Investment & M&A

Fox Sports x Tom Brady’s Shadow Lion Studio
Fox invests in Tom Brady’s media company, Shadow Lion, strengthening its creator-led storytelling arm. The move underscores how athlete-driven production houses are becoming key assets in modern sports media.

Novak Djokovic leads $5M seed in Cob Djokovic joined Cob as a co-founder, leading a $5 million seed round for the better-for-you snack brand. This investment underscores a growing athlete trend in the functional food and wellness space. Where performance, sustainability, and consumer health intersect.

Bolt Ventures / Viewture Series A  The recent Series A round, led by Bolt Ventures (the family office of David Blitzer, co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment), marks a mid-seven-figure investment and expands Viewture’s creator-funding platform.

UFC is using NeckCare in head-injury protocols The UFC has begun using Neck Care’s biometric and stabilization technology as part of its enhanced head-injury protocol. This move highlights how combat sports are adopting advanced safety tools typically seen in elite team sports. As performance tech becomes mission-critical, the business upside for wellness, data, and safety platforms keeps expanding.

Exos acquires Infinite Athlete
Exos announced the acquisition of Infinite Athlete and its Biocore health/safety arm to bulk up its AI, biomechanical, and player health capabilities. This is a clear signal: performance platforms and safety tech are strategic buys for organizations targeting both elite teams and broader wellness markets.

The Players Company Expands Its Influence
Athlete-built wealth platforms like The Players Company are setting a new standard for how pros invest in private markets, shaping the next generation of athlete entrepreneurs.

CVC, Arctos, Apollo, SURJ, HxCo, and the scale playbook
Q3-2025 confirmed the thesis: sports is becoming a dedicated asset class. Large PE and specialty vehicles are building scale platforms (clubs + media + rights), and founders must now design businesses with institutional buyer mechanics in mind.

Teams, Leagues & Strategy

Seattle Sounders Seek Strategic Partner Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Seattle Sounders FC has hired Moelis & Co. to raise capital and find a strategic partner to fuel its next growth phase. Potentially including a soccer-specific stadium. With an $825M valuation, the club joins a wave of MLS teams preparing for the World Cup boom.

Intuit Dome naming for LA28  Intuit has taken up the LA28 naming rights option for the venue. The Olympics’ selling of venue naming rights is changing traditional IOC norms.

AFLW clubs free to sign individual kit deals from 2026. A structural change that increases sponsorship arbitrage and club-level revenue upside in women’s football.

Real Madrid / Super League legal developments  Club/league governance disputes continue to create optionality (and risk) for alternative competition models.

WNBPA agrees to a 30-day CBA extension with a 48-hour termination clause This is a tight negotiating posture with upside risk; pay attention to labor relations, timing, and business continuity for 2026 planning.

Mets post record revenue at Citi Field Clubs that get venue + commercial strategy right can grow revenues meaningfully (Mets reported record results).

FC Dallas Extends Naming Rights with Toyota
The partnership at Toyota Stadium continues, emphasizing brand consistency and long-term regional integration in sports sponsorships.

Tech, Performance & Wellness

Bryan Johnson Raises $60M for Longevity Startup “Blueprint”.  The biohacking entrepreneur continues to merge health tech with performance optimization.

PodPlay Technologies Raises $8M Series A
From ping-pong to pickleball, PodPlay is revolutionizing rec sports with tech-first club management. The new funding will expand its reach and simplify how players connect and play.

Bevel Raises $10M to Scale Health & AI Platform
Bevel is merging AI, wearable data, and human performance. Pointing toward a new ecosystem for athlete and fan health engagement.

Sportradar Closes IMG Arena Acquisition
Sportradar continues consolidating the sports data landscape, expanding its global betting rights portfolio.

Media & Content

ESPN / ABC carriage dispute: Disney pulls channels from YouTube TV
Distribution disputes continue shaping media economics and reach—this kind of carriage fight affects rights leverage and subscriber strategies across sports properties.

UK women’s sport reaches record 357M viewing hours YTD Female audiences and total viewing hours for women’s sport hit a new high, showing clear commercial runway for rights, sponsorships, and media investment. That translates to stronger sponsorship ROI and higher valuations for women’s leagues.

ESPN secures new regional broadcast deals  Traditional broadcasters still aggressively lock regional and niche rights as content and event models fragment.

WNBA social value: Fever & Wings top the list  Social value and audience brand metrics now track directly to franchise media monetization and sponsor demand

ESPN Secures Three-Year Broadcast Deal in Canada Expanding cross-border viewership and content syndication.

Prediction markets & betting: DraftKings’ Railbird deal and NHL’s Kalshi/Polymarket partnership show betting + prediction markets merging into fan engagement products.

NYC’s $1B Running Boom The New York Road Runners are redefining what large-scale community events mean for sports business.

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That wraps up this week’s Constant Sports Weekly. Where sports founders, investors, and operators get their news.Subscribe and join the Constant Sports Community! The industry continues to evolve fast, from athlete-led startups and tech acquisitions to major media and investment shifts.

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