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 …
The Yankees Own 10% of NYCFC. So Why Is Messi Playing at Citi Field?
As NYCFC builds its own soccer-first stadium, the team continues to play most home matches at Yankee Stadium, in part due to the Yankees’ minority ownership of the MLS franchise. But when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami come to town Wednesday, the match will instead be played at the New York Mets’ Citi Field. It’s …
After EA Bows Out, 2K Teases College Hoops Video Game ‘Experience’
Electronic Arts’ plans for a full-fledged college basketball video game have been shelved, the company has reportedly told schools, in part because rival publisher 2K Sports is building its own CBB offering, though it remains unclear whether that product would be built into 2K’s NBA game or released as a standalone title. Following the success …
Killer Matchups, Nielsen Tweaks Spike College Football Numbers
College football is back—and in a big way. While recent changes to Nielsen’s ratings methodology were expected to help boost the fall football numbers, the 2025-26 season got off to a hotter start than anyone could have imagined. Fox’s Big Noon Saturday window, featuring defending champs Ohio State and a top-ranked Texas Longhorns squad helmed …
Northwestern Football Hazing Scandal: Fitzgerald’s Rise and Fall
Northwestern University fired its longtime football coach Pat Fitzgerald in July 2023 after allegations of hazing within the football program were revealed. “I recognize that my decision will not be universally applauded, and there will be those in our community who may vehemently disagree with it,” university president Michael Schill wrote in a letter to …
Michigan’s $30M Fine Projection Is 11% of School’s Sports Budget
The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions ruled Friday that Michigan can play in the college football postseason, it just can’t get paid for it over the next two years. The total expected financial loss is expected to surpass $30 million. That would represent less than 15% of Michigan athletics’ likely 2024-25 spending figures. As a result of the …
MLS Suspends Lionel Messi for Missing All-Star Game
Major League Soccer suspended Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba for one game each after they missed Wednesday night’s All-Star Game in Austin, Texas, the league said Friday afternoon. “Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete …
MLS Brings Lionel Messi Cam Back to TikTok
Lionel Messi will star in an exclusive TikTok livestream during Inter Miami’s Aug. 2 Leagues Cup matchup with Necaxa as part of Major League Soccer’s continued audience expansion efforts, MLS announced Thursday. A Messi-focused camera will track the 38-year-old Argentine superstar throughout the game, in a mobile-friendly vertical format with custom graphics. MLS rolled out …
Portland Timbers’ Facilities Plan Eyes MLS Calendar Change
The Portland Timbers are expanding their current training grounds after making a $25 million land purchase. As part of the project to grow the Adidas Timbers Performance Center, the Timbers have an option to construct an additional indoor practice surface, augmenting the pair it already leases. Indoor facilities have grown in importance as MLS considers …
Columbus Crew Owner Sells Stake in MLS Club at $900M Valuation
Haslam Sports Group has sold a 10% stake in the Columbus Crew. The MLS team was valued at $900 million in the transaction, according to someone familiar with the agreement who was granted anonymity because the details are private. HSG, the parent company for Jimmy and Dee Haslam’s sports assets, sold the shares to the …
NCAA College Hoops Event Deregulation Plan Raises Alarm
The NCAA’s ongoing effort to streamline and deregulate its extensive bylaws is creating controversy in one specific corner of the college sports world. A new legislative proposal—already approved by the men’s and women’s basketball oversight committees, and currently under review by the Division I council—would dramatically harm the business of basketball multiple-team events (MTEs) and …
Rebuilt Pac-12 Signs 5-Year Extension With CBS Sports
The Pac-12 announced that Paramount’s CBS Sports will be the expanded conference’s anchor media partner for five years when it welcomes seven new member schools in 2026. The distribution deal for the “new Pac-12” runs through the 2030-31 academic year, with football and men’s basketball games airing on CBS, Paramount+ and the CBS Sports Network. …
San Jose Earthquakes Owner Hires Bank to Sell MLS Club
San Jose Earthquakes owner John Fisher has hired an investment bank to sell his MLS club, according to multiple people familiar with the billionaire’s plans. An official announcement is expected sometime on Wednesday. Fisher, who owns and recently relocated MLB’s Athletics from Oakland, has retained Moelis & Co. to run the process. The move comes …