Is running the new golf? Why TCS has become title sponsor of the London Marathon September 27, 2022 For four decades the London Marathon has had a consumer-facing brand as its title sponsor, from Gillette and Mars in the 1980s to the more recent Flora and Virgin Money. But that will change on Sunday, the first race of its rebranding as the TCS London Marathon as part of a six-year contract with the [...]
Saracens CEO: “Innovation and desire push people to think differently” September 27, 2022 When Saracens earned a last-second victory over Gloucester on Saturday, they did so in front of a semi-full new West Stand at their Stone X Stadium. The north London club have been one of the few looking towards expansion, modernisation and development at a time when domestic rugby in England is struggling to support itself. [...]
Worcester Warriors placed into administration after suspension September 26, 2022 Premiership rugby club Worcester Warriors have been placed into administration by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) after failing to provide proof of a “credible” financial plan. The financially stricken West Midlands outfit had until 5pm on Monday to provide the sport’s governing body, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), with detailed assurances [...]
Ollie Phillips: Bath will sneak win against troubled Wasps September 23, 2022 I’m going to call it: I think Bath will pick up their first Premiership win of the season this weekend against Wasps. While they struggled against Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks in their opening two matches, I get a sense that they could be about to snap out of their losing habit. There’s an opportunity [...]
Exclusive: Saracens CEO says “financial model of rugby doesn’t work” September 22, 2022 As one Premiership rugby club teeters on the brink of going under and another considers administration, Saracens’ chief executive Lucy Wray has admitted that English rugby’s finances are broken. But Wray has faith in Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union to make the changes needed to ensure no more clubs face the same threats [...]
Ronaldo signing pushes Manchester United to record financial loss of £115.5m September 22, 2022 Manchester United suffered their worst ever financial loss last year despite revenues rallying as supporters returned to stadiums following the pandemic. United made a loss of £115.5m for the year ending June 2022, a further deterioration on the previous season’s record £92.2m loss. Revenue increased 18 per cent to £583.2m thanks to the return of [...]
Laver Cup: Federer’s farewell, the big three and reliable London September 22, 2022 After runs in Prague, Chicago, Geneva and Boston, the Laver Cup will mark its fifth year this weekend by arriving at London’s O2 Arena. The tennis tournament pits Team Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg, against Team World, captained by John McEnroe, with the visiting side looking to win the cup for the first time. So [...]
Ed Warner: Marathon season revives questions about unequal fight against doping September 22, 2022 The track season is behind us and athletic thoughts now turn to autumn marathons. Berlin, renowned world record course, this Sunday. London and then Chicago within a fortnight. New York at the start of November. That’s four of the six marathon majors in seven weekends, and doubtless plenty of competition among race organisers to secure [...]
Staging Hockey World Cup at Tottenham Hotspur will ‘sustain the sport for years’ September 21, 2022 England Hockey is pinning its hopes of hosting the men’s World Cup in 2026 on staging matches in bigger venues than the sport usually visits, such as the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 62,000-capacity ground has been earmarked to host finals weekend if the joint bid from England and Wales is selected in early November. “This [...]
West Ham sponsor Betway hit with £400k fine over marketing on kids’ webpages September 21, 2022 West Ham’s main sponsor Betway has been whacked with a fine of over £400,000 for marketing on children’s webpages, adding to the tide of penalties given to gambling firms in recent months. The Gambling Commission found that between 14 April 2020 and 6 November 2021 the operator’s gambling logo, which linked to its website, was [...]