Sports Business Journal

The College Football Playoff is expected to remain at 12 teams for the 2026 season, a source confirmed to our Ben Portnoy 🏈 The decision comes after Power Four Conference commissioners and their Group of Six constituents met in Miami Beach to discuss potential expansion to 16 or 24 teams. The final call ultimately came down to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, who essentially control future format decisions through changes to the CFP governance structure, but remain split on what comes next. MORE: https://ow.ly/PPyS50Y1OQb

The Washington Spirit have re-signed F Trinity Rodman to a three-year contract, the terms of which the club declined to disclose ⚽ The 23-year-old’s contract is believed to be the first to make use of the NWSL’s recently created High Impact Player (HIP) mechanism, established to provide teams with additional funds beyond the salary cap to retain and acquire star players. In 2026, each team can spend up $1M beyond the $3.5M cap, though the NWSL Players Association has filed a grievance claiming the rule violates the terms of the league’s CBA and federal labor law. https://ow.ly/S7Jt50Y1Kc1

America’s first soccer-specific stadiums were built around the turn of the century for a Major League Soccer whose future was uncertain at best, so you were bare bones 🚧 FC Dallas and the city of Frisco began a $182 million renovation of Toyota Stadium last year, a multiyear project to be completed in 2028. The project adds four-sided entry, more points-of-sale and restrooms, a new video board, and a canopy that covers every seat, plus three clubs and more premium seating. https://ow.ly/GcPK50Y0gff

Private equity is pushing sports dealmaking into a new era 📈 After a banner 2025, sports finance leaders expect even more M&A activity, higher valuations, and more complex deal structures ahead. As new leagues multiply and investor appetite grows, the next wave of capital is expected to hit college sports, sports-adjacent businesses, and women’s leagues in a more strategic way, with consolidation and potential IPO entrants on the horizon. MORE: https://ow.ly/Kp9250Y0HKl

NBC and ESPN set NFL Divisional audience records Snow-filled Divisional games delivered historic viewership. NBC’s Rams–Bears matchup drew 45.4M viewers, marking the network’s most-watched Divisional game ever. ESPN and ABC followed with 37.9M for Patriots–Texans, the largest audience in ESPN history and ABC’s biggest sporting event outside the Super Bowl since 2014. https://ow.ly/e2H550Y1lLH

The Atlantic Coast Conference’s move to Charlotte is more than a change of address. It’s a modernized hub built for how college sports operates today. After more than 70 years in Greensboro, the ACC relocated its headquarters to uptown Charlotte in August 2023. The 27,313-square-foot office supports league governance, media operations, and officiating across 18 member schools in 12 states. Office highlights include: ▪️25 assigned offices + 27 workstations ▪️Hoteling workspaces and focus rooms ▪️Nine meeting spaces ▪️Informal huddle areas, lounges, and wellness amenities ▪️Flexible seating for championship and event weeks MORE: https://ow.ly/smqt50Y0FC0

Jessica Pegula lands first global athlete deal for Blueair. WTA No. 6 Jessica Pegula has signed a sponsorship with Swedish air purifier brand Blueair through the end of 2026. The agreement marks Blueair’s first global athlete partnership as the brand makes its initial move into sports marketing. Activations will include digital and social campaigns, storytelling content, and an in-person presence at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. https://ow.ly/vAxC50Y1azy

TGL enters gaming with PGA Tour Pro Golf partnership 🎮 TGL has reached a milestone in its digital expansion, appearing in a video game for the first time through a partnership with HypGames and PGA Tour Pro Golf on Apple Arcade. The collaboration introduces four TGL-designed holes and new Hammer-style tournaments that mirror the league’s fast-paced, clock-driven format. A dedicated solo campaign also highlights TGL teams, challenges, and gear. The move reinforces TGL’s tech-forward strategy and its push to engage fans across interactive platforms. https://ow.ly/NBGC50Y1abf

Lightning secure Tampa future with lease extension through 2043 The Tampa Bay Lightning will remain at Amalie Arena through at least 2043 after Hillsborough County commissioners unanimously approved a six-year lease extension. The agreement includes a $250M county commitment toward arena renovations funded through the tourist development tax. The Lightning must invest an additional $75M in upgrades to fully unlock the public funding, reinforcing a shared commitment to keeping the franchise in Tampa long term. The deal also includes significant financial penalties should the team attempt to relocate, further solidifying Tampa Bay as a long-term NHL market. (via Tampa Bay Times)

CBS delivered the most-watched Saturday NFL Divisional playoff game on record as the Broncos’ overtime win over the Bills averaged 39.6 million viewers. The audience surpassed the previous high of 37.5 million set by the 49ers-Packers game on Fox in January 2024 and marked a 17 percent increase from last season’s Chiefs-Texans game in the same window. Viewership peaked at 51.3 million during overtime, making it the most-watched Saturday telecast on any network since the 1994 Winter Olympics. Fox averaged 32 million viewers for Seahawks-49ers on Saturday night, down year over year but still a strong showing for the primetime window. Sunday Divisional playoff figures are expected later this week. MORE: https://ow.ly/psP550Y19gg