Finance & Law
DAZN court victory ‘first of many to come’ as Belgium begins piracy clampdown
A major breakthrough has occurred in Belgium in the fight against piracy in what could have implications for the value of the Pro League's next domestic media rights, ahead of a tender to be issued later this year.
Deferred income from FMA termination helps AFC surpass $200m media rights total
Broadcast rights revenue at the Asian Football Confederation totalled $206.1m (€190m) in 2023 but with 69 per cent of the figure stemming from deferred income related to the termination of an agency agreement with Football Marketing Asia (FMA).
Big Ten Conference revenue grows to record $880m ahead of expansion
The Big Ten Conference has reported a record $880m (€810m) in total revenue for the financial year to June 30, 2023, according to a copy of the conference's tax return obtained by SportBusiness.
Sportradar rights costs up 78 per cent but ATP, NBA ‘amplify revenue growth’
A 78-per-cent jump in Sportradar’s Q1 sports rights costs on the back of its new ATP agreement and first season of an NBA extension contributed to a narrow net loss but the company claims to be already f…
MLB, clubs raise concerns over ongoing absence of Diamond-Comcast deal
Ahead of today's meeting between Diamond Sports Group and its bankruptcy judge, Major League Baseball and its clubs have expressed their disappointment with Diamond's failure to secure a distribution deal…
WBD’s Zaslav ‘hopeful’ of retaining NBA up against NBC competition
Speaking on the back of Warner Bros. Discovery's latest financial results, CEO David Zaslav claims to be "hopeful" that it will retain NBA domestic rights in a deal "that makes sense for both sides" with the broadcaster holding a matching right clause.
Endeavor Q1 loss exceeds $300m ahead of Silver Lake takeover
Endeavor's Owned Sports Properties was the entertainment giant's sole business unit to show revenue growth in the first quarter of 2024, aided by last year's acquisition of WWE, as the wider group swung to a net loss.
WWE, NBC strike short-term $25m Raw deal; TKO raises 2024 targets
NBCUniversal has agreed a cut-price deal with World Wrestling Entertainment to continue showing 'Monday Night Raw' for the remainder of 2024, until the bumper 10-year global contract with Netflix kicks…
Disney bullish on NBA retention, ESPN+ subs slip in Q2
Disney is confident of retaining its National Basketball Association rights ahead of a new deal that would begin in 2025, chief executive Bob Iger has declared
Genius net loss flat as betting, media units report revenue upturn
Genius Sports’ first-quarter net loss remaining flat at $25.5m comes as improved revenue generation at its betting and media divisions underpinned the financial performance.
Pitch moves for minority stake in Matchroom Sport
Matchroom Sport, the UK-based event promotions company and agency, has ended its search for investment by striking an equity agreement with Pitch International which includes "collaboration" with the agency on international media rights and sponsorship sales.
Fubo, DirecTV lead fight for Congress hearing into streaming JV
FuboTV, DirecTV and Dish Network are among a group of eight media entities in the United States that have urged Congress to conduct a hearing into the sports streaming joint venture proposed by Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Bakish gone as Paramount CEO as Skydance merger accelerates
Paramount Global, which is in exclusive merger talks with Skydance Media, has announced the immediate exit of president and CEO Bob Bakish, to be replaced by three executives in a new leadership team amid a period of ongoing financial uncertainty.
FIS rights centralisation dispute reignites after council vote
A controversial vote on Friday by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) council to push through media rights centralisation has reignited a dispute with Europe’s leading ski associations w…
DAZN threatens legal steps in escalation of Bundesliga rights dispute
The row between the DFL and its incumbent broadcaster DAZN has escalated after the latter vowed to take legal action over the Bundesliga domestic tender, prompting a fiery response from the league.
NFL on Peacock boosts platform’s revenue by 54 per cent
The National Football League on Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service, has helped revenue for the service grow 54 per cent to $1.1bn (€1.03bn) in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Two Circles continues US push with role in Johnson’s new track league
Two Circles, the data-driven sports marketing and sponsorship sales agency, has been unveiled as a key strategic partner in the new fan-focused track league created by four-time United States Olympic champion Michael Johnson.
Viaplay rights sublicensing alleviates price burden on subscribers, distributors
Viaplay’s sublicensing of sports rights and non-sports content helped to generate close to six-per-cent organic growth in its core markets during the first quarter as the broadcaster recognises that i…