Good afternoon, here’s what we’re following at SBJ Today:
- Youth sports streaming is now a $10 billion business
- Churchill Downs set to acquire Preakness
- PayPal named NFL’s first peer-to-peer payments sponsor
- Plus: Illinois eyes property tax measure to keep Bears, update on Penguins sale, PGA Tour leaving Hawaii and more
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THE BIG STORY
Fueled by family viewing and recruiting, youth sports streaming is now a $10 billion business
For generations, youth sports athletes were lucky to have a family member or coaching assistant bring a camcorder to their sporting events to preserve their memories on VHS or memory cards. But at high school, club and youth competitions these days, you’re likely to find an AI-powered camera and any number of handheld smartphones recording multiple angles, often sharing the footage live through an app or on YouTube.
“In 2016 when we started, it was like, ‘OK, now high-level high school games could be produced,’” said Sandeep Hingorani, BallerTV EVP and co-founder. “Now we’ve reached a place in society where every game needs to be produced.”
The numbers are staggering, as SBJ’s Joe Lemire reports how youth sports streaming has grown into a significant business: For generations, youth sports athletes were lucky to have a family member or coaching assistant bring a camcorder to their sporting events to preserve their memories on VHS or memory cards. But at high school, club and youth competitions these days, you’re likely to find an AI-powered camera and any number of handheld smartphones recording multiple angles, often sharing the footage live through an app or on YouTube.
“In 2016 when we started, it was like, ‘OK, now high-level high school games could be produced,’” said Sandeep Hingorani, BallerTV EVP and co-founder. “Now we’ve reached a place in society where every game needs to be produced.”
The numbers are staggering, as SBJ’s Joe Lemire reports how youth sports streaming has grown into a significant business. TeamSnap CEO Peter Frintzilas described youth sports streaming as a $10 billion market “that not many people are talking about outside of those that are covering youth sports.” Another firm, Pixellot, streamed about 1.5 million games across 14 sports in 2025.
5 STORIES WE’RE WATCHING
1. Churchill Downs set to acquire Preakness Stakes after 2026 running: Churchill Downs has entered into an agreement to acquire the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes from 1/ST Maryland LLC for $85 million. The deal is expected to close after the running of the 2026 Preakness Stakes.
2. PayPal named NFL’s first peer-to-peer payments sponsor: PayPal is taking the wraps off an NFL sponsorship first reported in SBJ last December. The deal designates the 27-year-old brand (ancient by Fintech standards) as the NFL’s initial “Peer-to-Peer Payments” sponsor.
3. Illinois eyes new property tax relief measure in attempt to keep Bears in state: Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner on Tuesday will unveil a new proposal that would give the Bears property tax incentives in the state’s latest attempt to keep the team from moving to Indiana.
4. Bettman says Penguins sale ‘on track,’ but gives no timetable: The Hoffmann Family of Companies is moving closer to gaining NHL approval of its acquisition of the Penguins from Fenway Sports Group, Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
5. PGA Tour confirms move away from Hawaii; Sony Open could become senior event: The PGA Tour has now officially decided not to hold its season-opening events — The Sentry and Sony Open — in Hawaii in 2027.
ON THE MOVE
- Chiefs EVP/Communications David Higdon is leaving the franchise at the end of the month. Higdon did not mention where he would be working next but mentioned that he is actively pursuing his next career opportunity (SBJ).
- ESPN VP/Brand Marketing Seth Ader announced that his tenure with the company has ended as part of layoffs across Disney. Ader has been serving with ESPN for the past 25 years overseeing marketing efforts related to the overarching ESPN brand as well as marketing related to studio shows, digital products, sports betting, international programming and ESPN’s consumer products business (SBJ).
- The Lakers named Ryan Kantor as VP/global partnerships. Kantor will lead sponsorship revenue generation, oversee sales strategy and drive new business across both domestic and international markets (Lakers).
- Oak View Group named Michele Powell Powell as GM for operations at Kansas. Powell will oversee OVG’s operations, including venue management at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and the Naismith Club at Allen Fieldhouse (Oak View Group).
NAMES IN THE NEWS
- Several stars and celebrities sat courtside on celebrity row at MSG for Game 2 of the first-round series between the Knicks and Hawks on Monday night: Mets owner Mets owner Steve Cohen, actor Timothée Chalamet, actress Julianne Moore, director Spike Lee, late-night TV host Jimmy Fallon, comedian Ray Romano, rappers Fat Joe and Jadakiss and Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Suni Lee (N.Y. POST, 4/20).
- A number of athletes turned out at Coachella across the music festival’s two weekends: Warriors G Stephen Curry and his wife, Ayesha, and brother G Seth Curry; Wings G Paige Bueckers, Sky F Rickea Jackson, Sun F Aaliyah Edwards, Bears QB Caleb Williams, Sparks C Cameron Brink, NWSL’s Washington Spirt F Trinity Rodman and Basketball HOFer Tony Parker (ESPN.com, 4/20)
- The Boston Marathon drew a few notable names among the crowd for the race’s 130th edition, such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, who were there to watch their daughter, Chelsea, a “first-time Boston Marathoner.” Other notable runners included repeat Hockey HOFer Zdeno Chara and retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA astronaut Sunita Williams (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/20).
HOT READS
The BOSTON GLOBE went with the header, “They ran the Boston Marathon. Then did it again.” Most people who take on the Boston Marathon find the race is challenge enough, but some want more. On Monday, seven runners ran the course twice. Members of the Trail Animals Running Club, a nonprofit grassroots trail running club based in Massachusetts, ran the 52.4-mile ultramarathon dubbed the “Boston Double,” also known as the “Double Boston” or “Boston Yo-Yo.”
Also:
- Cricket’s popularity in U.S. reflected at ASU, Arizona clubs.
- The Dodgers of esports: How L.A.’s Liquid Guild won the attention of over 100,000 people.
- The Predators aren’t rebuilding? Does the new GM know that?