Exclusive: NRL investment talks welcome but must be open, Leeds Rhinos chief October 7, 2025 Frank discussions over Australia’s NRL potentially buying a stake in English rugby league should be welcomed, a key Super League boss has told City AM. Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington says calls from Peter V’landys, chair of Australia’s governing body, to look at investment should be heard as part of a wider discussion between [...]
Exclusive: Everton bidder Manoukian launches athlete neobank Stadion October 7, 2025 It was in the early summer of 2024, when Everton were in the eye of a storm caused by the disintegration of their prospective owners, 777 Partners, that Vatche Manoukian’s name suddenly hit the headlines. The London-based Armenian, a former finance lawyer turned investor, emerged as a potential saviour to the cash-strapped Merseyside football club [...]
Former FCA and EY bigwig named football regulator chief executive October 7, 2025 Former FCA and EY bigwig Richard Monks has been named chief executive of the Independent Football Regulator. The appointment of the former Big Four partner comes after confirmation of media rights advisor David Kogan being named chairman. Monks is the first executive appointment made by the Independent Football Regulator after the Football Governance Bill passed [...]
Stokes and Archer in $4.5m raise for Indian medical treatment firm October 7, 2025 England cricketers Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer have taken part of a $4.5m raise for a company that will offer UK patients medical treatments in India. The duo will join India’s KL Rahul through their 4Cast vehicle, as well as lead investor Nexus Venture Partners, in investing in The Medical Travel Company, which claims to [...]
Exclusive: Welsh Fire co-owner wants Hundred to be T20 within two years October 7, 2025 The Indian-American co-owner of The Hundred franchise Welsh Fire, Sanjay Govil, wants the competition to drop its unique format and become a T20 league within two years. The 100-ball format has come under pressure following the sale of stakes in all eight Hundred franchises to overseas investors, some of whom are keen to bring the [...]
Barcelona and Milan plans for overseas games get green light from Uefa October 6, 2025 Uefa has “reluctantly” approved plans for LaLiga and Serie A to stage one-off overseas games this season, blaming Fifa for lacking a clear regulatory framework. LaLiga has announced plans to play a match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami in December, while Serie A is moving AC Milan’s contest with Como to Perth in February. [...]
Riyadh Season like Saudi Arabia’s Disneyland as darts joins roster October 6, 2025 Riyadh Season’s expansion to encompass more sports and cultural events – including, for the first time, darts – has seen it likened to “Saudi Arabia’s Disneyland”. A new deal with multi-sport promotion giants Matchroom will see the Saudi Masters Darts join the likes of boxing and snooker on the Arabian peninsula. Furthermore, Riyadh Season – [...]
Tories: Reeves gambling with lives over mooted betting tax October 6, 2025 Rachel Reeves has been accused of “gambling with lives” ahead of a mulled tax rise on the gambling sector in November’s Budget. The Chancellor is tipped to hike the levy on bookies from 15 per cent to 21 per cent, in line with online casinos, in a move critics say could decimate horse racing and [...]
David Kogan: Chair of football regulator appointed despite ongoing inquiry October 6, 2025 Media rights advisor David Kogan OBE has been confirmed as the first chair of the Independent Football Regulator despite an inquiry into his appointment remaining ongoing. Kogan was named preferred candidate by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport earlier this year but questions about his suitability were raised after he revealed he had donated [...]
Kildunne and Maher honoured with Barbie dolls, celebrating women’s sport October 6, 2025 England Red Roses star Ellie Kildunne has been honoured with her own Barbie doll alongside US sensation Ilona Maher. The pair are two of four players – alongside New Zealand’s Portia Woodman and France’s Nassira Konde – to have dolls created for them by Barbie owner Mattel. It comes after the Red Roses partnered with [...]