RFU criticised for lack of consultation over bonus row engulfing Sweeney February 13, 2025 An independent review of the bonus controversy engulfing the Rugby Football Union and its chief executive Bill Sweeney has criticised a lack of consultation with the RFU Council. The review, conducted by law firm Freshfields, backed the RFU’s design and implementation of its long-term incentive plan (LTIP), which saw Sweeney receive a £358,000 bonus last [...]
Enhanced Games: Trump invests in ‘doped Olympics’ February 13, 2025 The Enhanced Games, a drug inclusive alternative to the Olympics, has bagged Trump family funding as 1789 Capital leads a new funding round. The venture fund is led by investment bank Farvahar Partners CEO Omeed Malik, vice president JD Vance ally Christopher Buskirk – they co-founded The Rockbridge Network together – and the 47th President’s [...]
PSR is dead, long live PSR: Premier League clubs agree to keep hated rules February 13, 2025 Premier League clubs have agreed to continue with the existing profit and sustainability rules (PSR) for one more season amid concerns over a legal threat from the PFA and the ongoing legal challenges from Manchester City. At a meeting in London earlier today the 20 clubs unanimously agreed to continue trialling new Squad Cost Ratio [...]
Premier League gives green light to semi-automated offsides February 13, 2025 The Premier League has moved a step closer to implementing semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) after announcing it will be trialled in the FA Cup fifth round next month. The introduction of SAOT in the English top-flight was scheduled for last autumn but has been repeatedly held up due to league chiefs’ concerns over its reliability [...]
ECB open to playing Hundred matches overseas after £1bn sale February 13, 2025 The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) says it would be open to staging Hundred matches overseas following the sale of stakes in all eight franchises that values them at close to £1bn. The ECB will retain control of the competition but has pledged to engage with its powerful coterie of new investors, who include [...]
Ambanis and Boehly: Who owns the Hundred teams after £975m sale? February 13, 2025 With the sale of Southern Brave confirmed on Wednesday, all eight of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s 49 per cent stakes in Hundred franchises have been sold. Sellers, counties and buyers will now enter into exclusive negotiations on the details but it is expected to run, mostly, without a hitch. The valuations placed on [...]
Keely Klassic: Why I’m rooting for Hodgkinson’s ambitious showcase February 13, 2025 What the Keely Klassic lacks in spelling, Hodgkinson’s mash-up of athletics and entertainment makes up for in forward thinking, writes Ed Warner. “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Keely Hodgkinson may not have nailed greatness just yet, but if she does secure that status it will likely [...]
Everton sponsor Stake to leave UK after gambling probe into porn ad February 12, 2025 Club officials of Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City could run the risk of imprisonment or fines after Stake became the latest gambling firm to lose its UK licence after a probe into a porn ad on social media. The Gambling Commission will write to Everton – sponsored by Stake – as well as Nottingham [...]
Row erupts over bid to resurrect London Irish February 12, 2025 London Irish administrators and former frontrunner Daniel Loitz are at loggerheads over the breakdown of the German’s proposed deal to buy the stricken rugby club. Sources close to the deal claim that Loitz had months – including an exclusivity period – in which to finalise a purchase with the ReSolve Group, which was appointed when [...]
Premier League clubs may vote on new financial rules despite PFA threat February 12, 2025 Premier League clubs will have the option to vote through new financial rules on Thursday despite the threat of legal action from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) if they do so. The 20 top-flight teams will gather for a meeting in central London to discuss, and potentially vote on, a new system to replace the [...]