Table of Contents

• NWSL eliminates draft, grants unrestricted free ag …

• Andre Agassi's playbook for post-career success: I …

• Top Tickers

• Bitcoin price rises as Fed Chair Jerome Powell sig …

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NWSL eliminates draft, grants unrestricted free agency to players

A radical decision to ditch one of the cornerstones of American sports

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is rewriting the rules of American sports by scrapping the player draft entirely, offering every player the freedom of unrestricted free agency. This move, set to take effect this winter, allows top college players to choose their teams and negotiate their contracts—a stark contrast to the traditional drafts where athletes had little say in their career beginnings.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, all NWSL player contracts will be guaranteed, and no player can be traded without consent. Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the NWSL Players Association, describes this as "the most significant paradigm shift in the history of professional sports." The NWSL's decision not only empowers players but also positions the league on a more competitive footing globally, aligning with European soccer’s model of player acquisition.

While this change is revolutionary, it also ensures stability for the league with a collective bargaining agreement extending through 2030, allowing the NWSL to focus on growth and expansion without labor disputes. This paradigm shift may prompt other leagues to reconsider their own player draft systems.

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Andre Agassi's playbook for post-career success: Investing strategies for athletes

A roadmap for athletes aspiring to thrive as investors and entrepreneurs after their sports careers

Andre’s approach is anchored in investing with purpose—focusing on solving well-known problems rather than creating new markets. His involvement in ventures like Simplebet, a sports betting technology company, and Evolv, a non-invasive security scanning firm, showcases his ability to identify and back solutions that meet existing demands.

A crucial takeaway from Andrei’s strategy is the emphasis on people. He believes in the power of aligning with the right teams, stressing that the success of any venture often hinges on the quality of its leadership: „I don’t like to educate people on what problem exists. I like to solve problems that everybody’s aware of. I look for where technology can fit into an environment and help it scale or stretch. That’s a big deal to me. But people ultimately is it. I mean, you sit in a room with those boys that started Simplebet, and you knew who you were dealing with.“ For athletes accustomed to team dynamics, this principle resonates strongly.

Moreover, Andre leverages his firsthand experience with sports technology, translating insights from his playing days into informed investment decisions. His backing of the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) system, for example, highlights his focus on scalable opportunities tied to participation growth, rather than high-risk professional competition.

For aspiring athlete-investors, Andre’s journey underscores the importance of long-term vision, sustainable growth, and leveraging personal experience. By adopting these strategies, athletes can ensure their post-career endeavors are not only successful but also impactful.

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Bitcoin price rises as Fed Chair Jerome Powell signals rate cut is imminent

Bitcoin surges to nearly $64K, adding to gains as RFK Jr. endorses Trump

The Bitcoin market witnessed a notable uptick as two significant developments reverberated through the financial landscape. First, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hinted at imminent interest rate cuts, signaling a shift in monetary policy. This news, coupled with RFK Jr.'s endorsement of Donald Trump, sent Bitcoin soaring by 5.6% to $63,800.

Powell's comments during the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium underscored a strategic pivot from inflation control to addressing labor market weaknesses, hinting that the era of high interest rates might soon end. The anticipation of lower borrowing costs has historically buoyed risk-on assets like Bitcoin, and this instance is no different.

Simultaneously, RFK Jr.’s decision to suspend his presidential campaign and support Trump—a candidate known for his crypto-friendly stance—further fueled optimism in the crypto markets. The potential policy shifts, including Trump's proposal for a U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve, have invigorated investor sentiment.

As the U.S. navigates this pivotal election season, with crypto increasingly becoming a focal point, Bitcoin’s price movements may serve as a barometer for broader market expectations.

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Then, The New York Times’ DealBook writes: At a meeting next week in Eagan, Minn., NFL owners are expected to approve rules that would allow certain private equity firms to buy as much as 10 percent of a team.

The move would help owners solve a liquidity problem. As team valuations have soared — the Washington Commanders sold for $6.05 billion last year — the number of potential buyers has fallen. Finding limited partners has also become more difficult because they have no voting rights yet must tie up tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars. Allowing investments from private equity could make it easier to put together a deal.

The NFL has whittled the potential list of permitted private equity investors to just a handful of firms. They include firms that focus on sports, like Arctos Partners and Dynasty Equity, as well as larger firms like Blackstone, CVC Capital Partners and Carlyle Group, which expanded its sports with its recent purchase of the women’s soccer team Seattle Reign FC. The firms were reported earlier by Sportico.

If owners approve the proposed changes on Tuesday, those who want to sell stakes could then apply to the league’s finance committee. After the committee vets the applications, approval of each application would be put to a vote by all owners, potentially as soon as the next meeting of owners in October.

Have a great weekend!

Irg

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