Neymar Returns to Brazil and This Week's Top Stories
Whatsup Squad,
Let’s get into the top stories of the week:
?? FEATURE STORY
Neymar Returns to Brazil
Neymar has returned to Santos FC, the Brazilian club where his career began.
And his global fan base, built throughout stints in Spain, France, and Saudi Arabia, is coming with him.
Neymar's presence will not only raise the level of play, but should also provide a substantial boost to the club in terms of global visibility, merchandising, and sponsorships.
While he is taking a massive pay cut in terms of salary, he will receive 90% of any revenue generated from products or marketing activities related to him.
Bottom Line - Neymar will bring unprecedented attention to the top league in one of the top soccer countries in the world. Just as Lionel Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami elevated the entire MLS, I expect Neymar’s move to elevate the entire Brazilian Série A.
???? Jamaica
Grand Slam Track Secures Broadcast Deal
The CW Network, NBC Sports and Grand Slam Track have announced a three-way broadcast partnership, ensuring the event is accessible to millions of track fans.
The deal confirms The CW Network as the exclusive U.S. broadcast home and Peacock as the exclusive streaming home for Grand Slam Track.
Founded by four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, and with a prize pool of $12.6 million, Grand Slam Track? features a roster of 96 top athletes from around world competing in four Slams across Kingston (Jamaica), Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.
Bottom Line - The deal makes Grand Slam Track the latest addition to Peacock’s (and NBC’s) expansive live sports offering, which also includes coverage of the NFL, Premier League, college football and basketball, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
???? America
Super Bowl Ads Hit Record High
Advertisers are going all in for Super Bowl LIX, with 30-second ad slots selling for more than $8 million.
This marks a $500,000 jump from last year’s prices.
In 1980, the average cost of a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl was $275,000.
With over 120 million expected viewers, brands like Anheuser-Busch, Meta, PepsiCo, Uber Eats, and Taco Bell are betting big on game-day exposure.
Bottom Line - The rising cost of Super Bowl ads reflects the shifting media landscape, where live sports remain one of the last reliable ways for advertisers to reach massive audiences.
???? Guyana
Guyana Continues Cricketing Crusade
Cricket culture runs deep across the Caribbean, but Guyana is setting the bar.
In T20 cricket, the second installment of the Guyana Super League (GSL) 2025 has been confirmed to run from July 8-18.
Again, all 11 matches of the tournament will take place at the iconic Guyana National Stadium, as five elite T20 teams from around the world compete for the coveted GSL trophy.
The announcement comes during the West Indies Championship, where the Guyana Harpy Eagles soar into the tournament as defending champions.
From the opening ball in January to the final wicket in April, this prestigious tournament will showcase the region's best emerging first-class cricket talent.
Guyana’s remarkable achievement of securing seven championships in nine years speaks volumes of their dominance.
Bottom Line – From the GSL and T20 cricket to the West Indies Championship and first-class cricket, Caribbean countries should be looking to Guyana as a model for how to develop their cricket infrastructure.
Read more on the GSL and on the West Indies Championship
?? Latin America
Mexico Welcomes the Caribbean Series
The 2025 Caribbean Series baseball tournament is officially underway in Mexicali, Mexico.
The annual tournament crowns the champion of Latin American professional winter leagues, serving as the pinnacle of winter baseball competition in the region.
First held in 1949, the series features teams from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Mexico, with Cuba, Panama, and Colombia also participating in recent years.
The tournament provides an opportunity for top talent—ranging from rising prospects to veteran stars—to compete on a grand stage.
Even further, the state of Mexicali expects around 200,000 tourists throughout the tournament and projects over $24 million in economic impact.
Bottom Line - The Caribbean Series has developed into a premier showcase of Latin American baseball culture, featuring passionate fan bases, electrifying atmospheres, and a level of competition that often rivals international tournaments like the World Baseball Classic.
This article is a special extension of BACKCOURT Business – a weekly newsletter covering the business of sports in the Caribbean
Until next time ???