The NFL is officially turning Opening Week into Opening Week with the league kicking off the 2026 season on a Wednesday night and expanding its international footprint. Hadley Engelhard joins Matt Chernoff for the latest episode of Deals & Deadlines to break down the biggest business stories across the sports world.

🏈 NFL Opening Week Goes International
The NFL's first-ever Wednesday night opener, nine international games, Netflix broadcasts and the league's first Thanksgiving Eve game signal just how much the schedule is changing. Hadley explains the financial impact of international games, including how teams and players are affected by overseas taxes and travel.

⚾ MLB Expansion Is Coming?
With baseball's CBA set to expire December 1, expansion could be one of the biggest topics in the next round of negotiations. Salt Lake City and Nashville are emerging as leading candidates as MLB looks toward adding two more teams — and potentially changing divisions, playoff formats and the economics of the sport.

📺 47 Years of ESPN's Impact on Sports
ESPN recently celebrated 47 years on the air. Hadley and Matt look at how ESPN helped transform sports media from niche programming into a 24/7 business model that paved the way for today's streaming landscape.

🏟️ Are College Football Cupcake Games Disappearing?
With the SEC moving toward nine conference games and the College Football Playoff expanding, smaller schools could lose some of the lucrative guarantee games they rely on to fund their athletic departments. What happens to those programs if the big checks start disappearing?

⚖️ SEC vs. LSU & Lane Kiffin
The SEC's legal battle with LSU and the controversy surrounding Lane Kiffin's comments about adding former NFL players to college rosters raises bigger questions about who is actually in control of college football.

🏈 Bill Belichick's UNC Era Gets More Complicated
The situation surrounding North Carolina, Michael Lombardi and allegations involving his son Steve creates another layer of uncertainty around Belichick's attempt to build an NFL-style operation in college football.

🏐 Volleyball Takes Over Wrigley Field
The inaugural Big Ten-SEC Volleyball Challenge at Wrigley Field drew a massive crowd and showcased how sports are increasingly turning unique venues into major events.

Sports & 9/11: 25 Years Later
With the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, Matt and Hadley look back at how the tragedy affected sports, the return of professional games and the powerful ways teams continue to honor those who were lost.

⛳ What's Next for LIV Golf?
LIV Golf's bankruptcy filing raises questions about the future of the league, its funding and what could happen to its players if they attempt to return to the PGA Tour.

🏌️ Charlie Woods Lands His First NIL Deal
Tiger Woods' son Charlie Woods has signed his first NIL deal with TaylorMade ahead of his college career at Florida State. Hadley explains the business and branding value behind the deal.

📻 The Return of a Spurs Broadcaster
The episode wraps with the unusual story involving former Spurs broadcaster Jacob Tobey, his relationship with a player's sister and the circumstances surrounding his return.

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On the latest episode of Deals & Deadlines, hosted by Matt Chernoff and super agent Hadley Engelhard, the biggest stories in sports business take center stage — from the future of the College Football Playoff and the NCAA’s ongoing legal battles to massive moves across the NFL, MLB and college athletics.

Matt and Hadley discuss SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey’s vision for an expanded College Football Playoff, including the possibility of requiring teams to play 10 Power Four opponents to qualify. They also dive into the escalating eligibility battle involving LSU, former NFL players and the NCAA, and why the chaos could ultimately force federal legislation and new guardrails for college sports.

The Lane Kiffin era at LSU is already creating a major buzz, while Tennessee’s $120 million jersey-patch deal with First Horizon Bank shows just how much money schools are finding through new sponsorship opportunities.

The episode also covers the surprising situation surrounding former North Carolina GM Michael Lombardi, Stan Kroenke’s reported purchase of the Los Angeles Angels and the potential real estate play behind the deal.

Plus, Matt and Hadley break down NFL roster manipulation heading into Week 1, Netflix expanding access to NFL games for bars and restaurants, MLB’s rising attendance numbers amid looming labor concerns, high school athletes becoming content creators, Tony Romo’s uncertain future with CBS, and the bizarre case of a man accused of posing as an NFL player while allegedly scamming women out of millions.

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The Atlanta Falcons are now valued at a staggering $10.6 billion after a private equity firm purchased a minority stake in the franchise. Matt Chernoff and longtime sports agent Hadley Engelhard break down what the deal means for Arthur Blank and the future value of NFL teams. Plus, could the NHL finally return to Atlanta? Matt and Hadley discuss the two proposed arena projects, why a team could succeed in the suburbs and the biggest obstacle standing in Atlanta’s way.

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Matt Chernoff and longtime NFL agent Hadley Engelhard break down the biggest stories shaping the business of sports on the latest episode of Deals & Deadlines. The guys react to the Lakers’ record-breaking $12+ billion sale, what skyrocketing franchise valuations mean across professional sports and why teams like the Falcons continue to explode in value. They also dive into: • Why MLB’s next CBA fight could put the 2027 season in jeopardy • The battle over a potential MLB salary cap, salary floor and revenue sharing • Why the NFL continues to dominate every other sport in television ratings • Whether the College Football Playoff could eventually expand to 16, 20 or even 24 teams • How ESPN, the SEC and Big Ten could shape the future of the playoff • Why Jayden Daniels’ dispute with LSU over No. 5 could be a major PR mistake • The truth behind million-dollar high school NIL valuations • How NIL and the transfer portal are changing college football roster building forever Subscribe to 680 The Fan for new episodes of Deals & Deadlines and more conversations about the money, contracts and decisions driving the sports world.

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This week on Deals & Deadlines, Matt Chernoff and sports business insider Hadley Engelhard break down the biggest stories shaping the business of sports.

🔥 Topics include:

• Why MLB All-Star Game ticket prices in Philadelphia skyrocketed past $1,400
• - Concerns about the future of the MLB All-Star Game despite strong revenues
• - FIFA's plan to potentially expand the World Cup to 64 teams and what it means financially
• - The surprising business behind selling pieces of the World Cup pitch for up to $3,000
• - Why New Jersey landed the World Cup Final over other host cities
• - Christian Pulisic's missed opportunity to capitalize on the World Cup spotlight
• - Growing tensions between MLB owners and players as another labor showdown looms
• - What Jordan Walker's Home Run Derby payday says about baseball's salary structure
• - Netflix's new role in MLB's marquee events and the future of sports streaming
• - Bryce Harper's response to the FanDuel controversy and the legal questions surrounding athlete likeness rights
• - The Seattle Seahawks' record-setting $9.6 billion sale and what it means for franchise valuations
• - How sports agents manage public-relations crises after player altercations
• - Backlash over Stanley Cup engraving decisions by Carolina - Hurricanes ownership
• - Adam Schefter's massive ESPN extension and the continued value of breaking news insiders

🎙️ Whether it's billion-dollar franchise sales, labor negotiations, media rights, sponsorships, or athlete branding, Deals & Deadlines delivers the stories behind the business of sports.

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Matt Chernoff and Hadley Engelhardt break down the biggest stories in sports business on this week's episode of Deals & Deadlines. 🏈 The Falcons hand Kyle Pitts a 3-year, $54 million extension. Was it the right move or are they paying for potential? 🏈 Brendan Sorsby's supplemental draft hopes are denied by the NFL, setting the stage for a possible legal battle. 🎓 The NCAA approves a new 5-for-5 eligibility model, changing the future of college athletics and NIL. 🏀 NBA Draft financial realities, AJ Dybantsa's massive rookie deal, and how NIL is impacting draft decisions. 🔥 Giannis heads to Miami, Jalen Brown trade rumors continue, and the business side of NBA superstars. ⚽ The World Cup is drawing massive audiences in the United States. Is soccer finally breaking through with American sports fans? ⚾ MLB labor negotiations, potential draft changes, and what could be looming ahead of the next CBA. 🏟️ Georgia Tech's stadium renovation plans, NFL grass field debates, and the rising cost of fan experiences. 🌮 Plus, Taco Bell's new "Emotional Support Taco" campaign might be the greatest marketing idea of the year. Subscribe for new episodes of Deals & Deadlines every week on 680 The Fan. #AtlantaFalcons #KylePitts #NFL #NBADraft #Giannis #WorldCup #CollegeFootball #NIL #MLB #Braves #GeorgiaTech #SportsBusiness #DealsAndDeadlines #680TheFan

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Matt Chernoff and Hadley Engelhardt break down the biggest sports business stories of the week on Deals & Deadlines. From booming World Cup ratings and the economic impact on host cities to Brendan Sorsby's surprising decision to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft, there's no shortage of headlines. Plus: Why World Cup viewership is skyrocketing in the United States Brendan Sorsby's NFL Draft outlook after leaving Texas Tech The business impact of the Knicks winning the NBA Championship UFC's massive White House event and Dana White's $60 million gamble James Pearce Jr.'s uncertain future with the Falcons LeBron James' contract negotiations with the Lakers Why the NHL just posted its most-watched postseason ever Subscribe for weekly conversations on the business behind the biggest stories in sports.

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The sports business world never slows down. This week on Deals & Deadlines, Matt Chernoff and Hadley Engelhard break down Drake London's massive contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons, why the NFL calendar continues to dominate college football, and whether NIL spending is creating an unsustainable future for college athletics. Falcons lock up Drake London What's next for Bijan Robinson? Myles Garrett traded to the Rams AJ Brown lands in New England Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster sign with the Giants College Football Playoff vs. NFL scheduling battle Kurt Cignetti's warning about the future of college football MLB salary cap debate heats up NBA Finals economic impact Steph Curry's massive new endorsement deal Former MLB player Jordan Adams returns to football at SMU 📺 Subscribe for more sports business news, contract analysis, media rights discussions, NIL updates, and behind-the-scenes insight from the business side of sports. #NFL #Falcons #DrakeLondon #CollegeFootball #NIL #MLB #NBAFinals #SportsBusiness #DealsAndDeadlines Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:05 Drake London's $141M Extension 6:20 Falcons Future & Bijan Robinson 8:40 Myles Garrett Traded to Rams 12:30 AJ Brown to Patriots 15:15 OBJ & JuJu Join Giants 17:25 Highest-Paid NFL Endorsement Stars 20:05 CFP vs NFL Scheduling Battle 27:30 Kurt Cignetti's NIL Warning 32:20 MLB Salary Cap Debate 39:40 NBA Finals Economic Boom 44:15 Russell Wilson Joins CBS 47:20 Steph Curry's $400M Shoe Deal 50:40 Former MLB Player Returns to College Football 53:30 Final Thoughts

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