Sporticast: Texas Rangers Go ‘Higher,’ ManU Sale Process Nearing End
On the latest Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss some of the biggest sports business stories of the week, including the business impact of the Texas Rangers embracing a hit song from 1999 as their MLB playoff anthem. The team (and its fans) has been listening to Creed’s “Higher” during games, which has led to a noticeable uptick in the song’s downloads in the Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth areas.
Next, they discuss news that Miami Marlins GM Kim Ng is not returning the to team. The first female GM in MLB history, Ng chose not to extend her deal with the team after the Marlins made just their second postseason appearance in almost two decades. ESPN reported that the team wanted to hire someone over Ng, which led to her departure.
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The hosts also talk about the latest in the sale of Manchester United. After months of bidding and negotiations, it appears that British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is nearing a deal to buy about 25% of the soccer giant. That comes after Qatari sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, seen by many as the front-runner, pulled his offer last week. ManU stock fell 10% Monday on the news, likely a result of investors assuming their Class A shares will not be a central part of Ratcliffe’s acquisition.
Lastly, they discuss a few more sports business topics. They include the six new sports that will join the LA28 Summer Olympics, all of which were approved in an IOC general session vote on Monday, and the New York Jets’ decision to self-insure Aaron Rodgers’ contract, a choice that may have cost the NFL team roughly $20 million.
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