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“You’re damn right. It’s a war. I said it was a war. I said it. I’ve always said it was a war, not a but it’s a friendly war. I think. I don’t think about the scrimmage. I don’t think it’s a war. You know, people are going to be getting taken out to the woodshed or that. But I think it’s one of those wars where we want to push you guys. We want to push you guys as hard as we can. We can push you and vice versa. I just think that’s the way it is as far as. Guys are jumping ship. Got to take a break here In a second. I said this was something that was going to happen. It’s going to be something that was going to be happening frequently because now you got some whales to go. That’s just human nature. I don’t care if you were working at FedEx. You lose your job there, you’re going to be looking for somewhere. I’m a writer. You’re going to be looking for somewhere else to go.” - Booker T @BookerT5x
Reality Of Wrestling YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/RealityOfWrestling
Formula One
Oscar Piastri wins Qatar Sprint race, Max Verstappen claims third world title
Australian Formula 1 superstar Oscar Piastri has achieved a feat not seen from a rookie in 15-years as he recorded his first ever win.
Max Verstappen has claimed his third straight Formula 1 world title on Sunday morning after a truly chaotic Qatar Grand Prix Sprint race.
While the Red Bull superstar wrapped up yet another crown, it was Australian rookie Oscar Piastri who reigned supreme after the 19-lap race.
It was a fine maiden Formula One victory for the 22-year-old Australian, but his feat was overshadowed by Verstappen’s achievement, the Dutchman having required only three points to take the title.
His only title rival and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was involved in a collision and retired, making him the first “Saturday champion” since Nelson Piquet, father of his girlfriend Kelly, in South Africa in 1983.
Piastri’s win was McLaren’s first since Daniel Ricciardo triumphed for them at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix and it was only the second time this season that Red Bull had been defeated.
Verstappen won the title with six races remaining the season, the greatest margin since 2002 when Michael Schumacher was champion for Ferrari.
His title win enabled him to join a rare club for three-time champions alongside Jack Brabham, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna and Jackie Stewart – and an even more elite group of those to have won three in a row, Juan-Manuel Fangio, Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.
“I can’t thank you all enough,” Verstappen told his team.
“This has been a fantastic feeling and it has been a fantastic year. We have had some great races and I am super-proud of the team job and it is so enjoyable to be a part of this group of people. To win three times is incredible.” He added that he had no records in sight as targets, but wanted to continue racing and winning.
“We’ll keep on pushing and doing the best we can.” Verstappen, who will start Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix from pole position, has an unassailable 184-point lead with six races left in the season.
Piastri said: “I am very happy but that was a stressful race. We did a great job.”
His McLaren teammate Lando Norris came home third ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and Hamilton with the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc sixth and seventh.
Alex Albon of Williams was eighth, two-time champion Fernando Alsono of Aston Martin ninth and Pierre Gasly of Alpine 10th.
After a sweltering day, the sprint race started in warm conditions under floodlights at the Lusail International Circuit, Piastri making an excellent start to pull clear as teammate Norris was engaged by a cluster of skirmishes behind him.
Norris dropped from second to sixth while Russell went through to second ahead of the two Ferraris with Verstappen fifth before Liam Lawson ran off-track in a cloud of dust, prompting a Safety Car intervention On restart, a fiery Alonso pressurised Norris in a wheel-to-wheel battle while Piastri ran wide and allowed Russell through to lead. Logan Sargeant then spun off in his Williams to bring another Safety Car interval.
Piastri had chosen medium compound tyres while Russell, Sainz and Leclerc were all on softs, giving them an early advantage in grip.
Verstappen, in fifth as the Safety Car led into lap six of the 19-lap race, was comfortable in the knowledge that he was on course to clinch his third title by finishing in the top six.
As lap seven began and the Saftey Car went in, Russell stormed into a 1.4 seconds lead ahead of Piastri, who was fending off attacks from Sainz, hoping that his medium tyres would prove more durable in the closing stages.
Perez and Verstappen then began to show Red Bull’s speed, the Mexican moving up to 10th by passing Pierre Gasly and the Dutchman sweeping past both Ferraris in succession on the straight to take third.
On lap 10, Piastri regained the lead, blasting past Russell on the straight while Norris overtook Leclerc for fifth as Perez was entangled in a collision with Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg, the Mexican spinning across the gravel and out of the race.
Perez was unable to score points and effectively ended his last mathematical hopes for the title, as another Safety Car intervention began, Verstappen being assured of his third crown.
As the racing restarted, on lap 16, it was clear the Dutchman had no intention of taking a third title without a win as he passed Russell down the inside of Turn One to take second and begin his pursuit of Piastri.
Combat Sports Dream Match May Happen
Jake Paul vs Matt Riddle; Boxing, MMA or both?!
Early discussions of a match have occured.
Sometimes dream matches do actually happen!
Jake Paul @jakepaul has developed into a major PPV draw, as has his brother Logan Paul @LoganPaul
Matt Riddle @SuperKingofBros is still yet to fully prove his drawing ability on a global scale, at least suggests his ex boss at the UFC, Dana White. With Riddle's recent release from the WWE "The Bro's" name has been hitting the news more frequently that usual and he's standing out from the pack.
Recent developments may be an opportunity to Riddle to prove the naysayers wrong!
WWE Fastlane Betting Odds
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins @WWERollins (-500 favorite) defends against Shinsuke Nakamura - Last Man Standing match
John Cena @JohnCena and LA Knight @RealLAKnight
(-5000 favorites) vs. Jimmy Uso @WWEUsos & Solo Sikoa @WWESoloSikoa
WWE YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/wwe
WWE Fastlane Kickoff - October 7, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDhvIXmysA8&ab_channel=WWE
Combat Sports
UFC @UFC Vegas 80 Results
Main Card (ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET)
Grant Dawson vs Bobby Green
Joe Pyfer vs Abdul Razak Alhassan
Alex Morono vs Joaquin Buckley
Drew Dober vs Ricky Glenn
Alexander Hernandez vs Bill Algeo
Prelims (ESPN+ live)
Philipe Lins vs Ion Cutelaba
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Diana Belbita
Nate Maness vs Mateus Mendonca
Vanessa Demopoulos def Kanako Murata via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Aoriqileng def Johnny Munoz via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
JJ Aldrich def Montana De La Rosa via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Sports Business
Formula One upgraded to buy at Citi, says sports rights concerns are 'overblown'
Formula One Group shares were upgraded to buy at Citi, as the investment firm said any concerns about sports rights renewals are "overblown."
Analyst Jason Bazinet raised his rating on Formula One Group (FWONA) shares to buy from neutral and said that concerns over Vegas Grand Prix media rights and the recent renewal for WWE @WWE rights with NBCUniversal have raised investor concern about U.S. sports rights, but those appear to be unfounded.
WWE, which is owned by TKO Group Holdings (TKO) @TKOGrp signed a five-year domestic rights deal with NBCUniversal to bring Friday Night SmackDown back to the USA Network, starting in October 2024.
It was reported that the agreement has similar rates as the old deal, at roughly $1.5B.
In addition, starting in the 2024/25 season, WWE will produce four primetime specials per year which will air on NBC, marking the first time WWE will air on the network in primetime.
Bazinet also said there is "upside" in Formula One Group (FWONA) shares if Apple (AAPL) were to secure global media rights. Earlier this week, it was reported that Apple was considering a multi-billion dollar offer for Formula One's global rights, perhaps to the tune of $2B a year.
Formula One Group (FWONA) shares were little changed in pre-market trading on Friday.
Analysts are largely cautious on Formula One Group (FWONA). It has a HOLD rating from Seeking Alpha authors, while Wall Street analysts rate it a BUY. Conversely, Seeking Alpha's quant system, which consistently beats the market, rates FWONA a HOLD.
Sources: Seeking Alpha, Google Finance, Wires)
Private Credit Expected to Play a Larger Role in Sports Financing - October 2023
Goldman Sachs is reportedly creating a ‘sports franchise’ unit inside of its investment banking division. The group will provide wealthy clients with streamlined access to investment opportunities within the sports industry.
Goldman has a long history of working with major sports properties as an investment bank on ownership tractions, and in helping club owners to secure equity and debt financing for capital intensive projects like new venue construction.
It makes sense that the multinational investment bank and financial services company would look to capitalize on growing interest in sports as an asset class. Professional franchises are in relatively short supply relative to other investment opportunities and Goldman has access to deals.
But there are other ways for wealthy individuals to invest in pro teams, and they can gain exposure to multiple franchises by becoming limited partners in a sports focused fund (think: Dyal Homecourt, Arctos Partners) or multi-club ownership group (think: Fenway Sports Group, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment).
It seems more likely that Goldman could be leaning into a growing market for private credit.
Private credit financing, typically considered non-bank lending, has surged in popularity over the last year (largely outside of sports). In fact, we are said to be in a ‘golden moment’ for the $1.5 trillion industry given the capital flowing into the investment vehicle (see: 10% CAGR).
One primary reason is the return structure. Private credit can generate higher yields and more consistent returns, while having seniority in repayment over equity investments. This makes it an attractive alternative asset relative to more traditional classes with relatively low, but certainly not zero, risk.
Private credit is expected to find a place in sports as club owners increasingly look to leverage real estate to keep franchise valuations rising.
“There is now a much greater willingness by ownership groups to invest [additional] capital in real estate and infrastructure.” Tim Katt (managing director, sports & entertainment, Transwestern) said. “This direct investment approach allows for the ability to unlock new revenue streams both in premium experiences and mixed-use development.”
Multiple clubs are in the process of, or exploring, new stadium construction. Several projects include more than just the playing venue.
The Battery surrounding Truist Park in Atlanta is frequently cited as the roadmap for clubs to follow. The Minnesota Vikings have demonstrated how teams can leverage their headquarters and training facilities to anchor larger development projects.
“The beauty of real estate is that it has the ability to create a 365 day per year connection with fans while sitting completely outside of the league revenue sharing model,” Katt said. “Real estate is the biggest opportunity today in sports and entertainment.”
One consistent challenge sports owners face, however, is the lack of public financing available for stadium related projects. Government entities at the state, regional, county, and municipal level have become weary of using public funds on sporting venues.
That should create opportunities for new allocators–including private credit lenders.
Stadium infrastructure projects fit the profile successful private credit investors look for as sports organizations maintain consistent revenue streams for loan repayments.
Greg Carey and Dave Dase will lead Goldman’s new sports franchise unit. Carey secured the financing for recent stadium/arena projects in New York (Yankees), the Bay Area (49ers), and Los Angeles (Clippers).
Goldman, particularly through Carey’s work, should be able to provide sports franchise clients with unique access to these types of opportunities (and collect commissions in the process).
It is important to note that Goldman has not yet confirmed the exact types of opportunities it plans make available through its new unit. There is also not always a clear delineation between equity and debt. Private debt deals often convert into preferred equity with payment-in-kind (PIK) interest that is only paid out on a sale of all, or a portion of, the team’s equity or assets.
It would make sense, however, for Goldman to provide access to private credit transactions. It would be a meaningful differentiator from other sports banks, and a novel way to potentially provide clients with outsized returns inside a business with skyrocketing valuations.
“Investment into sports is maturing in the same way other alternative asset classes grew in the 2000s and 2010s.” Katt said. “Private real estate finance is [one example] of a unique way to participate in the growth of professional sports value creation without the barriers to entry or lack of control in passive team ownership.”
(John Wall Street)
WWE Fastlane: Potential X Factors for fans
Not spoilers, potential X factors! Speculation only!
Grayson Waller and The Grayson Waller Effect
The Rock
Jade Cargill
Brian Pillman
Samoan Family Dynasty, cousins etc
Old rivals from NXT @WWENXT
WWE Fastlane Press Conference: October 7, 2023
"So, it exceeded my expectations because the energy and the talent in the WWE locker room is incredible. I say this is truly the golden age of sports entertainment. I don't think there's ever been a better time to be in the sports entertainment business and in saying that I don't think there's ever been a better time to be in WWE. We can always romanticize about the Attitude Era, the Ruthless Aggression Era. There's never been more opportunity to be a WWE Superstar than right now and if there's ever an example if someone gives you an inch you make it a friggin mile it's the person to my left right here, LA Knight @RealLAKnight and I don't know if that happens in any other era just because of how few spots there were. So I'm overwhelmed of where the state of the union is at. But at the same time selfishly this trip back has been a gauge for me to kinda test where I'm at and what the future holds for me, and, ah, some of you all watched the match. I was in the thing tonight. I've got some work to do. And I gotta realize that I've got some figuring out to do to function at the leveI I'm used to. To be able to perform at a level that is worthy of what I'm familiar with and what the audience is familiar with. And that's selfishly what this episode in the WWE is for me. To kind of take stock in myself where I feel physically.. I'm 46, I've told everybody that ain't the last one but the last one is on the horizon so I'm just kinda taking stock of where I'm at and I've always promised that I don't ever want to offend the WWE Universe of the effort I put out there and I'm still trying to give it all I've got but I've got to work some some tweaks and find the mojo somewhere. So I'm grateful for my partner for picking up the slack tonight. Fire away" - John Cena
