Three charts that show the chasm between Manchester United and Brighton’s spending April 22, 2023 Manchester United’s vast financial advantage over Brighton is illustrated by analysis of both clubs’ spending over the last decade as they prepare to meet in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final. When Manchester United last met Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium in the 1983 FA Cup final replay, it was already a financial mismatch. Although [...]
Wimbledon’s 38-court expansion delayed AGAIN ahead of Championships April 21, 2023 Wimbledon’s 38-court expansion plan has been delayed yet again after the latest planning meeting was postponed. The proposed expansion would see the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) – which at present is around 40 acres – nearly triple in size to over 110 acres using land from the nearby Wimbledon Park Golf Club. It [...]
Ed Warner: Demise of UK Athletics is a scandalous situation April 20, 2023 I’ve largely kept my counsel on the shambles at UK Athletics since I left in 2017 but reports that the governing body is at risk of collapse have flipped my switch. Five years encompassing five chairs and six CEOs (some permanent, others interim), unnecessary politicking, pursuit of vanity projects, timidity and simple sloppiness have laid [...]
LIV Golf chief hints at peace talks with PGA Tour ‘sooner rather than later’ April 19, 2023 LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman has opened the door to peace talks with the PGA Tour on the eve of the upstart circuit’s event in Adelaide this week. More than a year of fighting over access to the game’s top male players appeared to have left relations between the two tours in irreparable condition. [...]
Premier League ‘shutting the door on those below’ by ‘distorting competition’ April 19, 2023 MPs have accused the Premier League of “shutting the door on those below” with the parachute payments system of financial redistribution to relegated football clubs. Julian Knight, chairman of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport select committee, urged England’s leading clubs to find a “fairer solution” that doesn’t have a “distorting effect on competition”. [...]
NBA star becomes part-owner of London Lions basketball team April 19, 2023 Harlesden-born NBA star OG Anunoby has returned to his roots by becoming a part-owner of British Basketball League side London Lions. Toronto Raptors wing Anunoby, 25, has taken a minority stake in the team, which is majority owned by American investment group 777 Partners. His investment is another boost to the Lions, the leading team [...]
Exclusive: Diamond stands ready to save Worcester Warriors if Atlas deal collapses April 18, 2023 Former Worcester Warriors boss Steve Diamond stands ready to rescue the financially stricken rugby club amid growing uncertainty over whether the Atlas consortium will meet a looming deadline to complete their purchase. Sources close to the situation told City A.M. that Diamond and previous Worcester Warriors sponsor Adam Hewitt maintain their interest in the club, [...]
First football, now padel: US investors take fight to Qatar for future of the racket sport April 18, 2023 Heard the one about the historically European sports property turbo-charged by Middle Eastern sovereign wealth and now in the crosshairs of serial sports investors from the US? This isn’t football, though, but padel, the fast-growing racket sport now at the centre of a tug of war between rival competitions backed by the Qatari owners of [...]
IN PICTURES: See Manchester City’s plans for £300m upgrade to Etihad Stadium April 18, 2023 Premier League champions Manchester City have formally submitted a planning application for a £300m upgrade of their Etihad Stadium that would take capacity to more than 60,000. The improvements are centred on the North Stand, which is to get a new, enlarged upper tier and will connect to a new complex featuring a hotel, club [...]
Leeds, Chelsea, Crystal Palace: Why have so many clubs chosen short-term managers? April 17, 2023 When Javi Gracia made a surprise return to the Premier League in February he signed a contract with Leeds United which the club described as “flexible”. In reality, it meant a short-term deal guaranteed only until the end of the season, when it could be extended if all parties agreed. Since then, five more clubs [...]