Sports
How MLB at Bristol Motor Speedway explains the state of sports leagues in 2025


Welcome back to MoneyCall, The Athletic’s weekly sports business cheat sheet. (Was this column forwarded to you? Subscribe here.)
Name-dropped today: Bristol Motor Speedway, U.S. News & World Report, Bryce Harper, Rob Manfred, Depend, Kurt Warner, Brian Rolapp, Scottie Scheffler, Happy Gilmore, Luka Dončić, Ryne Sandberg (RIP) and more. Let’s go:
Driving the Conversation
MLB visits the Speedway and hits the accelerator
If there were a (non-)word of the year in sports business, it would be “eventized” — the transmogrification of an otherwise normal regular-season game into a spectacle worth more: more attention (from fans and/or sponsors) or more rights fees (from deep-pocketed streaming platforms and/or the traditional networks competing with them).
- Think NFL on Christmas on Netflix (or NFL on Black Friday on Amazon Prime Video or NFL on the first Friday of the season on YouTube), the NBA on Sunday nights or the NHL’s “4 Nations Face-Off” format.
For all of MLB’s issues with its long-term media strategy, it has recently excelled at creating capital-E “Events,” particularly the “Field of Dreams” games in Dyersville, Iowa, in 2021-2022 and the Negro Leagues tribute in Birmingham last season. These games attract sellout crowds and massive TV ratings.
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Just this spring, MLB opened the season with the mega-hit Tokyo Series, and on Saturday, it will hold the Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, an event set to smash the regular-season attendance record, with more than 85,000 tickets sold for the wildly unique venue and millions of curious fans ready to tune in to an otherwise meh matchup (Braves-Reds, Fox, 7:15 p.m. ET).
To be sure, focusing on “events” in sports isn’t new — individual local teams stud their schedule with promotions to make a typical regular-season game more special (read to the end of this email for my colleague Asli Pelit’s reporting on how NWSL is handling that).
But as the most eager investments in sports flow away from season-long rights and into “eventized” increments, you should expect to see leagues get even more innovative to capitalize on creating new inventory to sell, whether that is through a single date on the calendar (Black Friday! Christmas!), an unusual location (Aircraft carriers! The NBA in Europe!) or special visuals (Nickelodeon! Pop-Tarts!).
Vroom, vroom.
Get Caught Up
MLB gambling, labor issues in spotlight
Big talkers from the sports business industry:
Deepest condolences to the victims and their families and colleagues impacted by Monday’s shooting in the building where the NFL headquarters is located. Here’s everything we know about the incident.
MLB gambling probe (scandal?) continues: Players getting caught up (as with Emmanuel Clase earlier this week) has always been a part of sports. Count me among those who think the current algorithm-powered monitoring systems are an improvement on the old speakeasy versions.The vastly more concerning storyline was in that U.S. News report last week — the impact of sports gambling on fans, not the players: not being able to pay bills due to gambling (25 percent of bettors), worries they can’t control their gambling (25 percent), lashing out at athletes (21 percent).
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MLB labor negotiation preview: “Get the f— out of our clubhouse.” That’s superstar Bryce Harper, unhappy about reports of owners’ interest in a salary cap, to commissioner Rob Manfred’s face. That succinctly sums up the state of play. So many more layers, and obviously lots still to come.
More labor tensions: WNBA edition. Following up last week’s speculative MoneyCall discussion, an expert-level WNBA CBA explainer from my colleague Ben Pickman.
Deion Sanders’ cancer battle: During Sanders’ emotional session with the media Monday to detail his battle with bladder cancer, his one-liner “I depend on Depends” might have elicited a chuckle to break the tension of the incredibly serious topic, but the brand is actually working with him, per Sportico. If any figure can destigmatize the utility of adult incontinence undergarments for people who need them, it is Coach Prime.
MLS suspends Messi one game: For skipping an All-Star Game? To put it in the parlance of the sport, this is about as baffling of an “own goal” as you’ll find.(Meanwhile: 120K viewers for the average MLS game on Apple TV+, per commish Don Garber, feels … underwhelming? But *Don Draper voice* that’s what the money is for.)
YouTube signs Kurt Warner for Week 1 broadcast: Business-wise, the most intriguing NFL game on TV all season is this Sept. 5 Chiefs-Chargers game, streaming globally on YouTube. On-air talent is in short supply (the usual NFL TV networks’ voices are booked), but Warner is in.
Ryne Sandberg (1959-2025): When you’re a kid, there is often a player who launches your lifelong obsession with sports. For me, that was Sandberg. RIP, Ryno.
Other current obsessions: The Madden “99 club” … Michigan punting on a home football date to play in Germany … The National vs. Fanatics Fest … U.S. Open mixed-doubles mania … an NFL game on TV tomorrow (even if exhibition) …
What I’m Wondering
What’s on the PGA Tour to-do list?
New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp officially started his new role this week.
Had to ping my colleague Brody Miller to ask: What should Rolapp’s top priorities be?
Here’s what he said:
“Deal or no deal: Figuring out if an agreement can come together with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. And if so, what does it look like? Does team golf have any place?”
“Media rights: Not only working toward a new TV deal in 2030, but modernizing media opportunities as golf continues its YouTube-ification.”
Grab Bag
Not Investment Advice: 101.9% returns
If you bet $100 on Scottie Scheffler to win every tournament he has entered since the beginning of the 2022 season, you would have roughly doubled your money — you would be up $8,964 on your $8,800 invested.
If you put the same $100 into the S&P 500 every tournament Scheffler has finished since 2022, you would be up a respectable 20 percent ($3,092 on your $8,800 invested) — but nowhere near The Athletic’s “SCOTTIE Index.”
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(Note: Neither betting nor investment advice!)
Ratings Point: 1.35M
That was the record-breaking tune-in on Fox for the Euro 2025 final between England and Spain on Sunday, making it the most-watched women’s soccer game ever broadcast in English in the U.S. “Everyone watches women’s sports” remains undefeated as a slogan. (The UK tune-in for the Euro 2025 final: Sheesh!)
Name to Know: Kyle McDonough
The real-life Happy Gilmore — what a fun read this was.
(“Happy Gilmore 2” reviews have been mixed, but coming out of the weekend, it felt like everyone was talking about its release on Netflix — I suspect that wouldn’t have been the case, had it instead been in theaters. Netflix said the golf sequel debuted with 46.7 million views, NFLX’s largest U.S. opening weekend ever.)
Investor of the Week: Bobby Wagner
Notable: By joining the Seattle Storm ownership group, Wagner is the first active NFL player to invest in a WNBA team.
Branding of the Week: Svelte Luka Dončić
My colleague Dan Woike has the inside story on how this isn’t some overnight glow-up, but part of a larger plan for Dončić.
Beat Dan in Connections: Sports Edition
Puzzle: #310
00:31 (But more luck than skill!)
Try the game here!
Worth Your Time
Great business-adjacent reads for your downtime or commute:
How do NWSL teams navigate the mid-summer loss of momentum as their players star on the international stage? My colleague Asli Pelit dove into the different strategies.
Two more:
(1) Inside Liverpool’s commercial juggernaut.
(2) Five of the greatest words every summer: “Rankings, cheat sheets, projections, sleepers.” The Athletic’s fantasy football 2025 draft kit has launched, with tons more coming throughout August. As defending champ of my 20-year league, I’m spending time with this over the next few weeks.
Back next Wednesday! Some day, we will have a MoneyCall event! In the meantime, please forward MoneyCall to a couple friends or colleagues! And, as always, give a (free!) try to all The Athletic’s other newsletters.
(Photo: Brianna Paciorka / News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Sports
Liston Breaks 5K School Record, Track & Field Starts Indoor Season Strong
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – In their first meet in 195 days, the men’s and women’s track and field teams started strong at the MSU Chuck Peterson Open and M City Classic, with Molly Liston setting a school record in the 5000-meter and multiple top-five finishes against Division I, II, and III opponents at the M City Classic.
Head Coach Aaron Lund elected to send Liston to the Chuck Peterson Open, hosted by MSU-Mankato, with the goal of setting the school record in the 5000m, fresh off of a cross country season where she finished 41st at the NCAA Championships, just one spot away from All-American honors. It was clear that the heartbreak in Spartansburg, South Carolina fueled Liston, who crushed the previous school record of 17:30.02, set in 2006 by Kourtney Joyce, with a time of 17:11.07. The Richfield native maintained record-setting pace throughout the race, running 1000m times of 3:24.98, 3:25.29, 3:27.42, 3:29.41, and 3:23.97 to break the record.
The other nine women for Gustavus traveled to Minneapolis to compete at the M City Classic, hosted by the University of Minnesota. Maddox Lee competed in the pentathlon for the Gusties, scoring 2455 to finish 16th, including tying a personal record in the high jump, clearing 1.44m. On the track, McKenzie Luetmer set her personal record with a time of 8.22 in the 60-meter, as the only person who ran the race for Gustavus. In the 60-meter hurdles, three Gusties advanced to the finals after qualifying in the prelims. In the finals, all three Gustavus women ran faster times than their prelim times, where sophomore Kayla Kajer set a personal record with a time of 9.64, first-year Sophia Vogel ran a time of 9.72, and sophomore Emily Podulke finished just a second slower with a time of 9.73 to finish sixth, seventh, and eighth, respectively. Sophomore Teagan Stark was the only entrant for the Gustie women in the 400-meter, running a time of 1:05.26 to finish third in the event and classmate Ella Kienitz was the only entrant in the 600-meter, crossing the finish line in a time of 1:47.79. Two Gustavus women ran in the 300-meter, with Lauren Rocheford finishing in 11th with a time of 45.13 and Podulke with a time of 46.55. Luetmer and Vogel competed in the 200-meter, completing in times of 27.53 and 28.64 respectively. In the field, first-year Kaylee Hawks and Kajer both reached heights of 1.55m, good for second at the M City Classic.
On the men’s side, first-year Amos Anderson started the season for the Gusties, running in the 60-meter prelims, placing 36th with a time of 7.71. In the 400-meter, first-year Luke Scheel led the Gustavus contingent with a time of 52.00 to finish 10th place, followed by Cohen Stursa with a time of 52.67 and Reese Blondin with a time of 53.77. Stursa was also the only entry in the 200-meter for the Gusties, finishing in a time of 24.17 for 19th. In the field, two Gusties competed in the long jump, Ben Wynia and Logan Sandmeyer. Wynia jumped a 6.07m mark, good for ninth place and Sandmeyer leaped to a 5.91m mark, finishing 10th. Three entrants competed in the pole vault, led by first-year Anderson and sophomore Alex Palmer, both vaulting over heights of 3.90m, with senior Joe Ream just behind them with a height of 3.75m.
Gustavus track and field takes a few weeks off now, getting back to competition on January 17th, when the team competes at the Ole Opener, hosted by St. Olaf in Northfield.
Sports
Mens track & field kick start their indoor season at SDSU
BROOKINGS, S.D. — The Jimmie men opened their indoor season with a strong first showing, posting competitive marks across sprint, distance, jump, and throw events.
Avery Ligon placed 20th in the 60 meter with a time of 7.17.
Xander Rath placed 35th in the 60 meter with a time of 7.43.
Conrad P. Baard placed 30th in the 200 meter with a time of 24.04, and 16th in the 400 meter with a time of 57.18.
Andrew Rexin placed 35th in the 200 meter with a time of 24.85, and 18th in the 400 meter with a time of 59.02.
Cael Church placed 15th in the 300 meter with a time of 37.43, and 12th in the 600 meter with a time of 1:26.90.
Clark Lortscher placed 5th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 8:57.81.
Cole Campbell placed 7th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 9:01.75.
Noah Sayler placed 10th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 9:16.42.
Aaron Devine placed 12th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:19.37.
Lucas Dahl placed 13th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 9:20.35.
Braeden Kinzler placed 14th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:22.51.
Payton Mukkada placed 15th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:22.69.
Gavyn Graham placed 18th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:37.02.
Adam Sobolik placed 19th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:38.14.
Landon Thompson placed 20th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:47.66.
Samuel Sampers placed 21st in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:50.89.
Kadin Marshall placed 24th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:59.83.
Liam Pospisil placed 25th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 10:26.49.
Ethan Duval placed 3rd in the High Jump at 2.00m (6’6.75″), a PR.
Riley Johnson placed 10th in the High Jump at 1.80m (5’10.75″).
Trevor Waldo placed 17th in the Long Jump at 6.02m (19’9″).
Jayden Bittner placed 20th in the Long Jump at 5.75m (18’10.5″).
Brady Crabtree placed 14th in Pole Vault at 4.25m (13’11.25″), a PR.
Evan Schmit placed 11th in Shot Put at 14.59m (47’10.5″) and 20th in Weight Throw at 13.88m (45’6.5″), a PR.
Jobe Rystedt placed 16th in Shot Put at 13.56m (44’6″) and 26th in Weight Throw at 12.11m (39’8.75″).
WHATS NEXT?
The Jimmies return to action on Thursday, 11 December, competing at the Dakota Alumni Classic hosted by NDSU in Fargo, N.D.
Sports
Miami Announces 2026 Schedule – University of Miami Athletics
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program announced its highly competitive 2026 indoor and outdoor schedules Friday, highlighted by three home meets at Cobb Stadium.
The Hurricanes open the season Jan. 16 in Gainesville, Fla., at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational before traveling to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Razorback Invitational on Jan. 30–31. The regular season continues at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, S.C., on Feb. 13–14.
The ACC Indoor Championships are set for Feb. 26–28 in Boston, Mass., while the NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 13–14 in Fayetteville.
Miami opens the outdoor season at home with a pair of meets, hosting the Hurricane Invitational on March 20–21 and the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational on March 27–28.
The Hurricanes return to Gainesville for the Florida Relays on April 3–4 before hosting their final home meet of the season, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational, on April 10–11.
Miami then heads back to Gainesville for the Tom Jones Memorial on April 17–18 prior to competing at the historic Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa., from April 23–25. The Hurricanes close the regular season at the UNF East Coast Relays in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 1–2.
Louisville, Ky., will host the ACC Outdoor Championships from May 14–16, while the NCAA East Prelims are set for May 27–30 in Lexington, Ky.
The 2026 season concludes at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., from June 10–13.
Sports
Track & Field Opens Campaign with Strong Showing at HBCU & Ivy Challenge
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard opened the 2025-26 track & field season on home turf, as the Crimson orchestrated wins in seven events at the fifth annual HBCU & Ivy Challenge.
A two-time All-Ivy League selection in the women’s weight throw and the 2024 Ivy League champion in the event, junior Emilia Kolokotroni started the day with a fantastic showing at Gordon Indoor Track, winning the women’s weight throw after posting a 19.10m (62’8″).
Harvard found more success in the field events, as first-year Jillene Wetteland earned a win in her collegiate debut after clearing 1.69m (5’6.5″) in the women’s high jump, as sophomore Tyler Glover finished in first in the women’s shot put after logging a throw of 15.42m (50’7.25″).
The Ancient Eight’s defending women’s pole vault champion in indoor competition, sophomore Ella McRitchie started the year with a win in the women’s pole vault after clearing 4.10m (13’5.25″).
On the track, a pair of seniors started the season with stellar performances on the straightaway. The 2025 Ivy League champion in the women’s 60 hurdles, senior Fabiola Belibi finished in first place in the women’s 60 hurdles at the HBCU & Ivy Challenge after posting a time of 8.50 in the final. One of Harvard’s team captains, senior Jonas Clarke kicked-off his final collegiate season with the Crimson with a win, finishing in first in the men’s 60m after crossing the finish line in 6.85.
Harvard’s men’s 4x440y relay team of sophomore Harlow Tong, first-year Hudson McGough, sophomore Brayden Chavez and first-year Oliver Parker ended the day on a high note, winning the event after combining for a time of 3:18.44.
In the team standings, the women’s squad took second with 82 points, while the men finished in fourth with 54 points.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:
- Harvard started on the front foot in the throws cage, capturing the top two spots in the women’s weight throw. A two-time All-Ivy League selection and 2024 Ivy League champion in the women’s weight throw, Kolokotroni finished atop the podium with a throw of 19.10m (62’8″). Senior Michaela Denson finished in second to start her final track & field campaign with the Crimson, doing so with a throw of 18.19m (59’8.25″).
- A Crimson debutant picked up a win in the women’s high jump, as Wetteland took first after clearing 1.69m (5’6.5″). Junior Lilly Hodge also placed fourth in the event after leaping past 1.60m (5’3″).
- The Crimson orchestrated a promising effort in the men’s high jump, with two Harvard student-athletes finishing in the top five. First-year Joachim Johnson finished in third in his collegiate debut after clearing 2.04m (6’8.25″), a mark that is tied for 10th all-time in school history. Senior and team captain Daire Mahon finished in fourth place after clearing a personal-best 1.98m (6’6″).
- The track action started with a scoring effort in the men’s 600m, as first-year Hudson McGough added to Harvard’s total with a third place finish after crossing the finish line in 1:21.29.
- Back in the throws cage, another Crimson first-year scored in his Harvard debut, as first-year Daniel Ye finished in second in the men’s weight throw with an attempt of 17.69m (58′.5″).
- Harvard continued producing wins in the throws, as Glover started her second collegiate campaign with authority, winning the women’s shot put with a mark of 15.42m (50’7.25″). Glover’s throw from the HBCU & Ivy Challenge ranks third all-time in school history.
- The men’s side of the shot put saw two Crimson compete, as junior Isaac Delaney finished in third with a throw of 16.45m (53’11.75″).
- The straightaway finals started with a top five showing in the men’s 60 hurdles, as junior Simon Weiser placed in fifth with a time of 8.16.
- Wins arrived for Crimson seniors in both the women’s 60 hurdles and the men’s 60m. The Ivy League’s defending women’s 60 hurdles champion, Belibi kicked off her final collegiate season with a win in the event, posting a time of 8.50 to capture first place. In the men’s 60m, Clarke, one of Harvard’s team captains, outlasted the field to take first place with a time of 6.85.
- The women’s 60m final saw sophomore Ella Cooper clock a personal-best time of 7.59, taking fourth place in the process.
- McRitchie, another returning Ivy League champion, started the 2025-26 with a first place finish in the women’s pole vault, doing so after clearing 4.10m (13’5.25″). Hodge finished in second, as she also cleared 4.10m.
- The Crimson’s women’s 4x440y relay team of sophomore Abigail Dennis, sophomore Saige Forbes, Cooper and sophomore Kaelin Creagh took second after clocking a 3:56.07.
- On the men’s side of the 4x440y relay, Tong, McGough, Chavez and Parker combined for a time of 3:18.44 to earn the win.
UP NEXT:
The Crimson conclude the opening weekend of the 2025-26 track & field season with two meets tomorrow, as Harvard will host the Harvard Classic at Gordon Indoor Track and will also feature at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener at Boston University’s Track & Tennis Center.
For complete coverage of Harvard Track & Field, follow us on Twitter (@HarvardTFXC) and Instagram (@harvardtfxc).
Sports
Harris, Stewart & O’Brien Represent Ohio Track & Field at GVSU Holiday Open
ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Ohio women’s track & field team concluded its first meet of the indoor season, the GVSU Holiday Open, on Friday, Dec. 5.
Sophomore Mairin O’Brien (Lewis Center, Ohio) kicked off competition for Ohio in the women’s 3,000 meters. O’Brien placed seventh in Heat 1 of the event, running a time of 10:01.30.
Graduate student Kelsi Harris (Liberty Township, Ohio) and sophomore Kaitlyn Stewart (Floyd Knobs, Ind.) competed in the women’s 5,000 meters. Harris placed eighth in the Heat 1 of the event, recording a time of 16:45.66. Stewart took home eighth place in Heat 2 with a time of 17:07.16.
The Bobcats will be back in action at the Marshall Alumni Classic on Saturday, Jan. 10.
#OUohyeah
Sports
Blazers Complete 2025 Season Opener
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Track and Field opened the 2025 season on Friday as the Blazers competed in the Birmingham Indoor Icebreaker at the Birmingham Crossplex.
Victory George competed in multiple events as the newcomer participated in the 60m and the Long Jump. George placed 12th out of 69 athletes in the 60m Prelims with a time of 7.71 seconds. George narrowly missed the finals by .01 seconds as she placed second in heat 4. The newcomer from Nigeria placed 11th of 55 athletes in the Long Jump where she finished with a mark of 5.52m and placed third in flight 3.
Leticia Quingostas started her senior season strong in the 300m. The senior from Brazil placed ninth overall out of 28 athletes and won heat 4 with a time of 40.51 seconds.
The freshmen middle distance duo consisting of Kelly Hughes and Katelyn Valtos made their college debuts in the 1000m. Hughes (3:05.08) and Valtos (3:06.08) finished sixth and seventh overall respectively. Valtos’ time was tops in heat 2.
The Blazers saw four Pole Vault athletes compete on Friday. Noelle Hambrick was the leader of the quartet placing fifth with a mark of 3.70m. Victoria Freeland, Fiona Eastman, and Trinity Fellows each finished at 3.55m.
The Green and Gold rounded out the day with true freshman Sarah Hopkins competing in the Weight Throw. Hopkins finished her day with a mark of 14.58m on her final successful throw, which ranks third-best in school history for Indoor Weight Throw.
UAB returns to action on January 9, 2026 as it returns to the Birmingham Crossplex for the Blazer Invite. Meet information, schedules, and live results will be posted at a later date.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
To keep up with UAB Track & Field, follow @UAB_TF_XC on Instagram and X.
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