#wtt washington dc

[fandomgeeknerd]

the misfit states!

[writtenthroughtime]

Memorial Day Weekend baseball games with @gotham-ruaidh! I loved watching the WWII veterans they had there have a blast throwing pitches and accepting special recognition awards! One of the veterans was one of the longest working Rosie the Riveter's!

[rickhorrow]

10 TO WATCH : MAYOR’S EDITION 71519

RICK HORROW’S TOP 10 SPORTS/BIZ/TECH/PHILANTHROPY ISSUES FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 15 : MAYOR’S EDITION

with Jacob Aere

Last week, a ticker-tape parade through Manhattan. Now, it's back to work. In the wake of the USWNT’s fourth World Cup title, boosting interest in the nine-team National Women's Soccer League, where all 23 members of the USWNT compete, is now top priority. As JohnWallStreet notes, capitalizing on the World Cup frenzy is easier said than done, especially when attendance is already a struggle. Portland averages 18,000 fans and Utah averages 11,000, but the other seven franchises average fewer than 5,000. While the NWSL still boasts the majority of the world's top players (including reigning world player of the year Marta), Europe is closing the gap. Wealthy clubs like Olympique Lyon and Barcelona have upped their investments in women's soccer, leading to a record seven European countries reaching this year's World Cup quarterfinals. If the NWSL can't keep up, the balance of power in the sport could ultimately shift — both at the club level (Americans could be lured overseas by bigger paychecks) and internationally (continued investment could threaten the USWNT's dominance). With the future of U.S. women's soccer at stake, the NWSL must seize the moment like never before.

87% of the top 30 advertisers that ran spots during the Women’s World Cup also did so during the Men’s World Cup last year, according to a MediaRadar study. “Looking at how top industries spent TV ad dollars on each tournament, we notice several similarities, but also some differences,” said Todd Krizelman, CEO and Co-Founder of MediaRadar. “Industries such as Retail and Media and Entertainment accounted for a similar share of the ad dollars in both tournaments, but then there were industries where the share of spend was noticeably different.” Industries that accounted for a larger share of spend during the men's tournament included Technology, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, and Beer, Wine and Spirits, while Finance & Real Estate, Apparel, Home Furnishings, and Toiletries and Cosmetics accounted for a larger share of spend during the women’s events. This is yet another sign that consumers, and their brands, view the women’s national team to be every bit as economically viable as the men’s.

DC-based educational technology leader EVERFI has partnerships with the NFL and United Way, as well as MLB, the NHL, and NBA. But it’s a recent alignment with the EPL that is taking up much of co-founder Jon Chapman's time these days. Chapman, who serves as EVERFI's head of global partnerships, last Friday spoke with SportsBusiness Daily about working with some of the premier leagues in sports, his favorite places to travel, and his family's most recent trip across the pond. "I recently got back from London after meeting with the EPL, and they’ve got a really innovative program called Primary Stars, which focuses on elementary age students. We are helping them bring that program to the U.S.,” Chapman said. “It’s a lot of fun working with this variety of leagues, and the way it came about is really just that the sports world is a small one. If you do well by one of the leagues, there’s a really strong network effect.” And as mental health issues and suicide rates climb across the U.S., EVERFI last week launched important new courses to help colleges and universities support students during transitional periods – a critical need as students return to campuses across the nation next month.

Minor League Baseball has announced its list of Top 25 teams in licensed merchandise sales for 2018, with the combined totals of all 160 teams setting a MiLB record with more than $73.8 million in retail sales. The $73.8 million total marks a 4.2% increase over 2017’s record total. The Top 25 list includes: Albuquerque Isotopes, Charleston RiverDogs, Charlotte Knights, Columbia Fireflies, Columbus Clippers, Corpus Christi Hooks, Durham Bulls, El Paso Chihuahuas, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Gwinnett Stripers, Hartford Yard Goats, Indianapolis Indians, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Nashville Sounds, Pawtucket Red Sox, Portland Sea Dogs, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Rochester Red Wings, Sacramento River Cats, Salt Lake Bees, San Antonio Missions, Tacoma Rainiers, Toledo Mud Hens, and Trenton Thunder. Rick recently spoke with Octagon Executive Vice President Woody Thompson, who leads that agency’s baseball practice. Here’s what Thompson shared: “Baseball has done a really great job. From a municipal standpoint, their engagement with these cities has been fantastic and the cities have really gotten behind it…Baseball has a place in this country in the hearts and minds of everybody. Whether you’re a kid or you’re an adult, baseball is there for you.”

After a Wimbledon for the ages, World Team Tennis, U.S. hardcourts return. Armed with new CEO Carlos Silva, two new franchises, a new TV partner, and a new streaming partner, World Team Tennis returns for its 44th season this month, with the eight-team league, which now includes the Vegas Rollers and Orlando Storm, and features 16 matches on CBS Sports channels July 14-August 3, including the league’s debut on broadcast TV July 21. While we won’t see Wimbledon champs Simona Halep and Novak Djokovic competing, this year’s WTT athletes include returning players Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, Bob and Mike Bryan, Madison Keys, Victoria Azarenka, Monica Puig, Eugenie Bouchard, and John Isner. Elsewhere, the 2019 Citi Open in Washington, DC will see fans offered a new fan experience showcasing D.C.’s “most innovative” culinary fare. Levy will be the exclusive food and beverage partner for the long-running tennis tournament. In a delicious new twist, Levy will rebrand concessions and VIP hospitality fare throughout the tournament grounds with customized menus from Chef Jose Andres and favored local D.C. eateries.

As David Beckham took in Wimbledon action on Centre Court, his MLS Inter Miami franchise secured permission from city commissioners to build a soccer-specific stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The motion was approved for the City of Fort Lauderdale to enter into a comprehensive agreement with Beckham’s MLS project to develop the Lockhart Stadium site. Inter Miami, which will join MLS in 2020, plans to invest up to $60 million to construct a state-of-the-art, 18,000-seat stadium at the site of the now demolished Lockhart Stadium. The venue will temporarily house the MLS franchise for two seasons while the club looks to construct a permanent stadium in Miami on a 73-acre site near Melreese golf course. Lockhart site construction will begin once the FAA approves the process due to the site’s proximity to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Meanwhile, Beckham is working with his new Studio 99 content house and LeBron James’ Uninterrupted to co-produce a documentary series charting the launch of Inter Miami. Studio 99 already has a slate of projects in development with a broad focus beyond sports.

The New York Islanders have revealed plans for a new train station as part of their $1.26 billion redevelopment project at Belmont Park. The total train station cost, which will be part of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) line, is expected to be $105 million. $97 million of that figure will be funded by redevelopment group New York Arena Partners, with the state providing the remaining $8 million. According to Newsday, the train station will be partially open by 2021, when the Islanders hope to open their new arena, and fully operational by 2023. The service is expected to alleviate concerns over a lack of public transport to the Belmont Park site, which as well as a 19,000-seat arena and entertainment complex is to feature a 250-room hotel and 435,000 square feet of retail space. The announcement of Long Island’s first new LIRR station in nearly 50 years coincided with the release of new analysis of the project’s economic impact. The study claims that the new arena, hotel, and retail village will generate nearly $50 million in new public revenue per year and produce $725 million in annual economic output. 

Ever since Steve Ballmer bought the team, the Los Angeles Clippers have done their best to make an impression in a market long dominated by the Lakers. While the Lakers cratered last season, the Clippers created a blue-collar identity en route to a playoff appearance. With a net worth of $42 billion, Ballmer is the wealthiest owner in North American sports, and he's utilized that wealth to bulk up the Clippers' front office and medical staff — two areas of increasing importance in an era of load management. Off the court, the Clippers have carved out their own space in Los Angeles in hopes of attracting new fans and being viewed as much more than a little brother. Ballmer has donated more than $10 million to build 350 Clippers-branded public basketball courts throughout the city — a philanthropic effort that doubles as a way to win the hearts and minds of young L.A. residents. There are also plans for the team to move into a new, privately-financed arena in Inglewood by 2024. The L.A. basketball landscape dramatically changed last week — and if Ballmer has his way, that change could be permanent.

Captain Morgan is toasting Major League Soccer, courtesy of a new agreement to become the league’s official spiced rum and exclusive spirits partner through 2022. The new deal names Captain Morgan as an official sponsor of MLS All-Star – taking place in a few weeks in Orlando – the Campeones Cup (August 14), and MLS Cup (November 10). Fans will soon be able to purchase custom-labeled bottles of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum featuring official team colors and crests. “From New York to Seattle to Los Angeles, everything about Major League Soccer, its intensely passionate fan base, the atmosphere at each match, and the exciting growth of the sport in the U.S. mirrors the energy that Captain Morgan stands for,” said Christina Choi, DIAGEO Senior Vice President, Rum, Gin, and Tequila. “Our goal is to reward that dedicated fan base, and the crews that get together to support their clubs each and every week, with the fun only Captain can bring.” The rum brand also becomes an official sponsor of Chicago Fire Soccer Club, D.C. United, New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, and Seattle Sounders FC.

MLS-Liga MX Leagues Cup confirms domestic rights deals for new North American soccer tournament. According to SportsPro, ESPN and Univision have secured U.S. rights to the inaugural Leagues Cup, the new continental club soccer competition featuring eight teams from MLS and Liga MX, North America’s two powerhouse leagues. ESPN will host U.S. English-language coverage across both its linear and over-the-top channels throughout the seven-match tournament, which kicks off July 23. ESPN+ will stream three quarter-final matches including Chicago Fire v Cruz Azul on the opening day, as well as Houston Dynamo v Club America, and Real Salt Lake v Tigres UANL on July 24. This is a bold move to further the passion for soccer in North America; a move that will prove fruitful in the long run for MLS, which sees some of the youngest average fan ages when compared to other major North American sports leagues.

[rickhorrow]

15+5+5 To Watch : 71519

15 TO WATCH/5 SPORTS TECH/POWER OF SPORTS 5: RICK HORROW’S TOP SPORTS/BIZ/TECH/PHILANTHROPY ISSUES FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 15

with Jacob Aere

As the men’s Open Championship holds court in Northern Ireland, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) has increased the prize money for this year’s Women’s British Open by 40% to a total purse of $4.5 million. The move will see the winner of the 2019 event take home $675,000, up from the $490,000 won last year by England’s Georgia Hall. Despite the increase, which makes the tournament the second highest prize fund of the five women’s majors, the pot remains significantly lower than the $10.75 million on offer for the men, with the winner of this month’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush set to claim $1.89 million. “We recognized that more needed to be done to elevate the prize fund for this great championship and are pleased that we have been able to make a significant increase this year as part of the R&A’s commitment to women’s golf,” said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A. Next month’s Women’s British Open, which takes place at Woburn Golf Club August 1-4, will be the first under the tournament’s new five-year title sponsorship with finance and insurance firm AIG, which signed a deal in November last year to replace electronics company Ricoh.

Last week, a ticker-tape parade through Manhattan. Now, it's back to work. In the wake of the USWNT’s fourth World Cup title, boosting interest in the nine-team National Women's Soccer League, where all 23 members of the USWNT compete, is now top priority. As JohnWallStreet notes, capitalizing on the World Cup frenzy is easier said than done, especially when attendance is already a struggle. Portland averages 18,000 fans and Utah averages 11,000, but the other seven franchises average fewer than 5,000. While the NWSL still boasts the majority of the world's top players (including reigning world player of the year Marta), Europe is closing the gap. Wealthy clubs like Olympique Lyon and Barcelona have upped their investments in women's soccer, leading to a record seven European countries reaching this year's World Cup quarterfinals. If the NWSL can't keep up, the balance of power in the sport could ultimately shift — both at the club level (Americans could be lured overseas by bigger paychecks) and internationally (continued investment could threaten the USWNT's dominance). With the future of U.S. women's soccer at stake, the NWSL must seize the moment like never before.

Major soccer announcements followed the U.S. Women’s National Team winning the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. ESPN and the National Women’s Soccer League announced an agreement to carry 14 league matches that will close out the 2019 season. NWSL telecasts began July 14 on ESPNEWS, with the Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns. The NWSL Championship will air October 27 on ESPN2, with tickets going on sale this month. Boosting the NWSL’s cash flow: Budweiser just signed on as a major sponsor. And U.S. Soccer and Allstate locked in a multi-year partnership headlined by Allstate’s presenting sponsorship of the USWNT’s five-game Victory Tour. The tour begins August 3 when the USA hosts the Republic of Ireland at the Rose Bowl, carried on ESPN2. The next four matches of the Victory Tour will be held August 29, September 3, October 3, and October 6 at venues around the country. As part of its new sponsorship, Allstate becomes an official sponsor of the U.S. Women’s, Men’s, and Youth National Teams, as well as presenting sponsor of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and designates Allstate exclusively as the Official Insurance Sponsor of U.S. Soccer, through 2022.

87% of the top 30 advertisers that ran spots during the Women’s World Cup also did so during the Men’s World Cup last year, according to a MediaRadar study. “Looking at how top industries spent TV ad dollars on each tournament, we notice several similarities, but also some differences,” said Todd Krizelman, CEO and Co-Founder of MediaRadar. “Industries such as Retail and Media and Entertainment accounted for a similar share of the ad dollars in both tournaments, but then there were industries where the share of spend was noticeably different.” Industries that accounted for a larger share of spend during the men's tournament included Technology, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, and Beer, Wine and Spirits, while Finance & Real Estate, Apparel, Home Furnishings, and Toiletries and Cosmetics accounted for a larger share of spend during the women’s events. This is yet another sign that consumers, and their brands, view the women’s national team to be every bit as economically viable as the men’s.

DC-based educational technology leader EVERFI has partnerships with the NFL and United Way, as well as MLB, the NHL, and NBA. But it’s a recent alignment with the EPL that is taking up much of co-founder Jon Chapman's time these days. Chapman, who serves as EVERFI's head of global partnerships, last Friday spoke with SportsBusiness Daily about working with some of the premier leagues in sports, his favorite places to travel, and his family's most recent trip across the pond. "I recently got back from London after meeting with the EPL, and they’ve got a really innovative program called Primary Stars, which focuses on elementary age students. We are helping them bring that program to the U.S.,” Chapman said. “It’s a lot of fun working with this variety of leagues, and the way it came about is really just that the sports world is a small one. If you do well by one of the leagues, there’s a really strong network effect.” And as mental health issues and suicide rates climb across the U.S., EVERFI last week launched important new courses to help colleges and universities support students during transitional periods – a critical need as students return to campuses across the nation next month.

Media days are underway as college football prepares for its sesquicentennial. College football hits its 150th season this fall, and the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame highlighted celebrations taking place in the coming months to pay homage to the occasion. "The NFF has been in the vanguard of promoting the game for the past 73 years," said NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell. "And we wanted to take a leadership role in celebrating the 150th anniversary, including providing the office space for CFB150 at our corporate headquarters; staging events at the Hall in Atlanta; and incorporating the milestone into all of our key messaging whenever possible." Media days mark the unofficial "start" of the upcoming college football season, and no conference quite matches the spectacle that is SEC Media Days. July 15-18, the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham turns into a circus as reporters and fans from all over gather to cover the conference's 14 coaches and players. Farther west, the Big 12 looks solid. This year, the conference distributed $38.8 million per school. Its current TV contract expires in 2025, and there is no chatter about it folding like the whispers heard a few years ago. 

Minor League Baseball has announced its list of Top 25 teams in licensed merchandise sales for 2018, with the combined totals of all 160 teams setting a MiLB record with more than $73.8 million in retail sales. The $73.8 million total marks a 4.2% increase over 2017’s record total. The Top 25 list includes: Albuquerque Isotopes, Charleston RiverDogs, Charlotte Knights, Columbia Fireflies, Columbus Clippers, Corpus Christi Hooks, Durham Bulls, El Paso Chihuahuas, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Gwinnett Stripers, Hartford Yard Goats, Indianapolis Indians, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Nashville Sounds, Pawtucket Red Sox, Portland Sea Dogs, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Rochester Red Wings, Sacramento River Cats, Salt Lake Bees, San Antonio Missions, Tacoma Rainiers, Toledo Mud Hens, and Trenton Thunder. Rick recently spoke with Octagon Executive Vice President Woody Thompson, who leads that agency’s baseball practice. Here’s what Thompson shared: “Baseball has done a really great job. From a municipal standpoint, their engagement with these cities has been fantastic and the cities have really gotten behind it…Baseball has a place in this country in the hearts and minds of everybody. Whether you’re a kid or you’re an adult, baseball is there for you.”

After a Wimbledon for the ages, World Team Tennis, U.S. hardcourts return. Armed with new CEO Carlos Silva, two new franchises, a new TV partner, and a new streaming partner, World Team Tennis returns for its 44th season this month, with the eight-team league, which now includes the Vegas Rollers and Orlando Storm, and features 16 matches on CBS Sports channels July 14-August 3, including the league’s debut on broadcast TV July 21. While we won’t see Wimbledon champs Simona Halep and Novak Djokovic competing, this year’s WTT athletes include returning players Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, Bob and Mike Bryan, Madison Keys, Victoria Azarenka, Monica Puig, Eugenie Bouchard, and John Isner. Elsewhere, the 2019 Citi Open in Washington, DC will see fans offered a new fan experience showcasing D.C.’s “most innovative” culinary fare. Levy will be the exclusive food and beverage partner for the long-running tennis tournament. In a delicious new twist, Levy will rebrand concessions and VIP hospitality fare throughout the tournament grounds with customized menus from Chef Jose Andres and favored local D.C. eateries.

As David Beckham took in Wimbledon action on Centre Court, his MLS Inter Miami franchise secured permission from city commissioners to build a soccer-specific stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The motion was approved for the City of Fort Lauderdale to enter into a comprehensive agreement with Beckham’s MLS project to develop the Lockhart Stadium site. Inter Miami, which will join MLS in 2020, plans to invest up to $60 million to construct a state-of-the-art, 18,000-seat stadium at the site of the now demolished Lockhart Stadium. The venue will temporarily house the MLS franchise for two seasons while the club looks to construct a permanent stadium in Miami on a 73-acre site near Melreese golf course. Lockhart site construction will begin once the FAA approves the process due to the site’s proximity to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Meanwhile, Beckham is working with his new Studio 99 content house and LeBron James’ Uninterrupted to co-produce a documentary series charting the launch of Inter Miami. Studio 99 already has a slate of projects in development with a broad focus beyond sports.

The New York Islanders have revealed plans for a new train station as part of their $1.26 billion redevelopment project at Belmont Park. The total train station cost, which will be part of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) line, is expected to be $105 million. $97 million of that figure will be funded by redevelopment group New York Arena Partners, with the state providing the remaining $8 million. According to Newsday, the train station will be partially open by 2021, when the Islanders hope to open their new arena, and fully operational by 2023. The service is expected to alleviate concerns over a lack of public transport to the Belmont Park site, which as well as a 19,000-seat arena and entertainment complex is to feature a 250-room hotel and 435,000 square feet of retail space. The announcement of Long Island’s first new LIRR station in nearly 50 years coincided with the release of new analysis of the project’s economic impact. The study claims that the new arena, hotel, and retail village will generate nearly $50 million in new public revenue per year and produce $725 million in annual economic output. 

Ever since Steve Ballmer bought the team, the Los Angeles Clippers have done their best to make an impression in a market long dominated by the Lakers. While the Lakers cratered last season, the Clippers created a blue-collar identity en route to a playoff appearance. With a net worth of $42 billion, Ballmer is the wealthiest owner in North American sports, and he's utilized that wealth to bulk up the Clippers' front office and medical staff — two areas of increasing importance in an era of load management. Off the court, the Clippers have carved out their own space in Los Angeles in hopes of attracting new fans and being viewed as much more than a little brother. Ballmer has donated more than $10 million to build 350 Clippers-branded public basketball courts throughout the city — a philanthropic effort that doubles as a way to win the hearts and minds of young L.A. residents. There are also plans for the team to move into a new, privately-financed arena in Inglewood by 2024. The L.A. basketball landscape dramatically changed last week — and if Ballmer has his way, that change could be permanent.

With the NFL and its players union in the midst of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, owners continue to push for an 18-game regular season. According to Axios Sports, the NFLPA estimates that an additional two games could add as much as $2.5 billion in annual revenue, which would, in turn, add more than $15 million to the salary cap. Noted the Wall Street Journal, “Across the league's 32 teams, that has the potential to put nearly half a billion dollars in the hands of players annually.” The players are pushing back because of injury concerns. The additional two games would reduce the average NFL career span from 3.3 to 2.8 years, according to the NFLPA's estimates, which is significant because players don't become eligible for post-career benefits until they've played for three years. One potential solution that the owners have proposed is to play 18 games but only allow each player to play in 16 of them…which has the potential to seriously dilute the product. This debate isn't going anywhere soon, so prepare to hear a lot more about it as the NFL season gets underway. 

U.S. Club Soccer estimates an $8.5 million direct economic impact from the 2019 National Premier Leagues (NPL) Finals, Elite National Premier League (ENPL) Finals, and the National Cup XVIII Finals at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Colorado. The 2019 NPL and ENPL Finals, which took place July 11-15, featured U-13 through U-19 boys and girls league champions from around the country, totaling more than 110 teams and 1,700 of America’s top youth players. Playing out July 19-23, the National Cup XVIII Finals serve as the culmination of U.S. Club Soccer’s cup-based national championship series, welcoming 220 teams to compete among U-13 through U-19 boys and girls brackets. As three of the most prestigious youth soccer championships in the country, the NPL Finals, ENPL Finals, and the National Cup XVIII Finals are the targeted annual destination for teams competing on the national level. The expected economic impact for the 2019 Finals is $8.5 million. Founded in 2001, U.S. Club Soccer boasts member clubs from all 50 states, fostering the growth and development of soccer clubs throughout the country to create the best possible development environment for players of all ages in every club.

Captain Morgan is toasting Major League Soccer, courtesy of a new agreement to become the league’s official spiced rum and exclusive spirits partner through 2022. The new deal names Captain Morgan as an official sponsor of MLS All-Star – taking place in a few weeks in Orlando – the Campeones Cup (August 14), and MLS Cup (November 10). Fans will soon be able to purchase custom-labeled bottles of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum featuring official team colors and crests. “From New York to Seattle to Los Angeles, everything about Major League Soccer, its intensely passionate fan base, the atmosphere at each match, and the exciting growth of the sport in the U.S. mirrors the energy that Captain Morgan stands for,” said Christina Choi, DIAGEO Senior Vice President, Rum, Gin, and Tequila. “Our goal is to reward that dedicated fan base, and the crews that get together to support their clubs each and every week, with the fun only Captain can bring.” The rum brand also becomes an official sponsor of Chicago Fire Soccer Club, D.C. United, New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, and Seattle Sounders FC.

And finally, the extra mustard on the hot dog, courtesy of Food & Wine magazine. Hot dog brand Ball Park is honoring baseball’s best hot dog vendors in a new trading card set. Baseball cards have immortalized baseball players for nearly as long as the sport has been around. These days, fans often get just as excited about the ballpark food as they do about seeing the players, so it only makes sense that the hot dog brand Ball Park is creating a new kind of trading card: hot dog vendor cards. Ball Park has put the call out for baseball fans to nominate their favorite hot dog vendors over the next few weeks for inclusion in the set, which is scheduled to go into print in late September or early October—also known as playoff season, where baseball’s biggest heroes shine. The brand claims that this will be the first time these true ballpark MVPs have ever been honored in card form.

Top Five Tech

Illegal English Premier League streaming is worth £1 million in uncaptured sponsorship media value per match. The sponsorship valuation firm GumGum Sports produced a first-of-its-kind study that showed an average audience of 7.1 million fans across as many as 149 countries over eight matches from the English Premier League’s 2018-2019 season. According to Business Wire, the pirated audience was largest in China, where illegal streams served more than 1 million fans per match. The global study also broke down its £1 million-per-match finding by on-pitch sponsor, noting that, of the seven deal placements analyzed, the majority of value came from field-side LED (rotating digital creative) and kit (front-of-jersey) sponsorship placements. The study is the first ever to incorporate digital piracy consumption into a cross-channel sponsorship measurement solution alongside traditional broadcast, streaming, social, and digital, underscoring the rapid global proliferation of illegal online streaming of televised sporting events. Rather than negating illegal streams, this study accepts the chaos of the Internet to try and benefit sports sponsors.

ESPN officially enters esports competition with EXP. EXP is ESPN’s official brand for esports competitions. According to Player.One, the competitions are to be held at ESPN’s own events and the first competition on their list is the battle royale game “Apex Legends.” The first EXP Pro-Am “Apex Legends” tournament was held alongside the 2019 ESPYS this past week, while the second event takes place at X Games Minneapolis 2019 in August. Notables who partook in the event include Nick “Nick EH 30” Amyoony, TSM’s Colton “Viss” Visser, and Coby “Dizzy” Meadows. The competition featured three rounds of play, with $25,000 donated to the V Foundation for Cancer Research on behalf of the trio that finishes first in the overall competition. This collaboration is good news for “Apex Legends,” who has seen its player base gradually decrease; meanwhile, it allows ESPN to increase its fan base without losing previous consumers. 

Megan Rapinoe fuses politics, pay, and tech in Women’s World Cup win. By opening the scoring in the final game of the tournament with a penalty awarded after a video review, Rapinoe claimed a sixth goal and finished as the Golden Boot winner of the most-watched FIFA women’s tournament. Online, things between the White House and Rapinoe escalated as she rejected a post-tournament visit to the epicenter of the United States with President Trump later tweeting, “Megan should WIN first before she TALKS!” and “Finish the job!” According to the Associated Press, Rapinoe has been an outspoken advocate of equal pay for women in soccer. This World Cup victory gave the Americans a $4 million pot, double what it was four years ago. Yet the differences between men’s and women’s payouts are staggering as the prize money for the men’s World Cup in 2022 is jumping to $440 million while the women’s teams will only split $60 million in 2023. Long term, it will be on FIFA to drive more business into women’s soccer as the lack of sellout crowds and public interest currently make it difficult to deliver the same returns to world-class female soccer stars. 

MLS-Liga MX Leagues Cup confirms domestic rights deals for new North American soccer tournament. According to SportsPro, ESPN and Univision have secured U.S. rights to the inaugural Leagues Cup, the new continental club soccer competition featuring eight teams from MLS and Liga MX, North America’s two powerhouse leagues. ESPN will host U.S. English-language coverage across both its linear and over-the-top channels throughout the seven-match tournament, which kicks off July 23. ESPN+ will stream three quarter-final matches including Chicago Fire v Cruz Azul on the opening day, as well as Houston Dynamo v Club America, and Real Salt Lake v Tigres UANL on July 24. This is a bold move to further the passion for soccer in North America; a move that will prove fruitful in the long run for MLS, which sees some of the youngest average fan ages when compared to other major North American sports leagues.

On the heels of the Women’s World Cup, National Women’s Soccer League pro women’s soccer league is back on TV. With the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals between Team USA vs. the Netherlands showcasing a higher American rating than the men’s World Cup last year, ESPN has inked a deal with NSWL to televise 14 matches during the remainder of the current season. A total of 55 players on Women’s World Cup rosters play in the nine-team NWSL, including U.S. stars Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, and Lindsey Horan. According to Deadline, the broadcast deal comes after Lifetime and A&E Networks in February left a three-year official sponsor and broadcast partner deal a year early, leaving the league without a TV home less than two months before the start of its season. All ESPN NSWL league broadcasts will also stream live on the ESPN app. Women’s soccer may be looking at larger sponsorships in the near future as ESPN is jumping in to take advantage of the recent surge of interest in the sport.

Power of Sports Five

Pete Alonso to donate part of $1 million Home Run Derby winnings to charity. The Mets’ rookie slugger upset rookie slugger Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays – who set a Home Run Derby record with 91 total home runs – to take home the winning prize of $1 million. The sum nearly doubled his $550,000 salary, but he still plans on giving some of his prize to help those in need. According to Fox Business, Alonso has pledged 5% to the Wounded Warriors Project, which aids military veterans, and 5% to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which raises money for families of first responders. After the Home Run Derby, Alonso said the donations were motivated in part by both of his grandfathers serving in the U.S. military; each donation totaled $50,000. Rookies seem to have made MLB exciting again, and Alonso is setting a strong precedent for philanthropy with the young superstars of the game.

T-Mobile and MLB All Star Week come together for #HatsOff4Heroes. The telecom giant is donating $250,000 to Little League Baseball and Softball -- a sum that swelled significantly due to the record-shattering home run total. T-Mobile has been an official MLB partner since 2013, and in 2016 became title sponsor for the T-Mobile Home Run Derby during All-Star Game week. According to Tullahoma News, this year the company added an additional $1,000 per home run and $5,000 per magenta bonus ball home run, which resulted in roughly $600,000 for charity after 312 total home runs. Funds raised will help make local Little League programs more affordable for kids and families around the country through equipment grants and financial assistance. This comes on top of the $100,000 T-Mobile and CEO John Legere donated in April to support local leagues rebuilding in Puerto Rico. Even amidst the middle of a merger with Sprint, T-Mobile is still making a difference in the lives of young athletes. 

The ESPYS auction benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research returned for its 15th year. In its 15th year, the V Foundation is supported by eBay auctioning to donate funds toward cancer research.  According to PR Newswire, fans had the chance to bid on everything from exclusive meet and greets with celebrities, athletes, coaches, and league executives as well as behind-the-scenes opportunities with ESPN on-air personalities. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, the foundation has funded more than $225 million in cancer research grants nationwide. Overall, nearly $912 million has been raised for charity by the eBay community, and the program is on-track to raise $1 billion by 2020. The ESPYS always highlight that it's what happens off the sports field that really matters for athletes, coaches, and fans.

NASCAR raises $260,000 for kids over its racing weekend. Charitable programs combined to raise more than $269,000 for local youth groups during last month’s NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Sonoma Raceway. According to the Sonoma Index-Tribune, the majority of the proceeds raised during the race weekend benefit Sonoma County youth organizations through the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. Raceway officials say the charity has distributed more than $6.4 million to youth-serving nonprofit groups since 2001. The money came in principally through the banquet and live auction, which raised $259,000, a record high. Additionally, more than $6,000 was raised through various donations during the weekend. In 2017, Speedway Children's Charities distributed nearly $3.2 million in grants to more than 435 different charitable organizations across the U.S. as NASCAR continues to rebrand itself for a younger generation.

The Eagles’ Chris Long, NHL, and Chicago Fire Soccer Club were among the winners at ESPN Sports Humanitarian Awards. According to The Wrap, the Fifth Annual ESPN Sports Humanitarian Awards once again celebrated athletes and charity ahead of the ESPYS. The most coveted award of the night was the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, which this year went to former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end and founder of Waterboys.ORG, Chris Long. Long topped finalists Reggie Bullock of the Los Angeles Lakers, former U.S. Open tennis champion Sloane Stephens, and Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals. Additionally, the NHL was the League Humanitarian Leadership Award winner, and the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year winner was the Chicago Fire. In addition to honoring sports stars who make a difference, the proceeds from the night went towards the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation, which has contributed $7.5 million to the community on behalf of the Sports Humanitarian Awards.