England Cricket refuses to cash in on Bazball brand (and Australians could benefit) July 10, 2023 Rarely can a sports team have become as synonymous with a slogan or philosophy as the England men’s Test cricket side and Bazball. It has proliferated every discussion of their successes and failures during the current Ashes series and since head coach Brendon McCullum, from whom the term derives, brought his buccaneering style to the [...]
Chelsea forced to launch new home kit without a sponsor after talks falter July 10, 2023 Chelsea have launched their new home kit without a sponsor after failing to find a new principal partner in time. The Blues saw a deal with streaming service Paramount Plus fall foul of Premier League rules and broke off talks with online casino Stake.com in the face of supporter opposition. The new Nike shirt, which [...]
Bayern Munich make increased offer to Tottenham for Harry Kane July 9, 2023 Bayern Munich have tested Tottenham Hotspur’s determination to keep Harry Kane by making an improved offer of around £70m for the England captain. The German champions had an opening bid of £60m rejected last month but have now increased that to £68m plus performance-related bonuses. Kane has just one year left on his current contract [...]
Gaizka Mendieta interview: Food, business and life after football July 9, 2023 Former Spain, Middlesbrough, Lazio and Valencia midfielder Gaizka Mendieta on finding a new passion in the restaurant business after a stellar football career. When Gaizka Mendieta, one of the most lauded midfielders of his era, moved to Middlesbrough in 2003 he gave England a taste of the best that Spain had to offer. Now, 15 [...]
Chelsea fans’ group hail supporter power after Stake.com sponsorship deal axed July 6, 2023 The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has welcomed suggestions that the Premier League football club has shelved a possible sponsorship deal with crypto betting platform Stake.com. Chelsea had been in talks to make Stake.com their new front-of-shirt sponsor for next season, replacing mobile network Three, which chose not to renew its £40m-a-year contract. The news provoked a [...]
Ian Poulter calls for heads to roll at PGA Tour and DP World Tour after U-turn on LIV July 5, 2023 Ian Poulter has called for heads to roll at the top of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour if there is to be a way back for him and other players who joined LIV Golf. The chances of a reconciliation – and possible Ryder Cup return – appeared to increase with last month’s proposed [...]
Enhanced Games president likens doping to ‘being gay 50 years ago’ July 3, 2023 Ever thought about watching a 100m race where you knew everyone was using substances to artificially enhance themselves, rather than finding out a couple of years later when a ban is issued? Well the Enhanced Games may be for you. The idea pits competitive sport alongside the world of performance enhancing drugs in an Olympics-style [...]
MPs call for football regulator to be established by end of the year June 30, 2023 A football regulator should be established in shadow form by the end of the year and given statutory powers before the next general election in order to prevent more clubs going out of business, MPs have said. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee also urged the Premier League and English Football League to thrash out [...]
Ed Warner: When risk in sport is a smart choice June 29, 2023 This week columnist Ed Warner looks at risk in sport and how sometimes, such as in Bazball in cricket, it can be the smartest choice. A team of sub-10 second sprinters can be beaten to 4x100m relay gold by a quartet who have never broken that magic barrier. The trick is risk management in the [...]
Bayern Munich end £17m-a-year Qatari sponsor deal following fan protests June 28, 2023 Bayern Munich have ended a long-standing sponsorship relationship with Qatar following sustained protests from some supporters. Germany’s most successful football club have sported Qatar Airways’ logo on their shirt sleeves since 2018 in a deal reported to be worth around €20m (£17m) a year. That replaced a similar sponsorship agreement with Doha Airport, while the [...]