The New SAAS: Sports As A Service

Episode 24 coming soon…

The New SAAS: Sports As A Service

Selling software as a service (SaaS) has been a huge boon for both software companies and their customers. The seller uses their underlying product to fuel an evergreen subscription model, and the customer ensures they always have the most cutting edge technology available. For decades, sport’s uniquely compelling content has been the underlying product that fuels many businesses in the sports-media-entertainment ecosystem, but it has never truly embraced the capturing, on-going value from them...until now.

CAN NETFLIX CHILL WITH DISNEY + CLOSING IN?

Eighteen months ago Netflix seemingly had no challengers to its position as the dominant OTT subscription service. Today, Disney+ has built 100+ million monthly subscriber base and is closing fast. Unlike Netflix which relies exclusively on evergreen video-on-demand content, Disney+ has one of the biggest roster of live sports rights. What comes next as these two giants battle it out for OTT supremacy?

What Does WWE Know That Tennis Doesn't?

As private equity giant CVC pursues the long sought after combination of men's and women's tennis tours’ commercial rights, Mark and Michael discuss the potential combination and if a direct to consumer platform makes sense economically. They compare tennis’s plans to the WWE and how it has recently abandoned its own DTC platform, moving WWE Network on to NBC Universal’s Peacock+ digital platform, and why WWE has been ahead of the industry for decades.

Ligue One: Amazon Goes Bargain Shopping

Sports media rights fees have been recession proof for the last half century, always climbing, always finding new bidders to join the auctions. But suddenly Amazon has bought France’s first division football rights at a steep discount. It also views the value of media differently than a traditional broadcast network. Mark & Michael break the deal down and its implications.

Valuation: guns & butter…and c.o.i.

How much drag does relegation and promotion have on the value of sports clubs in an open league? Mark and Michael crack open this dynamic, why it impacts only some clubs in any given league, and how it creates massive differences in valuation between teams in closed and open pro sports leagues. And they examine the real value builder - stadium infrastructure.

Valuation: Need a Billion Dollar V? Check the Couch Cushions

Mark and Michael discuss the soaring valuations of sports properties these days and examine what actually gets counted as value - media rights deals, club IP, player monetization, and, of course, stadia infrastructure. They do it all through the lens of the new Basketball Africa League and the lessons from MLS’s successful growth.

We Should All Be Fans of Customer Service

The widely accepted sentiment is that we should treat a professional team's supporters as fans (a term shortened from fanatics) instead of customers/consumers. But most organizations treat their customers far better than sports clubs treat their fans. Mark & Michael explain the benefits of fans being treated as customers, unpack the MUFC protest, and address the fan to screen relationship that has developed through outer market viewership.

Why Did EPL  Stop at the Top with Its New Rights Fee Deals?

With the Pandemic receding and markets opening back up, Mark & Michael ask why the English Premier League would settle for an extension of their existing broadcast rights packages with no increase in rights fees while North American leagues have been landing deals with significant increases in recent weeks?

WarnerMedia + Discovery Networks: Do 4 quarters = a silver dollar?

With news of the $43 Billion merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery Networks, Mark & Michael ask if the combined entity will really deliver the value being forecasted or could we see an echo of AT&T's recent acquisitions and failed combination of Time Warner & DirecTV, which led to this sudden asset sale?

Do we have the right people in the wrong jobs?

In recent years some of the biggest properties in sport have tried to redefine themselves to fit into the hottest market segments of the day. They were Brands. They were Media Companies. Today, they are....Data Companies? But the underlying businesses haven't changed all that much. Our hosts Mark & Michael dig into this long-running trend and ask if these businesses know exactly what roles they are and should be hiring.

unleash the kraken

Fan relationships with their favorite teams have evolved greatly over the last few decades; season ticket subscriptions plans not so much. Now the NHL expansion franchise, the Seattle Kraken, are introducing season ticket programs with much more flexibility. Mark & Michael break down the new programs, contrast the different perspective UK/European fans have regarding their seats, and explore the real - and different - reasons why change has been so hard to come by on each side of the Atlantic.

Super League Autopsy Part 2: Why Now?

Turning to the operational failures of the European Super League's announcement and stunning collapse, our hosts Mark & Michael examine the critical issue of timing. Why, with so many issues unresolved, would the 12 clubs even consider launching when they did?

Super League Autopsy Part 1: Who’s to Blame?

With the rushed announcement and stunning collapse of the proposed new European football competition now on full display, Mark & Michael discuss who's responsible for this shambolic situation.

pro sports unions: who’s got the better bargain?

Our hosts Mark & Michael examine a surprising situation: if North American pro sports unions are significantly more active, better managed, and offer more services, why do athletes receive a higher percentage of total revenue and have better protection as employees in the UK and Europe?

Chinese investment in Sports 2021: The Year of the exit

With the legalization of sports wagering in the US on a state-by-state basis, pro sports must figure out how best to capitalize on this possible bonanza. Does it change the fundamental value of a fan for pro teams?

Private Equity lending to Sports Teams: If the Dog Catches the Car

Mark and Michael examine the differences between how N. American and UK/European clubs approach debt, how it got this way, the role of private equity firms as lenders, and what happens if the pandemic leads to a string of defaults.

Will big name SPACs Provide Little Added Value?

The SPAC frenzy has brought many celebrities and industry icons into sports sector investing. But will these big names really add value?

Is Rugby Relegating Promotion?

English Premiership Rugby recently announced major structural change, suspending promotion and relegation for this season due to the pandemic. Is this the future of open league systems across sports?

covid downsizing: who’s going to do the work?

After major staff reductions at so many sports properties, who’s left to help bring fans back to stadiums as the sports industry begins to reopen?

Super League Intrigue

The SPAC frenzy has brought many celebrities and industry icons into sports sector investing. But will these big names really add value?

US vs UK/Europe League STructures: Feats of Strength vs Feet of Clay

Our co-hosts break down the structural differences between pro leagues in North America and Europe.