US Open Innovation, US Soccer Growth, College Sports Scrutiny

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Articles & Papers

• "Rob Schaefer spoke to Butorac" (sportsbusinessjournal.com) - This article provides more details about Eric Butorac's promotion at the USTA.

People Mentioned

• Eric Butorac (US Open Director, Managing Director, Tennis Business Development at USTA) - Named as the new US Open director, replacing Stacey Allister.
• Stacey Allister (Chief Executive for Pro Tennis at USTA) - The outgoing US Open director, shifting into an advisory role.
• Dan Helfrich (Chief Operating Officer of US Soccer Federation, former CEO of Deloitte Consulting) - Hired as the US Soccer Federation's first COO, tasked with improving business practices.
• President Trump - Announced a FIFA pass system to enable prioritized visa interviews for World Cup ticket holders.
• Marco Rubio (Secretary of State) - Mentioned in the context of staffing increases for visa processing.
• Gianni Infantino (FIFA President) - Estimated the number of people who will travel to the US for the World Cup.
• Ben Portnoy (SBJ reporter) - Reported on the University of Arizona's stadium naming rights deal.
• Desiree Reed-Francois (Arizona athletic director) - Commented on the rising cost of running an athletic department.
• Senator Maria Cantwell (Washington) - Wrote a letter to the head of the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation regarding the tax-exempt status of college sports.
• James Franklin (Former Penn State football coach, now Virginia Tech coach) - Mentioned for his recent firing from Penn State and subsequent hiring by Virginia Tech.
• Lane Kiffin (Old Miss coach) - Being courted by major programs after leading Old Miss to its 10th win.
• O'Brien Kelly - The former LSU coach, to whom LSU owes a significant buyout.
• Cole Hamels (Baseball Player) - Prominent newcomer on this year's Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.
• Ryan Braun (Baseball Player) - Prominent newcomer on this year's Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.
• Matt Kemp (Baseball Player) - Prominent newcomer on this year's Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.
• Carlos Beltran (Baseball Player) - Returning contender on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.
• Andrew Jones (Baseball Player) - Returning contender on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.
• J.A. Happ (Baseball Player) - Returning contender on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.
• Austin Karp - Mentioned as a colleague with whom the host debates ACC football.

Organizations & Institutions

• USTA (United States Tennis Association) - The organization that named Eric Butorac as its new US Open director.
• US Soccer Federation - Hired its first chief operating officer, Dan Helfrich.
• Deloitte Consulting - Dan Helfrich's former employer.
• Golden Rule Entertainment - Operates Robin Robert Stadium and will launch a developmental league.
• University of Arizona - Signed a 20-year stadium naming rights deal with Casino Del Sol.
• Arizona Sports Enterprises - The in-house partnerships arm of the University of Arizona athletic department that negotiated the naming rights deal.
• Learfield - Previously handled partnerships for the University of Arizona.
• University of California Pension System's investment fund - Had planned to make a major capital infusion into Big 10 Enterprises.
• Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation - Received a letter from Senator Maria Cantwell regarding the tax-exempt status of college sports.
• Penn State - Former employer of football coach James Franklin.
• Virginia Tech - Hired James Franklin as their new football coach.
• Old Miss - Lane Kiffin is the coach, and the Athletic reported they asked him for an answer regarding his future.
• Florida - One of the major programs recruiting Lane Kiffin.
• LSU - One of the major programs recruiting Lane Kiffin, also dealing with a coaching buyout.
• Georgia Tech - Austin Karp's alma mater, currently atop the ACC standings.
• Virginia - The host's alma mater, currently atop the ACC standings.

Websites & Online Resources

• YouTube - Will stream the Women's Pro Baseball League's first draft.
• TikTok - Will stream the Women's Pro Baseball League's first draft.
• Instagram - Will stream the Women's Pro Baseball League's first draft.

Other Resources

• Casino Del Sol - Signed a 20-year stadium naming rights deal with the University of Arizona.
• Robin Robert Stadium - The venue where the Women's Pro Baseball League will play its debut 2026 season.