In partnership with
Welcome to Beyond The Sideline, the community resource for the next generation of sports business leaders.
Big Idea
In the high-stakes world of professional sports ownership, the line between aggressive investment and reckless mismanagement can be perilously thin. For Mat Ishbia, the billionaire mortgage executive who purchased the Phoenix Suns in 2023, that line has become the front in a bitter legal war. A recent lawsuit filed by the team’s minority owners, Scott Seldin and Andy Kohlberg, has pulled back the curtain on a contentious dispute, accusing Ishbia of treating the franchise like his "personal piggy bank" and, most notably, of bungling a financial maneuver known as a capital call in an attempt to consolidate his power.
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware State Court, is the latest escalation in a conflict that began in August 2025. Seldin and Kohlberg, the only two minority partners who remained from the previous ownership regime, allege that Ishbia has engaged in a pattern of financial misconduct, self-dealing, and a breach of his duties to the company and its investors. At the heart of their most explosive claim is a capital call initiated on June 2, 2025.
College Athletics
In a move that sent shockwaves through the SEC, Lane Kiffin has officially traded Oxford for Baton Rouge, leaving a trail of broken contracts, bruised egos, and a fanbase feeling utterly betrayed. The saga of his departure from Ole Miss to become the head coach at LSU is a masterclass in modern college football’s ruthless, high-stakes business, where loyalty is a commodity and buyouts are just the cost of doing business.
For weeks, rumors had swirled seemingly nonstop. Whispers connected Kiffin to every major opening, but the two most prominent were LSU and Florida. As the season progressed, the chatter intensified, turning from speculative gossip into an impending reality. Despite public deflections and sideline dismissals, the writing was on the wall: Kiffin was looking for his next big payday, and LSU, never shy about opening its checkbook, was ready to provide it.
Guest Article
Guest contributor Jason Kaminski writes: Major League Soccer is set to fundamentally realign its competitive rhythm with the global football world. On November 13th, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber confirmed a long-speculated move: starting in 2027-2028, the MLS will be switching its scheduling format from February to November to a summer-to-spring season. The new season will begin in late July of 2027, take a "winter break" from mid-December to February, and culminate with the MLS Cup Playoffs in May of 2028. This decision was made to align with the top leagues worldwide and continue to grow the MLS, but it warrants further discussion.
Get in on the markets before tech stocks keep rising
Online stockbrokers have become the go-to way for most people to invest, especially as markets remain volatile and tech stocks keep driving headlines. With just a few taps on an app, everyday investors can trade stocks, ETFs, or even fractional shares—something that used to be limited to Wall Street pros. Check out Money’s list of top-rated online stock brokerages and start investing today!
By The Numbers
Numbers That Jumped Off the Page
16,014- The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) continues its incredible run. The expansion Seattle Torrent drew a crowd of 16,014 for their home opener, shattering the U.S. record for attendance at a professional women's hockey game and proving the intense demand for the sport in new markets.
57.2 Million- The NFL's decision to pit two of its biggest brands against each other on Thanksgiving paid off in a historic way. The Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys game drew a colossal 57.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched NFL regular-season game on record. It seems America's appetite for turkey and football is bigger than ever.
$900 Million- Putting a brand's name on a stadium is bigger business than ever. A new report reveals that venue naming rights deals across seven major U.S. professional leagues generate nearly $900 million in annual revenue. The financial sector is the biggest spender, accounting for over $400 million of that total, with brands like Crypto.com, Citi, and SoFi leading the pack.
Pulse Check
In our last poll, we asked BTS readers, “Which NBA initiative feels most important for the long-term growth of the league?” Here’s what they thought.
The Highlight Reel
Catch up on our most-read articles from previous weeks
Do you have a topic you want us to cover, a survey question you'd like us to ask, or any news you'd like to share? Let us know at [email protected].
Looking for a new role? Subscribe to the BTS Job Roundup for a weekly summary of the hottest jobs across the business of sports.
TP5 and TP5x, Now Only $44.99
If you know golf, you know the ball matters.
TP5 and TP5x are the balls top players switch to when they want tour-level speed, control, and feel. And this holiday season, TaylorMade has dropped the price to just $44.99.
It’s the perfect gift for the golfer who’s always chasing more consistency or the friend who keeps “borrowing” your balls on the course. Stock up now, for less, and make every round feel a lot more dialed in