ESPN Wants to Be the Hub For All Live Sports Streaming


Fan Fact

According to Opendorse, the Big 12 leads the way in NIL compensation as of February 2023.


Top Story

ESPN wants to be the hub of all live sports streaming—even if it helps its competition

The sports network has held conversations with major sports leagues and media partners about launching a feature on ESPN.com and its free ESPN app that will link users directly to where a live sporting event is streaming.

What's the deal?

The actual media partners haven’t yet been determined, and there’s no timeline on when such a feature would launch, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. Still, ESPN has broached the idea to the major sports leagues and media companies to gauge their enthusiasm, the people said.

While the business terms of the concept could still change, ESPN has considered a model in which it would take a cut of subscription revenue from a user who signed up for a streaming service through the ESPN app or website, two of the people said. If a customer already subscribes to a given service, ESPN would collect no money and just provide the link as a courtesy.

The bottom line:

Several owners of regional sports networks have expressed particular optimism about the idea as they try to boost subscription revenue while leagues question the larger industry’s business prospects in a streaming-dominated ecosystem.

Read: CNBC


gaming

NWSL players, clubs to be in EA Sports FIFA for the first time

The NWSL will join the Women's Super League and Division 1 Feminine, as well as women's national teams, in FIFA 23 on March 15 after EA announced new partnerships with the league, as the women's game continues to surge in popularity.

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said the league being added to the game is a "monumental milestone for the league," adding that it continues "pushing boundaries for the women's game." "The NWSL's integration into EA SPORTS FIFA 23 is a monumental milestone for the league, the players and millions of football fans around the world as we continue pushing boundaries for the women's game," Berman said in a statement.

Read: ESPN


sponsorship

FIFA poised to scrap Visit Saudi sponsorship for Women’s World Cup

FIFA could be set to abandon plans for Saudi Arabia’s tourism arm to sponsor the Women’s World Cup after a ferocious response from co-hosts Australia and New Zealand and some of the highest-profile players in the women’s game. The global governing body is still yet to even publicly acknowledge the mooted deal.

The deal triggered a wave of immense criticism from both Football Australia and New Zealand Football, who demanded immediate clarification from FIFA and said neither federation had been consulted. Matildas players have largely avoided public comment on the issue, but USA stars Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe described it as “bizarre”, “totally inappropriate” and “outrageous” considering Saudi Arabia’s heavy restrictions on rights for women and ban on same-sex relationships, while Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema said FIFA should be “deeply ashamed” for even considering it.

Read: Sydney Morning Herald


UPDATES

h23-dates

Register for Hashtag Sports 2023 this summer

Hashtag Sports 2023 is the premier event for content creators, marketers, and the next generation of talent who are building the fan experience and setting the benchmark for effective engagement.

We're returning to New York City on June 13-14 to bring sports media and marketing's must-attend event of the summer back to the Big Apple. Register your conference pass before our Early Bird period ends ($695 + tax/fees).


engagement

Golf brands try new course for fan engagement

Traditional golf brands are using nontraditional media platforms to engage with consumers. Checking the scorecard since the start of the year, three of the largest golf original equipment manufacturers now have key partnerships with some of the leaders in the new golf media landscape.

No Laying Up announced a presenting sponsorship with Titleist parent company Acushnet at the start of the year, as did Good Good Golf with Callaway Golf. Meanwhile, Barstool Sports Fore Play remains with TaylorMade in a partnership that began in 2021. David Paro, a veteran marketer and current head of global marketing for MoneyGram, said using the media sites, their popular podcasts and active social media presence give the manufacturers “broader credibility” and acceptance in the golf landscape.

Read: SBJ


content

Wiz Khalifa, Bebe Rexha’s fan-focused NBA All-Star Game special ‘The Sum’ being shopped as singing competition series by Anagram

What started as a singing competition special featuring Wiz Khalifa and Bebe Rexha that aired during NBA All-Star Weekend on TNT is now being shopped as a full-format series, Variety has learned.

Following the success and positive response from both the talent and the fans, Anagram is now shopping the series around to networks. Craig Barry, executive vice president and chief content officer at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, which programs the NBA All-Star Game on TNT, added: “’The Sum’ was a perfect and innovative, competition music show that complimented our programming and created some entertaining and memorable moments for fans.”

Read: CNBC


What Else Is Trending?
  • MEDIA: ESPN's recent executive shuffle puts Burke Magnus over content and Rosalyn Durant over sports rights.
  • SPONSORSHIP: Ally and Sports Innovation Lab are launching the Women's Sports Club to focus on increasing investment in the space.
  • BETTING: Georgia lawmakers are again spurning plans to legalize sports betting, rejecting an effort that had been pushed by Atlanta’s sports teams and business leaders.
  • BRANDS: Canadian Tire is committing half its sponsorship dollars to women's pro sports by 2026.
  • ATHLETES: Former MLB pitcher Trevor Plouffe has found a new home and career with Jomboy Media.

RAD AD


DEAL OF THE WEEK

PNC Bank joins Angel City Football Club as Founding Partner and the Official Women’s Business Champion

Consistent with ACFC’s sponsorship model and its equity, essentials, and education pillars and PNC Bank’s commitment to moving all forward financially, PNC and ACFC will work together to advance programs and initiatives that engage, support, and inspire women financial decision-makers, with an emphasis on those who own and lead businesses in Greater Los Angeles. This includes the reallocation of 10% of the bank’s sponsorship investment into a fund established with ACFC to provide grants to support retired National Women’s Soccer League players who aspire to build and/or grow social enterprises and businesses. These efforts will further the work of the Player 22 Fund previously created by ACFC.


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