Sep 6, 2026 | Edition #16
👋 Good evening, folks!
A losing team just sold for $4 billion. Meanwhile, the Clippers imploded over a multi-million side deal nobody was supposed to notice. Except someone did, and now the Clippers are in a mess. Amid all these, teams are finding a new gold mine in fan data. In today’s edition, we’ll delve into all three stories that show the real business rarely has anything to do with what happens on the field.
Onward…
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Stan Kroenke Paid More than 20x What Alex Moreno Paid to Buy Angels. Here’s Why.
Who said winless seasons are bad for business? The Angels have not played in the playoffs since 2014, but Stan Kroenke is betting $4 billion on what the franchise could become.
Mark Cuban bought the Mavericks team with the same losing streak in 2000. Nine years later, they had a championship.
Kroenke already owns teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS. The Angels would make him the first owner with a team in all five major U.S. leagues.
But what did Kroenke, who is embroiled in a legal battle with California, really see in the Angels? The answer goes beyond baseball, revolves around the LA Rams, and transcends to real estate. Find the real reason why Kroenke coughed up $4 billion on a team that is losing on paper.
How Would You Describe Yourself as a Sports Fan?
Last Poll Result: 35.56% of you read the newsletter around 6-7PM in the evening, while 25.4% of you said 5-6PM is your ideal time.
Your Team Doesn’t Just Demand Your Attention. They Want More.
Sports teams are no longer just asking, “How many people watched?” They want to connect the dots and understand who their fans are, what they buy, what they watch, and how they engage.
First-party data gives teams a clearer picture, helping them find new ways to make money. Pacers Sports & Entertainment has built a 250 million fan profile information together. From NBA to FIFA, every sports organization is using fan data and connecting the dots to make jaw-dropping business decisions.
Find out how FIFA pulled in 10 million new ID sign-ups, Orlando City SC's fan app tripled its registered user base, and how teams are navigating the maze of privacy-related concerns.
The Real Cost of Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Gamble Isn’t the Fines
The Clippers thought Kawhi Leonard could help them win championships, but the partnership eventually turned into one of the franchise’s biggest headaches.
Clippers hit with a $30 million fine for breaching the cap.
Kawhi Leonard was fined $700,000—here is what he has to say about it.
The team loses five first-round picks.
Steve Ballmer suspended for one year (and he is apparently ready to sue the NBA).
So how did one business deal turn into one of the biggest scandals in NBA history? The jaw-dropping money trail involving Aspiration, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance—and how the Kawhi trade added an unforeseen twist to the Clippers' future—is all in the story below.
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