Maryland gets approval for mobile sports betting, MLS and Apple detail their new streaming service and UCLA goes in front of its Board of Regents.
Maryland gets approval for mobile sports betting, MLS and Apple detail their new streaming service and UCLA goes in front of its Board of Regents.
St. Louis City SE Stadium City Park opened its doors to the public for the first time Wednesday evening as St. Louis City two, the club's developmental squad played a club from Bayer Lever, CUSN part of Germany's Bundesliga. This was considered a soft opening for the stadium that seats 22,500 and experienced electrical issues in the past few months. The grand opening will come when Citi plays its first Major League soccer match. Most likely in early March, the match was sold out, though there were some empty seats. Not too surprising considering it was 32 degrees at kickoff by lever cues and won the match. Three nil. Good morning. It's Thursday, November 17th. This is your SJ Morning buzz cast. I'm David Albright. Filling in for a mad core. 10 companies were approved for mobile sports betting licenses on Wednesday, paving the way from Marylanders to legally gamble on their cell phones.
Next week, Maryland beds will be able to wager using the following companies. Barto Sports Book, bet Fred be MGM BET Parks Bet Rivers. Caesars Draft Kings fanatics fan du and Points bet the licensees must complete a controlled demonstration for state regulators before they can begin operation. The exact date of the launch is not yet known, but it is expected to be before Thanksgiving, which is only a week away. The college football playoff board of managers met virtually on Wednesday and was able to resolve issues tied to revenue distribution for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. If the CFP is to expand from four to 12 teams before the end of its current contract, the revenue distribution model agreed upon by the board, we'll make payouts more even per Power five School. The compromise reduces disparity and allows the focus to be on per school payouts instead of per league payouts.
That then gets sliced different ways based on varying membership size. Payouts to the group of five leagues remains unchanged. Such an agreement would only be in place for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. If the CFP chooses to expand early, the CFP will sign an entirely new contract for 2026 and beyond. And those involved anticipate that many issues will be on the table. Again. At that point, MLS and Apple revealed that the league's new streaming service featuring every live match will be called MLS Season Pass and launch February 1st ahead of the 2023 season. Season pass, which will be available through Apple tv, will cost fans 1499 per month during the season or $99 for the entire season. Existing Apple TV plus subscribers will receive a discounted price of 1299 per month and $79 per season. And season ticket holders for MLS clubs will receive a complimentary subscription.
The service is the centerpiece of the 10 year $2.5 billion deal MLS signed with Apple earlier this year. All mls, regular season playoff and leagues cup matches will be available to stream in more than 100 countries and regions. Fans also will have access to a live whip around show during matches in the style of nfl, red Zone mls Next Pro and MLS Next matches will also be offered on Season Pass. League has set its plans to SSL cast select matches on linear tv, but is yet to announce deals with any broadcast partners. The University of California Board of Regents today could declare their intentions on UCLA's move to the Big 10 and what might go down as one of the most monumental days in the history of UCLA athletics. The agenda for the meeting at uc, San Francisco's Mission Bay campus has been revised to add an action item that would allow the regions to intervene or withdraw any objections to UCLA's move in the event.
There is a consensus during the open session. UCLA Chancellor Jean Block and AD Martin Jarman are expected to attend the meeting. Among the issues that we'll be discussed are additional financial expenditures that UCLA is committed to providing for its athletes. Because of the increased travel associated with a Coast to coast conference, the school is projected to make between 65 and 75 million in media rights revenue alone during the first year of conference membership with additional income from CFP and NCAA tournament distributions that would likely dwarf foot the Bruins would make by remaining in the PAC 12. The conference switch would also prevent UCLA from eliminating Olympic sports. Something the school has said was a possibility given the 102.8 million athletic department deficit. The ACC in a show of solidarity will honor Virginia with League-wide initiatives during this weekend in the wake of the shooting deaths of three UVA football players.
Among the initiatives are special helmet decals designed by the conference office and a moment of silence will be observed at all ACC home football games. This weekend, UVA canceled Saturday's scheduled home game against Coastal Carolina. No decision has been made on the season finale against Virginia Tech on November 26th in Blacksburg. We'll close on a programming note. Join s BJ for our Media Innovators event in New York City on November 30th and December 1st, this year's Media Innovators will bring together the individuals and companies reshaping the media industry. Some of the featured speakers include Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBC Universal Television and streaming, Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN and sports content for the Walt Disney Company. And Jay Marine, vice President of Prime Video and Global Head of Sports at Amazon. You'll hear from these executives and more to view the full agenda and to register for the event, visit sports business journal.com and that's your SJ morning buzz cast for Thursday. I hope everyone has a great day and we'll see you back here tomorrow morning.