Why Nike Bet $200M on Tennis Star Carlos Alcaraz I Carmelo Anthony’s Second Act

Good morning, ! This week we’re exploring Morocco’s $520M World Cup stadium bid, why the Champions League Final is now football’s global main event, Nike’s $200M bet on Carlos Alcaraz, and how college sports are entering a quasi-pro era with billions in backpay and new funding challenges.

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MEDIA & SPORTS

Champions League Final: Football’s Global Super Bowl

Forget the Super Bowl—UEFA’s Champions League Final is the real global main event. The 2025 final clocked in with a live audience of ~145M, pushing its total reach beyond 430M when you factor in public screenings and streaming. That’s nearly 3x the global viewership of the Super Bowl (155M). Broadcast in 200+ territories, the match isn’t just Europe’s closing act—it’s football’s global mic drop. Big names (Real Madrid, PSG) pull monster local numbers—11.5M in France alone—and the drama keeps fans hooked. For brands and platforms (DAZN, Amazon, TNT Sports), the final is a commercial goldmine. Bottom line: it’s the rare event where the ball, the broadcast, and the business all win. (More)

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INVESTOR CORNER

Nike Doubles Down on Its Young Super Star

Carlos Alcaraz is now the $200M man. Nike just extended the 22-year-old superstar in a deal reportedly worth up to $20M/year, securing him as the face of its tennis future. The custom logo? Already in motion—an honor only shared by Federer, Nadal, and Sinner. With five Grand Slams under his belt, Alcaraz is not just winning; he’s already running the GOAT race. Investors, take note: Alcaraz’s brand appeal is tracking with the all-time greats—and Nike is all-in on the comp. (More)

ENTREPRENEURS

Carmelo Anthony’s Second Act

From Olympic gold to cap table gold, Carmelo Anthony has quietly become a force in early-stage investing.

Through Melo7 Tech Partners, he’s backed bold bets like Lyft, Andela, and SeatGeek, signaling a focus on urban mobility, tech talent, and live entertainment. Post-retirement, Anthony isn’t chasing commentary gigs—he’s building portfolios with cultural gravity.

He’s also part of Social Change Fund United, alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul—a mission‑driven effort supporting economic empowerment and entrepreneurship in underrepresented communities.

With an estimated net worth of $160M–$170M, Melo is proving that long-term value isn’t just found on the court. It’s in founder tables, real estate, and ecosystems where culture meets capital. (More)

COLLEGE ATHLETICS

$2.8B Backpay, $20.5M Caps: Welcome to the Quasi-Pro Era

July 1 marked the official start of college sports' quasi-professional era. The House v. NCAA settlement, approved in June, ends the amateurism façade—and begins a period of strategic chaos.

Athletes will now receive direct payments through revenue-sharing, with schools allowed to distribute up to $20.5M/year, escalating to $32M over the decade. Most of it flows to football and men’s basketball. One common model: 75% to football, 15% to men’s basketball, 5% to women’s basketball, and the rest divided thinly among other sports.

The $2.8B in backpay—aimed at former D1 athletes—is already facing a Title IX appeal, with plaintiffs arguing the deal shortchanges women by over $1B.

What’s unclear: how schools will fund this. Athletic departments are exploring outside capital, not just internal revenues, to avoid cannibalizing Olympic sports.

Why it matters: This isn't just about fairness. It’s about sustainability. If new revenue doesn’t materialize, the risk isn’t to football—it’s to every sport without a media rights contract. (More)

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TECH & INFRASTRUCTURE

Morocco Enters the Stadium Arms Race

The Grand Stade Hassan II has officially moved from hype to hard hats. Morocco launched a $320M construction tender this week for what would become the largest football stadium in the world — a 115,000-seat behemoth designed to host the 2030 World Cup final.
Built by Populous and Oualalou + Choi, the design channels the country's moussem traditions via a tented roof rising out of the Beni Amer Forest. Internally? A triple-tier bowl, 60,000+ fans at the ends, 12,000 in VIP suites, and a Royal Box for good measure.
Set inside a 100-hectare mega-district, the stadium anchors a full ecosystem: hotel, athletics, retail, training grounds, and 10,000+ parking spots. With total investment clocking in at $520M, Morocco’s aiming to leapfrog Spain’s Bernabéu and Camp Nou — and they’ve got 30 months to do it.
Bottom line: This isn’t just a venue—it’s a World Cup power play. (More)

eSPORTS

Crypto Betting Powers Up: $250M and Rising

Esports betting is riding a new wave in 2025—and it’s crypto-fueled. The global crypto gambling market has ballooned to $250M, with esports betting alone growing 35% since 2023. What’s behind the surge? Speed, borderless access, and younger bettors’ demand for privacy and convenience.

Crypto eliminates the KYC drag and payment lags of fiat. Bettors get near-instant deposits, lower fees, and exclusive promos—often more generous than traditional betting bonuses. Platforms like Thunderpick and Rivalry are going full crypto-native, even accepting meme coins and launching their own $1M tournaments.

While regulation remains patchy (only 19 U.S. states allow esports betting), digital currencies help users skirt banking red tape in legally gray markets. Expect continued growth as altcoins and community tokens get integrated, further aligning esports gambling with Twitch culture.

Bottom line: Crypto-native platforms are becoming the DraftKings of Gen Z. If you're building in betting, payments, or digital sports, this is the sector to watch. (More)

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TWEET OF THE WEEK

"The more I lose, the more they believe they can beat me. But believing is not enough, you still have to beat me."

Roger Federer