West Ham announce betting sponsor year before gambling ban July 1, 2025 West Ham United has announced a sponsorship deal with bookmaker Boyle Sports one year out from a voluntary Premier League gambling ban. Clubs in England’s top flight have agreed to scrapping gambling brands as front-of-shirt sponsors from the 2026-27 season. Irish bookies Boyle Sports will replace Betway at the London Stadium. The multi-year deal will [...]
Surj Sports chief: Saudi parent PIF, investing and league focus July 1, 2025 Chief executive of Dazn investors Surj Sports Investments Danny Townsend discusses the state of the changing landscape. When Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund purchased Premier League club Newcastle United in 2021, Middle Eastern sports spending was thrust into the voyeuristic forefront of executive and fan consciousness. Since then Saudi Arabia has invested in a multitude [...]
Channel 4 bag 3.7m viewers for England U-21 Euros triumph June 30, 2025 England’s U-21 European Championship triumph against Germany was watched by a peak 3.7m on Saturday evening. The Channel 4 broadcast on Saturday night claimed 37 per cent of all viewers watching TV at the time England beat Germany 3-2 in Slovakia. Harvey Elliott and Omari Hutchinson scored England’s normal time goals before Nelson Weiper and [...]
Crystal Palace made to sweat by Uefa over Europa League place June 30, 2025 Crystal Palace must wait to learn their fate as to whether they will participate in the Europa League, Uefa confirmed on Monday. The first chamber of the Uefa Club Financial Control Body made rulings on two other cases but chose to delay their decision for Crystal Palace. The Eagles’ won a spot in the second [...]
Women’s football: Why brand is key to building on Lionesses’ success June 27, 2025 With the Women’s Euros approaching the spotlight is bright on the Lionesses, and domestic clubs will be looking to capitalise on the momentum of the tournament by converting national fans into home team supporters. This is where brand comes in. Crucial for building greater connections, a sense of belonging and loyalty, and for attracting the [...]
Under-21 Euros: England youngsters chalk up wins for Channel 4 June 26, 2025 Channel 4’s punt on England at the men’s Under-21 Euros has already paid off before Saturday’s final, with strong viewing figures for the Young Lions’ knockout games. England’s semi-final win over the Netherlands on Wednesday evening was the most popular programming on UK TV at the time. The 2-1 victory over the Dutch, secured by [...]
Southampton owner Solak steps up £170m fight with London fund June 26, 2025 Billionaire Southampton FC owner Dragan Solak has escalated a legal battle with London-based private equity fund BC Partners, which he says owes him and his business partners £170m. Solak has asked Dutch authorities to investigate what he calls a “serious governance crisis” at United Group, the telecoms and media business he founded but which is [...]
FA accused of stalling brain damage lawsuit from former players June 26, 2025 Football chiefs have been accused of “deliberately stalling” a landmark lawsuit brought by former players who suffered “life-altering” brain damage as the legal battle resumes today. The Football Association, English Football League and FA of Wales are the defendants in a case brought by 30 former players and their families who say the game’s authorities [...]
CVC Capital Partners hire former EE boss to new sports arm June 26, 2025 CVC SportsCo, a new entity created by private equity giants CVC Capital Partners, has been bolstered by the hire of former mobile phone network EE boss Marc Allera. Allera will take a the role central to the firm’s sporting portfolio, which once owned Formula 1. The current CVC Capital Partners portfolio includes stakes in Premiership [...]
Barcelona score financial boost with Camp Nou reopening date June 25, 2025 FC Barcelona have announced they will stage their first match at the rebuilt £1.25bn Camp Nou in August, in a significant boost to the financially constrained European giants. The reigning Spanish champions have had to play their home games at Barcelona’s former Olympic stadium for the last two seasons, heavily denting their ticketing income. But [...]