Islamic Solidarity Sports Association unveils new visual identity

The Islamic Solidarity Sports Association has launched its new visual identity. This is based on the decision that was approved during the Association’s twelfth General Assembly in November 2023.

The new identity embodies and reflects the Association’s new Vision statement; Mission Statement and values which aim to further develop the Islamic sports movement, provide fair competition and opportunities for youth of both genders and enhance sports excellence.

Furthermore, the new identity reflects the Association’s vision of achieving sports solidarity, guiding youth toward sports paths that reflect the Association’s values, and promoting understanding and cooperation between different cultures in the world.

In addition, the new identity signifies sports integrity and emphasizes the message of peace advocated by the Islamic religion. The Association is committed to showcasing these values through sports.

The Association’s new visual identity represents its Islamic identity, portrayed through the Arabic language using Kufic script in the new logo. Kufic is one of the oldest forms of the Arabic script, which emerged in the late seventh century AD. It became a preferred script for copying the Holy Qur’an and designing the architectural decoration.

The announcement of the new visual identity aligns with the Association’s future aspirations to introduce its goals and vision and its efforts to promote and develop sports in its member countries.

ITTF to continue its partnership with cryptocurrency brand Floki

ITTF has announced the continuation of its successful partnership with Floki for the World Championships Finals, which opened today in Busan.
 
Floki, the exclusive crypto token partner, will once again bring its innovative approach to the forefront, activating across various platforms including broadcast, digital, and social media content. This partnership marks another exciting chapter in the convergence of sports and cryptocurrency.
 
Floki’s collaboration with the table tennis community commenced last year with their inaugural partnership for the ITTF World Championships 2023. The success of their initial venture laid the foundation for the continuation of this fruitful partnership, promising even greater excitement and engagement for fans worldwide.
 
Commencing today, on the 16th of February, the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024 promises ten days of electrifying action at the state-of-the-art Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre. This monumental occasion also signifies the first time Korea Republic has been bestowed the honour of hosting this prestigious event.
 
Jonny Cowan, Europe General Manager at World Table Tennis was delighted that Floki extended its table tennis relationship into 2024, stating: “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Floki following the tremendous successes we’ve achieved together last year. Their global community’s enthusiastic engagement with our table tennis digital content has been remarkable. We’re excited to amplify the excitement even further, beginning with our upcoming events in Korea Republic.”
 
A spokesperson for Floki commented, “We are excited to be involved in the World Table Tennis Championships Finals again, this time in Busan. We have been very impressed with the implementation in 2023 and the results achieved and look forward to continuing to build engagement for our global following. We wish the teams the very best of luck in Busan.”

“SPORTEL Rendez-vous features a streamlined two-day format acting as a connecter of cultures to develop valuable business”

Ahead of the SPORTEL Bali to take place on 22 – 23 February 2024, iSportConnect spoke with Agnès Marsan, Executive Director, SPORTEL Rendez-vous to find out what makes it unique.

Why Bali? Going global to fit with South America and Monaco?

This is the second time we are organising SPORTEL Rendez-vous in Bali.

Two years ago, in 2022, we were contacted by Peter F. Gontha from Transvision to organise a SPORTEL edition together in Indonesia. One year later, we were holding our first event in Bali. Renewing SPORTEL in Bali in 2024 is strategic considering the development of new technologies, digital engagement, innovation and esport sectors in the region. In addition, as the fourth largest population and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, the Indonesian population has a massive interest in sports and there is a huge development potential for sports broadcasting in the country. Indeed, with a population of 280 million, Indonesia is embracing the international sports media and technology market with sports properties such as motorsport, football, cycling, basketball, e-sport…

Then, Bali was an easy choice as a destination. In addition to offering a flourishing Tech-Hub ecosystem and therefore new business market, Bali is easily accessible through its international airport, notably from Australia, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Istanbul etc.

Our global strategy is very clear. SPORTEL Monaco remains the main flagship event that reunites all SPORTEL’s community and the SPORTEL “Rendez-Vous” series provide additional opportunities to do business internationally, in different markets and continents, all throughout the year, in a smaller, more intimate and affordable format. With our two events abroad, one on the Asian Continent and one in the Americas, we at SPORTEL continue to develop new markets to offer more business opportunities to our clients.

In fact, in 2024 for the first time in 10 years, we will hold our SPORTEL America, usually held in Miami, in South America, and more specifically in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 14 to 15 May.

It is the very first time, we are going to a Spanish Speaking country and the event already promises to be very successful.

Tell us the kind of line up one can expect at SPORTEL Bali. 

A firm favourite at SPORTEL events, is the innovative and expansive conference summit at Speakers Corner, bringing participants the very latest in how content meets technology through a series of Masterclasses, and presentations which will complement the business and networking meetings during SPORTEL Rendez-vous Bali.

A stellar speaker line up of regional and international decision makers and technology disruptors, from a melting pot of cultures, spanning Indonesia, SE Asia, Australia, the Indian subcontinent, Europe and beyond, will bring to the table their experience and vision to share with participants. Hot topics include OTT, streaming & content delivery; the collaborative effort to tackle piracy in Indonesia & Asia; gaming & sports maximising online experiences; the Indian subcontinent as a major market for sports media & tech; raising the game of football in Indonesia; the boom in women’s sports, from viewership to commercial opportunities; cost effective IP-video technology distribution; how niche sports are riding the wave through D2C, OTT & social media; AI transforming the media landscape; monetising sustainability & championing social awareness through sports, all offering key take aways for business strategies, plus an innovative Pitch Session to showcase some of the SPORTEL newcomers.

What makes SPORTEL Bali different from other sporting events?

SPORTEL Rendez-vous features a streamlined two-day format acting as a connecter of cultures to develop valuable business and providing the community with a more regionalised and intimate industry gathering.

Our added-value is to bring together the whole sports business industry in one place. Technology companies, broadcasters, streaming services and sports federations network and exchange, not just to find new clients and do business but also to shape together the future of the industry.

In addition to the business market, attendees will be treated to a series of masterclasses and presentations during a two-day summit, which will also feature ‘Pitch Sessions’, where SPORTEL newcomers will present quickfire pitches in front of a jury and event delegates.

What has been the response of APAC sports execs/organisations?

As mentioned, SPORTEL in Bali is a regional event focusing on the APAC Market so that our community can meet the business leaders from the region who are not attending SPORTEL Monaco. 

Our clients such as FIFA, Bundesliga, LFP Media, Lega Serie A Premier League, NBA, ATP Media, Matchroom, FIBA, Team Marketing, Infront, Mediapro, WSC Sports and many more, come to Bali to meet and connect with the key rights holders and broadcasters as well as sports industry players from the region such as: Vision +, Vidio, RCTI, TVRI, Trans TV, Trans 7 among others from Indonesia, but also numerous companies from Australia, thanks to its proximity to Bali like Jam TV, Fox Sports, National Basketball League and Australian Sports Technologies Network, coming with a few of their members.

This edition will be a unique opportunity to meet the most consequential C-level decision makers (42%) within the APAC sports business industry. The 2024 Rendez-vous is already attracting 60% of attendees from Asian territories and 30% of Content Buyers. 

Why algorithms could become a big part of football’s future

In this week’s Member Insight piece, Moussa Ezzeddine – a leading football finance and data analytics consultant who has undertaken extensive research analysing more than 200,000 transfers from the past two decades, focusing on pricing, positions and salaries delves into importance of algorithms in football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s declaration that a sophisticated transfer fee algorithm could replace random transfer market values for contracted players came as no surprise.

The international transfer market is now worth more than $10 billion annually and has been getting out of control since Neymar’s €220m move from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

No wonder that decision makers have become increasingly concerned with rising transfer fees.

Football is an industry of uncertainty, with the biennial transfer windows seeing vast expenditure with panic buys that can affect the entire market.

Regulations such as Financial Fair Play have not been enough to produce healthier financial statements and balance sheets.

New algorithms and data analysts can now identify future talent without the need to fly to every corner of the planet in search of the next young talent.

While agents have often been blamed for inflating fees and wages, FIFA has put a cap on their commission of 3% up to 6%.

This leaves many unanswered questions about how to determine market prices.

The factors determining transfer fees are evolving from performance indicators to future values and projected image rights.

New algorithms, from traditional academic models to AI-tools, are now being used in the race to achieve an automated pricing formula.

While the transfer market creates a lot of excitement and speculation, it’s not just fans who are interested in the latest deals. Risk-taking investors who utilise the latest technologies to anticipate the market are now speculating on the market in order to make money.

FIFA’s newly established Clearing House in Paris (FCH) aims at playing crucial role in the developing the current financial football transfer system, potentially becoming the main global bank for footballing transactions.

With higher transparency, the FCH could help to more fairly redistribute training fees that can ensure more balanced financial stability and reduce gaps between the haves and the have-nots.

Federations and clubs could benefit from data-driven valuation systems which could help to boost profitability without compromising on performance.

While it’s possible for national or international governing bodies to devise their own methodologies, there’s one striking fact that most of the stakeholders are missing – the quality of available data used.

So there’s an urgent need to look at the data requirements in order to plan well for any upcoming algorithms generating robust results for transfer fees.

Melon Coin has analysed transfer values going back more than a decade and uses a complex algorithm which analyses transfer fees, performance indicators, media visibility and personal characteristics from a range of football analytics sources to give a more accurate assessment of transfer values..

Only when these initiatives are fully embraced could we be looking at a more equitable future for the beautiful game.

Trends in the sports sponsorship business in 2024

The OpenSponsorship marketplace currently has over 19,000 athletes, 50% managed by sports agencies and 50% are athletes direct doing over 10,000 deals with brands like Walmart, Footlocker, ESPN, Fanduel and 100’s more. As a result, Ishveen Jolly, the Founder, gives her view on the current state of the world of athlete sponsorship.

Sports sponsorship, already a $66B industry globally, is expected to grow to $108B by 2030. In this article I will give my view of what’s changing in 2024. My perspectives rely heavily on our company, OpenSponsorship’s, focus on the athlete sponsorship space, and working mostly with US brands and agencies. I am sure there are other global evolutions that I have not considered, please don’t mind.

We believe 2024 will be the strongest year yet for the “business of sports world” in realizing the value and need for better valuing the athletes and influencers in their network. Social media has meant that athletes are able to speak to and influence fans directly – these same athletes often have larger followings than the teams and leagues they are part of. We are already seeing and will continue to see leagues, teams, events, brands, streaming platforms, and media companies all trying to figure out their strategy to better leverage the athlete at the heart of their marketing strategy vs. being an afterthought or just a non-active part of the narrative. 

The Rise of the Athlete Influencer

The concept of the athlete as merely a sports figure is becoming increasingly archaic. Athletes are evolving into multifaceted influencers with significant social media followings and personal brands that extend far beyond their sports achievements. This evolution is reshaping the sports sponsorship landscape, as brands seek more personalized and authentic ways to connect with audiences. In 2024, I predict a surge in direct partnerships between brands and athletes, leveraging the athletes’ personal stories, values, and social platforms to create more resonant and engaging campaigns. I also predict more partnerships between the other bodies within sports and the athletes – an athlete won’t just play for a team, they will also be paid as a brand ambassador (for example). This shift necessitates a more nuanced understanding of athletes’ influence and how it can be harmonized with brand objectives to create impactful collaborations.

When testing traditional social media influencers vs Athlete influencers in the same campaign, brands have seen their Athlete partners get upwards of 2.5x higher engagement rates and reach an average of 23% more of their followers per social post.

Convergence of Sports and Entertainment

The blurring lines between sports and entertainment offer unprecedented opportunities for sports sponsorships. The power of NFL Star Travis Kelce dating music superstar Taylor Swift brought a supposed staggering $332 million in marketing uplift to the NFL. This was of course a very fortunate example for the NFL, however it goes a long way to exemplify the potential of these cross-industry partnerships. In 2024, I anticipate seeing more collaborations, where musicians, actors, and other entertainment figures play significant roles in sports-related marketing campaigns. The key will be to create authentic, seamless integrations that resonate with the diverse interests of global audiences, thereby amplifying the reach and impact of sponsorship initiatives. 

The Power of Original Content

The demand for original content—ranging from documentaries to podcasts—about the sports world is rising. Following the success of series like “Drive to Survive,” there’s a clear appetite for behind-the-scenes looks at the lives, challenges, and triumphs of athletes. This content not only humanizes athletes, making them more relatable to fans but also opens up new avenues for sponsorships. Brands can become part of these narratives, associating themselves with the inspirational, motivational, and often untold stories of athletes. In 2024, I envision an increase in brand-sponsored original content that not only entertains but also adds value to the audience’s experience, thereby deepening the connection between the brand, athletes, and fans. I see this evolving to what’s current with brands actually commissioning unique educational / relevant content from athletes to host on their own websites. We will see original content being placed closer to the point of purchase to drive real ROI. Brands through athlete sponsorship can become their own media companies. 

A Focus on ROI

Sponsorship has been under pressure for the past decade to show tangible ROI and this trend will continue in 2024. Brands no longer feel comfortable spending millions of dollars without being able to track and then display ROI metrics to stakeholders. The increased social media deliverables in deals is helping to achieve this with brands being able to see actual numbers relating to views, engagement, click-through rates, and even sales if tracked via UTM. In 2024, we believe ROI tracking will ensure that the sponsorship industry growth continues. 

Marketing campaigns with Athletes have already started producing ROI for brands. Fans of Athletes are 164% more likely to purchase a product after an Athlete they follow mentions it. Additionally, this phenomenon is leading brands to see upwards of 7x ROI on marketing campaigns with Athletes. 

In Closing 

2024 holds immense potential for the sports sponsorship industry, driven by the rise of athlete influencers, the convergence of sports and entertainment, the increasing importance of original content and a focus on ROI. As we navigate this evolving landscape, the key to success will be in creating authentic, meaningful partnerships that leverage the unique strengths of athletes, entertainers, and content creators. By doing so, we can unlock new levels of engagement, reach, and impact, setting new benchmarks for what successful sports sponsorships can achieve.

While there is a wave of brands headed to work with Athletes, there are still limitless opportunities for brands to collaborate with Athletes of all sports, age groups, location, and much more!

Los Angeles Football Club names BMO as official jersey sponsor

Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and BMO have announced an expansion of their multi-year partnership, unveiling BMO as the Club’s “Official Jersey Sponsor” on the 2024 primary and secondary jersey.

BMO will continue to support fans of LAFC and the community as the Official Bank of LAFC, and BMO Stadium will continue to be the home of LAFC in the heart of Los Angeles.

“As The Bank of Soccer, BMO is excited to expand this wonderful partnership with LAFC, which   further strengthens our commitment to growing the game of soccer across North America,” said Catherine Roche, Chief Marketing Officer, BMO. “This not only reflects our passion for soccer but also underscores our support of the Los Angeles community. Together, we’re crafting a blueprint for community empowerment, leveraging the power of sport to make progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society. We look forward to supporting LAFC and its fans this season and beyond.”

BMO’s support will help LAFC continue to deliver a world-class experience and engage with new fans and audiences, reaching beyond both borders and boundaries.

“From the beginning, this has always been an incredible partnership that has united two organizations with a shared vision and commitment to what it means to be a force for good in our community,” LAFC Co-President & CBO Larry Freedman said. “We are so excited to expand and strengthen this special relationship as we work together to grow the game in Los Angeles and beyond.”

The new LAFC 2024 primary jersey represents strength, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

With details that celebrate the Club and community, the 2024 primary jersey features a minimalist look punctuated on the front by gold and carbon pinstripes on LAFC’s primary black home color as the base of the jersey. The Club’s badge with its 2022 championship star remains on the left chest panel, with new jersey sponsor BMO centered on the torso in matching gold lettering. In keeping consistent with the tradition of the jerseys that came before it, the neck tape inside reads: Shoulder to Shoulder, a rally cry to unite supporters and a reference to building the Club together through community and city partners.

As part of the 2024 jersey launch, all fans in attendance on Saturday, February 17, in Pepsi Plaza at BMO Stadium will enjoy music, food and drink options and have the chance to meet several LAFC star players.

BMO has over a decade of experience partnering with other MLS teams including Toronto FC, CF Montréal, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. BMO has also invested over C$25 million to engage, develop and cultivate youth soccer at every level of competition across Canada since 2005, supporting over 1 million youth athletes in the sport. BMO was also an Official Supporter of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in North America, and the Official Bank for the 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals and Gold Cup.

BMO has committed over $16 billion dollars to California as a part of its Community Benefits Plan to address key barriers to economic inclusion. Recently, BMO has helped make an impact throughout Southern California with a $3 million donation to Thrive Scholars to launch the BMO Thrive Academy – Los Angeles and a $1 million donation to help Homeboy Industries to expand its Los Angeles Workforce Development and Training Center. 

LAFC is also set to release a brand-new Club anthem, Por La Cultura, produced by Grammy-nominated L.A. native DJ Flict and performed by local L.A. music artist Bobby Castro, on Friday, Feb. 16. 

NHL renews multi-year sponsorship deal with Verizon

Verizon, the “Official 5G Network of the NHL,” and the National Hockey League (NHL®) have announced a multi-year sponsorship renewal continuing Verizon’s role as the League’s Official 5G Partner, Official Wireless Services Partner and Official Mobile Edge Computing Partner in the United States.

Additionally, as an Official Technology Partner for the NHL, Verizon has been selected to deploy Verizon Private 5G Wireless Network across NHL arenas to help game day operations roll out new and transformative solutions to advance the sport and improve the overall fan experience.

“Innovation is driven by a vision and the technology to support it, which makes this partnership with the NHL a perfect fit for Verizon and Verizon Business,” said Kyle Malady, CEO of Verizon Business. “Our collaboration with the NHL showcases what transformative network connectivity can bring to venues and fans alike. Having a forward-looking partner in the NHL opens up significant opportunities from an operational standpoint, when you look at the business of professional hockey, to enhancing in-game efficiencies and the fan experience.”

NHL Venue Innovation

Under the terms of the agreement, Verizon Business is currently piloting Verizon Private 5G Wireless Network in select arenas, with plans to roll out the technology to NHL arenas in future seasons. Utilizing Verizon’s 5G network technology and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), the NHL, and enterprises across industries, can tailor solutions to meet specific business needs, delivering enhanced reliability, security, speed, and flexibility both on and off the ice. These advanced technologies, which are enabled by Verizon 5G, include wireless Officials’ iPads for replay review, which is currently piloted at the Prudential Center, as well as video coaching, and coach/video coach communications.

Furthermore, as the “Official 5G Network of the NHL” in the United States, Verizon will continue efforts to deploy 5G Ultra Wideband network across NHL arenas, providing ultra-fast in-arena connectivity to enable fans to download and watch videos, livestream, manage their fantasy teams and check scores with virtually no lag. By creating more immersive and interactive experiences, through the power of 5G and MEC, Verizon is changing how fans consume live sports.

“The passion for innovation and the work already done in partnership with Verizon makes this renewal even more exciting for us,” said David Lehanski, NHL Executive Vice President, Business Development and Innovation. “Creating the solutions and experiences of tomorrow is not only a function of applying cutting-edge technologies from world-class companies, it’s also a function of being able to truly collaborate with them to uncover meaningful new use cases. In Verizon, we have a partner that listens before bringing to bear their industry-best knowledge and solution set.”

The extended partnership with the NHL demonstrates Verizon’s ongoing commitment to shape the future of sports entertainment. With Verizon’s reliable 5G network and innovations like cashierless checkout, Verizon is paving the way for a new and improved stadium experience.

2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series™

Fans can experience Verizon’s latest venue improvements and multiple Verizon activations live at the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series™ on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 at MetLife Stadium. Verizon invites fans to the New Amsterdam Vodka® NHL PreGame, located in Parking Lot G of MetLife Stadium, where they can tailgate in style with games, charging stations, comfortable seats with plenty of photo opportunities and a chance to win exciting prizes.

By attending the NHL PreGame, Verizon customers can get a chance to win upgraded game seats in Verizon’s exclusive Hotspot section1, which includes comfortable heated seats, cozy blankets and exclusive gift bags. Verizon customers will also have access to the Hotspot Lounge on the 100 level concourse, which will feature charging stations, photo opportunities, and complimentary hot chocolate.

For fans looking for even more Hotspot connectivity, Verizon’s myPlan mobile plans give customers access to $10 monthly “perks,” like 100 GB of Mobile Hotspot. This perk saves you $35 monthly – and over $400 annually – and is only for Verizon customers.

How Augmented Reality is leading improvements for fans to improve the sporting spectacle

David Granger, content marketing consultant pens down his insights on how Augmented Reality has acted as a boon for the sports industry.

Over the last few weeks the new liveries (and slightly strange team names) have been unveiled ahead of the 2024 F1 season.

There’s much to get excited about. There are a marathon 24 rounds, those new cars’ colour-schemes and the sixth (final?) season of Drive to Survive. Plus… new methods of experiencing (let’s hold on the “enjoying” for now) motorsport are being mooted.

F1 has always been at the absolute forefront of technology in its cars, but hasn’t always been the most progressive in terms of fan experience. It was very much Paddock v Fans – anyone who’s had to queue to get in or out of Silverstone or taken the trains/buses/hikes through the park to get to the Monza circuit from Milan will know the glamorous side of the sport is for the few.

However, the sport, its teams and supporters are taking steps to introduce technologies which will enhance the racing – even if they can’t stop one team’s domination this year. 

Or are they? 

If you’ve seen the incredible footage demonstrating Apple’s Vision Pro the $3,500  mixed reality headset, as an augmented method to follow Formula One races at home with a virtual track displayed on your living room floor, then you’d be rightly impressed. 

But it’s a concept. 

The footage comes from a John LePore and BlackBoxInfinite who are imaging what F1 (or any other sport) could look like if the augmented reality headset and 3D spacial designers combine their skills. This would not only be great for motorsport, but team sports as well could vastly improve the experience for home spectators watching from behind their headsets.

These augmented reality ideas are being explored in other series. Nascar has established a dedicated group from across its departments to see how emerging tech can be used to enhance the sport for fans and sponsors. 

NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell is quoted by sportsbusinessjournal.com : “We have a dedicated group focused on emerging technologies. There’s an incredible amount of learning to do in the sport, especially on, ‘How we can enhance the fan experience?’ We want to take it one step at a time and do it right. You want to be on the forefront of AI (artificial intelligence) working with sponsors, but ultimately making it a better fan experience.”

It’s not just motorsport. SportsProMedia.com reports the National Basketball Association will launch an app in which you can stream up to five games overlaid with real-time data, stats and scores. An app from Major League Baseball immerses spectators in a virtual ballpark providing visualisation from live ball-tracking. And the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour launched a Vision Pro app which overlays stats on 3D renders of courses again powered by live shot-tracking data.

Sadly, progress via new technology is not always welcomed with resounding success. When Mahindra Racing made the bold move of recruiting a virtual influencer, AI female avatar Ava to join its comms team, motorsport fans went decidedly cold on the idea. One perspective was motorsport would do anything *but* hire women to join its teams. A slightly chastened Mahindra, removed the influencer from its roster while reiterating its commitment to both diversity and inclusion. It was an interesting, innovative idea, but perhaps should have spent slightly longer with the planning team, and HR, before Ava’s signing was announced.

So bring on the motor racing year, and let’s see if there’s as much action on track as there is off it in 2024.

So much happened in the last few weeks and the market reacted well

Carlo De Marchis, ‘a guy with a scarf’ pens down this month’s business index.

Let’s see who did well and try to find some reasons for this good moment.

Media, sport and betting did well. Check this list of increased market cap in the last month.

Related news that may have an impact are:


– Disney, Fox and CBS announcing a new sport streaming JV

– Amazon started adding ads to Prime video and added and ads-free paid package

– NFL Super Bowl betting reached record 

– WWE (TKO) did a deal with Netflix for their “Raw” show from 2025

– Netflix earning will beat expectations

– Roblox is growing 20% on all metrics

– Amazon wins exclusive streaming rights for NFL playoff game

DraftKings+27.39%
Flutter Entertainment Group+25.43%
Disney+18.85%
Netflix+14.37%
TKO+14.29%
Amazon+11.12%
Roblox+8.98%

DraftKings reports Q4 2022 results after the bell tomorrow. The fantasy sports and betting leader has a strong history of trouncing revenue estimates, beating by 9.3% on average over the past two years. Last quarter, DraftKings posted blowout 57.4% year-over-year revenue growth to $790 million, exceeding forecasts by 12.9%. For Q4, analysts expect slowed 44.6% top-line expansion to $1.24 billion and $0.18 adjusted EPS. While Wall Street has turned more bearish recently with multiple downward revisions, DraftKings has consistently left doubters in the dust. With gaming peers like MGM Resorts and Boyd Gaming also recently topping projections, expectations are elevated heading into tomorrow’s high-stakes release.

FanDuel parent company Flutter Entertainment listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Monday under the ticker symbol FLUT. The move gives Flutter and its leading US sports betting brand FanDuel greater access to capital markets and US investors. It also positions Flutter to compete more directly with DraftKings, currently the largest US public pure-play in the rapidly growing sports betting industry. FanDuel already leads with 43% US market share in sports betting revenue, but DraftKings garners more headlines. The NYSE listing could give Flutter’s valuation a boost and allow it to close the gap. Flutter will retain its London Stock Exchange primary listing but delist from Euronext Dublin.

Disney’s streaming operating losses fell dramatically to $216 million as Disney+ shed 1.3 million subscribers last quarter. However, Disney still expects Disney+ to gain 5.5-6 million subscribers next quarter and profitability by 2024. Overall, streaming results were mixed – Hulu gained 1.2 million customers while ESPN+ lost 800,000. On the content front, Disney+ landed exclusive rights to a Taylor Swift tour film. Disney also continues pushing into gaming through a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, eyeing a separate Disney metaverse. Finally, higher pricing and advertising revenue boosted average monthly Disney+ and Hulu revenues per subscriber. But work remains towards achieving sustained streaming profitability.

Netflix is poised for strong growth in 2023, with earnings per share projected to surge 53.1% in the current quarter to $4.41. The streaming giant has topped earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters. For the full fiscal year, Netflix earnings are expected to climb 40.7% to $16.93 per share. Revenue growth is also robust – sales are estimated to hit $9.25 billion this quarter, up 13.4%, and $38.54 billion for the year, a 14.3% jump. The momentum should continue into 2024 as well, with earnings forecast to grow 21.8% to $20.63 per share next year on sales of $43.04 billion, up 11.7%. If Netflix meets these projections, it will cap several years of market-beating growth.

Morgan Stanley started coverage of sports and entertainment giant TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) with an Equalweight rating and set a $95 price target. The outlook considers TKO’s lucrative deals with major broadcasters like NBC and Netflix for premium live sports rights, which ensures strong cash flow conversion and contracted revenue growth. However, Morgan Stanley adopts a cautious view on sports rights inflation, expecting TKO’s core properties like UFC and WWE to see more modest growth during upcoming renewals. The $95 target represents ~22x 2026 price/free cash flow, indicating confidence in long-term profit drivers but also reflecting a prudently conservative take on near-term subscription revenue expansion. While TKO boasts strong margins and liquidity, 2024 guidance has faced recent downward revisions amidst timing uncertainties. The analysis sees TKO’s current valuation as fairly reflecting predictable growth levers but remains guarded on upside potential.

Roblox’s standout growth persisted in 2023, cementing its role as a vital social hangout for youth culture. Key metrics like daily active users, engagement rates, and monetization all notched fresh records. Importantly, users continue aging up, with now over half of the platform’s audience over 13 years old. This expands marketing options for brands seeking hard-to-reach Gen Z and young millennials. With strong momentum heading into 2024, Roblox looks set to sustain 20%+ user growth while launching improved advertising products and real-world commerce integration. Forward-thinking brands should leverage Roblox to drive awareness and sales among the next generation of buyers immersively socializing in virtual worlds.

Here’s the full index:

NWSL signs Google Pixel as official mobile phone

Google Pixel is teaming up with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), one of the fastest-growing leagues in professional sports, as its Official Mobile Phone.

Pixel puts the best of Google’s AI, services and now NWSL fans can use it to stay even more connected to all of the action and dive deeper into their favorite teams and players.

This announcement builds on Google’s previous work to elevate women’s sports through partnerships and media spend. During this multi-year partnership, Pitchside with Pixel program will use Pixel’s leading AI-powered camera and features to capture content for NWSL’s social media channels, giving fans exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to highlights and an intimate glimpse into players’ experiences on and off the field.

And as the Presenting Partner of the NWSL Playoffs and Championship, Pixel will be front-and-center when the competition reaches its peak, bringing fans closer to the action.

The rapid growth of the NWSL lives in the athletes. These women are not just phenomenal athletes; they are also dynamic role models and powerful forces shaping the future of sports. This partnership was a natural addition to a portfolio that includes investments in women’s teams throughout the world, including Arsenal Football Club and Liverpool Football Club.