Best of 2021: Chris Froome on his quest for a fifth Tour de France, Roger Federer, and his investment in cycling tech company Hammerhead January 1, 2022 Chris Froome may now have left serial winners Team Sky (now INEOS Grenadiers) but he is still hungry for a fifth Tour de France title. Here, Froome spoke to City A.M.’s Frank Dalleres about that ambition as well as his investment in Hammerhead. Originally published on 28 May 2021. When Chris Froome talks about fighting [...]
The strange case of The Hundred: a North-South divide? January 1, 2022 Recently this country has been roughly split down the middle on, well, virtually everything. Opinions are polarised and if there’s a fence in the middle, we’re damn well not sitting on it. Summer 2021 saw a new concept dividing the nation. Sports fans, I give you the strange case of The Hundred. Unlike most cricket [...]
Deloitte’s sport business forecast: Women’s football to reach new heights in 2022 December 31, 2021 This year has been one to remember for women’s football, with further significant growth in the women’s game, including a £30m sponsorship deal announced for the FA Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship, marking a new record for investment in women’s sport in the UK. More broadly beyond the UK, according to Deloitte’s analysis, 19 of the top 20 revenue [...]
Best of 2021: West Brom and Wales footballer Hal Robson-Kanu on his health drink business, the Turmeric Co, and targeting more Euros glory December 31, 2021 Hal Robson-Kanu has represented Wales nearly 50 times and has played in the Premier League. Here, Frank Dalleres spoke to the 32-year-old about his health drink business and his Euros targets. Originally published 2 May 2021. 2016 was a breakthrough year for Hal Robson-Kanu, and not only because he scored one of international football’s most [...]
Chelsea’s annual loss tops £145m despite increased turnover December 30, 2021 Chelsea FC have announced an annual loss of £145.6m after tax in the year leading to 30 June 2021. The club, owned by Roman Abramovich since 2003, did however increase its turnover to £416.8m – up from £387.8m. Chelsea are currently third in the Premier League and are reigning European Champions, having beaten Manchester City [...]
Leicester Tigers under investigation for potential salary cap breach December 28, 2021 Current Premiership table topers Leicester Tigers are under investigation for a potential breach of the regulated salary cap. The inquiry is said to relate to Worldwide Image Management (WIM), historic image rights payments and links to the east Midlands club. The investigation is understood to be under the watch of Andrew Rogers, the league’s salary [...]
Best of 2021: Why Saudi Arabia bought Newcastle United December 27, 2021 In this article, originally published in October, sports business expert Professor Simon Chadwick explains the strategic background to the takeover of Newcastle United by a consortium headed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – and why it about much more than football. After years of speculation, prevarication and consternation, Saudi Arabia has at last sealed [...]
Sports law year in review 2021: Were our predictions right? December 26, 2021 In December 2020, while others may have been preparing for muted New Year’s Eve celebrations in light of the new coronavirus variant, we were busy making sports law predictions for the year ahead for City A.M. In summary, we predicted a rise in data-related disputes on the back of Project Red Card, the further growth [...]
Best of 2021: Forest Green owner Dale Vince on saving the planet, one match at a time December 26, 2021 In this interview from March 2021, pioneering eco-entrepreneur Dale Vince discusses the rise of the football club he owns, Forest Green Rovers, the world’s first vegan and carbon-neutral team, who play on an organic pitch in kits made of recycled coffee beans. With a large green Union Jack behind him and a casually dishevelled appearance, [...]
Best of 2021: Why did Exeter start the Premiership Rugby season without a main sponsor? December 25, 2021 When this Premiership Rugby season began in September, Exeter’s opening match saw them face Leicester Tigers without a main sponsor. Here Matt Hardy took at look as to why that could have been using industry commentators and experts. Since the article’s original publish date, on September 25, Exeter Chiefs have found a main sponsor – [...]