The age of die-hard sports fans is ending, with a new generation that's willing and eager to change allegiance and interests. It's a major challenge for America's massive live sports industry, and we go deeper with Angela Ruggiero, a four-time Olympian and managing partner of the Sports Innovation Lab.
With the NFL and its players union in the midst of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, owners continue to push for an 18-game regular season.
Why it matters: The NFLPA estimates that an additional two games could add as much as $2.5 billion in annual revenue, which would, in turn, add about $15 million to the salary cap.
The estate of late oilman Aubrey McClendon is seeking to sell its 22% stake in the Oklahoma City Thunder, an NBA franchise valued by Forbes at around $1.5 billion, per Bloomberg.
Why it matters: Because this comes just as the Thunder traded away its most valuable asset, former league MVP Russell Westbrook. Can't imagine that move went over too well at Inner Circle Sports, the boutique investment bank managing the sale.
We've reached the point in the NBA's ever-evolving player empowerment era where fans must simply accept that their team's best players will probably leave at some point.
Why it matters: These days, it feels like the best — heck, maybe the only— way to follow the NBA is to be a fan of the league as a whole rather than rooting for one team.
