- The First Whistle
- Posts
- The First Whistle: $8.2B Valuation
The First Whistle: $8.2B Valuation
Record-breaking $8.2B valuation for ____, NBA plans for ___ league, NFL makes ___ changes, and MORE!
December 11, 2025
Hi ,
Just when you thought this NFL franchise owner couldn’t dig himself a deeper hold, he brings the shovel out yet again.
Before you scroll down to the bench to find out who I’m talking about, just take a wild guess. You’re probably right. Oh, what was it this time, you ask? Just an awfully disrespectful dig at one of the best agents in the game. Yikes.
— Avery Glover
Current Offerings:
Colorado governor says he has concerns but signs bill allowing student athlete NIL compensation
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a bill allowing universities and athletic associations to compensate student athletes for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL). Polis supports the bill but has expressed concerns about transparency issues, specifically a Colorado Open Records Act exception that keeps student athlete contracts confidential. This exception raises worry about fairness and accountability, as it may allow for unequal pay and favoritism. Despite these concerns, the bill aims to bring Colorado in line with the anticipated House v. NCAA settlement agreement, which is expected to be finalized this spring.
|
New York Yankees lead MLB franchise valuations again as league average hits record US $2.6 billion
The New York Yankees retain their position as Major League Baseball's (MLB) most valuable franchise, with a record valuation of $8.2 billion from Forbes. The league's average franchise value has reached a record high of $2.6 billion, an 8% increase from 2024. Regardless of MLB franchise values continuing to rise, the league's growth is reportedly starting to lag behind other sports, with the NFL and NBA experiencing significantly higher appreciation rates over the past five years.
|
Private equity firms eye $500m+ stakes as NBA pushes ahead with European league
The NBA is pushing ahead with plans to launch a European basketball league, as private equity firms show significant interest in acquiring stakes worth over $500 million. The NBA will retain a 50% equity stake, and the remaining ownership will be available to franchise investors, including private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and institutional capital. The league aims to unlock the commercial potential of European markets, potentially generating up to $3 billion in annual revenue, but faces criticism from Euroleague Basketball and a rival league proposal backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
|
ASU and GoDaddy launch Student Athlete Venture Studio
Arizona State University (ASU) and GoDaddy have launched the Student Athlete Venture Studio, a first-of-its-kind program that helps student-athletes navigate name, image, and likeness (NIL) licensing by providing tools, mentorship, and resources to develop and launch business ventures. The program utilizes educational content, grant funding opportunities, and digital branding tools to empower student-athletes to become entrepreneurs and build their brands, with GoDaddy providing over $1 million in combined cash and in-kind support.
|
Takeaways from NFL's annual league meeting
The NFL's annual league meeting, along with the current free agency period, have yielded several key takeaways. Rodgers was spotted working out with Steelers WR DK Metcalf, fueling speculation that he may be heading to Pittsburgh. The "Tush Push" play, a controversial QB sneak tactic, may be banned due to player safety concerns. Additionally, the NFL is considering expanding the regular season to 18 games, although this change wouldn't take effect in 2025. Other proposed rule changes include modifications to kickoff touchbacks, playoff formatting, and overtime rules.
|
UFC Announces Comprehensive Multiyear Partnership With Meta
The UFC has announced a multi-year partnership with Meta, making Meta the UFC's first Official Fan Technology Partner. The collaboration will leverage Meta's technologies, including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, and Meta Quest, to enhance fan engagement and immersive UFC content. The partnership will also feature extensive activations, brand placement, and broadcast features, with Threads becoming an Official Social Media Partner of UFC.
|
Start 2/Bench 2
⬆️ Trae Young. Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks' star point guard, joins the Oklahoma basketball staff as an assistant general manager, supporting player personnel and roster management and also donating $1 million to the program.— Austin Curtright
|