• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, April 30, 2025

WBD Plunges Amid Bad Week in Sports Stocks

  • This week’s market has been tumultuous. Sports stocks were not spared.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery announced quarterly losses of $10 billion and took a significant after-market hit.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Monday was a turbulent day for the stock market as the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 1,000 points, or about 2.6%.

The crash was a reaction to Japan’s Nikkei 225 index slipping by more than 12%—its steepest drop since 1987—and to an increase in the U.S. unemployment rate, which rose to 4.3%, the highest since October 2021.

The S&P 500 fell by 3% on Monday—its biggest single-day drop in two years—and around 6% when extending to Thursday. The Nikkei recovered by 11% on Tuesday—still short of its Monday drop, but enough to stop the heavy bleeding for many of the stocks in the U.S. as the S&P 500 rose by 1%. 

The broader sports sector was not spared in the market crash.

Sports Stock Round-Up

Media: Companies like tech giants Amazon and Apple were hit hard. Amazon is down 14% over the last five days, but most of the dip came before Monday’s crash as the company announced on Thursday that it had missed revenue estimates in Q2. 

Warner Bros. Discovery, which recently lost its NBA broadcast rights, is down 10% over the last five days as of Wednesday’s market close. It dipped another 9% in the hour following market close after announcing a quarterly operating loss of more than $10 billion.

The company is looking to sell off some assets to recoup losses. It’s also suing the NBA for breach of contract, as the TNT parent company had matching rights to the league’s media-rights deal that were not honored by the league. Despite the shaky financial situation, CEO David Zaslav said Wednesday that he feels “very good about where we are.”

Disney had better news on its streaming side, with its direct-to-consumer unit reporting its first profitable quarter on Wednesday, despite its stock dipping around 9% since last week.

Apparel: Adidas, Under Armour, and Lululemon all saw their stocks begin to dip last Thursday, declining by at least 5% over the last five days. Nike did not feel the drop last week the same way its competitors did, even seeing a slight gain Friday before a 4% dip Monday. However, The Swoosh is navigating a tumultuous year when its stock is down about 32%.

Sports betting: DraftKings reported its first profitable quarter last week, but its stock is down nearly 20% since Thursday. The betting giant’s stock crash was triggered by an announcement it would impose a tax on winnings from bettors in certain states and issue a stock buyback worth $1 billion.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) dribbles the ball against New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) during game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center.
PRESENTED BY ISOS CAPITAL

A’ja Wilson’s Star Continues to Rise With Release of Nike Shoe

Shoe deals have picked up alongside growing popularity of the WNBA.
Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley talks on set before game three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

Charles Barkley Will Deny NBC, Amazon Offers to Stick With Turner

Barkley has repeatedly flip-flopped in his career plans in recent years.

Fox Reports Big Sports Profits, Eyes New Streaming Service

Football and baseball helped power surges in company revenue and net income.
Feb 2, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; AFC wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars (7) carries the ball against NFC return specialist KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys (9) during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium.

NFL Pro Bowl Ratings Drop Again Despite Flag Football Push

ABC, ESPN, and Disney XD drew 4.7 million viewers for Sunday’s simulcast.

Featured Today

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
January 28, 2025

It’s Starting to Pay to Be Good at Cornhole

American Cornhole League players made $7.7 million in 2024.
Russ Brandon

UFL President: NFL Used to View Private Equity Like Gambling 

The longtime NFL executive is stunned by the league’s evolution on PE.
October 24, 2024

Endeavor, TKO Consolidate Sports Assets, Hoping They’re Better Together

The move brings On Location, Professional Bull Riders, and IMG under TKO.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
October 1, 2024

Nike CFO Says ‘Adversity Creates Sharper Focus’

Amid a downbeat but expected set of earnings, Nike says it sees signs of optimism.
Sep 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Nike shoes worn by Seattle Storm center Mercedes Russell in the first half against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
opinion
September 28, 2024

New Nike CEO Must Do It

The biggest task the new CEO faces is intangible: Refresh the brand.
A Nike swoosh on a building in Eugene, Oregon.
September 23, 2024

Wall Street: Things Will Get Worse for Nike Before They Get Better

Some analysts are skeptical of how much the new CEO will change.
Crypto.com soccer advertising
September 15, 2024

The Champions League Is Back. So Is Crypto Sponsorship

Crypto investment is making its debut in the biggest European soccer competition.