Sports Biz Rundown (9/21/2020 - 9/25/2020)
Nick Hayden
Founder of Explore ATX | Creating Linkedin content about innovation and tourism insights
With sport operations in full swing, it's no surprise that we had another jam-packed week in the industry! Lots of new beginnings are on the horizon with new hirings, partnerships, and COVID-19 safe business opportunities.
The goal of Sports Biz Rundown is to give you a very concise rundown of what happened this week in the world of sports & entertainment. Providing you every Friday with the top sports biz news, events, careers, and more.
BUSINESS IS BOOMIN'
Denny Hamlin has joined Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan to form a NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace as the driver, marking a high-profile pairing of a Black majority team owner and the only Black driver at NASCAR's top level. Jordan becomes the first Black principal owner of a full-time Cup team since Hall of Famer Wendell Scott. (ESPN)
Deion Sanders will be the next head football coach at Jackson State. Sanders is a first-time head coach at the collegiate level. "It's my desire to continue this storied tradition and history of JSU and prayerfully bring more national recognition to the athletes, the university, the Sonic Boom of the South, and HBCUs in general," said Sanders (ESPN)
SPORTS MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS
TikTok is sponsoring a racecar driver for the first time with 20-year-old Hispanic driver Ryan Vargas. It’s TikTok’s first ever sponsorship of a NASCAR driver at any level. This sponsorship of Vargas is part of TikTok’s Latinx Heritage Month celebrations and programming for October, as it supports a young creator from an underrepresented community. The two companies will also partner in several co-marketing opportunities to amplify the sponsorship and Vargas’ story. (Forbes)
Adidas Originals and the LEGO group partnered to launch a new sneaker design.The ZX 8000 sneakers can be purchased for $130 on the Adidas website starting Friday. With LEGO brick-inspired colors and geometric design elements, the shoes pay homage to the popular toys. The sneaker has six different-colored shoelace options and includes interchangeable LEGO bricks. (Sports Biz Group)
ESPORTS GAMECHANGERS
Lamborghini organized it's first-ever esports tournament. Lamborghini will invite the three players who place in pole position to a unique experience at their headquarters. The three-day experience will include a VIP tour of the factory and an R&D simulator visit used to virtually test the latest and future Lamborghini models. (Lamborghini)
When Burger King paid Stevenage a reported ￡50,000 to sponsor the club, they knew exactly what they were doing. The fast-food giants cleverly tapped into the FIFA 20 world, offering free Whoppers and chips in return for gamers completing in-game challenges, while playing as the The Boro. Now, real-life Stevenage have sold out all their club shirts, are the most played FIFA 20 team on live streaming platform Twitch, and are known around the world. (the Sun)
Sports Biz Pod, a podcast covering sports business. Two episodes released per week. (On Tuesday) Featuring interviews with athletes, investors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in sports & entertainment. (On Friday) Featuring commentary with special guests recapping the week of sports business news, events, and careers. Produced by the Blue Wire podcast network. Affiliate of Sports Biz Group. www.sportsbizpod.com
Episodes released this week (Click graphic to listen):
EVENTS
We are continuing to update our google calendar with accurate online events and rescheduled physical events. Here are some new updates:
- NY Fashion Week (Virtual): Sept. 13-17
- U.S Open: Sept. 17-20
- Sporttechie Sports Capital Symposium: Sept. 17-19
- SBJ - Sports Facilities, Franchises, and Ticketing: Sept 22-23
- Adweek: Sept. 29
- Preakness Stakes: Oct 3 *Reschedule
- Masters Tournament: Nov 12-15 *Reschedule
Subscribe to the Sports Biz Event Calendar & Newsletter
INTERNSHIP
Oklahoma City Thunder: Analyst Intern - Data Science & Solutions
Houston Texans: Digital Video Intern
ENTRY-LEVEL
Overtime: Account Manager
San Francisco 49ers: Human Resources Coordinator
MID-LEVEL
PointsBet: CRM Analyst - Promotions and Loyalty
Red Bull: Athlete Marketing Manager
SENIOR-LEVEL
Special Olympics Florida: Senior Director - Sports & Programs
U.S. Ski & Snowboard: Controller
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