Menu

FloSports offers refunds, apology after DC United issues....USA Boxing names new BOD members to avoid decertification....Dick's Sporting Goods reports Q4 financials

FloSports Offers Refunds After DC United Streaming Issues

FloSports, following technical issues during Sunday coverage of its first DC United broadcast, is "offering full refunds to new subscribers not interested in giving the product a second chance." FloSports co-Founder & COO Mark Floreani "apologized and vowed to 'win the fans’ trust back' over the remainder of the season." He said, "That’s not how we wanted to kick off the season." Floreani "took personal responsibility for Sunday’s issues, which stemmed from inaccurate geofencing restrictions that prevented many subscribers from accessing the broadcast at the start of the match and caused the stream to buffer or cut out completely for others during the first half" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/12).

USA Boxing Names New BOD Members To Keep Certification

By Ben Fischer

USA Boxing has named the four new independent BOD members it was required to add under threat of decertification by the USOC after an investigation into conflicts of interest, one of which will replace President John Brown as chair, a post he was forced to relinquish as part of the USOC actions. Joining the board are: Sherry Wulkan, CEO & Medical Dir of the Combative Sports Consulting Services; Chris Trombetta, Senior VP/Strategy & Talent for Red Bull North America; Tyson Lee, President & CEO of Ranger Industrial Services; and Hector Colon, President & CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

The USOC is pushing all Olympic NGBs to include more BOD members with no direct ties to the sport, believing many of the nonprofits’ volunteer members are too driven by parochial interests. Brown, who denied any wrongdoing, has been in the amateur boxing industry for decades as a coach, club leader and businessman. The four came from a list of 10 generated by an unnamed search firm. The USOC is playing a key role in helping NGBs find new directors who have a working knowledge of their sports but no direct stake.

Before the USOC-imposed changes, USAB bylaws required two out of 10 BOD members to be independent. Once the changes are complete, USAB will have six independent members out of 13. Three other non-independent board members were also named today: Eric Buller, President of the National Collegiate Boxing Association (affiliated member director); Patrick Butler, voted into his spot by the country’s local boxing committees; and Brian Ceballo, an athlete representative. The new board members officially join the board March 31, with an election for chair that same day.

Dick's Sporting Goods Shares Slip Despite Solid Q4 Report

Dick’s Sporting Goods stock was "slumping" this afternoon after "downbeat guidance overshadowed" the retailer’s Q4 earnings report earlier today. Athletic and "‘athleisure’ apparel have been a bright spot in retail, but Dick’s -- like so many bricks-and-mortar peers -- has struggled in recent years to fend off online competition." Still the sporting goods "category overall is still healthy." Despite today's decline, DSG shares "have still climbed nearly 10% since the start" of '19 (BARRONS.com, 3/12). At presstime, shares of DSG were trading at $34.72, down 10.88% (THE DAILY).

Meanwhile, Under Armour shares fell today after DSG "announced plans to launch its own private label athletic apparel brand." DSG Chair & CEO Edward Stack said that the retailer is "dropping a licensing agreement with Reebok and launching its new brand in time for the fall back-to-school season." He added that DSG "does not plan to return floor space in its stores that it took away" from UA last year (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/12). At presstime, shares of UA were trading at $21.82, down 0.93% (THE DAILY).

Mets To Hold Spring Training Workout At Syracuse's Carrier Dome

The Mets will "wrap up their spring training with a workout in the Carrier Dome" on March 26, and the practice will be "free and open to the public." During the workout, the team will "take batting and infield practice and pitchers will throw their bullpens, all out on the Dome turf." This is the "first time baseball will be played" in the Syracuse facility. The Mets are the "new parent team" of the Triple-A Syracuse Mets. The MLB team purchased the Int'l League franchise after the '17 season, but "this is the first year it will stock the Syracuse roster with its prospects" (SYRACUSE.com, 3/12).

South Carolina Athletics Tabs Legends To Study Stadium

The Univ. of South Carolina athletic department has partnered with Legends to conduct a comprehensive study of Williams-Brice Stadium, with a focus on enhancing the fan experience. Starting Thursday, South Carolina fans will receive an email survey requesting feedback to help guide long-term decisions regarding the future of the football venue. The project will expand into the future beyond the $21M slate of work that is currently proposed for the stadium in '20 (Legends).

Rhode Island Lawmakers Set For Vote On Mobile Sports Betting

Rhode Island lawmakers are voting on a bill today to "expand sports betting by allowing such gambling to move online." Rhode Island is the only New England state that allows sports betting, but currently bets "must be placed in person at the Twin River casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton." The bill under consideration would "allow for the creation of an app that people could use to access the sports betting offerings at Twin River Casino." If it passes the state House of Representatives, it "goes to the governor’s desk" (AP, 3/12).

Speed Reads....

The Falcons and Broncos "will kick off" the NFL preseason in the '19 HOF Game on Thursday, Aug. 1 (AJC.com, 3/12).

Clio Sports named ESPN's Katie Nolan the host of its sixth annual awards ceremony on June 13 (Clio Sports).

Morgan Stanley announced the return of the Morgan Stanley Eagles for Impact Challenge at The Players Championship before the PGA Tour event gets underway Thursday (Morgan Stanley).

St. Louis-area brewer Center Ice tonight "will begin serving one of its beers" at Enterprise Center during Blues home games (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/12).

Quick Hits....

"I explained to them that my integrity means everything. I think they respect that about me" -- DE Michael Bennett, newly traded to the Patriots, saying he informed Patriots execs that he will continue to remain in the locker room during the national anthem (ESPN.com, 3/12).

Twitter Me This....

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

Daily Downloads....

You may have slept on the fact that yesterday was National Napping Day, but the Nuggets and sponsor Western Union did not:

Meanwhile, SI TV promotes the new season of the digital series "The Wilder Project" with this clip of Charlotte Wilder fly fishing with longtime NFL coach Jeff Fisher.

Daily Digit....

1 Billion -- Approximate number of WWE followers across various social media platforms, including the official feeds of the property as well as those of its athletes and other associated entities. The totals consist of 501 million Facebook likes, 226 million Instagram followers, 221 million Twitter followers and 46 million YouTube subscribers (WWE).