The Athletic reported out and published more than 60 stories this week covering the universe of sports business, across every sport. Each week, sports business editor Dan Shanoff picks out a few that intrigued him most.
Don’t miss any of The Athletic’s sports business coverage — if you have the app or are logged into the website, “follow” the sports business category. Or simply bookmark this page to your home screen for easy access.
Advertisement
An NFL game on YouTube … finally?
Our Andrew Marchand got the scoop: When the NFL announces its international games Tuesday, it is highly likely the Week 1 Friday prime-time game in Brazil will exclusively air on YouTube, the platform that eclipses every other video consumption/distribution network around the globe.
The game will be free for viewers. (Presumably, Google will be paying the NFL for the right to exclusively stream the game, as NBC did last year to get the Week 1 Brazil game on Peacock.) Last year’s Week 1 game on Peacock had 14 million viewers, so imagine how many YouTube might be able to drive with virtually no barriers to viewing.
Why it’s interesting to me: Industry observers have been waiting a long time for Google/YouTube to enter the exclusive live sports arena (and separate that from Google’s deal with the NFL for rights to distribute the “Sunday Ticket” package). You can understand why the NFL would be eager to do this — another deep-pocketed bidder for NFL rights only helps the league when those new rights come up for sale.
Caitlin Clark’s preseason game crushes
It is one thing for Caitlin Clark’s WNBA games to top a million viewers during the regular season. It is another to top a million viewers for an otherwise anodyne Sunday afternoon preseason exhibition against a Brazilian national team with little to no name recognition among U.S. basketball fans. As noted in Richard Deitsch’s coverage, that tops any NBA preseason game except two from LeBron James.
That made this game an incredible experiment for the preeminent sports media thesis: “The Caitlin Clark effect is real.”
The main (if not only) reason to tune in last Sunday was to see Clark. Weird time slot. Not a ton of promotion. Anonymous opponent. And fans still sought it out. Now imagine a game in prime time against an opponent with an enthusiastic fan base of its own, like the defending champion New York Liberty or Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky or A’ja Wilson’s Las Vegas Aces.
It is an open question whether a network could air an Indiana Fever intra-team scrimmage and draw half a million people watching Clark. I’d take the over.
Saban’s influence on the future of college sports grows
College football coaching legend Nick Saban (along with Texas Tech board chair Cody Campbell) would chair a new commission on college athletics that President Donald Trump is interested in forming.
Saban has been outspoken about the state of college sports, and Texas Tech has been at the forefront of tapping high-net-worth boosters to bolster its sports programs through new name, image and likeness rules (or lack thereof).
Advertisement
Will this commission have any actual formal power to create legislation? No. Will it be able to traverse the current gridlock to get Congress to agree on a national bill to adjust the college sports landscape? Again, almost certainly not. Will it add new complexity to an already-complicated college sports landscape? Surely!
Utah unveils hockey nickname, branding: Mammoth
I’m a branding enthusiast, so this week’s reveal that Utah Hockey Club would be known as the “Mammoth” was a notable development.
I’m a fan: Love that they went with the singular (“Mammoth”) over the plural (“Mammoths”) … love the logo (including, as others have noted, that subtle image of the state outline on the left side near the ear) … love the instant rallying cry, “Tusks up!” (I am imagining a corresponding hand gesture that looks not unlike the way USC fans curl their index and middle fingers, although I’d flip it so that the fingertips are pointing toward your face.) I also love that the team was so open to including fan sentiment in the decision-making. Dan’s branding grade: A-
Two interesting reads for your weekend
1. Why tennis players and the ball disappear from your screen when watching matches (and what networks can do about it).
2. This behind-the-scenes look at how F1 partnered with Lego to create life-size versions of its race cars, made from Legos.
(Photo: Matthew Holst / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Padres can’t afford to let up against woeful Rockies
May 9, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) celebrates with first baseman Luis Arraez (4) after the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images The Colorado Rockies are 6-32 and owners of a seven-game losing streak, however they delivered a reminder to the San Diego Padres on Friday night that no lead is safe at Coors Field. "You have to lock in and stay focused for all nine innings in this ballpark," San Diego designated hitter Gavin Sheets said after his team squandered most of a 13-2 lead in the eighth inning before walking away with a 13-9 decision. The Padres will attempt to make things a little easier on themselves Saturday night when they try for a series win against Colorado in Denver. San Diego reached […]
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to run first professional 100m sprint at Grand Slam Track Philadelphia
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will run her first 100m flat sprint in a professional setting at the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia later this month.McLaughlin-Levrone, the world-record holder for women’s 400m hurdles, won the long hurdles groups and claimed the $100,000 bonus for doing so at the two opening Grand Slam Track events in Kingston and Miami. She will compete in the short hurdles group in Philadelphia, consisting of 100m hurdles and 100m flat.The 25-year-old American clocked a time of 11.07s when she ran the 100m at a collegiate event in 2018 while a student at the University of Kentucky. McLaughlin-Levrone is set to race in the 100m hurdles on May 30, with the 100m flat set to take place a day later. McLaughlin-Levrone won Olympic gold in the 400m hurdles in 2021 and 2024, as well as at the 2022 […]
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to run first professional 100m sprint at Grand Slam Track Philadelphia
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will run her first 100m flat sprint in a professional setting at the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia later this month.McLaughlin-Levrone, the world-record holder for women’s 400m hurdles, won the long hurdles groups and claimed the $100,000 bonus for doing so at the two opening Grand Slam Track events in Kingston and Miami. She will compete in the short hurdles group in Philadelphia, consisting of 100m hurdles and 100m flat.The 25-year-old American clocked a time of 11.07s when she ran the 100m at a collegiate event in 2018 while a student at the University of Kentucky. McLaughlin-Levrone is set to race in the 100m hurdles on May 30, with the 100m flat set to take place a day later. McLaughlin-Levrone won Olympic gold in the 400m hurdles in 2021 and 2024, as well as at the 2022 […]
Shedeur Sanders opens up about painful truth about NFL Draft night, and it’s not being picked on Round 5
Shedeur Sanders didn't need to go No. 1 overall. He wasn't chasing a viral draft night moment or a flashy entrance in a custom suit. What he wanted-what he pictured-was simple: hugging his mom and dad at the same time, surrounded by family, cameras, and celebration.That's what made Thursday night hurt more than he expected.Shedeur Sanders throws first dimes at Cleveland Browns minicampThe former Colorado quarterback, once projected as a late first-rounder, saw his name slip through the cracks as teams opted for other signal-callers. Cam Ward went first overall. Then came Jaxson Dart, snatched up by the Giants in a surprise trade-up. Sanders? He waited. And waited. His phone stayed silent until the Cleveland Browns called-on Day 3."It wasn't about the Draft. It was about my parents."Abdul Carter's Rookie Season: Sack Predictions & Analysis"It was good to have all […]
Hurricanes vs. Capitals odds, prediction, picks: Free 2025 NHL playoffs Game 3 best bets, Alex Ovechkin props
Getty Images The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs conference semifinals on Saturday. The series is tied at 1-1, with Carolina getting a 2-1 overtime win in Game 1 and Washington securing a 3-1 home victory in Game 2. Puck drop at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC is 6 p.m. ET.Carolina is a -200 favorite on the money line (risk $200 to win $100) in the latest Hurricanes vs. Capitals odds, while Washington is a +166 underdog (risk $100 to win $166). The over/under for total goals scored is 5.5, and the Hurricanes are also -1.5 (+138) on the puck line. Before making any Capitals vs. Hurricanes picks, be sure to see the NHL predictions from SportsLine's proven model.The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times. It enters […]
Colorado Fan Sues NFL for $100 Million Over Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Slide
In a bold display of fragile emotions, a Georgia man is suing the NFL for $100 million, alleging emotional distress after Shedeur Sanders slid to the fifth round of the NFL Draft.Named in court documents as John Doe, a self-proclaimed diehard Colorado Buffaloes fan, he is going after the NFL for what he calls the most dramatic draft slide in recent history. We wish him the best of luck. The Georgia man claims he spent countless hours watching Sanders play, both on television and in person, and consumed even more hours of media coverage surrounding the Colorado quarterback’s transition to the NFL. The guy watched every game and got hooked into a YouTube rabbit hole about his favorite quarterback. We’ve all been there, right? The lawsuit alleges the NFL colluded against Sanders to sink his draft stock, citing a violation […]
Related
Padres can’t afford to let up against woeful Rockies
May 9, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) celebrates with first baseman Luis Arraez (4) after the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images The Colorado Rockies are 6-32 and owners of a seven-game losing streak, however they delivered a reminder to the San Diego Padres on Friday night that no lead is safe at Coors Field. "You have to lock in and stay focused for all nine innings in this ballpark," San Diego designated hitter Gavin Sheets said after his team squandered most of a 13-2 lead in the eighth inning before walking away with a 13-9 decision. The Padres will attempt to make things a little easier on themselves Saturday night when they try for a series win against Colorado in Denver. San Diego reached […]
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to run first professional 100m sprint at Grand Slam Track Philadelphia
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will run her first 100m flat sprint in a professional setting at the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia later this month.McLaughlin-Levrone, the world-record holder for women’s 400m hurdles, won the long hurdles groups and claimed the $100,000 bonus for doing so at the two opening Grand Slam Track events in Kingston and Miami. She will compete in the short hurdles group in Philadelphia, consisting of 100m hurdles and 100m flat.The 25-year-old American clocked a time of 11.07s when she ran the 100m at a collegiate event in 2018 while a student at the University of Kentucky. McLaughlin-Levrone is set to race in the 100m hurdles on May 30, with the 100m flat set to take place a day later. McLaughlin-Levrone won Olympic gold in the 400m hurdles in 2021 and 2024, as well as at the 2022 […]
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to run first professional 100m sprint at Grand Slam Track Philadelphia
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will run her first 100m flat sprint in a professional setting at the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia later this month.McLaughlin-Levrone, the world-record holder for women’s 400m hurdles, won the long hurdles groups and claimed the $100,000 bonus for doing so at the two opening Grand Slam Track events in Kingston and Miami. She will compete in the short hurdles group in Philadelphia, consisting of 100m hurdles and 100m flat.The 25-year-old American clocked a time of 11.07s when she ran the 100m at a collegiate event in 2018 while a student at the University of Kentucky. McLaughlin-Levrone is set to race in the 100m hurdles on May 30, with the 100m flat set to take place a day later. McLaughlin-Levrone won Olympic gold in the 400m hurdles in 2021 and 2024, as well as at the 2022 […]
Shedeur Sanders opens up about painful truth about NFL Draft night, and it’s not being picked on Round 5
Shedeur Sanders didn't need to go No. 1 overall. He wasn't chasing a viral draft night moment or a flashy entrance in a custom suit. What he wanted-what he pictured-was simple: hugging his mom and dad at the same time, surrounded by family, cameras, and celebration.That's what made Thursday night hurt more than he expected.Shedeur Sanders throws first dimes at Cleveland Browns minicampThe former Colorado quarterback, once projected as a late first-rounder, saw his name slip through the cracks as teams opted for other signal-callers. Cam Ward went first overall. Then came Jaxson Dart, snatched up by the Giants in a surprise trade-up. Sanders? He waited. And waited. His phone stayed silent until the Cleveland Browns called-on Day 3."It wasn't about the Draft. It was about my parents."Abdul Carter's Rookie Season: Sack Predictions & Analysis"It was good to have all […]
Hurricanes vs. Capitals odds, prediction, picks: Free 2025 NHL playoffs Game 3 best bets, Alex Ovechkin props
Getty Images The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs conference semifinals on Saturday. The series is tied at 1-1, with Carolina getting a 2-1 overtime win in Game 1 and Washington securing a 3-1 home victory in Game 2. Puck drop at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC is 6 p.m. ET.Carolina is a -200 favorite on the money line (risk $200 to win $100) in the latest Hurricanes vs. Capitals odds, while Washington is a +166 underdog (risk $100 to win $166). The over/under for total goals scored is 5.5, and the Hurricanes are also -1.5 (+138) on the puck line. Before making any Capitals vs. Hurricanes picks, be sure to see the NHL predictions from SportsLine's proven model.The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times. It enters […]
Colorado Fan Sues NFL for $100 Million Over Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Slide
In a bold display of fragile emotions, a Georgia man is suing the NFL for $100 million, alleging emotional distress after Shedeur Sanders slid to the fifth round of the NFL Draft.Named in court documents as John Doe, a self-proclaimed diehard Colorado Buffaloes fan, he is going after the NFL for what he calls the most dramatic draft slide in recent history. We wish him the best of luck. The Georgia man claims he spent countless hours watching Sanders play, both on television and in person, and consumed even more hours of media coverage surrounding the Colorado quarterback’s transition to the NFL. The guy watched every game and got hooked into a YouTube rabbit hole about his favorite quarterback. We’ve all been there, right? The lawsuit alleges the NFL colluded against Sanders to sink his draft stock, citing a violation […]
Be the first to leave a comment