Latest news with #Trendlines
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trendlines: The smallest markets are winning the NBA finals
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers is defended by Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals. -Welcome to Trendlines, your weekly installment of what's trending up and what's trending down in sports. This week we're talking about the NBA Finals, and the emergence of the small market team. Think about the iconic NBA franchises: The Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls and, if you indulge me, the New York Knickerbockers. Advertisement This NBA Finals features two nicknames to never win an NBA title: the Thunder and Pacers. These two teams are from not-so-iconic American cities: Oklahoma City and Indianapolis. So let's start there with a big downswing. Trending down – The combined size of the home media markets for NBA finals' teams: Down 3 million homes from 2024 I'm being a bit charitable here with being down 3 million. I've rounded down. Indianapolis has a little over 1 million homes in its media market. Oklahoma City has well under a million. Combined they have a little less than 2 million homes. What a change from 2024 when the Finals teams (Boston and Dallas) each have over 2 million homes in their media markets. Advertisement But it's not just from last year from which we've seen a tremendous shift. Indeed, I plugged in the current media market size for every Finals team since the early 1980s. Based on the current rankings, this is the Finals with the smallest teams' media markets in at least the last 40 years. Trending down – The average NBA Finals' team worth: Down $1.4 billion from 2024 It's not just the media markets where we can see how the Pacers and Thunder are small markets. Take a look at the valuation for each franchise. Both teams are worth under $4 billion. Now, that is still a billion with a 'b', but last year the two teams were worth about $5 billion on average. Advertisement The fact that we have one small market team in the Finals isn't that unusual. Both of these teams have been in the finals before. What makes this year truly unique is that we have two teams worth so little at the same time. In fact, there hasn't been an NBA Finals' with two teams in the bottom 10 in the league in terms of worth since at least the early 1990s. Trending up – Players under the age of 25 on NBA finals' teams: Up 2 players from 2024 Small market doesn't mean unexciting. Tyrese Haliburton ridiculously clutch shooting in Game 1 proves that. What makes Haliburton's production so amazing is he was still 24 on February 1 of this year. He's one of 18 players who have suited up for these squads who were under 25 on that date. Advertisement That's a record since at least the early 1980s These are young and fresh players beyond just Haliburton. Thunder's star Jalen Williams clocks in at a mere 24 years old. His teammate Chet Holmgren is 23. We're looking at squads that could be good for years to come. Dare I say that, by the time it's all done, it may be Bulls, Celtics, Knicks, Lakers… and Pacers or Thunder on the pantheon of iconic NBA teams. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Boston Globe to Announce Fourth Annual Tech Power Players 50 List
Top Tech Leaders in New England to Be Honored at Tech Innovation Summit, Featuring Startup World Cup BOSTON, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Globe will announce the fourth annual Tech Power Players 50, a list of the most influential, accomplished, and interesting people working across technology in New England, at Tech Innovation Summit on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. A special online edition of the prestigious list will be published the same week, and the list with special features on select honorees will be available in print in Globe Magazine on Sunday, June 15. This year's list of Tech Power Players honors 50-plus leaders across AI, quantum computing, consumer tech, cybersecurity, health tech, sustainability, and beyond. Eighteen innovators will join the ranks of the region's Tech Power Players for the first time, demonstrating exemplary contributions to the industry and considerable career impact on technology and business in New England. "Boston continues to be a thriving hub of technology and innovation," said Linda Henry, CEO of Boston Globe Media. "This year's list of Tech Power Players tells a broad story that illustrates the vibrancy of New England's tech industry through the diverse and dynamic achievements of the individuals featured in each sector." Candidates for this year's list were selected based on the impact of their actions and accomplishments in fostering change and growth across the region. The list is vetted and decided on by the Globe's business and technology team, led by Gregory T. Huang, the Globe's business editor. "The Globe is proud to recognize the tech leaders whose forward-thinking ideas and energy for change are making a difference in this moment," said Huang. "Our region is at a crossroads in technology, and these leaders are playing a dynamic role in shaping our future success." In its fourth year, Tech Power Players 50 is a signature project of The Boston Globe's award-winning business and tech journalists. Since 2021, the Globe business and tech team has expanded its coverage to encompass the dynamic and far-reaching influence of The Hub — a region with a distinguished history in tech and an ambitious future in innovation — with offerings that include the Innovation Beat and Trendlines newsletters, profiles of prominent figures in Bold Types, investigations of consumer concerns in The Fine Print, and more. This year, the Globe's Tech Innovation Summit will also feature the USA-Boston Regional Startup World Cup. Hosted with Pegasus Tech Ventures, the East Coast Regional Pitch Competition will offer an opportunity for Boston's best and brightest to pitch their most innovative startup ideas to qualify for the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley. Learn more about the Tech Innovation Summit and competing in the Startup World Cup. Read and experience the full Tech Power Players 50 list at and in a commemorative issue of the Globe Magazine available on June 15. Contact: Boston Globe Media Communications, 888-729-4091, communications@ About Boston Globe Media:Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC is a locally owned, award-winning media company serving Boston and New England for over 153 years. Its cornerstone is The Boston Globe, a 27-time Pulitzer Prize-winning news source and one of the most successful metro news organizations in the United States. The Globe is headquartered in Boston with regional bureaus in Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. The Globe has been successfully growing its direct subscriber base, today boasting the highest total number of subscribers the organization has had since 2008. The Globe hosts events that connect community members to its journalism and provides a range of digital and home-delivered advertising solutions that reach more consumers than any other New England media brand. Boston Globe Media's portfolio includes The Boston Globe, STAT, The B-Side, Globe Publishing Services, Globe Events, Studio/B, and Boston magazine. View original content: SOURCE The Boston Globe
CNN
10-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Trendlines: NBA playoff ticket prices are out of control
Welcome to Trendlines, your weekly installment of what's trending up and what's trending down in sports. This week we're talking about the NBA playoffs, which are hot, hot, hot in the city that I am currently in (New York). The New York Knickerbockers (or Knicks) are up 2-0 on their rival Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Can the Knicks go all the way? I don't know, but what I do know is tickets to Game 3 of their series against the Celtics are some of the hottest items in town. That's where we start with trending up. The cheapest ticket right now on Vivid Seats is about $600. Last week, it was under $400. That's an increase of somewhere between 70% and 80%, depending on what time you check the website. I don't know who has that much money to spend on a seat, though it speaks to the fact that ticket prices are out of control. The last time the Knicks were this good (the mid 1990s) you could get a face value playoff seat in the semifinals for $25. Even if you take inflation into account and that tickets were 10 times as high on the secondary market, such a seat would still be less than what a playoff ticket is going for now. Who can afford this stuff? I will admit that I'm not the most ardent NBA fan, hence my references to mid-90s basketball. I didn't quite realize how often the Celtics would be attempting and missing three-pointers this series. Indeed, the whole league is attempting more and more three-pointers. The average team is now attempting a little less than 38 three-pointers per game. When I was a kid, it was slightly less than 10. I don't know if I like the new style of play. I guess it works for some teams and doesn't work for others. It hasn't been working for the Celtics who have been a combined 25-for-100 (yes they're averaging 50 attempts a game) in this series. Did somebody say brick? The Celtics may be missing, but John Tesh's basketball anthem does not. The famous theme song for NBC is coming back next season as NBC has regained NBA television rights. Apparently, a lot of people are, like myself, looking forward to that theme song. Google searches for 'Roundball Rock' are averaging more this month than any month on record. I guess I can say I'm not too surprised? Tesh's live performance of the song has nearly three million views on YouTube. But more than anything else, the theme song is full of nostalgia. The NBA has never had more viewers than it did in the 1990s, when 'Roundball Rock' was the league's anthem for viewers. The NBA will probably never be that popular again, though maybe the theme can bring them some good mojo.
CNN
10-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Trendlines: NBA playoff ticket prices are out of control
Welcome to Trendlines, your weekly installment of what's trending up and what's trending down in sports. This week we're talking about the NBA playoffs, which are hot, hot, hot in the city that I am currently in (New York). The New York Knickerbockers (or Knicks) are up 2-0 on their rival Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Can the Knicks go all the way? I don't know, but what I do know is tickets to Game 3 of their series against the Celtics are some of the hottest items in town. That's where we start with trending up. The cheapest ticket right now on Vivid Seats is about $600. Last week, it was under $400. That's an increase of somewhere between 70% and 80%, depending on what time you check the website. I don't know who has that much money to spend on a seat, though it speaks to the fact that ticket prices are out of control. The last time the Knicks were this good (the mid 1990s) you could get a face value playoff seat in the semifinals for $25. Even if you take inflation into account and that tickets were 10 times as high on the secondary market, such a seat would still be less than what a playoff ticket is going for now. Who can afford this stuff? I will admit that I'm not the most ardent NBA fan, hence my references to mid-90s basketball. I didn't quite realize how often the Celtics would be attempting and missing three-pointers this series. Indeed, the whole league is attempting more and more three-pointers. The average team is now attempting a little less than 38 three-pointers per game. When I was a kid, it was slightly less than 10. I don't know if I like the new style of play. I guess it works for some teams and doesn't work for others. It hasn't been working for the Celtics who have been a combined 25-for-100 (yes they're averaging 50 attempts a game) in this series. Did somebody say brick? The Celtics may be missing, but John Tesh's basketball anthem does not. The famous theme song for NBC is coming back next season as NBC has regained NBA television rights. Apparently, a lot of people are, like myself, looking forward to that theme song. Google searches for 'Roundball Rock' are averaging more this month than any month on record. I guess I can say I'm not too surprised? Tesh's live performance of the song has nearly three million views on YouTube. But more than anything else, the theme song is full of nostalgia. The NBA has never had more viewers than it did in the 1990s, when 'Roundball Rock' was the league's anthem for viewers. The NBA will probably never be that popular again, though maybe the theme can bring them some good mojo.
CNN
03-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Trendlines: Gambling at the Kentucky Derby is way up
Welcome to Trendlines, your weekly installment of what's trending up and what's trending down in sports. This week we're talking about the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, the world's most famous horse race. Journalism – yes, that is actually a horse's name – is the favorite to win, but the truth is that we really don't know which horse is going to finish first. We do know which humans are going to win on Saturday and that starts us with our trending up. Bookmakers have a field day when it comes to Churchill Downs. More than $200 million was gambled on just the main event last year. When you add in all the other races, more than $300 million was bet. A little less than $100 million was gambled on the main event in 2004. Of course, it's easier to gamble than ever before. It only takes a few clicks on your phone. Still, only a little more than $50 million was gambled on the next race of horse racing's Triple Crown (The Preakness). The Derby is unique among horse racing as it is a top-10 gambling event in the United States. The fact that the Derby is so popular is amazing given the general state of horse racing. When polls ask about people's favorite sport to watch, most don't even include horse racing any more. Less than 1% offered horse racing as their favorite in a 2017 poll from the Washington Post. Horse racing ranked 14th. In 1937, horse racing ranked fourth nationally. The thing about the Derby is that it's far more than just a horse race. I can't think of another sports event that has its own fashion, which is not related to anything the athletes are wearing. Yes, you too can wear a seersucker suit or a crazy hat. Speaking of things that are unique to the Derby, can you think of another sports event where the alcoholic beverage is something that isn't beer? The mint julep has had a long history in horse racing. Some winners even received sterling julep trophies for certain horse races. One of the main ingredients for a mint julep is bourbon. Kentucky is the state that produces the most bourbon (supposedly 95%) in the country by far. Mint juleps, therefore, are a marketing gold mine for those associated with the Derby. My only fear is that if I drink too much too early on Derby day, then I won't be able to stay awake for the race, so you'll excuse me if I have a virgin julep. It'll be mighty sweet, sorta like Saturday's race for whomever is able to actually pick the winning horse.
