WHAT IS UP RAMI’S SPORTS CORNER FAMILY

It’s been a minute. Did you miss me?

First and foremost, I want to apologize to all my subscribers for the long pause in content over the last couple of months. Life has been a whirlwind—but trust me, I'm back!

It’s a new year (kinda), and I’m delivering the perfect three month late New Year’s gift to you all the highly anticipated third edition of Rami’s Monthly Sports Digest! Let’s dive in.

Personal Update:
My first year of college is coming to a close in a month, and has nothing short of rewarding. Between rushing and pledging a business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, soaking in a college experience and being able to witness unforgettable sports moments, it’s been a cool ride.

On top of that, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially started interning with Net Sports Management, a sports agency representing incredible talent. I was also blessed and fortunate enough to accept a summer offer with the United States Golf Association as part of their Pathways Internship Program a dream opportunity to explore the business of sports on a deeper level. It’s been a long delay but now I’m back to regular programming.

Let’s get going. Blogs drop every month from here on out!

In this edition, we’ll explore:

1. WWE’s rise back to glory.

2. March Madness

3. A peek at a research paper I wrote on how sports tourism is transforming perceptions of Detroit.

Sit back, relax, and start reading…

Welcome to the THIRD edition of Rami’s monthly sports digest.

The Resurgence of WWE: How the Wrestling Empire is Thriving Again

My family is a wrestling family. From my mom being at WrestleMania 3, watching Hulk Hogan body slam André the Giant, to me staying up every Monday and Thursday in grade school, waiting for Raw and SmackDown, WWE has always been a part of my life. The larger-than-life superstars, the unforgettable moments, and the amazing storytelling made wrestling more than just entertainment it was love.

For a while, it felt like WWE had lost some of its magic. The excitement wasn’t the same, and for the first time, there was real competition in the industry. But in the last few years, WWE has come back stronger than ever, proving why it remains the undisputed king of sports entertainment.

With record-breaking financial growth, groundbreaking streaming deals, a new generation of superstars, and the return of wrestling legends, WWE has not only recovered but has become bigger than ever. But how? Lets talk

Cody Rhodes: From Building Competition to Returning Home

While WWE’s resurgence is the result of multiple factors, one man embodies this comeback better than anyone, Cody Rhodes, who I am personally a big fan of.

Cody didn’t just leave WWE—he helped create All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the first real competition WWE had seen in decades and I mean REAL COMPETITION. AEW made an immediate impact, drawing over a million weekly viewers and signing top stars like Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose), and Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) who are former WWE stars, and taking away eyes from the company. For a time, AEW seemed like a legitimate rival, offering wrestlers an alternative and forcing WWE to rethink its approach.

But for Cody, AEW was just a stepping stone. After helping build AEW from the ground up, he made a shocking decision: to leave what he helped create and return to WWE. In the wrestling world, this was huge. Cody returning was a way of saying WWE is still the big dog and that there’s only one biggest stage in professional wrestling—and that’s WWE.

When Cody returned at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, his mission was clear: to win the WWE Championship, a title his legendary father, Dusty Rhodes, never held. His WrestleMania 39 main event against Roman Reigns was a defining moment, even though he fell short.

At WrestleMania 40, all signs pointed to Cody and finally "finished the story" cementing his legacy as WWE’s top star. His return is shows that, no matter what happens in the wrestling industry, all roads lead back to WWE.

Now, at WrestleMania 41, Cody Rhodes faces what may be the biggest test of his career—a showdown with my goat and the man who was the face of WWE John Cena for the WWE World Championship.

This isn’t just another title match. This is a passing-of-the-torch moment, decades in the making. Cena, arguably the greatest of all time, a 16-time world champion and future Hall of Famer, carried the company on his back through eras of change. But now, he'll be in the ring from a man whose journey has become the heart of WWE storytelling.

WrestleMania 41 should be huge for the company. It’s a generational clash, where legacy meets legacy. The past meets the future and the best part is I'll be there to witness it all live in VEGAS. You already know I’ll have a breakdown of the event coming next month for you all.

Streaming Domination: WWE’s Deals with Netflix and Peacock

WWE isn’t just making splashes in the ring and storytelling it’s dominating the business side of entertainment with record-breaking streaming deals.

1. The Netflix Era Begins – In a $5 billion deal, WWE announced that Monday Night Raw will move to Netflix in 2025. This is a massive shift, as Raw has aired on cable TV for over 30 years. By joining Netflix, WWE is expanding its reach to millions of new viewers worldwide, solidifying its future in the digital era.

2. Peacock & WWE Premium Live Events – While Raw is on Netflix, WWE’s Premium Live Events (PLEs) like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam will stay on Peacock in the U.S.. This deal makes every WWE PPV available for just $5 a month, attracting millions of new subscribers and giving fans easier access than ever before.

With these groundbreaking streaming partnerships, WWE has cemented itself as the most accessible and globally dominant wrestling company in history.

WrestleMania & Global Expansion

Few events in sports entertainment compare to WrestleMania. I mean selling out a stadium BACK-TO-BACK nights with ticket prices in the thousands? That’s not just hype, that's the top in brand power, fan loyalty, and global appeal.

WrestleMania hasn’t been a one-night event in years—and that’s by design. Starting in 2020 with WrestleMania 36, WWE made the bold decision to split its biggest event of the year into two nights. Ever since, WrestleMania 37, 38, 39, 40, and now 41 have all followed the two-night model. It's become a staple, allowing for deeper storytelling, better pacing, and an all-around more engaging experience for both the live crowd and viewers at home. It’s such a success that WWE is even expanding the two-night concept for other major shows like SummerSlam.

From National to Global Powerhouse

Another big story behind WWE’s recent success is its intentional and aggressive global expansion. No longer is WWE just an American sports entertainment brand, WWE has positioned itself as a global powerhouse and entertainment empire with numbers to back it up.

International Business Moves:

• Backlash 2023 in Puerto Rico: Held at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, this event marked WWE's return to Puerto Rico since 2005.

• Elimination Chamber 2024 in Perth, Australia: This event set new attendance records, highlighting WWE's growing popularity in Australia.

• Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Scheduled for January 2026, will be the first Royal Rumble held outside North America, as part of WWE's partnership with Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority.

12 Global Events in 2025

WWE isn’t slowing down. With 12 international shows in 2025 with stops in Barcelona, Spain and Dortmund, Germany the company is going in on its plan to make WWE feel local to fans across the globe.

WWE isn’t just running the wrestling game in the U.S. now it’s taking over the world.

The Return of Legends

Another major factor in WWE’s resurgence is the return of legendary superstars.

• CM Punk's Shocking WWE Comeback – After nearly a decade away, competing in UFC and other promotions, CM Punk made his stunning return at Survivor Series 2023 in his hometown of Chicago.

• Randy Orton’s Return – After being sidelined for over a year due to injury, Randy Orton made his long-awaited return, reminding fans why he’s one of the greatest superstars of all time.

• John Cena’s Final WrestleMania Run – With his Hollywood appearances increasing, Cena in his final WrestleMania at WrestleMania 41 will be pure cinema

With these legends returning, old heads and new heads are tuned in witnessing WWE’s resurgence.

The Future of WWE

From financial dominance, streaming innovation, the rise of new stars and the return of legends, WWE’s resurgence is undeniable.

With the Netflix deal, global expansion, and a stacked WrestleMania season, the company is stronger than it has been in years. WWE is proving that wrestling entertainment is BACK. If you couldn't tell I'm a huge fan, and I can't wait to be in Vegas April 19 and 20 and soak in the atmosphere.

March Madness

Now if you're a sports guy like me you wait every single year for March. 68 college basketball teams compete in one of the most exciting events in sports: the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. From buzzer-beaters to Cinderella stories, March Madness has become an American tradition. But behind the MADNESS lies a business engine, one that generates billions in revenue, drives university marketing strategies, boosts apparel companies, and is now opening the door to student-athlete entrepreneurship.

Now in the classic Rami’s Monthly Sports Digest fashion let's dive into the business machine the tournament is.

The NCAA's Gold

For the NCAA, March Madness is by far its most lucrative event. In 2024, the NCAA earned over $1.3 billion in revenue, with 85% of that coming directly from the Division I men’s basketball tournament. The highlight of this all is the TV rights deal the NCAA struck with CBS and Turner Sports for a 14-year, $10.8 billion contract (extended through 2032 for $8.8 billion more). That's nearly $1 billion a year just for broadcasting rights.

In simple terms every time you watch a game on CBS, TBS, TNT, or TruTV, the NCAA is cashing in. Commercials during the tournament especially in the Final Four like the superbowl are among the most expensive on TV. In 2024, companies paid up to $2.2 million for a 30-second ad during games now if you know sports that even rivals superbowl prices.

The BIG Brands

Big brands love March Madness. You’ve probably noticed the amount of sponsorship logos on everything from courtside screens, to schools social media and even gear. Companies like Capital One, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Buick, and Gatorade spend tens of millions each year to align themselves with the tournament. The simple reason for this is because March Madness gives them access to one of the most engaged and diverse audiences in sports with college students, alumni, and casual fans.

Brackets and Betting

For me the funnest part of the tournament is making my bracket and seeing how fast it fails. I can never get it right like millions across the globe. It’s estimated that over 70 million Americans fill out brackets every year, with over $15 billion wagered legally and illegally on the men's tournament. Since legal sports betting has rapidly grown across the U.S., March Madness is to some the crown jewel of it all. Betting on underdogs is just FUN!

Now, sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM are taking advantage of the madness and have started to run national campaigns tied to March Madness, offering massive signup bonuses and betting incentives.

The NIL Era

Now the most transformative change in college sports history happened in 2021 with the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) policy. Now at the top of college sports, March Madness is now not only a stage for achievements but also for personal branding and business development.

Players like Cooper Flag are not just chasing that ring but they're building empires. Flagg is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and has already signed NIL deals with brands like Celsius, Gatorade, and New Balance. He is only 18, YOUNGER THAN ME.

March Madness impact for Universities

The beauty of March Madness as a fan is watching the underdogs and Cinderella stories succeed. Underneath the madness when this happens is a bigger picture for these schools. A deep tournament run can transform a university’s image. Through March Madness, schools like Florida Gulf Coast (2013) and Saint Peter’s (2022) became national brands overnight by knocking off top ranked teams.

According to sources, a Cinderella run (High seed, small school wins multiple games) can lead to:

• 10–30% spike in applications

• Increased alumni donations

• Boost in apparel sales

• Long-term enrollment and recruitment benefits

The Madness Never Ends

As you enjoy the last two weeks of the tournament I hope you enjoy and can see a little bit of the business side of the Madness. March Madness has always been a celebration of sports but it’s a celebration of business too. It’s a prime example of how sports and business intersect. Whether you're a basketball fan, a business student, or just someone trying to win their bracket pool, you are tuned in.

How Sports Tourism is Transforming Detroit

Detroit is home and through my class lecture I was able to see how it is a city defined by resilience, reinvention, and SPORTS. From the days of auto industry dominance to the economic struggles that followed, the Motor City has constantly adapted. Today, one of the biggest forces shaping its future is sports tourism, an attraction that is not only bringing national attention to the city but also driving economic growth, changing perceptions, and fostering social unity.

In my Honors 1000 research, I explored the question:

"Can sports tourism change public perception, or do long-standing stereotypes still hold sway over Detroit?"

The answer I discovered, is complex. Major events like the 2012 World Series, WWE SummerSlam, and the record-breaking 2024 NFL Draft have helped reshape Detroit’s image, but deeper structural issues remain. My research delves into how sports tourism interacts with economic revitalization, community development, and the city's overall trajectory.

Click below to read my full research paper, where I break down:

How past events, like the 2012 World Series, set the stage for Detroit’s sports-driven resurgence
The economic impact of the 2024 NFL Draft, including direct revenue and local business growth
How sports foster social cohesion in a city historically shaped by segregation
What Detroit must do next to sustain this momentum

Click on this sentence to get taken to the link to read!

Thanks for tuning in to this month’s edition of Rami’s Sports Digest.

I’m excited to be back, and I’ll be dropping new blogs every month so make sure to subscribe below!

-Rami