Eben Novy-Williams
@ebennovywilliams.bsky.social
deputy editor @Sportico.
join our club! ---> https://club.sportico.com/
join our club! ---> https://club.sportico.com/
Reposted by Eben Novy-Williams
omfg
The Kansas City Royals are moving their outfield walls after a careful analysis--done by a computer science PHD--of their current roster of hitters and pitchers.
Why isn't this more common? Today's Club Sportico post dives deep into... Moneywall!
club.sportico.com/p/moneywall-...
Why isn't this more common? Today's Club Sportico post dives deep into... Moneywall!
club.sportico.com/p/moneywall-...
'Moneywall' could be baseball's next frontier
The Kansas City Royals just revealed a whole new type of analytics for teams to exploit. Why isn't this more common?
club.sportico.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:48 PM
omfg
The Kansas City Royals are moving their outfield walls after a careful analysis--done by a computer science PHD--of their current roster of hitters and pitchers.
Why isn't this more common? Today's Club Sportico post dives deep into... Moneywall!
club.sportico.com/p/moneywall-...
Why isn't this more common? Today's Club Sportico post dives deep into... Moneywall!
club.sportico.com/p/moneywall-...
'Moneywall' could be baseball's next frontier
The Kansas City Royals just revealed a whole new type of analytics for teams to exploit. Why isn't this more common?
club.sportico.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:47 PM
The Kansas City Royals are moving their outfield walls after a careful analysis--done by a computer science PHD--of their current roster of hitters and pitchers.
Why isn't this more common? Today's Club Sportico post dives deep into... Moneywall!
club.sportico.com/p/moneywall-...
Why isn't this more common? Today's Club Sportico post dives deep into... Moneywall!
club.sportico.com/p/moneywall-...
Reposted by Eben Novy-Williams
How well did you follow the money in sports in 2025?
Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
Our Year-End News Quiz
How well did you follow the biggest sports business news of the last 12 months?
club.sportico.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:06 PM
How well did you follow the money in sports in 2025?
Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
How well did you follow the money in sports in 2025?
Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
Our Year-End News Quiz
How well did you follow the biggest sports business news of the last 12 months?
club.sportico.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:06 PM
How well did you follow the money in sports in 2025?
Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
Take the Club Sportico year-end quiz!
club.sportico.com/p/sports-bus...
Here's a fun one: Had Utah been Kyle Wittingham's last job, his 11 grandkids would all have been able to attend the University of Utah for free.
His taking the Michigan job appears to have terminated that benefit. More from @daniellibit.bsky.social at Sportico 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
His taking the Michigan job appears to have terminated that benefit. More from @daniellibit.bsky.social at Sportico 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
Whittingham’s Michigan Gig May Cost Grandkids Free Utah Tuition
Whittingham’s decision to accept a new coaching job at Michigan rather than retire comes with consequences for his progeny.
www.sportico.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Here's a fun one: Had Utah been Kyle Wittingham's last job, his 11 grandkids would all have been able to attend the University of Utah for free.
His taking the Michigan job appears to have terminated that benefit. More from @daniellibit.bsky.social at Sportico 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
His taking the Michigan job appears to have terminated that benefit. More from @daniellibit.bsky.social at Sportico 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
For the next two weeks, @sportico.bsky.social is handing our AM newsletter over to a different writer each morning to look back on 2025 🔙 and ahead to 2026 🔮.
Here are some excerpts so far from Lev, Anthony and @jacobfeldman.bsky.social 👇
Here are some excerpts so far from Lev, Anthony and @jacobfeldman.bsky.social 👇
December 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
For the next two weeks, @sportico.bsky.social is handing our AM newsletter over to a different writer each morning to look back on 2025 🔙 and ahead to 2026 🔮.
Here are some excerpts so far from Lev, Anthony and @jacobfeldman.bsky.social 👇
Here are some excerpts so far from Lev, Anthony and @jacobfeldman.bsky.social 👇
BREAKING: The Chiefs are set to receive $1.8 billion (!) in public money for a new $3 billion stadium in Kansas. That's the largest public subsidy ever for a U.S. sports stadium project. More coming for practice facility, too.
www.sportico.com/business/rea...
www.sportico.com/business/rea...
Chiefs Land Record $1.8B in Public Money to Cross Kansas State Line
The Kansas City Chiefs are moving to Kansas. Their $1.8 billion in public subsidy money is the highest total ever for a U.S. stadium project.
www.sportico.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
BREAKING: The Chiefs are set to receive $1.8 billion (!) in public money for a new $3 billion stadium in Kansas. That's the largest public subsidy ever for a U.S. sports stadium project. More coming for practice facility, too.
www.sportico.com/business/rea...
www.sportico.com/business/rea...
BREAKING: Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley is in advanced talks to become the next CEO of the @USTA, sources tell Sportico.
Tiley has experience running both a governing body and a grand slam. Process comes at a critical time for global tennis. More 👇🎾
www.sportico.com/personalitie...
Tiley has experience running both a governing body and a grand slam. Process comes at a critical time for global tennis. More 👇🎾
www.sportico.com/personalitie...
USTA Near Deal to Tap Australian Open Boss as Next CEO
The USTA's CEO search has narrowed to Craig Tiley, the CEO of Tennis Australia and the director of the Australian Open. He is nearing a deal.
www.sportico.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:24 PM
BREAKING: Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley is in advanced talks to become the next CEO of the @USTA, sources tell Sportico.
Tiley has experience running both a governing body and a grand slam. Process comes at a critical time for global tennis. More 👇🎾
www.sportico.com/personalitie...
Tiley has experience running both a governing body and a grand slam. Process comes at a critical time for global tennis. More 👇🎾
www.sportico.com/personalitie...
Can you figure out what's happening in these three circles?
In today's Club Sportico essay, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social lets you in on a fun little trivia challenge: deciphering the oddities in the NFL's Sunday TV map.
In today's Club Sportico essay, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social lets you in on a fun little trivia challenge: deciphering the oddities in the NFL's Sunday TV map.
December 12, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Can you figure out what's happening in these three circles?
In today's Club Sportico essay, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social lets you in on a fun little trivia challenge: deciphering the oddities in the NFL's Sunday TV map.
In today's Club Sportico essay, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social lets you in on a fun little trivia challenge: deciphering the oddities in the NFL's Sunday TV map.
In today's Club Sportico early week missive, we're talking about the College Football Playoff selection process, which managed to make even a surreal World Cup draw look sane and well managed...
club.sportico.com/p/world-cup-...
club.sportico.com/p/world-cup-...
College football makes FIFA look competent
Plus: How the World Cup schedule gets made and why Notre Dame has already lost fans' sympathy
club.sportico.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
In today's Club Sportico early week missive, we're talking about the College Football Playoff selection process, which managed to make even a surreal World Cup draw look sane and well managed...
club.sportico.com/p/world-cup-...
club.sportico.com/p/world-cup-...
In today's Club Sportico newsletter, we're talking about the new posterchild for college football's mercenary era 👇
club.sportico.com/p/lane-kiffi...
club.sportico.com/p/lane-kiffi...
College football's mercenary era has a new posterboy
Lane Kiffin's dramatic Sunday included leaked audio, an R-rated airport sendoff, and a healthy dose of hypocrisy.
club.sportico.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:20 PM
In today's Club Sportico newsletter, we're talking about the new posterchild for college football's mercenary era 👇
club.sportico.com/p/lane-kiffi...
club.sportico.com/p/lane-kiffi...
UMass has been FBS's worst football team since it moved up in 2012. Its struggles include spilled hydraulic fluid, a failed stint at an NFL stadium 90 miles away, and unmet "pie-in-the-sky" projections.
Now the school is doubling down. More w/ Daniel Libit 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
Now the school is doubling down. More w/ Daniel Libit 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
Sunk-Cost Football: UMass’ Faltering Quest to Belong in the FBS
UMass bought the promise of big-time football in 2011, when it joined the FBS. Fourteen brutal years later, the Minutemen are doubling down.
www.sportico.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM
UMass has been FBS's worst football team since it moved up in 2012. Its struggles include spilled hydraulic fluid, a failed stint at an NFL stadium 90 miles away, and unmet "pie-in-the-sky" projections.
Now the school is doubling down. More w/ Daniel Libit 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
Now the school is doubling down. More w/ Daniel Libit 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
This morning in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez proposed amending the team's fan-controlled structure slightly, to allow the club to sell a passive 5% equity stake.
He believes that could provide the team $500+ million. More via Club Sportico 👇
He believes that could provide the team $500+ million. More via Club Sportico 👇
Today at @sportico.bsky.social, we're talking about the delicate balancing act underway at Real Madrid.
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Real Madrid is prepping a delicate balancing act
The world’s most valuable soccer team has historically been unable to court new owners. Now it’s trying to raise ~$1 billion without losing its soul.
club.sportico.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM
This morning in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez proposed amending the team's fan-controlled structure slightly, to allow the club to sell a passive 5% equity stake.
He believes that could provide the team $500+ million. More via Club Sportico 👇
He believes that could provide the team $500+ million. More via Club Sportico 👇
Reposted by Eben Novy-Williams
Today at @sportico.bsky.social, we're talking about the delicate balancing act underway at Real Madrid.
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Real Madrid is prepping a delicate balancing act
The world’s most valuable soccer team has historically been unable to court new owners. Now it’s trying to raise ~$1 billion without losing its soul.
club.sportico.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Today at @sportico.bsky.social, we're talking about the delicate balancing act underway at Real Madrid.
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Today at @sportico.bsky.social, we're talking about the delicate balancing act underway at Real Madrid.
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Real Madrid is prepping a delicate balancing act
The world’s most valuable soccer team has historically been unable to court new owners. Now it’s trying to raise ~$1 billion without losing its soul.
club.sportico.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Today at @sportico.bsky.social, we're talking about the delicate balancing act underway at Real Madrid.
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Can the world's most valuable soccer team court $1 billion in investment while keeping its fan-controlled structure?
club.sportico.com/p/real-madri...
Happy Monday. In this week's Pick Six, we're talking about:
👟 The two shocks of Curry's Under Armour separation
⛷️ Skiing on top of the world
🐂 Advertising that I actually enjoy watching
🎫 “Now there are sort of good bots and bad bots”
⚽ The NWSL's Rodman problem
club.sportico.com/p/steph-curr...
👟 The two shocks of Curry's Under Armour separation
⛷️ Skiing on top of the world
🐂 Advertising that I actually enjoy watching
🎫 “Now there are sort of good bots and bad bots”
⚽ The NWSL's Rodman problem
club.sportico.com/p/steph-curr...
Steph Curry is wearing Nikes?!
Plus: A soccer league's existential crisis, AI ticketing, and skiing on top of the world.
club.sportico.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Happy Monday. In this week's Pick Six, we're talking about:
👟 The two shocks of Curry's Under Armour separation
⛷️ Skiing on top of the world
🐂 Advertising that I actually enjoy watching
🎫 “Now there are sort of good bots and bad bots”
⚽ The NWSL's Rodman problem
club.sportico.com/p/steph-curr...
👟 The two shocks of Curry's Under Armour separation
⛷️ Skiing on top of the world
🐂 Advertising that I actually enjoy watching
🎫 “Now there are sort of good bots and bad bots”
⚽ The NWSL's Rodman problem
club.sportico.com/p/steph-curr...
SCOOP: @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I got details of MLS's
revised Apple deal
- Ends in June 2029 (3.5 years early)
- Apple gave up 2027 opt-out
- MLS gets: $200M in 2026, $107M for 2027 "sprint" season, $275M in final two seasons
Via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...
revised Apple deal
- Ends in June 2029 (3.5 years early)
- Apple gave up 2027 opt-out
- MLS gets: $200M in 2026, $107M for 2027 "sprint" season, $275M in final two seasons
Via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...
Apple, MLS Deal Will End in 2029 With Revised Payment Structure
MLS and Apple's streaming rights agreement will now end three and half years early, letting the league explore new partners after the 2026 World Cup.
www.sportico.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
SCOOP: @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I got details of MLS's
revised Apple deal
- Ends in June 2029 (3.5 years early)
- Apple gave up 2027 opt-out
- MLS gets: $200M in 2026, $107M for 2027 "sprint" season, $275M in final two seasons
Via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...
revised Apple deal
- Ends in June 2029 (3.5 years early)
- Apple gave up 2027 opt-out
- MLS gets: $200M in 2026, $107M for 2027 "sprint" season, $275M in final two seasons
Via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...
Two years ago, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank said he "couldn’t imagine Under Armour without Stephen [Curry], or Stephen without Under Armour"
Today, his company and its biggest endorser announced the unimaginable. More via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/business/com...
Today, his company and its biggest endorser announced the unimaginable. More via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/business/com...
Under Armour’s CEO Just Did the Thing He ‘Couldn’t Imagine’
Under Armour is cutting ties with Steph Curry's brand, the latest in its billion-dollar cutback of sponsorship deals with leagues, teams and athletes.
www.sportico.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Two years ago, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank said he "couldn’t imagine Under Armour without Stephen [Curry], or Stephen without Under Armour"
Today, his company and its biggest endorser announced the unimaginable. More via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/business/com...
Today, his company and its biggest endorser announced the unimaginable. More via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/business/com...
🚨 Sportico's F1 valuations are out 🏎️
Here's the full list, plus how each franchise compares to its next "Big Four" comp...
Here's the full list, plus how each franchise compares to its next "Big Four" comp...
November 13, 2025 at 2:25 PM
🚨 Sportico's F1 valuations are out 🏎️
Here's the full list, plus how each franchise compares to its next "Big Four" comp...
Here's the full list, plus how each franchise compares to its next "Big Four" comp...
If you thought the NBA betting scandal was bad, wait until the Feds are done with college basketball...
club.sportico.com/p/theres-a-g...
club.sportico.com/p/theres-a-g...
There’s a gambling hurricane coming for college basketball
If you thought the recent NBA bet-rigging details were bad, brace yourself for what’s about to happen in college basketball.
club.sportico.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:23 PM
If you thought the NBA betting scandal was bad, wait until the Feds are done with college basketball...
club.sportico.com/p/theres-a-g...
club.sportico.com/p/theres-a-g...
I wrote today about the blackmail of Jontay Porter.
The concern for the NBA and other leagues isn't that players will forever think they can get away with rigging games. It's that players will always be coerced into trying 👇
club.sportico.com/p/nba-gambli...
The concern for the NBA and other leagues isn't that players will forever think they can get away with rigging games. It's that players will always be coerced into trying 👇
club.sportico.com/p/nba-gambli...
The blackmail is the real concern
For the past two years, Jontay Porter has been the posterchild for dumb athlete gamblers. This week, his story grew into something else.
club.sportico.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I wrote today about the blackmail of Jontay Porter.
The concern for the NBA and other leagues isn't that players will forever think they can get away with rigging games. It's that players will always be coerced into trying 👇
club.sportico.com/p/nba-gambli...
The concern for the NBA and other leagues isn't that players will forever think they can get away with rigging games. It's that players will always be coerced into trying 👇
club.sportico.com/p/nba-gambli...
Two classic stories here (one about batting cages, the other about Japanese toilets) from the Dodgers' free agent courtship of Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki
October 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Two classic stories here (one about batting cages, the other about Japanese toilets) from the Dodgers' free agent courtship of Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki
In today's Club Sportico, we're talking about the Big Ten's $2.4 billion loan, Michigan's vociferous pushback, and the curious ways that college sports leaders talk about the creep of institutional capital...
club.sportico.com/p/the-big-te...
club.sportico.com/p/the-big-te...
The Big Ten’s $2.4 Billion Loan is on Life Support
As the Big Ten vigorously debates the merits of a $2.4 billion pension fund loan, we should all be speaking differently about institutional capital and college sports.
club.sportico.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:19 PM
In today's Club Sportico, we're talking about the Big Ten's $2.4 billion loan, Michigan's vociferous pushback, and the curious ways that college sports leaders talk about the creep of institutional capital...
club.sportico.com/p/the-big-te...
club.sportico.com/p/the-big-te...
If there's one main takeaway from me on @sportico.bsky.social's latest NBA valuations, it's this:
The league is moving toward an NFL-style model. It's gotten closer to fixed costs, and the league-wide media distributions (now $143M) have grown into a significant revenue stream.
The league is moving toward an NFL-style model. It's gotten closer to fixed costs, and the league-wide media distributions (now $143M) have grown into a significant revenue stream.
October 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
If there's one main takeaway from me on @sportico.bsky.social's latest NBA valuations, it's this:
The league is moving toward an NFL-style model. It's gotten closer to fixed costs, and the league-wide media distributions (now $143M) have grown into a significant revenue stream.
The league is moving toward an NFL-style model. It's gotten closer to fixed costs, and the league-wide media distributions (now $143M) have grown into a significant revenue stream.
We just entered a 49-day stretch with NFL or FBS college football *every day*.
In the latest @clubsportico.bsky.social Jacob and I wrote about business levers that led to this panoply of pigskin 👇
club.sportico.com/p/nfl-colleg...
In the latest @clubsportico.bsky.social Jacob and I wrote about business levers that led to this panoply of pigskin 👇
club.sportico.com/p/nfl-colleg...
Welcome to the Great Gridiron Grind
The NFL and college football are rapidly colonizing the calendar. They make more money, and you get to gorge on pigskin.
club.sportico.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:47 PM
We just entered a 49-day stretch with NFL or FBS college football *every day*.
In the latest @clubsportico.bsky.social Jacob and I wrote about business levers that led to this panoply of pigskin 👇
club.sportico.com/p/nfl-colleg...
In the latest @clubsportico.bsky.social Jacob and I wrote about business levers that led to this panoply of pigskin 👇
club.sportico.com/p/nfl-colleg...