The changing face of sports governing bodies: why investment talk misses the real evolution February 9, 2020 Since private equity company CVC paid £200m for 27 per cent of Premiership Rugby just over a year ago, new money entering sport has gathered pace. While talk of this trend has focussed on the size and value of such investments, it has missed the most interesting aspect of what is happening: that the world [...]
Premier League plots launch of Netflix-style streaming service February 9, 2020 The Premier League is plotting the launch of a Netflix-style streaming platform in a bid to boost revenue from TV rights in overseas markets. Richard Masters, the Premier League’s new chief executive, has confirmed that plans to set up a direct to consumer offering are already underway. The service, which would allow viewers in some [...]
Faltering England face a tough test of their mettle in feisty Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield February 6, 2020 England face Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday in a match which carries huge significance, both historically and for the tournament. Eddie Jones has opted to make five changes as England attempt to wrestle back momentum following their disappointing 24-17 defeat against France in the opening game. They were poor in Paris, but I [...]
Kell Brook goes back to basics ahead of make-or-break fight with Mark DeLuca February 6, 2020 His boxing career at a crossroads, ahead of Saturday night’s showdown with Mark DeLuca Britain’s Kell Brook has stripped his preparations back down to the basics. The 33-year-old has been waiting 14 months for his 41st professional bout, a hiatus partially inflicted upon himself as he awaited dream fights against Terence Crawford or Amir Khan [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: This Rebel has a cause in valuable handicap February 6, 2020 IN JUST over four weeks time the curtain will be raised for the greatest four days of National Hunt racing. This time of year is like the run up to Christmas for racing fans and there is plenty to whet the appetite at Newbury tomorrow. Any day Altior runs is a good day and it’s [...]
David Pipe on the City AM syndicate horse and his other weekend runners February 6, 2020 ALL EYES will be on the City A.M. syndicate horse COLLINGWOOD COURT in the novices’ hurdle (1.50pm) at Kempton today. He doesn’t want the ground too soft, which is one of the reasons we’ve decided on this race, and he’s been schooling well at home. This looks a hot race but he’s had a wind [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Whittington set for a Rouge letter day with Vif at Warwick February 6, 2020 TRAINER Harry Whittington and owner Andrew Brooks teamed up to win the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (2.05pm) at Warwick two season ago with Saint Calvados and they look to have an excellent chance of repeating that trick with ROUGE VIF tomorrow. The six-year-old rounded off his novice hurdling career with a really good third in Aintree’s [...]
Defeat in the first ODI against South Africa is not worrying – England are working towards bigger goals February 5, 2020 England’s seven-wicket defeat by South Africa in the first One-Day International on Tuesday caused a bit of a stir, but I don’t think there is anything to worry about. With the Twenty20 World Cup approaching later this year and improvement in the Test arena an ongoing priority, ODIs have understandably taken a back seat for [...]
Les Ferdinand interview: QPR director of football on making the club a talent factory again February 5, 2020 Les Ferdinand harbours dreams of leading QPR back into the Premier League but the club legend and current director of football insists a new era of success in west London will not be ushered in overnight. Ferdinand, who marked five years in the role this week, believes the Championship outfit’s return to a philosophy of [...]
South Africa send England back to earth win a bump in seven-wicket ODI defeat in Cape Town February 4, 2020 After 205 days, it was back to earth with a bump for England in Cape Town on Tuesday. The last time Eoin Morgan’s side had played a One-Day International it was that wonderful sun-soaked July evening at Lord’s when the most unbelievable sequence of events saw them beat New Zealand in a super over and [...]