Beginning in 2021, the NFL plans to expand its regular season schedule from 16 games to 17.

Adding another game will soften the financial blow from COVID-19’s impact on the current season, which could cost the league $4 billion in lost revenue. 

The new schedule could also prevent the salary cap from dropping to an estimated $175 million, a decrease from 2020’s $198.2 million, due to lack of revenue.

Both the NFL and its 32 clubs will further benefit from new media contracts, which will need to be negotiated to make room for the 17th game. 

All of the league’s media right contracts expire by 2022, and the potential for new deals is inspiring a frenzy among networks:

• ESPN and NBC are engaging in a billion-dollar bidding war for “Sunday Night Football.”
• Fox has said it’s willing to spend as much as $2 billion annually for its broadcasting rights, dropping Thursdays to retain Sundays if necessary. 

Expanding the season would push the Super Bowl back to the second week in February.

This expansion marks the league’s first since 1978, when it added two games to every team’s schedule.

Players narrowly approved the league’s ability to add another week to the schedule in the latest collective bargaining agreement. Some of the game’s biggest stars, like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, opposed.

An official announcement is not expected for several weeks, according to NFL Network insiders.

Floyd Mayweather looks like he’s taking his talents from the ring to the track. 

The undefeated boxer has reportedly been looking to put his name behind a NASCAR team for more than a year, and is now said to be in deep partnership discussions with Spire Motorsports.

Mayweather’s connection to the racing circuit began when NASCAR manager Willy Auchmoody licensed The Money Team brand from the boxer for a rumored team.   

Earlier this year, The Money Team Racing attempted to purchase one of the available team charters in 2021, but was outbid by Spire as well as Michael Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin. 

If a partnership between Spire and The Money Team comes to fruition, Spire would co-brand one of its team cars with TMT Racing in 2021, before a solo full-time TMT Racing entry in 2022.

A No. 50 car is rumored, a reference to Mayweather’s 50-0 record as a professional boxer.

Fitness companies designed for home life continue to find success amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Connected fitness machine maker Echelon raised $65 million from Goldman Sachs and North Castle Partners, who now own controlling interests in the company.

Echelon competes with top at-home fitness companies including Peloton and Tonal, but its product lines start at a lower price point.

• Echelon’s entry-level indoor cycling machine starts at $500.
• Its most advanced model goes for about $1,600.
• Peloton’s least expensive bike sells for $1,895.

Like many home fitness brands, Echelon had a banner 2020. Its revenue increased by more than 500%, exceeding $100 million, and it delivered classes to more than 100,000 users through its app.

In September, the company briefly made waves when it appeared to have partnered with Amazon to release a low-cost “Prime Bike.” The bike was pulled from Amazon two days later with the tech giant stating that Echelon “does not have a formal partnership with Amazon.”