The Big Deal Weekly: Without A Fight wins Melbourne Cup, Sydney FC sacks coach, Rozee to captain Port?, cricket YouTube channel taken down, SuperBowl ad prices & more

Newsletter no.58, 7 November 2023

Without A Fight became the first horse since Ethereal in 2001 to claim the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double earlier today.

Mark Zahra, who rode last year’s winner Gold Trip, has gone back-to-back.

Without A Fight was paying $8.50 pre-race to win.

For more on sports business, tune in to the episode with Tredders and Huddo below or scroll down for the weekly notes.

Listen to the wrap and subscribe for free now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

PEOPLE SAYING NUP TO THE CUP?

Is the $8 million race as popular as it once was? 

Brands are distancing themselves from the races - social, animal rights and cost of living issues.

Myer had sponsored the Fashions in the Field for nearly four decades.

Crowds are also expected to be down, with less than 85,000 people expected to get to Flemington.

However, organisers responded with a music festival, improved amenities and by letting the punters wear shorts.

Nine Network to take over coverage from next year after Channel Seven pulled out of race in September. 

Seven withdrew in anger after Nine was the preference for the Victorian Racing Club.

Network Ten held it for the last time this year - and pulled out of the race early.

CHAMP CORICA GONE

Sydney FC has parted ways with coach Steve Corica.

The Sky Blues’ longest-serving coach won 13 trophies as a player and a coach.

In total he won five Championships, four Premierships, two Australia Cups, the Oceania Club Championship and an A-League Youth Championship.

Assistant Coach David Zdrilic will lead the players in training today.

Ruthless or right call?

TREDDERS’ TALKING POINTS FROM THE AFL

• Should North Melbourne sell their farm of draft picks for Pick 1?

• Is Connor Rozee set to sign the richest deal in Port Adelaide Football Club history?

• Is he also set to become captain, with Zak Butters his vice?

SAUDI ARABIA EYES IPL

In 2009, a year after the franchise-owned cricket league launched, Forbes had pegged the average franchise value at $67 million. In 2022, that is now $1.04 billion.

That’s thanks to expectations around the next media deal - $6 billion deal was inked a few months after Forbes’ valuations.

In June, 120 million unique viewers tuned in to watch the Chennai Super Kings beat the Gujarat Titans in the final.

Now, Saudi Arabia, via its colossal $700 billion Public Investment Fund, is eyeing off investment into the IPL via the BCCI.

IPL teams could benefit from marketing, sponsorships and investment in cricket stadiums.

Saudi Arabia has 312 sponsorships across 21 sports, with 83 of that 312 in soccer.

Last year, IPL founder said BCCI should demolish old stadiums and build new state of the art ones.

In 2021, IPL sold two expansion teams with $750 million for the Titans and $950 million for the Lucknow Super Giants.

Expansion fees paid over 10 years and redistributed in equal amounts.

TIMED OUT?!

Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews has slammed Bangaldesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, labelling him as ‘disgraceful’, after he became the first player in 146 years of international cricket to be given a “timed out”. 

Mathews was judged to be out after failing to take strike within the two-minute time limit. He had been unable to secure his helmet strap, which delayed play.

Shakib was able to successfully appeal for his wicket and refused to withdraw the appeal.

Aussie Usman Khawaja tweeted ‘Angelo made his crease then his helmet strap broke. How is that timed out? I’m all for timed out if he doesn’t make his crease but that is ridiculous. No different than a batsman getting to the crease then taking three minutes to face up.’

Where’s the ‘Spirit of Cricket’?

POPULAR YOUTUBE ACCOUNT AXED

Rob Moody’s ‘Robelinda2’ account has been terminated after a copyright saga.

For 14 years, his account had housed old, old highlights of cricket. 

Account called Marhaba Cricket India had been striking his content based on ‘legitimate and exclusive digital rights’ in Bangladesh.

Videos picked up include multiple games featuring Bangladesh.

CAMBAGE’S BIG PAY DAY

Liz Cambage is set to sign with Sichuan women’s team - at least a $1 million deal.

Max earnings in the WNBA are $240,000 - so, a big increase for a controversial sporting figure.

WEMBY IS ON FIRE

Victor Wembanyama is firing for San Antonio, after a dominant effort against Phoenix.

Wembanyama had 38 points and 10 rebounds in a win against a star-studded Suns outfit which features Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.

Wembanyama is hot favourite at $1.28 (SportsBet) to win the Rookie of the Year. Josh Giddey’s OKC Thunder teammate Chet Holmgren is second-favourite at $6.

VAR-CICAL SCENES

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta obliterated the VAR system and officiating in the Premier League after a goal was allowed in their loss to Newcastle.

The ball appeared out of bounds, Gabriel was fouled and a potential offside - all came back in the Magpies’ favour.

MORE FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE…

Manchester United’s ownership saga continues, as Jim Ratcliffe prepares to increase his interest in Man United - $1.5 billion for 25% share and management rights to the business and club.

Ratcliffe could also tip in a further $300 million to upgrade the ageing Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou suffered his first loss as Tottenham Hotspur manager, going down to nine-men and losing 4-1 to Chelsea, led by former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

SUPERBOWL ADS SOLD OUT

CBS is on fire and has sold out the entirety of its 2024 Super Bowl ads.

In 1967, a Super Bowl ad would cost $42,500 for 30 seconds. Now, it’s $7 million.

Super Bowl Ad price growth

1967: $42,500

1970: $78,000

1975: $107,000

1980: $220,000

1985: $525,000

1990: $700,000

1995: $1.2 million

2000: $2 million

2005: $2.4 million

2010: $3 million

2015: $4.25 million

2020: $5.6 million

2024: $7 million

RAIDERS’ HEFTY PAYOUT

With the Raiders sacking Josh McDaniels last week, and Jon Gruden resigning in 2021 - they’re paying a bit for two men not to coach the team.

They are now paying somewhere between $40 million and $80 million, depending on Gruden’s settlement.

Massively poor money management.

GILLY’S KIND GESTURE

Aussie great Adam Gilchrist paid $4000 for a carton of beer he may never get to drink.

It was a specially minted XXXX Gold carton of beer adorned with a photo of the late Andrew Symonds.

It was bought by Jimmy Maher, Bulls Masters boss and one-time Aussie teammate of the duo, however, Gilly jumped in and purchased it.

“I was filling out the forms and Gilly said “I’ve got this’’ and paid for it before saying “but you keep the beer – you deserve it,’’ said Maher.

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