In this week’s SportsMoney Playbook: the technology changing Wimbledon, the NFL’s cannabis pivot and potential new home for the Bears. Plus: how failure defines a five-time Olympic gold medalist.
Pro Basketball
Lakers minority owner Philip Anschutz agreed to sell his 27% stake to two of the Dodgers’ owners, upping the marquee NBA franchise’s valuation to $5.5 billion.
With a complete visual makeover, a midseason tournament, a sizable ratings boost and a commitment to social justice, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert says she “couldn’t be prouder” of where the league is going.
Soccer
TOCA Football, a soccer technology and experiences company that operates 14 facilities in North America, raised $40 million in Series E funding to expand throughout the U.S. and Canada. “In the very near future, we intend to be omnipresent throughout North America,” the startup’s CEO tells us.
For World Cup champion Alex Morgan, the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics meant more time to recover and train after giving birth to her daughter. But it also gave her the chance to focus on new projects, like creating a workout series and building a media company devoted to women.
MLS’s 2021 season is on pace to have the least parity in the league’s 26-year history. But an emergence of more consistent performers at the top and bottom of the table isn’t necessarily bad for the league, which has room to grow its footprint across the country.
Pro Football
After long policing its use, the NFL is changing its stance on cannabis as it becomes more acceptable in pro sports. The league announced $1 million in grants for researchers to investigate the therapeutic potential of marijuana, CBD and other opioid alternatives for treating pain.
Cycling
Legendary commentator Phil Liggett is credited with turning millions of English speakers, including a few Americans, into fans of this European-centric sport. Now, he’s gearing up for his 48th Tour de France.
Action Sports
Fans may be disappointed they can’t attend the Summer X Games in Southern California this July—Covid-19 canceled the event last year—but this iteration’s back-to-its-roots approach may be even more rewarding for action sports lovers.
Esports
While some schools are focused on launching an esports team, many, like the University of Maryland, are simultaneously working on developing the next generation of tech workers who will take the gaming and esports industry to new heights.
Featured Story
Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates at championship point during the Men’s Singles Final against Milos Raonic of Canada on day thirteen of Wimbledon in 2016.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Wimbledon Hopes To Turn Casual Viewers Into Tennis Fanatics With AI-Powered Digital Services
One year after being canceled because of Covid-19, Wimbledon is back and is embracing the future. The oldest tennis tournament in the world is working with longtime partner IBM to provide a new level of engagement for casual fans, using cloud and AI technology to better predict and analyze player performance. “We know how challenging tennis can be to follow and understand, especially for those who don’t follow the sport year-round,” says the tournament’s digital content boss. Read more about the changes coming to Wimbledon.
Hot Reads
Upon Further Review
The Bears continue to explore a possible move from Soldier Field to the northwest suburbs of Chicago. There, they could build their own version of SoFi Stadium, allowing them to bid for Super Bowls and other events. While it remains to be seen whether the Bears will follow through on their intention to bid on the 326-acre parcel of land that currently houses Arlington International Racecourse, a new home could be a boon for the franchise’s valuation, which, at $3.53 billion, ranks seventh on our list of the NFL’s most valuable teams. See how the rest of the league stacks up.
The Last Word
“One thing my coaches say is that I fail spectacularly in practice—and that’s something that I actually work toward.” – Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky’s career has been defined by success—she’s won five Olympics gold medals and 15 more at the FINA World Championships—but that doesn’t mean failure hasn’t been part of the process. As she prepares for the Tokyo Games, her third Olympics, she breaks down how pushing beyond her comfort zone helps maximize her success. “Even the bad days have something good that comes out of them,” she tells us. Read more about Ledecky’s mindset as the Olympics approach.
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