SportsBusiness Journal

What SportsBusiness Journal does

Sports Business Journal (SBJ) is a B2B trade media publication that has chronicled the sports industry since 1996, producing daily digital issues, weekly journals, 13+ topic-specific newsletters (Betting, College, Facilities, Football, Gaming, Marketing, Media, Tech, Women's Sports, among others), a podcast network (Morning Buzzcast, SBJ Sports Media Podcast, SBJ On Stage), original video programming including 'Inside the Industry,' and an iOS mobile application. The publication is privately held under the Leaders Group parent company and operates with 101-250 employees, with reporting indicating headquarters in Charlotte, NC (the firmographics also list Chicago). Its editorial product is built on a digital-first content management and distribution stack with newsletter delivery, Simplecast-hosted podcasts, video streaming, and proprietary research methodologies such as the Sports Social Pulse rankings developed with the University of South Carolina's Social Media Insights Lab.

SBJ monetizes through four complementary streams: recurring subscription revenue for its tiered 'All Access' digital offering (annual billing, exact pricing not publicly disclosed), event sponsorship and attendance fees across a portfolio of owned conferences and awards (Thought Leaders Retreat, Game Changers, Forty Under 40, Sports Business Awards, Best Sports Business Cities, and the recently integrated National Sports Forum), advertising via sponsored content and newsletter placements, and content licensing/syndication through partnerships with Yahoo Media Group (sports business hub reaching 100M+ monthly visitors) and FanDuel Sports Network (15 owned-and-operated regional sports networks). The customer base is a horizontal segment of senior sports industry executives — team owners, league commissioners, sponsors, agencies, and sports technology firms — who consume the platform for industry intelligence, professional recognition, and executive networking. Named enterprise partners and award participants include Yahoo Media Group, FanDuel Sports Network, Greenberg Traurig (Thought Leaders Gold Sponsor), DXC Technology (Inside the Industry presenting sponsor), and TeamSnap (Best Places to Work in Sports honoree).

Name

SportsBusiness Journal

Legal name

Sports Business Journal

Website

https://sportsbusinessjournal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sports Business Journal is a B2B trade media publication founded in 1996 that delivers daily/weekly digital journalism, newsletters, podcasts, video, and industry events to senior sports industry executives, monetizing through subscriptions, event sponsorships, advertising, and content syndication under the Leaders Group parent.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Business Media

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (51312)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines (MPAJAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

B2B Sports Digital Syndication & White-Label Streaming Services (MPAKAOAJ)

Keywords

• Sports business news
• Trade publication media
• Industry events conferences
• Executive newsletters
• Business intelligence research

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Subscription Revenue: SBJ generates primary revenue through subscription fees for access to its digital content, including daily issues, weekly publications, newsletters, podcasts, video content, and special reports. The publication offers 'All Access' subscriptions and various tiered membership options.
2. Event Sponsorships: SBJ organizes and hosts industry events including Thought Leaders retreat, Game Changers conference, SBJ National Sports Forum, Forty Under 40 awards, and others. Revenue is generated through event attendance fees and corporate sponsorships (e.g., Greenberg Traurig as Gold Sponsor for Thought Leaders).
3. Advertising: The publication generates advertising revenue through sponsored content placements, banner advertisements, and branded content opportunities on its website and in its newsletters.
4. Content Syndication: SBJ syndicated its 'Inside the Industry' television program to FanDuel Sports Network, expanding reach through partner networks and potentially generating licensing or distribution fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sports Business Journal is a subscription-based B2B media publication chronicling the sports industry through daily and weekly digital editions, 13 specialized vertical newsletters, video programming, podcasts, and proprietary rankings. The publication sells tiered All Access subscriptions to senior sports industry executives and generates additional revenue through industry events (Thought Leaders, Game Changers, Forty Under 40, National Sports Forum), sponsored awards programs, and content syndication partnerships with Yahoo Media Group and FanDuel Sports Network.

Product overview

Sports Business Journal operates as a comprehensive sports business media platform offering a portfolio of interconnected products. The core offering consists of daily and weekly digital/print editions delivering breaking news, analysis, and in-depth reporting on sports industry topics including finance, media, marketing, facilities, and executive transactions. The platform extends through specialized topic newsletters (Betting, College, Facilities, Football, Gaming, Marketing, Media, Tech, Women's Sports, and more), SBJ TV video programming and podcasts (Morning Buzzcast, SBJ Sports Media Podcast, SBJ On Stage, SBJ Live), and major annual events/conferences (Thought Leaders Retreat, Game Changers, Dealmakers, Forty Under 40, AXS DRIVE, National Sports Forum). Research-driven products include the Best Sports Business Cities rankings, Sports Business Awards, Influence 125 list, and Best Places to Work in Sports. Content distribution is expanded through syndication partnerships (FanDuel Sports Network) and the SBJ Inside the Industry video series. A mobile iOS app provides on-the-go access. The portfolio is tied together through data directories and a comprehensive industry events calendar.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SBJ Inside the Industry: Video series exploring how technology is reshaping sports through AI-powered officiating, digital athletes, injury prevention, and immersive fan experiences
• Sports Business Awards
• National Sports Forum
• Thought Leaders Retreat
• Best Sports Business Cities
• Influence 125

Products and services

• Sports Business Journal Daily Edition Digital daily edition delivering breaking news and analysis on sports business, covering topics including finance, media, marketing, facilities, leagues, and executive transactions. Targeted at senior sports industry executives seeking timely industry intelligence.
• Sports Business Journal Weekly Edition Weekly magazine edition featuring in-depth analysis, cover stories, and feature articles on sports industry trends, events, and business developments. Available in print and digital formats for sports industry subscribers.
• SBJ Newsletters Suite Suite of 13 topic-specific email newsletters (Betting, College, Facilities, Football, Gaming, Marketing, Media, Sunday Forum, Tech, Women's Sports, SBJ 360, Unpacks) delivering targeted sports business coverage to subscribers.
• SBJ TV and Podcasts Video programming and audio podcasts including SBJ TV originals, Morning Buzzcast, SBJ Sports Media Podcast, SBJ On Stage, and SBJ Live events featuring industry interviews and analysis.
• SBJ Events and Conferences Industry conferences and events including Thought Leaders Retreat (by-invitation-only), Game Changers, Dealmakers, Forty Under 40, New Voices Under 30, AXS DRIVE, Media Innovators, Intercollegiate Athletics Forum, and National Sports Forum. Revenue generated through attendance fees and corporate sponsorships.
• SBJ Data and Directories Reference directories covering facility naming rights, jersey and helmet sponsors, college football on-field logos, college uniform sponsors, and other sports business data benchmarks.
• iOS Mobile App Native iOS application providing mobile access to Sports Business Journal daily and weekly content, newsletters, and video for subscribers on iPhone and iPad devices.

Quantifiable outcome

• SBJ content reaches sports industry professionals through multiple channels including 100+ million monthly visitors via Yahoo partnership
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Greenberg TraurigminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 May 2026Sports Business Journal announced Greenberg Traurig as a Gold Sponsor for its Thought Leaders retreat, a by-invitation-only event for senior sports industry executives scheduled for July 28-29 at The Grand Hyatt Deer Valley. The firm will be represented by Sports Industry Group Co-Chairs Denis Braham and Franklin D.R. Jones Jr., along with Denver Shareholder Kevin Kelley.
• Yahoo Media GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Yahoo Media Group launched a sports business hub consolidating coverage at the intersection of sports and finance, featuring partnerships with eight media outlets including Sports Business Journal, Front Office Sports, Sportico, Awful Announcing, Barrett Media, JohnWallStreet, Sports Business Radio, and The 4th Quarter. Targets combined 100+ million monthly visitors across Yahoo Sports and Yahoo Finance.
• FanDuel Sports NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 December 2025Monumental Sports Network announced syndication of SBJ's 'Inside the Industry' television program to FanDuel Sports Network. The show, produced in partnership with Sports Business Journal and presented by DXC Technology, airs on FanDuel Sports Network's 15 owned-and-operated local sports networks, expanding SBJ content to TV audiences in new markets.
• University of South Carolina Social Media Insights LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports Social Pulse rankings, a measurement of national football teams' social media performance, developed by the University of South Carolina's Social Media Insights Lab in partnership with Sports Business Journal. Tracks social media performance of national soccer teams.
• DXC TechnologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDXC Technology serves as presenting sponsor for SBJ's 'Inside the Industry' television program, which explores topics including changes in college sports, league expansion, venue construction, and media disruption.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sportico: Digital-first sports business publication launched in 2020 by Penske Media, targeting the same executive audience as SBJ with breaking news, deals coverage, and business-of-sports analysis. Direct competitor for subscription, advertising, and event mindshare.
• Front Office Sports: Digital sports business media company producing newsletters, podcasts, and original reporting for sports industry executives. Competitor to SBJ in the B2B sports business information space, often cited alongside SBJ in industry coverage and partnerships (e.g., Yahoo hub).
• Awful Announcing: Sports media industry trade publication covering sports broadcasting, media rights, and the business of sports media. Direct competitor within the sports media vertical that SBJ's Media newsletter also addresses.
• Barrett Media: Sports media trade publication covering sports media news, ratings, and broadcasting business. A fellow Yahoo sports business hub partner and direct competitor for sports media executive readership.

Broad incumbents

• Sports Illustrated: Iconic consumer sports publication that also covers the business of sports extensively. Broader audience reach and consumer-focused, but overlapping coverage of sports business, media rights, and industry leadership makes it a comparable incumbent.
• ESPN: Dominant sports media company whose business operations, media rights deals, and executive coverage overlap with SBJ's reporting scope. While ESPN is a broad consumer platform, its B2B influence on sports business makes it a structural peer.
• The Athletic: Subscription-based sports media company owned by The New York Times that has expanded into sports business coverage. Differentiated by team-focused journalism but increasingly competes for the same executive attention and subscription dollars.

Regional players

• Leaders in Sport: Sibling property under Leaders Group that operates the Leaders Week London conference and global networking events for sports executives. Directly comparable events business with a UK/European focus, complementing SBJ's North American footprint.

Others

• Newzoo: Also under Leaders Group ownership, Newzoo provides games and esports market intelligence and data. While not a direct media competitor, it is a sibling data/research property within the parent group and a potential adjacents-area collaboration.

Emerging players

• Morning Consult: Private market intelligence company that has expanded into sports business consumer research and proprietary data products. Comparable in delivering research-driven B2B sports business intelligence, with potential overlap in custom research and audience insights.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sbjsbd
• Facebookfacebook.com/SBJSBD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sports-business-journal
• Instagraminstagram.com/sportsbusinessjournal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SportsBusiness Journal