Tom Brady, LaMelo Ball And The Simpsons: This Week's Most Interesting Sports Business Stories – Forbes
Tom Brady retires as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns and earnings.
In this week’s SportsMoney Playbook: Tom Brady’s career earnings, the NBA player with his own esports platform and Jeff Gordon’s new role as a team executive. Plus: Tom Werner on the evolution of Fenway Sports Group.
Nascar legend Jeff Gordon has turned in his broadcast mic and will be working with Hendrick Motorsports full time as vice chairman. “I’m not big on titles, but I know it comes with a lot of responsibility,” he tells us. “We have 600 people here.”
Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is entering the esports world, launching his own platform for tournaments, merchandise and content. “Instead of backing an esports team, I’d rather start my own eventually,” he tells us.
It wasn’t long ago that Kahleah Copper was looking up to WNBA stars like Ivory Latta. Now an All-Star, a champion and a Finals MVP, she’s become one of the league’s most promising young talents.
From building the U.S. women’s national team into a powerhouse to changing the way pregnancy and motherhood fit into the career of a professional player, Amy Rodriguez‘s impact on soccer cannot be overstated. Now, as she enters retirement, it’s up to new trailblazers like Gotham FC business manager Andrea Pagnanelli to push the game forward, starting with the New York City area.
Covid-19 may have led the NHL to reschedule 98 games this season and pull its players from the Beijing Olympics, but the league is pushing ahead with its All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.
At first, the pandemic dented Bad Birdie‘s business; then it sent it into overdrive. The golf apparel brand’s top-line revenue is up 900% in the last two years. Mullie Golf, a social shopping startup akin to StockX or Poshmark, wants to capitalize on the golf boom, too.
After a dismal performance at the Tokyo Olympics, USA Skateboarding isn’t taking any chances with the 2024 Paris Games. That’s why the federation just tapped seven-time X Games medalist Alexis Sablone as head coach.
Tom Werner, chairman of Fenway Sports Group, spoke to us about the growth of team values, his group’s purchase of the Penguins and the sports world’s influx of private-equity money. See the video interview here.
Tom Brady has redefined how football players can leverage their star power.
Tom Brady Has Retired. Here’s How Much He Earned In His 22-Year NFL Career.
It’s official: After 22 years, Tom Brady has announced his retirement from professional football. The seven-time Super Bowl champion departs as the NFL’s all-time earnings leader. See how much he’s made.
Hot Reads:
In December, New York-based private-equity managers Robert Lewis and John Aiello acquired a majority stake in third-division Italian soccer club Cesena FC. Why Italy? Its soccer pyramid is “undervalued relative to the other leagues,” they tell us. They’re not alone in that mindset. See why U.S. investors are pouring money into Italian soccer—and why it’s actually a risky play.
“There’s no question The Simpsons’ ratings success is hugely due to a football lead-in.” – Al Jean
The overlap between The Simpsons and the sports world extends back 30 years, to when the show correctly predicted Washington’s Super Bowl victory in 1992. Fox then moved the show to Sundays in 1994 to follow NFL games. Take a look back at how sports played a role in the show’s success, with insight from longtime showrunner Al Jean.
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