{"id":221857,"date":"2026-05-06T12:21:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T12:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/221857\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T12:21:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T12:21:38","slug":"mls-unveils-new-manhattan-hq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/221857\/","title":{"rendered":"MLS unveils new Manhattan HQ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start your morning with Buzzcast<\/a> with Austin Karp: The NBA and NHL put up massive first round viewership numbers; LIV Golf brings on more help to try and navigate the future; tennis players take aim the majors over pay; and the Carolina Hurricanes sell out of beer skates<\/p>\n

\"MLS'MLS’ new, expanded Manhattan headquarters will be home base for nearly 500 league staff. Major League Soccer <\/p>\n

MLS will officially unveil its new office at 2 Penn Plaza in Manhattan with an invite-only press event Wednesday afternoon. The league moved into the two-floor, 126,000-square-foot space last month, nearly double the square-footage of its prior headquarters at 420 Fifth Avenue. MLS EVP & Chief Business Officer Camilo Durana called the move a \u201cgame changer\u201d and reflective of the league entering a new chapter of growth, which it has branded \u201cMLS 3.0.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were running out of space,\u201d Durana told SBJ, referring to the old office. \u201cWe were struggling with the ability to add full-time people and still make it comfortable. In this, we have room to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The majority of MLS\u2019 staff — nearly 500 employees — are based at the N.Y. headquarters under a four-days-per-week in-office schedule (about 25 work out of MLS Productions\u2019 space housed in the Studios at WWE<\/a> in Stamford, Conn.).<\/p>\n

MLS worked with TPG Architecture to custom-design the new office. Spread across the two floors are more than 80 meeting rooms, four \u201cwellness\u201d areas (e.g., for meditation or nursing), two outdoor spaces, multiple podcast recording studios, a cafeteria, and an operations hub for match day viewing. There are also LED ribbons throughout that can be programmed to display partner branding or live scores, and pervasive design elements meant to evoke the feel of a stadium, including mesh walls that look like nets, curved archways that mimic the shape of a soccer goal, and club-specific banners.<\/p>\n

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\"MINNEAPOLIS,Negotiations \u201chave progressed far enough that the union has scheduled a ratification vote for Thursday night.\u201d Icon Sportswire via Getty Images <\/p>\n

Negotiations between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association on a new CBA \u201chave progressed far enough that the union has scheduled a ratification vote for Thursday night,\u201d according to sources cited by ESPN.com. The agreement \u201cwould avoid the need for replacement officials<\/a> this season.” The existing CBA is set to expire May 31. Specific terms of the agreement \u201cwere not immediately available.\u201d The NFL began recruiting potential replacement officials<\/a> from the college ranks in early March, and owners\u202fapproved a sweeping set of rules\u202fthat would have allowed league staff members to help officiate games<\/a> from the NFL headquarters in N.Y. (ESPN.com, 5\/5<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"F1Drivers appeared on stage with their cars during F1 75 Live at The O2 Arena in February 2025. Formula 1 via Getty Images <\/p>\n

F1 has started exploring another preseason launch event next year with potential host cities including Milan, according to people familiar with the matter, after holding a first-of-its kind showcase last year in London<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Getting its 2026 campaign back on track last week in Miami after missing a month due to postponed races in the Middle East, F1 completed its fourth round and first U.S. race of the season. The series has been relentless in recent years in trying to increase its entertainment prowess and create more big events outside of its grands prix, and last year it debuted a new launch event during its 75th anniversary<\/a> that involved all 10 of its teams at the time and drew an announced 16,000 fans at The O2 Arena in London. F1 said tickets were sold out in 20 minutes, although it later warned that some appeared on unauthorized secondary markets.<\/p>\n

Typically in F1, teams have done car reveals on their own individual basis, so the 2025 launch event marked the first time the commercial rights holder of the sport had organized a singular showcase for all teams. There was no such event held this year.<\/p>\n

At the time in 2025, F1 said the event marked its second-most watched stream on its YouTube page, had 7.5 million views on social channels and was aired by 42 broadcast partners. It also featured musical performances.<\/p>\n

\"F1\"Most of F1’s teams and drivers are based in Europe and it has a large core fan base on the continent Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix <\/p>\n

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\"MONTREAL,The Leafs \u201chad 85 of 1001 combinations in the lottery machine.\u201d Getty Images <\/p>\n

The Maple Leafs \u201cwon the NHL draft lottery\u201d on Tuesday night and \u201cwill pick first overall\u201d for the third time in franchise history. The Leafs \u201chad 85 of 1001 combinations in the lottery machine.\u201d Winning the first overall pick \u201cchanges somewhat the narrative around the team\u201d following the \u201cunderwhelming\u201d hirings this week of hockey operations adviser Mats Sundin and GM John Chayka<\/a>. It also \u201cgives fans a reason to hope because a top prospect is going to land in their lap\u201d (TORONTO STAR, 5\/5<\/a>). It is a \u201cpotential franchise-altering development for the Leafs,\u201d fresh off missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 10 years. The Leafs using the top pick on anyone other than Penn State LW Gavin McKenna, \u201cat this point, could be surprising.\u201d The 18-year-old \u201chas been the No. 1 pick in the mock drafts that have been done most recently\u201d (TORONTO SUN, 5\/5<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"JimThe 77-year-old said that he will \u201cstay with the team as an adviser and alternate governor.\u201d NHLI via Getty Images <\/p>\n

Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford revealed in a \u201csurprise announcement\u201d on Tuesday that he will \u201cstep down from his role\u201d following next month\u2019s NHL Draft. The 77-year-old said that he will \u201cstay with the team as an adviser and alternate governor.\u201d Vancouver fired GM Patrik Allvin on April 17, and Rutherford said the \u201csearch for a new GM has involved more than 15 candidates.\u201d He noted the list \u201chas now been narrowed down to five,\u201d and a \u201cfinal decision is expected by next week.\u201d Rutherford added that the way the team\u2019s \u201cfront office is structured following the new hire remains to be seen\u201d (CP, 5\/5<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"DALLAS,Wings CEO & managing partner Greg Bibb said an agreement to play 2027 games at American Airlines Center “is not yet finalized.” NBAE via Getty Images <\/p>\n

Wings CEO & Managing Partner Greg Bibb said that the team is \u201cin \u2018advanced negotiations\u2019 with American Airlines Center to play the 2027 season there.\u201d Wings coach Jose Fernandez on Tuesday \u201caccidentally let slip during a national call with reporters that the Wings will play all their home games next season at the American Airlines Center.\u201d However, Bibb clarified that the \u201cagreement is not yet finalized.\u201d Bibb: \u201cWe do not have a finalized agreement, nor have we achieved the approvals from the league that you technically need to have to change venue for a season. So while I\u2019m optimistic that we\u2019re going to have news on that front soon, we do not have that news as of today.\u201d The Wings currently practice and play at College Park Center on the Univ. of Texas at Arlington campus<\/a>. The team \u201coriginally planned to move into a new practice facility<\/a> and downtown Dallas arena by the start of the 2026 season but construction issues delayed the move<\/a> to 2027.\u201d The Wings plan to \u201cplay in a renovated Memorial Auditorium by 2028, so a potential agreement with the American Airlines Center would be limited to the 2027 season\u201d (USA TODAY, 5\/5<\/a>). <\/p>\n

The Wings \u201ccould have utilized\u202fAAC as their full-time arena as early as the 2026 season\u201d but \u201cwill play nearly all their home games at College Park Center,\u201d where they will host the Dream for their home opener May 12. Of the Wings\u2019 22 home games in 2026,\u202fthree will be played at\u202fAAC. City representatives did not respond to questions \u201cabout why the AAC clause isn\u2019t being exercised now or speak to any hurdles that could be preventing its use\u201d (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5\/5<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"DevonThe new indoor facility will be \u201cbuilt next to Devon Park\u201d in the northeast part of the city. Getty Images <\/p>\n

The Oklahoma City Council has \u201capproved plans for an indoor softball facility to be built next to Devon Park\u201d in the northeast part of the city. In a \u201cunanimous vote,\u201d councilors on Tuesday approved plans to \u201cmove forward with the bidding process for construction of the facility, which is estimated to cost about\u201d $25.4M. Construction of the indoor facility, \u201cas well as other improvements at Devon Park, will be funded in large part by a bond issue\u201d approved by Oklahoma City voters in 2025<\/a>. Oklahoma City-based STUDIO Architecture \u201ccreated the design for the indoor facility.\u201d Construction is \u201canticipated to begin this summer and be completed in late 2027 before the 2028 Women\u2019s College World Series and before\u202fOklahoma City hosts Olympic softball for the 2028 Games\u201d (OKLAHOMAN, 5\/6<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"YankeesThe Yankees will wear Spike Lee-inspired red caps for batting practice ahead of their game against the Rangers Wednesday. New Era <\/p>\n

The Yankees will lean into one of baseball\u2019s most enduring fashion crossovers Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, wearing Spike Lee-inspired red caps for batting practice ahead of their game against the Rangers.<\/p>\n

The activation is tied to \u201cNew Era FiftyNine50 Day\u201d and marks the 30th anniversary of Lee receiving approval from late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to have New Era Cap Company create a custom red cap for the 1996 World Series — moment that helped turn the team\u2019s on-field logo into a fashion statement.<\/p>\n

Lee will be in attendance Wednesday alongside rappers Fabolous, Fat Joe and Jadakiss, with New Era CEO Chris Koch also on site as part of the brand\u2019s in-stadium activation.<\/p>\n

The red cap became a defining fashion symbol in the late \u201990s and early 2000s, notably worn by Limp Bizkit\u2019s Fred Durst in the 1999 music video \u201cNookie.\u201d ESPN revisited the broader cultural significance of the Yankees cap in a 2024 feature.<\/p>\n

\"HarveyHarvey AI is on a sports sponsorship spree, with deals with the Liberty, Valkyries and Warriors the latest. Harvey AI <\/p>\n

Artificial intelligence-powered legal services platform Harvey AI continued its recent spree of sports sponsorship deals by signing the Golden State Valkyries and Warriors and N.Y. Liberty to multiyear pacts. The agreements, for which financial terms were not disclosed, designate Harvey as the teams\u2019 \u201cofficial legal AI partner.\u201d Sportfive supported Harvey in negotiations, while the teams negotiated directly.<\/p>\n

Harvey has now announced nine sports sponsorship deals since the start of March, with the Valkyries\/Warriors and Liberty joining soccer clubs PSG, Fulham and Stuttgart; MLB\u2019s Cubs and Rangers; the NBA\u2019s Mavericks; and the U.S. Open<\/a> tennis tournament. Harvey COO Katie Burke told SBJ investing in sports sponsorship is an area of emphasis for the three-and-a-half-year-old startup, which uses generative AI to streamline legal tasks like research and drafting\/reviewing contracts. The firm recently hired a CMO (Rachel Hepworth<\/a>) and Head of Brand Partnerships (Mali Robertson<\/a>) to lead its growing marketing vertical.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in hyper-growth mode,\u201d Burke said, noting that Harvey now has more than 1,500 customers in more than 60 countries. \u201cMost average consumers can only name one or two AI companies. In spite of all the discussion around AI, we think people understanding and knowing our brand and it being familiar is key to our long-term success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harvey will receive brand visibility on signage and hospitality considerations at Valkyries\/Warriors and Liberty games — and be the presenting sponsor of the Liberty\u2019s \u201cplayer of the game\u201d award on social media. Some of Harvey\u2019s sports deals also include partners using their technology. The Liberty, for example, was already a Harvey user, and the USTA recently signed on to use its platform.<\/p>\n

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On this week\u2019s pod, SBJ media reporters Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter saddle up to break down the biggest Kentucky Derby audience since 1983. Then, it\u2019s the latest on a carriage dispute between Disney and Comcast over NFL Network and why Duke basketball made sense for Amazon Prime Video. Finally, Matthew Caldwell of the T\u2019Wolves and Lynx dishes why he moved from the NHL to the NBA, fan reaction to Year 1 of the new NBA media deals, what\u2019s next for the two teams on local distribution and his favorite Army-Navy game memories.<\/p>\n

Horizon Sports & Experiences is looking for an Associate Dir\/Property and IP Sponsorship Sales. The hybrid-based position is responsible for developing and establishing new business opportunities around the deep roster of owned IP and sports properties (Horizon Sports & Experiences<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The S.F. Giants are looking for a Manager\/Business Development & Partnerships. The S.F.-based position is responsible for identifying and building a pipeline of qualified prospective partners that align with the programs & sponsor opportunities across Mission Rock events, venues and specialized programming (Giants<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Playfly Sports is looking for a GM\/Naismith Basketball HOF. The Springfield-based position is responsible for generating incremental sponsorship revenue on behalf of the Basketball HOF for museum sponsorships, special events, award ceremonies and others (Playfly Sports<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Foot Locker is looking for a Manager\/Sports Marketing. The N.Y.-based position is responsible for shaping and executing initiatives deepening the connection to basketball and sneaker culture with campaign strategy, partner relationships and cross-functional alignment across brand, retail and digital channels (Foot Locker<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Countdown to SBAs: Agency of the Year: Brand Consulting<\/p>\n

The 19th annual Sports Business Awards, honoring the best in sports business, will be held May 20 at the Marriott Marquis New York Times Square. Leading up to the event, SBJ will highlight the nominees in each category. Purchase your tickets here SBJ Event Registration<\/a><\/p>\n

160over90: Leading the way for clients involved in the FIFA World Cup 2026, 160over90 led efforts for Anheuser-Busch InBev, Coca-Cola, Marriott, McDonald\u2019s, Visa and NRG, and secured an RFP win for agency of record status with Rocket Mortgage.<\/p>\n

Excel Sports Management: Expanding its global footprint to 14 new countries, Excel developed a novel NFL sponsorship\/licensing hybrid effort for Abercrombie and advised AWS (NBA) and Coach (WNBA) in negotiating their new league deals.<\/p>\n

Genesco Sports Enterprises: The agency won the FIFA World Cup activation RFP for Qatar Airways, which joined Frito-Lay, American Airlines and Verizon as the Genesco\u2019s World Cup sponsors, and built Kraft Heinz\u2019s inaugural sports sponsorship strategy. <\/p>\n

GMR Marketing: GMR worked with Xfinity around its Extra Bar at WrestleMania that delivered an interactive video experience in which guests became WWE Superstars, with HPE\u2019s Ryder Cup hospitality, including the HPE. <\/p>\n

MKTG Sports + Entertainment: Adding clients eBay, Breitling, Intel, Marriott, Valvoline and Bet365, MKTG executed hybrid licensing and sponsorship work for brands and delivered F1 campaigns with IBM through an AI-powered fan.<\/p>\n

Octagon: With eight FIFA World Cup sponsors, the most of any agency, Octagon expects to have more personnel on the ground during the tournament than any organization outside of FIFA. It also landed deals such as Mastercard\u2019s naming partnership with McLaren F1.<\/p>\n

Optimum Sports: Declaring \u201cFootball Is for Food,\u201d Optimum\u2019s campaign for Uber Eats featuring actor Bradley Cooper reframed football fandom as a food-first occasion, and its \u201cOrigins\u201d campaign celebrated Gatorade\u2019s 60th anniversary.<\/p>\n

The Team: The agency helped American Express take over the NFL credit card category, brought U.S. Bank and facilitated Diageo becoming FIFA\u2019s first spirits sponsor and Lenovo as its first technology partner.<\/p>\n

For a full list of nominees, visit 2026 Nominees – 2026 Sports Business Awards<\/a><\/p>\n

Speed Reads…<\/p>\n

UNLV has approved a \u201cfour-year contract extension\u201d for AD Erick Harper, who has run the athletics department since January 2022 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5\/5<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The Yankees will \u201cwear memorial patches on the sleeve of its jerseys honoring\u201d late radio play-by-play voice John Sterling beginning May 18 (N.Y. POST, 5\/5<\/a>).<\/p>\n

An \u201ceight-foot bronze statue\u201d in the image of former PGA Tour player Charlie Sifford — the first Black golfer on the tour — was unveiled on Tuesday in Elizabeth Park, near uptown Charlotte, and \u201cnot far from the golf course … that bears his name\u201d in his hometown (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5\/5<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Nike is \u201cclosing technology centers in Atlanta, China and Poland\u201d as part of a round of layoffs<\/a> announced in April (Portland OREGONIAN, 5\/5<\/a>). <\/p>\n

The boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao<\/a> at the Sphere Las Vegas \u201cappears to be off\u201d after the arena announced new dates for the Eagles\u2019 residency, one of which coincides with the planned fight date on Sept. 19 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5\/5<\/a>). <\/p>\n

The Maryland Stadium Authority\u2019s board of directors \u201cunanimously approved\u201d Manervia W. Riddick as interim executive director, replacing Michael Frenz, who retired April 30 (BALTIMORE SUN, 5\/5<\/a>).<\/p>\n

For the eighth straight year, the NHL will accept applications for NHL Power Players, a youth advisory board which brings together hockey fans ages 13-17 to provide input to the NHL on hockey-related topics important to their generation. Starting Wednesday through June 3, fans may apply here<\/a> to be considered for participation in the program (NHL).<\/p>\n

The most read article yesterday was a discussion with Pat Ryan Jr., whose family is funding the $870M Ryan Field construction project at Northwestern, about the upcoming venue: Northwestern\u2019s new Ryan Field is solving a different problem than its Big Ten stadium peers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Morning Hot Reads: How Will He Do?<\/p>\n

The SEATTLE TIMES went with the header, \u201cHow Russell Wilson might fare if he joins CBS\u2019 NFL pregame show<\/a>.\u201d The concept of Wilson as a broadcaster seems \u201cneither unthinkable nor inevitable.\u201d There\u2019s \u201cno doubt that there\u2019s a presence on camera.\u201d He is \u201cconfident, put together, and as annoying as it might be to some — almost incessantly positive.\u201d And \u201cthat\u2019s where I start to wonder whether Russ could truly shine in his second act.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also: <\/p>\n

Social Scoop…<\/p>\n

Really love all sports. My first memories entail \u2026 baseball. Loved going to the ballpark with dad and grandpa growing up. Earliest memory of being interested in broadcasting was from \u26be\ufe0f. Excited to be a part of some MLB on @NBCSports<\/a> coverage starting Sunday for Nats\/Marlins! pic.twitter.com\/Z74oVqiECd<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John Fanta (@John_Fanta) May 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2025 Taylor Swift tied Drake & this singer for the most No. 1 albums on Billboard\u2019s Canadian Albums chart, with 15.\u201d<\/p>\n

Off the presses…<\/p>\n

The Morning Buzz offers today\u2019s back pages and sports covers from some of North America\u2019s major metropolitan newspapers:<\/p>\n

Final Jeopardy…<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is C\u00e9line Dion?\u201d<\/p>\n