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Disney, Charter stocks up after dispute resolution...Judge grants restraining order on Pac-12 meeting...Manchester United in talks with Qualcomm for shirt sponsorship

Disney, Charter stocks up after dispute resolution

Disney stock "jumped" early today after it reached a deal to "end its pricing dispute" with Charter Communications, whose stock also climbed early today. Disney stock surged 1.7% after having "slumped more than 4% in 2023" (INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY, 9/11). Meanwhile, FuboTV shares fell after Disney and Charter reached their deal, "giving back much of its gains for the month that were sparked by the Disney-Charter dispute." Charter during the dispute had "encouraged affected customers to try a free trial of FuboTV" (MARKET WATCH, 9/11).

CNBC's Alex Sherman writes the media industry was "duped" into thinking the Disney-Charter dispute "wasn’t a normal carriage fight." Tonight's Week 1 "MNF" game has "always been the primary deadline on carriage deals for decades," and this time was no different. The deal itself also is "not a groundbreaking deal." It is an "incremental deal suggestive of a slow-moving landscape where media companies aren’t yet ready to let go of cable, a declining multibillion dollar cash generating behemoth" It is a "happy ending for cable consumers," but it is "not a transformative deal" (CNBC.com, 9/11).

Judge grants restraining order on Pac-12 meeting

A judge has ruled in favor of Washington State and Oregon State, "placing a temporary restraining order" on a Pac-12 BOD meeting on Wednesday that was expected to include the schools departing from the conference. Attorneys on behalf of WSU and OSU argued in Whitman County (Wash.) Court today that if the schools leaving the Pac-12 are allowed to go to a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, they will "never get the chance to see if the conference will survive." Attorneys on behalf on Pac-12 said that if the meeting cannot go on Wednesday, the conference will "continue to 'hemorrhage' employees." The Pac-12 also urged the court to allow the meeting to continue on Wednesday to "at least to be able to discuss key issues like employee retention within the Pac-12" (KXLY.com, 9/11).

ManU in talks with Qualcomm for shirt sponsorship

Manchester United is in "advanced talks over a new front-of-shirt sponsorship with the U.S. technology company Qualcomm." The Premier League club is "targeting a deal that would see them earn" $75.1M per year. It is "highly unlikely the deal would come into force this season," given that "many replica shirts will already have been sold, and therefore it would be expected to commence in time for the next campaign." ManU has been searching for a new jersey sponsor since Germany-based software firm TeamViewer announced last year that it did "not intend to renew" the five-year deal signed in 2021 and worth about $50.5M per year. ManU and TeamViewer in December reached an agreement that provided the club with the "option to buy back the rights to their front-of-shirt sponsorship." ManU have an existing relationship with Qualcomm (THE ATHLETIC, 9/11).

DraftKings criticized for 9/11-themed bet on app

DraftKings received "heavy backlash on social media" today after it "posted a 9/11-themed parlay on its app." The DraftKings app on Sunday night featured a parlay named "Never Forget," which included betting on the Mets, Yankees and Jets to win today. The parlay was "available on the app Sunday night and was up Monday morning," with people "disapproving of the sports betting company attempting to profit off 9/11." The parlay was "taken down" today, and DraftKings "posted an apology for featuring it" (USA TODAY, 9/11).

Texas' Quinn Ewers signs NIL deal with C4 Energy

Energy drink brand C4 Energy has signed an NIL partnership with Texas QB Quinn Ewers following him leading UT to a win over Alabama on Saturday. Adding an endorsement contract with C4 "could be the start of a slew of agreements." C4 has "long-term ambassador contracts" with NFLers including Justin Fields, Bijan Robinson and C.J. Stroud. If UT can "continue to roll, plenty of well-known companies could be lining up to work with the quarterback." Ewers signed "at least six endorsement deals last season" (ON3, 9/10).

Bengals partner with insuretech firm Bold Penguin

Columbus-based insuretech firm Bold Penguin has "inked its second national pro sports sponsorship," with the Bengals. The team named Bold Penguin its "Official Commercial Insurance Technology Partner," with the partnership highlighting the platform's "aim to simplify commercial insurance for small businesses." The deal includes a "presence in Paycor Stadium." Bold Penguin also continues to be the home helmet sponsor for the Penguins (COLUMBUS INNO, 9/11).

AFL men, women to vote on new pay deal

The Australian Football League's male and female players will "vote on a landmark deal" this week worth more than $2.2B (all figures Aus) over five years after a "major breakthrough" in CBA talks. A source said that the deal would "ensure significant increases in the salary cap for male players" and that the "minimum annual salary for AFLW players" would reach $70,000 by 2026. The average AFL player’s wage in 2022 was $400,000 per year. The $2.2B package also is expected to "more than double the annual funding allocated to support past players and programs providing assistance." A joint deal between men and women would be the "first in the game’s history and increase investment in the AFLW competition while ensuring the men benefit financially from the growth in the game by continuing to share in its revenue" (Melbourne AGE, 9/11).

This Week in History: Serena wins first major title

By Trevona Williams

September 11, 1999 -- Serena Williams wins her first Grand Slam tournament, defeating Martina Hingis to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1999 U.S. Open. It was her first of a record 23 major singles titles and the first of her six U.S. Open titles. Williams became the first African American woman in the Open Era to win a singles major.

Also happening this week:

September 12, 1988 -- The first NFL regular season game is played in Phoenix between the Cowboys and Cardinals.
September 12, 1994 -- The first issue of Sports Business Daily is published.
September 13, 1949 -- The Ladies Pro Golf Association of America is formed in N.Y.
September 13, 1973 -- ABC announces it has obtained TV rights for the 1976 Montreal Games.
September 14, 1994 -- MLB team owners vote to cancel the remainder of the 1994 season, continuing a labor dispute with the MLBPA.

Speed Reads....

The USHL has named Anthony Veltri Business & Hockey Operations Manager. Veltri joins the USHL after working with Cross Country Healthcare in Pittsburgh where he assisted in compliance and administrative support for healthcare professionals in ten markets. In his role with the USHL, Veltri will perform a variety of duties including liaising with USHL organizations with business and hockey operations responsibilities (USHL).

Social Scoop....

Daily Download....

ESPN debuted a new spot from in collaboration with Arts & Letters ahead of the first "Monday Night Football" matchup of the season between the Jets and Bills. In “Ready. Check. Football," ESPN highlights how readiness plays out in the football world.

Check out Sports Business Journal's weekly issue

Don't miss this week's issue of SBJ. In this week's issue, we solicited advice and insight from some of the NFL's most tenured and successful owners as the Commanders' Josh Harris embarks on his first season at the helm of the franchise. Also, an MLS club revenue record is set to fall, thanks to Lionel Messi; a baseball legend embraces his brave new world of podcasts; and behind the scenes of a college football kickoff event.

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