Views From The Industry: This Week In Sport & Business
January 21, 2022
iSportConnect takes a look at what the industry has been saying on some of the biggest happenings and talking points around sport and business over the past seven days.
Another Week, Another Netflix Sports Series
The week after Netflix’s major deal with the PGA TOUR, they are joined by a new sport’s documentary series from the streaming service.
Netflix has teamed up with the four Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and ATP Media beginning with the 2022 season at the Australian Open.
Up and coming Greek superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas has confirmed his involvement in the new series, which will be following the tour’s and the grand slam tournament’s.
One tennis journalist noted that there are many of the sport’s longtime fans will have to get used to new fans if the popularity of the series rivals that of Drive To Survive.
Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw pointed out that the reason for Netflix’s interest in docu-series revolving around sport is it means they can gain access to the huge range and viewership of sports fans for a fraction of the cost of actually broadcasting live sport.
Microsoft Acquires Activision Blizzard For $68.7 Million
Microsoft took it’s next step towards the metaverse in an acquisition of ‘Call of Duty’ publisher Activision Blizzard in a huge deal earlier this week.
Microsoft will acquire Activision Blizzard for $95.00 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $68.7 billion, inclusive of Activision Blizzard’s net cash. When the transaction closes, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.
Since Microsoft owns Xbox, PlayStation’s major rival, the Head of Xbox released a statement ensuring fans that Call of Duty will not become an Xbox-only title.
Former Coca-Cola Head of Global Sponsorship, Ricardo Fort, questioned whether this was a deal that was value-for-money for Microsoft, when comparing it to other entities. What are your thoughts?
Sony’s stock also dropped drastically following the announcement, as it’s rival immediately bolstered its overall business.
UFC Revealed UFC Strike NFTs With Dapper Labs
The NFTs will become available on Sunday, January 23rd, launching first as an open drop of 200,000 total packs, UFC Strike will start with a first round of 100,000 “Fully Loaded” packs.
UFC, which has come under recent criticism for how much they pay their athletes per fight, has stated it will share 50% of each NFTs sale featuring a fighter.
NFL Brings Back Its Nickleodeon Broadcast For The Playoffs
The NFL’s innovative way of trying to get young people into the sport by using children’s tv channel Nickleodeon with a specifically-catered broadcast was used during the first round of the playoffs as the Dallas Cowboys hosted the San Francisco 49ers.
For ESPN reporter Adam Schefter and hall of fame wide receiver Randy Moss had no option but to view the game via this broadcast as they travelled.
Peloton Shares Drop Like A Stone
After the huge buzz surrounding it at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, it appears Peloton may be well past its peak, as stock plummeted.
After the high of the past two years it appears the at-home workout company may be suffering as coronavirus restrictions are on the verge of lifting in many places across the world.
Cheap Laughs
