Money In Focus’ Post

18.5% annual growth. Followed by 21.5% growth. Followed by...covid. Ugh. But then followed by 8% growth. Followed by 32.2% growth in 2023. That's the growth in average game attendance in the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League). Teams like San Diego Wave Fútbol Club, Portland Thorns FC and Angel City Football Club are drawing about 20,000 per game. What's next? At this rate, it should be fun to watch. https://lnkd.in/gHXammu3

Check out my latest article for BVM Sports!

The Oakland Athletics will share a stadium with the Sacramento River Cats for three seasons prior to moving to #LasVegas, the team said Thursday. The Cats are the Triple A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. This kinda makes sense but dunno how the Sacramento team will feel having to play with a Double A [quality] #MLB team. It's a long time since Moneyball and all Billy Beane's awesomeness was ripped off by teams with scads more $$. Still, the A's, while enduring a recent three-game sweep by the Boston Red Sox [Go Sox!], drew about 4,000 fans per game, easily half being Sox fans. Sacto's stadium capacity is 10,000. The A's did average 10K last year, but either way it's #NoProblem In true Major League Baseball (MLB) fashion there's a club option for a fourth year. The A's will be called the Athletics or the A's for their time in Sacramento, dropping the word 'Oakland' — which can also only be good from a #branding perspective. Not just dropping the #Oakland part, but having no city at all on their name for four years. Then, what happens in #Vegas ... well, you know. Vegas a'course is already well into becoming a sports mecca — the now Las Vegas Raiders, the Las Vegas Aces, the Vegas Golden Knights — a boon for #convention-goers staying an extra day or entertaining #clients, sunburn-easily #tourists, and local residents. There are two Vegases after all: that 'what happens in' one, and the family-friendly one. Both can be pleased with the arrival of the A's, who perhaps will then have the dosh to keep players after working so hard to develop them ... only to see them currently and after several seasons decamp for hefty salary cities. They're building a $1.1B stadium in the #Nevada desert. Benjamin Siegel wd be proud. #baseball #sportsbusiness #sports #betting

🚨 Breaking News: Cleveland is a finalist among three cities vying for a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team, with the league planning to grow from 12 to 16 teams by 2026. The Cleveland Soccer Group has plans to build a new $150M stadium across from Progressive Field, which would seat over 12,000 fans if Cleveland wins the expansion team. If approved, this would be Ohio’s first stadium dedicated to professional women’s sports—a historic milestone for the region. The NWSL is expected to announce its decision by the end of this year. The three finalists are Cleveland, Denver and Cincinnati. #GreaterCLE #AllIn City of Cleveland - City Hall Cuyahoga County Cleveland Metroparks Greater Cleveland Sports Commission National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Destination Cleveland

More big announcements soon!

⚽ Interesting updates from United Soccer League (USL) ⚽ Memphis 901 FC - will no longer be part of USL Championship Reason: (allegedly) Due to stadium challenges What's next: Santa Barbara Sky FC will obtain the rights and compete in the league possibly starting 2026 Northern Colorado Hailstorm - Challenges with USL league One due to financial disputes Reason: Lawsuit ongoing What's next: The team is committed to continue operations, but will most likely have to play in a different league Central Valley Fuego FC | The team will no longer be part of the United Soccer League Reason: Mutual agreement What's next: Plans for the future will be announced in the coming weeks USL is a young league with different divisions, it comes with growing pains, which is understandable, however I do hope things stabilize, because you don't want the perception and momentum to shift negatively. I believe the league is designed to help ensure the long-term stability of professional soccer in North America. #UnitedForSoccer U.S. Soccer Federation

🔥 Women’s Soccer Aims to Rival the NFL | Power Players 🔥 Bloomberg Originals by Jason Kelly. National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Jessica Berman discusses the journey from managing a player abuse scandal to achieving unprecedented commercial success. This is a must-watch for its honesty and in-depth explanation of the league's growth strategy. All these milestones have been achieved in just two years. I repeat “JUST TWO YEARS”. 📈 NWSL is in its 12th season—3rd attempt at a pro women’s football league in the U.S. 📈 Fast Company’s Top 5 Most Innovative Company of 2024. 📈 NWSL has seen remarkable expansion with new teams like Bay FC and Boston. 📈 Media rights values surged 40x; recent deal valued at $240M. 📈 Average team value jumped from $2M to $66M. 🎯Bonus: Carolyn Tisch Blodgett’s insights on elevating players and turning them into household names as the instrumental tool for Gotham City’s growth. 🎯Recipe for success: Infrastructure, player empowerment, investment, financial independence, long-term vision, and culture. #goodforbusiness #womenssports #companyculture #leadership https://lnkd.in/eny53UBq

Are the Knicks championship contenders? Change is the only constant in the world of sports, and the recent trade of Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks, Inc. is a testament to that. Bridges, an undeniably talented player, joins a new roster with Bojan Bogdanovic and a slew of draft picks heading to the Brooklyn Nets. While this move creates a buzz, it's essential to recognize that while Bridges brings immense potential and skill to the Knicks, the path to an NBA championship remains fraught with challenges. At Friedman Vartolo LLP, we recognize the parallels between the sports trade and the legal industry. Just as the Knicks must effectively utilize their new lineup to compete for a championship, we, too, must constantly adapt and innovate to maintain our position in the legal industry. We admire Bridges' dedication and the Knicks' strategic moves, understanding that true success is not just about talent—it's about resilience, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The Knicks' acquisition of Bridges is a bold step forward, but as we often see in both law and sports, the journey to the top is long and arduous. Achieving greatness is not just about securing the best players or clients; it's about consistently delivering outstanding performance and maintaining a vision for the future. Friedman Vartolo LLP applauds the Knicks for their ambition and looks forward to seeing how this new chapter unfolds, reminding us all that with the right strategy and effort, even the loftiest goals are within reach. Honestly, I'm not sure if this can lead to a ring but it definitely gives the Knicks a better shot. What do you think? (Photo Credit: NY Post)

Remembering and honoring Jerry West, he was a friend to Innovative Partnerships Group. We have fond memories doing innovative partnerships with him over the years. Read more about his enduring impact on the sports industry: https://lnkd.in/eW-Fjm2N Sports Business Journal

After years of being considered a backwater #sports town, #LosAngeles has emerged center court in the U.S., if not the world. For Los Angeles Magazine’s July issue, we identified and profiled the city’s sports power players, including athletes, Olympians and executives from WME | William Morris Endeavor, Wasserman, LA GOLF and more. Read the feature here >> https://lnkd.in/g_gurA6G