• Loading stock data...
Sunday, February 9, 2025

College World Series Takes Over Omaha With Top MLB Prospects

  • Men’s NCAA baseball championship begins Friday in Nebraska.
  • About 300,000 fans are expected to visit Omaha throughout the tournament.
Syndication: HawkCentral

The College World Series begins Friday afternoon as eight teams vie to win the men’s NCAA D-I baseball championship over the next 11 days in Omaha, Nebraska.

Unlike the College Football Playoff or March Madness, schools and conferences are not compensated for postseason baseball play — but that doesn’t mean the event isn’t big business for Omaha and media partner ESPN.

In 2019, the baseball tournament had an economic impact of $88.3 million, according to CWS of Omaha, Inc. This year, around 300,000 fans are expected to flock to the town to take in the action. That’s notable for a city whose population was about 485,000 in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Across the street from the 24,000-capacity Charles Schwab Field where the CWS will unfold, the Omaha Baseball Village features nightlife until 2 a.m. CT with food and activities like baseball simulators.

The CWS’ media rights fall under ESPN’s 14-year, $500 million deal for an array of NCAA championships that ends in 2024.

Last year, the CWS averaged 1.1 million viewers, which was on par with the last tournament before COVID in 2019.

Meanwhile, On the Diamond

The SEC leads all conferences with three teams — Florida, LSU, Tennessee — followed by the ACC’s two entrants, top-seeded Wake Forest and Virginia. The brackets are filled out by Oral Roberts, TCU, and Stanford.

Top Major League Baseball prospects to watch in Omaha include LSU outfielder Dylan Crews, Florida outfield Wyatt Langford and Virginia catcher Kyle Teel. LSU’s Paul Skenes is the top pitcher in this class.

The MLB Draft will begin on July 9 at Lumen Field, kicking off All-Star week festivities in Seattle.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Pricey Contracts, Stadium Talks Will Heat Up NFL Offseason

The 49ers and Vikings have big decisions to make about QBs who will be expensive.
Jan 20, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Seats in Rotunda remain empty ahead of the Inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.
exclusive

The NCAA Appears No Closer to Getting Its Coveted Congressional Wish List

A flurry of college sports stakeholders spent the week on Capitol Hill.

ESPN Faces Potential Exit from MLB Media Rights As Opt-Out Looms

A 35-year rights relationship now faces a very different media landscape.

NFL Set to Announce Dublin 2025 Game Featuring Steelers

The NFL will likely play seven international games in 2025

Featured Today

Brady and Mahomes

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
NCAA flag

NCAA Bans Trans Athletes From Women’s Sports After Trump Order

The move was expected after a Trump executive order.
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon pressures Oregon State wide receiver Jeremiah Noga as the Oregon State Beavers host the Oregon Ducks Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.
exclusive
February 4, 2025

ESPN, Fox, CBS All Open to Media Rights Package With Pac-12

One source characterized media rights negotiations as “productive.”
The NCAA logo on the field in the closing second of the Anderson University inaugural football game with St. Andrew's University on Spero Financial Field at Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium at Anderson University in Anderson, S.C. Saturday, September 7, 2024. Anderson won 51-14.
February 4, 2025

At Least 250 Athletes Have Opted Out of the House v. NCAA..

At least 250 opted out of the settlement, FOS can confirm.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton watches his team from the sideline. The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Virginia Tech Hokies for a menÕs basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
February 3, 2025

FSU’s Leonard Hamilton to Step Down As NIL Lawsuit Unfolds

Six former FSU men’s basketball players sued Hamilton in December.
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (3) celebrates following a tackle during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium.
January 31, 2025

Another Lawsuit Seeks to Challenge the NCAA’s Eligibility Clock

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia recently sued the NCAA over similar eligibility standards.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
Western Oregon women's basketball players allege abuse.
January 30, 2025

Western Oregon Women’s Basketball Players File $28 Million Lawsuit Claiming Coach Abuse

Players say school officials ignored their complaints of physical abuse and bullying.