The business of live sports is going through massive change. Disney CEO Bob Iger recently said in a CNBC interview that strategic alternatives for ESPN are being considered, and CNBC has separately reported that the MLB, NFL and NBA have considered taking minority stakes in the cable sports television leader.
CNBC x Boardroom's inaugural Game Plan sports business summit kicked off with a session launching straight into this major headline, with ESPN chairman James Pitaro and one of the technology giants upending the way sports are consumed, Jay Marine, global head of sports for Amazon Prime, among the panel members.
Here is a rundown of what they and other sports leaders had to say throughout the event held in Los Angeles on July 25, 2023:
ESPN shift to streaming won't upend traditional TV
Strategic stake conversations ongoing, says ESPN chair
The Disney-ESPN pivot to direct-to-consumer is historic
Sports team values are not in a bubble, says 76ers, NJ Devils co-owner
Amazon is bullish on NFL viewership growth
Women's pro soccer looking for its next big media deal
The WNBA's NY Liberty have an advantage the Brooklyn Nets don't
Athletes Unlimited has 'turned sports ownership on its head,' WNBA star says
Pro lacrosse has some creative ideas about betting for new FanDuel deal
Nick Kyrgios on the tennis greatness ...
...and pickleball's greatness
LA Rams owner Stan Kroenke on letting foreign investors into NFL ...
... and why RBs don't get paid like QBs