Gronk’s Next Act Might Take Former Patriots Star to WWE Stage

03/11/20 • 16 min

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Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Rob Gronkowski reportedly being close to a deal with the WWE. According to Fox Sports, which has a broadcast contract with the wrestling behemoth, the former New England Patriots tight end is nearing a deal that could have him competing as soon as March 20 at a Friday Night Smackdown event. Gronk, as he’s known, retired from the NFL a year ago. He appeared at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. Also talked about is CBS’s decision to keep betting information out of its telecasts of the NCAA basketball tournaments. The event, known as March Madness, is widely bet upon. Also discussed is the rapidly changing situation involving the coronavirus, which may prompt major sports leagues to play games without fans, relocate games or even cancel them.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Previous Episode

Tiger Still Has Networks Willing to Pay Up for Golf

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Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the PGA Tour’s new media rights deals with NBC, CBS and ESPN, which will show events on its streaming service, ESPN+. Network coverage remains with CBS and NBC. The nine-year deal begins in 2022, and will pay the Tour about $7 billion, a hefty rights increase from its current agreement. Also talked about is the continuing effect of the coronavirus on sports. Most recently, the tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, one of the sport’s biggest events outside of the four majors, was canceled because of the outbreak. Qualifying matches were scheduled to begin today. And also discussed is Atlanta Hawks Chief Executive Officer Steve Koonin’s suggestion that the league begin its season in December, two months later than it currently does. That way, Koonin said, the NBA wouldn’t compete for attention with the NFL.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Episode

Billions of Dollars at Stake Amid Sports Shutdowns

Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including ramifications of the NBA’s decision to suspend its regular season because of the coronavirus. The league took the unprecedented step of halting its regular season after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the virus, which has been labeled a pandemic. Also talked about is sponsor reaction to U.S. Soccer’s take on the women’s national team, and Roger Federer getting the rights to his signature RF logo, which had stayed with Nike after the tennis great moved on to represent Uniqlo. In the second half of the show former Madison Square Garden Chief Executive Officer Hank Ratner discusses media and technology in sports. He also talks about the necessity of catering to the customer.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at [email protected];

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at [email protected];

Michael Barr in New York at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomberg Business of Sports - Gronk’s Next Act Might Take Former Patriots Star to WWE Stage

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:00.280

This is the business of sports. Let's talk Super Bowl and Fox Sports, every single thing that occurs. I want people to remember, this is a business. Guaranteed. Money isn't necessarily guaranteed. Michael, how high can these valuations go? Scott,

Speaker 100:00:14.800

everybody loves rooting against him, right, Evan, nobody Williams Off the field, the NBA has never been buzzier. And the leaders in the sports indust