Morning Buzz

SBJ on Monday announced its 2026 class of Game Changers: Women in Sports Business. View the full list here.

The 16th annual list honoring women for their leadership, innovation and accomplishments in sports business grows to 60 this year as the recognition expands to include women from around the world. In partnership with sister company Leaders in Sport, Game Changers will celebrate the lasting global impact of honorees.

The entire class will be featured in SBJ’s Sept. 21 issue and honored in a ceremony Sept. 30 in N.Y. The Game Changers conference is scheduled for Oct. 1 and will feature speakers from across the industry, panel discussions and networking.

Stanford football players have “formed a campus chapter of the College Football Players Association,” making the Cardinal the first team to partner with the organization, which “aims to eventually unionize college athletes.” The players are “not yet petitioning to form a union or be deemed employees,” but their announcement Monday “marks a first step toward building a structure for college athletes to collectively bargain like professional athletes.” The CFBPA “hopes to establish bargaining units on a conference-by-conference basis,” according to Stanford chapter leaders Fisher Anderson and Ernest Cooper. If and when the organization “has signed up the majority of players at every school in a conference, it plans to take steps to formally unionize.” Anderson and Cooper said that it “could be years before the players are able to bargain with ACC officials,” but they “believe their decision will encourage other teams to join” (ESPN.com, 7/27).

CFBPA Exec Dir Jason Stahl and union execs “presented in front of more than 50 players at a meeting on the Stanford campus in June and then held followup meetings with several smaller groups of players.” He “did not disclose the number of Stanford players who signed chapter membership with the association.” CFBPA leaders are “in active conversations with players from at least three other schools” and execs are “confident in the announcement of more chapters in the coming weeks.” Stahl’s first chapter “comes four years after he attempted a similar move at Penn State.” However, that player gathering “was not sanctioned or even known by university coaches and administrators,” and the effort “backfired when a staff member walked into a team meeting of players discussing unionization” (YAHOO SPORTS, 7/27).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Sunday “hit out at critics for ‘spreading hate’ at this summer’s World Cup,” disregarding the criticism as “‘hate and false rumours’ in an extraordinary essay posted on Instagram.” Infantino wrote, “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.” Infantino said that the tournament experienced “no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!” Infantino also “thanked the three host countries, the police forces and volunteers for their efforts during the tournament, before addressing some of the tournament’s major controversies and claiming them as wins” for FIFA (London INDEPENDENT, 7/27).

Infantino also “appeared to reference” the “furore” around USMNT F Folarin Balogun’s suspended red card. Without referring to the incident directly, Infantino wrote that “‘arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings” were “routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide.” He added, “It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising” (London TELEGRAPH, 7/27).

Infantino also “pointed to the participation ​of countries facing political ⁠tensions, domestic crisis and domestic health challenges as evidence of football’s ability to transcend divisions.” While Iran’s participation “came against the backdrop of conflict with the U.S.,” issues surrounding “Haiti’s domestic ​crisis and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo also drew attention ​to visa and ⁠travel restrictions.” Somali World Cup referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was “barred from entering the U.S. despite having a valid visa.” Infantino wrote, “Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It’s not about ⁠politics. Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas” (REUTERS, 7/27).

Team61, a South Korean group led by former MLBer Chan Ho Park and featuring Suga of K-pop group BTS, is “officially investing” $70M into the A’s in a “strategic partnership.” The group “has already invested” $55M and “will invest an additional” $15M set, subject to MLB approval. As part of the deal, Park “will become a senior adviser to A’s owner John Fisher, advising the team’s ownership group on player development and Asia initiatives." Park -- who was the first South Korea-born player in MLB and wore No. 61 throughout his career -- “will also become the first owner and investor in an MLB franchise from the country.” The Team61 investment consortium also includes actors Ken Jeong and Daniel Dae Kim (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 7/26).

An “estimated crowd of 12,000 people” watched Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent get inducted into the Baseball HOF on Sunday at The Clark Sports Center. Although the attendance “was smaller than many recent inductions,” the fans there “had a particular favorite in Beltrán.” Puerto Rican flags and Mets jerseys “were the biggest symbols of the weekend.” There “were also Jones jerseys, in particular from Atlanta fans.” Counting the new inductees, 60 HOFers were in attendance Sunday, “a record” according to HOF officials. Baseball HOF Board Chair Jane Forbes Clark “opened the ceremony by paying tribute” to the three late HOFers who have died in the past year: Ryne Sandberg, Bobby Cox and Bill Mazeroski (Oneonta DAILY STAR, 7/26).

The Savannah Bananas “sold out Wrigley Field three nights running” this weekend, drawing more than 120,000 people to the ballpark. The Bananas closed their Chicago run Sunday “with help from a lineup of Cubs legends” -- as Ben Zobrist “rode a bicycle in from the center field bleachers to pinch hit, Kerry Wood pitched a trick pitch, and David Ross took an at-bat Saturday" (LOWER BUCKS TIMES, 7/26). The ballpark was “surrounded by merchandising tents selling Banana-related stuff, and even the press box was filled with Banana-run media.” Everyone “seemed to get their money’s worth,” and the ex-Cubs who came back to Wrigley “greatly added to the show.” Bears Chair George McCaskey “was even part of the act as an umpire.” On Sunday, the ballpark “was hopping five hours before” the 3pm CT start. The Bananas are “so big they got Clark Street cut off from traffic from Addison Street up north of the park, turning it into their own version of Maxwell Street and selling tons of Banana memorabilia” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/26).

The newest SummerSlam marketing push from WWE and ESPN centers on one of the most recognizable faces in the company right now. WWE and ESPN are using the popularity of WWE superstar Danhausen to fuel a new immersive fan experience in the greater Minneapolis area centering on a roaming, Danhausen-themed ice cream truck offering frozen treats and interactive experiences.

The unique tour will run July 30-Aug. 2 at areas including Downtown East Commons Park, Nicollet Mall, the Convention Center and U.S. Bank Stadium, where the two-night premium live event will take place Saturday and Sunday. The sides of the red-and-black promotional truck prominently display ESPN and WWE branding and SummerSlam promotional messaging. The activation includes a flavor wheel that offers fans a choice between two Danhausen-themed popsicles.

Other activations at each truck stop will feature giveaways, photo opportunities and other surprise experiences.

For WWE, Danhausen’s growing profile underscores both the superstar’s and the company’s ability to transcend the confines of the wrestling business. Using the popularity of his curse gimmick, Danhausen has appeared everywhere from Fanatics Fan Fest and San Diego Comic-Con, where he participated in Mattel’s panel, to ESPN programming and Knicks playoff storylines.

What’s on Charlie Mitchell’s mind? Deltatre’s SVP/Sports U.S. shares how a unified digital platform creates a better journey for sports fans.

In this week’s issue:

• With the FIFA World Cup deemed a rousing success by many metrics, what lasting mark will the event leave on American sports? SBJ’s Alex Silverman provides some key takeaways.
• In the latest installment of SBJ’s Power Players, we present the executives who are driving the ticketing industry. From the use of data to personalization to new experiences, these Power Players are providing fresh takes on the business.
• Steve O’Donnell has not taken his foot off the gas since being named NASCAR CEO in April. SBJ’s Adam Stern talks with O’Donnell about his priorities and efforts to build unity among stakeholders.
• Gary Stevenson is the Swiss Army knife of sports executives, having worked in practically all facets of the business. As Stevenson departs MLS, SBJ’s Terry Lefton chronicles his storied career and the people he’s influenced along the way.
• The Univ. of Florida is going big with a renovation of its football stadium, affectionately known as The Swamp. SBJ’s Bret McCormick retraces the school’s steps and how it balanced tradition with current demands for new revenue.

Oak View Group is looking for a Sales Manager/Global Partnerships-Moody Center. The Austin-based position is responsible for establishing new business relationships to achieve annual revenue goals for Global Partnerships and Moody Center (Oak View Group).

Austin FC is looking for a Senior Coordinator/Corporate Partnerships-Activations. The Austin-based position is responsible for managing and activating relationships with internal stakeholders and corporate partners to execute partner objectives and contractual obligations each year (Austin FC).

AC Grand Rapids are looking for a VP/Marketing, Communications & Community Engagement. The Grand Rapids-based position is responsible for leading strategic vision for marketing, communications, public relations, community engagement and match day fan experience, and leading a cross-functional team (AC Grand Rapids).

DraftKings are looking for a Senior Associate/Digital Sports Partnerships. The Boston-based position is responsible for day-to-day management of the company’s portfolio of sports-focused digital partnerships, serving as the primary relationship manager for existing and future strategic partners (DraftKings).

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“This star, director and writer who won an Oscar for his 1996 film was called ‘the hillbilly Orson Welles’ by Robert Duvall.”