Blog

  • FIFA’s billion-dollar gamble, NBA’s 2K deal and Wrexham’s 19,000% valuation growth

    FIFA’s billion-dollar gamble, NBA’s 2K deal and Wrexham’s 19,000% valuation growth

    Here are the latest articles from Sports Geek Reads

    Proudly presented by SEAT 2025 in Nashville, June 29 to July 1.
    Use code SPORTSGEEK to apply the discount.

    Key Reads

    Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar GambleFront Office Sports *

    Explores FIFA’s strategy impacting media rights and sponsorship.

    FIFA, Soccer, Media Rights

    The Zaslav Paradox: Reversing WBD Merger May Salvage His LegacySportico

    Implications for sports content distribution amid media changes.

    Media, Business, Broadcasting

    Nielsen: Women’s sports, soccer drive sponsorshipsSports Business Journal

    Highlights sponsorship growth in sports, targeting audience engagement.

    Sponsorship, Women’s Sports, Soccer

    NBA Inks ‘2K’ Extension with Take-Two, Launches New DivisionNBA.com *

    Expands NBA’s digital offerings impacting gaming and fan engagement.

    NBA, Video Games, Fan Engagement

    NCAA Launches ‘March Mania’ Trademark Battle Against MarinesSportico *

    Legal risks in sports branding and marketing strategies.

    NCAA, Trademarks, Legal Issues

    Professional Sports

    Examines remarkable financial growth and market opportunities.

    Soccer, Investment, Valuation

    NFL Adds $94M in Genius Stock, Becomes Largest ShareholderSportico

    NFL’s financial strategies influencing sports finance.

    NFL, Finance, Business

    Oilers set merch sales, F&B records during Stanley Cup FinalSports Business Journal

    Stanley Cup Finals drives F&B and merch sales records.

    NHL, Merchandise, Sales

    Real Madrid Adds Louis Vuitton as New Official SponsorReal Madrid

    Luxury-brand alliances creating lucrative market opportunities.

    Real Madrid, Sponsorship, Luxury Branding

    Digital & Social

    Hugging Face’s Open Computer: A Free Way to Skip OpenAI’s $200 BillMedium

    Explores cost-effective AI alternatives for digital innovators.

    AI, Technology, Cost Savings

    Product Purgatory: When they love it but still don’t buy – A Smart Bear

    Understanding consumer conversion challenges in sports marketing.

    Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Sponsorship

    Geek Out

    Prime Video Doubles Ad Load in the USAdweek 

    Monetisation insights relevant to sports streamers.

    Streaming, Advertising, Media

    Meta launches AI World Model to advance robotics and self-driving carsCNBC

    AI’s transformative potential in sports tech and fan engagement.

    AI, Robotics, Stadium Experience

    Meta Adds Threads Feed Ads to its Marketing APISocial Media Today 

    Explores new advertising channels for sports marketers.

    Social Media, Marketing, Technology

    AI

    WTF is vibe marketing, and why is it the future of brand building?Medium *

    Explores innovative marketing strategies impacting brands.

    Marketing, Brand, Strategy

    Kubernetes Is Dead: Why Tech Giants Are Secretly Moving to These 5 Orchestration AlternativesMedium

    Innovation trends in tech affecting sports businesses.

    Technology, Orchestration, Kubernetes

    Make You Think

    Colleges Prep for Athlete Title IX Lawsuits of the Revenue-Share EraSportico

    Legal challenges in college sports sponsorship and revenue.

    College Sports, Title IX, Legal

    Check out Sports Geek Reads to stay on top of sports business news.
    Listen to Sports Geek Rapid Rundown on your fave podcast platform.

    The post FIFA’s billion-dollar gamble, NBA’s 2K deal and Wrexham’s 19,000% valuation growth appeared first on Sports Geek.

    Fonte

  • The summer transfer window reopens for business, with many deals still to be concluded by Premier League clubs | Football News

    The second part of the summer transfer window has reopened again – and there is still more business to be done before it closes on September 1.

    Few knew what to expect from the special window brought in ahead of the Club World Cup – but it delivered 10 days of transfer drama and has now set the tone for what promises to be a fascinating summer.

    Manchester City were the big spenders after doing their business early by bringing in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli – taking their outlay to £116.2m.

    Despite three of City’s signings being announced on the first window’s Deadline Day, it was Chelsea, the other Premier League team at the Club World Cup, that were centre of attention once again as they chased potential late deals for Jamie Gittens and Mike Maignan.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Sky Sports’ James Savundra explains why Chelsea’s moves for Jamie Gittens and Mike Maignan failed

    Chelsea ended their pursuit of AC Milan goalkeeper Maignan and ran out of time to conclude a deal for Dortmund forward Gittens.

    Chelsea were happy to wait as they do not want to overpay for Gittens and plan to revisit the deal further down the line. Gittens, who wants to move to Chelsea, appeared frustrated as he left Dortmund’s training ground as Deadline Day drew to a close.

    Dortmund were able to get an incoming deal over the line ahead of the tournament as they signed Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland in a club-record sale for the newly promoted Premier League club, who are receiving an initial £27.8m for the 19-year-old.

    Other deals were announced in between windows, with Mathys Tel completing a £30m permanent move to Spurs and Leeds signing Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg on an initial two-year deal.

    First summer window in numbers

    Sky Sports Data Editor Adam Smith:

    Premier League clubs splashed nearly £500m after only 10 days of the first summer window, which is already close to half the amount spent during the entire 2021/22 summer window.

    City were the most spendthrift club as Pep Guardiola’s side looked to rebuild after a disappointing campaign, having spent a table-topping £116.3m so far.

    At the other end of the scale, Wolves are nearly £100m in profit after selling star players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait Nouri.

    Burnley and Chelsea lead the way for total incomings, with both sides signing four players on permanent deals. Only seven sides have yet to secure a signing.

    Arsenal offloaded 17 players, while Wolves (13), Burnley and Spurs (both 10) also trimmed their squads considerably.

    Cunha’s £62.5m switch to United has been the most expensive deal in the window so far, followed by Tijjani Reijnders (£46.3m), Rayan Ait Nouri (£36m), Jean-Clair Todibo (£35m) and Rayan Cherki (£34m).

    In terms of outgoings, Bournemouth cashed in £50m from selling Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, while Sunderland sold Jobe Bellingham to Dortmund for £32m and City also sold Yan Couto to the Bundesliga club for £25m.

    Chelsea sign a striker – but Arsenal still searching for one

    Chelsea bolstered their frontline ahead of the Club World Cup with the £30m arrival of Liam Delap from Ipswich.

    The 22-year-old was one of three signings along with Mamadou Sarr and Dario Essugo, who have been recruited in time to play in the US. Estevao Willian will join from Palmeiras after the tournament – and he could face Chelsea there while turning out for the Brazilian side.

    Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko emerged as an option for Saudi Pro-League club Al Hilal as they scrambled to make a marquee signing in time for the Club World Cup, but the RB Leipzig striker’s preference to play for a top club in Europe amid talks with Arsenal appeared to stop Al Hilal from taking their interest any further on Deadline Day.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    European football expert Andy Brassell discusses whether Viktor Gyokeres is the answer for Manchester United and if Arsenal are chasing the wrong striker in Benjamin Sesko

    Sesko will be one of the names to watch for the rest of the summer, with Arsenal seemingly prioritising a move for the 22-year-old ahead of Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres in their hunt for a striker. Adding a left winger is another priority, with Real’s Rodrygo among the list of targets. At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal are progressing with a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and are expected to trigger the Spaniard’s £5m release clause.

    Liverpool agree club-record signing, with more arrivals on the way

    The Gunners have taken a backseat in the early running of the window, though, with Premier League champions Liverpool now agreeing a British-record transfer fee of £116.5m to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen after the Germany playmaker turned down a move to Bayern Munich.

    The Reds have, though, lost key player Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real for £10m and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford in an £18m deal.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Watch Trent Alexander-Arnold stun former Real Madrid players and fans by speaking fluent Spanish at his unveiling at Real Madrid.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Trent Alexander-Arnold shares more on his move to Real Madrid from Liverpool and reveals how long he’d been learning Spanish!

    But Liverpool, who have goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joining from Valencia, have already signed a right-sided player following Alexander-Arnold’s exit, with the £29.5m arrival of Jeremie Frimpong.

    At left-back, Liverpool have made initial contact for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez.

    Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Andy Robertson.

    Luis Diaz raised doubts about his future when he revealed he was in talks with other clubs while away with Colombia after the Merseyside club rejected an approach from Barcelona.

    Diaz is one of two targets Barca have for the forward position, along with United’s Marcus Rashford, whose future appears certain to be away from Old Trafford. Interest is expected in the 27-year-old, who will cost £40m this summer.

    Man Utd make most expensive signing so far

    United were unusually quick out of the blocks with their business after signing Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m – the most expensive signing of the summer so far.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Matheus Cunha explains why it is dream come true to sign for Manchester United.

    Ruben Amorim’s side are already eyeing their second summer signing with an approach for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo. The Bees have turned down their opening £55m bid, though talks are continuing and United are expected to return with an improved offer for the Cameroon forward, valued at more than £60m.

    However, Tottenham have now held initial discussions with Brentford about a deal for Mbeumo, who is more intrigued in a Spurs move now that Thomas Frank has been appointed head coach, although the player is still understood to be leaning towards United, who are expected to go back in with a fresh offer for the for the 25-year-old.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Henry Winter and Mark Ogden discuss whether Spurs could lure Bryan Mbeumo away from a move to Manchester United and whether the deal makes sense.

    Once that pursuit has concluded, the plan is to try and sign a striker. Gyokeres is one of their targets up front and approaches have been made for the Sporting frontman through intermediaries, although recent reports in Portugal claim the player would prefer a move to Arsenal.

    United have also entered the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike – who is also interesting Liverpool and Chelsea – according to Sky in Germany. However, it will likely take a few sales to facilitate any further signings after the potential arrival of Mbeumo.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Take a look at all of Hugo Ekitike’s goals and assists from the 2024/25 season as Chelsea show interest in signing the French striker from Eintracht Frankfurt.

    Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony are among those who could go with plenty of interest anticipated. Rasmus Hojlund is a target for Inter Milan, but has said he expects to remain at United despite the club being linked to other strikers.

    United’s Europa League final conquerors, Tottenham, are yet to make a fresh addition to their squad having appointed Thomas Frank to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou. But Spurs have stepped up their interest in Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, valued at £70m by the south-coast club.

    Expect things to really ramp up when the transfer window re-opens for business on Monday, before slamming shut on September 1 at 7pm.

    Fonte

  • Former Bills OT Stew Barber dies at 86

    Former Bills offensive tackle Stew Barber died June 11, the team announced Sunday. He was three days shy of his 87th birthday.

    Barber played on the Bills’ AFL title teams in 1964 and 1965 and was a five-time AFL all-star in his nine seasons.

    After earning All-America honors at Penn State as a two-way tackle, Barber was a fourth-round pick of the Bills in the 1961 AFL draft. The Cowboys selected him in the third round of the NFL draft.

    He signed with the Bills.

    Barber played outside linebacker as a rookie and intercepted three passes, with one returned for a touchdown. He moved to offensive tackle after the season, serving as Jack Kemp’s blindside protector.

    Barber was All-AFL first team in 1963 and 1964 and second team in 1966. He also was named to the second-team AFL All-Time Team.

    He missed only one game in his career, which ended after the 1969 season.

    After his playing career, Barber transitioned to college scouting serving in Buffalo’s personnel department. He rose through the ranks to assistant General Manager and vice president. Barber’s front office time with the Bills ended in 1983.

    Barber retired to South Carolina.



    Fonte

  • Christian Rasmussen’s car catches fire on pit lane exiting pit stop

    Christian Rasmussen’s car caught on fire after his pit stop on lap 51.

    Fonte

  • Turk denies England as Slovenia keep their slim Euro Under-21 hopes alive | European Under-21 Championship

    England Under-21s missed the chance to secure their place in the knockout stage of the European Championship after being held to a goalless draw by Slovenia. Lee Carsley’s side were frustrated in the first half against a Slovenia team who threatened at times, but Ethan Nwaneri and Harvey Elliott spurned golden opportunities. James Beadle, the England goalkeeper, played his part in keeping them level with decent saves to deny Svit Seslar.

    England will have to wait to secure their qualification against Germany, needing a draw to be sure when they meet in Nitra on Wednesday, while Slovenia kept their slim hopes of progressing alive. Germany beat the Czech Republic 4-2 in the later game, clinching qualification with two wins from two and eliminating their opponents.

    Carsley told Uefa.com: “It was a very tough game. We definitely didn’t underestimate Slovenia, who are a good, well-organised team. I definitely think we had enough chances to win, though, so the frustration is that we didn’t take those opportunities.

    “I expect us to be better against Germany. I think we’ll need to freshen the team up. It’s important to take into consideration their age and the amount they’ve played, so we’ll make sure we utilise the squad.”

    Slovenia started brightly and came close when Seslar’s whipped free-kick deflected inches wide of the target. Beadle was then called into action for the first time to stop Seslar’s drilled effort with his legs.

    England’s first chance came in the 20th minute. James McAtee, the captain, dragged his close-range effort harmlessly wide. England should have been ahead just before the half-hour when Jonathan Rowe showed great feet to get past his marker and put the ball on a plate for Nwaneri but, with the goal at his mercy, he somehow missed an easy tap-in.

    England will be back playing with a backdrop of Nitra’s castle on Wednesday when they face Germany. Photograph: Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

    Slovenia started to threat again, with Seslar proving a menace as he let rip with a ferocious effort from outside the box which Beadle did well to tip over the crossbar. England again came close to an opener before the break, Elliot Anderson superbly picking out the run of Elliott. He lifted his effort over Martin Turk, the Slovenia goalkeeper, only to see the ball bounce off the upright and away from danger. Another glorious chance went begging when Tino Livramento hooked the ball into the six-yard area and McAtee directed a shot on goal but Turk was in the right place to save.

    Slovenia almost made England pay for those missed opportunities as another chance fell to Seslar, but he saw a curling strike saved by Beadle. The England keeper said: “There are no easy games in this tournament and Slovenia have real quality. If you can’t win the game don’t lose it, and we move on. I’m satisfied with my personal performance, but obviously disappointed we didn’t win.”

    Omari Hutchinson, on as a substitute, injected some pace into England’s attack and his cross found Elliott, but he could not direct his header on target.

    England were denied in stoppage time as Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s pinpoint cross found Jack Hinshelwood. He directed a powerful header on target but Turk tipped the ball behind and secured an important point.

    McAtee said: “I’m a bit annoyed at myself for the chances I missed, but the same goes for the rest of the lads. We’re disappointed with the result, but it’s a point and we’ve got another game coming up soon, so we’ll focus on that.

    “With my first chance I thought I was offside and for the second the lads said it was a good save, but I should have finished it. There will be some fresh legs out there against Germany, so hopefully we can get the three points and top the group, because that’s our aim.”

    Fonte