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Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Paige Spiranac's Exec Era Begins, Joins Grass League's Front Office
FLOURTOWN, PHILADELPHIA - MAY 07: Paige Spiranac plays the 17th green during the Creator Classic at ... More Philly Cricket Club, prior to the Truist Championship at The Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon Course) on May 7, 2025 in Flourtown Philadelphia. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images) Paige Spiranac, golf's reigning content creator queen with over 11 million followers across platforms including 4 million on Instagram (2.6 million more than world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler) and 1.6 million on TikTok, has landed a front office gig with the Grass League, where she'll take on a strategic leadership role. 'I'll be touching a bunch of different aspects of the business: brand development, digital marketing, brand engagement, seeking out new team owners, talent and sponsors,' Spiranac said on what her day-to-day responsibilities will look like as she takes on a management role. 'It's really exciting for me because those are passions I've had within my own business, so now to be able to use my expertise with Grass League is something I'm really looking forward to,' she added. The upstart league, now in its sophomore season, stages evening competitions at LED-lit Par 3 venues. Teams representing regional franchises compete in a 2-person scramble format, where both players hit each shot and then choose the best resulting spot to play from until the hole is completed. In the inaugural season, all events were played at Grass Clippings in Tempe, Arizona but this year's schedule has added an event on Labor Day weekend played at Oceanside, California's Goat Hill Park, which is set to air live on Golf Channel. Prize money in the fledgling circuit is modest but around what you'd expect from a startup league in audience building mode. At the most recent event, the New York Blue Birds earned $40,000 of a six-figure purse, with $20,000 going to the runner-up San Diego Munis (a franchise owned by PGA Tour pro Wyndham Clark and lifestyle brand Municipal), and $8,000 apiece awarded to the three teams tied for third. The league's championship tees off December 5-6th back at Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills. 2025 Grass Clippings Open Spiranac, who shoots much of her content in Arizona, had already worked with the league in a hands-on capacity—serving as a correspondent and even running social media for an event. Her new role will help shape the league's future direction and content strategy while bolstering strategic growth initiatives both on and off the course. The trailblazer in the golf creator space, who has been at it now for over a decade, sees massive brand-building potential ahead for the Grass League. 'One thing that is really big for me is developing talent. There are so many talented players and also future personalities playing in Grass League,' Spiranac said, adding that as awareness grows, 'getting Grass League out there, people knowing exactly what it is as soon as they hear that name,' will make minting a household name doable. Beyond brand building, Paige envisions course building too. While there are no confirmed new sites yet, Spiranac is excited about the potential for Grass League to leave a lasting imprint on the game and communities by building Par 3 courses in new markets. While her title is fresh, Spiranac already has a vision for taking Grass League to the next level. She believes the recipe for stoking fan engagement starts with a shake of strong storytelling. That begins by spotlighting magnetic players who have the talent to match. Mix in some behind-the-scenes access, a healthy dash of humor, and you're halfway to cooking up the kind of content contemporary golf fans crave. 'When we have looked at the trends with content creators—what seems to work is that people love a great personality, but they also love to watch really good golf,' Spiranac explained. 'That's why we've seen channels like Bryson DeChambeau's be so successful—because we are finally able to get an inside look into who he is as a person but are also able to watch him play amazing golf which is really aspirational.' Giving players the space to be themselves is key. Balancing elite play and tending to an online presence can be a juggling act, so making it as easy as possible for them to show up digitally is essential. 'We've seen it with Joel Dahmen and Max Homa and a lot of the players on Full Swing, where we've been able to get little glimpses into their life,' Spiranac said. 'You just need to have that connection, because once you have that connection, you will always root for them and with individual sports that's the most important thing to having more fan engagement.' Asked which Grass League players have breakout potential, she replied: 'There are so many, and that's what's so exciting about it. That's why I can't wait to start really working on the digital marketing and development of the strategy of how to get these players out there.' 'There are guys like Austin Quick who I played junior golf with and is one of the funniest guys that I know. Now he has a normal job but he's still playing golf at a high level—and there's just so much to him,' she said. 'There are so many stories like that, and I can't wait for the storytelling that is about to happen.' Executive fashion The idea of 'Boardroom Spiranac' may raise eyebrows for those who have only cursorily followed her career trajectory, but the self-made star who effectively minted the golf influencer category has been forging brand partnerships and finding new and innovative ways to connect with next-gen fans for years. On a recent Vanity Index podcast, Spiranac voiced a desire to someday become the commissioner of a golf tour. Could that mean she's eyeing the top executive spot in Grass League? 'I would love to,' she said. 'It is something I really want to do and almost manifest for myself because I feel like I have a lot of great ideas, I've been around the game for such a long time and I feel like I can really help at that level.' While she acknowledges such a high-level role would entail major responsibilities—including being the public face of a league—she views it as a natural extension of how her career has evolved. Having helped pioneer the golf creator space, she sees this next chapter as a chance to show more dimensions of her business acumen and leadership potential. 'Now it's my responsibility to take on these new roles and tell my story and hopefully that will lead to a commissioner role or something like it one day.' Before she becomes a full-time suit, Paige's days in front of the camera are far from over. She's all set to make her major motion picture debut in Happy Gilmore 2, which premieres July 25 on Netflix. 'That was one of the coolest experiences of my entire life,' she said. 'Working alongside Adam Sandler—I'd only heard amazing things, but you don't really know until you meet someone. He's so humble, kind, and hardworking. I was just blown away by how 'normal' he is. We were talking about his dog and family in between takes. He even helped me with line delivery, and I'm like, 'this is so cool—he is so cool and I can't believe I have this opportunity.'' Paige Spiranac has quietly been playing some of the best golf of her life. She recently fired a 68 at Oakmont—host site of next month's U.S. Open—and credits her game's resurgence to her current headspace. 'In the last two years or so I've really started to love the game again,' she said. 'I've been working really hard on my swing and seen big changes. It's fun when you play well—and I've just been enjoying the ups and downs which before I would never even want to discuss or talk about. Letting go of that is the reason why I've been playing pretty good golf and been loving it so much.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From Augusta to eBay: Fans' outrageous attempts to recoup Masters expenses
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Bags of Masters merchandise are carried during the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National Golf Club at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by) (Richard Heathcote via Getty Images) Going to the Masters is the pinnacle experience for golf enthusiasts, a must on many fans' bucket lists. Whether you're charmed by Augusta's quirky rules, enamored with its storied history, or secretly delighted to watch professional golfers crumble under pressure, the allure is undeniable. But let's be honest — attending isn't exactly cheap. Lottery winners might snag weekend badges for around $450, but most fans end up shelling out thousands once you factor in lodging, flights, meals, merchandise, and perhaps even a humbling round of golf with rental clubs. Advertisement Naturally, some fans try creative ways to offset these expenses. While reselling exclusive merchandise is somewhat understandable, others get surprisingly inventive (and a bit shameless). Here are six hilariously questionable ways people attempted to recoup their Masters trip expenses in 2024: Empty Water Bottles and Store Shopping Bag - $4.99 View on eBay Yes, you read that correctly. Someone successfully sold empty water bottles alongside a used plastic shopping bag from the Masters gift shop. It appears even disposable items hold value if they boast that prestigious Augusta logo. 2024 Masters Spectator Guide - Augusta National Golf Club - $5.99 View on eBay Advertisement This free pamphlet, given out to spectators as a helpful souvenir, somehow managed to find a buyer despite likely being folded and crammed in a sweaty pocket all weekend. Clearly, there's always someone willing to pay for a piece of the experience, even one that's creased and slightly damp. Vintage Official Masters Golf Tournament Augusta Cocktail Napkins - $13.50 View on eBay Imagine the scenario: You've enjoyed a snack at the Masters and absentmindedly stuffed a few napkins into your pocket. Congratulations, you've accidentally invested in Masters collectibles. Even slightly stained, these napkins found an eager buyer. AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 09: Patrons eat as they sit with their golf shop merchandise purchases during practice prior to the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images) (Ben Jared via Getty Images) 6x 2024 Masters Green Cups - $60 View on eBay Advertisement Who knew saving your used beverage cups throughout the week could be so lucrative? These plastic cups, undoubtedly once filled with lemonade or beer, fetched $60. One fan's trash truly is another fan's treasure. 6x Masters Augusta National Practice Golf Balls - $24 View on eBay We're stepping into ethically murky waters here, but somehow these practice balls ended up in someone's bag and subsequently on eBay. Grass stains included, these well loved balls were quickly snapped up by a buyer eager for authentic Augusta dirt. 2024 Masters Ticket Badge - $125 View on eBay The most understandable and legitimate resale item on this list is your Masters event badge. Collecting event badges and ticket stubs has surged in popularity, making them a viable way to reclaim some costs from your weekend adventure. You can find badges dating back decades , commemorating your favorite golfer's career milestones. Of course, it should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway: this article is all in good fun. Any attempts to remove unauthorized items from Augusta National's grounds are illegal and can ruin the experience for you and your fellow golf fans. So, stick to buying merch from the gift shop and leave the napkins and practice balls alone!
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yahoo Sports AM: No phones at the Masters, just cameras
Yahoo Sports AM: No phones at the Masters, just cameras Yahoo Sports AM is our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it every weekday morning. 🚨 Headlines 🏒 Comeback for the ages: The Canucks did the unthinkable in Dallas, becoming the first team in NHL history to erase a three-goal deficit in the final minute of regulation and go on to win the game. Final score: Canucks 6, Stars 5 (OT). Advertisement 🏀 (Another) comeback for the ages: The Bucks went on a 34-3 run in the fourth quarter to stun the Timberwolves. Giannis Antetokounmpo had his third straight triple-double (23-13-10) in Milwaukee's 110-103 home victory. ⚽️ Arsenal, Inter win openers: The Champions League quarterfinals began with Arsenal beating Real Madrid in London (3-0), and Inter beating Bayern in Munich (2-1). Madrid and Milan will host next week's second legs, where Final Four spots will be on the line. ⛳️ The ratings are in: LIV Golf made its major broadcast TV debut over the weekend and drew 484,000 viewers on Fox during Sunday's final round in Miami. For comparison: The final round of the PGA Tour's Valero Open drew 1.75 million viewers on NBC. 🏀 Horned Frogs add Miles: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Olivia Miles, the nation's top transfer, is leaving Notre Dame for TCU, the team that beat the Irish in last week's Sweet 16. Miles was the projected No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft but opted to stay in school. 📸 No phones, just cameras A patron snaps a photo during Tuesday's practice round at Augusta National. (Ben Jared/PGA Tour via Getty Images) Cell phones are strictly prohibited at the Masters, as are most devices. But Augusta National makes a notable exception for cameras, permitting their use during all three practice round days (Monday-Wednesday) in the lead-up to the tournament (Thursday-Sunday). This transported me back to the early 2000s. Pretty sure I got a camera just like this for my 11th birthday. (Ben Jared/PGA Tour via Getty Images) A tradition unlike any other: Every 12 months, thousands of golf fans dust off cameras they forget they owned and descend on Augusta with technology from yesteryear. "We bought that for the birth of our child, and we've used it five times in the last 11 years," said one 2022 patron, who was rocking a discontinued Canon Vixia from 2009. "It's still bitchin', though," added his wife. A Nikon-wielding (and merchandise-buying) patron during a practice round last year. (Ben Jacobs/PGA Tour via Getty Images) A collection of cameras: The practice rounds are perhaps "the world's greatest collection of old and, frankly, bad cameras," writes Golf Magazine's Sean Zak. From the classic disposables (Fuji QuickSnap, Kodak FunSaver), to the compact gadgets of the early 2000s (Canon PowerShot, Olympus C-2), it's a nostalgic trip through photo-taking history. Tiger Woods walks to the tee during a practice round in 2010. (Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images) A journey back in time: The lack of phones, combined with the ubiquity of digital cameras, harkens back to a very specific era. Every year at the practice rounds now feels like circa 2010 at the practice rounds (pictured above) — back when digital cameras were everywhere, not just at the Masters, and only 23% of Americans owned a smartphone. That number is now 98%. 🏀 NBA shocker: Nuggets clean house (Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports) The Nuggets sent shockwaves throughout the NBA on Tuesday when they fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with just three games left in the regular season, and with Denver (47-32) sitting in fourth place. Advertisement Malone, 53, is the winningest coach in Nuggets history and led the franchise to its first championship in 2023. Less than two years later, he's gone and assistant David Adelman (son of longtime NBA coach Rick) will replace him. Booth, 48, played 10 seasons in the NBA before embarking on a front office career. He joined the Nuggets in 2017 and was promoted to GM in 2022 after Tim Connelly left for the Timberwolves. Denver won the title in his first season at the helm. Behind the scenes: The discord between Malone and Booth has been known for quite some time around league circles, but the tension began to mount over the past week with the Nuggets struggling on the court (four straight losses) and losing ground in the playoff race, notes Yahoo Sports' Vincent Goodwill: Throughout the season, sources said Booth was critical of Malone's handling of the Nuggets' headliners, and for not asking for more from players like Jamal Murray — especially as the team's defense has faltered, dropping all the way to 20th in defensive rating. League sources said the firings happened so quickly Tuesday that Nikola Jokić wasn't involved in them. It was an impulsive decision from ownership, which was fed up with the infighting. Sources told Yahoo Sports in January it was likely Malone would move on from the Nuggets after the season due to the deteriorating relationship with Booth, who couldn't come to an agreement on a contract extension before the season began. Advertisement In a sense, this was built to be a last run for the franchise's two leaders, but it couldn't even last for a final playoff run. Now one wonders where the Nuggets go from here — in every direction. Another one bites the dust: Four of the past six head coaches to win an NBA title have been fired, with Malone joining Nick Nurse (Raptors 2019), Frank Vogel (Lakers 2020) and Mike Budenholzer (2021 Bucks). 🎓 NCAA settlement inches closer to finish line (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports) The settlement that has loomed over college sports for the past year, and will eventually lead to schools directly paying their athletes, is inching closer to the finish line. But not without a few last-minute hiccups. Advertisement Catch up quick: Federal judge Claudia Wilken held a hearing on Monday in a small Oakland courtroom, where about 75 people — including attorneys for the plaintiff (college athletes) and defendant (the NCAA and power conferences) — gathered for a seven-hour proceeding to settle three antitrust cases involving athlete compensation, Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger reports. The key terms of the settlement: Revenue-sharing: Division I schools may share up to 22% of their annual revenues (roughly $20.5 million in the first year) directly with their athletes. Back pay: The NCAA will pay $2.8 billion to Division I athletes who played between 2016-2024 and weren't entitled to the full benefits of NIL. Roster limits: Scholarship limits will be replaced with roster limits, which will allow every athlete to be eligible for a scholarship while cutting the number of spots available. What's the hold up? Those roster limits are a major sticking point for Wilken, who was clear: Make changes or risk not having her approve the settlement. One concept she specifically said she wants to see added: a phase-in period to "grandfather in" current rostered athletes. The roster cap, explained: Most NCAA sports have a scholarship limit but few have a limit on how many athletes they can roster. Under this new policy, they do, which would represent a drastic change for some sports. Consider cross country, where many teams have 30+ runners (many not on scholarship). The new formal roster limit would be 17. Advertisement What's next: Lawyers from both sides have been asked to report back in one week to determine if revisions can be made, though they've already been granted more time if needed. "We've got to talk to our clients about it," said an NCAA attorney. "We think we can get it over the finish line," said one of the lead plaintiff attorneys. ⚾️ Victory at last! The scoreboard at the end of the second game. (Michael Clair/MLB) Two D-III baseball teams took the field on Tuesday having lost a combined 141 consecutive games. By day's end, the two longest active losing streaks in college baseball had been snapped. The backdrop: Yeshiva University, a modern Orthodox Jewish school in Manhattan, brought a 99-game losing streak into their doubleheader against the Bronx's Lehman College, which was riding its own 42-game losing skid. Advertisement The result? Everyone left happy. Lehman won the opener, 7-6, for their first victory since May 9, 2023. Then Yeshiva took the nightcap, 9-5, to record their first win since Feb. 27, 2022 and end their streak of futility at 100. Who owns the longest losing streak ever? That would be the D-III Caltech Beavers, who lost 228 straight games (2003-2013) before they, too, won the back end of a doubleheader. Even crazier: The Beavers went 29 years (1988-2017) without winning a single conference game. 📺 Watchlist: Luka returns to Dallas Luka had a triple-double against the Mavericks back in February, a Lakers win in Los Angeles. (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) Luka Dončić returns to Dallas tonight (7:30pm ET, ESPN) for the first time since the Mavericks traded him to the Lakers. Advertisement And in the nightcap: The Nuggets visit the Kings (10pm, ESPN) in Denver's first game since firing head coach Michael Malone. More to watch: ⛳️ The Masters: Par 3 Contest (12pm, ESPN+; 2pm, ESPN) … One more day until the season's first major tees off. ⚽️ Champions League: PSG vs. Aston Villa (3pm, Paramount+); Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund (3pm, Paramount+) … Quarterfinals, first leg. ⚽️ Champions Cup: Inter Miami (0-1) vs. LAFC (8pm, FS1); Pumas UNAM (1-1) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (10:30pm, FS1) … Quarterfinals, second leg. 🏒 NHL: Flyers at Rangers (7:30pm, TNT); Blues at Oilers (10pm, TNT) … St. Louis and Edmonton (93 points each) are both on the doorstep of clinching a playoff berth. ⚾️ MLB: Yankees at Tigers (1:10pm, Prime) … New York has scored just two runs in their last two games after scoring 76 in their first nine. 🏒 Women's Hockey Worlds: USA vs. Finland (9am, NHL) … The group stage* begins in Czechia. *How it works: The 10 teams were split into groups by seeding, with the top five in Group A (USA, Canada, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland) and the bottom five in Group B (Germany, Sweden, Japan, Hungary, Norway). After group play, all of Group A and the top three in Group B will qualify for the quarterfinals. ⛳️ Masters trivia () Holes 10 through 18 on a golf course are typically referred to as the "back nine." What does Augusta National call them? Answer at the bottom. 📸 Photo finish: The boys are back (via Adam Finkelstein) Top picture: The Columbia University men's basketball coaching staff in March 2014. From left to right: Kevin Hovde (assistant), Kyle Smith (head coach), Carlin Hartman (associate head coach), Todd Golden (assistant) and Mike Magpayo (director of basketball operations). Advertisement Bottom picture: That same group at this year's Final Four. Hovde is now the head coach at Columbia, Smith is the head coach at Stanford, Hartman is the associate head coach at Florida, Golden is the head coach at Florida and Magpayo is the head coach at Fordham. Bonus read: This is incredibly random and has nothing to do with sports, but the headline of this story reminded me of maybe the best article ever written and I simply had to share. Please enjoy: "I Played 'The Boys Are Back in Town' on a Bar Jukebox Until I Got Kicked Out." Trivia answer: The "second nine" (here's why) We hope you enjoyed this edition of Yahoo Sports AM, our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
Forbes
20-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Earnings Preview: What To Expect From FedEx
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 07: ( EDITORS NOTE: Image taken with a drone.) Aerial view of the FedEx ... [+] signage in the water along the 18th hole prior to the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on August 7, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR) FedEx is scheduled to report earnings after Thursday's close. The stock hit a record high of $319.90/share in 2021 and is currently trading near $246. The stock is prone to big moves after reporting earnings and can easily gap up if the numbers are strong. Conversely, if the numbers disappoint, the stock can easily gap down. To help you prepare, here is what the Street is expecting: The company is expected to report a gain of $4.65/share on $21.89 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, the so-called Whisper number is a gain of $4.71/share. The Whisper number is the Street's unofficial view on earnings. Click on the chart to join MarketSurge The company has seen up and down earnings over the last few years. In 2020, the company made $9.50/share. In 2021, earnings vaulted to $18.17. Then, earnings grew to $20.61 in 2022. Earnings slid to $14.96 in 2023 and $17.80 in 2024. In 2025, earnings are expected to come in at $18.93 and $21.90 in 2026. The stock sports a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 15 which is lower than the benchmark S&P 500. Technically, the stock is in a long downtrend and not acting very well. The stock is trading below its 50-day moving average line (DMA) and below its longer-term 200-day moving average line which are both not healthy signs. FedEx, originally known as Federal Express, was founded in 1971 by Frederick W. Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas. Smith, a Yale graduate, conceived the idea for an overnight delivery service in a term paper, which he later turned into a successful business. He raised $91 million in venture capital to support his vision. On April 17, 1973, Federal Express began operations in Memphis, Tennessee, with 389 team members. Memphis was chosen for its central U.S. location and favorable weather conditions. The company's first night saw 14 aircraft deliver 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, FedEx expanded rapidly. By 1983, it became the first U.S. company to reach $1 billion in revenue within a decade of founding without mergers or acquisitions. FedEx expanded internationally in 1984, reaching Europe and Asia, and acquired Flying Tiger Line in 1988, becoming the largest full-service cargo airline. In 1994, Federal Express officially shortened its name to "FedEx" for marketing purposes, reflecting its broader service offerings. FedEx continued to innovate, earning the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1990 as the first service company to do so. By recent years, FedEx had grown into an approximately $87.7 billion global enterprise, serving over 220 countries and territories. Its operations include around 698 aircraft, over 200,000 vehicles, and roughly 5,000 facilities, with more than 500,000 employees handling about 15 million shipments daily. FedEx continues to innovate, unveiling a state-of-the-art automated sorting facility at the Memphis World Hub in October 2024. This facility enhances operational efficiency and speeds up delivery times. FedEx also focuses on sustainability and customer experience through its 2025 Plan, aiming to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining operational excellence. FedEx Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. It operates through FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Services segments. The FedEx Express segment offers express transportation, small-package ground delivery, and freight transportation services; and time-critical transportation services. The FedEx Ground segment provides small-package ground delivery services. The FedEx Freight segment offers less-than-truckload freight transportation services. The FedEx Services segment provides sales, marketing, information technology, communications, customer service, technical support, billing and collection, and back-office support services. In addition, the company offers supply chain management solutions; and air and ocean freight forwarding and cargo transportation, specialty transportation, customs brokerage, third party logistics and supply chain, and document and business solutions, as well as provides trade management tools and data. From where I sit, the most important trait I look for during earnings season is how the market and a specific company reacts to the news. Remember, always keep your losses small and never argue with the tape. Disclosure: The stock has been featured on
