SA20 future in doubt as Big Bash sale process squeezes cricket investment January 7, 2026 The SA20 franchise tournament is facing an uncertain financial future amid the threat of fresh competition for funding from Cricket Australia’s Big Bash, which is preparing to sell off stakes in its franchises to private investors later this year. All six SA20 franchises are owned by Indian Premier League teams, many of whom have expressed [...]
Back Bawn to start the New Year with a Boom January 6, 2026 AFTER huge crowds packed into Kempton for two high-class days of racing over Christmas, which saw a brilliant three-way finish in the King George, racing returns to the Sunbury-on-Thames venue this Saturday. Ground conditions continue to be much dryer than the norm for this time of the year, and while rain is due later this [...]
Have a few Bob on Olinger to retain Stayers’ Hurdle January 6, 2026 WITH the turn of the year behind us and the 2026 Cheltenham Festival looming in the not-so-distant future, now is the time to begin building our ante-post portfolio for the Festival. Tipping an 11-year-old in one of the Championship races at this point might raise a few eyebrows, but I think there’s plenty to suggest [...]
Fownes and Ho Perfect Together at the Valley January 6, 2026 LOCAL racegoers can look forward to the first race meeting of the year at Happy Valley, when the city track hosts a nine-race card, starting at 10.40am on Wednesday. Former four-time champion trainer Caspar Fownes will surely be licking his lips with anticipation at a return to his favourite track after a relatively quiet Christmas [...]
Rapid frontrunner Mega Bonus to leave rivals behind January 6, 2026 HAPPY Valley always guarantees plenty of competitive and exciting racing, but a close look at the form book suggests there are plenty of average performers on show on Wednesday. The highest-rated galloper on the card is nine-year-old Harmony N Blessed – rated 85 – suggesting it will not be easy finding winners, and it could [...]
The Punter Podcast Episode 64: Kempton, Warwick, Happy Valley and the Road to Cheltenham January 6, 2026 Tom Marriott and Bill Esdaile preview the Saturday’s action from Kempton, featuring the Lanzarote Hurdle, with a look at Warwick’s William Hill Half A Mill Classic Chase card also. Bill also kicks off his Road to Cheltenham antepost tips, while Wally Pyrah is back to preview Happy Valley. The Punter ‘The Punter’ has been City [...]
Fifa World Cup faces threats from cyber attacks and hacktivists January 6, 2026 The 2026 Fifa World Cup faces the “very real risk” of cyber attacks from anti-Western “hacktivists”, according to experts. This summer’s tournament – being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada – is set to be targeted by rogue states determined to disrupt the global spectacle. An attempt to harm Fifa World Cup infrastructure [...]
British Basketball Federation owed half a million pounds when it went bust January 6, 2026 The British Basketball Federation owed close to half a million pounds when it began the process of going into liquidation late last year. The BBF, which was in charge of the men’s and women’s GB teams, folded after a long-running legal battle with Super League Basketball, the top national domestic competition. Companies House filings show [...]
Global Group snaps up Gary Neville-founded The Overlap January 6, 2026 Gary Neville-founded media business The Overlap has been sold to Global in a deal that will see the radio juggernaut complete a majority acquisition. The Overlap, founded in 2021 and home to video series Stick to Football, will now be merged into the Global portfolio with the aim of growing a “network of video-led media [...]
Tennis: Record prize money for Australian Open winners January 6, 2026 Winners at this year’s Australian Open will get £2m in prize money for the first time after organisers of the tennis grand slam increased their total purse. If Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys are able to defend their titles they’ll receive £2.06m from tournament organisers in Melbourne, up from £1.7m in 2025. The £55.2m purse, [...]