The evolution of content creation and media distribution was outlined today at SBJ’s Media Innovators in N.Y. as Bruins & Delaware North CEO Charlie Jacobs, Magic CEO Alex Martins and Jazz President Jim Olson discussed their respective team's approach to media and media distribution. Martins described the Magic’s current standing as “sort of in limbo” due to the Diamond Sports Group/Bally Sports bankruptcy. While it is “business as usual” with Bally Sports, Martins said that the team has been “doing a lot of contingency planning.” He said that to help curb the RSN disruption, it is a combination of solutions from both the team and the NBA. Jacobs said the direct-to-consumer service NESN 360 has “raised our game” in terms of fan and audience engagement. Additionally, Olson detailed how the team airing games over-the-air on KJZZ and on their DTC platform Jazz+ positions them to “control our own destiny.”

Quick Hits:

• Martins, on the future of media distribution: “When you talk about direct to consumer and it's a younger demographic, there's no doubt about it, but in my opinion, and from what we've seen, there's still always going to be that market for linear. ... It's going to have to be a combination of linear and a direct to consumer.”
• Jacobs, on where the sports industry can improve: “I feel it's an incumbent upon us to educate our fan base. And in particular in hockey, there's a bit of a learning curve. ... I would like to see us get back to educating our fan base through the storytelling that we do on our broadcast or on our direct to consumer stories.”
• Olson, on the success of Jazz+: “We've surpassed 15,000 subscribers in the state of Utah for our direct consumer, for Jazz+. There is a market for everybody and every type of content and channel, and you've got to figure that out and reach those people.” 

The importance of having different and unique perspectives when it comes to engaging and delivering content was discussed today during a panel at SBJ’s Media Innovators in N.Y., with ESPN EVP/Programming & Acquisitions Rosalyn Durant saying, “Fans like choice, they like to have options." Durant added that is "one of the great things about having multiple networks and multiple platforms is we have different places where we can tell stories and unique and creative and sometimes really innovative ways.” WWE VP/Digital Steve Braband said the promotion has looked at further alternate broadcasts including working with their stars to have them “discuss the shows and events live in real time.”

AI also came up as a topic of discussion around what is next for content and WSC Sports GM & Head of Business Development, Americas Amir Gelman said he thinks generative AI in sports is going to be a game changer for a lot of things, including in specific use cases like commentary. Amazon VP/U.S. Sports Content & Partnerships Marie Donoghue noted while "not all decisions are made by data," it is "obviously incredibly important." Donoghue: "It's the number one way to listen to and understand your audience and the performance."

At today's SBJ Media Innovators conference in N.Y., ESPN's Rosalyn Durant talked about the recent Toy Story-inspired NFL game. Durant: "It was not easy. And these things do not happen fast. But we know that will all of our partners, it is so much about expanding reach and trying to reach difference audiences.” Hear her full comment below.

Craig Breslow was introduced today as the Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer, and he stressed that he is "willing to make the hard decisions necessary to deliver" winning baseball back to Fenway Park. Breslow: "I understand that some of you will see me as another Ivy League nerd with a baseball front office job. It’s true. I am that. But I’m also a 13-year big leaguer and a 2013 Boston Red Sox World Series champion. I know what it takes to win here." When asked about financial limitations for going out and signing new players, Breslow said, "I don’t see financial resources as a limiting factor." And while he said there's the possibility of bringing in a GM in the future, he's "currently I’m not feeling a rush to do that." Breslow: "I think there are some decisions that are more pressing.” Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy listed the reasons why the team hired Breslow, citing Breslow's "unmatched clarity of vision of the department … his baseball intelligence" and "his incredible experience as a major league baseball player" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/2). 

The Bengals have signed Western & Southern Financial Group to a sponsorship deal that "makes it an official partner of the team." Western & Southern’s brand will be "featured on signs" in Paycor Stadium that are "visible to TV cameras" during game broadcasts. The brand also will be featured elsewhere as part of the deal. Terms were not announced. It's the first time the insurance, investment advisory and real estate firm has been a sponsorship partner with the Bengals (CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER, 11/2).

RedBird Capital Partners is "considering a potential sale" of Ligue 1 club Toulouse FC. RedBird, which acquired an 85% stake in Toulouse in 2020, has "built a stable of sporting investments that also includes" Serie A club AC Milan. Earlier this year, UEFA looked into a "possible conflict of interest stemming from both Toulouse and AC Milan potentially competing in the same European competition." UEFA ultimately "cleared the clubs to play after they agreed to take steps to ensure they were run independently." RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale "resigned from Toulouse’s board ahead of the UEFA ruling" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 11/2).

Coverage of the Women’s Super League "has seen a significant drop in viewership" in the early weeks of the season, according to figures from the Women’s Sport Trust. The opening 10 matches broadcast across the BBC and Sky Sports "have seen viewing hours fall" 25.8% in comparison to the same number of matches at the start of last season, "although there has been a decline in the length of coverage and one fewer BBC match so far." The BBC has experienced what the trust describes as a "slight increase in average audiences," but Sky’s average audiences "have been particularly badly affected," dropping 20.5% year-on-year. On the other hand, match-going fan numbers have increased, with Aston Villa, Bristol City and Arsenal (over 54,000) "among those to break their WSL attendance records" (London TIMES, 11/2).

The NWSL signed a multiyear renewal of its partnership with Nationwide, the league’s exclusive insurance partner and presenting sponsor of the Nationwide Community Impact Award since 2021. With the extension, Nationwide will also maintain its position as a non-exclusive partner in the investment and retirement planning category (NWSL).

Talks are "heating up" between Inter Miami and Gremio F Luis Suárez on a contract that would see him join former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi "as early as December." The two sides have reportedly been "exchanging emails and trying to come to terms" for a one-year deal for the 2024 season with an option for 2025 (MIAMI HERALD, 11/2).

Organizers of Pickleball Slam 2, the follow-up pickleball showcase event featuring Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova, have finalized plans for the amateur tournament preceding the main event scheduled for Feb. 4 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The 64-team doubles tournament will be held in Miami Beach and feature a $25,000 prize purse, with winners of the championship and consolation brackets again getting the chance to face off against the former pro tennis players (Chris Smith, SBJ).

Telemundo signed a multiyear and multi-platform media rights agreement to continue to be the exclusive home of Liga MX club C.D. Guadalajara in the U.S. in Spanish and English. The agreement will include coverage of all home matches and key friendlies in the U.S. across Telemundo, Universo and Peacock, and all Telemundo digital platforms (Telemundo).

F1 said that the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is "'not at risk' of cancellation despite unrest in the region caused by the Israel-Hamas war." This comes following speculation on social media today that "safety concerns" could lead to the race, scheduled for November 24-26, being cancelled (SKY SPORTS, 11/2).

“(We're) Trying it out. It’s available for us. Don’t think it’s a bad thing. I’ll probably try it out for a little bit and see where it goes" -- Penguins D Erik Karlsson on he and three teammates trying out neck guards during practice today (ATHLETIC, 11/2).

“It’s probably the best marketplace for performance running footwear that I’ve seen in 20 years” -- Brooks Running CEO Jim Weber, on global revenue and e-commerce sales being up (Yahoo Finance, 11/2).

“What a volatile stock … but this is a name, as long as you have the stomach to own it for longer term, it should continue to move higher. But it’s not going to linear” -- KKM Financial founder & CEO Jeff Kilburg, on shares of DraftKings rising slowly but having room to grow (“The Exchange,” CNBC, 11/2).

“He went very much against the Raider way by hiring Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, don’t be surprised if in this hiring process he doubles-down on everything that he believes and grew up with what the Raiders are about” -- NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, on Raiders owner Mark Davis looking to hire a new coach and GM (“The Insiders,” NFL Network, 11/2).

“They go through this every three or four years because of the combination between Ticketmaster and the venues. This time looks a little bit more benign. This looks more like they want to talk to the acts and see if there are anti-competitive conversations going on, like, ‘If you don’t play our venue in Detroit then you can’t play our venue in Los Angeles.’  Don’t think that’s an existential threat to the company” -- CNBC contributor Josh Brown, on the Dept. of Justice investigating Live Nation for anti-competition practices (“Fast Money Halftime Report,” CNBC, 11/2).

From talking to folks on Wall St. and in Silicon Valley who are close to the deal, the framework agreement is falling apart. Fenway Partners, the NY-based private equity firm, has put in a monster bid to usurp the PIF. It looks increasingly likely we go back to LIV vs. the Tour. https://t.co/jfAvBO4B9y

— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) November 2, 2023

Breslow’s welcome at the local Top Golf facility…. pic.twitter.com/eaRrhY4IXI

— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) November 2, 2023

Congratulations to the Texas Rangers on their World Series win! pic.twitter.com/3ytn8uGi8V

— Sphere (@SphereVegas) November 2, 2023

The Dallas Morning News today, on the Rangers' historic World Series win 👏 pic.twitter.com/V5YyUww4IV

— WFAA (@wfaa) November 2, 2023

We're just ONE DAY AWAY from the start of the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament 👀

Watch opening night of Group Play Friday, November 3rd on ESPN and the NBA App! pic.twitter.com/602lHQjks8

— NBA (@NBA) November 2, 2023

A look at the "Tunnel Club," which will be sandwiched between the Lakers and LA Kings locker rooms at Crypto. Fans will be able to watch the Kings take the ice and the Lakers take the court. Construction will begin after the Clippers' season ends and they move to the Intuit Dome. pic.twitter.com/7K4S7HHz8w

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) November 2, 2023

Pro Football HOFer Eric Dickerson and National Soccer HOFer Alexi Lalas will appear on Fox's "Hell's Kitchen."

Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk made his return to "Hot Ones" recently, where he spoke with Sean Evans about a number of topics. 

10,000 -- Brooks Running CEO Jim Weber said he thinks “we’ll have almost 10,000 people” competing in the New York City Marathon “running in our shoes on Sunday” (“Squawk Box,” CNBC, 11/2).