Thursday 9:00am ET....Today's News....UA Reports First-Ever Loss
- Under Armour Reports First-Ever Quarterly Loss, But Beats Predictions
- Report: ESPN Will Reduce "Baseball Tonight" To Once Weekly Show
- Jackie Robinson Foundation Hosting Groundbreaking For New Museum
- Rutgers Offers Sneak Peak Of Adidas Jerseys, New Training Center
Start your morning with
Today:
Under Armour Reports First-Ever Quarterly Loss, But Beats Predictions
Under Armour today reported a Q1 loss of $2.3M, down from a profit of 19.2M in the year-ago period, but "still beat Wall Street expectations." Fueled by a 52% "rise in international sales," revenue rose to $1.12B, "edging out analyst projections" ( AP, 4/27 ). The results, made public before the market opened, marked UA's "first-ever operating loss as a public company" as it faces a "weak U.S. apparel market" ( Baltimore SUN, 4/25 ). North American sales were down 1%. The company "affirmed its full-year revenue guidance" ( MARKETWATCH.com, 4/27 ).
Report: ESPN Will Reduce "Baseball Tonight" To Once Weekly Show
ESPN reportedly will “cut back its ‘Baseball Tonight’ studio show to a Sunday only affair” as part of the net’s widespread cuts that came down yesterday ( N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/26 ). The net also reportedly will “use some of MLB Network’s studio programming heading forward.” ESPN owns an equity stake in BAMTech, which was spun off of MLBAM ( SI.com, 4/25 ). Among the ESPN personalities who were let go yesterday are MLB analysts Dallas Braden , Raul Ibanez , Jim Bowden and Jayson Stark ( SFGATE.com, 4/25 ).
Jackie Robinson Foundation Hosting Groundbreaking For New Museum
The Jackie Robinson Foundation this morning in N.Y. will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for the forthcoming Jackie Robinson Museum. The event will include MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred , Jackie Robinson Foundation President & CEO Della Britton Baeza and family members Rachel and Sharon Robinson . The foundation has raised more than $23M toward the development of the museum, projected to open in '19 and designed to celebrate the late Baseball HOFer and his legacy breaking the sport’s color barrier.
Rutgers Offers Sneak Peak Of Adidas Jerseys, New Training Center
Rutgers during an "invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony" last night unveiled the new Harriett and Bob Druskin Strength & Conditioning Center. Men's basketball coach Steve Pikiell said of the new weight room at the Rutgers Athletics Center, "This is a Big Ten facility" ( NJ.com, 4/26 ). Rutgers also "gave a glimpse of the new Adidas basketball jerseys when they presented" the Druskins with a "framed commemorative jersey." The school's previous deal with Nike runs through June 30 ( NJ.com, 4/27 ).
Missouri Court Schedules Jury Trial For St. Louis' Suit Against NFL
A Missouri state court scheduled an Oct. 2 jury trial in St. Louis’ lawsuit against the NFL for the relocation process that led to the move of the Rams last year to L.A. The city of St. Louis, county of St. Louis, and the convention center filed suit earlier this month against the NFL, alleging the relocation process was fraudulent and is seeking what could be nine figures in damages. The NFL has yet to reply in the court, or even filed to note the name of its legal representatives, according to the case’s docket. The case is filed in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (St. Louis City).
Falcons WR Julio Jones Starring In New Spot For Champs Sports
Champs Sports today launches the latest installment of its “The Moment” franchise, with Episode Three featuring Falcons WR Julio Jones along with Atlanta-based hip-hop group Migos . The franchise provides a platform for athletes to share stories rooted in their journeys to success through musical collaborations. The episode begins with Jones walking down the streets of an Atlanta-based neighborhood clad in Under Armour ( Champs Sports ).
DirecTV Continues 4K Sports Coverage With EPL, MLB Games
DirecTV today "will continue its 4K live sports telecasts" with both an MLB and EPL game. The satellite TV provider will offer in 4K the afternoon Manchester United-Manchester City match at Etihad Stadium, followed by tonight's Yankees-Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Company officials said that this will mark the "first time DirecTV has aired two live sporting events back-to-back on the same day in 4K" ( MULTICHANNEL.com, 4/26 ).
Morning Hot Reads: Watch What Happens
The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jason Gay writes under the header, " Is The NFL Draft Must-See? " ESPN "had a vision which became both a business success and a cultural phenomenon, to the point there are months of Oscar-like buildup." However, in an "instant-update universe, is football's selection show destination television?" Meanwhile, THE RINGER looks at modern talent assessment strategies: " The New Rules of the NFL Draft ."
Also :
- WME-IMG has made UFC and its President Dana White "vastly more corporate."
- Despite move to L.A., some things remain for Chargers, like drafting from San Diego.
- Former Obama speechwriter and Capitals fan "didn't believe" in praising Penguins.
Twitter Me This....
I’d like to see a comparison of how much salary ESPN is shedding for on-air talent vs. how much outlaying for software dev hires
— Paresh Dave (@peard33) April 27, 2017
My bud @janesports taught tonight on the same day ESPN (foolishly -- my words) let her go. Loves journalism. Credit to the profession.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) April 27, 2017
RE Sabres' reported interest in Coyotes GM John Chayka: He's under contract next 4 yrs. Source: AZ wouldn't grant permission to speak to him
— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) April 27, 2017
Just checked and Draft Day isn't on any channel today. Wtf @HBO?
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) April 27, 2017
Today's Events....
The Univ. of Memphis will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new indoor football practice facility at 11:00am CT.
Today's Back Pages....
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Spanning The Global....
The most-read Global stories today on SportsBusiness Daily:
1) HMRC Raids Football Clubs, Arrests Several For Suspected Tax Fraud
2) Formula 1 Ditching 'Halo' Protection Device In Favor Of Screen
3) Wanda Group Partners With Abbott World Marathon Majors, Aims To Hold Race In China
4) Sky Sports To Have EPL Finale To Itself; BT Sport To Show No Games In Final Fortnight
5) La Liga Names SportPesa Official African Betting Partner, Opens Academy In Middle East
Final Jeopardy!
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Historic Homes.”
“While the White House was being built, George Washington ’s executive mansion was in this city.”
Laugh Track: Miami Vice
NBC’s Jimmy Fallon: “Looks like Derek Jeter and Jeb Bush will be buying the Miami Marlins. That’s right, one guy who could have been president and Jeb Bush” ( “The Tonight Show,” NBC, 4/26 ).
CBS’ Stephen Colbert : “It looks like baseball's Miami Marlins are going to be sold to a group led by Derek Jeter and Jeb Bush, or as they're known by their celebrity couple name, ‘Derek Jeter.’ … Baseball apparently very popular with republican dynasties because -- this is true -- look who just got edged out from buying the team, Tagg Romney . I think this isn't fair. I think a guy name Tagg should really own a baseball team, the same way the Knicks should be owned by billionaire Dunk Hooperson” ( “The Late Show,” CBS, 4/26 ).