1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports where in the situation 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: that we haven't dealt with in modern times, pandemic here 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: has really accelerated the investments that we've been advocating for 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:12,880 Speaker 1: for years. From a Macrew standpoint, I think our sport 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: industry is really forced to look at the business a 6 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: little bit differently in depth conversations with the leaders in 7 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: the sports industry. Who wants to be the sacrificial lambs 8 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: that shows up at the first big major sporting event, 9 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: were part of something much bigger than the sport right 10 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: now and the health and raptry of our stakeholders that 11 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 1: works much important every moment. I think we're all from 12 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,560 Speaker 1: the business respective thinking about the impact that the virus 13 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: is having across the country against Bloomberg Business of Sports 14 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:42,559 Speaker 1: from Bloomberg Radio. Hi everyone, I'm Jason Kelly, and I'm 15 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:45,160 Speaker 1: Mike Lynch and I'm Michael Barr. Over the next hour, 16 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:47,480 Speaker 1: we will explore the big money issues in the world 17 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: of sports and talk to some of the biggest players 18 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:52,319 Speaker 1: in the industry. That's right coming up, We're gonna catch 19 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 1: up with Gary Bettman, commissioner of the NHL. Heard of him, 20 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:59,040 Speaker 1: of course, Hockey dropping the puck. Just recently they are 21 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 1: back at play very few fans, but on the TV, 22 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:05,560 Speaker 1: as they say, so, we'll catch up with him about 23 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: all the money issues that go into putting on a 24 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:11,760 Speaker 1: different sort of season. But guys, we got to start 25 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 1: with what's been happening in the world of sports this week, 26 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 1: and certainly the biggest news across baseball and across the 27 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: Tri State area the Mets. They've got a new owner. 28 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,320 Speaker 1: They had a new GM, but he's gone. Now let's 29 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: listen to what Sandy Alderson, the president of the Mets, 30 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: had to say about Jared Porter. We responded as I 31 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:32,319 Speaker 1: think quickly as we possibly could, given the fact that 32 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: we needed to sort out the facts and deliberate on this. 33 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 1: But nonetheless, you know, we we acted and decided that 34 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 1: he needed to be let go, pretty clear cut case 35 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: lynchy And of course, uh, this was based on some 36 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 1: pretty terrific investigative reporting by ESPN Mina Kimes, the lead 37 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:58,440 Speaker 1: byeline on that story, came out Monday, and by Tuesday, Uh, 38 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 1: Jared Porter was on given his pretty abhorrent behavior when 39 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:06,880 Speaker 1: it came to some text messages that he sent a 40 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 1: reporter back in twos six before obviously he was with 41 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: the Mets, is with the Cubs at the time. Swift 42 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 1: action certainly by Stevie Cohen and Sandy Alderson here, Yeah, 43 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: this and they had no other choice. I mean, I'm 44 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 1: not going to get into detail here because my mother 45 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:24,799 Speaker 1: listens to this podcast, but I am ashamed to say 46 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 1: that he did go to high school here outside of Boston. 47 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 1: He worked for the Red Sox for twelve years, and 48 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 1: he went to Bowden College up in Maine. So that's 49 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: all I got on this one. Yeah, you know, we're 50 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 1: in an in an era where there is very little 51 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 1: tolerance in a good way Michael Barr for this sort 52 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 1: of behavior. And uh, you know, a again, maybe a 53 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 1: tough decision, but maybe not so tough a decision once 54 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:55,920 Speaker 1: you really get the facts, as we heard Sandy Alderson 55 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:59,280 Speaker 1: just second. Well, we still are trying to get more 56 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:01,399 Speaker 1: of this in, but a lot of facts are into 57 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 1: the point enough that the Mets said, hey, you got 58 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 1: to go, and obviously it's not good and like Lynch, 59 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:10,840 Speaker 1: you said, uh, the team didn't have much of a 60 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 1: choice here. Yeah, I mean a dramatic fall for sure, 61 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:16,840 Speaker 1: and you know, certainly goes to things we've talked about 62 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 1: on this program and elsewhere around you know the culture 63 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: of big sports, professional sports, and you know the things 64 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 1: that you know probably were allowed or looked past for 65 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: a long time. You know, on a more positive note, 66 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 1: you know, as we think about what could change some 67 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: of these cultures, part of it is women getting a 68 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 1: shot at big jobs, both on the field and off 69 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 1: the field. And the super Bowl coming up in just 70 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks, and we'll talk in a minute 71 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 1: about who may be playing in that, but we do 72 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: know one of the officials, the first woman, Sarah Thomas. 73 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 1: She will be on the field at the super Bowl, 74 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 1: and you know, at the big ending of a year 75 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 1: where I feel like lots of people are a little 76 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 1: more hopeful, whether it comes to the pandemic or other things. Lynch, 77 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 1: this is a good one. This is a good one. 78 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 1: Good to see Sarah Thomas. Uh. You know, she'll trot 79 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 1: out there at the super Bowl in Tampa. It'll be 80 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 1: a different sort of super Bowl, but this is a 81 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 1: good difference. It's a great, great story and well earned 82 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 1: and well deserved. Sarah Thomas has been a National Football 83 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 1: League officials since this is a six year What a 84 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,920 Speaker 1: great week for a woman Kamala Harris, first woman Vice 85 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 1: President of the United States. She was actually introduced by 86 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 1: another Sarah, Sarah Fuller, the soccer player from Vanderbilt who 87 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:41,279 Speaker 1: kicked an extra point in a Vanderbilt football game. But 88 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 1: this Sarah Thomas. Uh, you know you notice her when 89 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:46,800 Speaker 1: she's uh you first noticed her when because you see 90 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:48,800 Speaker 1: the ponytail sticking out of her head and she's working 91 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:51,599 Speaker 1: in NFL game. But as one player said after that, 92 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 1: I didn't notice her, which is the best compliment you 93 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: can give to an official, because she just does her job. 94 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 1: And one thing I found out when I was researching her, 95 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 1: she did a game and she broke her wrist during 96 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 1: the game. They went into the concussion protocol, into the tent. 97 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: She came back and finished the game with a broken wrist. 98 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: So if anybody out there is questioning Sarah's toughness, take 99 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 1: that baby. Yeah, exactly. Um So, bar there will be 100 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 1: a Super Bowl. It looks like the NFL, you know, 101 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 1: has gotten there, and you know, we'll see we don't 102 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 1: know obviously who's gonna play. We're coming up this weekend 103 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 1: on I have to say this is my favorite NFL 104 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,599 Speaker 1: weekend of the year because the super Bowl is the 105 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:36,280 Speaker 1: super Bowl, but the conference championships there there for the 106 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 1: chance to play in the super Bowl. And you know, 107 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,160 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go to you first bar because I know 108 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:45,599 Speaker 1: how Lynchi feels about one of the players is gonna 109 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 1: be playing, uh in the NFC Championship game. But what 110 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 1: do you make of the NFL as we get to 111 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,640 Speaker 1: championship weekend? Well, I have a father in law who 112 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: is a die hard Buffalo Bills fan, and I went 113 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:03,559 Speaker 1: on the air this past week because I was asked, 114 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 1: who do you think is going to make it to 115 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:09,360 Speaker 1: the super Bowl, And I said, Kansas City against Green Bay. Yeah, yeah, it, 116 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 1: you know it was. It was bad enough. Yeah oh yeah. 117 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 1: And and the couch is comfortable this time of the year. 118 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 1: And but I see that happening and uh, and that 119 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:23,280 Speaker 1: would be a great matchup as well. But if Buffalo 120 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 1: gets there, look out. And and please Buffalo, if you 121 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 1: get there, don't make it five times you've been there 122 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:34,800 Speaker 1: and then you lost. You know, at least pull something 123 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: out man for my father in law. Yeah, Well, as 124 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 1: a Braves fan, I feel I feel the Bills paying 125 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: on some of that, although at least the Braves when 126 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: one along the nineties. Um, it's tough to be called 127 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:49,480 Speaker 1: the Buffalo Bills of anything that certainly has been applied 128 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:53,719 Speaker 1: in the number of cases. Meanwhile, uh, in the NFC Lynchy, 129 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 1: couple of older gentlemen facing off this weekend. Yeah, we've 130 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 1: got Mr all State Aaron Rodgers and uh if he 131 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: pops up in one more commercial and Rogers, Yeah, the Rodgers, right, 132 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: And unfortunately, I think the Super Bowl is going to 133 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: be the Rodgers rate against the Mahomes, right, and it 134 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 1: pains me to say that Tom Brady and his Buccaneers. 135 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 1: I will be rooting for them, But I think the 136 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: game being played at Lambeau, I think the Green Bay 137 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: offense is really in gear, as is the Tampa Bay offense. 138 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,000 Speaker 1: But I don't think the Tampa Bay defense is as 139 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: good as the Green Bay defense. And so I think 140 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 1: that the Green Bay will prevail. And I think Kansas City, 141 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: if they need to score twenty four points to win, 142 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 1: they'll do it. If they need to score seventy four 143 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 1: points to win, they're capable of doing that as well. 144 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: So it's gonna be a repeat of Super Bowl One, 145 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Years later, 146 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 1: here we go. The more things change, gentlemen, the more 147 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 1: they stay the same. Just one quick note, we are 148 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 1: hopefully going to get some news and and maybe by 149 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: the time you listen to this, this news will be out. 150 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 1: The Atlanta Dream very close to being sold. This, of course, 151 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 1: is a team that we've talked about a few times 152 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 1: on this show, the w NBA team that found itself 153 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 1: at odds with its owner, now former Senator Kelly Leffler. 154 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 1: She will no longer own the team and be involved 155 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:17,960 Speaker 1: with it based on the reporting that we've seen. We'll 156 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: be interested to see who picks that up. But in 157 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 1: the meantime, Michael Barr, you know, before I started to 158 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: wrap this up, I was thinking of Super Bowl One 159 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 1: and the only thing that has changed are those double 160 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 1: breasted suits. Man is like Hankstram on the sideline with 161 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:39,960 Speaker 1: that double breasted man. Oh, I've seen not any of 162 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:43,160 Speaker 1: to bring that back. That's good man. Sorry, al right, 163 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: the kids out there are googling double breasted suits super 164 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,920 Speaker 1: Bowl one. Just wait till later in the show. Guys, 165 00:08:50,960 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 1: you're gonna get all back box again. Sure look nerefully 166 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: as that because you not call it then mob bringing connecting, 167 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: trying to catch after the puck he does. They don't 168 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:11,720 Speaker 1: get much bigger than this. We're talking with the commissioner himself, 169 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 1: Gary Bettman, of the National Hockey League. Gary, really nice 170 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 1: to have you with us, especially because pucks are dropping. 171 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:19,680 Speaker 1: It feels good, It feels good. How are you doing. 172 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 1: I'm doing fine in these challenging and ever changing times. 173 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 1: But it's great to be back on the ice and 174 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:32,560 Speaker 1: the seasons off to a terrific start. And like everybody 175 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:35,320 Speaker 1: else who's trying to play, we're dealing on a daily 176 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:41,360 Speaker 1: basis with making sure we're keeping our players, are supporting staffs, 177 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 1: and the communities we play in as healthy as possible. 178 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:47,800 Speaker 1: So let's start off by talking about that. You know, 179 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 1: we're talking to you and this is fast moving, so 180 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:53,679 Speaker 1: we're taping this on Thursday, January twenty one. You know, 181 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 1: tell us sort of the state of the league when 182 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 1: it comes to health and wellness, how you've had to 183 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:02,600 Speaker 1: had just given that we are still in the midst 184 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:05,880 Speaker 1: of this global pandemic for sure. Well, if we take 185 00:10:05,920 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: a step back, as I think most people know, over 186 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: the summer we had a hugely successful return to play 187 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 1: to complete the two thousand twenty season. By putting the 188 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:21,080 Speaker 1: clubs that were participating in the return to play and 189 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:24,839 Speaker 1: the playoffs into two bubbles, one in Edmonton in one 190 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:28,320 Speaker 1: in Toronto, and we were able to administer the thirty 191 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 1: three thousand tests over roughly two months period to all 192 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 1: of the playing personnel and didn't have one positive test. 193 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 1: But we knew to play this season it would be 194 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 1: a little more challenging because we couldn't really expect the 195 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: players to be away from family and friends for six months. 196 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 1: Paub we played an entire season, and so what we 197 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 1: had to do was create the right protocols, the right framework, 198 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 1: and the right logistics to try and minimize the risk 199 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:02,720 Speaker 1: of of the nineteen to the extent possible. And that's 200 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:05,320 Speaker 1: what we've done h and like the other leagues, we've 201 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: had a handful of positive tests, but we're managing it. 202 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 1: But what we also had to do, which was a 203 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: little more unique for US, is we have seven teams 204 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 1: in Canada out of our thirty one teams, and crossing 205 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 1: the boarder between Canada and the US is an obvious issue. 206 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 1: So we've actually had to realign and by doing what 207 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: we've had to do and the way we're doing it 208 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:35,080 Speaker 1: is we're now realigned into four different divisions than we 209 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: typically play in. UH. There is geographically proximate as they 210 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 1: can be to reduce travel, teams are only playing within 211 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:46,840 Speaker 1: their divisions, and obviously there's a Canadian division UH. And 212 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 1: that's how we're trying to manage getting through this, and 213 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:53,839 Speaker 1: whether it's travel protocols and teams staying in the identical 214 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: hotel in each market when there is traveling, using more 215 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 1: of a baseball style schedule, where when you go into 216 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: a community to play as a visiting team, you play 217 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 1: more than one game. So we've been doing a variety 218 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:11,840 Speaker 1: of things coupled with our two hundred plus page protocols 219 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 1: UH to try and make sure everybody who touches the 220 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 1: game in any way is doing it under the absolute 221 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:22,479 Speaker 1: right conditions. And obviously, for the most part, and unfortunately 222 00:12:22,559 --> 00:12:25,680 Speaker 1: we're not able to have fans most of our buildings 223 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:29,080 Speaker 1: right now. Who better to ask this question than to 224 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:32,720 Speaker 1: the man himself, And I brought this up several weeks 225 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 1: ago about the UH. It's an ingenious idea to have 226 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 1: advertisements on the helmets UH in today's game UH, and 227 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 1: it's got to be a big revenue source for teams 228 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 1: all around the league's here. Well, there are two parts 229 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:58,080 Speaker 1: to that. One. Um, we are obviously revenue challenged without 230 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:04,439 Speaker 1: fans in attendance. Roughly fifty percent of our revenues are 231 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 1: attributable directly or indirectly to attendance fans in the buildings. 232 00:13:10,360 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 1: But the secondly, it hasn't been a revenue generator. It's 233 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:20,199 Speaker 1: been a revenue retainer because to the extent that our 234 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:24,360 Speaker 1: clubs needed to make rebates, either because we're playing a 235 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,880 Speaker 1: short season fifty six games as opposed to eight two, 236 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 1: or there aren't fans present in the building. This enabled 237 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 1: our clubs, in addition to a variety of other things 238 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 1: that we're doing, uh to give value to their business 239 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 1: partners in a way that enabled them to retain the 240 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 1: revenue that they otherwise would have been expecting. But it 241 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 1: has turned out to be a really positive thing from 242 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:52,600 Speaker 1: from a business partner standpoint that we've done other things, 243 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:56,080 Speaker 1: whether or not the glass wrap or the the virtual 244 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,240 Speaker 1: insertion in the slot area by the blue lines, or 245 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:02,840 Speaker 1: the tops advertising covering the empty seats, that makes the 246 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:05,760 Speaker 1: game look more like a studio instead of playing in 247 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 1: what would otherwise look like an empty building. So It's 248 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 1: been a good way to test drive some of these 249 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 1: new assets. Uh. The extent to which we retain some 250 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 1: of all of them, the jury will be out, will 251 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 1: evaluate how it worked at the end of the season. 252 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 1: Carry it's Mike up in Boston. UM, I know you 253 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 1: gave naming rights to the four different divisions. I think 254 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: it's Scotia, Bank on the Discover and Mass Mutual. Uh. 255 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: So the obvious question here is when you look at others, 256 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 1: some other sports, the NBA has done it. Jersey signage. 257 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:41,320 Speaker 1: Is that something that's a possibility? You know. We we've 258 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 1: been talking about that for a while and and a 259 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: lot of people have commented that by doing the helmet logos, 260 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 1: that's just the first step. You know. We we believe 261 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: that that our jerseys are sweaters, are the most traditional, 262 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 1: best in all of sports, and the value, which seems 263 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: to be ever increasing, may get to a point where 264 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 1: where we can stop resisting it. But at the present time, 265 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 1: we don't have plans to do that. Uh, And the 266 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 1: things that we are doing don't necessarily lead to that place. 267 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 1: But our clubs are increasingly hearing, and I'm increasingly hearing 268 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: from our clubs that that may be valuable. Having said that, 269 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 1: the research we've done, for example, on the on the 270 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: helmet placement is most fans don't seem to mind it 271 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 1: at all, particularly the under fans traditionalist the older people 272 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 1: like us uh tend to focus on it a little 273 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: more initially, but it isn't getting a negative reaction. Um, 274 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 1: And most people tend to understand that this is a 275 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: pretty unique situation we find ourselves in right now, and 276 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: people seem to be very understanding of the fact that, 277 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:00,360 Speaker 1: you know, under these circumstances, you've got to do what 278 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 1: you gotta do. But as I said a moment ago, 279 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: this season is giving us an opportunity to test drive 280 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 1: some of these things. And were these things Gary, you know, 281 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:13,960 Speaker 1: in general, sort of already in the works and it 282 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 1: accelerated or were there things that sort of came up 283 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: in brainstorming or is it a mixture of both. Well, principally, 284 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:27,360 Speaker 1: the implementation of this year was brainstorming as we anticipated 285 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 1: playing under these circumstances and playing a reduced season. Um. 286 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:34,960 Speaker 1: You know, people have been talking about these things in 287 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 1: varying degrees, But also keep in mind some of the 288 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: things that we're doing in the arena, such as the 289 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 1: tarps you couldn't do if if there were fans in 290 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 1: the building. So this was really my organization on business side, 291 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: led by Keith Wattel, really brainstorming to help our clubs 292 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 1: come up with assets that would enable them, as I indicated, 293 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:04,639 Speaker 1: to retain revenues that they might otherwise have the credit back. So, Gary, 294 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,880 Speaker 1: we're talking a lot about the economics of the NHL, 295 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 1: but you know, as well as anyone you've been in 296 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:14,760 Speaker 1: this job for a long time, sports transcend economics in 297 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 1: many ways. And you were quoted recently as saying, I 298 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 1: believe on a webinar that would have been cheaper not 299 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:26,200 Speaker 1: to play than to play, So why go ahead? We 300 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:29,400 Speaker 1: I was quoted as saying that, and I did say 301 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:33,680 Speaker 1: that the fact of the matter is the expenses of operating, 302 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 1: obviously are greater than if you're not operating. And we 303 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:44,719 Speaker 1: found ourselves in a situation with roughly fifty percent of 304 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 1: our revenues impacted, where if you did the pure adding 305 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:53,240 Speaker 1: up to dollars and cents and substracting the expenses, it 306 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:57,880 Speaker 1: would have been cheaper not to play. But uh, that's 307 00:17:57,880 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 1: not what our owners are, clubs are players wanted, and 308 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 1: we know, it was important to our fans and is 309 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 1: one of the four major sports. UH, we felt we 310 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 1: had an obligation to the game and first and foremost, however, 311 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 1: people view sports owners and their investments, at least the 312 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 1: hockey owners across the board are passionate about the game 313 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 1: and they wanted to see the game played. And so 314 00:18:25,119 --> 00:18:28,960 Speaker 1: the issue really wasn't the economics. The economics. It was 315 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:32,640 Speaker 1: really more as we talked about health and safety. And 316 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:36,160 Speaker 1: the good news for us is we have an economic 317 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:40,159 Speaker 1: system with our players where the revenues we take in 318 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:43,200 Speaker 1: is in direct correlation to what we pay out to 319 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:46,119 Speaker 1: the players, and that may provide some cash flow issues 320 00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 1: in the short term in terms of getting some of 321 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:52,879 Speaker 1: the money back if we're overpaying UM. Overall, even taking 322 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:56,239 Speaker 1: that into account where the players may be paid less, uh, 323 00:18:56,359 --> 00:19:00,879 Speaker 1: the out of pocket losses are substantial UM. But you know, 324 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: we just decided it was more important to play. There's 325 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:08,640 Speaker 1: a reason story that's out about a problem that happened 326 00:19:09,119 --> 00:19:12,160 Speaker 1: just very recently with the pucks. Apparently, I guess there's 327 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 1: the chip in the pucks, and I guess there was 328 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:16,959 Speaker 1: a problem with the finishing of the of the pucks 329 00:19:16,960 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 1: and I'm still not exactly clear what happened. Can you 330 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:25,160 Speaker 1: explain that, sir? Yes, and and it's unfortunate and I'm 331 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:28,880 Speaker 1: not gonna excuse it, although when you hear my explanation, 332 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:32,040 Speaker 1: you'll say, well, that makes sense that we used the 333 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:35,680 Speaker 1: puck in the playoffs last year. When we returned to play, 334 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 1: we used it in the conference finals, in the finals, 335 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 1: and there was no issue. Pucks were then manufactured over 336 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:46,639 Speaker 1: the summer and in the off season this year, and 337 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:51,000 Speaker 1: the puck is the puck in terms of it's it's 338 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 1: it's exact specifications, its way, its size, its composition is 339 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 1: what it's supposed to be. But the finishing, there was 340 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 1: an element of the finishing that was neglected to be done, 341 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:07,439 Speaker 1: which you really wouldn't know because to look at the 342 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:10,480 Speaker 1: puck you really couldn't tell. You wouldn't know until you 343 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:14,920 Speaker 1: played with it. And because we are playing an abbreviated 344 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:18,560 Speaker 1: season and we had no exhibition games, we didn't know 345 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 1: that this was not a batch of pucks that was 346 00:20:22,520 --> 00:20:24,600 Speaker 1: up to part. It was a bad batch and they're 347 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:27,600 Speaker 1: being fixed, and we only learned about it as we 348 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:30,280 Speaker 1: started playing games. If we had played preseason games, we 349 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:33,359 Speaker 1: would have known about it pretty quickly, although you can't 350 00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:36,160 Speaker 1: overreact because when you look at the objective spec strong 351 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 1: and puck, you can look at it. No, it's fine, 352 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:42,680 Speaker 1: and sometimes a puck will bounce or be slow because 353 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:46,480 Speaker 1: of ice conditions. But we were able to determine pretty 354 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 1: quickly after we got feedback that something had been wrong 355 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: in the process because the puck wasn't performing in terms 356 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:55,359 Speaker 1: of sliding. I mean, listen, the puck was the same 357 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:58,119 Speaker 1: and it's the same football teams, but in terms of 358 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:01,720 Speaker 1: maximum performance, it was performing the way we like to 359 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 1: see our perform. And we got to the bottom of it, 360 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:07,560 Speaker 1: determined what the problem was, and the new batch of 361 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: pucks are being manufactured with making sure that every last 362 00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: element of the finishing is taken care of. Uh. It 363 00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:19,159 Speaker 1: was unfortunate, particularly because people don't realize most people that 364 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:21,800 Speaker 1: we actually used it. That was fine at the end 365 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 1: of last season. Garrison stump up in Boston. I'll ask 366 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:30,800 Speaker 1: the big bad Bruins question here. Um, recently, do you 367 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:33,920 Speaker 1: find the Washington Capitals a hundred thousand Because a bunch 368 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:37,240 Speaker 1: of players congregated in a hotel room and the NFL 369 00:21:37,320 --> 00:21:39,520 Speaker 1: went through the same thing and they started out with 370 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:41,919 Speaker 1: a hundred thousand dollar fines. They hit the Patriots at 371 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:44,600 Speaker 1: three fifty, the Saints with five hundred thousand, and it 372 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:47,840 Speaker 1: looks like the same sort of warnings here that you 373 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:52,040 Speaker 1: could be fined forfeit draft picks are actually forfeit a game. 374 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:55,480 Speaker 1: How far would would the league go and just disciplining 375 00:21:55,560 --> 00:21:59,680 Speaker 1: people don't follow protocol? You know, it's not so much 376 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:04,919 Speaker 1: about the punishment our players, And as we indicated in 377 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:10,720 Speaker 1: our discussion a few minutes ago, the the players willingness 378 00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:14,040 Speaker 1: to be in the bubble in the return to play 379 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:19,080 Speaker 1: and their compliance with the protocol was and has been extraordinary. 380 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:23,119 Speaker 1: Uh and overwhelmingly the players do the right things. I 381 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:26,320 Speaker 1: think you had a few players, less than a handful, 382 00:22:26,760 --> 00:22:31,159 Speaker 1: who did something that violated the protocol. They acknowledged at 383 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:34,159 Speaker 1: least one did on their behalf that it was the 384 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:37,720 Speaker 1: wrong thing to do. To me, the fine was more 385 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:41,840 Speaker 1: about getting everybody's attention and making sure that we're getting 386 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 1: compliance across the board. And overwhelmingly the players and our 387 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:50,680 Speaker 1: other personnel have been great getting compliance. I think what 388 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:53,919 Speaker 1: we did by announcing the find was making sure that 389 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:58,160 Speaker 1: we had everybody's attention and everybody understood what was required. 390 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:02,879 Speaker 1: It was more of an additional wake up call and 391 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:06,400 Speaker 1: making sure everybody's focused on the importance of the protocols. 392 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:10,040 Speaker 1: I don't think there's going to be needs for lots 393 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:13,679 Speaker 1: more fines on an ongoing basis. Our personnel, both on 394 00:23:13,760 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 1: and off the eyes, really get it and have been 395 00:23:16,119 --> 00:23:21,400 Speaker 1: great throughout. So Gary, you have mentioned that roughly fift 396 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:26,119 Speaker 1: of revenue comes from fans in the building's ticket sales concessions, 397 00:23:26,119 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 1: I would imagine as all lumped into that merchandise, etcetera. 398 00:23:30,119 --> 00:23:34,080 Speaker 1: So as you look at sort of the revenue pie 399 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:37,800 Speaker 1: going forward some of the changes that you've made, this 400 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 1: is a league that during your long tenure, dating back 401 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:46,720 Speaker 1: to the mid nineties, ten times the revenue has increased 402 00:23:47,359 --> 00:23:50,120 Speaker 1: by most estimates, probably a little more than that by 403 00:23:50,119 --> 00:23:55,400 Speaker 1: this moment. What does this topsy turvy world that we've 404 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:59,080 Speaker 1: been talking about do in terms of the mix going 405 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:01,760 Speaker 1: forward of the new growth. How do you look at 406 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:04,960 Speaker 1: this from a pure kind of revenue business perspective in 407 00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:08,919 Speaker 1: terms of what this may set you back. That's a 408 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:14,320 Speaker 1: great question. So when I took over in nineteen three, 409 00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:17,880 Speaker 1: I think revenues were around four hundred million dollars UH 410 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:22,120 Speaker 1: and for the nine twenty season, our projections and we 411 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:24,879 Speaker 1: were on track until the middle of March would be 412 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 1: about five billion dollars UM. And so we've had great growth. UH. 413 00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:33,160 Speaker 1: There has been growth in hockey, both at our level 414 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:38,000 Speaker 1: and at the gress roots level in terms of participation UH. 415 00:24:38,040 --> 00:24:41,920 Speaker 1: And we continue to see prospects for growth, whether it's 416 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 1: social media, digital platforms, or even traditional media. The interest 417 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:49,360 Speaker 1: in our game continues to grow UH, and I think 418 00:24:49,359 --> 00:24:53,200 Speaker 1: our revenues will continue to grow UM. The fan base 419 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 1: has also been enhanced by the addition of the franchise 420 00:24:56,040 --> 00:25:00,199 Speaker 1: recently in Las Vegas. We have another one coming in 421 00:25:00,320 --> 00:25:05,280 Speaker 1: Seattle's and started season UH and that makes our game 422 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:08,280 Speaker 1: and our footprint and our presence in terms of hockey 423 00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 1: overall even greater. So what we're dealing with right now 424 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:17,800 Speaker 1: is I think a short term phenomenon, although I think 425 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:20,119 Speaker 1: people would quarrel with the year being short term. But 426 00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 1: the point is we're going to get through this at 427 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:25,200 Speaker 1: some point, and I think our business will come out 428 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:29,960 Speaker 1: of it stronger and we'll continue to grow well. Commissioner Bettman, 429 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,600 Speaker 1: you went from a brilliant question to now my silly, 430 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: stupid question. I'm just gonna bluntly say it, and I'll 431 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:38,920 Speaker 1: tell you why. I'm asking, do you miss Peter Puck? 432 00:25:39,320 --> 00:25:42,560 Speaker 1: And I want to explain to people what Peter Puck was. 433 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:46,399 Speaker 1: It explained the game way back in the early seventies 434 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 1: to people who may not have known what hockey was 435 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:52,600 Speaker 1: all about. So you had this animated puck and it's 436 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:54,480 Speaker 1: like Peter Buck here and he's telling you what the 437 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:57,560 Speaker 1: game is. Now in Detroit, we yes, thank you, thanks 438 00:25:57,560 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 1: for explaining. I yeah, we're Detroit. We know we got 439 00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:03,560 Speaker 1: the doing. But I'm wondering if there will ever be 440 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:06,680 Speaker 1: a day where the NHL and other sports have tried 441 00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:10,840 Speaker 1: at also to broadcast to children to explain the game 442 00:26:10,920 --> 00:26:15,800 Speaker 1: what hockey is all about. You know, it's a great question, uh, 443 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:18,600 Speaker 1: And Peter Puck had his day and had his time 444 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:21,960 Speaker 1: was great. But I think for the most part, our 445 00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:26,880 Speaker 1: fans and sports fans in general, UH don't need that 446 00:26:27,359 --> 00:26:30,640 Speaker 1: in the middle of the game. There are enough ways 447 00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:34,680 Speaker 1: to get any information you want. We have all sorts 448 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:38,520 Speaker 1: of tools and assets and websites and apps that can 449 00:26:38,560 --> 00:26:42,480 Speaker 1: teach you more about the game. But with your question 450 00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:45,400 Speaker 1: leads to is you know, people remember the fox Puck 451 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,240 Speaker 1: in the mid nineties, which was ahead of its time. 452 00:26:49,040 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 1: It was primitive then, although it was that technology that 453 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:56,520 Speaker 1: led to the insertions for the first and tent line 454 00:26:56,520 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 1: in football, and now we have pucking player tracking. We 455 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,000 Speaker 1: were talking talking about the puck before, where you can 456 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:07,639 Speaker 1: really use technology to get inside the game, particularly if 457 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:10,639 Speaker 1: you knew a fan, to see what's going on, to 458 00:27:10,760 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 1: get more data to really get a sense to the game, 459 00:27:14,119 --> 00:27:17,320 Speaker 1: which because our game is so fast, having the ability 460 00:27:17,359 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 1: to get data the data that you want to understand 461 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:22,720 Speaker 1: it is great. Video games as help as well. So 462 00:27:22,840 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 1: at the time Peter Puck was great, but I don't 463 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:28,240 Speaker 1: think we need it now. However, the one thing that 464 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:31,560 Speaker 1: I'm fascinated about, and it was a really good move, 465 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:36,679 Speaker 1: was the Nickelodeon NFL broadcast of which was particularly attracted 466 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:39,720 Speaker 1: as to kids, and I think that's something that all 467 00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:43,160 Speaker 1: sports can take a look at. While our demos tend 468 00:27:43,160 --> 00:27:46,919 Speaker 1: to skew younger, uh and more tech savvy than the 469 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:52,159 Speaker 1: other sports, doing something that particularly reaches young people in 470 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:55,600 Speaker 1: that way I think is a great innovation. Gary, because 471 00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:58,040 Speaker 1: of COVID obviously have had to cancel the Winter Classic 472 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:00,480 Speaker 1: in the Stadium series, but you're gonna have two games 473 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:03,920 Speaker 1: out in Lake Tahoe and that fascinates me a because 474 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:06,960 Speaker 1: I'm interested in the logistics be the Bruins will be 475 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:10,359 Speaker 1: playing the Flyers and see is will it be a 476 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:14,920 Speaker 1: league wide revenue sharing event. Well, first of all, we're 477 00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:18,720 Speaker 1: excited to do it because losing the outdoor Games, which 478 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:22,760 Speaker 1: has been spectacular for us, taking the game back to 479 00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:25,960 Speaker 1: its roots, playing outside and playing in front of crowds 480 00:28:26,119 --> 00:28:29,960 Speaker 1: that are much much larger than our players are used 481 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:32,080 Speaker 1: to playing in front of them. I mean we've had 482 00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:35,479 Speaker 1: games with over a hundred thousand people. Uh in the 483 00:28:35,520 --> 00:28:39,240 Speaker 1: snow is great. So we wanted to at least have 484 00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:44,000 Speaker 1: an event for television where our fans could see something 485 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 1: special in the season in the absence of the Outdoor Games, 486 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:50,280 Speaker 1: the Winter Classic, or even even the All Star Game. 487 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:54,480 Speaker 1: And that was the theory behind the um. You see 488 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:57,360 Speaker 1: the lake, you see the mountains, you see the snow. Uh. 489 00:28:57,400 --> 00:29:01,280 Speaker 1: It's a beautiful setting and we think it'll make for 490 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:04,760 Speaker 1: a great telecast and we know our players will have 491 00:29:04,920 --> 00:29:08,280 Speaker 1: fun with it. From a revenue standpoint, there are no 492 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:12,000 Speaker 1: fans there. This This is not a revenue producer. This 493 00:29:12,080 --> 00:29:15,880 Speaker 1: is again one of these things that creates revenue attention 494 00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:19,560 Speaker 1: UH and gives us the ability to deliver something special 495 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:23,960 Speaker 1: to our broadcast partners and to our fans. So Gary, 496 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:26,600 Speaker 1: on the topic of broadcast partners, just as we as 497 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:30,120 Speaker 1: we wrap up here, talk to us about that element 498 00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:34,160 Speaker 1: of the business. Obviously, it has been a focus of yours, 499 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:37,760 Speaker 1: I think, to say the least, during your tenure as commissioner. 500 00:29:37,800 --> 00:29:41,200 Speaker 1: It's a really important source of revenue across professional sports. 501 00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:45,880 Speaker 1: Where does sort of the broadcast conversation go from here, 502 00:29:46,080 --> 00:29:49,880 Speaker 1: and especially in light of the fact that this is 503 00:29:49,920 --> 00:29:52,880 Speaker 1: how people are consuming almost all sports. We can't go 504 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:56,000 Speaker 1: and watch our our favorite teams anymore, so how does 505 00:29:56,040 --> 00:29:58,760 Speaker 1: that equation change. Do you think about it differently than 506 00:29:58,800 --> 00:30:03,720 Speaker 1: the broadcast side. Well, connecting with with our fans in 507 00:30:03,800 --> 00:30:08,080 Speaker 1: any way that possible to bring them closer to the game, 508 00:30:08,360 --> 00:30:11,960 Speaker 1: whether it's the games themselves, or all access shows or 509 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:16,200 Speaker 1: other shows, the programming all that's important. UH NBC has 510 00:30:16,280 --> 00:30:20,760 Speaker 1: been a one full partner going on fifteen years, UH 511 00:30:20,760 --> 00:30:27,320 Speaker 1: and we're constantly looking at opportunities to expand our reach 512 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:33,160 Speaker 1: UH and our revenues, both on traditional media and and 513 00:30:33,240 --> 00:30:35,840 Speaker 1: on digital platforms. And I think you're going to see 514 00:30:35,920 --> 00:30:42,080 Speaker 1: more and more evolution and inclusion to uh the digital platforms, 515 00:30:42,120 --> 00:30:45,720 Speaker 1: because fans are are wanting to get what they want, 516 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:48,360 Speaker 1: when they wanted and how they want it, and we 517 00:30:48,440 --> 00:30:51,440 Speaker 1: need to be sure that we're hitting all of the 518 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:54,920 Speaker 1: touch points appropriately. Well, Gary, it has been really really 519 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:56,920 Speaker 1: good to catch up with you. Thank you so much. 520 00:30:56,920 --> 00:30:59,400 Speaker 1: We know it's a really busy time and uh look 521 00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:01,680 Speaker 1: forward to having you back before too long, maybe as 522 00:31:01,680 --> 00:31:04,200 Speaker 1: we get towards the end of the season, and you 523 00:31:04,200 --> 00:31:06,680 Speaker 1: can share some of your learnings with us, because we 524 00:31:06,760 --> 00:31:09,680 Speaker 1: know there's there's a lot of learning going on these days. 525 00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:12,600 Speaker 1: To say the least, really appreciate the time. Thank you 526 00:31:12,640 --> 00:31:17,320 Speaker 1: for having me and everybody should be safe and stay healthy. Alright, guys, 527 00:31:17,320 --> 00:31:19,360 Speaker 1: So good to catch up with Gary Batman timely, to 528 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:25,440 Speaker 1: say the least. Uh sorry about Peter Puck. Uh. I 529 00:31:25,520 --> 00:31:27,760 Speaker 1: brought that up to my sixteen year old and I'm 530 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:29,800 Speaker 1: not even going to say what he thought I said, 531 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:32,560 Speaker 1: but I'm like, look, this was this was a big 532 00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:39,080 Speaker 1: thing back in my days. Huge, It is huge. Showing 533 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:40,840 Speaker 1: our age though, bar that's what we're doing. Yeah, a 534 00:31:40,840 --> 00:31:43,920 Speaker 1: little bit, a little bit. Uh so so Lynch, you 535 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:45,680 Speaker 1: what what do you think? I mean? You know, listen, 536 00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:47,880 Speaker 1: this is a guy who's been through We didn't get into, 537 00:31:48,040 --> 00:31:50,080 Speaker 1: you know, all the labor issues he's had to deal 538 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:54,120 Speaker 1: with over the past uh two decades, almost three decades 539 00:31:54,120 --> 00:31:58,080 Speaker 1: that he's been in the job. Now, Um, but hockey 540 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:00,960 Speaker 1: rolls on. I mean you see it up close and personal. 541 00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:02,920 Speaker 1: Not as up close and personal as you probably once did, 542 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:04,560 Speaker 1: given that there are no fans in the stands. But 543 00:32:04,600 --> 00:32:07,000 Speaker 1: what do you make of the NHL right now? I 544 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:09,280 Speaker 1: think the biggest thing that's happened to the NHL is 545 00:32:09,320 --> 00:32:12,760 Speaker 1: there a deal with the NBC and the NBC Sports Network. Uh. 546 00:32:12,800 --> 00:32:16,960 Speaker 1: They're on a national platform seven nights a week, and 547 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:20,000 Speaker 1: before that, it was really hard to to to sustain 548 00:32:20,040 --> 00:32:23,080 Speaker 1: a national broadcast partner. NBC would be in for three 549 00:32:23,120 --> 00:32:25,080 Speaker 1: years and CBS ab in and then b O and 550 00:32:25,080 --> 00:32:27,200 Speaker 1: then ABC would be in, an ABC would be out. 551 00:32:27,560 --> 00:32:29,680 Speaker 1: And they've got a partner now and they've got that 552 00:32:29,720 --> 00:32:33,040 Speaker 1: other you know, the NBC Sports Network is another outlet. Um. 553 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:35,440 Speaker 1: The second thing that grabbed me was when I asked 554 00:32:35,480 --> 00:32:37,600 Speaker 1: him the question about the Washington Capital's find of a 555 00:32:37,640 --> 00:32:40,520 Speaker 1: hundred thousand dollars uh, and he said, you know, I 556 00:32:40,560 --> 00:32:43,640 Speaker 1: don't foresee anything deeper coming for that. It was just 557 00:32:43,720 --> 00:32:46,120 Speaker 1: an attention grabber for everybody in the league, like, hey, 558 00:32:46,120 --> 00:32:48,960 Speaker 1: we're serious with these protocols. But the question I want 559 00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:51,600 Speaker 1: to ask them is who rated out the guys that 560 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:54,280 Speaker 1: were in the hotel room with the Washington Capitals. Does 561 00:32:54,320 --> 00:32:56,600 Speaker 1: someone drop a dime? I mean, do they have like 562 00:32:56,640 --> 00:32:59,240 Speaker 1: a do they have like a league detective that patrols 563 00:32:59,280 --> 00:33:04,920 Speaker 1: every floor hotels? I don't know, but Twitter account? Yeah, 564 00:33:05,040 --> 00:33:07,280 Speaker 1: but the guy, the guy who the guy who manned 565 00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:10,520 Speaker 1: up and fest up with Alex Ovechkin, the uh probably 566 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:12,480 Speaker 1: one of the great greatest players in the National Hockey 567 00:33:12,560 --> 00:33:14,880 Speaker 1: League ever. And so I thought that was kind of interesting. 568 00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:16,800 Speaker 1: What do you make of it? Far? What do you 569 00:33:16,840 --> 00:33:19,360 Speaker 1: think of him? Well, I I there are several points. 570 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:23,880 Speaker 1: One involved the and the decals on the helmets and 571 00:33:24,080 --> 00:33:26,240 Speaker 1: how the game has changed and he and he said 572 00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:29,320 Speaker 1: something that made perfect sense. It's like, look, you gotta 573 00:33:29,360 --> 00:33:31,600 Speaker 1: do what you gotta do. I mean, this isn't so 574 00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:35,200 Speaker 1: much as a revenue maker, but more as a revenue keeper. 575 00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:38,160 Speaker 1: And that really struck me as like, well, this is 576 00:33:38,160 --> 00:33:40,120 Speaker 1: what you have to do to survive in this game. 577 00:33:40,360 --> 00:33:44,240 Speaker 1: I think that's gonna stick around as as time goes along, 578 00:33:44,320 --> 00:33:46,800 Speaker 1: because once we get back on our feet, I think 579 00:33:46,800 --> 00:33:49,560 Speaker 1: the clubs are gonna say, hey, there's money to be 580 00:33:49,640 --> 00:33:53,240 Speaker 1: made and having the decal on our helmets. So let's 581 00:33:53,280 --> 00:33:55,800 Speaker 1: see what happens. One of the things I found so 582 00:33:55,920 --> 00:34:01,160 Speaker 1: interesting lead you with this idea that this is aisle ultimately, 583 00:34:01,400 --> 00:34:04,320 Speaker 1: you know, this is revenue continues to grow, and I 584 00:34:04,320 --> 00:34:06,960 Speaker 1: mean the figures during his tenure are pretty amazing. To 585 00:34:06,960 --> 00:34:10,560 Speaker 1: go from four hundred or so million to five plus billion, 586 00:34:10,680 --> 00:34:12,480 Speaker 1: and you know, maybe a little hiccup this year, but 587 00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:16,279 Speaker 1: we'll see where that ends up. But the notion that 588 00:34:16,400 --> 00:34:20,520 Speaker 1: what they're really looking for right now is revenue retention. 589 00:34:20,600 --> 00:34:24,120 Speaker 1: This is still triage, you know. I mean, yes, maybe 590 00:34:24,160 --> 00:34:26,160 Speaker 1: we can see some light at the end of the tunnel, 591 00:34:26,200 --> 00:34:28,480 Speaker 1: but the reality is this has been brutal. If you 592 00:34:28,520 --> 00:34:31,920 Speaker 1: make fifty percent of your money from people coming through 593 00:34:31,960 --> 00:34:35,439 Speaker 1: the gates and there are no butts and seats, that's bad. Yeah, 594 00:34:35,480 --> 00:34:37,120 Speaker 1: it is. And we know that the end of the 595 00:34:37,440 --> 00:34:42,160 Speaker 1: National Football League UM gets of the revenue from television. 596 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:45,839 Speaker 1: It's only game day NBA and Major League Baseball rather 597 00:34:45,960 --> 00:34:49,600 Speaker 1: is but they have you know, so many national contracts 598 00:34:49,840 --> 00:34:54,680 Speaker 1: with TBS and uh ESPN and UH and ABC in 599 00:34:54,719 --> 00:34:57,400 Speaker 1: the finals in the National Hockey League doesn't doesn't have that. 600 00:34:57,400 --> 00:35:00,880 Speaker 1: They've always spend the you the poor child at the 601 00:35:00,920 --> 00:35:04,600 Speaker 1: bottom of the four major sports teams. But you know, 602 00:35:04,640 --> 00:35:06,400 Speaker 1: I was surprised that, you know, when I read that, 603 00:35:06,719 --> 00:35:08,640 Speaker 1: I saw the webinar when he said, you know, we 604 00:35:08,960 --> 00:35:11,560 Speaker 1: might as well just just canceled the season because we're 605 00:35:11,560 --> 00:35:15,319 Speaker 1: gonna lose over a billion dollars. But the owners, you know, 606 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:18,839 Speaker 1: they want to stay relevant and and they'd rather play 607 00:35:18,880 --> 00:35:22,080 Speaker 1: and lose money than be irrelevant on the sports landscape. Yeah. 608 00:35:22,160 --> 00:35:24,680 Speaker 1: I mean, my my two cents, which is worth nothing, 609 00:35:25,280 --> 00:35:29,120 Speaker 1: worth less than two cents. You gotta play. There's no question, 610 00:35:29,200 --> 00:35:30,920 Speaker 1: like if you're if you're an owner, I mean, if 611 00:35:30,960 --> 00:35:33,000 Speaker 1: if you hung it up, I just I feel like 612 00:35:33,560 --> 00:35:37,719 Speaker 1: that would be It wouldn't necessarily kill the league, but 613 00:35:37,760 --> 00:35:40,720 Speaker 1: it would set them back years if they decided, without question, 614 00:35:41,040 --> 00:35:45,800 Speaker 1: without without questions. You want because it feels better to 615 00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:47,480 Speaker 1: be a number one than number five. I'll wear a 616 00:35:47,560 --> 00:35:49,279 Speaker 1: number because of Mike. We have a chance to go 617 00:35:49,320 --> 00:35:51,160 Speaker 1: for three in a row. Good numbers are a good time. 618 00:35:51,160 --> 00:35:53,279 Speaker 1: When I first started wearing the number, I would just 619 00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:56,920 Speaker 1: have the improved Bloomberg Business of Sports. The number of 620 00:35:56,960 --> 00:36:00,239 Speaker 1: the week. Time, everybody for the number of the week, 621 00:36:00,320 --> 00:36:02,960 Speaker 1: huddle around the set. Gang. You can come along and 622 00:36:03,040 --> 00:36:10,440 Speaker 1: play too. Uh. Here's the question. Last weekend's NFL Fox 623 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:15,840 Speaker 1: presentation of the Tampa Bay New Orleans Showdown, Drew Brees, 624 00:36:16,040 --> 00:36:20,319 Speaker 1: Tom Brady, I want to know. Give me how many 625 00:36:20,440 --> 00:36:36,160 Speaker 1: viewers watched that game. Viewers, I'll give you a Louis, Yeah, 626 00:36:36,239 --> 00:36:38,560 Speaker 1: give it, give us a hint. It was the most 627 00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:43,479 Speaker 1: watched TV broadcast in NFL game since last February Super Bowl. Yeah. 628 00:36:44,520 --> 00:36:51,000 Speaker 1: Oh interesting. So it's so it's in that it's definitely 629 00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:55,400 Speaker 1: measured in the tens of millions. Um, I'm gonna go 630 00:36:57,760 --> 00:37:03,040 Speaker 1: thirty million. Okay, pay prices right on you, and then 631 00:37:03,160 --> 00:37:07,040 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go million. You know something. You you said 632 00:37:07,080 --> 00:37:09,279 Speaker 1: something last week, Lynch, and you're right. Every time I 633 00:37:09,320 --> 00:37:12,960 Speaker 1: say Lynch, then you'll hear something in my voice. Well 634 00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:18,680 Speaker 1: this time, Jason one, Oh my god, you know what, 635 00:37:19,320 --> 00:37:21,439 Speaker 1: it's been a long time coming. It's been a long 636 00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:26,279 Speaker 1: time coming. Thirty five point five million viewers. That's an 637 00:37:26,360 --> 00:37:30,480 Speaker 1: eighteen point one household rating. That's a lot of people. 638 00:37:31,000 --> 00:37:34,279 Speaker 1: But listen, I mean it was a great game. Not 639 00:37:34,480 --> 00:37:39,640 Speaker 1: great if you're a Saints fan. But uh, I think 640 00:37:39,680 --> 00:37:43,239 Speaker 1: the the NFL. I mean, this is maybe a long 641 00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:46,360 Speaker 1: topic for another time, but you know, Lynchy as obviously 642 00:37:46,360 --> 00:37:49,760 Speaker 1: someone who's watched Tom Brady more closely than just about anyone. 643 00:37:50,560 --> 00:37:54,000 Speaker 1: I mean, he's gonna be I mean, Jesus, he may 644 00:37:54,040 --> 00:37:57,160 Speaker 1: never retire, but like he's gonna be hard to replace, 645 00:37:57,239 --> 00:38:01,000 Speaker 1: and those rivalries that he's created are gonna be hard 646 00:38:01,040 --> 00:38:04,080 Speaker 1: to replicate as we go on. He's a special player 647 00:38:04,160 --> 00:38:06,439 Speaker 1: and people, whether you like him or don't like him, 648 00:38:06,640 --> 00:38:09,560 Speaker 1: they do love to watch him. They do. I mean, 649 00:38:09,560 --> 00:38:11,840 Speaker 1: he had a great rivalry going on with Peyton Manning 650 00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:14,440 Speaker 1: every time the Patriots and the Colts got together, and 651 00:38:14,480 --> 00:38:16,840 Speaker 1: then when he went to Denver became the Patriots and 652 00:38:16,920 --> 00:38:19,719 Speaker 1: the Broncos. And now we've got this third meeting this 653 00:38:19,840 --> 00:38:22,359 Speaker 1: year with Drew Brees. And the funny thing is it's 654 00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:26,400 Speaker 1: not like like Ali and Joe Frasier or Chamberlain and Russell. 655 00:38:26,440 --> 00:38:28,640 Speaker 1: They're never on the field at the same time, but 656 00:38:29,440 --> 00:38:31,839 Speaker 1: they don't go ahead to head, but but it is, 657 00:38:31,920 --> 00:38:34,600 Speaker 1: it is a rivalry and you know, two good guys, 658 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:37,640 Speaker 1: and you know, I think we talked about this maybe 659 00:38:37,640 --> 00:38:39,560 Speaker 1: in one of the other shows or something. But that 660 00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:42,960 Speaker 1: the little video of Breeze with his family in the 661 00:38:43,000 --> 00:38:46,200 Speaker 1: field with Brady and and Brady just touches that tear 662 00:38:46,280 --> 00:38:49,080 Speaker 1: dropping right over one of Drew brees sons to his 663 00:38:49,160 --> 00:38:53,480 Speaker 1: other son in the corner of the end song. That 664 00:38:53,560 --> 00:38:57,200 Speaker 1: was great. It was perfect. Yeah, it was really good, 665 00:38:57,320 --> 00:39:00,360 Speaker 1: really good. Well, all right, well, I'm gonna just beast 666 00:39:00,440 --> 00:39:04,880 Speaker 1: on this victory for a while. Retired, Jason, just retired. 667 00:39:05,080 --> 00:39:07,760 Speaker 1: Announce your retirement right now from the from the number 668 00:39:07,760 --> 00:39:11,879 Speaker 1: of the week. Number the week is now canceled. We're 669 00:39:11,920 --> 00:39:14,200 Speaker 1: not gonna do it anymore, all right. You've been listening 670 00:39:14,200 --> 00:39:16,399 Speaker 1: to Blueberg Businesses Sports. We're here each and every week 671 00:39:16,440 --> 00:39:18,960 Speaker 1: at the same time, plus online wherever you get your podcast. 672 00:39:19,000 --> 00:39:20,840 Speaker 1: You ever miss anything that we say, just head on 673 00:39:20,920 --> 00:39:24,800 Speaker 1: avert to your podcast. See those drop newly on Monday's, 674 00:39:24,880 --> 00:39:28,440 Speaker 1: Wednesdays and Thursdays. And also find this on Twitter. I'm 675 00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:31,920 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly. Find me there at Jason Kelly News and 676 00:39:31,960 --> 00:39:33,719 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go right back and start try to get 677 00:39:33,760 --> 00:39:38,520 Speaker 1: inside Michael Barr's mind again for next week. And I'm 678 00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:44,440 Speaker 1: a very disgruntled but a good loser. Lynch at w CVB. Yeah, okay, 679 00:39:45,800 --> 00:39:47,960 Speaker 1: and I'm Michael Barr on Twitter. You will never hear 680 00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:50,719 Speaker 1: me say Lynji again because I give away a lot 681 00:39:51,160 --> 00:39:54,680 Speaker 1: when I say it. So I'm just gonna after you 682 00:39:54,760 --> 00:39:58,200 Speaker 1: and Jason, I'm just gonna let I'm gonna let Lyndie 683 00:39:58,280 --> 00:40:01,560 Speaker 1: then answer after you at at all you want. And 684 00:40:01,600 --> 00:40:04,680 Speaker 1: that's good. Uh. Following me at Big Bars Sports, you're 685 00:40:04,719 --> 00:40:08,520 Speaker 1: listening at Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around 686 00:40:08,600 --> 00:40:09,000 Speaker 1: the world.