02/04/22: The WNBA got a major investment as the league plots the future

Friday February 4, 2022

The WNBA landed the largest-ever capital raise for a women’s sports property as part of a multi-faceted financial growth strategy “designed to generate new revenue through increased investment in priority areas as part of the league’s long-term business transformation.” Proceeds are expected to be used for brand elevation and marketing; globalization of the WNBA; innovation, digital, and growth of consumer touchpoints; and human capital and operational optimization as part of an overall effort to address some of the league’s obstacles to growth and generating new revenue. As part of its ongoing commitment to empowering women athletes and women’s sports, NIKE made a significant equity investment in the WNBA.

“We are incredibly fortunate to be able to capitalize on the current momentum around women’s sports and are grateful to the investors who have chosen to support the WNBA in an unprecedented way and to our team governors who continue to invest in the players and teams,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Our strategy is to deploy this capital to continue to drive the league’s brand as a bold, progressive entertainment and media property that embodies diversity, promotes equity, advocates for social justice, and stands for the power of women. Having just completed our historic 25th season, with this access to additional capital, we are setting the WNBA up for a successful future and it represents a sign and signal of the future direction of women’s sports as a whole.”

PROGRAMMING

NBCUniversal kicks off full-day coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics from Beijing this morning, culminating on NBC and Peacock with an enhanced primetime presentation of the Opening Ceremony at 8p. This morning sees the platforms offer the network’s first-ever live morning broadcast of the Winter Games Opening Ceremony at 6:30a, followed by a special edition of TODAY. Meanwhile, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will star in the opening film for NBC Olympics’ enhanced primetime presentation of ceremony in the event as he narrates the opening film — entitled “I Dare You.”

In addition, Katie Nolan has joined NBC Olympics, where she will create daily short-form content, which will be distributed across linear and digital platforms. “We are excited to welcome Katie to Team NBC Olympics, where her unique storytelling ability will be utilized across multiple platforms,” said Rebecca Chatman, Vice President and Coordinating Producer of NBC Olympics production.

ESPN Films started production on the previously announced multi-part documentary on Colin Kaepernick, with Spike Lee on board to direct. The documentary will be executive produced by ESPN Films and produced by 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. Kaepernick is partnering with former ESPN television personality Jemele Hill, who is also a producer on the project.

Alright hot shots, the door is starting to close so get ‘em in! Nominations for the Cynopsis Sports Media Awards are now being taken for their year’s ceremony, taking place on April 19, live (hopefully) in NYC. New categories are seeking champions! Have a gander by clicking here.

Throughout February, ESPN is expanding its Black History Always plans, announcing initiatives to boost content across platforms with shows, specials, events, and other historical storytelling content featuring athletes, talent, and coaches. Among the highlights is news that ESPN+ re-launched the Black History Always Collection with a collection of five distinct sections. “From studio shows to event programming, from streaming to social, ESPN will embrace the opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the month of February as a touchstone of our commitment to documenting Black History, always,” said Rob King, ESPN Executive Editor-In-Chief, Special Projects. “I’m personally thrilled to see the varied forms of storytelling appear on our platforms, because our collective creativity is nearly as inspiring as the content.”

ESPN serves up a broadcasting first Feb. 9, producing the first NBA game on a national scale led by all women, both on camera and in key roles behind the scenes for the Warriors/Jazz matchup. The commentator team will feature Beth Mowins offering play-by-play alongside analyst Doris Burke and reporter Lisa Salters. In addition, the broadcast will be comprised of all women-led production and operations teams. In total, 33 women who are ESPN staff and personnel will occupy the pivotal roles on site in Salt Lake City, and in the control room at Bristol.

Bleacher Report and its B/R Betting vertical are bringing back an exclusive first look at DraftKings’ proprietary prop bets for the Big Game in a reveal show streamed live on the Bleacher Report app on Tuesday, and joined by a live streaming show on Super Bowl Sunday. B/R Drop Zone: DraftKings Big Game Prop Reveal will premiere on Feb. 8 at 6p, as a live reveal show giving fans their first look at the most talked-about and intriguing prop bets associated with the Big Game including: No Score First Drive (NSFD), Anytime TD and Dark Horse Over/Under. Squad Ride: Big Game Edition will complement the prop reveal show on Feb. 13, at 11a.

ARE YOU A SPORTS MEDIA ALL STAR?

For the 2022 Sports Media Awards, we have added an “All Stars – 10 Up and Coming Sports Innovators” category. This award will honor 10 up-and-coming executives, producers, movers, shakers, investors, etc. who are under 30 and have already made an impact on sports business.

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SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION

Washington Football officially has a new name and brand identity in the Washington Commanders. The decision comes as a result of an 18-month collaborative process with fans, alumni, players, community leaders and stakeholders across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area, The team also revealed new brand elements, including its primary logo, its word mark and a team crest. To honor the deep legacy of this 90-year-old franchise, the traditional burgundy and gold color scheme will remain at the center of the team’s new identity. The home uniform will also retain the burgundy and gold colors, a specific reference to uniforms of the past.

The NBA unveiled its lineup of newly designed NBA All-Star trophies in celebration of the league’s 75th Anniversary Season, which will be presented for the first time during NBA All-Star 2022 in Cleveland. The lineup of hardware is headlined by The Kobe Bryant Trophy, which will be awarded to the Kia NBA All-Star Game MVP on Feb. 20 at 8p on TNT. “As the NBA celebrates its 75th Anniversary Season, this collection of All-Star trophies represents the continued growth and evolution of our game,” said Christopher Arena, Head of On-Court and Brand Partnerships at the NBA. “Through our collaboration with Victor Solomon, these trophies incorporate deep storytelling, reimagining our previous All-Star trophies in a modern aesthetic, and now serve as the new standards of excellence that future generations of All-Stars will strive to reach each year.”

Telemundo Deportes will run a fútbol commercial promoting the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar during the broadcast of Super Bowl LVI. In the new World Cup spot, Andres Cantor “teaches people across America his goal call and explains why that is the true and only way to call and celebrate a goal.” “We made history with our 2018 World Cup spot – it was the first time FIFA World Cup was promoted during Super Bowl, the biggest, most-watched sporting event in the U.S. This year, we are proud to continue making history with the first broadcast of the Super Bowl on a Spanish-language broadcast network,” said Ray Warren, president, Telemundo Deportes.

Principal and the Premier Hockey Federation locked in a new sponsorship that includes Principal becoming the exclusive financial services marketing partner of the PHF. As part of the sponsorship, Principal will have advertising presence, including dasher board and broadcast inventory during PHF regular season games and the 2022 Isobel Cup Playoffs. In addition, Principal will be working in partnership with the PHF to create an integrated social media campaign that shines a spotlight on the athletes in the league.

NYCRUNS announced that adidas has joined on as the first-ever official Footwear and Apparel Partner for the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Marathon & Half Marathon, which will be held in Brooklyn on April 24. adidas will create footwear and apparel available to all race participants.

SPORTS BROADCAST JOURNAL w/David J. Halberstam

Another new name! We’ve got accustomed to the Washington Football Team. Now the club welcomes the Washington Commanders. So novel and fresh, we’ll see how well the new name is accepted. There are no college or pro names with called the Commanders.
Halby’s Morsels: The Washington Commanders; The national talkies; The KC halftime musical destruction

How in the world can the impeccably NFL and CBS destroy one of the greatest parties like the AFC Championship? Boomer Esiason? Boomer bristled. Nate Burleson wiggled and James Brown did a half a giggle
More fascinating telecasts; Voices captured the thrills; Unbearably loud country band killed CBS’ halftime

Do we split based on political differences? I’m not sure. President Joe Biden is doing so remaining diplomatically somewhat apart? One thing for sure, we’ve not heard the end of it. We’ll say how NBC treats it? Will Mike Tirico will some heat get lot of heat? He’ll either get more heat or last hear?
NBC promoted the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics, staying clear of politics; Tirico will be on the hot seat

Happy Birthday

Joel Klatt 2-4 Fox Sports
Melanie Collins 2-6 CBS
Chuck Wilson 2-8 Ex- CBS
Gene Steratore 2-8 CBS Referee
Ray Lane 2-9 Retired Detroit
John Kruk 2-9 Phillies
Dan Shulman 2-9 ESPN
Ian Eagle 2-9 CBS
David Aldridge 2-10 National TV, Writer

Sports Broadcast Journal

WHO WILL WIN BEST OF THE BEST?

From Best Podcast to Best Diversity Awareness Campaign, the winners of the Best of the Best Awards will be announced on Feb 24th ! Who are you rooting for? Join us at this exciting event.

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ON THIS DAY in
1924: The first Winter Olympics is held.

IN THE KNOW
In what year did Apple’s famed ad debuting the Macintosh appear in the Super Bowl broadcast? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city).

Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question
Who was the first skater to land a quad jump in competition? Answer: Kurt Browning. Kudos: Barbara Capella Loehr-Equal Opportunity Publications/NY; Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton; Louis Lewow-FITE/Atlanta; David Westberg-SAG•AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA

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Manage relationships w/ high school administrators & athletic directors to increase production quality & quantity of broadcast events. Manage, route, & track school’s technical issues until they are resolved. Assist with school’s marketing needs to build awareness & grow revenue. 2+ yrs exp in cust service or acct mgt. Exp w/ CRM tools. Full info HERE (2/19)

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EDITOR >>
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