Djokovic Bets Big on Biofabric: From Rehab to $100M Brand

Good morning, ! This week we’re looking at the wonders of AI field management, the most watched sports TV platforms, esports engagement throughout the years, and Djokovic bet on therapeutic apparel

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MEDIA & SPORTS

ESPN’s Streaming Swagger

ESPN+ tops the list of platforms for sports streaming at 52%, but the real story isn’t dominance—it’s defiance. The network is betting that audiences will follow as it drags live sports deeper into streaming. The problem? Cord-cutting is slowing, and some fans are actually drifting back to cable. Older viewers—the lifeblood of linear TV—still like things the old way. Forcing them to pay $30/month for a narrower bundle may test loyalty. Meanwhile, Amazon, YouTube, and Apple are fine losing money on sports to gain ecosystem power. Disney, though, doesn’t have that luxury. It needs this to work—or risk proving that “streaming saves sports” was just another Hail Mary. (More)

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INVESTOR CORNER

$1B Goldman Sachs move in the GOATs Race

Goldman Sachs is throwing elbows into the sports talent game, reportedly close to acquiring Excel Sports Management for nearly $1B. If closed, this deal would wrest the agency from Shamrock Capital and deliver Goldman a client list that reads like an ESPN highlight reel—Tiger Woods, Nikola Jokic, Caitlin Clark, and Derek Jeter, among others.

The move doubles down on a booming trend: private capital betting big on sports as media rights, NIL deals, and athlete branding scale like startup valuations in 2021. For Goldman, it’s less about clout and more about fee-generating alternatives. Excel’s commissions ballooned 57% in three years, now topping $783M—not bad for a boutique born in 2002. One thing’s clear: in sports M&A, control is the new MVP. (More)

ENTREPRENEURS

Djokovic Bets on Biofabric: From Tennis Legend to Tissue Tech Tycoon

Novak Djokovic isn’t just stretching hamstrings anymore—he’s stretching into the boardroom. The 24-time Grand Slam champ has taken a majority stake in Incrediwear, a therapeutic apparel company best known for its bioactive infrared fabric that claims to reduce inflammation without compression or chemicals. Djokovic discovered the brand during his 2024 knee rehab, and credits it for getting him back on court faster. Now he’s not just a user—he’s the face and financier. With backing from Natureza Growth Partners and Djokovic’s global reach, Incrediwear is scaling up across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Whether this is savvy investing or another case of celebrity-overreach is TBD. But Djokovic’s expanding portfolio—spanning wellness, biotech, and sustainability—shows he’s swinging for longevity, both physically and financially. (More)

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TECH & INFRASTRUCTURE

Line by Line: The Rise of Robotic Turf Management

Sports field maintenance is getting an AI-fueled upgrade. From robotic mowers to GPS-powered line painters, automated turf tech is quietly becoming a staple of venue operations—and investors are taking notice.

Why it matters: Precision field management used to require large crews and ongoing costs. Today, machines like GPS line marking robots and sensor-driven irrigation systems are cutting labor, water, and fertilization needs—all while delivering higher consistency. The automation play is now a sustainability play too.

Key investment drivers:

• Cost savings: Robotic mowers and field painters lower headcount while operating with 90%+ accuracy.
  

• Environmental impact: Electric robots reduce emissions and enable smarter resource use, from water to paint.
  

• Data advantage: Turf analytics platforms track moisture, health, and usage trends—turning maintenance into a predictive science.

While flashy fan tech grabs headlines, it’s the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that’s quietly scaling. For asset managers and PE firms backing stadium operators, this is a textbook operational efficiency upgrade—one robot at a time. (More)

eSPORTS

Indonesia’s Esports Market Levels Up—Then Levels Off

Indonesia’s eSports boom is settling into its next phase: from hype to habit. Deloitte’s 2024 Let’s Play report shows overall reach slipping slightly from 77% in 2022 to 74% in 2024, and active viewership easing to 47%. The good news? Regular eSports followers held steady at 31%, forming a loyal, urban, and young fan base—with 78% Gen Z or Millennials and half residing in cities over 100,000 people. That’s a marketer’s dream demographic. The story here isn’t decline—it’s maturation. Like traditional leagues, Indonesia’s esports scene is building an enduring ecosystem of sponsorships, community, and steady engagement, not viral spikes. Think less “flashy launch” and more “long-term franchise mode.” (More)

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TWEET OF THE WEEK

"The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself."

Mark Caine