Peng Shuai: Tennis star’s email raises further concern for WTA November 18, 2021 The head of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has cast doubt on the legitimacy of an email alleged to have come from Peng Shuai, whose whereabouts is unknown. Peng, a former world No1, posted an allegation of sexual assault against former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on social media site Weibo. She alleged that she [...]
Exclusive: Sportradar signs major new NBA betting data deal November 17, 2021 Sports data giant Sportradar has continued its spree of major deals by signing a new contract with the NBA until 2031, City A.M. can reveal. The agreement, announced today, will see the Swiss company provide betting data to the world-leading basketball competition on an exclusive basis. The eight-year deal extends Sportradar’s current arrangement with the [...]
Azeem Rafiq: Takeaways from Yorkshire’s committee reckoning November 16, 2021 The Azeem Rafiq testimony was one of the most important, powerful and harrowing events in recent sporting history. A man who dreamed of a national sporting call up, an institution whose foundations are rotting, and a parliamentary group who let a man tell his truth with no apologies. But what are the takeaways from the [...]
Azeem Rafiq: ‘What’s happened to me has happened, it will never change’ November 16, 2021 Azeem Rafiq has recounted his experiences of racism and bullying this morning before a parliamentary select committee looking into cricket’s racism problem, saying he’s “lost his career because of racism”. Rafiq, a former bowler at Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) appeared this morning at the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Mommittee in Westminster. Speaking [...]
Azeem Rafiq launches anti-racism campaign following Yorkshire report fallout November 15, 2021 Azeem Rafiq has launched the first British Pakistani led anti-racism campaign in response to the ongoing fallout surrounding his allegations of racism against employees at Yorkshire Cricket Club. The former Yorks bowler said in a caption to a twitter video: “Run Racism Out!” “All change begins with the little steps and we hope our voice [...]
Yorkshire racism scandal has torn lives apart, says England cricket captain Joe Root November 11, 2021 England Test cricket captain Joe Root has condemned the racism scandal at his club Yorkshire. Root said the allegations made by Azeem Rafiq and upheld by an investigation “hurt” because they were “so close to home”. “These events have fractured our game and torn lives apart,” he said. “It’s my club that I care passionately [...]
Turin’s time to shine as the new ATP Finals host November 11, 2021 The regional Italian capital of Piedmont, Turin, is no stranger to hosting major sports events. It is the home of Juventus and in 2006 it hosted the Winter Olympics. This weekend, however, Turin begins its run as the site of the ATP Finals. Staged in London since 2009, 13 other cities have hosted the event [...]
Ed Warner: Why sponsors should beat a path to Yorkshire November 11, 2021 Yorkshire County Cricket Club might just be the most exciting sponsorship proposition right now. Mired in a racism crisis of its own making, deserted by its full roster of corporate partners, staring down the barrel of a parliamentary select committee, investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission – but with a new chair and [...]
T20 World Cup: The fab four look for a place in the final November 10, 2021 The knockout stages of any tournament provides unparalleled sporting pressure. A simple task, win or go home. There are no second chances, no redos. Sport at its most intense. A stray ball, bad decision or a hot headed moment can make or break a team performance. This week, in the United Arab Emirates, four of [...]
Azeem Rafiq fallout: How much did sponsor pressure contribute to resignations? November 10, 2021 The business of sport and sponsorship is volatile at the best of times, an ever changing landscape of decisions and consequences. It is nothing new for sponsors and clubs to renegotiate their terms – the Indian Premier League saw this in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic – or quit altogether, as Norwich City decided [...]