Sports & Whatever

Tag: Sports Business

  • Good Good Golf Just Learned What “Free Market” Actually Means

    Good Good Golf Just Learned What “Free Market” Actually Means

    Good Good Golf built a golf-media empire by being different. One disastrous ad cost it Callaway, retail shelf space, a PGA Tour title sponsorship and momentum on television. That isn’t censorship. It’s what happens when four businesses independently decide the risk is no longer worth the reward.

  • The Money Runs Out: Inside LIV Golf’s Fight to Survive

    The Money Runs Out: Inside LIV Golf’s Fight to Survive

    Saudi Arabia’s PIF is pulling back, LIV Golf is canceling events, vendors are demanding payment and a mystery investor is being asked to keep the league alive. After four years of spending billions to disrupt professional golf, LIV is about to find out whether it can survive as an actual business.

  • The Hand They’re Not Playing: How Maryland Can Rebuild Horse Racing After the Preakness Shake-Up

    The Hand They’re Not Playing: How Maryland Can Rebuild Horse Racing After the Preakness Shake-Up

    Maryland faces a critical moment in revitalizing the Preakness and its horse racing legacy. With options to build independent coalitions and focus on a four-race calendar, Maryland has the chance to create a significant racing framework by 2028. Immediate action is necessary to secure this future and leverage its unique assets.

  • What CDI Does With Tracks It Owns

    What CDI Does With Tracks It Owns

    Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has a documented strategy for acquiring and managing racetracks, evident in its closure of Arlington Park and relocation of prestigious races to Colonial Downs. Maryland’s $85 million investment to secure the Preakness IP aimed to prevent such an outcome, ensuring the race’s future remains tied to its heritage, not CDI’s corporate…

  • Blindsided, Again

    Blindsided, Again

    Churchill Downs announced a Thoroughbred Championship Series without including the Preakness Stakes, surprising Maryland officials who only learned of the plan through media. This follows Maryland’s $85 million acquisition of the Preakness IP. The series threatens the future of the Preakness and represents a significant strategic shift in American racing.

  • The Fight Was at the White House. You Needed a Subscription to Watch It.

    The Fight Was at the White House. You Needed a Subscription to Watch It.

    UFC Freedom 250, held at the White House for America’s 250th anniversary, was exclusively streamed on Paramount+, raising questions about its accessibility. Initially intended for CBS broadcast to maximize viewership, it ended up behind a paywall. The final decision remains unclear, revealing a disconnect between stated intentions and execution.

  • Maryland Is Bleeding Money. Voters Have a Choice.

    Maryland Is Bleeding Money. Voters Have a Choice.

    Maryland’s upcoming Republican primary reveals significant governance failures under Wes Moore’s administration, particularly regarding costly public investments in racing. The state faces scrutiny over mismanaged deals like the Churchill Downs acquisition. Republican candidates Dan Cox, Ed Hale, and John Myrick offer specialized skills to address these procurement and legal issues, challenging Moore’s record.

  • Maryland Is Trying to Buy Back a Race It Never Should Have Lost

    Maryland Is Trying to Buy Back a Race It Never Should Have Lost

    Maryland plans to spend $85 million to reacquire the Preakness Stakes brand, previously owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI). The state’s history of mismanagement raises concerns about its ability to effectively steward racing assets. CDI, with its successful track record, holds significant leverage in the negotiations.

  • The Preakness Doesn’t Need the Derby Winner. It Needs a Reason to Matter.

    The Preakness Doesn’t Need the Derby Winner. It Needs a Reason to Matter.

    Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness Stakes for health reasons, highlighting a broader issue in Maryland’s horse racing industry. The current Triple Crown format relies too heavily on Derby winners, diminishing the Preakness’s significance. A proposed championship structure could enhance its value and attract competitors, ensuring it remains relevant regardless of Derby participation.

  • NFL Draft Coming to the National Mall — A Win for DC’s Suburbs, Another Missed Moment for Baltimore

    NFL Draft Coming to the National Mall — A Win for DC’s Suburbs, Another Missed Moment for Baltimore

    Washington, D.C. will host the 2027 NFL Draft on the National Mall, anticipated to attract over 1 million fans, breaking previous records. The event will include a concert series and fan festival, greatly benefiting nearby Maryland suburbs. However, Baltimore remains sidelined, despite its strong football tradition and proximity.