Weekly Sports Business Update

LEAGUES & TEAMS Photo: Seattle Kraken’s owner Samantha Holloway is looking to place a bid for a Seattle NBA expansion bid. Kraken’s Owner Samantha Holloway hires JPMorgan and Moelis to advise Seattle NBA expansion bid as league process advances (May 6th) Holloway’s One Roof Sports and Entertainment group is currently the only publicly known ownership group pursuing an NBA expansion franchise in Seattle NBA expansion fees are expected to exceed $8B total, with Seattle and Las Vegas viewed as the league’s leading candidates for new franchises beginning as early as the 2028-29 season [ Seattle Times ] NBA plans to invest $3B into NBA Europe to support launch economics and franchise stability (May 7th) NBA told prospective investors it will help absorb early operating losses, fund launch marketing, and provide participation payments to teams as the league ramps up toward a planned 2027 debut [ SBJ ] Formula One explores rescheduling cancelled Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix amid Middle East conflict (May 11th) F1 is evaluating ways to restore at least one cancelled Middle East race to the 2026 calendar League executives cited financial and scheduling pressures tied to maintaining a full race calendar despite growing strain on teams and personnel [ The Athletic ] PGA Tour loosens social media restrictions to help players grow audiences and creator businesses (May 13th) Players will now be allowed to post more tournament footage, extended YouTube highlights, and archive content across social platforms Reflects PGA Tour’s broader push to expand digital reach and better compete with golf creators and influencer-driven media ecosystems led by figures like Bryson DeChambeau [ SportsPro ] FIFA awards exclusive World Cup trading card and sticker rights to Fanatics beginning in 2031, ending Panini’s 60-year run (May 7th) Fanatics-owned Topps will produce FIFA trading cards, stickers, and collectibles beginning in 2031, while also introducing innovations like match-worn “Debut Patch” memorabilia cards [ The Athletic ] WNBA media rights portfolio surpasses $3B in value following new deals with CBS, Scripps, and USA Sports (May 11th) 11-year media agreements now total $3.1B across Disney/ESPN, NBCUniversal, Amazon, CBS, Scripps, USA Sports, and NBA TV New package includes 216 national games for the 2026 season and “reset” provisions in 2028 that could allow a renegotiation in pricing and terms as WNBA viewership accelerates [ FOS ] Majority of Big 12 Conference schools decline $30M private capital credit line tied to RedBird partnership (May 7th) More than half of Big 12 schools are opting against the optional $30M RedBird-backed credit facility tied to future conference distributions Schools largely support the broader Big 12 x RedBird commercial partnership, but appear hesitant to immediately take on private capital financing [ FOS ] Sergio Ramos-led consortium reaches agreement in principle to acquire Sevilla FC in €444M takeover deal (May 12th) Backed by Five Eleven fund entered exclusivity earlier this year and is now moving toward finalizing purchase Sevilla’s financial situation played a key role; reported debt concerns and relegation risk impacting valuation [ The Athletic ] Aston Villa FC ownership group V Sports moves toward acquiring controlling stake in FC Annecy as multi-club network expands (May 8th) V Sports has been integrating Annecy into its football ecosystem through player development, scouting collaboration, and loan pathways for young Aston Villa talent Strengthens Sports’ growing multi-club model alongside stakes and partnerships spanning Japan, Spain, MLS, and Africa [ The Athletic ] World Surf League explores sale and new investment opportunities as action sports interest accelerates globally (May 7th) WSL hired Raine Group to evaluate strategic alternatives including a full sale, minority investment, or new partnerships after receiving inbound interest from investors [ Sportico ] FIFA faces mounting criticism as thousands of 2026 World Cup tickets remain unsold one month before kickoff (May 11th) Continues drip-feeding ticket inventory while maintaining dynamic pricing across many matches; some final tickets previously listed near $33,000 [ FOS ] Venezia FC raises €100M and adds former Oak View Group executives Tim Leiweke and Francesca Bodie as major investors through Drake-connected consortium (May 7th) Leiweke and Bodie become...