NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: President-elect Donald Trump holds UFC heavyweight … (+)
During Donald Trump’s second term as president of the United States, the 78-year-old will serve as commander in chief as two of the world’s biggest sporting events, the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the The 2028 Summer Olympics will take place on American soil.
Sports consultants, experts and lawyers interviewed for this article addressed what Trump’s return to the White House means for the sports industry and which areas could be impacted more than others.
“There is a sense that the new administration will be more business-friendly than the outgoing administration,” said Irwin Kishner, a partner and co-chair of the sports group at the New York-based Herrick law firm. “You’ll definitely hear M&A firms and law firms saying, ‘We need to prepare for more deals, more mergers and acquisitions, more joint ventures, and a more favorable business environment.’ I think this is also reflected in the world of sport.
Kishner, along with other experts interviewed for this story, said they could foresee more consolidation efforts in media over the next four years, which could also have an effect on the sports industry and of business.
Dallas Dolen, technology, media and telecommunications sector leader at PwC US, said there is also “broader macroeconomic optimism” with the new Trump regime, which will likely lead to new capital investments across the sports industry, including new and emerging leagues as well as women’s sports.
“Sports ROI is significantly more reliable – that’s where private equity firms come in – but it’s much more reliable as a source of return than the next AI company,” said Dolen. “I say this half-jokingly, but there is more skepticism that comes into play as to which AI model builder will be the one you invest funds into. Other areas of potential investment don’t show you this ROI. The sport continued to show this.
Marc Ganis, co-founder and chief executive of consultancy Sportscorp Ltd., said he believes the topic of transgender rights will be “significantly changed” under Trump, a noted sports enthusiast and golfer who has more than a dozen courses around the world.
On Sunday, at a presidential rally in Washington ahead of yesterday’s inauguration, Trump said he planned to “keep men out of women’s sports“, a controversial topic among youth sports and college athletics that has attracted widespread attention in recent months.
To date, there is no federal law governing transgender athletes. Last week, NCAA President Charlie Baker said the NCAA “would like to have some clarification somewhere on this so that everyone has a general understanding of the rules of the game.”
In addition, there is still a few questions left on revenue sharing in college sports under terms proposed in the House rules, a historic agreement that would change how athletes will be compensated in the future.
Meanwhile, Ganis and others noted that sports fans and industry observers should also keep an eye on golf. Scott O’Neil, new CEO of LIV Golf, said Sportico that the U.S. Department of Justice is currently reviewing the golf company’s proposed joint venture with the PGA Tour. Additionally, O’Neil, who recently served as CEO of Merlin Entertainments, said he believes Trump’s second term could be positive for LIV, which benefits from economic support from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
“It predates me, but I heard stories that it was very difficult for us to get classes for our events in the beginning,” he said. “President-elect Trump was the one who said, ‘Come play on my courses.’ »
Some executives said other areas of interest to follow include whether respective sports champions from major U.S. professional sports leagues and the NCAA will visit the White House to be honored or whether Trump plans to hold a ceremonial first pitch at of a future MLB game.
In August 2020, he planned to throw out the first pitch at a New York Yankees game after the team president asked him, but later. postponed the event.
During Trump’s first term, several professional and college teams visited the White House, including the Alabama and Clemson football teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Red Sox, while others , like the Seattle Storm and the Golden State Warriors, were not invited. In June 2018, Trump disinvited the Philadelphia Eagles following a dispute over some players allegedly remaining in the locker room or kneeling during the singing of the national anthem.
“Frankly, unless it’s the U.S. national teams or people representing the country, a visit to the White House is a two-way photo opportunity for the media,” Ganis said. “It really took hold during the Ronald Reagan administration because he was a huge sports fan. I am not sure that the world of sport does not benefit from this not becoming a political issue.
When asked to comment on what his second presidency means for the sports industry, Taylor Rogers, spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition, provided the following statement via email: “As the President Trump, sports is a microcosm of life – he appreciates the dedication, training and perseverance an athlete endures while working with a team to win big. America loves and values sports, and so does President Trump, and that’s why his appearances at sporting events generate unprecedented hype and resonate with everyday Americans. Additionally, President Trump is a champion-level golfer.