Premier League set for its lowest January transfer window spend since 2012, barring unexpected deadline day splurge February 1, 2021 The Premier League is heading for its lowest January spend since 2012, barring an unexpected transfer deadline day flurry of activity. Heading into the final hours of the transfer window, English top-flight clubs had forked out around £78m. Unless they spend more than £40m before tonight’s 11pm deadline, it will represent their lowest outlay for [...]
Why football clubs face an increased threat from cyber criminals during the transfer window January 31, 2021 It isn’t just football’s wheeler-dealers springing into action this month for the January transfer window. Increasingly, it is open season too for cyber criminals who see the game as rich pickings for various forms of hacking. “Right now there are big amounts of money changing hands,” says Max Heinemeyer of cyber defence firm Darktrace. “So this [...]
Ollie Phillips: Private equity investment is the impetus rugby needs for short-term survival and long-term prosperity January 31, 2021 Private equity in rugby is back on the agenda, with the long-rumoured CVC Capital Partners and Six Nations deal now said to be imminent. Meanwhile, US buyout firm Silver Lake is keen to add a stake in the All Blacks to a portfolio that also includes Manchester City. All this will make some in sport [...]
Former England cricket chief Colin Graves: ‘I know Indian investment in The Hundred is there if the doors are opened’ January 30, 2021 Colin Graves may have stepped down as chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last year but he is not done shaping the game he loves. This month, the 73-year-old joined the board of Oakwell Sports Advisory, which advised CVC Capital Partners on its investment in Premiership Rugby and the Pro14. The man [...]
The City A.M. Punter Podcast EP:37 Doncaster, Cheltenham & Hong Kong January 29, 2021 The rain continues to fall and Cheltenham’s Trials Day is not certain to go ahead on Saturday, but Doncaster are confident that they will be able to race on the same day. Jockey and assistant trainer Chester Williams joins us to talk about his intended weekend runners. City AM racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the [...]
Week in Sportbiz: Premier League still No1 in China; Leeds boss keeping busy; Matchroom’s media move; Wimbledon optimism; London 2012 gold for sale January 28, 2021 The Premier League’s ongoing dispute with a Chinese broadcaster doesn’t appear to have affected its popularity in the Far East. England’s top division has been named the most popular football league in China by a new report ranking digital performance. It had 80 per cent more engagement on leading social media platform Weibo than La [...]
Trevor Steven: Lampard’s Chelsea had become a runaway train but Tuchel is the perfect man to steer them back to the top January 27, 2021 Chelsea need a manager who can pick up the reins quickly and in Thomas Tuchel I think they’ve got the perfect man. Experience at a big club? Check. Knows how to handle superstars? Check. Able to get a team performing at close to their maximum? Again, check. And that’s all in his last job at [...]
Chris Tremlett: Joe Root looked back to his best in England’s confidence-boosting 2-0 win in Sri Lanka January 27, 2021 Sri Lanka may not have looked the best, but that was an important Test series for England – and in particular Joe Root – to win 2-0. The tourists had very little preparation, with limited resources in Loughborough and then just one warm-up game once they got out there. Sri Lanka handed England the initiative [...]
Chelsea confirm Thomas Tuchel appointment as German former PSG manager replaces sacked Frank Lampard January 26, 2021 Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of former Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel as manager. Tuchel, 47, has signed a contract until the end of next season, with the option of a further year. The German replaces club record scorer Frank Lampard, who the club sacked on Monday after 18 months in charge. “I would [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Royal Bomb to finish the night in style January 26, 2021 LEADING trainers’ championship trainer Caspar Fownes, who only a couple of weeks back held a commanding lead in the title race, suddenly finds himself under pressure from former 11-times champion John Size. While Fownes has found winners hard to come by recently, having only struck once in the last fortnight, Size has produced an impressive mid-season surge, saddling [...]