The Big Deal Weekly: Sydney's contract conundrum, Ponting in India's sights, NFL down under, Nestory's ultimatum, the price of Premier League promotion and more
Newsletter no.78, 30 May 2024
After a short hiatus, we are back!
Looking further in depth of the numbers and contracts around sports business.
Listen to the wrap and subscribe for free now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
SWANS’ CONTRACT DILEMMA
It comes with being top of the ladder, but Sydney has some hot property the rest of the AFL would love to get its hands on.
Chad Warner has put contract talks on hold with 18 months left on his deal, which will have clubs in his native Western Australia licking their lips.
Fellow West Aussie Logan McDonald is out of contract at the end of the season and would command big money, while South Aussie Will Hayward is already being courted by Adelaide, Port and Carlton.
Plenty to fit, while Errol Gulden just signed a $1m a year deal until the end of 2028, James Rowbottom extended for four years and Ollie Florent signed a five-year deal, both assumed on less money.
PONTING SOUGHT BY INDIA
He’s already coaching in the Indian Premier League and in the US’ new Major League Cricket, but India is after him for its Test team.
However, he’s said the move is ‘unlikely’.
Breaking it down, Ponting would likely make more money from his short roles with Delhi and Washington on top of his commentary gig with Channel 7.
Less work, more cash? Seems an easy decision for the ex-Aussie Test captain with a young family.
NFL DOWN UNDER?
The NFL is continuing its push for global domination, and Australia is on the radar.
International expansion is at the forefront of team owners’ minds, and for the first time, regular-season games will go to Brazil and Spain this season.
In 2025, the NFL can play eight games outside of the US, up from five this season.
How many could we squeeze into the MCG again?
NESTORY’S ULTIMATUM
He’s Australia’s hottest talent, but Nestory Irankunda is keeping his options open.
The now-Bayern Munich star, in a recent interview, said he’s still eligible to play for Tanzania and Burundi, but playing for the Socceroos remains his dream.
Post-recording, Irankunda was selected in the Socceroos squads for the World Cup Qualifiers next week against Bangladesh and Palestine.
In November, Irankunda agreed to join the German giants in a deal worth more than $5.6 million AUD plus add-ons.
SAINTS MARCHING IN THE CASH
Southampton is back in the Premier League after just one-year following a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the Championship playoff final on Sunday.
Adam Armstrong’s first-half strike gives the Saints an estimated $269 million AUD windfall due to the increases in matchday, broadcast and commercial revenue.
Financial experts Deloitte have said the club could bank $586 million if they avoid the drop next season.
Leeds however, threw everything they could at promotion and could be forced to sell off some big stars.
DEJAVU FOR UNITED?
A Dutch manager winning the FA Cup with his job on the line at Manchester United? We’ve heard this story before.
Louis van Gaal was sacked after winning England’s most prestigious knockout cup years ago, and Erik ten Hag may suffer the same fate.
But the under pressure United boss shocked all when his side beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the final.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, it’s in your hands.
TNT ON THE OUTER OF NBA?
Could we no longer see any form of NBA on TNT? That’s what is looking likely.
The league looks to be leaning towards a trifecta of ESPN, NBC and Amazon, which will likely double the $2.7 billion in annual fees the NBA currently receives from ESPN and TNT.
Disney, which owns ESPN, is believes to keep its ‘A’ package of NBA rights, which includes being the exclusive home of NBA Finals.
Their rights fee, is reportedly doubling from $1.4 billion per year to $2.8 billion annually over a 10-year deal.
NBC looks set to be hitting the court again with a bid valued at $2.5 billion annually, which would take over the ‘B’ package which TNT currently has. NBC can offer free, over-the-air broadcast network exposure which TNT cannot.
Meanwhile, Amazon is reportedly offering $1.8 billion to put some NBA regular-season and playoff games on Prime Video. Amazon could end up with the Emirates NBA Cup in-season tournament and international broadcast rights.
It seems as if the NBA is ready to move from TNT.
AROUND MONACO
The Monaco GP has come and gone, with some outrageous figures being thrown around.
While the host fee is $20 million USD, compared to $55 million USD for others, there’s a lot of spend around the track.
There is $200 million USD yachts which rock up and hotels cost around $6000 USD a night.
Not bad for a region which has no income, capital gains or property tax.
Meanwhile, Aussie young gun Jack Doohan could be set to make his Formula One debut after reports surfaced that Alpine could drop Esteban Ocon for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Ocon attempted to overtake teammate Pierre Gasly on the opening lap in Monaco, but the move failed and he forced himself out of the race, while hampering Gasly in the process.
Thanks for reading our weekly sports business wrap!
Stay tuned and subscribe for the next episode on the podcast (Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts).
Let us know your thoughts, and share it with your friends.
Got a Big Deal you want to share? Get in touch