Lineker row offers the BBC a chance to reflect on how it does sport March 16, 2023 National treasuredom isn’t codified. It is a status that creeps up on individuals, usually as they enter their twilight years. It does not reflect universal approbation, but certainly requires dissenters to be in a dwindling minority. Gary Lineker is clearly too divisive a figure to be considered a national treasure just yet, but the past [...]
Ed Warner: Sport needs a united front against Russia, not patchwork of policies March 3, 2022 On the opening day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine the Polish wheelchair rugby team decided not to take to the court in their Euros group match against Russia in Paris. A classy move. If only others were so decisive. The leaders of world sport are already divided in their response to Vladimir Putin’s war. It [...]
STV shares rise as broadcaster posts huge rise in profit March 10, 2020 Shares in STV rose roughly seven per cent today after the Scottish broadcaster posted a huge rise in profit for the full year. STV, which holds the channel 3 licence in Scotland, reported pre-tax profit of £19m last year, up from just £1.9m in 2018. However, revenue slipped two per cent over the period to [...]
Bryan Habana: South Africa’s World Cup win has already had a huge impact on the country and will give the 2021 Lions’ Tour extra spice December 11, 2019 Five weeks have passed since South Africa won the Rugby World Cup but the impact that the achievement will have on the nation is only just beginning. The Springboks beat England 32-12 in Yokohama last month to claim their third World Cup, with each triumph having come 12 years apart. But this latest trophy, which [...]
ITV holds talks with BT as it eyes Champions League broadcast rights January 12, 2020 ITV is said to be in discussions with rival BT as it looks to secure broadcast rights to Champions League football matches. The public service broadcaster is eyeing up a bid for a package of games held by the telecoms giant after losing out in an auction in November, the Sunday Times reported. Read more: [...]
Ollie Phillips: Eddie Jones’s England reboot is exciting and long overdue September 24, 2021 Two years out from a World Cup you expect Eddie Jones to make big calls and do some culling, and the result, announced this week, is an exciting England autumn training squad. Of the new faces, Newcastle Falcons youngster Adam Radwan is one of those I’m looking forward to watching get a chance. His footwork [...]
Week in Sportbiz: Tokyo 2020 Olympics hit by another sexism scandal; World Rugby boosts women’s game; LaLiga brings tiki-taka teachers to East Sussex March 18, 2021 “I would like to show a new direction,” said Seiko Hashimoto upon taking over as president of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the wake of a sexism storm last month. Four weeks later, Hashimoto’s hopes have been torpedoed by revelations that another senior male official for this summer’s Games made derogatory comments about women. Tokyo [...]
Ireland’s attack is evolving under English duo Andy Farrell and Mike Catt ahead of Twickenham showdown February 20, 2020 Ireland found out the hard way last year that standing still in rugby is tantamount to going backwards. The heroics of 2018’s Grand Slam and a win over New Zealand were quickly forgotten as their Six Nations crown slipped and Joe Schmidt’s side crashed out of the Rugby World Cup at the quarter-finals. It made [...]
Five things: Derby day win for Sarries as Ford shines for Tigers October 31, 2021 Derby day victory for Saracens as domestic action continued, internationals returned and George Ford shined in five things we’ve learned. Derby day delight Yesterday the London bragging rights were up for grabs as Harlequins hosted Saracens at the Stoop. In their 22-29 win over their rivals, Sarries showed their skill in controlling their opposition and [...]
Ed Warner: ECB may buck financial trends but must turn playing claims into reality May 26, 2022 Fourteen million people participate in cricket in England and Wales. Yep, you read that right! How do we know that a quarter of the population play, attend or follow the sport? Because the ECB told us so last week in its annual report. Looks like the governing body has adopted a Westminster approach to big [...]