YouTube, MrBeast Shake Up the Sports World and This Week's Top 5 Stories

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?? FEATURE STORY

YouTube, MrBeast Shake Up the Sports World

YouTuber and entrepreneur MrBeast is one of the most influential people on the internet.

In his latest video, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady, and Noah Lyles all make appearances, headlining a series of pros vs. average joes matchups.

The video crossed 50 million views in less than 24 hours.

For context, that’s more than both this year’s World Series and NBA Finals.

YouTube vs linear viewers isn't an apples-to-apples comparison, but those viewership numbers are enough to show that sports execs should pay attention.

Content creators are redefining what sports content looks like.

Live games (e.g. NFL broadcasts) will always have an audience, but sports-adjacent content clearly appeals to sports fans too.

Bottom Line - From commentary and reactions to mini-games and challenges, these content formats are becoming a must-have for sports properties. Not only do they compliment live games, but they also attract an entirely new (and younger) audience.

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FIFA Commits Biggest Act Of Sportswashing In Its History

Despite reports from Amnesty International and others highlighting severe, unaddressed risks, Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup was rated "medium risk" for human rights by FIFA in its evaluation report.

By ignoring the clear evidence of the country’s poor human rights record, FIFA is likely to bear much responsibility for the violations that will take place over the coming decade.

Relatedly, FIFA finally released a long-delayed report on worker abuses linked to Qatar’s 2022 World Cup.

The report, completed in December 2023 but published only on November 29, 2024, confirms FIFA’s responsibility to ensure remedies for exploited workers, including compensation to hundreds of thousands of workers who suffered abuses.

Bottom Line - Unless FIFA finally takes action to compensate workers and Saudi Arabia introduces real human rights reforms, history will repeat itself and workers will again pay the price.

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Russel Westbrook Helps Elevate OKC

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook is giving back to the community where his NBA career started.

The NBA MVP, entrepreneur, and global icon is investing $10 million through his company Russell Westbrook Enterprises to help fund Oklahoma City’s new soccer stadium and entertainment district.

The $41 million multipurpose stadium project will introduce a venue capable of hosting high school, collegiate, and professional sporting competitions, as well as concerts and similar events.

Bottom Line - The plan is to help build up the OKC Energy FC and Oklahoma City FC teams through these developments. When you think of the best sports destinations in the country, cities like Los Angeles, Dallas or Boston probably come to mind. However, Oklahoma City is making strides towards becoming a part of that conversation.

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Caribbean Leaders Plan To Revive West Indies Cricket

Caribbean heads of government met to address the ongoing challenges facing West Indies cricket

Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Browne emerged as a key voice during the discussions, highlighting the sport's economic potential, describing cricket as a "billion-dollar business" and calling for strategies to restore the team's former glory.

The prime minister advocated for a comprehensive approach to reviving the sport, including the development of educational materials.

They even discussed the idea of introducing cricket as a curriculum subject in Caribbean schools.

West Indies cricket has paved the way for the billion-dollar franchises we see today. Going forward, the sport can unlock fresh avenues for economic growth in the region.

Bottom Line - The shining legacy of the West Indies cricket teams has undeniably contributed to the emergence of cricket as a high-stakes international spectacle, and adding the sport to school curriculums could help preserve and promote the region’s rich cricketing heritage.

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MLB Cancels 2025 Games In Mexico & Puerto Rico

Major League Baseball’s ambitious international expansion has hit a roadblock, with commissioner Rob Manfred confirming the cancellation of 2025 World Tour games in Mexico and Puerto Rico.

The decision comes as a surprise, given the league’s success hosting games in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, South Korea and the United Kingdom in 2024.

However, logistical and financial challenges forced MLB to scale back its plans for the coming year.

Bottom Line - The league intended to return to Mexico for the 2025 season, as well as play games in France, Japan and Puerto Rico. However, those plans have slowly fallen apart. For now, the spotlight shifts to Japan, where the MLB will kick off the 2025 season.

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