Coach K ticket prices climb, UFC to debut new sponsorship signage at UFC 272 and the Bills are getting closer to a new stadium deal.
According to Logitix, the sticker shock continues if you want to see Mike Krzyzewski's final game at Duke, as ticket prices have skyrocketed on the secondary market. The largest purchase on one ticketing platform recorded a $39,000 single transaction for two tickets in section 19, row F. The minimum list price has been around $2,950 this week. The average list price for the game is $8,600, and the average sold ticket is $4,900 not including fees. And we still have one more day until the UNC Duke game tips at 6:00 PM Eastern on Saturday night on ESPN. If you're lucky enough to be at Cameron Indoor Stadium for this must-see event, let us know about your experience.
Good morning. It's Friday, March 4th, and this is your SBJ Morning Buzzcast. I'm David Albright filling in for Abe Madkour. Members of the MLB and the MLBPA both met on Thursday in New York for about 90 minutes and discussed key topics, including bargaining subjects and timing of future talks. The talks wound up having two people from each side, including MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Hallam, and Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, Morgan Sword. On the union side were Lead Negotiator Bruce Meyer and General Counsel Ian Penny. There were no formal proposals exchanged, and it's also unknown when the two sides will meet again. With the smaller group, there was a sense that both sides want to reduce the media circus aspect of this process moving forward.
WWE has terminated its partnership with Russian broadcaster Match and shut down WWE Network in Russia effective immediately. The move eliminates legal access in Russia to any WWE programming. In its previous filings, WWE doesn't break out revenue figures in Russia, but it saw 148 million in revenue in 2021 across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, representing less than 15% of the company's 1.09 billion in annual revenue. Meanwhile, DraftKings Sportsbook is no longer offering bets on sports leagues and events in Russia and Belarus in wake of the invasion of the Ukraine. This includes the KHL.
While there's more camera visible signage than ever in and around the field of play in pro sports, Ultimate Fighting Championship is adding still more for Saturday's UFC 272 event in Las Vegas, per our Terry Lefton. A new LED decking system will provide additional signage, including full motion HD video capabilities around the perimeter of the UFC Octagon. Sponsors utilizing the new system will include MANSCAPED and the Elden Ring video game. UFC has been testing the system for more than a year and plans to have it at all domestic events and in use overseas later this year. And UFC has already surpassed last year's sponsorship revenues, which will make 2022 its third straight record year in that area.
A deal is nearly at hand to build a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills. Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the State of New York, and Erie County are getting very close on a cost sharing arrangement that would be among the most team friendly splits in recent NFL memory. Earlier this week, The Buffalo News reported that the public sector would pay more than one billion on a $1.4 billion stadium project. Our Ben Fischer reports those numbers are correct, but need some clarifying. The more than one billion figure includes annual contributions to maintenance and capital expenditure funds above and beyond the stadium's $1.4 billion construction budget. The public share of the actual construction would be closer to $850 million.
Even in its most conservative framing, the New York public looks to be on the hook for upwards of 60% of the cost. That would be the first NFL stadium with majority public funding since Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and State Farm Stadium in Arizona opened in 2008. Everyone involved cautions that issues remain and substantive negotiations must continue, and the timeline is starting to get urgent. The NFL's Joint Stadium Finance Committee will meet next Wednesday. The NFL League Meetings start March 27th, and the state government must approve its share of the cost by March 31st to get it in this year's budget.
A couple of quick notes to round out the Buzzcast. CNBC will air two hours of live horse racing for the first time on Saturday, including two major prep races for the Kentucky Derby, per our Liz Mullen. The network will air seven stakes races, one every 15 minutes, from Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Eastern. The telecast will be followed over the next month by two additional pre Kentucky Derby shows on CNBC.
And the NHL revealed that the Carolina Hurricanes' long awaited outdoor game at NC State's Carter-Finley Stadium will be played against the Washington Capitals on February 18th, 2023, as part of the Stadium Series. It will mark the first outdoor game for the Hurricanes and the fourth for the Caps. The game will be the 13th NHL Stadium Series game and the 37th NHL regular season outdoor game.
Finally, a little help with your busy calendar. If you haven't already, it's time to save the date of May 18th for the 2022 Sports Business Awards. The ceremony will be back live and in person at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. For more information on the program and how to attend, go to the events page on sportsbusinessjournal.com. May 18th, mark your calendar. That's your SBJ Morning Buzzcast for Friday. Hope everyone has a great day, an even better weekend, and we'll see you back here Monday morning.