Saturday, April 18, 2026
    More
    Quick Hits

    Ads Creep Back

    By
    Nov 02, 2020 | 09:32 pm
    UPDATED Nov 02, 2020 | 10:35 pm
    TV cameras
    Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports

    Third quarter TV ad spending was down 8% year-over-year, compared to the 31% year-over-year decline in the second quarter when sports shut down due to the pandemic. The rebound was in part because the NBA, NHL and MLB returned to action.

    With the Tokyo Olympics next summer and the 2020-21 NBA season looking to start as soon as next month, ad recovery may not be out of reach — especially since sports programs account for more than 20% of TV ad spending in the U.S. 

    New Advertising Money

    • Streaming services have tripled their ad spending this year. 
    • DoorDash has bumped up its spending 14%.
    • Microsoft Office has spent $174 million on TV ads, up from none last year.

    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Sign up for
    The Memo Newsletter

    Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    Linkedin
    Whatsapp
    Copy Link
    Link Copied
    Link Copied

    What to Read
    by

    Liberty Stars Are Taking Major Pay Cuts to Chase a WNBA Title
    The new CBA makes it harder for teams to sign multiple max players.
    Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) heads for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. The Bills overcame a halftime deficit to win 39-34.
    by

    Joe Flacco Sounds Alarm on 18-Game Schedule
    The veteran QB warns such expansion could hurt the playoffs.
    by

    Cignetti: Indiana’s Title-Winning Roster Cost Well Under $40M
    Indiana defeated Miami in the CFP title game. 
    Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lane Thomas (15) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium.
    by

    Kansas City Okays $600M for New Royals Stadium
    The MLB club must still complete the rest of its stadium financing plan.

    Featured Today
    by

    The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era
    In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
    blake griffin
    April 14, 2026

    Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video
    The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
    Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
    April 10, 2026

    Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall
    The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
    April 9, 2026

    College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans
    “We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.

    More in Quick Hits
    patrick_mahomes
    by

    Less Than Super TV Viewership
    CBS Sports’ telecast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 91.629 million viewers, down 8%.
    person_playing_cricket
    December 23, 2020

    Prominent Tech Execs Line Up to Back Cricket Growth In the U.S.
    More than 20 investors have now bought into American Cricket Enterprise, parent company oMajor League Cricket.
    man_riding_stationary_bike
    December 28, 2020

    Connected Fitness Company Echelon Lands $65 Million Investment
    The funding came from Goldman Sachs and North Castle Partners, who now own controlling interests in the company.
    Sponsored

    From Gold Medalist to Business Founder
    Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
    woman_holding_hockey_stick
    December 23, 2020

    NBC to Air NWHL Finals, Adds to Banner Year for Women’s Sports
    It will be the first time professional women’s hockey games are shown live on a major national cable network in the U.S.
    antetokounmpo_dribbling_basketball
    December 23, 2020

    ‘Giannis Effect’ Felt by Bucks Following Record-Breaking Extension
    Since he was drafted in 2013, the Bucks’ valuation has jumped from No. 30 in the league at $312 million to No. 19 at $1.58 billion.
    December 22, 2020

    Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion is ‘Manifest Destiny of the League’
    “It’s sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.
    December 22, 2020

    Adidas Partners With Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God Brand
    Lorenzo will lead creative and business strategy for Adidas basketball globally, and launch a Fear of God athletics sub-brand.