college athletics have transformed leadership, recruiting, and program management. Vitale’s perspective underscores how even the most successful coaches must adapt to a new era in the business of college sports.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟰𝟬 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹, 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 & 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 💡 From multibillion-dollar national media rights to local over-the-air broadcast deals, it’s hard to find a sports media agreement Michael Hill hasn’t worked on. After graduating from Fordham University School of Law in 2008, Hill focused on media and intellectual property law across stints at Kramer Levin and Greenberg Traurig. Hill has advised the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Clippers, and others on deals including the NFL’s $110 billion national rights agreements and MLS’ $2.5 billion Apple deal. Congratulations to Mike Hill for making this year’s Forty Under 40 list: https://ow.ly/OM5x50Xe63z