Warner Bros. Discovery has become the first Hollywood conglomerate "to turn a streaming profit for a full year." For the year 2023, the company reported a streaming profit of $103M, compared with a loss of nearly $2.1B for all of 2022. During Q4, the streaming segment at WBD posted a loss of $55M in adjusted EBITDA, compared with a year-ago loss of $217M. Streaming segment revenue "continued to grow, helped by subscriber price increases and higher advertising revenue, driven by Max U.S. ad-lite subscriber gains." In the first quarter, it had "swung to" a $50M profit from a year-ago loss of $65M. WBD today also "gave an update on its global streaming subscriber base," which had ended the third quarter at 95.1 million, down from 95.8 million in the second quarter. The company ended 2023 with a total of 97.7 million streaming subscribers. Streaming revenue for the fourth quarter increased 3% to more than $2.5B (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 2/23).

The opening of McKalla Station is the culmination of a years-long lobbying effort by Austin FCCapital Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Austin’s Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) will open a new rail station about 100 yards from the gates of Q2 Stadium on Saturday ahead of Austin FC’s 2024 season opener that evening against Minnesota United. All CapMetro rail customers will ride for free on Saturday courtesy of Q2 Stadium. 

The opening of McKalla Station is the culmination of a years-long lobbying effort by the MLS club, which also contributed $3M toward the roughly $60M project. Austin FC President Andy Loughnane said the existing commuter rail line adjacent to the stadium site played a meaningful role in the selection of the Q2 Stadium site back in 2018, but that the construction of a new station near the stadium “was by no means a sure thing” at the time. The station is part of Project Connect, a large infrastructure project funded by a 4% property tax increase that voters approved in 2020.  

In addition to the rail stop itself, Loughanne touted the potential impact of a new pedestrian crossing as part of the station on ingress and egress for walkers, rideshare users and those driving to games. It also unlocks 200 additional stadium parking spaces and establishes a connection between the stadium and surrounding neighborhood. He expects the additional transportation option and better ingress and egress experience to have a direct impact on the team’s bottom line. 

“People will be more apt to return, people might even be more apt to stay later and people will know with confidence that they have a safe ride home and maybe they're able to make the night a drinking night,” Loughnane said.  

He is also optimistic that the rail stop will make the venue more attractive to organizers of conferences and other events.

Josh Krulewitz, who took over as ESPN SVP/Communications at the start of 2024, has rolled out a new organizational structure for the ESPN communications department. Krulewitz will now have four direct VP reports -- Katina Arnold, Cecile Cross-Plummer, Monique Fahlstedt and Bill Hofheimer.

Fahlstedt’s new role is a promotion, with oversight of combat sports, tennis and the UFL. She will also oversee comms for the content creation team, operations, budgeting and ESPN Newsmaker events. Fahlstedt will be ESPN’s partner for the Disney Entertainment and ESPN Technology communications team as well.

Hofheimer also is getting a promotion, with oversight of all college sports, “SportsCenter” and other news/journalism programs (like “The Pat McAfee Show,” “E:60,” “PTI,” “Around the Horn” and “OTL”), the NHL, golf and motorsports. Hofheimer will also add government relations and ESPN social media content to his areas of responsibility.

Arnold adds responsibility for the NFL, NBA and MLB to her existing oversight of DTC/ESPN+ strategy, digital and investor relations. She will also work with the ESPN Talent Office and serve as ESPN’s rep for Disney’s Affiliate/DTC Center of Excellence communications team.

Cross-Plummer will assume oversight of all entertainment-related content, including “First Take,” “Get Up,” ESPN Films, the ESPYs, ESPN Bet, espnW and marketing. She will continue with oversight of Andscape, DEI communications, ESPN International, ESPN Deportes, soccer and the WNBA. Cross-Plummer will also lead a new visual communications team (including ESPN Images) and will serve as ESPN’s rep for Disney’s Ad Sales Center of Excellence communications team.

Kyle Field "could welcome the largest football crowd in the history of the United States" this June, as a journalist with Univson's TUDN network reported that Texas A&M's stadium will "host a friendly" between the Mexican and Brazilian men’s national soccer teams on June 8. Texas A&M Associate AD Alan Cannon "confirmed those talks are ongoing," but there is "no official announcement as of yet." The interest in both Brazil and Mexico, "paired with the novelty of watching them compete inside one of the largest stadiums in the world," could lead to "a new attendance record for a soccer game played on American soil." Kyle Field has the seating capacity for 102,733 fans, but it "has in the past increased its capacity by thousands through offering standing-room only tickets" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 2/22).

Here's a list of attendance records for soccer games played on U.S. soil: 

Meanwhile, the fallout from Lionel Messi’s absence for an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong "has resulted in two chances" to watch him play in the U.S. next month. Messi "will likely join Argentina ... for both matches" that are set up to help the club prepare for this summer’s Copa America tournament. Argentina will play El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on March 22 and Nigeria at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on March 26. The schedule means Messi would miss Inter Miami’s road game against the Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on March 23, but he "could play twice more" in the N.Y. area later this year (USA TODAY, 2/22).

As currently constructed, the Yankees' projected luxury-tax payroll stands at around $306.7MGetty Images

The Yankees are "already at a record payroll and above the highest luxury-tax threshold," but owner Hal Steinbrenner "indicated he is not closing his checkbook just yet." Steinbrenner: "Given where we are payroll-wise, any addition to the club is going to be a costly one, but I’m still willing to consider anything that comes my way. ... But we are not done trying to improve this team." As currently constructed, the Yankees' projected luxury-tax payroll stands at around $306.7M. Any dollar the Yankees spend beyond the highest luxury-tax threshold of $297M will come with a 110% tax (N.Y. POST, 2/22).

49ers QB Brock Purdy was "spotted on a commercial shoot" in S.F.'s Bernal Heights neighborhood yesterday alongside 49ers T Colton McKivitz. A "massive John Deere tractor was unloaded off a flatbed truck and parked steps away" from Bernal Heights. Crewmembers said that the shoot was "for a digital commercial for John Deere" that is "set to debut on social media in the next couple of weeks." Purdy appeared in an Instagram video late last year on fiancée Jenna Brandt's family farm operating a John Deere combine (CBSNEWS.com, 2/22).

New Mavericks ownership was on hand for last night's game against the Suns at America Airlines Center, as Miriam Adelson -- the Las Vegas casino magnate and fifth-richest woman in the world whose purchase of the Mavs was approved by the NBA in December -- was "in attendance for her first Mavericks game since formally taking control of the franchise," joined by son-in-law and Mavs governor Patrick Dumont (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/22).

UCF‘s Board of Trustees approved naming its proposed football operations building the Taylor A. Gerring Football Center. The move acknowledges a $5.5M financial gift from Gerring, a 2005 UCF graduate who is co-founder of Ethereum Foundation. The gift is the "largest single cash pledge given to the athletics department" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/22).

The Emirates FA Cup kicked off its inaugural trophy tour in the U.S. yesterday, with the NYC Takeover culminating with the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round Watch Parties on Feb. 27 and 28 (SBJ).

"I guess it’s kind of a turning of the tides. It signals that we’re here to compete and win instead of play and trade. It’s nice to see that" -- Pirates LF Brian Reynolds, on how the team locking up a number of free agents in the offseason has made players believe that they are all-in to win in the future (TRIBLIVE, 2/22).

The N.Y. TIMES goes with the header, "Jim Ratcliffe bought a chunk of Manchester United. Now he has to fix it." On Dec. 26, the Glazers announced that they had agreed to sell a minority stake in Manchester United to Ratcliffe. On Wednesday, as Ratcliffe outlined his vision, newspapers and websites "grabbed eagerly at the headline-ready quotes about new players, old rivals and stadium plans." But a closer listen to his words "suggested that the grueling sales process might have been the easy part." Reviving ManU -- "a trophy-winning machine a decade ago, in recent seasons reduced to something closer to a punchline" -- is "likely to be a yearslong process," he warned. Continued failure, Ratcliffe said, will "start to degrade the brand if you’re not careful." He was "less clear" about how his investment, as a minority shareholder, "will work in practice when it comes to major decisions."

Also:

• 'Wembley of the North' a laudable project -- but Sir Jim Ratcliffe should fund it himself.
• 'Formula 1: Drive to Survive' Season 6 Review: Buckle Up and Binge.
• What might an MLB owner ask Trevor Bauer? Here’s a transcript of what he had to say.
• What Florida sports betting looked like at the Daytona 500.
• The Lerners are holding on to the Nats. Here’s why that makes sense (for now).

WTA Ventures is looking for someone to fill its newly created VP/Marketing & Social Media. The position is responsible for overseeing athlete marketing, tournament marketing and social media. Meanwhile, the WTA is looking to fill a number of other roles in the content, marketing and media spaces (WTA Ventures).

FIFA is looking for a Head of Media Relations for FIFA World Cup 2026. The Miami-based position is responsible for working closely with the FIFA Communications team and others to deliver the roll-out and implementation of all media relations elements pertaining to FIFA26 (FIFA).

New Zealand Rugby is looking for a Chief Communications Officer. The position is based in Auckland (New Zealand Rugby).

The NCAA is looking for an SVP/Championships. The Indianapolis-based position is responsible for assessing, developing, activating and overseeing the direction, operation and management of 84 NCAA Championships across all three divisions (NCAA).

MLS is looking for a Dir of Media. The hybrid position based in N.Y. is responsible for leading business operations and project management for the MLS Media Team, focusing on live match and content production and acting as the day-to-day contact for Apple on production matters (MLS). 

IMG Academy is looking for a Dir of Soccer. The position is based in Bradenton, Fla., and is responsible leading the athletic delivery, operational performance and profitability of the Academy's Sport program (IMG Academy).

The Pistons are looking for a Premium Seating Executive. The Detroit-based position will sell premium seating and other ticket-related products for all venues, emphasizing contractual suite leases and loge boxes and courtside and club memberships (Pistons).

To have your job postings included in “Roster Spots" -- a feature in Morning Buzz on Fridays -- please send information to careers@sportsbusinessjournal.com.

...look for the STAR. ⭐

Exclusive @MLB x @Starter throwback jackets for all 30 teams drop 2.26. pic.twitter.com/tBz9uEnMVC

— HOMAGE (@HOMAGE) February 22, 2024

Every time I’ve seen the backlash addressed, all they do is talk about how light and flexible the jerseys are. They keep ignoring the whole letters looking stupid and being able to see everybody’s testicles thing. https://t.co/MntSuLZEdK

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) February 23, 2024

“The quality and the performance of our product is of the utmost importance to us. We will continue to work with MLB, the players and our manufacturing partner to address player uniforms.”

2/2

— Michael Silverman (@MikeSilvermanBB) February 23, 2024

Huh, I guess The Dynasty team must have missed this one when research Episode 4. Seems like a relevant part of the story. https://t.co/0RW2WtboGv pic.twitter.com/g0mUk7BTUb

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) February 23, 2024

So a Michigan player that went in the first round of the 2023 Draft let all his stuff get sold in a storage auction?!?

And included a 2022 Michigan Playbook!?!? pic.twitter.com/uGRSmxRVpP

— kwade (@KwadeSays) February 22, 2024

Chris Johnston on Insider Trading says NHL is monitoring the situation in Winnipeg, they have seen an above 30% drop in the last 3 years in their ticket base. Gary Bettman will be in Winnipeg on Tuesday to meet with some of the team’s important corporate sponsors.

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) February 22, 2024

"You're not gonna like it but the call on the ice was correct, no goal" 😭

WHAT A CALL FROM REFEREE GARRETT RANK 🔊 pic.twitter.com/btv8W3EElG

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 23, 2024

"About 30 miles from Florence, a little hill gives this tiny Tuscan town its name, familiar to American visitors."

"What is Monticello?"