Morning Buzz

FIFA and Fanatics have signed a long-term, exclusive collectibles licensing deal that expands on their current commercial licensing agreement and features trading cards, stickers and trading card games. The agreement, which will begin in full in 2031, covers both physical and digital collectibles. That includes the introduction of the player jersey patch program, including debut patches, which will be inserted into soccer trading cards from 2031 onward. All products will be designed and developed through Fanatics Collectibles and produced under the Topps brand. As a part of the deal, Fanatics plans to distribute more than $150M in collectibles free of charge across the lifetime of the partnership (Fanatics).

The move is “one of the more monumental shifts in the collectibles world,” as Panini will have served as the key licensee for FIFA World Cup cards and sticker books for nearly 60 years by the time its deal ends in 2030. It is also the “latest development in the rapidly deepening ties between Fanatics and FIFA.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino also noted that match-used patch programs “will begin as early as this year’s World Cup,” even though the licensing deal does not start for several years (THE ATHLETIC, 5/7).

British Columbia Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon said that the provincial government has been “approached by a local group that wants to buy” the Whitecaps. The potential B.C.-based bid for the MLS team comes after a formal offer made by a U.S. group to buy and relocate the team to Las Vegas. Kahlon said the group has been “organizing apparently for a few weeks to put a bid in for the Whitecaps.” He added that the group was “doing ‘due diligence’ and he understood that it would share more information soon about a bid that is ‘grounded in a plan’ to keep the team in Vancouver” (CP, 5/6).

TKO Group Holdings will not be getting cut off from Saudi Arabian funding like LIV Golf will, according to company president Mark Shapiro, allaying concerns that the combat sports operator could face a similar fate as the startup golf league. Speaking during the company’s Q1 FY26 earnings call on Wednesday evening, Shapiro touched on a number of topics related to TKO’s business also including recent criticism of its WWE product from some fans and pundits.

During his prepared remarks portion of the call, Shapiro got ahead of any analyst questions about TKO’s Saudi funding, saying: “I would add that following the news of PIF withdrawing its funding in LIV Golf, our partners in Saudi Arabia have confirmed that will not be the case with TKO Group Holdings. Their commitment to our properties in 2026 and beyond is unwavering. As such, after these two events, we expect the remainder of our 2026 slate in the Middle East, comprised of six events, inclusive of UFC, WWE, and Zuffa Boxing, to take place as planned. The demand is real, our partners are committed, and we are leaning in.”

Meanwhile, Shapiro also addressed the recent Wrestlemania 42 at Allegiant Stadium. He said TKO was pleased with ticket sales even though they didn’t top Wrestlemania 41 and said such a feat was always unlikely after massive numbers were recorded the prior year that was also staged in Las Vegas.

Following social media criticism of the first night of Wrestlemania 42, and after TKO’s Nick Khan said at the CAA World Congress of Sports that the platform X features a “vocal minority” that he doesn’t pay attention to, Shapiro sought to lower the temperature around the conversation. He said, “Let me say that we are not concerned about the ticket performance whatsoever, as it was unrealistic to expect year two growth in Las Vegas. And even with that, WrestleMania 42 was still one of the highest gates in WWE history and easily outperformed anywhere else we could have staged it. As it relates to the creative, there will always be periodic fan dissatisfaction around creative execution, commercial load, and celebrity usage. We listen to all the feedback. We do not turn a deaf ear. But these are not new criticisms.”

The NCAA is “pushing through the final steps” for expanding the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments to 76 teams, and the process “could be completed as early as Thursday,” according to sources cited by ESPN.com. NCAA committee calls “scheduled for Thursday loom as expected final steps for the formalization of the expansion.” Talks of expansion have “taken place for well over a year,” and the “media deal for the men’s tournament was one of the final steps toward completion after meetings with NCAA officials in late April.” There is “not expected to be much pushback from the various NCAA committees,” as sources have indicated that the moves “have been debated and discussed for months to help streamline the final steps” (ESPN.com, 5/6).

The NHL salary cap “will climb” to $104M next season -- an $8.5M increase -- and the maximum salary for a player will jump to $20.8M. Per the CBA, increases are calculated based off of the prior year’s financials in joint Hockey Related Revenue. The NHL’s highest-paid player next year is set to be Wild LW Kirill Kaprizov, whose $17M per year extension kicks in next season. The salary cap floor will be $76.9M in 2026-27. The increase “was not surprising to teams,” as it “matches the league’s projections.” But it is “another promising sign for hockey’s growth.” The NHL just had its most-watched first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (ESPN.com, 5/6).

Oregon State Univ. is “launching a three-year fundraising initiative to increase revenue sharing for its athletes.” The Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation has “committed” $24M over the next three years to the OSU Foundation, and the gift “is designed as a challenge ... to other donors.” Each of the Valley Foundation’s annual $8M contributions “is contingent upon OSU raising an additional” $8M “annually from other donors, making for a combined” $48M investment over the campaign. This donation is the “latest contribution to OSU from the Valley family,” whose name is on the school’s football facility. Donor “investment in revenue sharing, combined with the university’s increased support for athletics, is central to Oregon State’s strategy for success as the school prepares to enter the new Pac-12,” which officially launches on July 1 (Portland OREGONIAN, 5/6).

Kraken majority owner Samantha Holloway has “hired investment banks JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Moelis & Co. as her advisers” as she looks to secure an NBA expansion team in Seattle. Holloway has been “preparing to make a bid in recent months.” Earlier this year, she formed One Roof Sports and Entertainment after purchasing additional shares in Climate Pledge Arena to become its majority owner. Taking control of the arena positions Holloway as the “suitor who controls the only facility in Seattle that is ready to host an NBA team.” Holloway is the “first publicly known bidder to hire a banker.” She also is the “only known suitor in Seattle,” though there reportedly “have been other inquiries.” It is “possible that those potential investors never submit a bid, making Holloway the sole bidder.” In March, NBA owners voted to explore adding franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle. The league’s adviser, PJT Partners Inc., has been “canvassing the landscape to identify and vet potential bidders,” and “so far, there’s been more interest in Las Vegas” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 5/6).

The San Antonio City Council is expected to vote on Thursday on a “pair of ordinances related to contracts essential to an ambitious Project Marvel plan that includes a new arena” for the Spurs. The first contract would allow MuniCap Inc. to “conduct a study that would provide projected cost-of-service impacts and revenue forecasts, as well as identify new revenue opportunities for the proposed sports and entertainment district.” The city council is also expected to “consider an ordinance approving a professional services agreement with Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects LLC, an affiliate of Ireland-based Accenture, to provide an executive program manager, or EPM, for the proposed sports and entertainment district.” The EPM will be “part of a city-led project team that will oversee infrastructure improvements, venue construction and other work tied to the mixed-use development” (SAN ANTONIO BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/6).

Warner Bros. Discovery released its Q1 earnings report, which included a $2.9B loss, with the company continuing to feel the “loss of its NBA contract for its TNT channel.” Advertising revenue fell 11%. Warner said the absence of the NBA “negatively impacted the year-over-year growth rate.” The company’s vast linear TV networks, which includes TBS, saw revenue fall 8% to $4.4B. TV distribution revenue fell 7% largely because of a 10% decrease in domestic linear pay TV subscribers. The $2.9B loss includes $1.3B in restructuring expenses. Contributing to the net loss was the $2.8B termination fee paid to Netflix in late February when the streamer “bowed out of the bidding” for Warner. The auction winner, Paramount Skydance, “covered the payment to Netflix,” but Warner “still must carry the obligation on its balance sheet in case the Paramount takeover falls apart” (L.A. TIMES, 5/6).

For Q2, WBD “expects the lack of NBA content to create a 16% constant-currency headwind to streaming advertising revenue” (REUTERS, 5/6).

President Trump “welcomed UFC fighters in the Oval Office” on Wednesday to promote the UFC event on the White House’s South Lawn in June. Trump predicted a “historic event” on June 14. He called it the “biggest event we’ve ever had at the White House.” Joining Trump were fighters Alex Pereira, Ciryl Gane, Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria (WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/6).

The fighters revealed an “event-exclusive UFC belt” alongside Trump. Along with the titles, Trump revealed “more visual imagery of what the event -- dubbed UFC Freedom 250 -- is expected to look like” (UNCROWNED, 5/6).

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast, SBJ’s Austin Karp explains how Nielsen’s “big data” adds 5–7% overnight and completely reshapes audience measurement.

“About 10,000 sq. miles, this region was the subject of a 19th c. war, declared independence in 1917, reorganized in 1921 & is under dispute to this day.”