Ed Warner: Value of hosting sport found in hearts and minds as well as spreadsheets August 18, 2022 Just what does constitute a sport? Breaking – otherwise known as breakdancing – will debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics. So how about singing with a dose of choreographed body-poppery? The unlikely combination of Vladimir Putin and Sam Ryder is bringing Eurovision to the United Kingdom in 2023. Seven cities – cut from 20 – are [...]
Pandemic widened gap between Premier League and European rivals, says Deloitte August 18, 2022 The pandemic saw the Premier League increase its financial advantage over its rivals in European football, according to a report published today by Deloitte. Despite the almost total absence of ticket revenue as supporters remained locked out of stadiums, Premier League clubs grew revenue during the 2020-21 season and, unlike their competitors, reported improved operating [...]
Ryan Howsam: Why Staysure boss bought Legends Tour and how it can be profitable August 17, 2022 Sports sponsorship usually follows a playbook – Brand X pays to be associated with Team Y or Competition Z – but Ryan Howsam, founder of insurer Staysure, has ripped it up with golf’s Legends Tour. Howsam, a keen golfer in his youth who played off a scratch handicap, got involved with the circuit formerly known [...]
Stephan Lewies: Fan power a huge boost to Harlequins’ hopes of Premiership success August 15, 2022 Harlequins captain Stephan Lewies believes that being one of just two clubs in the Premiership to sell out their season tickets for the 2022-23 campaign can propel them towards the play-offs. Quins and Bath announced in recent weeks that their allocation of season tickets – usually around two thirds of stadium capacity – had sold [...]
A green and gold decade: Australia prepares for spell as host of sport’s biggest events August 15, 2022 The sun-kissed nation of Australia is about to embark on a decade-long installation as the centre for world sport. Although it was beaten by Qatar to the rights to stage the men’s football World Cup later this year, the country is set to co-host the women’s equivalent as well as Rugby World Cups, a second [...]
Players as part owners: Is Cesc Fabregas’ deal with Como the future of football? August 14, 2022 As athletes transition to life after professional sport it is natural for them to consider what comes next, and such considerations were highlighted recently by Cesc Fabregas’ recent signing with FC Como. In addition to his wages, the Italian club has said that Fabregas will also become a co-owner. So could this be a trend [...]
Trevor Steven: Manchester United must use transfer window to fix serious problems August 11, 2022 The Premier League season may have started but the transfer window remains open until the end of the month – and Manchester United have already shown that they have the greatest need of the top teams to make use of the market. Sunday’s home defeat to Brighton in their opening game served up the familiar [...]
Ed Warner: English cricket has picked the right man to solve its problems – at last August 11, 2022 It’s only taken the best part of 10 months and two attempts, but the England and Wales Cricket Board’s search for a new chair has at last come up with the outcome that the counties identified for it from the off. Richard Thompson, until now chair at Surrey, is clearly the best person for the [...]
“I’m evolving away from tennis”: Serena Williams announces impending retirement August 9, 2022 Serena Williams has announced her imminent retirement from tennis, announcing that she plans to call time on one of the great sporting careers after this month’s US Open. The 23-time Grand Slam singles winner told Vogue magazine that she is “evolving away from tennis” to spend more time being a mother and running her venture [...]
Lessons from Lionesses: What English rugby can learn from Euros for 2025 World Cup August 9, 2022 The iconic Chloe Kelly goal celebration, the record attendance for a final, success on home soil; England Women’s Euro 2022 victory felt like a watershed moment for women’s sport. But in a few years’ time England will be doing it all over again. This time, however, it will be with the oval ball. It was [...]