This article was originally published on November 16th, 2018.
Here is this week's dose of “5-Point Friday”. A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.
Leadership decision that interests me -
After Richard Scudamore announced his departure from the Premier League in June. The Premier League has announced its new chief executive Susanna Dinnage. Dinnage joins from media organization Discovery, where she was the global president of the Animal Planet channel. The move will make Dinnage, the most senior female leader in the world's major professional sports leagues. And because of the commercial wealth, global popularity and cultural influence of the Premier League, arguably the most powerful figure in British sport.
Sports product that I am researching -
NBA champions, Golden State Warriors are offering fans a monthly 'In The Building Pass.' The pass gives fans the opportunity to be inside the team's Oracle Arena for every home game for $100 a month. The mobile pass does not include a seat, and with no access to the seating bowl and does not even include a view of the court itself. The team said that fans who "purchase the pass will have access to the arena's bars and restaurants and can watch on the televisions in the club areas." The Warriors have sold out 300 consecutive games, the fourth-longest streak in the NBA, and have 44,000 hopefuls on the waiting list for a season ticket.
Team and fan relationship that intrigues me -
Washington Redskins players criticize their fans for poor attendance and a bad attitude. D.J. Swearinger (@JungleBoi_Swagg) said that the team's home-field advantage at FedExField is "as nonexistent as any he’s seen... I played on four different teams, never seen it that bad with other teams’ jerseys in the stands, with the boos.” Josh Norman (@J_No24) said the fans “boo everything,” and added that they "sulk when things go wrong." He said that other fanbases "cheer for their team 'regardless of good or bad or indifferent.'" The Redskins rank 26th in attendance, averaging 61,201 per home game. The team is currently the worst team in terms of capacity at 74.6%. Swearinger added that he "would rather play on the road"
Soccer story that I am interested in -
Fifteen League Championship clubs are "threatening a breakaway" from the English Football League. The clubs have threatened to break away if the English Football League refuses to rip up its proposed domestic broadcast rights deal with Sky Sports. The threat was made in letters sent to the EFL’s interim chair Debbie Jevans last week after 16 Championship clubs met before crisis talks with the league last Tuesday to discuss the 14-month dispute over the Sky deal. The EFL has now given the Championship clubs until 4 pm on November 19 to reconsider their position. Under the new deal, the Championship clubs would receive $3.79M each and a share of the appearance fees pot of $22.7M.
Iranian Sports news that is exciting me -
Iran allowed hundreds of local women to attend the Asian Champions League final in Tehran on Saturday. The first steps in a possible move towards ending a 39-year-old exclusion from men's sporting events.
"Today is a historic and festive day for football, a real breakthrough," said FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. Further stating "The fact that over 1,000 women could cheer their favorite team and that this took place during Asian football's most important game of the season, the AFC Champions League final, makes this occasion even more special."
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan
Comments