SWING REPORT: VOLUME LXX

THREE FACTS AND YOU'RE OUT!

1. MLB: "Cast Iron Media" Extends Major League Baseball Partnership

Five-year extension of its media rights with Major League Baseball

2. UIM E1 Series: LeBron James Launches Team in All-Electric Powerboat Racing Series

League has quickly established itself as a prestigious international competition.

3. TGL: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy League, Draws Elite Investors and Celebrities

Has quickly cemented itself as a magnet for elite audiences since its debut.

MLB: "Cast Iron Media" Extends Major League Baseball Partnership

Cast Iron Media has solidified its position in the sports streaming industry with a five-year extension of its media rights partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB).

This agreement allows Cast Iron to continue managing local advertising inventory on MLB's digital platforms, with MLB joining as a minority equity partner.

Additionally, the company has secured strategic investments from Orkila Capital and David Blitzer's Bolt Ventures.

These partnerships aim to drive innovation through Cast Iron’s proprietary ad-tech platform, "The Foundry", which specializes in delivering high-volume, targeted ads on connected TV and OTT platforms.

This collaboration comes on the heels of MLB’s record-breaking 2024 season, which saw MLB TV set a new high of 14.5 billion minutes watched, reflecting the growing dominance of streaming in sports consumption.

The infusion of capital from Orkila and Bolt Ventures will accelerate Cast Iron Media’s ability to expand its reach, enhance its technology, and provide leagues and advertisers with greater value.

These developments signal a transformative shift in the sports streaming landscape, empowering rights holders to monetize their digital assets more effectively while delivering a more personalized experience for fans.

Swing Take: These developments signal a transformative shift in the sports streaming landscape, empowering rights holders to monetize their digital assets more effectively while ushering in a new era of innovation and personalized experiences for fans.

https://tinyurl.com/2ffaza95

UIM E1 Series: LeBron James Launches Team in All-Electric Powerboat Racing Series

LeBron James has expanded his portfolio into electric motorsports by launching Team AlUla in the UIM E1 Series, the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing league.

Debuting this weekend at the E1 Jeddah GP, the league represents a groundbreaking effort to combine sustainability, technology, and high-performance competition on the water.

Piloted by Rusty Wyatt and Catie Munnings, Team AlUla joins a roster of star-studded ownership groups, including Tom Brady (Team Brady), Rafael Nadal (Team Rafa), Will Smith (Westbrook Racing), DJ Steve Aoki (Aoki Racing Team), and Didier Drogba (Team Drogba).

The league has quickly established itself as a prestigious international championship, with Team Brady taking home the inaugural title in 2024.

The E1 Series was launched in 2024 as part of Motorsports E360, a partnership between the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Formula E, Extreme E, and E1, to accelerate innovation in electric motorsports and electric mobility.

The championship features cutting-edge "RaceBird" boats, designed for speed and efficiency with a focus on sustainable technology.

With races held in some of the world's most iconic locations—like Jeddah, Doha, Monaco, Lake Como, and Miami—the league combines breathtaking destinations with thrilling water-based competition.

The E1 Series emphasizes sustainability by promoting electric-powered marine mobility, aiming to reduce carbon footprints in maritime industries.

LeBron’s involvement underscores his long-standing passion for sports and innovation, joining other athletes and celebrities in advancing this pioneering league.

"With E1, we’re seeing a whole new type of competition on the water where everything is elevated," James said.

The 2025 season is set to include at least five races, with CBS Sports airing the events, introducing a global audience to this new era of motorsports.

Swing Take: LeBron James' investment in the E1 Series highlights a growing trend among athletes and investors capitalizing on rapidly expanding sports sectors that merge cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and global media appeal. With electric motorsports positioned at the intersection of innovation and entertainment, the E1 Series offers a unique opportunity to tap into a burgeoning market with significant growth potential, all while aligning with the future of clean energy and sports media evolution.

https://tinyurl.com/5n8mmh4r

TGL: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy League, Draws Elite Investors and Celebrities

The TGL, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s groundbreaking indoor golf league, has quickly cemented itself as a magnet for elite audiences since its debut at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens.

Played in a state-of-the-art arena, TGL merges cutting-edge golf simulation, live competition, and team-based play to captivate a younger, tech-savvy audience.

Despite being delayed by a year, the additional time allowed TGL to refine its technology and operations, resulting in a seamless launch that has drawn widespread attention across the sports and business worlds.

With just 1,500 seats and no tickets available on secondary markets, the league’s exclusivity has added to its allure, attracting celebrities, athletes, and billionaire investors.

Among the high-profile attendees are Franklin Templeton CEO Greg Johnson, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Chairman Larry Tanenbaum, and Blackstone executive David Blitzer, alongside tech moguls, team owners, and venture capitalists.

Many of these figures are also backing Woods and McIlroy’s TMRW Sports, which powers TGL.

The league’s format combines fast-paced, prime-time matches with augmented reality and data-driven competition, reimagining golf for the digital age.

TGL’s electrifying atmosphere blends sports and entertainment, carving out a unique niche and setting a new standard for what golf can be in a rapidly changing sports landscape.

The delayed launch may have been a blessing in disguise, enabling the league to perfect its innovative approach and build significant anticipation.

By positioning itself as a tech-forward, exclusive experience, TGL has attracted some of the most influential names in sports and business, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize the game.

Swing Take: TGL is not just reshaping golf—it’s redefining sports investments as dynamic ventures that blend technology, entertainment, and media to capture the imaginations of both fans and investors alike.

https://tinyurl.com/4etnrvrr