MLB's New Partnerships, NRL's Vegas Triumph, and Major Changes in Women's Leagues - 3rd March

This is Fast Break, your daily source for sports business news and the latest trends in sports marketing, sponsorships, media deals, and brand strategies shaping the industry.
Today’s news:

Major League Baseball (MLB) is seeking new broadcasting partnerships with Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and NBC after ESPN opted out of their agreement set to last until 2028, although ESPN will continue airing select events this year. Meanwhile, the National Rugby League (NRL) made a strong debut in Las Vegas, attracting over 45,000 fans and promising expansion into the U.S. market. Foxtel's CEO reported record viewership and sales from the NRL event, with hopes of further success in 2025, while also securing exclusive rights to the US Masters golf tournament.

In Houston, the Astros' stadium will now be known as Daikin Park under a 15-year naming rights agreement, marking a significant move for the HVAC company in U.S. sports. The NRL and Touch Football Australia are advocating for touch football’s inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, inspired by the recent addition of flag football to the 2028 Games.

Honda launched an inspirational campaign titled "Unstoppable Dreams," featuring racing legends to connect with audiences ahead of the Melbourne Grand Prix. In Formula 1 news, Lewis Hamilton's switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season marks a new chapter in both his career and the team's pursuits, touching on performance and diversity issues.

In women's professional sports, the newly formed Unrivaled basketball league plans to offer the highest average salaries and equity stakes to players. Fox has also reported high demand for Super Bowl LIX advertising slots, with prices reaching $7 million for 30-second spots, including Nike's first commercial during the event since 1988, focusing on women's sports. Lastly, Riot Games announced the first international League of Legends tournament to take place in March 2025 in South Korea.

That’s all for today. See you tomorrow.
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