Hit or miss? The best and worst football club Christmas adverts December 22, 2024 Creative type Steve Howell casts his critical eye over Christmas adverts produced by Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham and Celtic. Think of a Christmas advert and your mind may conjure memories of “A dog is for life…” or any number of classic John Lewis commercials that have become synonymous with this time of year. Whatever brand [...]
What to expect from sports law in 2025: Man City, Saudi and the ‘unlikely MVP’ December 21, 2024 What will the big talking points be in sports law in 2025? We asked the experts at one of the industry’s top firms. This year will be remembered as one in which key sporting decisions were made in the courtroom rather than the boardroom. With the Football Governance Bill, ongoing financial regulatory disputes, and the [...]
Everton takeover confirmed but Friedkin Group has warning for fans December 19, 2024 Everton’s new owner, the Friedkin Group, has warned “it will take time” to make them successful again after completing their long-awaited takeover. The deal will bring stability to the nine-time English champions following years of financial distress, new executive chairman Marc Watts said. But he added that turning Everton from relegation-threatened strugglers back into a [...]
Ed Warner: Why the anti-doping fight desperately needs a shot in the arm December 19, 2024 Confirmation that Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a routine anti-doping test must rightly trigger the usual essential caveats. Chelsea’s Ukrainian winger has only been provisionally suspended. This is simply the start of a process with the facts to be established and the outcome far from certain. What is clear is that Mudryk’s case will be another [...]
Fifa president branded ‘a chancer’ over £1,750 Club World Cup tickets December 18, 2024 Fifa has been slammed by football fans after the first ticket prices for next year’s Club World Cup were published, with the cheapest seats available for the final costing £700 ($890). The prices, listed on Bayern Munich’s website, go up to £1,755 ($2,230) for lower-tier seats at the final, which will be played at the [...]
Former NBA owner invests in $100m women’s football multi-club group December 18, 2024 The move will see World Cup and Olympic gold winning former US women’s international Lauren Holiday join the board of Mercury/13.
BBC Match of the Day decision to cost bookies a triple payout December 18, 2024 The BBC will bash the bookmakers if, as expected, it names Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman as the successors to Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker. Multiple betting firms offered markets on which host would replace Lineker when he vacates the hotseat after a quarter of a century in the job at [...]
Red Bull: Leeds United minority owner set to increase football investment December 18, 2024 The energy drinks brand already has a minority stake in Leeds but has an option to increase it.
DCMS fear rugby future as £30m in taxpayer loans expected to be written off December 18, 2024 The government could be forced to write off nearly £30m of taxpayers’ money loaned to sports bodies, clubs and the arts during the Covid-19 pandemic. The figures, revealed today by the National Audit Office, provide a stark update on the £474m aid package provided by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Rugby union was [...]
European Super League plans revived – and it’s got a new name December 17, 2024 The organisers of the European Super League have announced its rebranding as the “Unify League” as they step up efforts to revive the breakaway competition. A year after the European Court of Justice breathed new life into the controversial plan, A22 Sports Management has begun a fresh push following talks with clubs and leagues. Having [...]