Sports Leagues Leverage Brand Partnerships and Entertainment for Growth

Key Quotes

"As the TGL made its second season debut yesterday afternoon on ABC. That's right, Mike McCarthy's tech-infused golf league made its debut on broadcast television on ABC, but did so going head-to-head with the NFL. A bold choice, even against a fairly lackluster early window on Sunday afternoon."

Josh Carpenter notes the strategic decision of TGL to debut its second season on broadcast television against the NFL. Carpenter highlights this as a bold programming choice, even considering the typically less competitive early NFL window on Sundays.

"TGL entered its second season with seven founding partners. Its top sponsorship level outside of presenting partner, Sofi. That's an increase from three founding partners last year. And those sponsors were plastered all over the broadcast on Sunday. Omega is TGL's new shot clock sponsor this year. Farmers Insurance is another new company on board this year with the league and sponsored players' walk-ins to the arena, among other assets."

Josh Carpenter points out the significant growth in TGL's corporate partnerships for its second season. Carpenter emphasizes the increase in founding partners from three to seven, and lists several prominent brands like Omega and Farmers Insurance that were visible during the broadcast.

"Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported on Sunday that the Falcons have had discussions with their former Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan about a quote, 'significant potential front office role.' Sources told Glazer that Ryan is seriously considering the position, which would mean the end of his time on the NFL today for CBS Sports, a position he's worked in for the last two seasons."

Josh Carpenter reports on potential changes within the NFL's Atlanta Falcons organization. Carpenter details that the team has discussed a front office role with former quarterback Matt Ryan, who is reportedly considering the offer, which would conclude his current broadcasting career.

"Falcons owner Arthur Blank has taken notice of two teams, notably, the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers, that have hired former players for front office roles in recent years. The 49ers have had great success with former safety John Lynch as their GM, while the Panthers could secure their first playoff birth in eight years next Sunday, under the direction of former linebacker Dan Morgan in the same role."

Josh Carpenter illustrates a trend in the NFL where teams are finding success by hiring former players into front office positions. Carpenter cites the San Francisco 49ers with John Lynch and the Carolina Panthers with Dan Morgan as examples of this strategy yielding positive results.

"But something really caught my attention this weekend, and it seemed to catch the attention of the rest of the sports world as well. I'm talking, as you probably guessed, about the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday between Georgia Tech and BYU. And a time with so many forgettable bowl games, Pop-Tarts continues to deliver with this one now in its third year."

Josh Carpenter highlights the Pop-Tarts Bowl as a standout event in the college football season, capturing widespread attention. Carpenter notes that in an era of many unremarkable bowl games, the Pop-Tarts Bowl has consistently delivered memorable moments in its three years of existence.

"When asked if there are too many bowl games, Carparelli told The Athletic, quote, 'No one has ever dictated how many bowl games there are. They've been strictly a function of host communities that want to host them and teams that want to participate. If at any point in time the institutions decide as much as we love the bowl system, we may want to participate at a different level, then the bowl system will adjust accordingly.'"

Josh Carpenter shares the perspective of Nick Carparelli, executive director of bowl season, on the proliferation of college football bowl games. Carparelli explains that the number of bowl games is determined by the demand from host communities and participating teams, suggesting the system will adapt if institutions change their participation levels.