US Open Innovation, US Soccer Growth, College Sports Scrutiny
SBJ Morning Buzzcast: November 18, 2025
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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.