The U.S. is considering expanding its travel ban to over 48 countries, which could significantly impact international tourism and the economic benefits expected from the 2026 World Cup, despite exceptions for athletes and major sporting events. This expansion may reduce foreign visitors to host cities, potentially harming local economies and the overall success of the tournament.
President Trump's new travel ban includes exemptions for athletes and coaches participating in major sporting events like the World Cup and Olympics, but the criteria for these exemptions remain unclear, potentially impacting upcoming international sports competitions in the U.S. such as the Gold Cup and Club World Cup.
In November, overall TV usage reached a nine-month high, driven by major events like the presidential election and the World Series. Despite this, cable and broadcast TV lost some viewing share, while streaming services hit a new record, accounting for 41.6% of TV usage. Notably, YouTube, Prime Video, and the Roku Channel achieved their highest usage levels to date. Cable news saw a spike during election week but only a slight month-to-month increase overall. Broadcast networks also saw a slight increase in viewing time but lost share to streaming.
The NFL Scouting Combine will continue to be held in Indianapolis through at least 2026, as the city has hosted the event since 1987. Despite considering bids from other cities, the NFL values Indianapolis for its central location and convenient setup, which allows easy access to hotels and event venues. The city aims to enhance the fan experience to maintain its status as the Combine's host.
Fanatics, led by CEO Michael Rubin, is planning to launch Fanatics Fest, a Comic-Con-like event for sports fans, featuring participation from sports legends and influencers. The event, scheduled for August in New York City, aims to engage both hardcore and casual sports fans with a 2,500-seat main stage and a 400,000-square-foot show floor. With a focus on sports culture, collecting, and various fan interests, the event will include booths and activations from major sports leagues, memorabilia companies, and more. General admission tickets will be $50, with various pricing options available. Fanatics plans to use the inaugural event to gauge fan interest and preferences, with potential for future international and collector-focused events.
BetMGM is offering a $200 bonus bet for North Carolina residents ahead of the state's sports betting launch on March 11. The exclusive bonus code PREROCKYBET can be claimed by following a simple signup process, and additional promotions include boosts for college basketball and NBA parlay plays, as well as a refer-a-friend offer. With the upcoming college hoops tournaments and March Madness, North Carolina residents have plenty of exciting sports events to look forward to, and BetMGM is gearing up with attractive offers for new and existing players.
The shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally in Kansas City, which resulted in one death and over 20 injuries, stemmed from an argument sparked by someone looking at someone else, highlighting the ridiculousness of insecure and impulsive behavior. The tragic incident has raised concerns about attending sports-related gatherings and the need to address the combination of excess hormones, insufficient intelligence, and access to weapons.
The rescheduled Daytona 500 left some visitors feeling disappointed as they had flights to catch back home during the race, with some racing to Daytona Beach International Airport just as the drivers started racing around the track. While some missed out on the race, others, like Chris Amrhein and Rebecca Arbona, made the most of their first race experience despite having to leave early due to the weather. Plans to return next year are already in motion for some, with adjustments being made to ensure they don't miss out again.