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Want to know which US sports leagues rake in the most cash? 💰 Our latest blog reveals the top 3 most profitable sports leagues in the US. Link in bio. https://lnkd.in/djZUr7JB #sports #business #money #NFL #NBA #MLB #USAsport

In years gone by, the sports media vacuum between the end of the domestic football season and the start of an international tournament would have been filled by stories of WAG culture and impending metatarsal injuries, at the expense of much more notable sporting events. It feels different this time around. The recent Lionesses match against France and Emma Hayes’ US debut have both been prominent in the backpages, and it was interesting to read a timely article in iGamingBusiness covering the ‘Caitlin Clark Effect’ and the knock-ons it has for women’s sport and associated betting interest. The potential for betting in women’s sport is a topic of much discussion. With increased media attention, improved funding, and the rise of charismatic athletes like Caitlin Clark, the market is ripe for growth, particularly when looking at the open US betting market, and it’s clear that sportsbooks worldwide are taking notice. It’s encouraging to see women’s sporting achievements given recognition for their true value, and I’m pleased to see that women on the pitch have taken the headlines over those off it. https://lnkd.in/ejd_zZAd #womeninsports #sportsbetting #womeningaming

Not only is MLS dealing with competing with the other major sports and fast growing niche sports in North America but other Soccer leagues looking to gain market share into the North American market. With a lot of stakeholders vying for attention and market share, MLS needs to lock in on what type of league it's ultimately trying to be, double down on community - fan engagement/ experience, increase efforts in story telling / marketing and the "entertainment" aspect of the game, and continue the great work in the youth development space. High tides lift all boats and as soccer continues to grow in the North American market hopefully MLS can continue to position itself. The article doesn't necessarily have anything to do with MLS but it got me pondering What thoughts do you have around this topic? https://lnkd.in/gnG-rRza

Is basketball in the United States in a good place? 🏀 The sport faces challenges at every level: 💡 NBA games are increasingly turning into 3-point shooting contests dominated by inefficiency. 🏀 American players have lost over 20% of NBA roster spots. ↘️ 💰 Collegiate basketball has become a pseudo-professional league, with the transfer portal enabling free agency and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opening doors for athletes to earn sponsorship and advertising income. 🌲 🌵 The landscape is shifting—the eroding quality of the American basketball product due too the commercialization of youth sports. 🌎 With over 3 billion global basketball fans driving an industry valued at over $200 billion, there’s an incredible opportunity to develop a new generation of American basketball athletes and reclaim the economic opportunities lost to growing global competition. 🏀💼 📓 Our Special Report highlights the untapped potential in the American basketball market and the path to empowering athletes and the industry alike. 📖 Read more and discover the opportunity: https://lnkd.in/gSucYi6B

In 2022, Sports Business Journal debuted the first women’s sports edition of Power Players. Since then, the space has exploded, with women’s sports set to surpass $1 billion in revenue in 2024. From Mark Davis seeing the value of his Las Vegas Aces skyrocket from $2M to their $140M to record crowds at Nebraska Volleyball, the growth is clear. The WNBA and NWSL have seen increased viewership and expanded media deals, while brands like Aflac and State Farm invest heavily. In this week's #SBJ, we spotlight the 2024 Power Players driving this momentum: https://ow.ly/Gv4m50Uj0zZ

“Despite what media coverage might suggest, talent in women’s hoops is not a new phenomenon (as Clark alluded to in her SNL segment) and knee-jerk labeling Clark as the GOAT of women’s hoops is shortsighted at best. This isn’t to take away from Clark’s obvious talent, but to highlight the vast depth of skill in women’s basketball, both college and pro, that has largely gone unnoticed thanks to a lack of investment and media coverage from traditional sports media outlets. Thankfully, that is set to change–women’s sports have been dramatically increasing in coverage and popularity, particularly since the pandemic–but for those on the sidelines and in the media who have been watching women’s basketball for years (or even decades), it’s a bit of a slap in the face to hear so much commotion surrounding one singular player when there have been plenty of Clark-esque talents throughout the years. … Of course, there’s Dianna Taurasi, the three-time WNBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and the only player to score over 9,000 points at women’s basketball’s highest level. There are also the players Clark paid homage to on SNL like her proclaimed basketball hero, Maya Moore, four-time WNBA champ, whose career potential was never fully realized as she left the game in 2019 to focus on criminal justice reform. And Sheryl Swoopes, the first-ever WNBA Draft pick, consecutive four-time WNBA champion, and both a three-time WNBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Or Lisa Leslie, the four-time Olympic gold medalist who helped lead the 1996 Olympic Dream Team to its third gold medal–the first of seven consecutive gold medals for Team USA–as a formidable center and a feared defender. By now, everybody knows Dawn Staley, who has won two national championships and only suffered three losses in the last three years as the head coach at South Carolina long after her own impressive college, Olympic, and professional playing careers concluded. As Clark pointed out, Cheryl Miller, whose playing career was cut short by a devastating knee injury, also deserves praise after winning two national championships and the Naismith Player of the Year three times at USC in the 1980s.” I have nothing but respect for Caitlin Clark and her skill is undeniable. But focusing so much media attention on one player when women’s basketball has seen so much talent over the years is a disservice to fans—especially those like me who have been watching for over a decade. It’s my hope that sports media won’t make the same mistake with current college players like Paige Bueckers, Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, and others in coming seasons. My full take for Awful Announcing:

Women's sports are currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in visibility and recognition, marking a significant turning point in the sports landscape. This momentum is exemplified by record-breaking viewership for events like the NCAA women's basketball championship, which attracted more viewers than the men's final for the first time in history. More recently, the National Women’s Soccer League has broken attendance records this season and nearly doubled its national TV audience, while the WNBA’s regular season ratings hit a twenty-four-year high. This panel will explore the massive boost in women’s sports audiences and attention and look at the necessary next steps to continue growing this momentum. Attend Summit: https://bit.ly/4dHHHZ7 #PaleySummit #WomensSports #WNBA

Vermont’s Sports Betting Revenue Hits $1.6 Million in December Vermont's sportsbooks generated in December an Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of $1.6 million from a handle of $24.4 million. American football was the top sport of the month regarding betting, with a handle of almost $9.7 million. Basketball, combining NBA and college games, took second, with over $5.7 million added to the total handle. Read more in the MediaTroopers news section 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/ekinFPss Image: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Great insight from Youth Sports industry leaders! Thanks Sports Business Journal for hosting.

🚨  The WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) is coming to Toronto - with play slated to start in 2026! With the announcement coming on the heels of successful exhibition games in Toronto and Edmonton, there's never been a better time to brands to invest in women's sports. Per Vividata, there are a projected 8 Million Canadian adults currently following the WNBA at any frequency, and over 2 Million that follow the league regularly - a number expected to only grow, from coast to coast. Additionally, a recent report from Canadian Women & Sport | Femmes et sport au Canada found that two in three Canadians between the ages of 13 and 65 — approximately 17 million people — consider themselves to be fans of women's sports, as evidenced by the strong support of the PWHL. https://lnkd.in/gfJ8cAyY