×
Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders? The Browns have a starting QB favorite, per report  In the minds of analysts and fans alike, the Cleveland Browns were one of the teams that nailed the 2026 NFL Draft.With the entire football world believing that Cleveland needed to use their two first-round picks on an offensive tackle and a wide receiver, the Browns did just that, sliding back a few spots and still drafting Utah’s Spencer Fano, and then adding Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion near the end of the first round. Cleveland was not done making picks that fans and analysts loved, as the team added Washington WR Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 2.Of course, there is one rather important outstanding matter, and there is news on that front.Who will be under center for the Browns this season?According to a new report, none other than veteran Deshaun Watson has the “inside track” to the starting quarterback job in Cleveland as the offseason begins. Mary Kay Cabot at Cleveland.com wrote Wednesday morning that Watson “emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1.“For those who might be wondering yes, this is the same Deshaun Watson that last played in 2024, only made seven starts that season, and saw his year cut short due to an Achilles’ rupture. And the same Watson that during that season posted an Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt of just 3.7, and led the Browns to a 1-6 record. It’s also the same Watson who faced a series of sexual assault allegations in recent years.And yet … there is a reason he might be their best option. Courtesy of RBSDM, here is a look at Quarterback Efficiency — a metric examining both Expected Points Added per Pass and Completion Percentage Over Expected — for all quarterbacks with 100 or more passing attempts a year ago.See if you can spot the two Browns passers who fit that category last year: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel:Yes, right in the bottom left is where you find the two Cleveland rookies from last season, exactly where you do not want to be on this graphic.So while the Browns might have “won” the 2026 NFL Draft, what lies ahead is much less certain.Especially at quarterback.  #Deshaun #Watson #Shedeur #Sanders #Browns #starting #favorite #report

Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders? The Browns have a starting QB favorite, per report

In the minds of analysts and fans alike, the Cleveland Browns were one of the teams that nailed the 2026 NFL Draft.

With the entire football world believing that Cleveland needed to use their two first-round picks on an offensive tackle and a wide receiver, the Browns did just that, sliding back a few spots and still drafting Utah’s Spencer Fano, and then adding Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion near the end of the first round. Cleveland was not done making picks that fans and analysts loved, as the team added Washington WR Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 2.

Of course, there is one rather important outstanding matter, and there is news on that front.

Who will be under center for the Browns this season?

According to a new report, none other than veteran Deshaun Watson has the “inside track” to the starting quarterback job in Cleveland as the offseason begins. Mary Kay Cabot at Cleveland.com wrote Wednesday morning that Watson “emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1.“

For those who might be wondering yes, this is the same Deshaun Watson that last played in 2024, only made seven starts that season, and saw his year cut short due to an Achilles’ rupture. And the same Watson that during that season posted an Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt of just 3.7, and led the Browns to a 1-6 record. It’s also the same Watson who faced a series of sexual assault allegations in recent years.

And yet … there is a reason he might be their best option. Courtesy of RBSDM, here is a look at Quarterback Efficiency — a metric examining both Expected Points Added per Pass and Completion Percentage Over Expected — for all quarterbacks with 100 or more passing attempts a year ago.

See if you can spot the two Browns passers who fit that category last year: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel:

Yes, right in the bottom left is where you find the two Cleveland rookies from last season, exactly where you do not want to be on this graphic.

So while the Browns might have “won” the 2026 NFL Draft, what lies ahead is much less certain.

Especially at quarterback.

#Deshaun #Watson #Shedeur #Sanders #Browns #starting #favorite #report

In the minds of analysts and fans alike, the Cleveland Browns were one of the teams that nailed the 2026 NFL Draft.

With the entire football world believing that Cleveland needed to use their two first-round picks on an offensive tackle and a wide receiver, the Browns did just that, sliding back a few spots and still drafting Utah’s Spencer Fano, and then adding Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion near the end of the first round. Cleveland was not done making picks that fans and analysts loved, as the team added Washington WR Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 2.

Of course, there is one rather important outstanding matter, and there is news on that front.

Who will be under center for the Browns this season?

According to a new report, none other than veteran Deshaun Watson has the “inside track” to the starting quarterback job in Cleveland as the offseason begins. Mary Kay Cabot at Cleveland.com wrote Wednesday morning that Watson “emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1.“

For those who might be wondering yes, this is the same Deshaun Watson that last played in 2024, only made seven starts that season, and saw his year cut short due to an Achilles’ rupture. And the same Watson that during that season posted an Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt of just 3.7, and led the Browns to a 1-6 record. It’s also the same Watson who faced a series of sexual assault allegations in recent years.

And yet … there is a reason he might be their best option. Courtesy of RBSDM, here is a look at Quarterback Efficiency — a metric examining both Expected Points Added per Pass and Completion Percentage Over Expected — for all quarterbacks with 100 or more passing attempts a year ago.

See if you can spot the two Browns passers who fit that category last year: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel:

Yes, right in the bottom left is where you find the two Cleveland rookies from last season, exactly where you do not want to be on this graphic.

So while the Browns might have “won” the 2026 NFL Draft, what lies ahead is much less certain.

Especially at quarterback.

Source link
#Deshaun #Watson #Shedeur #Sanders #Browns #starting #favorite #report

Previous post

Injured Salah expected to return for Liverpool before end of season <div id="content-body-70922005" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is expected to play for the Premier League side again this season, with the club saying on Wednesday that the muscle injury he suffered is not as serious as initially feared.</p><p>Salah came off during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring injury, which had threatened to end his season as well as his Anfield career, with the Egyptian set to leave at the end of the campaign.</p><p>Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan had said Salah would need four weeks of treatment for a hamstring tear, effectively ending his season before the World Cup, but Liverpool confirmed it was a minor muscle injury.</p><p><b>ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/epl/mykhailo-mudryk-cas-appeal-doping-ban-four-years-chelsea-news-premier-league-2025-26/article70921884.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chelsea’s Mudryk appeals to CAS over four-year doping ban – Reports</a></b></p><p>“Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season,” the club said in a statement.</p><p>“The issue that caused his withdrawal has now been confirmed as a minor muscle injury.</p><p>“It is, however, anticipated Salah will return to action ahead of 2025-26’s conclusion and his departure from the Reds this summer.”</p><p>Dubbed “The Egyptian King”, Salah is third on Liverpool’s all-time top-scorers list, with 257 goals in 440 appearances.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 29, 2026</p></div> #Injured #Salah #expected #return #Liverpool #season

Next post

Deadspin | Yankees RHP Elmer Rodriguez to make MLB debut against Rangers <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28454183.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28454183.jpg" alt="MLB: Spring Training-New York Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 10, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez (76) throws in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The New York Yankees are excited about Elmer Rodriguez’s major league debut on Wednesday afternoon. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>They also are enthusiastic about the prospect of capping a nearly perfect road trip with another win.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Rodriguez, a 22-year-old right-hander, will be on the mound when the Yankees finish a nine-game journey Wednesday against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Yankees are 7-1 on the trip after hanging on for a 3-2 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night. Aaron Judge homered for the third straight game and ninth time in 16 games, and David Bednar survived a shaky ninth by getting a double play to cap a stellar night defensively.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Judge has nine of his 12 homers this season in the past 16 games and tied Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami for the major league lead. Austin Wells homered and Cody Bellinger hit an RBI double as the Yankees became the third team in the majors with 20 wins, joining the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“A lot of good things to help us finish off that game, so an opportunity to finish off a great road trip tomorrow,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>New York is 10-1 over its past 11 games after getting scoreless outings from Max Fried and Cam Schlittler in the opening two games of the Texas series. Those outings lowered New York’s team ERA to 3.11, and Rodriguez will join the rotation for at least two turns.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>In four starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he is 1-2 but also posted a 1.27 ERA and an 0.89 WHIP. In 21 1/3 innings, he has struck out 20 and walked seven.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>“He’s impressive,” Boone said. “I’ve really been impressed with a lot of our young guys that are kind of knocking on the door, Elmer included in that, about to be big-leaguers. Feel like they have a chance to be longtime big-leaguers. As well as being a talented pitcher, he seems to have a really good way and makeup about him that should serve him well.”</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Texas hopes its offense can support a strong outing from right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (2-4, 5.79 ERA) on Wednesday. The Rangers did not score while Jack Leiter and Jacob deGrom were on the mound in the first two games as they mustered seven combined hits off Schlittler and Fried before making late rallies.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>On Tuesday, Danny Jansen hit an RBI triple, and Josh Jung had an RBI single. Corey Seager ended the game by hitting into a double play with two runners on base and is hitting .189 over 24 games in April.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Texas also went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and is 3-for-24 in that situation over its past three games.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“The last inning we did a really good job; we had the right guys up at the right time,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker said of his team, which scored its two runs Tuesday in the ninth inning. “I thought we made a run at it towards the end. Just couldn’t cash in.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Eovaldi went 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA in his first two starts and 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his next two. He has been tagged for eight earned runs in 11 innings during defeats to the Athletics and Seattle Mariners in his two most recent outings.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Eovaldi is 6-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 career appearances (21 starts) against the Yankees, with whom he made 51 appearances and had a 23-11 combined record in 2015 and 2016.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Yankees #RHP #Elmer #Rodriguez #MLB #debut #Rangers

Expanding technology and resale options were supposed to make obtaining tickets to sporting events easier than ever, but instead it’s become a hellscape. Scalpers dominate online platforms, ensuring that desirable events sell out immediately, causing local sports fans to miss out unless they’re willing to pay exorbitant prices for fear of missing out.

It’s now been revealed that one of the biggest stakeholders in online ticket sales is helping fund the very people ruining ticket sales for sports fans. An investigative report by the CBC uncovered information inside StubHub’s IPO filing from last November, which revealed that CEO Eric Baker also runs a hedge fund which scalps tickets, and provides funding to scalpers.

When asked for comment, StubHub reiterated its public-facing comment that the company doesn’t own or hold any tickets itself.

“StubHub does not own, possess, or sell tickets. We are a technology platform that connects independent buyers and sellers. (Think: eBay).”

This comment conveniently ignores that some of these “independent buyers” are being directly aided by the CEO of the company. Of course, the devil is in the details. Nobody is accusing StubHub of owning the tickets for their own sale, but it’s now clear that the top of the company is heavily invested in inflating its own marketplace. We discussed this fundamental issue late in the NBA and NHL playoffs, with how reselling sites like StubHub have a vested interest in scalpers, because their percentage-based resale fees are better for the company when event tickets soar — while also giving them multiple bites of the apple if the tickets are sold multiple times on the platform.

Baker, the StubHub CEO, reportedly is a large stakeholder in “Andro Capital,” a hedge fund based out of Los Angeles, which offers loan funding to large scale ticket purchasing operates which have the express purpose of buying tickets and reselling them for profit on platforms like StubHub.

Filing documents for Andro Capital show the hedge fund was formed in March of 2024, 18 months before StubHub announced it was going public in an IPO filing. In that filing to the SEC StubHub revealed its deep relationship with Andro, including this key detail from 2024:

On April 15, 2024, as part of our ongoing relationship with Andro, we entered into an agreement with the Andro Fund under which we agreed to cover certain costs incurred by Andro in connection with ticket management services.

StubHub was not required to divulge the totality of this agreement with Andro Fund, but having the company “cover certain costs incurred” raises mammoth red flags. That theoretically means that the hedge fund could have waived reselling feels on the seller side of the transaction, thereby incentivizing the fund to scalping operations. In short, the business flow could look like this:

  1. A scalping group has capital to buy massive amounts of tickets
  2. Rather than invest themselves, it’s better to invest their money in Andro to do the buying, because they have an agreement with StubHub to cover some of their expenses
  3. Andro profits off the inflated ticket sales
  4. StubHub benefits through massively inflated prices, which they profit off through buyer fees

That’s not all. The filing also lists “Colloquy LLC,” a subsidiary of Andro Capital, which serves as a loan servicing arm for tickets sellers — offering financing to mass buy tickets, which they resell on StubHub directly.

Under the terms of the Program Agreement, we refer certain of our sellers to Colloquy for the opportunity to enter into separate financing arrangements with Colloquy. Under such arrangements, it is anticipated that Colloquy may provide short-term financing to sellers based on those sellers’ existing and/or future expected proceeds generated through ticket sales on our platform.

Not only is Andro Capital its own ticket buyer, but it also runs an arm of the company that gives funding to sellers, based on referrals from StubHub itself. Essentially, the entire scalping business is fully intertwined with StubHub, from the CEO being involved in a large-scale seller AND offering funding to sellers.

The only person who loses out in this whole transaction are sports fans. The consumers who use the platform are being held hostage by ticket prices, which fundamentally wouldn’t be inflated to the same level without the input of StubHub. This is all legal from the SEC’s perspective due to a lack of oversight when it comes to hedge funds. There are few other industries in which a publicly traded company could be legally allowed to price fix to the level that is happening on StubHub, while trying to pretend with its public face that it’s just a platform for fans to sell to other fans.

There should be an immediate investigation into ticket pricing, as well as outlawing the kinds of predatory practices designed to inflate the wealth of StubHub and Andro Capital at the expense of consumers.

#StubHubs #CEO #helping #fund #biggest #ticket #scalpers">StubHub’s CEO is helping fund the biggest ticket scalpers  Expanding technology and resale options were supposed to make obtaining tickets to sporting events easier than ever, but instead it’s become a hellscape. Scalpers dominate online platforms, ensuring that desirable events sell out immediately, causing local sports fans to miss out unless they’re willing to pay exorbitant prices for fear of missing out.It’s now been revealed that one of the biggest stakeholders in online ticket sales is helping fund the very people ruining ticket sales for sports fans. An investigative report by the CBC uncovered information inside StubHub’s IPO filing from last November, which revealed that CEO Eric Baker also runs a hedge fund which scalps tickets, and provides funding to scalpers.When asked for comment, StubHub reiterated its public-facing comment that the company doesn’t own or hold any tickets itself.“StubHub does not own, possess, or sell tickets. We are a technology platform that connects independent buyers and sellers. (Think: eBay).”This comment conveniently ignores that some of these “independent buyers” are being directly aided by the CEO of the company. Of course, the devil is in the details. Nobody is accusing StubHub of owning the tickets for their own sale, but it’s now clear that the top of the company is heavily invested in inflating its own marketplace. We discussed this fundamental issue late in the NBA and NHL playoffs, with how reselling sites like StubHub have a vested interest in scalpers, because their percentage-based resale fees are better for the company when event tickets soar — while also giving them multiple bites of the apple if the tickets are sold multiple times on the platform.Baker, the StubHub CEO, reportedly is a large stakeholder in “Andro Capital,” a hedge fund based out of Los Angeles, which offers loan funding to large scale ticket purchasing operates which have the express purpose of buying tickets and reselling them for profit on platforms like StubHub.Filing documents for Andro Capital show the hedge fund was formed in March of 2024, 18 months before StubHub announced it was going public in an IPO filing. In that filing to the SEC StubHub revealed its deep relationship with Andro, including this key detail from 2024:On April 15, 2024, as part of our ongoing relationship with Andro, we entered into an agreement with the Andro Fund under which we agreed to cover certain costs incurred by Andro in connection with ticket management services.StubHub was not required to divulge the totality of this agreement with Andro Fund, but having the company “cover certain costs incurred” raises mammoth red flags. That theoretically means that the hedge fund could have waived reselling feels on the seller side of the transaction, thereby incentivizing the fund to scalping operations. In short, the business flow could look like this:A scalping group has capital to buy massive amounts of ticketsRather than invest themselves, it’s better to invest their money in Andro to do the buying, because they have an agreement with StubHub to cover some of their expensesAndro profits off the inflated ticket salesStubHub benefits through massively inflated prices, which they profit off through buyer feesThat’s not all. The filing also lists “Colloquy LLC,” a subsidiary of Andro Capital, which serves as a loan servicing arm for tickets sellers — offering financing to mass buy tickets, which they resell on StubHub directly.Under the terms of the Program Agreement, we refer certain of our sellers to Colloquy for the opportunity to enter into separate financing arrangements with Colloquy. Under such arrangements, it is anticipated that Colloquy may provide short-term financing to sellers based on those sellers’ existing and/or future expected proceeds generated through ticket sales on our platform.Not only is Andro Capital its own ticket buyer, but it also runs an arm of the company that gives funding to sellers, based on referrals from StubHub itself. Essentially, the entire scalping business is fully intertwined with StubHub, from the CEO being involved in a large-scale seller AND offering funding to sellers.The only person who loses out in this whole transaction are sports fans. The consumers who use the platform are being held hostage by ticket prices, which fundamentally wouldn’t be inflated to the same level without the input of StubHub. This is all legal from the SEC’s perspective due to a lack of oversight when it comes to hedge funds. There are few other industries in which a publicly traded company could be legally allowed to price fix to the level that is happening on StubHub, while trying to pretend with its public face that it’s just a platform for fans to sell to other fans.There should be an immediate investigation into ticket pricing, as well as outlawing the kinds of predatory practices designed to inflate the wealth of StubHub and Andro Capital at the expense of consumers.  #StubHubs #CEO #helping #fund #biggest #ticket #scalpers

instead it’s become a hellscape. Scalpers dominate online platforms, ensuring that desirable events sell out immediately, causing local sports fans to miss out unless they’re willing to pay exorbitant prices for fear of missing out.

It’s now been revealed that one of the biggest stakeholders in online ticket sales is helping fund the very people ruining ticket sales for sports fans. An investigative report by the CBC uncovered information inside StubHub’s IPO filing from last November, which revealed that CEO Eric Baker also runs a hedge fund which scalps tickets, and provides funding to scalpers.

When asked for comment, StubHub reiterated its public-facing comment that the company doesn’t own or hold any tickets itself.

“StubHub does not own, possess, or sell tickets. We are a technology platform that connects independent buyers and sellers. (Think: eBay).”

This comment conveniently ignores that some of these “independent buyers” are being directly aided by the CEO of the company. Of course, the devil is in the details. Nobody is accusing StubHub of owning the tickets for their own sale, but it’s now clear that the top of the company is heavily invested in inflating its own marketplace. We discussed this fundamental issue late in the NBA and NHL playoffs, with how reselling sites like StubHub have a vested interest in scalpers, because their percentage-based resale fees are better for the company when event tickets soar — while also giving them multiple bites of the apple if the tickets are sold multiple times on the platform.

Baker, the StubHub CEO, reportedly is a large stakeholder in “Andro Capital,” a hedge fund based out of Los Angeles, which offers loan funding to large scale ticket purchasing operates which have the express purpose of buying tickets and reselling them for profit on platforms like StubHub.

Filing documents for Andro Capital show the hedge fund was formed in March of 2024, 18 months before StubHub announced it was going public in an IPO filing. In that filing to the SEC StubHub revealed its deep relationship with Andro, including this key detail from 2024:

On April 15, 2024, as part of our ongoing relationship with Andro, we entered into an agreement with the Andro Fund under which we agreed to cover certain costs incurred by Andro in connection with ticket management services.

StubHub was not required to divulge the totality of this agreement with Andro Fund, but having the company “cover certain costs incurred” raises mammoth red flags. That theoretically means that the hedge fund could have waived reselling feels on the seller side of the transaction, thereby incentivizing the fund to scalping operations. In short, the business flow could look like this:

  1. A scalping group has capital to buy massive amounts of tickets
  2. Rather than invest themselves, it’s better to invest their money in Andro to do the buying, because they have an agreement with StubHub to cover some of their expenses
  3. Andro profits off the inflated ticket sales
  4. StubHub benefits through massively inflated prices, which they profit off through buyer fees

That’s not all. The filing also lists “Colloquy LLC,” a subsidiary of Andro Capital, which serves as a loan servicing arm for tickets sellers — offering financing to mass buy tickets, which they resell on StubHub directly.

Under the terms of the Program Agreement, we refer certain of our sellers to Colloquy for the opportunity to enter into separate financing arrangements with Colloquy. Under such arrangements, it is anticipated that Colloquy may provide short-term financing to sellers based on those sellers’ existing and/or future expected proceeds generated through ticket sales on our platform.

Not only is Andro Capital its own ticket buyer, but it also runs an arm of the company that gives funding to sellers, based on referrals from StubHub itself. Essentially, the entire scalping business is fully intertwined with StubHub, from the CEO being involved in a large-scale seller AND offering funding to sellers.

The only person who loses out in this whole transaction are sports fans. The consumers who use the platform are being held hostage by ticket prices, which fundamentally wouldn’t be inflated to the same level without the input of StubHub. This is all legal from the SEC’s perspective due to a lack of oversight when it comes to hedge funds. There are few other industries in which a publicly traded company could be legally allowed to price fix to the level that is happening on StubHub, while trying to pretend with its public face that it’s just a platform for fans to sell to other fans.

There should be an immediate investigation into ticket pricing, as well as outlawing the kinds of predatory practices designed to inflate the wealth of StubHub and Andro Capital at the expense of consumers.

#StubHubs #CEO #helping #fund #biggest #ticket #scalpers">StubHub’s CEO is helping fund the biggest ticket scalpers

Expanding technology and resale options were supposed to make obtaining tickets to sporting events easier than ever, but instead it’s become a hellscape. Scalpers dominate online platforms, ensuring that desirable events sell out immediately, causing local sports fans to miss out unless they’re willing to pay exorbitant prices for fear of missing out.

It’s now been revealed that one of the biggest stakeholders in online ticket sales is helping fund the very people ruining ticket sales for sports fans. An investigative report by the CBC uncovered information inside StubHub’s IPO filing from last November, which revealed that CEO Eric Baker also runs a hedge fund which scalps tickets, and provides funding to scalpers.

When asked for comment, StubHub reiterated its public-facing comment that the company doesn’t own or hold any tickets itself.

“StubHub does not own, possess, or sell tickets. We are a technology platform that connects independent buyers and sellers. (Think: eBay).”

This comment conveniently ignores that some of these “independent buyers” are being directly aided by the CEO of the company. Of course, the devil is in the details. Nobody is accusing StubHub of owning the tickets for their own sale, but it’s now clear that the top of the company is heavily invested in inflating its own marketplace. We discussed this fundamental issue late in the NBA and NHL playoffs, with how reselling sites like StubHub have a vested interest in scalpers, because their percentage-based resale fees are better for the company when event tickets soar — while also giving them multiple bites of the apple if the tickets are sold multiple times on the platform.

Baker, the StubHub CEO, reportedly is a large stakeholder in “Andro Capital,” a hedge fund based out of Los Angeles, which offers loan funding to large scale ticket purchasing operates which have the express purpose of buying tickets and reselling them for profit on platforms like StubHub.

Filing documents for Andro Capital show the hedge fund was formed in March of 2024, 18 months before StubHub announced it was going public in an IPO filing. In that filing to the SEC StubHub revealed its deep relationship with Andro, including this key detail from 2024:

On April 15, 2024, as part of our ongoing relationship with Andro, we entered into an agreement with the Andro Fund under which we agreed to cover certain costs incurred by Andro in connection with ticket management services.

StubHub was not required to divulge the totality of this agreement with Andro Fund, but having the company “cover certain costs incurred” raises mammoth red flags. That theoretically means that the hedge fund could have waived reselling feels on the seller side of the transaction, thereby incentivizing the fund to scalping operations. In short, the business flow could look like this:

  1. A scalping group has capital to buy massive amounts of tickets
  2. Rather than invest themselves, it’s better to invest their money in Andro to do the buying, because they have an agreement with StubHub to cover some of their expenses
  3. Andro profits off the inflated ticket sales
  4. StubHub benefits through massively inflated prices, which they profit off through buyer fees

That’s not all. The filing also lists “Colloquy LLC,” a subsidiary of Andro Capital, which serves as a loan servicing arm for tickets sellers — offering financing to mass buy tickets, which they resell on StubHub directly.

Under the terms of the Program Agreement, we refer certain of our sellers to Colloquy for the opportunity to enter into separate financing arrangements with Colloquy. Under such arrangements, it is anticipated that Colloquy may provide short-term financing to sellers based on those sellers’ existing and/or future expected proceeds generated through ticket sales on our platform.

Not only is Andro Capital its own ticket buyer, but it also runs an arm of the company that gives funding to sellers, based on referrals from StubHub itself. Essentially, the entire scalping business is fully intertwined with StubHub, from the CEO being involved in a large-scale seller AND offering funding to sellers.

The only person who loses out in this whole transaction are sports fans. The consumers who use the platform are being held hostage by ticket prices, which fundamentally wouldn’t be inflated to the same level without the input of StubHub. This is all legal from the SEC’s perspective due to a lack of oversight when it comes to hedge funds. There are few other industries in which a publicly traded company could be legally allowed to price fix to the level that is happening on StubHub, while trying to pretend with its public face that it’s just a platform for fans to sell to other fans.

There should be an immediate investigation into ticket pricing, as well as outlawing the kinds of predatory practices designed to inflate the wealth of StubHub and Andro Capital at the expense of consumers.

#StubHubs #CEO #helping #fund #biggest #ticket #scalpers

France’s march to the World Cup semifinals has been ‌powered by the goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but the players believe ​an equally important part of their success has been forged away from the ⁠cameras, in private conversations without the coaching staff.

Didier Deschamps’ side faces Spain on Tuesday, seeking to reach a third successive World Cup final, having developed a unity that midfielder Adrien Rabiot and defender Jules Kounde say ‌extends well beyond tactical meetings and training sessions.

The players analyse matches together in small groups, challenging each other and taking responsibility for finding solutions beyond those provided by ‌Deschamps and his assistants.

“We communicate a lot and talk among ourselves regularly,” Rabiot told reporters on ‌Monday.

“At ⁠the hotel, during our downtime, we try to analyse matches together in small groups. ⁠That is important, beyond everything the coach and his staff provide. We all speak the same language, we all have the same objective and everyone is directing their energy towards it. What the staff bring us is essential, but the dialogue between ​the players, without the staff being involved, is ‌important as well.”

That sense of ownership has helped France combine one of the tournament’s most potent attacks with a collective defensive effort that begins with the forwards.

Mbappe has scored eight goals and Dembele five, but Kounde said France’s work without the ball had been as important as their ‌individual quality in possession.

“We have done a good job defensively, but it goes well beyond ​the defenders,” Kounde said.

“It is a collective effort, starting with the way we press from the opposition’s very first pass. When the work is done properly higher ⁠up the pitch and in midfield, it makes our job at the back much easier.”

France’s cohesion has been visible in the willingness of their attacking players to track back and in the discipline with which ‌the team have defended difficult moments.

STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

The players insist that what happens on the pitch is an extension of relationships built elsewhere.

“We get on very well,” Rabiot said. “There is a real sense of harmony and genuine cohesion. It is difficult to explain, but things work extremely well away from the pitch, and that energy carries over onto it.”

Kounde described a group that enjoyed playing together and making sacrifices for one another.

“There has been a strong sense of cohesion since the very beginning — even going back to 2022,” ‌he said.

“There is continuity within this group. It has been built over time, and everyone is focused on the same ​objective. That is one of our strengths, and you can feel it on the pitch. We enjoy playing together and we also enjoy making the effort for one another.”

France’s ⁠run has also taken place against the backdrop of Deschamps’ decision to step down after the tournament, ending ⁠a reign that began in 2012 and included victory at the 2018 World Cup and another final four years later. The 57-year-old had to deal with a personal loss too during this World Cup after his mother died during the group stage.

Rabiot said the ‌knowledge that this was Deschamps’ final competition had given the players an additional emotional drive.

“The difficulties the coach has gone through have brought us even closer together,” he said. “You want to give ​everything, especially knowing that this is his last competition in charge of the France team. This is the moment.”

Published on Jul 14, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #Frances #secret #weapon #Communication #analysis #field">FIFA World Cup 2026 — France’s secret weapon: Communication and analysis beyond the field  France’s march to the World Cup semifinals has been ‌powered by the goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but the players believe ​an equally important part of their success has been forged away from the ⁠cameras, in private conversations without the coaching staff.Didier Deschamps’ side faces Spain on Tuesday, seeking to reach a third successive World Cup final, having developed a unity that midfielder Adrien Rabiot and defender Jules Kounde say ‌extends well beyond tactical meetings and training sessions.The players analyse matches together in small groups, challenging each other and taking responsibility for finding solutions beyond those provided by ‌Deschamps and his assistants.“We communicate a lot and talk among ourselves regularly,” Rabiot told reporters on ‌Monday.“At ⁠the hotel, during our downtime, we try to analyse matches together in small groups. ⁠That is important, beyond everything the coach and his staff provide. We all speak the same language, we all have the same objective and everyone is directing their energy towards it. What the staff bring us is essential, but the dialogue between ​the players, without the staff being involved, is ‌important as well.”That sense of ownership has helped France combine one of the tournament’s most potent attacks with a collective defensive effort that begins with the forwards.Mbappe has scored eight goals and Dembele five, but Kounde said France’s work without the ball had been as important as their ‌individual quality in possession.“We have done a good job defensively, but it goes well beyond ​the defenders,” Kounde said.“It is a collective effort, starting with the way we press from the opposition’s very first pass. When the work is done properly higher ⁠up the pitch and in midfield, it makes our job at the back much easier.”France’s cohesion has been visible in the willingness of their attacking players to track back and in the discipline with which ‌the team have defended difficult moments.STRONG RELATIONSHIPSThe players insist that what happens on the pitch is an extension of relationships built elsewhere.“We get on very well,” Rabiot said. “There is a real sense of harmony and genuine cohesion. It is difficult to explain, but things work extremely well away from the pitch, and that energy carries over onto it.”Kounde described a group that enjoyed playing together and making sacrifices for one another.“There has been a strong sense of cohesion since the very beginning — even going back to 2022,” ‌he said.“There is continuity within this group. It has been built over time, and everyone is focused on the same ​objective. That is one of our strengths, and you can feel it on the pitch. We enjoy playing together and we also enjoy making the effort for one another.”France’s ⁠run has also taken place against the backdrop of Deschamps’ decision to step down after the tournament, ending ⁠a reign that began in 2012 and included victory at the 2018 World Cup and another final four years later. The 57-year-old had to deal with a personal loss too during this World Cup after his mother died during the group stage.Rabiot said the ‌knowledge that this was Deschamps’ final competition had given the players an additional emotional drive.“The difficulties the coach has gone through have brought us even closer together,” he said. “You want to give ​everything, especially knowing that this is his last competition in charge of the France team. This is the moment.”Published on Jul 14, 2026  #FIFA #World #Cup #Frances #secret #weapon #Communication #analysis #field

Post Comment