Red Phoenix Global Sports Update: May 27, 2020
David Noel
Product & Market Expansion @ JPMorgan | Alumni Board @ UC San Diego | Entrepreneur
The NBA plans to restart its season at Disney World this July; Naomi Osaka becomes the highest paid female athlete globally; and Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning's charity match achieves the most views in golf telecast history. For these stories and more, check out the Red Phoenix Global Sports Update:
- ·NBA and Disney Are in Talks to Restart Season in Late July
The NBA and Disney have drafted a plan to resume play in late July at Disney's sports complex in Orlando. The close relationship between the NBA with the Walt Disney Company and the size and infrastructure of Disney World Orlando makes it an ideal site to house all 30 teams in a relatively controllable environment.
- NHL Announces Return-to-Play
The NHL has agreed to terms on resuming the season with a 24-team playoff format in two hub cities, beginning no earlier than mid-July. The NHL Player's Association is yet to formally approve the plan, as health and safety protocols are still being finalized. The NHL plans to resume an 82 game season in 2020-2021.
- ESPN Announces 9-Episode Tom Brady Docuseries
After the success of Michael Jordan's The Last Dance, another GOAT, Tom Brady, has decided to partner with ESPN for a nine-part docuseries about his career with an expected released date in 2021. This documentary will cover Tom Brady's nine Superbowl appearances and six wins, as well as other pivotal moments in his career.
- Woods-Mickelson Rematch Brings in 5.8 Million Viewers for Turner Sports
"The Match II" shattered previous viewership records for a golf event. The team of Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods ended up beating the duo of Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady by only one stroke. The event was also hugely successful in terms of money raised for charity with total contributions to the fight against COVID-19 equaling over $20 million.
- F1 Extends Gfinity Esports Deal into 2022
The U.K. based esports company, Gfininty, has reached a deal with Formula 1 to keep running its competitive esports series until 2022. F1 esports has seen a massive rise in popularity since COVID-19 hit, F1 leadership is optimistic that Gfininty will continue to put on enjoyable events that generate interest in F1 among young people.
- Mike Trout Autographed Rookie Card Auctions for Nearly $1 Million
A 2009 Mike Trout Red Refractor Autograph baseball card recently sold for $922,500. The staggering sale serves as another feather in the cap of Trout, who is a three-time AL MVP. The most expensive baseball card sale in history belongs to the Honus Wagner T206 card, which was sold in 2016 for $3.12 million.
- Tokyo Olympics Followed up by 3 Mega-Events - All in China
Asia is set to have an eventful few years in sports, with four major sporting events set to take place in China and Japan within the next three years. The Summer Olympics will resume in Tokyo in Summer 2021, followed soon after by the World University Games in Chengdu. In 2022, the Winter Olympics will kick off in Beijing, followed by the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September 2022.
- Naomi Osaka Is Now the Highest-Paid Female Athlete in History
Japan's Naomi Osaka has surpassed Serena Williams as the world's highest-paid female athlete, making $37.4 million this year in tournament prize money and endorsements. The 22-year-old is best known for her performance at the last U.S. Open where she defeated Serena Williams in the finals.
- Vanessa Bryant To Inherit Late Husband Kobe Bryant's $200 Million Body Armor Shares
Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa Bryant has inherited Kobe's $200 million shares of Body Armor. In an interview, Body Armor founder, Mike Reopole, stated that without Bryant's influence, Body Armor would not be nearly the success it is today. Bryant invested $5 million into the sports drink in 2013 and served as a brand ambassador and member of their board of directors.
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