Regardless of the status of the COVID-19 pandemic next summer, the Tokyo Olympics will happen in 2021, according to International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates. July 23, 2021 will be the start date for the “Games that conquered Covid.”

Pulling off the Olympic Games in 2021 will significantly increase the cost of what is already the most expensive Summer Games in history — likely to the tune of another several billion dollars. A study by the University of Oxford found the Tokyo Olympics have already passed the 2012 London Games as the most expensive Summer Games.

“The Olympics offer the highest level of risk a city can take on,” Oxford economist Bent Flyvbjerg told the AP. “The trend cannot continue. No city will want to do this because it’s just too expensive, putting themselves into a debt that most cities cannot afford.”

Olympic Spending:

$15.84 billion — Tokyo’s spending before billions more are likely added due to the delay.

$14.95 billion — 2012 London Olympics, the most expensive to date.

$7.3 billion — Estimate from Tokyo organizers in 2013.

Both the NBA and NHL are drawing significantly larger prime-time TV audiences than prior to the pandemic, according to recent Nielsen data. Since the NBA restarted July 30, it’s drawing prime-time audiences 80% larger than prior to the March 11 suspension. 

The NHL has approximately doubled its prime-time viewership since the season restart. 

Prime-time ratings have been the best comparison, as overall ratings for both leagues have been down because of unusual afternoon start times for many games. Still, 13 NBA games were in Nielsen’s top 25 programs this summer.

Advertisers have spent $290.6 million on national NBA broadcasts halfway through the playoffs — that’s on pace with the $634.2 million spent across the playoffs last year, according to iSpot.tv.

Most-Watched TV Programs Among 18 to 49 Year Olds Since June 20: 

1. Thunder-Rockets (Game 7): 2.234 million
2. Trail Blazers-Lakers (Game 1): 2.113 million
3. Clipper-Lakers (regular season game): 2.055 million
4. Trail Blazers-Lakers (Game 2): 1.827 million
5. Lakers-Trail Blazers (Game 4): 1.762 million

Kentucky Derby betting declined 52% compared to 2019 as Authentic secured an upset victory on Saturday. Churchill Downs reported $79.4 million was bet this weekend, down from the record $165.5 million bet last year.

There were no fans present — a stark contrast to the more than 150,000 people in attendance last year — which meant the track missed the average of $22.5 million wagered in-person on Derby day. Also not included were Nevada sportsbooks, which didn’t take part in the Churchill Downs pool over an ongoing data fees dispute with the track.

Lululemon is set to report its second quarter earnings today, with results from May through early July. Included in that time frame was the athleisure apparel company’s acquisition of the fitness startup Mirror for $500 million.

Along with Lululemon’s expansion into experiences, investors will be looking to see the pandemic’s lingering effects on the brand’s e-commerce and overall athleisure sales. Lululemon reported a 17% sales decline in the first quarter, with e-commerce making up 54% of the total sales.

The brand also saw one of its biggest gains in market share ever that quarter, while people shifted to more comfortable clothing at home.

Lululemon shares are up 55% year-to-date.

Notable Earnings Reports This Week:

9/9 — MasterCraft Boat Company, GameStop

9/10 — Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Peloton