NBC Sports retained the U.S. media rights for the English Premier League under a six-year renewal reportedly worth a total of $2.6 billion, beating out combined ESPN-CBS and WarnerMedia-Fox bids, the latter of which was reportedly richer than the NBC bid. The $433 million annual cost of the rights is nearly three times what the Comcast Corp. subsidiary is paying for EPL rights under its existing nine-year deal, which expires at the end of the 2021-22 season. (Sports Business Journal)
Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke reportedly told NFL officials in a memo that the club wants to settle the lawsuit related to the team's relocation from St. Louis, which it believes it can do for between $500 million and $750 million, and that it will do so separately from the league unless there is a promise to share responsibility for the settlement costs among the league's 32 teams. Kroenke's representatives said mediation next week is likely the last chance for the Rams and NFL to avoid a damaging public trial in the case brought by the city and county of St. Louis, along with the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, which is scheduled to begin Jan. 10, pending a settlement. (Sports Business Journal)
President Joe Biden said the United States is "considering" a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in response to human rights abuses by the Chinese government, a move that would keep American dignitaries, but not athletes, from attending the games. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said there is no timetable for a decision on the matter. (The Associated Press)
Ohio State reduces some 2022 football season ticket prices as new model begins Jennifer Smola Shaffer, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State University has reduced season ticket prices for its 2022 football season, dropping the lowest-priced season ticket cost by more than 20 percent. The price drop comes just days before Ohio State season tickets go on sale Tuesday, which also kicks off the program's new seat contribution model.
