Sky’s ITV takeover could be tonic for Premier League media rights value July 9, 2026 Sky’s proposed takeover of ITV is widely expected to mean more sport on free-to-air channels in the UK, but wider consolidation in the media market could also have a significant impact on the value of sports broadcast rights. A combined Sky and ITV would, if approved by regulators, create an even more powerful player in [...]
Manchester United issue major stadium update for ‘New Trafford’ July 9, 2026 Manchester United has issued a stadium update after being forced into some changes surrounding their New Trafford site. The new Old Trafford will sit approximately 350 metres north-west of the existing 74,000-capacity stadium, it was confirmed on Thursday, after the club said that it had snapped up a new 25-acre plot of land for their [...]
Fifa hits back at Trump and Egypt over refereeing bias claims July 9, 2026 Fifa’s referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina has hit back at critics of officiating at the World Cup after President Trump and the Egypt team made allegations of bias. Trump said Raphael Claus, the Brazilian ref who sent off USA’s Folarin Balogun, “was a little bit suspect” and later claimed his pressure had resulted in Fifa suspending [...]
Ed Warner: Why I’m optimistic about the future for Sussex Cricket July 9, 2026 ‘What will you do about your blog?’ was one question at interview, repeated a number of times since I was announced as the chair of Sussex Cricket last week. What of my trenchant criticisms of cricket’s leadership, the sport’s confused calendar and the divide between its haves and have nots? For now, this column and [...]
World Cup hydration breaks see bookies offer quarter by quarter odds for England v Norway July 9, 2026 Enterprising bookmakers are offering odds on England’s World Cup showdown with Norway by the quarter, in a nod to games now being divided into four discrete parts by Fifa’s introduction of controversial hydration breaks. Punters have long been able to wager on first-half and second-half markets but now the betting company behind the Unibet brand, [...]
EuroLeague CEO interview: ‘NBA Europe? We have never been stronger and will never disappear’ July 8, 2026 EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno has turned an organisation in crisis into one ready for battle with the NBA over the future of basketball. In an exclusive interview, he explains why he believes his vision will keep clubs from defecting and that rival European leagues would be bad for everyone. When former NBA vice president Chus [...]
Mayor gives green light for 4am Joshua vs Fury fight at Wembley July 8, 2026 Sadiq Khan has given the green light for a 4am start to the Battle of Britain boxing bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury if it is held at Wembley Stadium. Sources close to the Mayor of London told City AM it is “doable” in a move that would make for TV-friendly viewing times in [...]
Brentford FC stadium to host rugby union franchise sevens finals July 8, 2026 Brentford will host another sporting event this year with the finals of the inaugural Ultimate Sevens rugby union competition set for a west London debut this September. The sevens tournament will conclude a four-leg series on Thursday 24 September at the Premier League club’s Gtech Community Stadium after events in three successive weeks in Madrid, [...]
PwC sign sponsorship deal with major cricket team July 8, 2026 PwC have entered into a partnership with a major cricket club as the professional services firm expands further into sport. The US branch of the Big Four organisation will become the sleeve partner of Major League Cricket team the Texas Super Kings. PwC’s Rob Baldwin described the deal as an alignment with their “commitment to [...]
Frying squad: England’s World Cup bid fuelled by cooking oil and leftover food July 8, 2026 England’s World Cup campaign in the USA, Mexico and Canada is being powered by used cooking oil, leftover food and algae. The decision to maintain a World Cup training base in Kansas City has meant England are racking up the air miles for matches. A 2,800-mile round trip to Mexico City for Sunday night’s last-16 [...]