San Francisco 49ers in position to buy Leeds United in coming years December 6, 2021 The San Francisco 49ers could exercise a clause in their deal with Leeds United which could see them buy the Premier League club by 2024. The group that funds the NFL this year increased their stake in United to 37 per cent in January before acquiring another seven per cent last month. The deal would [...]
Ed Warner: Crouch review recommendations could drive Premier League away December 2, 2021 I really wanted to embrace the “fan-led” Tracey Crouch review of football governance in England. But with each turn of its 162 pages my heart sank further at the unmistakable sight of the heavy hand of Whitehall. The Crouch review’s recommendations revolve around the creation of an independent regulator for the sport. This displays a [...]
Historic night for Ellen White: England’s Lionesses 20 (yes, twenty) – Latvia 0 December 1, 2021 The Lionesses crushed Latvia 20-0 at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium last night as Ellen White broke England Women’s all-time scoring record and the team recorded their biggest ever competitive victory. White scored twice early on in the World Cup qualifier to take her level with and then past Kelly Smith’s mark of 46 goals, before completing [...]
Why brand Manchester United keeps them hooked November 30, 2021 Around this time of year, Christmas comes early for many football fans with the release of the immersive fantasy world that is Football Manager. Will this be the year I take Newport County from League Two to Champions League glory? Let’s spend 250 hours over the next 12 months finding out. In this year’s game [...]
Newcastle takeover optimism fizzling out as reality of relegation battle dawns November 30, 2021 The songs for Amanda Staveley have faded, the fake sheikh outfits dwindled in number and the #CANS of celebration long since been drained. Almost eight weeks on, Newcastle United’s takeover by a group led by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has not had the immediate uplift hoped for at St James’ Park. It may arrive [...]
Trevor Steven: Teacher Ralf Rangnick will shake up Manchester United November 29, 2021 In a former life as a football agent, I once asked a German contact for some up-and-coming names in the Bundesliga. One of them was a forward-thinking coach, who I spoke to and made known to a few English clubs who were in the market for a new manager. None took up the chance to [...]
Competition Law likely to have a place in sport long into the future November 26, 2021 Although historically associated more with corporate CEOs in smoke-filled rooms than the world of sport, competition law has certainly hit the back pages in 2021. The ever-increasing commercialisation of sport means that this crossover is only likely to continue and, in the case of football, could soon ultimately decide the future. European Super League While [...]
Record £3.2bn in private equity deals for sports teams as funds target football, rugby and F1 November 22, 2021 The last twelve months saw a record £3.2bn of sports team acquisitions by private equity funds, almost treble last year’s total, as they targeted football, rugby and Formula 1 teams, according to new data shared with City A.M. this afternoon. Last year saw an all-time high of 11 PE purchases of stakes in sports teams [...]
NBC secures Premier League rights November 18, 2021 The Premier League yesterday signed a new six-year deal with NBC. The rights deal will start during the 2022/23 season and will last until 2028. Premier League chief Richard Masters said: “ We are delighted to announce our new US broadcast deal with NBC Sports, who have been brilliant partners for the Premier League.” The [...]
Premier League on rocky road with plans to regulate sponsorship deals in wake of Newcastle takeover November 18, 2021 The recent takeover of Newcastle United by the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund created quite a storm – both in the media and, according to reports, the other Premier League clubs. Since the introduction of so-called financial fair play regulations at the start of season 2013-14 – known as the Profitability and Sustainability Rules in [...]