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8 employers that fired staff for mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Fox Business· 2025-09-15 16:32
Disciplinary Actions by Companies - Multiple employers across the U.S. have taken disciplinary actions, including terminations, against employees who made inappropriate comments regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk [1][4][5] - Nasdaq terminated an employee for social media posts that violated its zero-tolerance policy on violence [4] - The Broad Institute fired an employee for posting a "deeply offensive" comment about Kirk's killing [5] - Perkins Coie dismissed a lawyer for criticizing Kirk on social media, stating the comments did not reflect the firm's views [6][7] - Office Depot fired an employee after a viral video showed staff refusing to print posters for a vigil for Kirk [8][9] - The Joe Burrow Foundation terminated an advisory board member for making inappropriate remarks following Kirk's assassination [10] - MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd was fired after making comments about the divisive nature of Kirk's rhetoric [12] - The Carolina Panthers fired a communications department employee for social media posts questioning public mourning for Kirk [13][14] - The West Ada School District dismissed a cheerleading coach for allegedly celebrating Kirk's death in a video [16]
X @Bloomberg
Bloomberg· 2025-09-12 12:06
The Golden State Valkyries entered the WNBA at the right time, in the right city—and with the right amount of swagger https://t.co/rXNVpuFdjE ...
TKO Group Holdings (NYSE:TKO) 2025 Conference Transcript
2025-09-10 18:52
TKO Group Holdings Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) - **Date**: September 10, 2025 - **Key Speaker**: Marc Shapiro, President and COO Key Industry Insights Media Rights and Partnerships - TKO has successfully renegotiated media rights deals, significantly increasing revenue streams - UFC secured a seven-year deal worth **$1.1 billion**, double the previous ESPN deal [5][6] - WWE's new media rights include a **10-year deal** for WWE Raw with Netflix and a **five-year deal** for SmackDown [6] - Paramount+ is seen as a strong partner for WWE, leveraging CBS's sports history to grow audience and brand [12][11] Revenue Growth and Financial Performance - TKO is experiencing strong financial performance with **60%+ free cash flow conversion** and projected **35% to 40% EBITDA margins** [23][23] - The company anticipates **$400 million** in global partnerships, up from **$30 million** when UFC was acquired [26] - TKO is focused on capital returns, including a **dividend increase** and a share buyback program [56][59] Live Events and Ticketing - Demand for live events remains high, with TKO optimizing ticket pricing and capacity [31] - The company is seeing record ticket yields, particularly in UFC events, with plans to replicate this success in WWE [35][37] - Upcoming events, such as WrestlePalooza, are expected to enhance brand visibility and revenue [39] Boxing and Future Opportunities - TKO is launching Zuffa Boxing, aiming for **12 to 16 fights per year** and exploring media rights for these events [20][19] - The company plans to partner with Saudi Arabia for high-profile boxing events, minimizing financial risk [18] Additional Insights Strategic Focus - TKO emphasizes a humble approach despite current successes, focusing on execution and long-term growth strategies [7] - The company is not actively pursuing acquisitions but remains open to opportunistic deals [56] Operational Efficiency - TKO maintains a lean cost structure while ensuring competitive fighter pay, which is crucial for retaining talent [48][49] - The integration of UFC and WWE operations is ongoing, with expectations for increased synergies and efficiencies [22] Market Trends - There is a growing trend towards premium experiences in live events, with consumers seeking personalized and exclusive opportunities [32][33] - TKO is capitalizing on this trend through its On Location hospitality services, enhancing the overall event experience [33] Conclusion - TKO Group Holdings is positioned for continued growth through strategic media partnerships, robust financial performance, and a focus on enhancing live event experiences. The company is committed to returning capital to shareholders while exploring new opportunities in boxing and global partnerships.
X @Bloomberg
Bloomberg· 2025-09-10 11:10
Momentous Sports will focus on investments in professional sports teams and the real estate ecosystem around them https://t.co/E98zBPqAG2 ...
CNBC’s Official NFL Team Valuations 2025: Here’s how the 32 franchises stack up
CNBC Television· 2025-09-04 11:20
CNBC is out this morning with our official NFL valuations. The average team is now worth 7.65% billion. That's an increase of nearly 18% compared with last year.Right now, we want to take a look at the top five most valuable NFL teams. Coming in at the top once again, the Dallas Cowboys worth 12.5% billion. That's nearly $2 billion more than the next most valuable team.Rounding out the top five, you've got the LA Rams, the New York Giants, the Las Vegas Raiders and the New England Patriots. Joining us right ...
X @Bloomberg
Bloomberg· 2025-09-03 22:22
The New York Giants have agreed to sell a minority stake in the storied franchise to Julia Koch and members of the billionaire Koch family https://t.co/BqjnvDjOXS ...
X @Forbes
Forbes· 2025-08-25 13:18
The 32 franchises in the world's richest professional sports league are collectively worth roughly $200 billion—and that number keeps climbing. Join us August 28th at 1 PM ET to get a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 Forbes list of the NFL's most valuable teams, highlighting football's relentless growth in an insightful panel discussion featuring live audience Q&A. Register now for this members-only event: https://t.co/tqjyc10i4I ...
Microsoft and NFL announce multiyear partnership to use AI to enhance game day analysis
CNBC· 2025-08-20 13:30
Core Insights - Microsoft and the NFL have extended their partnership to enhance real-time game data and analysis using Microsoft Copilot and Azure AI [1][2][3] Partnership Details - The multiyear partnership will provide 32 NFL teams with over 2,500 custom-built Microsoft Surface Copilot tablets to improve data collection on game days [2] - The deal will also assist in operational management by tracking weather delays and technical issues, although the duration and total cost of the extension remain undisclosed [2][4] Technological Enhancements - Microsoft has been a technology partner for the NFL since the 2014 season, providing specially configured Surface tablets for all teams [4] - The new tablets have already replaced existing devices for the preseason, allowing players to analyze formations and plays quickly during games [5] AI Integration - AI technology is designed to help players and coaches access information faster with less manual effort, rather than making decisions on their behalf [6] - Real-time game data can be processed into Excel sheets using Copilot, streamlining tasks for coaches [6] Broader Applications - During the 2025 NFL Combine, Microsoft Azure AI was utilized to evaluate over 300 prospective players for the NFL draft, with plans to expand AI usage for various business functions [7] - AI agents will soon assist in player scouting and salary cap management for football club staff [7] Fan Engagement and Training - The NFL has integrated AI into its OnePass fan guide app to enhance customer service by addressing fan inquiries [8] - Microsoft is also developing Azure AI video tools for practice sessions to aid in coaching, evaluations, and injury assessments [8][9]