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Welcome to Beyond The Sideline, the community resource for the next generation of sports business leaders.
Big Idea
NCAA’s Major Shift On Sports Betting
The world of college sports is on the cusp of a monumental policy shift. The NCAA's Division I Administrative Committee has voted to approve a proposal that would, for the first time, allow student-athletes and athletic department staff to bet on professional sports. This move marks a significant departure from the NCAA's long-standing, stringent anti-gambling rules and signals a new, perhaps more pragmatic, approach in the era of legalized sports betting.
Business
The Tatis Precedent: BLA’s Controversial Investment Model
A recent, high-stakes arbitration ruling involving San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. has delivered a significant victory to the player investment firm Big League Advance (BLA), effectively validating a controversial financial model that is rapidly reshaping how young international baseball talent secures early funding. The decision, which ordered Tatis to pay BLA $3.74 million, sends a clear message: these deals are legally sound, and they are here to stay.
By The Numbers
Numbers That Jumped Off the Page
10%- The stock prices for DraftKings and FanDuel-owner Flutter took a nosedive, dropping over 10% each after the prediction market app Kalshi quietly rolled out customizable parlays. Since parlays are a huge money-maker for traditional sportsbooks, the emergence of a competitor that can offer similar products in all 50 states, including major markets like California and Texas, has sent a wave of fear through the industry. Check out last week’s story on Kalshi’s rise here.
1.9 Million- The WNBA's momentum continues to build, as Game 1 of the Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury drew an average of 1.9 million viewers on ESPN. This marks the most-watched Finals game since the league's inaugural season in 1997. It's a massive win for the league, proving that the excitement around its new stars has lifted the entire sport to new heights.
$2.1 Billion- The value of NHL franchises is exploding, with the average team now worth a record $2.1 billion, a 29% increase from last year. This massive growth, fueled in part by new media deals, shows that even in non-traditional hockey markets, owning a piece of the ice is a hotter investment than ever.
Pulse Check
Last week, we asked BTS readers, “Which league’s future expansion team debut would you most want to see?” Here’s what they thought.
The Highlight Reel
Catch up on our most-read articles from previous weeks
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Forward to other future sports business leaders