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- The First Whistle: 23 Lawsuits
The First Whistle: 23 Lawsuits
Lakers majority sale for $___, NFL push for ____ division, Teamworks raises $____ funding round, and MORE!
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December 11, 2025
Hi ,
The post-settlement mess is getting stickier and stickier.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for the aftermath of this settlement, but I couldn’t have predicted the landslide that has ensued over the past two weeks.
We now have appeals from multiple groups of female athletes, a total of 23 eligibility lawsuits, a new bill proposal, and a list of outspoken athletic directors addressing the financial elephant in the room.
Scroll down to the bench to read more about how this “solution” continues to create chaos.
— Avery Glover
Current Offerings:
Los Angeles Lakers owners sell majority stake in the team at $10 billion valuation
The Buss family has sold a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter in a deal valuing the team at $10 billion—a new record for NBA franchise sales. Jeanie Buss will retain a minority stake and her role as team governor, while Walter, who already owns the Dodgers and other sports properties, expands his portfolio. The sale reflects surging NBA team valuations following the league’s $77 billion media rights deal and the Celtics $6.1 billion sale.
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Wellness pioneers bet big on the racquet sports boom with Ballers
Ballers, a new hospitality-driven social sports venue, will open its flagship location in Philadelphia this July, with plans to expand nationwide. Founded by David Gutstadt and Amanda Potter in partnership with Vero Capital, Ballers blends premium sports facilities, wellness amenities, and elevated dining into one space. Backed by a $20 million Series A round and supported by investors including Andre Agassi, Kim Clijsters, and David Blitzer, the company plans to launch over 50 locations in the next 7–10 years. The concept targets growing interest in racquet sports and aims to create community-centered spaces that combine sport, design, and culture. |
NFLPA ponders eventual NFL push for European division
The NFL Players Association is preparing for the possibility of a four-team European division, with Executive Director Lloyd Howell actively weighing the pros and cons. While there is no official plan in place, the league is already expanding its international presence, increasing the number of overseas games and testing logistics with multi-week trips. Key concerns include relocation challenges for players, taxation, draft implications, and competitive balance. Though no final decision has been made, recent moves suggest the NFL’s long-term plan could likely include a permanent European footprint.
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Bears’ 2% stake sale will likely require Goodell intervention
A roughly 2% ownership stake in the Chicago Bears is up for sale by the estate of longtime owner Andrew McKenna, with investment bank Galatioto Sports Partners managing the process. The sale is expected to stay within the current ownership group, but competing rights of first refusal from the McCaskey and Ryan families have prompted potential involvement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and new general counsel Ted Ullyot. Though minority stake sales are common, disputes like this fall under the commissioner’s jurisdiction per league bylaws. The stake carries no special rights, and the Bears were most recently valued at $6.26 billion.
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Teamworks raises $235M to accelerate AI-powered innovation
Teamworks, the sports technology company behind the Operating System for Sports™, has raised $235 million in an oversubscribed Series F funding round led by Dragoneer Investment Group, bringing its pre-money valuation to over $1 billion. The investment will support Teamworks’ expansion of AI-powered tools across its four core pillars—Personnel, Performance, Coaching, and Operations—serving more than 6,500 elite teams globally, including every NFL team and nearly all NCAA Division I athletic departments.
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Revamped Club World Cup is FIFA’s billion-dollar gamble
FIFA’s new 32-team Club World Cup kicked off in Miami, marking a $1 billion gamble to enter the global club soccer market in a major way. With expanded matches, massive media deals, and top clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City earning over $38 million each, FIFA is betting big on global fan engagement, but faces criticism over player workload, slow ticket sales, and a crowded calendar.
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French league President accuses the NCAA of ‘looting’ talent with massive NIL deals
The president of France’s top basketball league, Philippe Ausseur, is warning that U.S. colleges are aggressively signing young French players through multi-million dollar NIL deals—calling it “looting” that threatens the country’s player development system. With at least 15 players already signed and offers reaching $2 million, Ausseur says the lack of regulation leaves French clubs with no compensation and risks drying up the talent pipeline that has long fueled both EuroLeague and NBA rosters.
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Learn AI in 5 minutes a day
What’s the secret to staying ahead of the curve in the world of AI? Information. Luckily, you can join 1,000,000+ early adopters reading The Rundown AI — the free newsletter that makes you smarter on AI with just a 5-minute read per day.
The VR Treadmill Backed by Shark Tank Stars
Step into the future of virtual reality with Virtuix, the company behind the “Omni” — a first-of-its-kind VR treadmill that lets users physically move through digital worlds. Whether it’s gaming, fitness, or military training, Virtuix is unlocking new frontiers for immersive tech.
The numbers speak for themselves:
✅ $18M+ in product sales
✅ 400K+ registered users
✅ Partnerships with the U.S. Air Force
✅ $40M+ raised from investors, including Shark Tank celebrities
This is your opportunity to own a stake in a company that’s transforming how we move, play, and train in the digital age.
Over $2.7M has already been raised in this round — and the campaign closes June 20.
This Reg CF offering is made available through StartEngine Primary, LLC. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.
Start 2/Bench 2
⬆️ JJ Spaun. J.J. Spaun overcame a rough start and rainy conditions to win his first major at the U.S. Open, clinching the title with a dramatic 64½-foot birdie on the 18th hole. - Mark Schlabach
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Friday Replay
Check out this week’s social media posts from Vestible and our founders 👇👇
