MLS has often struggled to capture the attention of global soccer fans during its first 30 years. But on Saturday, the league has a massive marketing opportunity to showcase itself through a championship game featuring two of the sport’s most decorated global players: Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Thomas Müller. After Vancouver …
Rutgers Safety Will Play Saturday, Thanks to Trial Judge Ruling
Rutgers safety Jett Elad will always have Thanksgiving week of 2025 to remember, no matter where his career takes him. That’s because 24-year-old Elad and his attorney, Kevin H. Marino, have engineered a remarkable feat. The U.S. Court of Appeals for Third Circuit ruled on Tuesday that Elad is ineligible to play in Saturday’s regular …
Before Turducken, College Football Used to Eat Up Thanksgiving
Before John Madden and a certain gastronomic Matryoshka doll helped establish the NFL as the main course of America’s Thanksgiving celebrations, the holiday was dominated by simpler eats … and college football. As much as the Detroit Lions have clocked in for 85 of these feast-day games since suiting up for their very first in 1934, …
SEC, ABC Gobble Up TV Ratings as ‘Bama and Georgia Bury the Big Ten
As much as Big Ten boosters never tire of talking up their conference, Americans seem to prefer watching the SEC on fall Saturdays. According to Nielsen data, the six most-watched college football teams rep the SEC, while 11 of the top 15 draws also hail from Greg Sankey’s conference. Tops among all schools is Alabama, …
Sunk-Cost Football: UMass’ Faltering Quest to Belong in the FBS
What’s there to lose? That was Nelson Lacey’s thinking in 2011, when the University of Massachusetts Amherst—a consistent force in the second tier of NCAA Division I—decided to make the leap to the premier Football Bowl Subdivision. A professor of finance, Lacey twice co-chaired the school’s faculty athletic council and also helped lead an ad …
Apple’s MLS Streaming Shift May Alter Revenue-Share Plans
When Apple and MLS announced their 10-year streaming tie-up in 2022, there were two key financial components: a $250 million annual guarantee from Apple, plus the opportunity for MLS to get a share of additional revenue if the new Season Pass subscription product achieved a certain level of success. But starting next season, MLS Season …
Sounders Tap Moelis to Sell First Major Stake Since 2009
The Seattle Sounders are seeking outside investors for the first time since the club joined MLS in 2009. The team has retained Moelis & Co. to explore a “strategic capital raise,” according to a statement shared with Sportico. More specifically, the Sounders are looking for a large minority partner that can lend capital and expertise …
Congressman Demands College Coach Pay Cap Amid Buyout Bonanza
The record-setting rate of college coaching buyouts this year has reignited one member of Congress’ push to impose sweeping limits on how much universities can pay their coaches—both to lead their teams and, if desired, leave them. The Correcting Opportunity and Accountability in Collegiate Hiring (COACH) Act, introduced Monday by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.), would …
Borgen Family Joins Austin FC Investors at $912 Million Valuation
The Borgen family, investors in the NWSL’s Denver Summit expansion team, are part of the group that recently invested in Austin FC at an enterprise value of $912 million. FirstTracks Sports Ventures, which is managed by Jon-Erik Borgen, closed its investment earlier this month. The group is part of the series of transactions mostly announced …
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Sign 3-Year Contract Extension
Lionel Messi has signed a contract extension with Inter Miami, the MLS club announced Thursday. It is a three-year agreement through the 2028 season. No financial details were released. Messi, who turned 38 in June, originally joined Inter Miami in 2023 under a two-and-a-half-year contract worth $150 million, or $60 million per year, including a …
Pledged to the Pac-12: What Texas State Promised Its New League
Give the Bobcats this much: They are a confident breed. In its successful bid to the Pac-12 Conference, Texas State University told the league that it projected its athletics budget would grow by 33%, from $58 million to $77 million by the fiscal year 2030, while pledging not to be a “free-rider.” “We intend to …
Sporticast 491: Penn State’s Rapid Descent From White Out to Buyout
On the latest Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss some of the biggest sports business stories of the week, including Penn State’s decision to fire football coach James Franklin after the Nittany Lions lost two games in which they were heavy favorites. Penn State will reportedly owe Franklin a buyout of roughly …
UFL Unveils 3 Franchises, Moves to Soccer Stadiums for Third Season
The United Football League (UFL), a pro spring league, has unveiled three new franchises located in Columbus, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; and Orlando, Fla. The three teams, which will debut next season, represent the latest audible by the fledgling league. The Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm will replace the Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers and …
MLS Promotes Charles Altchek With Commissioner Role on Horizon
Major League Soccer is promoting Charles Altchek, considered by many to be a potential future commissioner, to oversee the group that aids clubs in their business efforts. Altchek will be the new executive vice president for club performance and league growth, filling a role vacated earlier this year by Chris McGowan. In that capacity, he …
Mike Gundy Firing Won’t Stop ‘I’m a Man’ Consumer Cellular Campaign
Despite his recent firing, Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy will continue to rep Cowboy colors in the cheeky, three-week-old ad campaign for Consumer Cellular. Earlier this month, Gundy, who was fired by OSU Tuesday after 21 seasons, first appeared in an ad for the Arizona-based mobile phone service provider, spoofing the now-infamous tirade he …