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Big Idea
A High-Noon Legal Showdown In Dallas
For nearly a quarter-century, the American Airlines Center (AAC) has been the epicenter of Dallas sports, a shared kingdom for the NBA's Mavericks and the NHL's Stars. But the once-stable partnership that has defined Victory Park is crumbling. The two franchises are now locked in a bitter legal feud, trading lawsuits and public accusations in a high-stakes corporate drama that puts the future of their cohabitation, and the arena itself, in jeopardy. A jury trial, now set for January 2026, looms over Dallas, promising to bring this simmering dispute to a boil.
Sports Betting
Bad Beat: Collapse of ESPN Bet’s Gamble
In the frenzied gold rush of American sports betting, the partnership between ESPN and PENN Entertainment was supposed to be the surest bet of all. Announced in August 2023, the 10-year, $2 billion deal to create ESPN Bet was a seismic event, pairing the world’s most powerful sports media brand with an established casino operator. The goal was audacious: to challenge the FanDuel-DraftKings duopoly and secure a "podium position" in the market.
Just two years later, the house has folded.
On Thursday, ESPN and PENN Entertainment announced the stunningly early termination of their agreement. The ESPN Bet brand will be shuttered by December 1, 2025, marking one of the most high-profile failures in the young history of the legal U.S. sports betting industry. The collapse is a cautionary tale about brand power, market realities, and the ever-present shadow of a conflict of interest.
Legal
Blackout: ESPN and YouTube TV’s Standoff
For millions of sports fans, the routine is muscle memory: flip on the TV, open the YouTube TV app, and settle in for the game. But on October 30th, that routine was shattered. In the heart of the NFL, NBA, and NHL seasons, screens went dark. ESPN, ABC, and all other Disney-owned channels vanished from the platform, replaced by a stark message about a failed contract negotiation. The result was a digital blackout that left approximately 10 million paying subscribers furious, confused, and locked out of the very content they pay for.
This public, acrimonious dispute between two of the most powerful companies in the world, Disney (ESPN's parent) and Google (YouTube TV's parent), is more than a simple squabble over money. It’s a high-stakes power play that exposes the fragile, shifting foundation of the entire sports media landscape and offers a glimpse into a future where the fan is caught in the crossfire.
Sticking with the same home insurance could cost you
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By The Numbers
Numbers That Jumped Off the Page
-5%- While the NWSL's overall average attendance saw a 5% dip in 2025 to 10,669 fans per game, several clubs set new franchise records. NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Washington Spirit, and Orlando Pride all had their best-ever seasons for attendance. The Portland Thorns led the league with an average of 18,173 fans per match.
38 Million- The thrilling conclusion to the MLB season was a massive win for Fox, as the Dodgers-Blue Jays Game 7 pulled in a whopping 27.3 million viewers in the U.S. alone. When you add the Canadian audience, the total viewership for the final game soared past 38 million. The numbers cap a banner year for baseball, which saw a third-straight annual increase in attendance and record-setting viewership across the postseason.
$1.3 Billion- The San Antonio Spurs are officially getting a new home, as Bexar County voters narrowly approved a funding measure to help build a $1.3 billion downtown arena. The new venue, set to open in the early 2030s, secures the team's future in San Antonio and sets the stage for a modern home court for the prime of Victor Wembanyama's career.
Pulse Check
Last week, we asked BTS readers, “Do you believe the NBA's integrity is significantly damaged by the recent gambling arrests?” Here’s what they thought.
What's the biggest challenge for sports media right now?
The Highlight Reel
Catch up on our most-read articles from previous weeks
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/adver
Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays
Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.
Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.
Forward to other future sports business leaders