The Week In Review - 07/11/2025
Where sports, business, and culture collide - Broken down by: Spotlights / Sports Business / Sports Media, Content & Streaming / Sports & Culture: Athletes, Brands, Partnerships, Style / International
What’s up everyone -- lots of great content and news on deck. We’ve got live boxing on Netflix tonight under the bright lights of MSG, the PLL continuing its execution of creative live experiences, this time on the Chicago River. Meanwhile, Larry David is teaming up with HBO again and the Obamas for a new comedy series, and three major All-Star Games in the next two weeks: MLB, WNBA, and MLS.
This Week’s 5 Spotlights
Netflix Explores Music Shows And Celebrity Interviews In Unscripted TV Push
Summary & Key Takeaway: Netflix is moving beyond prestige TV into more cable-like programming -- including live events, reality shows, and buzzy, fast-turnaround content. It's developing music competition formats like Building the Band and rebooting Star Search, while exploring a potential partnership with Spotify on live concerts or awards shows. These moves reflect a broader strategy to attract global, family-friendly audiences and strengthen its ad-supported tier. Netflix wants to be more than a library -- it wants to own live culture and become a full-spectrum entertainment hub.
My Thoughts: Netflix’s next evolution is about owning the moment , continuing to pursue “can’t-miss, special-event programming.” Its recent moves feel like an intentional shift from being a prestige library to becoming a live, reactive, culturally in-sync platform - good timing on this as well as Netflix is set to stream Taylor vs. Serrano at MSG tonight. Their marketing push on social has been intense, even promoting the fight in their bio.
The Spotify collaboration talks are especially fascinating. Whether it’s a live concert series, music awards show, or a celebrity interview, this could mark a real turning point in music content. There’s real power in the collaboration there, so it’ll be really interesting to see where this leads.
PLL: Chicago Hosts First-Ever Lacrosse Game on a River
Summary & Key Takeaway: The PLL and Whirlpool just turned a Chicago River boat into a turf-covered 3v3 lacrosse field -- putting pro players from both the PLL and WLL right in the heart of the city. It’s a bold, fan-first activation that speaks to the power of immersive experiences, meeting fans where they are, and creating cultural moments that turn heads and stop traffic (literally). It was huge opportunity for great content. This is all to kick off the PLL’s Throwback Weekend in Chicago (July 11th-12th).
My Thoughts: This is exactly how you build love for a “new” sports league -- by showing up in memorable and immersive ways. This kind of creativity gets fans talking, sharing, and feeling like part of something bigger, and gets eyeballs onto the game. Lonzo Ball and Tacko Fall even showed up to partake in the festivities.
Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy
Summary & Key Takeaway: Top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna is leaving the CHL to play for Penn State, making him the highest-profile recruit in NCAA hockey history and a potential game-changer for the college hockey landscape. His move comes after the NCAA lifted its ban on former CHL players, with NIL opportunities and NHL-style development now positioning the NCAA as a more attractive path than junior hockey. McKenna’s decision marks a turning point in the hockey development pipeline, signaling a shift in power from Canadian junior leagues to NCAA programs --especially those with strong NIL backing.
My Thoughts: This is a massive moment for college hockey -- and for college sports as a whole. Seeing someone of McKenna’s caliber flip the script on CHL vs. NCAA development shows how much has changed with NIL, player empowerment, and how fans view the college game. So many fans throughout Canada will now be exposed to the college hockey environment, and it is likely more top recruits will follow Mckenna in years to come. Crazy to think Penn State went from club to D1 hockey only ~10 years ago.
ESPN Brings Pat McAfee To Atlanta For Home Run Derby Showcase
Summary & Key Takeaway: Despite uncertainty around its long-term MLB rights, ESPN is going all-in on next week’s Home Run Derby, with The Pat McAfee Show broadcasting live from Atlanta and multiple pre-event activations planned. McAfee’s presence, along with ESPN’s marquee programming and alternate broadcasts, underscores how important the Derby remains as a tentpole summer event -- both for ratings and ESPN’s positioning in ongoing rights negotiations.
My Thoughts: Even as ESPN weighs walking away from MLB after 2025, its investment in the Home Run Derby shows it still sees real value in baseball’s biggest cultural moments. Bringing in McAfee -- its most electric personality -- is a strategic flex to prove it can make baseball feel big when it wants to. This is also about leverage: by going all-out on Derby coverage, ESPN signals to MLB (and its own audience) that it’s still a serious player…if the deal is right.
Love Island USA App Is Apple Store’s #1 Free App
Summary & Key Takeaway: The Love Island USA app is breaking engagement records, with over 1 million votes cast in just six minutes after a recent episode. The app lets fans vote in real-time to influence key plot twists, deepening the show’s drama, social buzz, and cultural relevance by making the audience a true part of the narrative.
My Thoughts: What makes Love Island USA so powerful is how immersive it is — fans are legitimately shaping it. Voting gives viewers real agency in how the story unfolds, blurring the line between entertainment and participation. This takes reality TV to a whole other level. This kind of interactive format is the future of fan engagement, and Love Island is proving how addicting that can be.
🏟️ Sports Business
FOS
Dan Orlovsky, ESPN Agree To Terms For Contract Extension
Summary & Key Takeaway: Dan Orlovsky is finalizing a long-term extension with ESPN, keeping him as a key voice across NFL Live, Monday Night Football, and other top shows. While he’s explored potential coaching opportunities and this seems to be his long-term plan, ESPN values him as a versatile, homegrown talent -- and talking about Football on TV gives coaching candidates credibility and visibility
Fox Extends Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson Contracts Ahead Of NFL Season
Summary & Key Takeaway: Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson have both signed contract extensions with Fox Sports ahead of the 2025 NFL season, solidifying their roles as key faces of the network’s football coverage. While Fox locks in its top talent, change is still coming to Fox NFL Sunday, with Jimmy Johnson retiring and longtime cast members like Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long signaling their own eventual exits.
Amazon Adding Dell Curry To NBA Coverage Team
Amazon Prime Video is adding Dell Curry to its NBA coverage team, joining a growing roster of high-profile talent ahead of the 2025–26 season. Kevin Harlan is also locked down. The move not only strengthens Prime’s on-air lineup but may also position the company to deepen its ties with Steph Curry -- potentially setting up a long-term media play around one of basketball’s biggest stars.
ESPN
John Martin, Ex-Turner And Time Warner Exec, Takes Over As PFL CEO
Summary & Key Takeaway: Former Turner and Time Warner executive John Martin has been named CEO of the Professional Fighters League, taking over from Peter Murray, who will now lead PFL International. With deep media experience and a personal passion for MMA, Martin is positioned to scale the PFL’s global ambitions -- blending his broadcast expertise with the league’s growing combat sports footprint.
MLB To Use ABS Challenge System During All-Star Game In Atlanta
Summary & Key Takeaway: MLB will debut its automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system in next week’s All-Star Game, using the same format tested during spring training where players get two challenges per game. With fan support strong and league officials eyeing potential full-season implementation in 2026, the All-Star showcase could be the tipping point for bringing ABS to the majors -- signaling a new era of tech-assisted umpiring in baseball.
Wings Move Potential Clark-Bueckers Matchup To Mavericks' Arena
Summary & Key Takeaway: The Dallas Wings are moving their Aug. 1 game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever to the NBA's American Airlines Center for a second attempt at a high-profile Clark vs. Paige Bueckers matchup. Their first scheduled meeting at the venue drew over 20,000 fans despite Clark’s injury absence, highlighting the massive draw of these two rookies and the growing demand for marquee WNBA events in larger arenas.
Paolo Banchero, Magic Agree To Five-Year Rookie Max Extension
Summary & Key Takeaway: Paolo Banchero just locked in a five-year, $239 million rookie extension that could climb to $287 million with incentives. NBA money is absolutely wild -- and he’s only 22.
Awful Announcing
Apple’s F1 Bid Reportedly Between $150m And $200m
Summary & Key Takeaway: Apple has reportedly offered $150–$200 million per year for global Formula One broadcast rights -- nearly double what ESPN currently pays and right in line with F1’s target price. While ESPN may argue for broader reach, Apple’s bid shows its growing ambition in live sports, boosted by the success of its Brad Pitt–led F1 film. If Apple secures the deal, it would mark a major shift in how F1 is distributed -- favoring high-paying, closed platforms over traditional reach and signaling Apple’s deeper push into premium sports rights.
LSU Looking To Sell Jersey Ads
Summary & Key Takeaway: LSU is pushing for the NCAA to allow jersey advertisements, projecting “multiple millions” in added revenue annually as college sports shift toward revenue sharing. With professional leagues already embracing jersey ads and schools now facing higher financial pressures, it's likely only a matter of time before college uniforms follow suit -- and LSU is positioning itself to lead the charge.
SBJ
Mariner Joins Harbinger Sports As General Partner
Summary & Key Takeaway: Former MLB CFO Jonathan Mariner has joined Harbinger Sports Partners as a general partner, alongside Mark Cuban, to lead a new $750 million fund targeting minority stakes in U.S. pro sports franchises. The fund plans to invest $50–150 million per deal across 5–15 teams in leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB. This move signals a growing wave of institutional capital entering sports ownership, with leaders like Mariner and Cuban bringing deep operational and media expertise. As leagues evolve into more diversified entertainment businesses, funds like Harbinger aim to reshape how teams are financed and scaled.
USC Cuts A Dozen Athletic Dept. Jobs Due To Costs
Summary & Key Takeaway: USC is cutting 12 athletic department jobs to manage costs tied to new athlete revenue-sharing rules under the House settlement. Schools are starting to feel the financial squeeze of paying athletes, forcing tough staffing decisions to maintain full sports programs.
DOJ Accuses Leiweke Of Moody Center Bid Rigging
Summary & Key Takeaway: OVG CEO Tim Leiweke has been indicted by the DOJ for alleged bid-rigging tied to the Moody Center project, leading to his resignation and a $15 million company fine. He has stepped down from his CEO position. The case signals growing federal scrutiny on sports venue deals and antitrust violations in development.
Chiefs Launch Kansas City Classic Brand For College Games
Summary & Key Takeaway: The Kansas City Chiefs have introduced the Battle Sports Kansas City Classic, branding next month's Cincinnati vs. Nebraska college football game at Arrowhead Stadium, with plans to make it an annual event. By acquiring hosting rights and securing a title sponsor, the Chiefs aim to leverage their central Big 12/SEC/Big Ten location to attract marquee matchups and monetize their venue during the college football season
Sportico
Monumental-Viewlift Venture To Aid Teams With Local Media Rights
Summary & Key Takeaway: Monumental Sports & Entertainment has teamed up with ViewLift to offer a turnkey local broadcast and streaming solution for professional sports teams, combining MSE’s linear TV production and distribution experience with ViewLift’s digital and OTT expertise. As regional sports networks unravel, this venture provides teams with a streamlined, hybrid model -- TV plus DTC -- to maintain control over local distribution and revenue.
Twitter / X
Savannah Bananas Game Averages 837,000 Viewers On Espn
Summary & Key Takeaway: Data doesn’t lie.
📺 Sports Media, Content & Streaming
Penske Media (Variety + Hollywood Reporter + Deadline)
Former ‘Daily Show’ Star Roy Wood Jr. Goes To The Ballpark In Roku Doc
Summary & Key Takeaway: Roy Wood Jr. is teaming up with Roku and MLB Studios to host Going, Going Gone: The Magic of the Home Run, a new documentary airing ahead of the Home Run Derby on July 14. The special, featuring stars like Mookie Betts and Albert Pujols, explores iconic home runs across baseball history and reinforces Roku’s growing sports presence as the exclusive home of MLB Sunday Leadoff. It’s a smart, fan-first move that blends nostalgia, star power, and cultural storytelling to deepen Roku’s MLB partnership.
Fox Sees Earlier-Than-Expected Sell-Out For MLB All-Star Game Commercials
Summary & Key Takeaway: Fox has already sold out ad inventory for the MLB All-Star Game more than a month in advance, including backup spots tied to unpredictable game moments. Advertiser demand for live sports remains sky-high, with the All-Star Game commanding record ad volume and pricing as brands compete for summer and back-to-school dollars.
Max Changed Back To HBO Max On Wednesday
Summary & Key Takeaway: HBO…a brand that resonates - it’s important to have it in the name.
Larry David Returning To HBO With Obamas-Produced Sketch Series
Summary & Key Takeaway: Larry David is returning to HBO with a new six-episode historical sketch comedy series co-produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground, set to air in 2026 for America’s 250th anniversary. The show will feature David’s trademark humor, Curb collaborators, and notable guest stars.
Netflix Says 50 Percent Of Global Users Now Watch Anime, Reveals Expanded Slate
Summary & Key Takeaway: Anime has become a global powerhouse for Netflix, with over 150 million households watching and viewership tripling over the past five years. Even if it feels niche in the U.S., anime is now one of Netflix’s most popular international genres -- with massive engagement across Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
AMC Theaters To Offer 50% Off Tickets On Tuesdays And Wednesdays
Summary & Key Takeaway: AMC Theaters is expanding its midweek discount strategy by offering 50% off tickets on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays for AMC Stubs members, replacing its old $5 Tuesday deal. This move aims to boost attendance during slower weekdays as the box office remains 25% below pre-pandemic levels. With added concessions discounts and rising streaming competition, AMC is doubling down on value-driven promotions to keep theaters full and customers engaged midweek.
FOS
Summary & Key Takeaway: Front Office Sports and Folk Productions are launching Second Acts Live, a national theater series hosted by Chiney Ogwumike spotlighting iconic athletes like Sue Bird and Michael Vick as they share how they've reinvented themselves after sports. Blending live sports storytelling with theatrical production, the series marks FOS’s latest move into premium, in-person content and signals growing demand for athlete-led narratives beyond the game.
ESPN
Big East, ESPN Reunite With 6-Year Media Rights Deal
Summary & Key Takeaway: The Big East Conference has signed a six-year digital media rights deal with ESPN, bringing over 300 events annually -- across all 22 sports -- to ESPN+. The deal boosts visibility for women’s and Olympic sports while reviving a historic ESPN partnership as the network strengthens its college sports lineup post-Big Ten.
The Athletic
The ‘First Celebrity Athlete,’ A Century Before Social Media
Summary & Key Takeaway: The History Channel’s new documentary Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning spotlights the legendary Native American athlete’s unparalleled achievements across multiple sports and the injustices he faced, including the stripping of his Olympic medals. Directed by Chris Eyre and produced by LeBron James’ Uninterrupted, the film reframes Thorpe’s legacy not as a victim, but as a resilient pioneer who used sports as a means of survival and purpose -- paving the way for future generations of Native athletes.
Awful Announcing
Joe Buck And Malika Andrews To Guest-Host ‘Good Morning America’
Summary & Key Takeaway: Malika Andrews and Joe Buck will guest-host Good Morning America later this month. Andrews’ appearances are especially notable as her contract is set to expire later this year -- and many view this as a possible step toward a broader Disney media role, similar to Robin Roberts’ career path.
🎽 Sports & Culture: Athletes, Brands, Partnerships, Style
PLL
PLL Renews Partnership With Gatorade
Complex
Harper’s Bazaar
Rosalía Joins New Balance For A Cinematic Campaign As Its Latest Ambassador
Summary & Key Takeaway: New Balance is all about quality over quantity in their roster -- they believe Rosalía will have a global impact for years to come.
Chelsea FC
Global Partnership With Fanatics Expands After Five Years Of Strong Merchandise Growth
Summary & Key Takeaway: Chelsea FC has extended its partnership with Fanatics to launch a more personalized, AI-powered online store and expand exclusive merchandise offerings. Chelsea continues to lean into digital innovation to boost global fan engagement and merchandise revenue.
SBJ
F1 Drivers Receive Lego Trophies In Latest Activation Of Partnership
Summary & Key Takeaway: Formula 1 awarded LEGO-built trophies to the top finishers at the British Grand Prix, marking a playful and visually striking activation of its partnership with LEGO. The intricate, hand-built trophies are part of F1’s broader strategy to engage younger audiences and expand its cultural footprint. By integrating with family-friendly brands like LEGO, F1 continues its evolution from a traditional motorsport into a global lifestyle and entertainment platform.
LIV Golf Adds Global Partnership With HSBC
Penske Media (Variety + Hollywood Reporter + Deadline)
Modern Notoriety
Nike Is Dropping Caitlin Clark’s Kobe 6 Protro PE
Summary & Key Takeaway: Caitlin Clark is releasing her second Nike Kobe sneaker -- a Kobe 6 Protro “Light Armory Blue” colorway -- this fall, ahead of her debut signature shoe in 2026. The drop further cements her as a rising face of Nike Basketball and a major marketing force in the WNBA.
Adidas
🌎 International
Sportico
A Tour De France Cycling Team Was Sold Mid-Race
Summary & Key Takeaway:
Decathlon will take full ownership of the WorldTour cycling team currently known as Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale starting in 2026, increasing its annual budget to around €40 million to compete among the top three teams globally. This strategic takeover, backed by significant financial commitment, marks Decathlon’s ambition to shift from sponsor to powerhouse owner -- reshaping pro cycling’s future and aiming for elite status by 2028.
Until Sunday,
MH