Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Stephen A. Smith's new contract with ESPN that reportedly pays the sportscaster $8 million a year. It would make Smith, who is known for his bombastic deliveries on all sports topics, the highest-paid personality at the Walt Disney Co.-owned network. Also discussed is CBS Corp.'s acquisition of the U.S. broadcast rights to the UEFA Champions League, European soccer's biggest annual event. CBS will have the event for three seasons start in 2021, taking over when the existing deal with AT&T's Turner Broadcast ends. Univision is keeping the Spanish-language rights, which it has held since last year. The two networks are together paying a reported $150 million annually for the package -- that's about $50 million more than their current deals. And also touched on is Madison Square Garden Co.'s approval of a plan to spin off all of its sports teams, including the New York Knicks and Rangers. The plan would keep MSG's entertainment operations as a publicly held company with no equity interest in the sports business.

<p>Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including Stephen A. Smith's new contract with ESPN that reportedly pays the sportscaster $8 million a year. It would make Smith, who is known for his bombastic deliveries on all sports topics, the highest-paid personality at the Walt Disney Co.-owned network. Also discussed is CBS Corp.'s acquisition of the U.S. broadcast rights to the UEFA Champions League, European soccer's biggest annual event. CBS will have the event for three seasons start in 2021, taking over when the existing deal with AT&amp;T's Turner Broadcast ends. Univision is keeping the Spanish-language rights, which it has held since last year. The two networks are together paying a reported $150 million annually for the package -- that's about $50 million more than their current deals. And also touched on is Madison Square Garden Co.'s approval of a plan to spin off all of its sports teams, including the New York Knicks and Rangers. The plan would keep MSG's entertainment operations as a publicly held company with no equity interest in the sports business.</p>

Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Damian Sassower follow the money in the world of sports, taking listeners inside decisions that power the multibillion dollar industry. From media and technology to finance and real estate, leagues and teams across the globe have matured into far more than just back-page entertainment. The show explains the money behind the games.

<p>Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Damian Sassower follow the money in the world of sports, taking listeners inside decisions that power the multibillion dollar industry. From media and technology to finance and real estate, leagues and teams across the globe have matured into far more than just back-page entertainment. The show explains the money behind the games.</p>

Scarlet Fu, Michael Barr and Damian Sassower follow the money in the world of sports, taking listeners inside decisions that power the multibillion dollar industry.

Bloomberg Business of Sports

Stephen A. Smith Nets $8 Million Annual ESPN Contract

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4925928d-2820-4791-8a85-ae3900783897/transcript