Can British and Irish Lions tour save rugby in Australia? July 18, 2025 It is a crying shame to see rugby union drop so far behind Aussie Rules, the NRL and football Down Under, even as the British and Irish Lions get set to take on the Wallabies in the first of three Tests this weekend. But I am not surprised, given the state of Australian rugby at [...]
Fulham’s Craven Cottage could be future of new franchise Project Sevens July 17, 2025 The investment vehicle behind a new privately funded rugby sevens league set to launch in 2026 is targeting Craven Cottage as a host venue, City AM can reveal. Tom Burwell, chief executive of Bia Sports Group – the investment team behind newly promoted Premier League football club Sunderland – explained that the as-yet unnamed sevens [...]
Chelsea’s Club World Cup winners’ prize? A £10m US tax bill July 16, 2025 Chelsea will be hit with a US tax bill of around £10m as a result of winning the Club World Cup on Sunday. The stunning 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in New York last weekend ensured Chelsea will receive £85m in prize money from competition organiser Fifa. Some £39.7m is to be paid immediately and [...]
Why David Gower is selling his rare cricket memorabilia on eBay July 15, 2025 Former England cricket captain David Gower has eschewed fancy auction houses and instead plumped for eBay to sell off a stash of rare mementos from his legendary career. In among the usual second-hand shoes, garden furniture and iPhones, something peculiar and altogether more exotic is lurking on eBay. A bat from Botham’s Ashes, signed by [...]
Super League CEO: Challenge Cup final may need move from Wembley July 9, 2025 Rugby league may have to consider moving the Challenge Cup away from Wembley, says the chief executive of Warrington Wolves. Karl Fitzpatrick said his “heart” was with staying at the 90,000-seat home of football in London but his “head is saying we may need to look at somewhere else”. The 2024 final between Wigan Warriors [...]
Hundred teams to be buoyed by hike in IPL franchise valuations July 8, 2025 Hundred teams with links to the Indian Premier League (IPL) are to be buoyed by increased brand valuations for their subcontinental sibling clubs after a new report revealed major competition growth. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who do not have any involvement in bids for the eight Hundred franchises, topped the brand value list at £198m, [...]
British and Irish Lions should tour France and Argentina July 4, 2025 While watching the British and Irish Lions take on the Queensland Reds on Wednesday, I started thinking about what other sides across the world would make good opponents for the touring team. The Lions of late have always ventured to the same three nations – South Africa, Australia and New Zealand – and they will [...]
F1 owner Liberty Media’s MotoGP deal creates motorsporting behemoth July 3, 2025 By the close of play today Formula 1 owners Liberty Media will finalise a £3.6bn deal to buy MotoGP. The agreement will see Liberty Media purchase 84 per cent of Dorna – in cash – in a deal which last week got approval from the European Commission. “We believe the sport and brand have significant [...]
BBC facing fight to retain £60m Wimbledon broadcast rights July 2, 2025 The BBC faces the prospect of having to significantly increase its rights fee to the All England Club to extend their exclusive coverage of Wimbledon beyond 2027 amid increased competition for tennis amongst broadcasters. While Wimbledon’s status as a Category A “crown jewel” event means live coverage has to remain available on free-to-air channels, the [...]
British and Irish Lions player row doesn’t short-change fans June 27, 2025 Seeing the war of words erupt between the British and Irish Lions and Rugby Australia this week has given me a bit of a buzz for the tour. This is what the quadrennial series is all about, the niggle of pre-Test series angst. But when push comes to shove it is all bravado and showmanship, [...]