PWHL Expansion Soars, NWSL Fights For Rodman, MLS Courts World Cup Buzz

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

People Mentioned

• Russ D'Souza (SeatGeek) - One of the three new Hall of Fame inductees.
• Uzma Rondaler (Major League Baseball) - One of the three new Hall of Fame inductees.
• Michael Melnitzky (Allen & Company) - One of the three new Hall of Fame inductees.
• Stan Kasten - Shared insights from an SBJ conference stage about PWHL season ticket sales.
• Rachel Axon (SBJ) - Reported on the PWHL's broadcast TV growth.
• Amy Sheer (PWHL Executive Vice President for Business Operations) - Discussed the league's broadcast strategy.
• Alex Silverman (SBJ) - Previously reported on NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman's contract extension.
• Jessica Berman (NWSL Commissioner) - Signed a contract extension and discussed efforts to retain star players like Trinity Rodman.
• Trinity Rodman - Star striker for the NWSL, subject of discussion regarding retention efforts against overseas overtures.
• Lionel Messi - Referenced for his creative contract in MLS as a precedent for potential NWSL player retention strategies.
• Ben Portnoy (SBJ) - Reported on Learfield's potential sale.
• Mack Rhoades (Baylor Athletic Director) - Resigned from his position.
• Rebecca Lobo (ESPN) - Signed a new multi-year deal as ESPN's lead women's basketball analyst.
• Michael Jordan - Donated $10 million to Novant Health, New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
• Delores Jordan - Michael Jordan's mother, for whom the Neuroscience Institute at Novant Health will be named.

Organizations & Institutions

• Hard Rock Hotel - Venue for the New Voices Under 30 celebration.
• Allen & Company - Michael Melnitzky is affiliated with this company.
• NESN - Provides local coverage for PWHL games in Boston.
• MSG - Provides local coverage for PWHL games in New York.
• FanDuel Sports Network North - Provides local coverage for PWHL games in Minnesota.
• Fox 13 - Provides local coverage for PWHL games in Seattle.
• Yeti - Joined as a new league sponsor for the NWSL.
• Moelis & Company - Retained to assist Learfield with exploring strategic alternatives.
• Bank of America - Retained to assist Learfield with exploring strategic alternatives.
• Charlesbank Capital Partners - Majority owner of Learfield.
• Fortress Investment Group - Funds managed by this group are majority owners of Learfield.
• IMG College - Merged with Learfield in 2018.
• NBC - Broadcasts NBA games as part of the new media rights deal.
• Peacock - Streams NBA games as part of the new media rights deal.
• ESPN - Broadcasts NBA games as part of the new media rights deal.
• Amazon Prime Video - Streams NBA games as part of the new media rights deal.
• Novant Health, New Hanover Regional Medical Center - Received a $10 million donation from Michael Jordan.

Websites & Online Resources

• sportsbusinessjournal.com - Mentioned as a source for reports on PWHL ticket sales.
• YouTube - Streams all PWHL games, making them highly accessible.
• Apple TV Plus - Subscription service that will provide access to all MLS matches broadcast by Apple.
• NSF-Sammy.awardstage.com - Website for submitting nominations for the Sports Business Journal National Sports Forum Sammy Award.

Other Resources

• New Voices Under 30 - An SBJ event celebrating emerging talent.
• 40 Under 40 - An SBJ event celebrating top professionals in the sports industry.
• TSN - Canadian national broadcast partner for the PWHL.
• RDS - Canadian national broadcast partner for the PWHL.
• Prime Video - Canadian national streaming partner for the PWHL.
• MLS Season Pass - Apple's dedicated MLS streaming service, separate from Apple TV Plus, which will also broadcast MLS matches.
• Video sites - A metric used by the NBA to track social media views, an SBJ Tech Most Innovative Company honoree.
• PitchCom - Communication provider used by pitchers and catchers in MLB games, also works with Athletes Unlimited Softball and the Canadian Football League.
• Sports Business Journal National Sports Forum Sammy Award - An award recognizing the year's best sales, advertising, marketing, or management idea.