Jun 2021 staff moves and sports business industry news in one spot — updated as they happen, so make sure you check back regularly.
Jun 1, 2021
Nashville Superspeedway partners with Middle Tennessee Electric to provide the track with 100 percent renewable electricity through renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by MTE’s nearby, 4-acre, 3,000-panel solar field in College Grove, Tenn. Nashville Superspeedway’s power use for its upcoming NASCAR race weekend is expected at approximately 500,000 kwh of electricity. That’s the equivalent to powering around 4,250 homes for three days or for one car to travel 685,023 laps (890,500 miles) around the Superspeedway.
Jun 3, 2021
Fox Sports announces a revival of the United States Football League (USFL) with Fox serving as the league’s official TV partner. Fox has an ownership stake in the reconstituted league along with co-founder Brian Woods, CEO of The Spring League, which also airs on Fox (and will also continue to exist). The USFL will re-start with a minimum of eight teams and has access to all the original USFL league and team intellectual property.
The USFL is back! Catch all the action next year on FOX Sports.
Listen as @USFLOfficial’s iconic #22 @DougFlutie weighs in on the league’s return in 2022. pic.twitter.com/K0Hw0N54rp
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 3, 2021
Jun 8, 2021
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announces that San Diego, Calif., will be home to an NWSL expansion team, set to begin play in Spring 2022. Jill Ellis, the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winning manager, will serve as President of the San Diego NWSL team, which is owned by investor Ron Burkle. Burkle has tapped business associate Matt Alvarez to lead the project. The club’s name, crest, head coach and venue partner will be announced at a later date.
Jun 14, 2021
Angel City FC unveils Jane Walker, “a symbol of the Johnnie Walker brand’s commitment to progress in gender equality,” as the team’s founding and exclusive spirits partner. This partnership is a first for Jane Walker in sports and “marks the brand’s ongoing commitment to women who have pushed boundaries and blazed trails to achieve monumental firsts in culture.” Through the Angel City Sponsorship Model, Jane Walker and ACFC will collaborate to re-allocate 10 percent of the value of their sponsorship to help create more opportunities for women. Together with ACFC, Jane Walker will continue its support of women-owned business funding marketplace, IFundWomen. The partnership will provide grant funding to Los Angeles-based businesses identified in collaboration with ACFC and will be announced throughout the partnership, with the inaugural grant recipient given to MODEFYwear, an activewear company “that allows women to embrace their heritage without making sacrifices.”
Jun 15, 2021
Columbus Crew and Lower announce a long-term partnership that includes naming rights to the Crew’s new downtown home, which will be named Lower.com Field, effective immediately. Lower becomes the team’s Official Mortgage Partner and the Presenting Partner to the Crew’s Mini-Pitch Project. Lower is also the Entitlement Partner to the East Field Club, which is set to be named the “Lower.com Lounge.” On matchdays, for each goal scored by the Crew, Lower will donate $1,000 to Healthy Homes. In addition for each goal scored in the regular season, supporters will unlock $500 toward their home financing, up to $1,500. Lower also becomes an Associate Partner to the Columbus Crew Foundation Give Forward platform that serves challenged youth, encouraging healthy and positive lifestyles, honoring the military and keeping Columbus beautiful. Legends Global Partnerships represented the Crew in putting the sponsorship together.
Jun 21, 2021
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) awards the city of Las Vegas an expansion franchise to begin play in Fall 2022 as the NLL’s 15th team. The new franchise will be co-owned by Wayne Gretzky, Dustin Johnson, Steve Nash and Joe Tsai. Mark Fine has been named the new team’s CEO. The team will play at MGM Resorts International’s Michelob ULTRA Arena (located inside Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and also home to the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces) beginning with the 2022-23 season.
Jun 28, 2021
National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum names Josh Rawitch its new President, effective Sep 9. Until that date, Jeff Idelson will continue in his current role as Interim President, which he has held since returning to the Hall of Fame on May 15 following the resignation of Tim Mead.
Jun 29, 2021
Formula 1 announces Crypto.com as the inaugural global partner of F1’s new Sprint series for 2021. Crypto.com will also become the Official Cryptocurrency Sponsor and NFT Partner of F1. The company will also have a trackside presence at every race for the remainder of the 2021 season. Reports peg the deal’s value at $100 million.
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Header photo via USFL Updated: Ju1 1, 2021