What must Prem Rugby CEO learn from his trip to US? Sweat the asset Sport Business It speaks to Prem Rugby’s ambition that its chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor is jetting off to the United States to drum up investment and sponsorship for the English game, as reported by City AM earlier this week. It suggests the league – unlike many other top-flight union competitions – is actively seeking to go beyond [...]
England captain Itoje lands Snoop Dogg-linked sponsorship deal Sport Business England captain Maro Itoje has signed a deal with Swansea City sponsor AG1 ahead of next month’s Nations Championship at Twickenham. The Saracens forward has penned a two-year agreement to become an athlete ambassador for the wellness brand, which makes drinks supplements. The lock joins actor Hugh Jackman, racing driver Sir Lewis Hamilton and sprinter [...]
MPs call for free-to-air Rugby League World Cup matches Sport Business MPs have called on the government to make matches at the Rugby League World Cup free-to-air and protected for the foreseeable future. This year’s competition, taking place in Australia, is being broadcast behind a paywall on Premier Sports after the BBC declined to cough up to show the tournament. Jon Trickett MP said: “The problem [...]
China, Australia and the Pacific: How rugby is shaping soft power arms race October 27, 2026 Rugby union and league are growing in the Indo-Pacific, as is the investment from central governments of dominant regional powers. Matt Hardy asks why. Amid the disruption at airports in Saudi Arabia, the limited access through the Strait of Hormuz and the nagging feeling that the world is on the verge of doom, soft power [...]
Exclusive: Prem Rugby CEO set for US trip to woo banks and private equity October 27, 2026 Prem Rugby chief Simon Massie-Taylor will embark on a Stateside schmooze next month in a bid to drum up investment into the English game, City AM understands. The chief executive is set to use the break in play provided by November’s international schedule to head to the United States, just weeks after holding talks with [...]
Super League nears NRL investment but deal could be delayed until 2028 October 23, 2026 A deal for the Australian NRL to buy a stake in Super League, England’s top rugby league competition, is nearing completion but may not begin until 2028, prompting concern for London Broncos, City AM understands. Executives from the sport’s two premier competitions – including Rugby League commercial managing director Rhodri Jones and Aussie rugby league [...]
Spain must host 2035 Rugby World Cup because Europe is sport’s commercial hub October 23, 2026 Just imagine watching a Rugby World Cup final at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou. It would be sensational. And it is not beyond the realms of possibility anymore after Spain announced its intention to bid for the 2035 tournament. Going up against Japan, which staged the tournament successfully – albeit with a typhoon interrupting proceedings – [...]
Black Knight’s Foley: We will do an AFC Bournemouth at Exeter Chiefs October 22, 2026 AFC Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has said he will replicate the Premier League club’s playbook at newly acquired Prem Rugby team Exeter Chiefs. Foley’s Black Knight consortium – which features Oscar winner Michael B Jordan – purchased Exeter Chiefs over the summer amid a flurry of inward investment into the English top flight rugby competition. [...]
Exclusive: Thatchers to sponsor Prem Rugby as deal struck with Elton John agency October 20, 2026 Prem Rugby will this week announce Thatchers as a new commercial partner as Elton John’s Rocket Sports agency continues to hunt for league sponsors, City AM understands. The English top flight counts London Pride as its beer sponsor but will add the West Country brand to its partnership roster as official cider partner. It is [...]
Women’s British and Irish Lions to play first match in Cardiff October 14, 2026 The first ever women’s British and Irish Lions team will look to sell out the 74,000-capacity Principality Stadium before an inaugural tour to New Zealand. The touring team – made up of players from the Home Nations and the Republic of Ireland – will play France in a send-off match sponsored by insurance giant Howden [...]