Sports

Corona Capital: Drugmaker’s pick-me-up, Golf M&A

28 October 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Drugmaker GSK sees a recovery in vaccinations against old-school ailments; meanwhile Covid-19 turns out to be a handy driver when it comes to golf-related dealmaking.

Corona Capital: Quibi

22 October 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Video streaming company Quibi’s failure is in spite of – not because of – the Covid-19 pandemic.

Corona Capital: U.S. tests, UK loans, Man U groans

21 October 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Abbott Laboratories has a bumper third quarter; UK banks look at a workaround for their Covid-19 loan problem; and Manchester United reveals a predictably ropey set of annual results.

Elite Euro-soccer league is an ill-timed challenge

21 October 2020

JPMorgan may lend $6 bln to launch a new top-tier competition, Sky News said. Frequent mega-matches like Liverpool vs. Barcelona could boost revenue, yet it’s unclear who’d buy the pricier broadcast rights. And discarding virus-hit smaller clubs would have a political cost.

Moneyball SPAC could turn bats and balls into gold

13 October 2020

The Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC owner may go public through a blank check company co-chaired by data-driven baseball executive Billy Beane. Based on UK valuations, the deal is on steroids. But Beane may have found public market arbitrage to help him roll up sports leagues.

Corona Capital: Fiscal stimulus, Fitness riches

6 October 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Central bankers including the Federal Reserve’s Jerome Powell urge more fiscal help as Covid-19 cases rise again; and the owner of NordicTrack treadmills raises cash at a $7 billion-plus valuation.

Viewsroom: Disastrous debate, Italian soccer deal

1 October 2020

The first of the U.S. presidential debates was shambolic, with almost no substance on economic policy for investors or markets to sink their teeth into. On a lighter front, though, Italy’s Serie A soccer league has a chance to regain its glory. Breakingviews columnists discuss.

Italy’s top soccer league needs a kick in the culo

30 September 2020

Once a global champion, Serie A now trails rivals in Europe on revenue and visibility. A 1.6 bln euro deal by sports-investing veteran CVC seeks to double sales by rebooting an outdated media rights system. Stronger finances would benefit clubs and make for better football.

Corona Capital: U.S. sports’ virus-bubble success

29 September 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Professional hockey and basketball associations scored victories keeping infection rates low or at zero in spectator-free games. And less traveling and more sleep helped players up their game. Wall Street take note.

Corona Capital: Vaccines, Olive Garden, Oil

24 September 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Vaccine concerns are bad for the economy; cravings for never-ending pasta bowls return; and oil practitioners tell sad truths.

Corona Capital: Newspaper rivals, College football

17 September 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: the Wall Street Journal hits up the New York Times’ printing presses; U.S. college football’s Big Ten makes a comeback.

Corona Capital: Fed’s optimism, Package holidays

16 September 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Jay Powell and crew at the U.S. central bank reckon the nation’s economy is doing better, just, than they expected; Anglo-German travel company TUI may raise 1 bln euros as the virus whacks new bookings.

Steve Cohen’s Mets win could rewrite comeback tale

15 September 2020

The hedge fund manager has agreed to buy the underachieving sluggers at a $2.5 billion valuation, a U.S. sports-team record. It tops off his rocky return to prominence after his former firm was investigated for insider trading. Outperforming in the ballpark may be an easier task.

Corona Capital: Vaccine politics, Peloton

8 September 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Pharma firms like Merck and Pfizer are putting long-term profit first by promising to wait for full approvals for Covid-19 treatments; Peloton cycles towards more profit by cutting the price of its high-cost bikes.

Corona Capital: NBA’s Covid test

17 August 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: The NBA pays it forward and back with its cheap Covid-19 test.

American college football needs to play long game

10 August 2020

Collegiate athletes recently penned a letter arguing for better safety, healthcare and cash compensation. Players have increasingly been using their star power to pressure coaches and administrators. But the time for tweaks is over – a total NCAA revamp is long overdue.

Corona Capital: U.S. Jobs, Drugs

7 August 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: More Americans went back to work in July, though it’s a slowdown from June and Washington is still dithering over job relief aid; and President Trump wants to bring pharmaceutical production back home.

Corona Capital: Baseball, Gas cloud, Luxury goods

28 July 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Baseball’s Covid-19 cases put popular college sports competitions in jeopardy; a recovery in drilling for gas is bad news for the environment; Gucci and other luxury retailers finally embrace the digital revolution.

Corona Capital: Movies, Sports

24 July 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Walt Disney is pushing back the highly anticipated movie “Mulan,” with a domino effect for “Avatar” and “Star Wars” sequels; and sport stars are still making it rain when it comes to pay.

Corona Capital: Movies, Basketball, Tech optimism

21 July 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Warner Bros’ indefinite delay of its blockbuster movie “Tenet” spells bad news for the industry; healthy players and good social-media stats give the NBA a boost; Silicon Valley shows a hint of pessimism.