Thoughts on CNBC’s ESPN Documentary, Bob Chapek Breaks Silence, Big Tech’s True Interest in Live Sports

Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:

  • Thoughts on CNBC’s ESPN Documentary

  • Bob Chapek Breaks Silence

  • Big Tech’s True Interest in Live Sports

Hello everyone.

Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Justice's long-awaited antitrust complaint against Apple, which has been re-worked numerous times over the years, was released. Apple is accused of possessing an iPhone monopoly in the U.S. smartphone market. I will go through the document in the coming days so that we can begin talking about things on Monday. The full 88-page document can be found here.

For today's update, we cover a news item that jumped out at me earlier today involving ESPN, Big Tech, and live sports.

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Disney Reveals ESPN Profitability, Revisiting ESPN’s Valuation, NBA Looking For Streaming Partners

Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following stories:

  • Disney Reveals ESPN Profitability

  • Revisiting ESPN’s Valuation

  • NBA Looking For Streaming Partners

Tech earnings season has begun. The game plan is to begin going over the most interesting reports related to Apple next week. For today, we will go into the sports world as Disney broke out ESPN’s financials for the first time. This will then bring us to reporting that pegs the NBA as wanting to partner with tech companies for its upcoming media-rights auction.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this daily update. Members can read the update here.


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