1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: This is Bloomberg Business of Sports. 2 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,640 Speaker 2: Sports is business, and whenever you are procuring talent, you 3 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:10,400 Speaker 2: must start with the criteriating. 4 00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:12,360 Speaker 3: Owners of this league and wanting our league to be 5 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 3: the best in the world. 6 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 2: How do we make it better? 7 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:16,680 Speaker 4: The valuations are getting so high, at the list of 8 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 4: people who could purchase the teams getting really short. 9 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 3: We have eight strategic investment areas. 10 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,240 Speaker 2: When you look at the world of sports, ybs already 11 00:00:23,239 --> 00:00:25,160 Speaker 2: in two hundred and countries around the world. 12 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:28,480 Speaker 5: NFL is an amazing thing for the sports betting industry. 13 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 6: We have the Worlds upcoming in twenty twenty six to 14 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 6: North America. Hey, if I get a million dollars, we're 15 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:34,520 Speaker 6: going to a school testing. 16 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:38,599 Speaker 1: I'll be there. Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. 17 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 1: This is the Bloomberg Business of Sports show. Will we 18 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 1: explored the big money issues in the world of sports. 19 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 5: I'm Michael Barr, I'm Scarlett Food and Da Damian. 20 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 1: Sas Allen coming up on the show. We talked with 21 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 1: Big Cat Minnesota Timberwolves all star Carl Anthony Towns. He 22 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 1: stops by to talk with us about the team's success 23 00:00:56,920 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 1: on the court this year and how Mark Lori and 24 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:04,039 Speaker 1: Alex brod Vegas. Entering the ownership group has made a difference. 25 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:06,120 Speaker 6: When you win a big game and everyone's excited and 26 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 6: the first people you're seeing in the back is a 27 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:10,679 Speaker 6: Rod and Mark. And you know, when we're playing on 28 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 6: the road and we may be in Oklahoma and you're 29 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 6: seeing a Rod courtside cheering as hard as he can 30 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 6: for us. We really appreciate that. 31 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 5: Plus, we'll talk about the Dartmouth men's basketball team voting 32 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 5: to unionize and the impact that may have on the 33 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:28,039 Speaker 5: NCAA's overall business model. 34 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: All that and more is on the way, but first 35 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:32,839 Speaker 1: we take a look at some of the biggest headlines 36 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: in the business of sports with friend of the show, 37 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 1: Bloomberg US Sports Business Report and Randy Williams. First of all, Randall, 38 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 1: welcome back man to the Bloomberg. 39 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 4: Thank you for having me. 40 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 3: As always. 41 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: Let's start out first of all about Lebron James. He's 42 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: going to spin out the Shop to become a consumer brand. 43 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 1: The Shop. Anybody not familiar with the show, it is 44 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: set in a barbershop and people have conversations or we 45 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: call back in Detroit Tuesday, and it really is a 46 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: good concept for a show. But now I guess this 47 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 1: is really you know, going super duper taken off. 48 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 4: For sure, they've been building towards this for a long time. 49 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 4: The shop went on tour last year to HBCUs and 50 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 4: a select city, so I'm not surprised by this. I 51 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 4: think it's actually a smart move for them to get 52 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 4: up under Uninterrupted. And you know, the Lebron business is 53 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 4: ever growing, and now this is his fifth business own talk. 54 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 3: Twits Randall about the Lebron business. I know it's got 55 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:31,519 Speaker 3: a number of different legs to the school. For our audience, 56 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 3: I wonder if you could just bring us up to 57 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:35,519 Speaker 3: speed on what it is and what the size of 58 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:35,800 Speaker 3: it is. 59 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 4: Really sure, So the spring Hill Company, which hit a 60 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:41,720 Speaker 4: seven hundred and twenty five million dollar valuation in twenty 61 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 4: twenty one, is what I would call the holding company. 62 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 4: Then you have lr MR Ventures. It's an investment firm 63 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:53,639 Speaker 4: founded by James Randy mems Maverick Carter, who's its business 64 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 4: partner in the Rich Paul. You have Uninterrupted, which I 65 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:58,240 Speaker 4: think is what people are most familiar with. That's the 66 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 4: Athlete Empowerment arm About Company, which is a brand culture 67 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 4: consultant business. And now you have the shop, which they 68 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 4: call a community connecting business. 69 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 3: I'm just trying to understand. Is that seven hundred and 70 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 3: twenty five million dollar valuation all of those entities or 71 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 3: is that just the sort of. 72 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:18,080 Speaker 4: It's all of the entities, it's everything within that the 73 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:20,799 Speaker 4: shop was under Uninterrupted. I think that it just did 74 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 4: well enough and it grew so much over the years. 75 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 4: I mean, they've had just about everybody you can think of, 76 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 4: from Obama to Jay Z and Drake at one point 77 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:30,400 Speaker 4: in time, and they even shot at an episode with 78 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,919 Speaker 4: Kanye that was eventually canceled, so they've they've it's become 79 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 4: a cultural tempole. So I think that it growing as 80 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 4: a business is only natural. 81 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 1: Now we should also add that the shop is now 82 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 1: going overseas to the UK and it's going to be 83 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: hosted by none other than Idris Elba. Yeah. 84 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 4: I think the international is a big opportunity for the shop, 85 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 4: just because when you're on YouTube, anybody can watch it, 86 00:03:58,480 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 4: and if you take it to the UK then I 87 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 4: think think that makes it a little bit more accessible 88 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 4: and who knows the type of people that Idris will 89 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 4: book and Uninterrupted and the shop will have on there, 90 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 4: and so I don't think they have a date just yet, 91 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 4: but I'm looking forward to seeing a spin off and 92 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 4: you know this is successful, then maybe they head to 93 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 4: another country sometimes. 94 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 5: So I'm totally on board within idriss Alva version of 95 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:22,040 Speaker 5: the Shop the next season. For what reason, many reasons 96 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 5: before we get into that, though, I'm curious in terms 97 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:27,440 Speaker 5: of the five business arms that Lebron James does have, 98 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 5: how do they work together? Is there synergies between them 99 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:33,359 Speaker 5: or they did they just kind of develop organically. 100 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:36,719 Speaker 4: I think they developed organically. I know that lr MR 101 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:40,480 Speaker 4: Ventures is separate. That's the four I would say the 102 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 4: four Horsemen is the best way that I could put it. 103 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,680 Speaker 4: That's Lebron's investment firm. And then you have Uninterrupted, the 104 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,480 Speaker 4: robot company, the Shop. They all work together, but they 105 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 4: have separate teams now so every now and then, I 106 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 4: think there's probably some cross platform collaboration, but I don't 107 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 4: think that in any case, like it's like, oh, this 108 00:04:57,400 --> 00:04:59,240 Speaker 4: is the shop and then everybody just comes in. 109 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 5: So the reason I ask is if Lebron decides to 110 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:06,640 Speaker 5: cash in at any point or take in new investment dollars, 111 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:09,279 Speaker 5: then they would be all separate entities. It wouldn't be 112 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 5: like someone comes into Uninterrupted and they get a stake 113 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:14,680 Speaker 5: in the spring Hill Company or the shop or the 114 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:15,479 Speaker 5: Robot company. 115 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 4: Potentially, I'd probably have to ask them that. 116 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:18,559 Speaker 1: I think. 117 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 4: My thought is that if they were to raise another 118 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 4: round of money, that it would just be put towards 119 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:26,240 Speaker 4: spring Hill, and the spring Hill would distribute amongst the 120 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 4: arms which would be Uninterrupted, the Robot Company and the Shop. 121 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 4: So lr MR Ventures does its own thing, but everybody else. 122 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 4: I think that money would be distributed based on what 123 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 4: Maverick Carter and the rest of the team over there decide. 124 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: Randall. 125 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 3: Is Lebron James going to play for the Los Angeles 126 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 3: Lakers next year? I mean seriously, I mean all this 127 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 3: talk about Lebron moving to the Knicks or the Warriors, 128 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:48,919 Speaker 3: I mean, what are your thoughts. 129 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 6: He'll be there. 130 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 4: There's a lot that's going to be happening with him 131 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:54,640 Speaker 4: over the next couple of seasons. I mean, if you 132 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 4: think about the Lebron business from a macro perspective, he 133 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 4: wants to own the team in Vain, because he hasn't 134 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 4: been shy about saying that. But there's a lot of 135 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:05,600 Speaker 4: complications that happened between now and then the NBA has 136 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 4: to get its media deal done. They're going to evaluate cities. 137 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:11,480 Speaker 4: And then he also has a betting partnership that he 138 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 4: would essentially have to get rid of because you can't 139 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:17,560 Speaker 4: be a betting partner. And then there's LEBRONI and Bryce aspect. 140 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 4: If he wants to play with his suns, that's maybe 141 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 4: three more years of play. Does it happen in La? 142 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 4: I think that he'll stay in LA for the time 143 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 4: being as long as his kids are going to USC 144 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,480 Speaker 4: because that makes it easiest for him to go and 145 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 4: see them. But afterwards it's going to get crazy. 146 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:34,200 Speaker 1: But if you thought this was all about Lebron James 147 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 1: spinning out the shop, wait there's more because next month 148 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:42,159 Speaker 1: his company will launch a men's grooming line with global 149 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 1: beauty brand Parlux, which my wife says, I could use 150 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:48,600 Speaker 1: that you and me both both. 151 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, they're launching that. I got to look at it 152 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:55,599 Speaker 4: last month at the Super Bowl. It looks gorgeous. I 153 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,599 Speaker 4: didn't try out any of the products, but we'll see 154 00:06:57,600 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 4: how it ends up. I think that Walmart is their 155 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 4: exclusive part, so when people see that, you know Lebron 156 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 4: is wearing this. I have no doubt that he and 157 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 4: everybody else will be promoting it. And maybe there will 158 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 4: be other players and influencers who can help with this business. 159 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 4: But we've seen many celebrity businesses take off in different industries. 160 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 4: This could be another one. 161 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 1: And but I should add too that Paul Rivera, he's 162 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: going to serve as the company's general manager. Peace, Yes, 163 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 1: I need to include that in there, But I want 164 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 1: to add something else, and it's about the NFL's chiefs. 165 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 1: You know, you win a super Bowl and then you know, 166 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: you win another super Bowl, and then it's like, you know, you. 167 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 5: Miss one more, you win another super. 168 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 1: Bowl, and then you win another super Bowl thanks a lot, 169 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: and so then you say, you know, old air, oldhead 170 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 1: needs to get a eight hundred million dollar facelift. I 171 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 1: like the way it is now. They got that little 172 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: they got that big oval. You know, that's the screen 173 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: there and everything. I love all that. 174 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 4: It's one of the oldest stadiums in the NFL, and 175 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 4: that is exactly why they are looking to upgrade. Those 176 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 4: upgrades are estimated to have cost eight hundred million dollars. 177 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 4: The Hunt family has said they want they're going to 178 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 4: put three hundred million towards that, and then they want 179 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 4: taxpayers to contribute the rest of the five hundred million. 180 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 5: Wasn't there a ratings that someone published not so long. 181 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 4: Ago the NFLPA published, not just any someone, Okay, yes, NFL. 182 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 5: It surveyed players and pulled them and asked them, you know, 183 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 5: what they thought of the facilities. And the Kansas City 184 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 5: Chiefs did not come out very well. 185 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 4: There were ranked thirty first. They are ranked thirty first, 186 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 4: I guess. I mean, there's a joke to be made 187 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 4: about the cost of winning. But overall, one of the 188 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 4: things that I think there is a misconception about with 189 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 4: the business of these sports teams is that there are 190 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:41,439 Speaker 4: high class organizations and there are some lower class organizations. 191 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:45,440 Speaker 4: There are some teams that value facilities, and there are 192 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:47,480 Speaker 4: some teams that are like, we've been here a long time, 193 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 4: these are the things. And then there's some owners who 194 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 4: just don't have the money to overhaul an entire stadium. 195 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 4: Not everyone is going to be able to do what 196 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 4: Steve Balmer did, which is like, look, I have two 197 00:08:57,040 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 4: billion dollars in cash. Everybody get out of the way, 198 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:00,559 Speaker 4: and I'll build my stadium. There's not a lot of 199 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:02,040 Speaker 4: people in the world that can do that, and so 200 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:06,439 Speaker 4: that's why he is asking for taxpayer money. But if 201 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 4: slash one NFL approves private equity, there's a world where 202 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 4: the chiefs and many other NFL owners could sell a 203 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 4: percentage of their team ten fifteen, depending on what the 204 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:18,640 Speaker 4: rules may be, ten fifteen to twenty percent, get eight 205 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 4: hundred to maybe a billion a billion and a half dollars, 206 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 4: overhaul a stadium, and now you have a new party. 207 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 4: But as we all know, billionaires do not like to 208 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:29,559 Speaker 4: expand their circles, especially in a family business where you 209 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 4: may be welcoming someone that you don't know in. 210 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 3: Now, Rander, what's really interesting to me here is I 211 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:35,880 Speaker 3: was under the impression that Arrowhead had to get game 212 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 3: ready for the twenty twenty six World Cup. Right, eight 213 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:42,320 Speaker 3: million dollars, There's no way whatever baselift they're talking about 214 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 3: for eight hundred million dollars, they're going to get that 215 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:46,680 Speaker 3: spent and invested by twenty twenty six. I mean, there's 216 00:09:46,679 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 3: just no way. Right, what is the money being used for? 217 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 3: And my question is, I guess is any of that 218 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:53,640 Speaker 3: eight hundred million like going to be kind of fast 219 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 3: tracked across the finish line so that they can get 220 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:56,440 Speaker 3: game ready for the World Cup. 221 00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 4: Oh, sir, absolutely not. Arrowhead will remain what Arrowhead is 222 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 4: for the next two years and then these renovations will 223 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 4: take place after. And you know, when you think about 224 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 4: a stadium in itself, whether it's the World Cup or not, 225 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 4: it's a fifty year old stadium and a lot of 226 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 4: times with these stadiums, teams move. So in a worst worst, 227 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:15,960 Speaker 4: super bad, worst case scenario, there's a world where any 228 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 4: team that has a superworld stadium, You're like, oh, well, 229 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 4: I can't get the money from taxpayers. I don't want 230 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:21,440 Speaker 4: to sell a piece of the team. Let me go 231 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:24,920 Speaker 4: find a city or a billionaire in a city i e. Vegas, 232 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 4: who's going to build me a stadium. We're a long 233 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 4: ways out from that possibility, but it's something that I 234 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 4: think could be in the back of mind of every 235 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:34,480 Speaker 4: NFL team that has a super old stadium. 236 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 1: That's Randa Williams Bloomberg, US sports business reporter and friend 237 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:41,079 Speaker 1: of the show. Now we want to play a snippet 238 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: of one of the new and cool sports related shows 239 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:48,240 Speaker 1: and podcast that you should definitely check out. It's called 240 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:52,960 Speaker 1: The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly. When sports, 241 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:57,199 Speaker 1: business and culture collide, there's often a deal to be made. 242 00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:00,600 Speaker 1: In the latest installment of The Deal, Alex and Jason 243 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 1: sit down with the New York Giants legend Michael Strand 244 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 1: about the mindset that helped him go from Super Bowl 245 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 1: champion to TV correspondent. 246 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 7: When I look at your career, Hall of Fame, career 247 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,439 Speaker 7: World champion and then talk about a wild pivot, right, 248 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:19,319 Speaker 7: and my question is, did you ever dream that big? 249 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:21,400 Speaker 7: What's the best part and what's the toughest part of 250 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 7: a job like that, because you're not talking about football, 251 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 7: you're talking about real life stuff. 252 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 8: Well, I almost forget I play football unless I go 253 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 8: to like my man cave and I see things I 254 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:34,719 Speaker 8: don't think about football, and it's really yeah, yeah, I 255 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:37,800 Speaker 8: watch it now at Fox and I'm like, I'm not 256 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 8: gonna guys get hit going. Who's dumb enough to do that? 257 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 8: Then I realized I was dumb enough to do that 258 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 8: for a long time. But you're just young and you're 259 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:44,960 Speaker 8: in the. 260 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 1: Middle of it. 261 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 8: But it has been such a pivot in a sense 262 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:52,840 Speaker 8: that you know, physically obviously, but mentally because I realized 263 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:55,959 Speaker 8: a long time ago that being a football player or 264 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:57,800 Speaker 8: a the athlete, you can get into a room, but 265 00:11:57,880 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 8: once you get in the room, you have to prove 266 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 8: that you blong there and that you deserve to stay there. 267 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:04,560 Speaker 8: You know, people will take a meeting with you. Everybody 268 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 8: wants to take a picture and Hilder kids, they hung 269 00:12:06,679 --> 00:12:10,440 Speaker 8: out with this athlete. But what keeps you in the room, right, 270 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 8: It's your talent. It's the talent that a lot of 271 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 8: people don't see or don't think you have because they've 272 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 8: only seen you in one way. And for me, the 273 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 8: biggest pivot with getting out of my own way telling 274 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:22,679 Speaker 8: myself that I more than just a football player, because 275 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:25,080 Speaker 8: I remember going into these meeting thinking I'm just this 276 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:27,920 Speaker 8: football player. Hey's going to see me as this football player, 277 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:29,440 Speaker 8: And a friend of mine said, well, they're going to 278 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:30,480 Speaker 8: see you. How you see yourself? 279 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: That was football star Michael Strahan with Alex Rodriguez and 280 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly. Watched the Deal with Alex and Jason on 281 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: Fridays seven pm on Bloomberg Television or stream on Thursdays 282 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: at nine pm Eastern Standard Time on Bloomberg Originals. Up next, 283 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:52,920 Speaker 1: return to a potential major shake up in collegiate sports, 284 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 1: labor unions for college athletes. You're listening to the Bloomberg 285 00:12:57,240 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 1: Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio round the world. This 286 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 1: is Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. This is 287 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:13,959 Speaker 1: the Bloomberg Business of Sports show, where we explore the 288 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,560 Speaker 1: big money issues in the world of sports. I'm Michael Barr, 289 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: along with Scarlett Fuo and Damian SaaS hour plus joining 290 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:25,599 Speaker 1: us for this conversation. Our pal Vanessa Perdomo from Bloomberg Originals. 291 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:30,080 Speaker 1: Dartmouth men's basketball team builded to unionize this past Tuesday, 292 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 1: in an unprecedented step toward forming the first labor union 293 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:38,479 Speaker 1: for college athletes and another blow to the NCAA's deteriorating 294 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:42,240 Speaker 1: amateur business model. To take us through that and some 295 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 1: of the latest legal headlines in sports, we welcome Martin 296 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 1: Marty Eedle. He is co chair at Gulston and Stores 297 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: Sports Law Practice an adjunct professor at Columbia University. Marty 298 00:13:55,880 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 1: as always Welcome to the Bloomberg Business of Sports. 299 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:02,559 Speaker 2: Michael Knight to be on, Scarlett, Damian, Vanessa, nice to 300 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 2: chat with all of you. 301 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 1: I'm going to start with it and it's happened this week, 302 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 1: the men's basketball team at Dartmouth University. They decided that 303 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:18,000 Speaker 1: they want it to unionize. Dartmouth is not happy about it. 304 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: Can you can you tell us more about that? 305 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 2: I can tell you a little bit. So the players, 306 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 2: not surprisingly voted thirteen to two to unionize. I'm still 307 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 2: trying to figure out why two people voted against it. 308 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,240 Speaker 2: And Dartmouth is not happy because now they're going to 309 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 2: have to bargain if this all gets adopted. And that's 310 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 2: a whole process, but if it gets adopted, they'll have 311 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 2: to bargain with a union over the terms and conditions 312 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:48,200 Speaker 2: of using these basketball players to play at Dartmouth. That 313 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 2: could include hours spent, that could include compensation, and for 314 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 2: a program that's losing. I think I lost like three 315 00:14:55,560 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 2: and a half million dollars over the last five years. 316 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 2: I don't think they want. Dartmouth's happy about wanting to 317 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 2: incur the extra costs. 318 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:06,080 Speaker 1: Now they are. Dartmouth did something and they gave a 319 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: warning to the players like, hey, you can be expelled 320 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:13,240 Speaker 1: and also you can be barred from the NC Double A. 321 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 1: I'm not sure where to fall on that. 322 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:21,120 Speaker 2: Marty Well, it seems to me that it's a retaliatory comment, 323 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 2: which is prohibited. It would become an unfair labor practice 324 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:29,840 Speaker 2: under the National Labor Relations Act if ultimately this union 325 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 2: comes into being. So it doesn't seem like the smartest 326 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 2: move by Dartmouth to threaten people for exercising their right 327 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 2: to want to unionize. But there aren't good defenses that 328 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 2: Dartmouth ought to have. Threatening them with expulsion or not 329 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 2: playing in the NCAA is not one of those good 330 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 2: defenses that Dartmouth may have, but may lead to more 331 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 2: litigation and more trouble. 332 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 5: More litigation, more trouble. The NCUBA has also come out 333 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:01,920 Speaker 5: with the response saying that THEA is making changes to 334 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 5: deliver more benefits to student athletes, including guaranteed healthcare and 335 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 5: guaranteed scholarships. But the NCAA and student athlete leadership from 336 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 5: all three divisions agree college athletes should not be forced 337 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 5: into an employment model beyond this weatherplate legaliese response, What 338 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 5: is the NCAA likely to be doing behind the scenes 339 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 5: here following this vote at Darmouth and in anticipation that 340 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 5: players at other schools might be thinking along the same lines. 341 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 2: We have a really interesting phenomenon going on now in 342 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 2: college sports, which is whether or not the old NCAA 343 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 2: model can still work, or how it has to be, 344 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:42,160 Speaker 2: whether it can be tweaked to work, or whether it 345 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 2: should just be abandoned. Employment is one of those. Antitrust 346 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 2: is another part of the pressures on the NCAA now. 347 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 2: And you know, we can get into the antitrust issues 348 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 2: about paid play and name, image and likeness if you 349 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 2: want later, But with respect to employees, this is a 350 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 2: real can of worms. What's happened here is you have 351 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 2: the National Labor Relations Board, through an hearing examiner in 352 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 2: the Dartmouth case, saying the players can unionize. We have 353 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 2: found an effective bargaining unit in the basketball players, and 354 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:22,640 Speaker 2: it's only basketball players at Dartmouth. So then, way over, 355 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 2: how does this affect football players at Dartmouth, How does 356 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:30,880 Speaker 2: it affect crew racers at Dartmouth and cross players, women's 357 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:34,680 Speaker 2: sports and the like? And what the hearing examiner has 358 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:38,679 Speaker 2: done here is in my view, somewhat shortsighted by not 359 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 2: looking at the whole picture. If you declare all these 360 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:46,360 Speaker 2: student athletes to be employees, you will ratchet up the 361 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:51,160 Speaker 2: cost of funding intercollegiate sports, particularly in this case at Dartmouth. 362 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 2: Where is the school going to get the additional funds 363 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 2: to pay it's athletes a minimum wage, to pay them 364 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 2: more than a mirandom wage if the union is able 365 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 2: to bargain for it. One of the ways this can 366 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:08,440 Speaker 2: the budgets can be justified is maybe by downgrading a 367 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:13,120 Speaker 2: number of sports to club level. And who will arm 368 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:16,520 Speaker 2: This will harm women who have fought under Title nine 369 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:21,640 Speaker 2: for equal recognition. This will harm economically disadvantaged students who 370 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 2: now may find that, you know, a scholarship opportunity may 371 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 2: no longer be present because the sport in which that 372 00:18:28,520 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 2: student athlete wanted to compete is now a club level. 373 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:33,880 Speaker 3: You know, Marty, I have to ask you this, and 374 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 3: this is what I keep grappling with from the perspective 375 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:41,399 Speaker 3: of the Dartmouth basketball player, why unionize? Like what's the 376 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 3: benefit of unionizing? And I want to read something from 377 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 3: Kate Haskins, who's on the Dartmouth basketball team. You know, 378 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:50,439 Speaker 3: he also works in the dining hall. And back in 379 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:54,200 Speaker 3: April twenty twenty two, the I guess students who worked 380 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 3: in the dining hall actually organized with Local Services Employment 381 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 3: International Union five, which is the same local union you 382 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:04,040 Speaker 3: know that the Dartmouth basketball team is unionizing it, and 383 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 3: he said staff got increased wages, paid time offen sickly 384 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:11,639 Speaker 3: after the new contract was signed. So now I ask you, 385 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,359 Speaker 3: you know, from the perspective of your basketball player, what 386 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 3: do they hope to get out of this? I mean, 387 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:18,520 Speaker 3: are we talking about minimum wages? Are we talking about benefits? 388 00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:20,960 Speaker 3: I mean, talk to us about what's to be gained 389 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 3: from that perspective. 390 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:26,120 Speaker 2: Great question. I think the answer is they're looking for 391 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 2: certain guaranteed benefits. Or if I were a student, I 392 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:33,919 Speaker 2: would and being advised by somebody, probably older than eighteen 393 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:36,879 Speaker 2: or nineteen years old, I would be looking for certain 394 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 2: guaranteed benefits healthcare and the like, which I think Scarlett 395 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:44,440 Speaker 2: you were mentioned earlier is something the NCAA is now 396 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,119 Speaker 2: trying to suggest should be made available to everyone. The 397 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:52,080 Speaker 2: issue of student athletes being what you use. Another is 398 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:55,399 Speaker 2: do you get something more than a minimum wage or 399 00:19:55,720 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 2: competing as an athlete? This is problematic from a number 400 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 2: of perspectives, one of which is antitrust. What I mean 401 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:08,639 Speaker 2: by then, is if you're paying student athletes to compete 402 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,359 Speaker 2: because you're calling them employees, and as employees, they have 403 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:15,479 Speaker 2: certain obligations. Are you suddenly saying to them you're a 404 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 2: professional man, And this whole idea of college sport as 405 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:23,440 Speaker 2: a demand item for consumers should go by the wayside, 406 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:28,240 Speaker 2: because now you're competing against professional sports for consumer attentions. 407 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 2: That's problematic. Benefits is one, direct compensation is two. Three 408 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 2: is maybe they want some guarantees about no cuts from 409 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 2: what's there? 410 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 3: Just to follow up on that. You know, like as 411 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:45,119 Speaker 3: a student, you know you're already I would have to 412 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:48,119 Speaker 3: believe as an athlete, a student athlete, you're already getting 413 00:20:48,520 --> 00:20:51,080 Speaker 3: you know, a little bit of an adapted schedule because 414 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:53,399 Speaker 3: of the demands that playing the sport probably put on 415 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 3: you. You're probably getting some sort of you know, housing or 416 00:20:57,040 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 3: you know, food budget. I mean again, I don't know, 417 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 3: and I'm I care. 418 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:04,640 Speaker 9: I'd love to step in here, tom So, I do right. 419 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,639 Speaker 9: I was a divisional on athlete. So this conversation is 420 00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 9: very interesting to me because you know, when you when 421 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:13,240 Speaker 9: you talk about benefits and you talk about things like that, 422 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:16,159 Speaker 9: I don't know what the extra healthcare benefits are. You 423 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:19,920 Speaker 9: can go to get any kind of health benefits you want. 424 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:24,760 Speaker 9: It's all at your disposal already within the medical training 425 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 9: staff at the athletic program and everyone does have the 426 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:31,840 Speaker 9: same you know, access to it. So I think that 427 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:35,000 Speaker 9: it's interesting and I'd love to get your take here, Marty, 428 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 9: like for me that that doesn't seem to make sense. 429 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:43,119 Speaker 9: It almost seems like this is a danger when you 430 00:21:43,119 --> 00:21:45,200 Speaker 9: think about what it could do, like how you were saying, 431 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:48,639 Speaker 9: it could make some sports go down to the club 432 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:52,160 Speaker 9: level and then they wouldn't have those same that same 433 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 9: access that they do as Division one athletes. 434 00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:58,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, so that's a great point. I mean, so what 435 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:05,120 Speaker 2: happens to the athlete who receives an athletically terminating injury? 436 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:07,919 Speaker 2: Is the athletes still going to be covered under the 437 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:11,639 Speaker 2: medical plan for athletes? Or now under a union plan, 438 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 2: will that athlete be covered for life? Those are some 439 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:17,440 Speaker 2: of the issues that need to be looked into. But 440 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:20,560 Speaker 2: colleges and universities make them one and the same, of 441 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:22,760 Speaker 2: course they can, and that's something that needs to be 442 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:23,400 Speaker 2: looked into. 443 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:24,120 Speaker 1: In my view. 444 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:27,600 Speaker 2: I always like posing to my law school class, so 445 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:32,399 Speaker 2: what happens now if the athletes become unionized and say 446 00:22:32,440 --> 00:22:35,840 Speaker 2: that they don't want to play on Tuesdays and thursdays 447 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:39,560 Speaker 2: of a particular week. Is that a bargaining chip that 448 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:42,280 Speaker 2: they could argue for. It would throw, for instance, the 449 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 2: igue schedule up in the air. Or I guess the 450 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:47,520 Speaker 2: IVO League Star is mostly Fridays and Saturdays, So they 451 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:50,040 Speaker 2: say they don't want to play Fridays and Saturdays. What happens? 452 00:22:50,040 --> 00:22:53,960 Speaker 2: Then nobody's looking into it, seems, at least I haven't 453 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,840 Speaker 2: heard it. How this will harm the programs that they 454 00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:02,160 Speaker 2: want And are these really stupid or are the athletes 455 00:23:02,160 --> 00:23:05,840 Speaker 2: who could be employees? You know, there's an old history 456 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:09,000 Speaker 2: to this, back in the eighteen eighties, and now I 457 00:23:09,040 --> 00:23:17,879 Speaker 2: am not that old that I remember colleges that played football. Harvard, Yale, Rutgers, 458 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:24,399 Speaker 2: Princeton used to hire people to play for them. And 459 00:23:24,440 --> 00:23:26,960 Speaker 2: so Harvard might be playing Gale one weekend and the 460 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:30,680 Speaker 2: next weekend, and using this Arvard might have hired these 461 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 2: and twenty players and they're paying the next week, Gaale 462 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:39,280 Speaker 2: may hire those same players by offering them more money. 463 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:45,119 Speaker 2: That's not the system of college sports. They probably want 464 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:48,000 Speaker 2: not to be the system of college sports. If college 465 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:52,439 Speaker 2: sports retains an individual identity for consumers, you know, you 466 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:54,440 Speaker 2: want to identify with players, you don't want to see 467 00:23:54,480 --> 00:23:58,760 Speaker 2: them constantly transferring, but a new regime in which players 468 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:02,480 Speaker 2: are considered employees the players are allowed to bargain for 469 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 2: any type of compensation, may mean that they're also entitled 470 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:09,639 Speaker 2: to transfer at will. And there was a recent case 471 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:14,600 Speaker 2: striking down in THAA regulations limiting portal transfers on the 472 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:15,720 Speaker 2: anti trust grounds. 473 00:24:15,920 --> 00:24:18,679 Speaker 9: You know, I've always been an advocate that there's certain 474 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:22,879 Speaker 9: people and athletes that obviously the schools are making a 475 00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:24,879 Speaker 9: lot of money off of them, that you know, the 476 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:26,959 Speaker 9: media rights deals are out of control. But I almost 477 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:30,680 Speaker 9: think that if the unions, if this starts becoming more 478 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 9: of a thing, then you will see less Division one 479 00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:37,680 Speaker 9: conferences be able to keep up with that model, because 480 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:41,200 Speaker 9: not all schools actually create revenue. You know, I went 481 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 9: to a mid major D one, so there's no way 482 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:47,199 Speaker 9: that if all of us were paid that they can 483 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 9: continue to be at that level. So do you think 484 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:53,920 Speaker 9: that that would something be something where we would see 485 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:57,520 Speaker 9: only maybe the Power five conferences be able to sustain 486 00:24:57,640 --> 00:24:58,240 Speaker 9: that model. 487 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 2: Yes, but with one big exception. So the National Labor 488 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:06,800 Speaker 2: Relations Act does not cover state employees. So the extent 489 00:25:06,920 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 2: you're a student athlete at state university, you're not covered 490 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 2: under the National Labor Relations Act that creates an uneven 491 00:25:14,119 --> 00:25:18,600 Speaker 2: playing field and ultimately going into precise nature, I think 492 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:22,520 Speaker 2: of your question, how do these schools afford an education 493 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:26,880 Speaker 2: or the opportunity for an education to these student athletes 494 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:28,320 Speaker 2: if they're simply employees. 495 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:31,760 Speaker 1: Our thanks to Marty Eagle for joining us. He's co 496 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:35,600 Speaker 1: chair at Gulston and Stores Sports law practice an adjunct 497 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:39,359 Speaker 1: professor at Columbia University. Coming up, we hang out with 498 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:45,760 Speaker 1: NBA star Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Carl Anthony Towns. That 499 00:25:45,960 --> 00:25:48,840 Speaker 1: is straight ahead on the Bloomberg Business of Sports from 500 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Radio. Around the world is Bloomberg Business of Sports 501 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:03,160 Speaker 1: from Bloomberg Radio. This is the Bloomberg Business of Sports show, 502 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:05,200 Speaker 1: but we explored the big money issues in the world 503 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:07,919 Speaker 1: of sports on Michael Barr along with Scarlett Food and 504 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:11,680 Speaker 1: Damian Sasaur. Carl Anthony Towns is in the middle of 505 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:15,119 Speaker 1: another big year. The four time All Star is leading 506 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 1: his Minnesota Timberwolves to one of its best seasons in 507 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:22,760 Speaker 1: recent memory, on track to win fifty or more games 508 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:27,040 Speaker 1: for the first time in twenty years. Unfortunately for Big Kat, 509 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:31,480 Speaker 1: news broke on Thursday that he tore his meniscus in 510 00:26:31,560 --> 00:26:35,160 Speaker 1: his left knee and will be out indefinitely. We wish 511 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:38,959 Speaker 1: him a speedy recovery. We spoke to Carl before the 512 00:26:38,960 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 1: news of his injury. Carl Anthony Towns, Welcome to the 513 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:44,680 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports here. 514 00:26:45,119 --> 00:26:46,359 Speaker 6: Appreciate you for having me. 515 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:51,040 Speaker 1: Now, someone told me that you have something on a jacket. 516 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:52,800 Speaker 1: You got to tell me what the jacket is. 517 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:56,040 Speaker 6: I mean, it's just a little you know, today I 518 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:58,480 Speaker 6: was feeling shouting out a little low for NASCAR, so 519 00:26:59,080 --> 00:27:00,920 Speaker 6: wearing a little Dale hard Jeff Hamill. 520 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:06,000 Speaker 3: Oh man, man, it's like speaking to him, Carl. 521 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:10,120 Speaker 1: I'm so okay, I have I love you, man. 522 00:27:14,240 --> 00:27:17,080 Speaker 3: Oh I can't believe Michael just introduced you as a center. 523 00:27:17,119 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 3: I mean, the size of that front court. Are you 524 00:27:18,840 --> 00:27:21,560 Speaker 3: really the center of the Minnesota Timberwolves. I mean, come on, 525 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:25,320 Speaker 3: you're like, I mean, you're you guys are huge in 526 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:26,040 Speaker 3: this defense. 527 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:28,960 Speaker 6: Definitely, we're definitely, definitely we definitely. 528 00:27:30,119 --> 00:27:30,320 Speaker 2: Yeah. 529 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:33,760 Speaker 1: It's unreal. Well, I'm yeah, I'm just gonna ask the 530 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:35,960 Speaker 1: question and get this out of the way. Now. The 531 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:38,280 Speaker 1: elephant in the room. You guys are about to hit 532 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:43,960 Speaker 1: fifty wins the first time in twenty years. At stupid 533 00:27:44,040 --> 00:27:47,400 Speaker 1: question number two. Forty five years, you're going to hear, 534 00:27:47,760 --> 00:27:49,040 Speaker 1: how does it make you feel? 535 00:27:50,359 --> 00:27:50,520 Speaker 2: Well? 536 00:27:51,160 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 6: I mean it makes me feel good. You know, I've 537 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:56,720 Speaker 6: been here, you know, nine years and seeing how it 538 00:27:56,760 --> 00:27:59,199 Speaker 6: could go. You know, when you're not having fifty wins 539 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:02,920 Speaker 6: and you're struggling to get thirty or even mid twenties, 540 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:07,280 Speaker 6: and now to be at this position now is it's 541 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 6: a blessing to be able to see you the other side. 542 00:28:12,160 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 6: You know, when you're winning and everything's going really well. 543 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:17,560 Speaker 5: It feels good, I'm sure, and the team is on 544 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:21,080 Speaker 5: a stretch run to the playoffs. Of course, there's also 545 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:24,800 Speaker 5: a lot of developments when it comes to the franchise 546 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:28,120 Speaker 5: and the ownership, right because Mark Lori and Alex Rodriguez 547 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:31,400 Speaker 5: are going to become bigger members of the ownership group, 548 00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:34,680 Speaker 5: taking on more of a stake. I'm curious to hear 549 00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:37,879 Speaker 5: from your perspective how that has brought more attention and 550 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:41,200 Speaker 5: interest to the franchise, not just from the public, but 551 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:43,680 Speaker 5: from the league and from the public overall. 552 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 6: I think obviously when you bring in someone who's as 553 00:28:46,520 --> 00:28:49,560 Speaker 6: big of a celebrity as Alex Rodriguez into the fold, 554 00:28:49,640 --> 00:28:53,520 Speaker 6: I mean obviously everyone's attention goes up. So him and 555 00:28:53,560 --> 00:28:56,520 Speaker 6: Mark have been amazing in the transition to being our owners, 556 00:28:56,520 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 6: and they've been very active and being present. I think 557 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:02,920 Speaker 6: that professional athletes everywhere who are listening to this or 558 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 6: who may listen to this, know what I mean when 559 00:29:05,440 --> 00:29:07,760 Speaker 6: I say that we really appreciate when our owners are 560 00:29:08,760 --> 00:29:12,120 Speaker 6: actually there, you know, with us through the journey, through 561 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:14,400 Speaker 6: the trials and tribulations, through the ebbs and flows of 562 00:29:14,440 --> 00:29:17,560 Speaker 6: the season. A Rod and Mark have been right there 563 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:20,160 Speaker 6: with us every step of the way. So everyone in 564 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:23,400 Speaker 6: our locker room has tremendous respect for them and are 565 00:29:23,480 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 6: very excited for the next chapter. 566 00:29:24,760 --> 00:29:26,920 Speaker 5: Can you give me a specific example of how they're 567 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:29,240 Speaker 5: present and how that really shows up. 568 00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:34,560 Speaker 6: I think it's pretty simple. Like even games in Miami, 569 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:37,000 Speaker 6: all those times when you win a big game and 570 00:29:37,040 --> 00:29:39,360 Speaker 6: everyone's excited, and the first people you're seeing in the 571 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:41,520 Speaker 6: back is a Rod and Mark. And you know, when 572 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:44,719 Speaker 6: we're playing on the road and we may be in 573 00:29:45,600 --> 00:29:49,120 Speaker 6: I don't know, Oklahoma and you're seeing a Rod courtside 574 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:52,240 Speaker 6: cheering as hard as he can for us. We really 575 00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:55,600 Speaker 6: appreciate that. I know professional athletes everywhere really appreciate when 576 00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:59,760 Speaker 6: you see the owners showing that kind of enthusiasm for 577 00:29:59,840 --> 00:30:03,720 Speaker 6: our team, for the game, and just wanting to be 578 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:06,520 Speaker 6: our biggest fans. I think that's what really makes us 579 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:08,840 Speaker 6: appreciate people like a Rod and Mark Lore. 580 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:10,720 Speaker 5: It's so funny you say that, because I went to 581 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:12,840 Speaker 5: a Golden State Warriors game recently and I saw Joe 582 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:16,080 Speaker 5: Lacobe sitting there at court side, and he has his 583 00:30:16,240 --> 00:30:18,960 Speaker 5: arms folded, and no matter what was happening in the game, Damen, 584 00:30:19,160 --> 00:30:21,320 Speaker 5: he had the same expression and he had the Saints 585 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:23,320 Speaker 5: body life, which it never changed. 586 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:23,800 Speaker 2: Carl. 587 00:30:23,840 --> 00:30:25,560 Speaker 3: You know, Scarla gets to go to these places, hes 588 00:30:25,560 --> 00:30:27,800 Speaker 3: gets sit to a war Warriors games, she gets she 589 00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:31,720 Speaker 3: gets owner's box seats. I mean, what I need you 590 00:30:31,760 --> 00:30:34,680 Speaker 3: to tell me, Carl, is you've been in Minneapolis since 591 00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:36,920 Speaker 3: twenty fifteen, right, and I mean I got to take 592 00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:38,880 Speaker 3: you back. I got to take you back to November thirtieth, 593 00:30:38,960 --> 00:30:41,160 Speaker 3: twenty sixteenth. And I'll tell you why that date's important 594 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:43,640 Speaker 3: to me, because I was at MSG forty seven points 595 00:30:43,680 --> 00:30:46,760 Speaker 3: eighteen rebounds. I mean, talk to us, that was your 596 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:50,240 Speaker 3: sophomore year. What's it like to play in Madison Square 597 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:52,760 Speaker 3: Garden today? And how's it different playing in the Target 598 00:30:52,800 --> 00:30:54,160 Speaker 3: Center out in Minneapolis. 599 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:58,400 Speaker 6: I mean, I'm a hometown kid that way of course 600 00:30:58,600 --> 00:31:01,440 Speaker 6: I'm gonna I'm gonna say play in Masson Square Garden 601 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:05,520 Speaker 6: the second and none. That's home. You know, that's something special. 602 00:31:05,640 --> 00:31:08,800 Speaker 6: My family has roots there with my father was on 603 00:31:08,840 --> 00:31:11,320 Speaker 6: the training camp squad there, so it has a lot 604 00:31:11,360 --> 00:31:14,480 Speaker 6: of family ties, the Knicks and the mass Square Garden. 605 00:31:14,560 --> 00:31:16,720 Speaker 6: So it's always really fun when I get to go 606 00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:19,600 Speaker 6: out there and compete and be able to play in 607 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:22,360 Speaker 6: front of my family who was all based in Jersey 608 00:31:22,360 --> 00:31:25,920 Speaker 6: and New York, and be able to have those kind 609 00:31:25,960 --> 00:31:27,760 Speaker 6: of moments that me and my mom growing up we 610 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:30,040 Speaker 6: would look and see Madison Square Garden. I used to 611 00:31:30,040 --> 00:31:32,400 Speaker 6: tell her I would play there one day and told 612 00:31:32,400 --> 00:31:35,080 Speaker 6: her just to give me some time. And I'm happy 613 00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:39,600 Speaker 6: I was able to make that dream and that yeah 614 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:42,800 Speaker 6: motivation come true for her while she was here. So 615 00:31:43,560 --> 00:31:47,680 Speaker 6: that Mason Square Guard is a special place to play basketball. 616 00:31:47,800 --> 00:31:51,520 Speaker 6: There's the reason it's called the mecca. But Target Center 617 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:54,640 Speaker 6: is super special. Since I came here in twenty fifteen, 618 00:31:55,440 --> 00:31:57,360 Speaker 6: Target Center has been the place to be for me. 619 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:01,960 Speaker 6: The fans have been great, the atmosphere has only grown 620 00:32:02,040 --> 00:32:06,880 Speaker 6: as We've shown ourselves to be true contenders. And now 621 00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:08,720 Speaker 6: it's where at a point where you know, the place 622 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:11,720 Speaker 6: is jumping every night, sold out crowd every single night 623 00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:14,720 Speaker 6: here in Target Center, and the fans go crazy. Community 624 00:32:14,840 --> 00:32:17,360 Speaker 6: is really bought into us as a basketball team. So 625 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:20,600 Speaker 6: it's a special, special time to be a Timberwolves fan. 626 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:22,960 Speaker 6: I'm really happy to be in this position with the 627 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:23,960 Speaker 6: team and organization. 628 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:28,360 Speaker 1: By the way, since we mentioned Alex Rodriguez, my bosses 629 00:32:28,760 --> 00:32:31,280 Speaker 1: would beat me with a wet noodle if I don't 630 00:32:31,320 --> 00:32:33,920 Speaker 1: mention that a rod Yeah. 631 00:32:33,760 --> 00:32:35,400 Speaker 6: I know, man, hr. 632 00:32:36,960 --> 00:32:44,200 Speaker 1: That's some promin abuse right there. And Jason Kelly, they 633 00:32:44,280 --> 00:32:48,200 Speaker 1: have a brand new podcast, The Deal, so guys check 634 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 1: it out if you can. It is really great. And 635 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:54,760 Speaker 1: since you have that masscard jagged on, I am so 636 00:32:54,880 --> 00:32:58,080 Speaker 1: proud of you, which brings me. I remember back in 637 00:32:58,120 --> 00:33:02,280 Speaker 1: the day when you know, people were talking about the 638 00:33:02,360 --> 00:33:06,000 Speaker 1: athletes wearing corporate logos, and I remember laughing, it's like, 639 00:33:06,080 --> 00:33:09,680 Speaker 1: what is this Nascar? Well, here we are now and 640 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:13,400 Speaker 1: it's out there. What formula do you think you have 641 00:33:13,800 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 1: for following choosing corporate sponsors and products to promote. 642 00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:22,200 Speaker 6: It's always goes what aligns with my morals and values. 643 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:24,440 Speaker 6: I think one of the biggest things for me is 644 00:33:24,480 --> 00:33:28,400 Speaker 6: I always try to partner up with people who also 645 00:33:28,600 --> 00:33:31,120 Speaker 6: want to see the world get better as well. So 646 00:33:31,160 --> 00:33:33,440 Speaker 6: it's always a charitable component all the deals I do 647 00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:38,560 Speaker 6: and the partnerships I have. But I'm really just always 648 00:33:38,560 --> 00:33:41,800 Speaker 6: looking for partners that align with who I am, what 649 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:44,400 Speaker 6: I want you to accomplish as a human being, and 650 00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:48,480 Speaker 6: more importantly, how many kids can we help with this partnership. 651 00:33:48,520 --> 00:33:51,280 Speaker 6: So I've been very fortunate to be partnering with amazing 652 00:33:51,280 --> 00:33:56,280 Speaker 6: people like Gatorades, Storry, MBA, Infinite. I mean, there's a 653 00:33:56,280 --> 00:33:59,000 Speaker 6: lot of things that I see that are in my 654 00:33:59,080 --> 00:34:03,760 Speaker 6: portfolio right now. It's all has a great foundational piece 655 00:34:04,080 --> 00:34:07,080 Speaker 6: to it, the reason, the reasoning behind doing the deal, 656 00:34:07,120 --> 00:34:11,200 Speaker 6: the reasoning behind the partnership. I think that when you 657 00:34:11,280 --> 00:34:14,120 Speaker 6: have a solid foundational piece to those kind of deals, 658 00:34:14,160 --> 00:34:16,360 Speaker 6: it makes the partnership just so much. 659 00:34:16,239 --> 00:34:19,960 Speaker 1: Better and scarlett in case some people old guys like me. 660 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:23,600 Speaker 1: When you mentioned NBA Infinite and I was talking to 661 00:34:23,640 --> 00:34:26,280 Speaker 1: my youngest who is like nineteen, I said, Hey, John, 662 00:34:26,480 --> 00:34:29,560 Speaker 1: what is NBA infinite. He's like, oh my gosh, Dad, 663 00:34:29,640 --> 00:34:32,320 Speaker 1: are you that much of a geezer, it's a free 664 00:34:32,360 --> 00:34:37,880 Speaker 1: play to play NBA mobile basketball game, And of course 665 00:34:38,040 --> 00:34:39,719 Speaker 1: he just beat the stew out of me when I 666 00:34:39,760 --> 00:34:40,640 Speaker 1: tried it the first time. 667 00:34:40,680 --> 00:34:42,719 Speaker 5: As also, a younger generation knows what it is on 668 00:34:42,760 --> 00:34:45,360 Speaker 5: first reference, but we don't need to know what it is, but. 669 00:34:45,360 --> 00:34:48,880 Speaker 6: They need to know my nephew loves it. My nephew 670 00:34:48,920 --> 00:34:50,719 Speaker 6: loves the game. He plays it all the time. He's 671 00:34:50,760 --> 00:34:53,080 Speaker 6: getting big into basketball. My nephew has just gotten to 672 00:34:53,120 --> 00:34:57,040 Speaker 6: the age where it's funny. He's starting to realize the 673 00:34:57,120 --> 00:34:59,839 Speaker 6: people he's around, and he's starting to realize a little 674 00:34:59,880 --> 00:35:03,720 Speaker 6: more who his uncle is. And it's a scary, scary feeling, 675 00:35:03,880 --> 00:35:07,520 Speaker 6: but it's a scary sight. But now he's really it's basketball. 676 00:35:07,560 --> 00:35:11,439 Speaker 6: And I remember when the partnership came across my way. 677 00:35:11,480 --> 00:35:14,680 Speaker 6: I just thought about him and I remember letting him 678 00:35:14,680 --> 00:35:16,400 Speaker 6: play the game a little bit and he loved it 679 00:35:16,440 --> 00:35:19,120 Speaker 6: and I love playing with him. So it was a partnership. 680 00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:21,320 Speaker 5: Made Yeah, so it made all the sense in the world. 681 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:24,960 Speaker 5: I'd like you to explain also your involvement in media, 682 00:35:25,120 --> 00:35:28,479 Speaker 5: because you served as an executive producer for this short 683 00:35:28,520 --> 00:35:32,239 Speaker 5: film called Forgiving Johnny that premiered in July twenty twenty three. 684 00:35:32,320 --> 00:35:34,840 Speaker 5: You also are a voice actor, so Michael Barr, you 685 00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:36,320 Speaker 5: have some competition here from Carl. 686 00:35:37,960 --> 00:35:41,560 Speaker 1: I think the center from The Temple Wolves could be 687 00:35:41,719 --> 00:35:43,040 Speaker 1: a living smile out of me. 688 00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:47,280 Speaker 5: Can you tell us a little bit about your involvement 689 00:35:47,320 --> 00:35:49,240 Speaker 5: in media and as a voice talent. 690 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:52,919 Speaker 6: Yeah, I mean since I was younger, I just had 691 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:57,160 Speaker 6: a love for the arts, and ever since I mean 692 00:35:57,840 --> 00:36:01,279 Speaker 6: first grade kindergarten, he was already doing and my mom 693 00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:04,400 Speaker 6: loved to She always told me just have fun with life. 694 00:36:04,440 --> 00:36:08,920 Speaker 6: So just always in kindergarten enjoying doing plays and all 695 00:36:08,920 --> 00:36:11,440 Speaker 6: those things at my school, plays and stuff like that choir. 696 00:36:11,640 --> 00:36:16,480 Speaker 6: So I just had a great time with just enjoying 697 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:20,480 Speaker 6: life and trying to enjoy being young. And I appreciate 698 00:36:20,520 --> 00:36:24,080 Speaker 6: my mom forgiving me that lesson so young and and 699 00:36:24,080 --> 00:36:26,760 Speaker 6: and raising me to being willing to accept that lesson 700 00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:29,640 Speaker 6: as well. And in the media, I just I have 701 00:36:29,719 --> 00:36:32,600 Speaker 6: a lot of fun from you know, with players, tributeing, 702 00:36:32,640 --> 00:36:38,120 Speaker 6: writing letters and articles and uh to you know, doing 703 00:36:38,200 --> 00:36:43,680 Speaker 6: voice acting with Belma on HBO Max and other amazing things, 704 00:36:43,680 --> 00:36:46,480 Speaker 6: to acting a lot, you know, real live acting like 705 00:36:46,680 --> 00:36:51,640 Speaker 6: and what men want with Tracy Morgan and everybody on 706 00:36:51,680 --> 00:36:54,400 Speaker 6: that cast and coming back now. 707 00:36:55,320 --> 00:36:58,200 Speaker 3: I mean, what are you doing, Carl, I got to 708 00:36:58,239 --> 00:36:59,960 Speaker 3: tell you, you know, you must be keeping Jess whole 709 00:37:00,200 --> 00:37:02,799 Speaker 3: and the team at CAA really really busy with all 710 00:37:02,800 --> 00:37:05,120 Speaker 3: these different you know, things you've got your hands into, right, 711 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:06,960 Speaker 3: I mean, but you know what I want to do 712 00:37:07,000 --> 00:37:08,040 Speaker 3: is I want to go back. I want to go 713 00:37:08,080 --> 00:37:10,359 Speaker 3: back to Saint Jose's High School, right, And I want 714 00:37:10,360 --> 00:37:12,400 Speaker 3: to go back to a school that you know, notable 715 00:37:12,440 --> 00:37:15,080 Speaker 3: alumni John Bon, Jovie Scarlett, you'll like to know Jay Williams, 716 00:37:15,120 --> 00:37:16,600 Speaker 3: who was just on the show a few weeks back. 717 00:37:16,640 --> 00:37:19,560 Speaker 3: But you know, for me, with m il coming to 718 00:37:19,840 --> 00:37:22,759 Speaker 3: you know, not just professional but collegiate and now high 719 00:37:22,760 --> 00:37:24,719 Speaker 3: school sports, you know what does that mean for a 720 00:37:24,719 --> 00:37:25,920 Speaker 3: school like Saint Jose. 721 00:37:25,960 --> 00:37:29,719 Speaker 6: I mean Saint Jose. I think it's okay. I think 722 00:37:30,040 --> 00:37:32,360 Speaker 6: what's good about Saint Joe's in my area where I 723 00:37:32,360 --> 00:37:35,520 Speaker 6: grew up in is high school sports is such an 724 00:37:35,520 --> 00:37:38,560 Speaker 6: integral piece of the community that I don't think it'll 725 00:37:38,560 --> 00:37:41,560 Speaker 6: ever be diminished by an I L or anything like that. 726 00:37:41,600 --> 00:37:45,799 Speaker 6: It's just so it's so ingrained into who we are 727 00:37:45,920 --> 00:37:49,239 Speaker 6: in that community. And I had that same thought as well, 728 00:37:49,239 --> 00:37:50,920 Speaker 6: like you just said, and when I went back home 729 00:37:51,840 --> 00:37:54,799 Speaker 6: to put to rest my brother who was one of 730 00:37:54,800 --> 00:37:57,440 Speaker 6: the greatest Saint Joe's Falcons of all time and Danny Bricks. 731 00:37:58,200 --> 00:38:00,800 Speaker 6: Just to see the community going crazy about high school 732 00:38:00,800 --> 00:38:03,840 Speaker 6: sports just as if when I was in school. It 733 00:38:03,920 --> 00:38:06,000 Speaker 6: shows you know that high school sports in my area 734 00:38:06,040 --> 00:38:07,520 Speaker 6: is not going to die down anytime soon. 735 00:38:08,480 --> 00:38:14,320 Speaker 1: Carl Anthony Towns, Center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, four time 736 00:38:14,560 --> 00:38:18,040 Speaker 1: All Star. I'm sounding like our Cusell, but man, this 737 00:38:18,239 --> 00:38:22,640 Speaker 1: is great, unbelievable twenty sixteen NBA Rookie of the Year 738 00:38:22,840 --> 00:38:27,800 Speaker 1: right there, Carl Anthony Towns, Thank you, sir for joining 739 00:38:27,880 --> 00:38:30,160 Speaker 1: us on the Bloomberg Business of Sports. We really do 740 00:38:30,239 --> 00:38:30,800 Speaker 1: appreciate it. 741 00:38:31,320 --> 00:38:34,040 Speaker 6: Oh, no, appreciate you. No better place to be than 742 00:38:34,040 --> 00:38:35,560 Speaker 6: Bloomberg Sports. 743 00:38:36,280 --> 00:38:40,279 Speaker 1: Our special thanks to NBA star Karl Anthony Towns for 744 00:38:40,400 --> 00:38:43,480 Speaker 1: taking the time and joining us on the show. He'll 745 00:38:43,520 --> 00:38:46,560 Speaker 1: love soon. A man, this has been the Bloomberg Business 746 00:38:46,640 --> 00:38:49,359 Speaker 1: of Sports show. We are here each and every week 747 00:38:49,400 --> 00:38:52,200 Speaker 1: at the same time. The special thanks to Bloomberg's Randa 748 00:38:52,239 --> 00:38:56,120 Speaker 1: Williams and Vanessa Perdomo for joining us this week, as 749 00:38:56,160 --> 00:38:59,360 Speaker 1: well as to our legal expert Marty Eedle of Gulston 750 00:38:59,480 --> 00:39:02,840 Speaker 1: and Story Sports Law Practice, and of course to Minnesota 751 00:39:02,880 --> 00:39:06,640 Speaker 1: Timberwolves and NBA All Star Karl Anthony Towns. We wish 752 00:39:06,680 --> 00:39:09,560 Speaker 1: you a speedy recovery and thank you for tuning in. 753 00:39:09,920 --> 00:39:14,360 Speaker 1: I'm michae lebar For my colleagues Scarlett Foo and Damien Sasaur. 754 00:39:14,600 --> 00:39:17,879 Speaker 1: Have a good and safe weekend. Tune in again next 755 00:39:17,920 --> 00:39:20,800 Speaker 1: week for the latest on the stories moving big old 756 00:39:20,920 --> 00:39:24,239 Speaker 1: money in the world of sports. You're listening to Bloomberg 757 00:39:24,280 --> 00:39:27,720 Speaker 1: Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around the world.