NRL could buy stake in English Super League April 9, 2025 The Australian National Rugby League (NRL) could buy a minority stake in England’s Super League in a move that would unify the sport’s two biggest club competitions. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a secret meeting was held between NRL bosses and owners of Super League clubs Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves while both leagues [...]
Reading in takeover talks with mystery bidder after Platek walks away April 9, 2025 Financially stricken Reading are in takeover talks with a new prospective buyer after American businessman Robert Platek walked away from a deal for the League One club. Platek, co-head of global credit at BDT and MSD Partners, entered into a period of exclusive negotiations with current owner Dai Yongge but that has now elapsed. The [...]
The Punter Podcast Episode 25: Scottish National and back on the Flat at Newbury April 9, 2025 Tom Marriott and Bill Esdaile preview Saturday’s Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr, as well as covering Newbury with trainer Brian Meehan. Plus Wally Pyrah takes a look at Wednesday’s action at Happy Valley in Hong Kong. The Punter ‘The Punter’ has been City AM’s dedicated sports betting section for over a decade with a [...]
Volleyball World: How CVC Capital Partners woke sport’s sleeping giant April 9, 2025 Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor on how CVC Capital Partners has commercialised the sport, its successful D2C platform and ambitions to woo British fans. Private equity in sport can provoke suspicion that it will be funds rather than fans who benefit most from the transaction, yet in volleyball there can be little doubt that it [...]
West Ham’s Paqueta yet to give evidence in spot-fixing trial April 9, 2025 This week’s Ahead of the Game focuses on Lucas Paqueta, the English Football League in New York, rugby league controversy, basketball fines and the Grand National. Lucas Paqueta has yet to give evidence in his spot-fixing trial, a revelation which indicates that the case could have some way to run as the West Ham midfielder [...]
Boat Race: Crews warned don’t throw cox in the Thames April 9, 2025 Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave insists this weekend’s Boat Race participants “deserve better” amid concerns over the water quality of the River Thames. Oxford and Cambridge crews have received “Guidance for Rowing When Water Quality is Poor” safety information ahead of Sunday’s regatta on the capital’s river. Last year’s event was marred by an E. [...]
Saudi Arabia aiming for £17bn sports sector valuation by 2030 April 8, 2025 The world’s newest major sports player Saudi Arabia aims to have a sports sector worth $21bn (£16.5bn) by 2030. It comes as the Gulf state confirmed the sector was currently worth $8.5bn (£6.7bn) in 2025 having been worth just $1.3bn (£1bn) in 2016. The entirety of the UK’s sports sector contributes around £100bn to the [...]
Man United to play in Malaysia three days after Aston Villa tie April 8, 2025 Manchester United will play a match in Malaysia just three days after the conclusion of the Premier League season. The 20-time English champions face Aston Villa on 25 May on the last day of the season before taking on the ASEAN All Stars at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on 28 May. Two days later [...]
Dreaming of Silver as Flat swings into action at Newbury April 8, 2025 THINGS are certainly warming up as we move into the first Guineas trials of the season at Newbury this Saturday. The Greenham looks a tricky enough race. Chancellor and Rashabar head the betting, while Jonquil is certainly of interest on his first start for Andrew Balding, but it’s hard to know who’s match-fit. There is [...]
Brandt a Wise bet against Mullins in Scottish National April 8, 2025 BEFORE Grand National day last Saturday Dan Skelton seemingly had the British Trainers’ Championship sewn up, with the Warwickshire-based trainer over £1 million clear of his nearest rivals. However, after an astounding result in the Grand National, the most valuable race of the Jumps season, which saw Irish maestro Willie Mullins saddle the 1-2-3-5 home, [...]