Fans vs. Feds?

The federal government is unquestionably interested in sports. There’s congressional and executive action on college athletics, regulatory jockeying over prediction markets, renewed scrutiny of broadcasting structures and antitrust exemptions, and an interest in the funding and accessibility of youth sports.

But research published today by FGS Global’s Sports Practice – the FGS Scouting Report – found fans put far more faith in sports leagues and universities than in Congress (30%) or the administration (34%) to act in fans’ best interests.

FGS surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. sports fans across four areas driving industry change: betting and prediction markets, college, women’s, and youth sports. A few things stood out:

• Prediction markets may be reshaping the conversation, but they are in the early innings of adoption. Just 13% say they currently use them, while 21% have still never heard of them.

• Fans are more open to federal intervention in college sports than in other industry segments. Over 60% back congressional action on student-athlete compensation for their personal brand, eligibility rules, transfer restrictions, and proportional revenue sharing between men's and women's programs. The appetite for a federal role is real; the question is what shape it takes.

• Affordability is the top long-term threat. Fans identified rising costs – from ticket prices to youth sports fees – as long-term threats, suggesting the industry is not immune from forces shaping our broader national dialogue.

The FGS sports practice can be reached at sports@fgsglobal.com.

Every September, the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Week turns a stretch of midtown Manhattan into the world's most concentrated diplomatic and corporate networking event. This year, compounding pressures make the 81st session – presided over by incoming UNGA president, Dr. Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh – especially high-stakes for any organization with global interests:

• The Secretary-General transition. UN Secretary-General António Guterres' term ends December 31. Rahman plays a formal coordinating role in selecting his successor, working alongside the Security Council to advance a recommendation. The outcome sets the UN's institutional direction for the next decade.

• A test for the Summit of the Future commitments. The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations – all adopted in 2024 – either gain traction this session or they stall. Rahman has been explicit that internal UN fragmentation is a problem this session must address.

• A fast-maturing AI and digital governance agenda. The Global Digital Compact established baseline commitments on inclusive AI frameworks. This session determines whether those commitments become durable regulatory policy or remain aspirational text — a live question for any company operating in the AI space.

• A recurring development finance conversation. How development finance is mobilized and directed toward SDG implementation will be a recurring theme under Rahman. The financing architecture that emerges from the 81st session carries real consequences for markets, international institutions and the organizations that depend on them.

To learn more about how FGS Global supports organizations during UNGA High-Level Week, reach out to our team at UNGA@fgsglobal.com.

As part of FGS Prospero’s continued work with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, we attended its annual conference in New Orleans, a productive convergence of corporate engagement and reporter cultivation. As the largest association of Hispanic/Latino journalists in the country, a common misconception is that its membership consists primarily of Spanish-language reporters. But 80% of NAHJ members – like ABC’s Tom Llamas, NPR’s Mandalit del Barco, or the WSJ’s Sabrina Rogriguez – work at English-language outlets, spanning newsroom leadership, freelancers, and executives.

Some key takeaways:

• Strong client engagement opportunities. Networks such as ABC, CNN, NBC, and ESPN hosted programming with meaningful access to leadership and impromptu one-on-one conversations with media executives.

• Notable corporate presence. JPMorgan Chase, OpenAI, and Apple News, among others, had a strong presence with direct access to company representatives and open and nuanced discussions around topics such as AI.

• Access to business and finance reporters. Latino journalists covering business and economics at outlets like Bloomberg and the Financial Times were well represented, presenting concrete opportunities for future engagement.

• Spanish-language media expanding. El País – the largest and most reputable Spanish print and online outlet based in the Spanish-speaking world – announced an expansion of its footprint in the U.S. Latino market, both Spanish and English, underscoring the growing commercial weight of bilingual and bicultural audiences.

• New media is central, not peripheral. Podcasters, digital creators, and independent outlets such as The Moment’s Paola Ramos and Factchequeado’s Ana María Carrano were prominent throughout, reflecting their role as primary channels for reaching diverse audiences and shaping public conversations.

For tailored insights on Latino audience engagement or Spanish-language communications, contact fgs-prospero@fgsglobal.com.