Justin Birnbaum
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justbirny.bsky.social
Justin Birnbaum
@justbirny.bsky.social
2K followers 130 following 150 posts
I cover the business of sports for Forbes and post photos of my dog | Northwestern & UAlbany alum | 📬: [email protected]
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justbirny.bsky.social
Inter Miami has won the 2026 MLS Cup. So it seems like a fitting time to look back at the profile I wrote about club owner Jorge Mas last year.

Check it out at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
The Billionaire Who Brought Messi Magic To Miami
Jorge Mas made a lucrative bet on Lionel Messi and quickly transformed Inter Miami into MLS’ second billion-dollar franchise. But now the clock is ticking.
www.forbes.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Turning a dense urban core into a high-speed racetrack is a massive logistical challenge, but it’s one that Clark County and Liberty Media are betting on for the next decade.

Episode Two of The Performance Layer has arrived!

Check it out at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/video/d9c729...
Leveraging Las Vegas: Inside The World’s Most Complex Racetrack | The Performance Layer
Turning a dense urban core into a high-speed racetrack is a massive logistical challenge, but it’s one that Clark County and Liberty Media are betting on for the next decade.
www.forbes.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
The future of sports is already here thanks to these young all-stars who are winning on and off the field.

Humbled to have played a role in another 30 Under 30 list launch. Congrats to all of the honorees across all categories.

Check out the full list at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/30-under-30/...
Forbes 30 Under 30 List 2026 - Young Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
Explore Forbes' 30 Under 30 List 2026, showcasing young entrepreneurs, artists, and more. Celebrate the achievements of these talented individuals under 30.
www.forbes.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:27 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Wow…17th to 5th. Kimi has a bright future.
November 23, 2025 at 5:28 AM
justbirny.bsky.social
On the brink of insolvency five years ago, McLaren Racing is now dominating on the Formula 1 track—and, under the leadership of CEO Zak Brown, building up its sponsorships to rival Ferrari and Mercedes.

My story at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
How McLaren Staved Off Financial Ruin And Revved Up Its F1 Business
On the brink of insolvency five years ago, the team is now dominating on the Formula 1 track—and, under the leadership of CEO Zak Brown, building up its sponsorships to rival Ferrari and Mercedes.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Steve Cohen should have offered Yamamoto a billion dollars.
November 2, 2025 at 4:19 AM
justbirny.bsky.social
Pretty ironic that Halloween weekend is the one time there’s no extra inning ghost runner.
November 2, 2025 at 4:09 AM
justbirny.bsky.social
Stephen Curry steals the basketball earnings crown to end LeBron James’ 11-year reign and lead a top ten hauling in a record $902 million this season.

Check out the NBA’s highest-paid players, courtesy of @brettknight.bsky.social, at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/brettk...
Forbes Highest-Paid NBA Players 2025 List
Led by Stephen Curry and LeBron James, the ten highest-paid NBA players will make $902 million this season. See the top basketball player contracts and endorsements.
www.forbes.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Cristiano Ronaldo leads a group of ten footballers collectively earning $945 million this season, but as the sun sets on his legendary career, two young stars are stepping into the spotlight.

Check out the world's 10 highest-paid soccer players at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
Forbes Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2025 List
Forbes ranks the highest-paid footballers in the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Here are the top soccer player salaries and endorsement deals.
www.forbes.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:33 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is the first 18-year-old to crack the top ten in the 22-year history of @forbes.com’ highest-paid soccer players list.

Check out the full ranking: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
Forbes Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2025 List
Forbes ranks the highest-paid footballers in the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Here are the top soccer player salaries and endorsement deals.
www.forbes.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:09 AM
justbirny.bsky.social
On the way to Austin right now for the U.S. Grand Prix, and I got myself all psyched up for an F1: The Movie rewatch on the plane.

Only problem is that it's not available on United. C'mon guys!
October 16, 2025 at 1:31 AM
justbirny.bsky.social
The biennial competition between the U.S. and Europe offers no prize money, but that hardly matters for these five players, who collected a combined $358 million over the past 12 months.

A look at the highest-paid players at the Ryder Cup at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
Forbes Highest-Paid Golfers At The 2025 Ryder Cup List
Forbes' list of the Ryder Cup's highest-paid golfers features Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and three other players earning big money on and off the course.
www.forbes.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:12 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
The Savannah Bananas, baseball’s zaniest team, are now worth half-a-billion dollars.

Take a trip to Banana Land with me at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
The Savannah Bananas, Baseball’s Zaniest Team, Are Now Worth Half A Billion Dollars
The barnstorming organization is generating more than $100 million in revenue—but owner Jesse Cole is more concerned with chasing a billion fans than a billion-dollar valuation.
www.forbes.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:04 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
By signing Cooper Flagg, Shohei Ohtani, Coco Gauff and other young superstars, the 119-year-old sneaker and apparel brand is on a mission to redefine its place in the sports hierarchy.

Had a ton of fun collaborating with the video folks at @forbes.com on this one.
youtu.be/UcLZNDRCxiI?...
New Balance's Marketing Masterclass: How Killing The 'Dad Shoe' Image Won Them The Gen Z Market
YouTube video by Forbes
youtu.be
September 20, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Reposted by Justin Birnbaum
giacomotognini.bsky.social
6/ @justbirny.bsky.social looked into the wealthiest sports team owners on the list. They range from Broadcom cofounder (and Anaheim Ducks owner) Henry Samueli to the Los Angeles Clippers' Steve Ballmer, the richest sports owner in the world at $153 billion.
www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
America’s Richest Sports Team Owners 2025
The top 20 owners on The Forbes 400 are worth $607 billion, up 20% from 2024. And with the cutoff rising to $10.1 billion, the club is more exclusive than ever.
www.forbes.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Travis Hunter should use a time-turner.
September 7, 2025 at 4:38 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Patrick Mahomes can add a crown to his collection of Super Bowl rings, as the leader of ten football stars hauling in an estimated $571 million combined this year.

Here are the NFL’s highest-paid players this season, from of @brettknight.bsky.social at @Forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/brettk...
Forbes Highest-Paid NFL Players List 2025
Forbes' list of the highest-paid NFL players includes both playing contracts and endorsements. See how much Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and other stars are making.
www.forbes.com
September 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Jim Irsay’s daughters have inherited an NFL team that has been in their family for 53 years and is now worth $5.9 billion—making them among the richest female owners in sports.

Meet the new billionaire owners of the Indianapolis Colts at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
Meet The New Billionaire Owners Of The Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay’s daughters have inherited an NFL team that has been in their family for 53 years and is now worth $5.9 billion—making them among the richest female owners in sports.
www.forbes.com
September 7, 2025 at 3:20 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Andy Reid is going to be invited to Taylor Swift’s wedding. Let’s all sit back and process that for a moment.
August 26, 2025 at 10:59 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Frances Tiafoe is betting on Pro Padel with an investment in the league's NY team, The Atlantics. The round values the franchise at more than $10 million as the racket sport takes on pickleball in the U.S. with a faster-paced game and a growing fan base in Europe.

www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
Tennis Star Frances Tiafoe Bets On Pro Padel With Investment In New York Team
A new funding round values the franchise at more than $10 million as the racket sport takes on pickleball in the U.S. with a faster-paced game and a growing fan base in Europe.
www.forbes.com
August 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Lucrative endorsements and a stake in shoe brand On have made tennis legend Roger Federer just the seventh athlete in the three-comma club—and a food tech investment may serve up another payday.

My story at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
Tennis Legend Roger Federer Is Now A Billionaire
Lucrative endorsements and a stake in shoe brand On have made the Swiss star just the seventh athlete in the three-comma club—and a food tech investment may serve up another payday.
www.forbes.com
August 22, 2025 at 3:12 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Dumb jock? Think again. This four-time Super Bowl champion has turned his larger-than-life personality into a winning brand that earns him an estimated $10 million a year—and he’s only getting bigger.

Take a look inside Rob Gronkowski's beautiful mind at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
Inside Rob Gronkowski's Beautiful Mind
Dumb jock? Think again. The four-time Super Bowl champion has turned his larger-than-life personality into a winning brand that earns him an estimated $10 million a year—and he’s only getting bigger.
www.forbes.com
August 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Alex Rodriguez's startup Jump is on a mission to become the Shopify for sports teams, and it just raised $23 million in Series A funding to do so. The company is now valued at more than $100 million as it builds a one-stop shop for fans.

My story at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...
Alex Rodriguez’s Startup Jump Raises $23 Million In Quest To Be Shopify For Sports Teams
Founded by the MLB legend alongside billionaire Marc Lore, his Timberwolves co-owner, the company is now valued at more than $100 million as it builds a one-stop shop for fans.
www.forbes.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:49 PM
justbirny.bsky.social
Dana White reveals why he wanted David Ellison's muscle behind his MMA giant, why pay-per-view events no longer work, and what a potential UFC fight at the White House would look like on CBS.

Matt Craig has the story at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/mattcr...
Dana White On How UFC Landed A $7.7 Billion Streaming Deal With Paramount
UFC's CEO reveals why he wanted David Ellison's muscle behind his MMA giant, why pay-per-view events no longer work, and what a potential UFC fight at the White House would look like on CBS.
www.forbes.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:35 AM
justbirny.bsky.social
After signing a new $1.5 billion deal with Paramount, Trey Parker and Matt Stone are part of Hollywood’s most elite club.

Here's how South Park's creators became billionaires, courtesy of Matt Craig at @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/mattcr...
'South Park' Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone Are Now Billionaires
After signing a new $1.5 billion deal with Paramount, Trey Parker and Matt Stone are part of Hollywood’s most elite club.
www.forbes.com
July 25, 2025 at 4:20 PM