The Next Frontier of Sports & Sports Management

November 14, 2025

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Curt Menefee, host of FOX NFL Sunday, moderated a discussion with Julie Uhrman, CEO and co-founder of Angel City FC, Marc Lasry, Chairman and CEO of Avenue Capital and former co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Gerry Cardinale, founder of RedBird Capital Partners. The panel explored the evolving economics of team ownership, the rapid rise of women’s sports and the shifting business models reshaping global sports.

Key Takeaways

Sports Assets Need Professionalization: Although franchises trade at multibillion-dollar valuations, many are not managed with the same rigor as mature companies. Consistency in on-field performance, disciplined spending and operational modernization are seen as essential to long-term enterprise value.
Women’s Sports Present Outsized Growth Potential: Attendance, sponsorship and franchise values are accelerating from a low base. Angel City FC’s $2 million expansion fee in 2020 contrasts sharply with recent valuations above $200 million, reflecting a market still in the early stages of scale and monetization.
Most Economic Upside Exists Around the Team, Not Within It: Team-level profitability remains difficult due to limited control over stadiums, sponsorship rights and revenue streams. Real estate developments, streaming, hospitality and media/IP businesses often generate more durable financial returns than operating the team itself.
League Structures Are a Constraint on Innovation: Centralized control of media rights, revenue and governance can impede market responsiveness. Panelists argued in favor of rethinking league-team economics, allowing leagues to build balance sheets, reduce intermediaries and give clubs more flexibility to grow their businesses.
Media and Storytelling Are Critical to Fan Growth: TV series like Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019) show how compelling narratives can introduce a sport to new audiences. Awareness alone is not enough—teams must convert exposure into emotional connection, competitive relevance and long-term engagement.

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