City National Bank

Professional athletes are often faced with two pivotal moments, receiving their first paycheck and preparing for life after retirement. Ryan Shazier’s journey shows how resilience and thoughtful financial planning can support life both during and after a professional sports career. Shazier’s story reflects the importance of preparation, building a trusted team of advisors and navigating transitions with intention. http://spr.ly/6049ArQbd

Sports stadiums and arenas are evolving and changing how fans, brands and cities connect. They are being reimagined as year-round destinations known as sports anchored mixed-used districts (SMDs). These combine stadiums with retail, dining, housing and entertainment. The result is a new model that is helping to reshape fan experiences, sponsorships, communities and team ownership. During our Pro Sports Advisory Summit, JaHan Wang, head of Entertainment & Sports Banking at City National Bank, led a conversation with Nick Baker of AEG Global Partnerships, Steve Cannon, of Harbinger Sports Partners and Nicole Chaplin, of KLUTCH Sports Group, on the future of sports venues and how they are transforming local communities. http://spr.ly/6040AQyfy

In 2021, college athletes were first allowed to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL), opening the doors of a growing $19 billion industry. At our Pro Sports Advisory Summit, Charles Frazier, team lead for Entertainment & Sports Banking at City National Bank joined Justin J. Giangrande of Network and Donald M. Woodard of Carter+Woodard to explore how NIL is reshaping opportunities for young athletes. They shared how the landscape is shifting, from tough contract negotiations to brand building, fair market value and the need for strong representation. http://spr.ly/6047AQy2B

The valuations of professional sports teams are skyrocketing. When Jon Ledecky bought the New York Islanders in 2014, many thought he overpaid. Today, the team valued at nearly $2 billion is proof of how quickly sports team valuations are climbing. At our recent Pro Sports Advisory Summit, Jon Ledecky shared his perspective with Anthony DiSanti, Head of Sports Banking at City National Bank, to discuss the forces behind the rise. Ledecky pointed to private equity entering the market, the 122% surge in U.S. sports rights over the last decade, and a new wave of billionaires competing for ownership. http://spr.ly/6049AQyvR

Women’s sports are proving to be one of the fastest-growing sectors in the industry. It’s not just ticket sales fueling this momentum. Media rights and sponsorships are expanding rapidly, and viewership and engagement are rising at record speed. Research shows that fans of women’s sports are twice as likely to notice, share and purchase from brands that support their teams compared to traditional sports audiences. At our Pro Sports Advisory Summit, Randie Brooks, team leader of Entertainment & Sports Banking at City National Bank, lead a conversation with Susie Piotrkowski from espnW, Christine Monjer of the Los Angeles Sparks and Catherine (Sajdak) McManmon of the Chicago Stars FC, on how a new wave of owners and women executives are creating sustainable business opportunities in sports. http://spr.ly/6044AUSQ2