New Betfred penalty signs off a summer of fines from the gambling watchdog September 28, 2022 Adding to what feels like a summer of fines for betting firms, the Gambling Commission whacked Betfred with a fresh £2.87m penalty this morning for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failings. The failures include a lack of controls, which meant one punter lost £70,000 in a 10-hour period just a day after opening an account. “This [...]
Record crowds show women’s football is ready for bigger stadia, says WSL chair September 28, 2022 Women’s football is ready to move to bigger stadia as it redoubles efforts to become profitable, says Women’s Super League chair Dawn Airey, after the sport saw a series of record-breaking crowds. Last week’s new WSL high of 47,000 spectators for Arsenal’s north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur followed the Women’s Euro 2021 final attracting [...]
Rugby League World Cup offers London chance to shine September 28, 2022 England legend Martin Offiah has championed the decision to take the Rugby League World Cup to the South for this year’s trio of tournaments. The men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions are due to take place concurrently in the same country for the first time when they get under way next month, a year later than [...]
Sports streaming platform DAZN acquires ELEVEN Group September 27, 2022 Global sports streaming service Dazn has acquired Eleven Sports, making it the biggest football rights holder in Europe. Dazn Chairman Kevin Mayer described the deal as a “major moment” for the company because it will allow them to progress with their ambition to become a “daily destination for sports fans” globally. “It’s a win, win, [...]
McLaren unveil cyberpunk-inspired Formula 1 livery September 27, 2022 Formula 1 team McLaren have unveiled a new, bespoke, livery to be used at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix. The new-look car has a cyberpunk-inspired look to its flank whereby the apparent interior is painted on the exterior. The livery has been unveiled in partnership with crypto exchange firm OKX, who also have a partnership [...]
Is running the new golf? Why TCS has become title sponsor of the London Marathon September 27, 2022 For four decades the London Marathon has had a consumer-facing brand as its title sponsor, from Gillette and Mars in the 1980s to the more recent Flora and Virgin Money. But that will change on Sunday, the first race of its rebranding as the TCS London Marathon as part of a six-year contract with the [...]
Saracens CEO: “Innovation and desire push people to think differently” September 27, 2022 When Saracens earned a last-second victory over Gloucester on Saturday, they did so in front of a semi-full new West Stand at their Stone X Stadium. The north London club have been one of the few looking towards expansion, modernisation and development at a time when domestic rugby in England is struggling to support itself. [...]
Worcester Warriors placed into administration after suspension September 26, 2022 Premiership rugby club Worcester Warriors have been placed into administration by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) after failing to provide proof of a “credible” financial plan. The financially stricken West Midlands outfit had until 5pm on Monday to provide the sport’s governing body, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), with detailed assurances [...]
Ollie Phillips: Bath will sneak win against troubled Wasps September 23, 2022 I’m going to call it: I think Bath will pick up their first Premiership win of the season this weekend against Wasps. While they struggled against Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks in their opening two matches, I get a sense that they could be about to snap out of their losing habit. There’s an opportunity [...]
Exclusive: Saracens CEO says “financial model of rugby doesn’t work” September 22, 2022 As one Premiership rugby club teeters on the brink of going under and another considers administration, Saracens’ chief executive Lucy Wray has admitted that English rugby’s finances are broken. But Wray has faith in Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union to make the changes needed to ensure no more clubs face the same threats [...]