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Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Sports

Pro Rata

Axios Pro Rata

Fenway Sports Group wants to buy an NBA team once it's done acquiring the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: FSG is pioneering a new sort of corporate sports ownership, buying up marquee franchises in different geographic markets.

FSG currently owns the The Boston Red Sox and a NASCAR team in the U.S., plus Liverpool F.C. in Europe. It also recently invested in Spring Hill Group, a content production firm co-founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter (both of whom have small stakes in FSG). 

Behind the scenes: A source close to the FSG/Penguins negotiations says that the sale price will be around $875 million, and adds that FSG would have been interested in buying the Boston Bruins were the club to have been available. The sellers are financier Ron Burkle and Penguins legend Mario Lemieux.

FSG first signaled its interest in buying an arena-based team while trying to solicit investors last year for an unsuccessful SPAC deal.

It now wants to add an NBA team to its portfolio, with expectations that it will seek out a target in 2022.

By the numbers: The most recent NBA team sale was the Utah Jazz to Qualtrics CEO Ryan Smith for $1.7 billion last year. The most recent NHL sale was the  Arizona Coyotes for $300 million to real estate and media mogul Alex Meruelo.

FSG majority owner John Henry earlier this year sold an 11% stake to private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners at a $7.3 billion valuation.

Scoop: Red Sox owner wants to buy an NBA team

Fenway Sports Group is finalizing its deal for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, valued at $875 million.

Illustration of the Pittsburgh Penguin's logo skating away with cash trailing behind it. 

National Basketball Association (NBA)

NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

Columbus

Axios Columbus

Every Ohio State-Michigan football game is a huge deal, but this year the stakes are truly monumental.

Why it matters: A year after the pandemic canceled the 2020 rivalry game, this Saturday's contest in Ann Arbor will have major postseason implications for both schools.

State of play: The Buckeyes and Wolverines each enter with an impressive 10-1 record and a shot at reaching the College Football Playoff.

They're ranked No. 2 and 6 respectively in the latest AP Top 25 poll as well as No. 2 and No. 5 respectively in this week's CFP rankings. 

 Lightning preview: OSU has been powered by a high octane offense that leads the nation in scoring. 

Freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud has overcome early doubts to develop into a Heisman Trophy candidate.

The other side: The Wolverine offense is capable of putting up big rushing numbers, but Michigan has been especially dominant on the defensive end — holding opponents to fewer than 20 points in nine of the team's 11 games this season.

The stakes: Saturday's winner heads to the Big Ten championship game and would be favored to win the conference title and a playoff berth.

The loser would have two losses and fall out of playoff contention.

The big picture: This rivalry has been particularly one-sided in recent years. 

OSU has won the last eight contests and 15 of the last 16. 

The Buckeyes have outscored Michigan 331-216 in those eight victories.

👋 Everett, editor for Axios Local, here. As a Michigan grad, falls have recently not been all that fun. This year is an exception, but even then, the threat of The Game looms. 

So while this is my favorite Michigan team in about a decade, one that's the best reflection of coach Jim Harbaugh, I also live with the knowledge that some of the worst Saturdays of my adult life are a result of this rivalry game. 

It's hard to get hopes up, but that's the beauty of college football. Go Blue and whatnot. Miracles do happen. 

Yesterday, we asked readers to predict the game score. Here are a few guesses:

Email us at columbus@axios.com and send us your score predictions.

The Axios Columbus newsletter subscriber with the closest guess wins some Axios swag! 

Ohio State fans cheer during the 2006 game against Michigan in a stadium panorama shot. 

Ohio State fans cheer during the 2006 matchup against Michigan, considered to be the "Game of the Century." Photo: Bill Frakes /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Preview: Buckeyes head to the state up north

The 2021 contest has major College Football Playoff implications.

Two Ohio State players shake hands in celebration after scoring a touchdown. 

Chris Olave #2 celebrates scoring a touchdown with C.J. Stroud against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights earlier this season. Stroud has emerged as a leading Heisman Trophy candidate. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

College football

The World Cup is just under a year away, as Qatar 2022 kicks off on Nov. 21.

Why it matters: This will be the first World Cup held in the Middle East, and the last to feature 32 teams before expanding to 48 in 2026. It's also the first World Cup held outside May, June or July to avoid Qatar's searing summertime heat.

Who's in: 13 of 32 countries have already qualified, including host nation Qatar (No. 51 in FIFA world rankings). Also in: Belgium (No. 1); Brazil (No. 2); France (No. 3); England (No. 4); Argentina (No. 5); Spain (No. 7); Denmark (No. 9); Netherlands (No. 10); Germany (No. 11); Switzerland (No. 13); Croatia (No. 15); Serbia (No. 23).

Venues: Five of eight stadiums have already been inaugurated, and two more will join them next week at the Arab Cup. Lusail Stadium, the largest venue and site of the final, opens next year.

Migrant workers: There are plans to develop a workers' rights center in Qatar, where more than 6,500 migrant workers have died in the past decade — many while working World Cup-related jobs.

Qatar 2022: One year out

It will be the first World Cup held in the Middle East, and the last to feature 32 teams before expanding to 48 in 2026.

A building in Doha with "FIFA World Cup" on it. 

world cup

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

Chicago

Axios Chicago

After watching the Bears lose their 5th game in a row, it's hard to root for a team that is out of the playoff race by Thanksgiving. Lately, that distinction has been reserved for the Bulls. 

Why it matters: The team's makeover and hot start have Chicagoans rooting (and spending) for the Bulls. 

According to Vivid Seats, the average price for a Bulls ticket during the 2019-20 season was $96. This season? The average price for a seat is $130, a 40% increase. 

What they're saying: Even though the November broadcast ratings won't be out until December, the flagship radio station for Bulls basketball notices the buzz.  

"The resurgence of the Bulls has been so great for our audience," The Score's General Manager Mitch Rosen tells Axios. "This Bulls team is what the people of Chicagoland needed this winter!"

By the numbers: A few eye-popping stats to point out how this Bulls season is already looking special: 

These new-look Bulls have won 13 (UPDATE TK AFTER GAME) games in 2021. Last year? It took three months to win 13 games. 

Star guards Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan are both averaging over 25 points a game. Duos that have hit that average over a full season include Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn 2020/21), Durant and Steph Curry (Golden State 2017/18) and LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (Miami 2011/12).

On their recent West Coast trip, the Bulls beat the Lakers and the Clippers at the Staples Center for the first time since 2011. Then they beat the Nuggets in Denver for the first time since 2006. And finished with a winning record on the trip for the first time since 2016. 

Must watch: The Bulls take on Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat on Saturday.

Move over Bears — Chicago is seeing red

The new-look Bulls are grabbing Chicago's attention after a great start.

A photo of two basketball players on the court. 

 DeMar DeRozan #11 and Zach LaVine #8 during a recent game against the 76ers in Philadelphia. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images 

Tampa Bay

The Buccaneers forced three turnovers and turned 307 Tom Brady passing yards into a big 30-10 win over the Giants on Monday Night Football. 

The win snaps a two game losing streak and puts Brady over 3,000 yards passing on the season. 

MVP(s): Other than 'ol Timeless Tom? It was nice to have Gronk back. The big tight end played his first full game since Week 3 and caught six balls for 71 yards. 

Mike Evans paced the team in receiving yards but also committed a terrible drop that led to the Giants only touchdown. 

LVP: New York quarterback Daniel Jones gift-wrapped an easy interception to 310 pound defensive lineman Steve McLendon as one of his two picks. 

He finished with 167 passing yards on 4.4 yards per attempt, a stat line from the 1950s. 

Context: The win gets the 7-3 Bucs a healthy two-game lead over the Saints in the NFC South. 

Injury to monitor: Left guard Ali Marpet, an absolute mauler crucial to the run game, left the game in the second quarter with an oblique injury and didn't return.

What's next: The Bucs go on the road to take on the surging Colts next Sunday. 

Bucs, Brady dominate on Monday Night Football

The win puts Brady over 3,000 yards passing on the season.

Tom Brady breaks a tackle on a QB scramble on Monday. 

Tom Brady breaks a tackle on a QB scramble on Monday. Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

National Football League (NFL)

Axios Tampa Bay, anchored by Ben Montgomery and Selene San Felice, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.

Wednesday's sports stories

Scoop: Red Sox owner wants to buy an NBA team

Preview: Buckeyes head to the state up north

Qatar 2022: One year out

Move over Bears — Chicago is seeing red

Bucs, Brady dominate on Monday Night Football