In 2016, the global ambitions of the NFL and NBA are an example for every sports organisation to follow February 6, 2016 In the $100bn (£68.7bn) global sports industry, teams must think of themselves as technology companies as well as traditional sports businesses. In a competitive, borderless marketplace, the success and growth of individual sports teams is increasingly dependent on them being able to build an international community of fans. Successful sports teams now operate like a [...]
England’s Jos Buttler hot property at Indian Premier League auction and goes under hammer for £385,000 — and bought for more than Kevin Pietersen February 6, 2016 England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler was the subject of a bidding war during today’s Indian Premier League (IPL) before being bought by Mumbai Indians for £385,000. The fee made Buttler, who is playing for England in the second one-day international against South Africa in Port Elizabeth today, a more expensive commodity than T20 specialist Kevin Pietersen. Buttler, [...]
Fans’ fury prompts Arsenal to back down on Barcelona surcharge for season ticket holders February 6, 2016 Arsenal has backed down on plans to include a surcharge in their 2016-17 season tickets following a furious response from fans. Some Emirates Stadium season ticket holders reacted angrily after receiving an email on Thursday evening informing them they would face an additional cost of up to £30 on next season's renewal prices if they chose [...]
Six Nations 2016: England v Scotland to be live streamed in space for astronaut Tim Peake February 5, 2016 The BBC is making broadcasting history by live-streaming the Scotland v England Six Nations clash in space. In what is a first both for the broadcaster and the sport, Eddie Jones' fortunes in his first game as England coach will be beamed into the International Space Station for British astronaut Tim Peake. Read more: Look away [...]
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger suggests huge transfer fees prevent clubs from lowering ticket prices February 5, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has argued the constant increase in transfer fees prevents football clubs from lowering ticket prices for fans. Despite a forthcoming £5bn Premier League TV deal that will guarantee every Premier League club a minimum of £99m a season, decision makers from each club met in London on Thursday and voted against measures [...]
Rangers say goodbye to Mike Ashley: Club formally gives notice to end relationship with Sports Direct February 5, 2016 Rangers are looking to bring their tumultuous relationship with Sports Direct to a close by formally giving notice to the Mike Ashley-owned company to end their commercial partnership – yet the two companies could still be tied together until 2023. In a letter to supporters, club chairman Dave King said he had immediately written to Sports Direct [...]
Six Nations 2016 stats preview: Why England facing the three blue teams away does not bode well for Eddie Jones February 5, 2016 Look away now, Eddie Jones: England have traditionally performed worse in the Six Nations when facing the three blue teams away and Wales and Ireland at home. Every other year the Red Rose travels to Edinburgh, Rome and Glasgow, but despite their two away games coming against the tournament’s two traditionally weaker sides in Scotland [...]
Serious one-day talent Jos Buttler in Indian Premier League auction is win-win for everyone February 4, 2016 There is no doubt that Lancashire and England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is a serious talent in one-day cricket and I’m convinced he will pick up huge money in Saturday's Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Bangalore. He will almost certainly have a clause in any contract he may sign allowing him to return at short notice [...]
Six Nations 2016: England head coach Eddie Jones hits back at caution jibes February 4, 2016 Head coach Eddie Jones has hit back at criticism of his maiden squad selection by insisting the 23 on show against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday are the best group to hand England the perfect Six Nations start. Australian Jones has opted for Danny Care at scrum-half in preference to Ben Youngs and Joe Marler rather [...]
Trumbo sees Bryan Cranston peddling contraband. Again. February 4, 2016 Dir Jay Roach | ★★☆☆☆ Bryan Cranston plays a brilliant, put-upon middle-aged man who is forced into peddling contraband in order to provide for his family. This time his drug of choice isn’t meth but Hollywood scripts, which he’s banned from writing – along with dozens of others – because of his Communist party membership. [...]