DCMS issue insolvency threat to rugby clubs over Covid-19 loans Sport Business Rugby clubs have been warned after the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it “wouldn’t hesitate” to use “all financial levers” available to recover loan payments owed by sports organisations from the pandemic. Those powers could see the government department aid in forcing insolvency on sports clubs to ensure the taxpayer recoups the [...]
It’s not the 90s, TNT deal for Six Nations wouldn’t hurt rugby Sport Business On the eve of this year’s men’s Six Nations bursts forth news that TNT Sports is preparing a bid for broadcast rights to the tournament from 2026. Cue mild hysteria at the possibility of rugby’s premier annual competition “disappearing” behind a TV paywall. An accelerant to the decline in mass interest in the sport or [...]
Hundred: Sale of franchise stakes could value cricket league at £700m Sport Business English cricket is set for a major financial boost with the Hundred sale, which enters its final round of bidding, expected to value the eight franchises at as much as £700m. That figure is double the sum the England and Wales Cricket Board rejected from Bridgepoint for the whole tournament in 2022 and would therefore [...]
Six Nations investors CVC Capital Partners table Oval Invincibles bid January 23, 2025 Private equity giant CVC Capital Partners have reportedly tabled a bid for Hundred franchise Oval Invincibles. It comes as the eight teams are being asked by the England and Wales Cricket Board to shortlist three or four preferred bidders to take through to the next stage of the auction. The ECB is selling each of [...]
Ambani family on course for £100m London Spirit in Hundred auction January 22, 2025 The likely destinations of English cricket’s crown jewels in the Hundred auction are taking shape, with the Ambani family’s determination to buy 49 per cent of the London Spirit in a deal expected to exceed £100m forcing other bidders to look elsewhere. A consortium of Californian investors led by Nikesh Arora, chief executive of Palo [...]
Former Manchester United CEO to help grow Teneo’s sport business January 9, 2025 Former Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold has joined Teneo, the global consultancy has confirmed. Arnold, 57, has been named non-executive chairman of Teneo’s Financial Advisory Sports Practice and will work across the company’s sports, media and entertainment clients, who include World Rugby, Castore and the Ambani family’s Reliance Industries. “As we continue to build [...]
Springboks face new bid for stake by Leeds United private equity investors Ackerley Sports Group January 6, 2025 The world champion Springboks could sell off a stake of their commercial rights company to investors in Leeds United as South African rugby looks for a stronger financial footing. Seattle-based firm Ackerley Sports Group LLC is reportedly set to revive plans to invest in the 2023 Rugby World Cup winners after an initial bid foundered [...]
Women’s football and NFL: The biggest sports deals of 2024 December 31, 2024 Sport has been full of deals in 2024 with Premier League clubs being taken over, cricket selling stakes in franchise teams and transfers sending sports fans mad. But which were the standout deals of the last 12 months? Founder of SportsInvest Advisory Achille de Rauglaudre takes a look. March: Women’s football on the rise 2024 [...]
Ahead of the Game: Illegal Usyk vs Fury streams dealt heavy blow December 23, 2024 Illegal streaming services appear to be in retreat judging by the collapse of viewing figures for last weekend’s Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch compared to the original world heavyweight title fight between the pair in May. Analysis conducted for City AM by online intelligence platform Yield Sec identified a peak audience of 3.2m illegal [...]
F1 owner Liberty Media CEO Maffei to step down after 20 years November 13, 2024 The chief executive of Formula 1 owner Liberty Media Greg Maffei will leave the firm after 20 years, it was announced on Wednesday. Maffei, 64, will be replaced by chairman John Malone, 83, on an interim basis but Maffei will continue on as a senior advisor until a replacement is found. “I have thoroughly enjoyed [...]