Utah Jazz's Steven Schwartz Makes Waves in Sports Broadcasting

As the world of sports broadcasting continues to evolve, one name that stands out is Steven Schwartz, the Utah Jazz owner who has been instrumental in shaping the future of live sports consumption. With his company Scripps Sports, Schwartz has made some groundbreaking deals recently, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

One of the most notable agreements is with the Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights to broadcast NHL games for free on local stations in those markets. This innovative move resulted in a significant 24% increase in total WNBA viewership this season, reaching an impressive 39 million unique viewers. The success of this package can be attributed to its availability on Ion network, which has a national reach of nearly 60%.

Scripps Sports, a new division of the 145-year-old E.W., recently made waves by acquiring NWSL rights as part of record-setting deals that will total $240 million. This massive investment demonstrates Schwartz's commitment to revolutionizing sports broadcasting.

The company's latest move is a five-year deal with WWE NXT, which could be worth up to $200 million. This agreement highlights the growing demand for premium sports content and Scripps Sports' willingness to adapt to changing viewer habits.

In other news, The CW will pay a reported $800 million to broadcast the NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in 2025. Meanwhile, LIV Golf's debut 2023 tournament garnered less than 300,000 viewers, prompting the league to report viewership numbers through iSpot service instead of Nielsen.

Scripps Sports' parent company, Nexstar Media Group, has a $5 billion market cap and claims it's available in 100% of U.S. households. The CW, backed by Nexstar Media Group, is an over-the-air network that has started showing LIV Golf tournaments and ACC football games, with basketball set to follow next month.

The shift towards free, over-the-air networks not traditionally associated with live sports signals a new era in sports broadcasting. Major sports leagues are exploring innovative ways to reach their audience, and Steven Schwartz's Scripps Sports is at the forefront of this revolution. With his company's recent deals and agreements, it's clear that the future of live sports consumption will be shaped by pioneers like Schwartz.

Steven schwartz utah jazz