Decision Time For NFL Teams

As the NFL season approaches, teams are quickly announcing their fan attendance strategies — at least for the beginning of the regular season. On Tuesday, several teams announced they won’t have fans in the stands for at least their home openers.

As of Aug. 25, the majority of NFL teams have announced their decisions regarding fans for the 2020 NFL season with many stipulating that the situation is fluid. Currently, five teams are planning on having fans attend games in a limited capacity.

Tuesday’s Announcements: 

— Baltimore Ravens said they would not host fans until further notice, after initially hoping for a crowd of 7,500.

— Buffalo Bills said they wouldn’t host fans their first two home games.

— Cincinnati Bengals said no fans for their home opener.

— Both the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams said they will not have fans at SoFi Stadium until further notice.

— Minnesota Vikings said no fans for at least their first two home games.

— San Francisco 49ers said no fans for at least their home opener.

Nike is reportedly ending its relationships with several retailers as the brand focuses on its own digital channels. As Nike’s direct-to-consumer platforms grow, it will look to move away from its ties with Zappos, Dillard’s, and other retailers making up a collection of approximately 1,000 stores.

With Nike-branded clothing and shoes not hitting those shelves, it could boost stores the brand remains in, like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Shoe Carnival and Famous Footwear. The move to focus more on its own channels stems from an announced digital shift in June.

Approximately 30%, or $5.5 billion, of Nike’s revenue in the last reported quarter came from digital sales. It now aims to hit 50%.

Adidas is also pushing further with its own channels, launching a new app called CONFIRMED. Users of the app will be able to purchase exclusive products, as well as access unique content and “elevated storytelling.”

Facebook Gaming hit a new peak of 345 million hours watched in July. That is a 215% jump compared to July 2019.

The growth was likely aided by the shutdown of Microsoft’s Mixer on July 22, which moved its partners to Facebook Gaming. While some of Mixer’s high-profile streamers like Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek ended up heading to Twitch, the influx of new streamers and viewers could help further boost Facebook’s numbers in August.

Twitch still led the streaming wars with 1.4 billion hours, a 67% increase over July 2019. Just Chatting led the Twitch categories for the third month in a row. 

Top 5 Twitch Categories in July:

1. Just Chatting: 176 million hours
2. League of Legends: 128 million
3. Fortnite: 91 million
4. Grand Theft Auto: 91 million
5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: 76 million

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons dreamed about joining the esports organization FaZe Clan, so he bought a piece of it. After his new investment, Simmons is now a brand ambassador with the in-game tag of “FaZe Simmo.”

His investment comes during an ongoing Series B funding round. Valued at $240 million, FaZe Clan is the fourth-most valuable esports team, according to Forbes. It closed a $40 million funding round in April led by music mogul Jimmy Iovine and mobile e-commerce platform NTWRK.

Simmons, born in Australia, said he wants to help broaden the international appeal of FaZe Clan. Simmons streamed Call of Duty: Warzone on Twitch during the coronavirus hiatus, and also competed in a tournament alongside other athletes like Paul George and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Other Athlete FaZe Clan Investors: 

— New Orleans Pelicans’ Josh Hart

— Miami Heat’s Meyers Leonard

— Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray