?? Liga MX clubs to vote on investment from... NFL?

The?league has reportedly reached an agreement with the NFL—yes, that NFL—and Apollo Global Management?that would see Liga MX pool and share profits from its media rights in exchange for upfront investment.

Apollo attempted to broker a similar deal with a $1.25 billion investment two years ago, but it failed to materialize, likely due to the deal being contingent upon Liga MX selling its media rights as a whole. This would be a departure from the current system, which allows teams to broker their own commercial deals.

The big caveat? In order for the investment plan to move forward, the agreement needs to be unanimously approved by all 18 Liga MX clubs.?

CLICK HERE to read more about the potential investment, as well as what we believe the?positives and negatives of such a deal might be for the league and its clubs.

???Watch this space:?Baller League launches in USA in '25?

Last week, Baller League announced it's?entering the U.S. and UK markets in 2025. The?innovative Twitch and YouTube-broadcast league challenges conventional soccer formats via a 6-on-6 league designed to attract younger fans who may not traditionally engage with the sport.

In addition to on-field creativity, Baller League will lean heavily on influencers like IShowSpeed and KSI, who have a combined reach of nearly 150 million followers. This strategy ensures each league game isn't just a game, it's an event.

We dive into this strategy, review Twitch viewership numbers from Baller League's most recent season (over 5.2M hours of content watched), and why brand marketers and fans alike should be interested in the latest evolution of the sport.

CLICK HERE to read why Baller League is worth keeping an eye on.

???MLS Cup Preview: Galaxy, Red Bulls set to battle

Los Angeles Galaxy will host New York Red Bulls?this Saturday. The Western Conference champion Galaxy aims to extend its record and win the club's?6th MLS Cup trophy and first since 2014. If they do win, they'll have done?so without talisman midfielder Riqui Puig, who tore his ACL in the Western Conference Final. The 7th-seed Red Bulls look to win their first MLS Cup in club history in their first Final appearance since 2008. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm ET on Apple TV, FOX, and FOX Deportes.

??? MLS stadium receives prestigious Prix Versailles award

Speaking of the league, CITYPARK, the home of St. Louis CITY?SC, has won the 2024 Prix Versailles World Title in the sports category. The award recognizes the soccer-specific stadium as the world's best-designed sports facility in the world. Designed by HOK and Snow Kreilich Architects, CITYPARK, which will soon be called Energizer Park, is a 22,500-seat stadium that sits 40 feet below street level to maintain appropriate scale and has?every seat?within 120 feet of the field.

?? NBA MVP invests in Oklahoma City project

Russell Westbrook has partnered with Christian Kanady's Echo investment firm to revitalize sports and entertainment in Oklahoma City through an eight-figure investment. The initiative includes OKC Energy FC, building a state-of-the-art stadium set to open in 2027, and creating an entertainment district. This project aligns with Westbrook's 'Profit with a Purpose' philosophy, aiming for economic growth and community impact in Oklahoma City.

?? NWSL: New team name considered, Jill Ellis departs Wave

Before?playing its first game, BOS Nation FC?is reportedly considering changing its name. The newest NWSL franchise, which begins play in 2026, faced criticism of its name?from media, players, and fans around the marketing campaign used to unveil the brand?in October. In other NWSL news, Jill Ellis is leaving her role as San Diego Wave President to become Chief Football Officer at FIFA. Ellis, a former USWNT manager, has been with the Wave since 2021 and will now join FIFA in the newly-created role.

?? DAZN gets global media rights to Club World Cup

FIFA and DAZN?have reportedly agreed to a deal that makes DAZN the exclusive global broadcaster of next summer's FIFA Club World Cup. The deal is reportedly worth around $1 billion and makes all?63 matches of the revamped tournament available to watch for free on DAZN. The London-based media company will also have the option to sub-license to local free-to-air broadcasters as part of the deal. FIFA had reportedly been in negotiations with Apple over a global streaming deal?earlier this year.

?? USWNT?friendly breaks women's attendance record

The U.S.?and England?met last week for a friendly at Wembley Stadium, a game that finished 0-0 and extended the USWNT's unbeaten streak to 19 games. Despite the lack of goals, the game did break the attendance record for a women's international friendly, with 78,346 fans attending the game. It was the fourth-largest attendance in USWNT history and the biggest ever for a friendly.

???2025 National Soccer Hall of Fame class announced

Five new members of the Hall were announced this week, including?Mark Abbott, Chris Armas,?Mary Harvey,?Carli Lloyd, and Nick Rimando. The WNT legend Lloyd was elected in her first year of eligibility (Player Ballot), joining MLS stars Armas (Veteran Ballot) and?Rimando (Player Ballot), USWNT pioneer Harvey (Veteran Ballot), and longtime MLS executive Abbott (Builder Ballot). The induction ceremony will take place at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX on May 3.

???Extra Time: Mr. Beast & Cristiano join YouTube forces

Cristiano Ronaldo and?Mr. Beast recently?got together for a?video?on Cristiano's YouTube channel?where the two discussed growth tips for?the channel and whether or not he could ever?match Mr. Beast's?world-leading 330+ million?subscriber count. The video has?over 50 million views, by far the most-viewed video on the?nascent channel.?Also, learn more about how the draw for FIFA Club World Cup 2025?will work?and listen to?Man vs. Food legend?Adam Richman discuss?his new show Adam Richman Eats Football, which will be streamed on Discovery+.