Scrapping relegation can help WSL dodge trap set by men’s football March 13, 2025 The WSL’s new leadership deserves credit for seriously considering ditching relegation in pursuit of a firmer financial footing for women’s football, writes Ed Warner. Manchester City have sacked their head coach with hopes of Champions League qualification this season fading and only cup dreams to cling to. No, not Pep Guardiola, but Gareth Taylor, now [...]
Allianz extension insures IOC against further sponsor losses March 12, 2025 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has further shored up its sponsor roster after losing several big clients by extending its partnership with Allianz to 2032. Allianz has also added a further four years to its deal with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which will conclude after the Brisbane 2032 Games. The insurance giant joined the [...]
FA Cup final in Riyadh? Why heritage competitions should follow the money February 27, 2025 Sixteen teams head into this weekend’s fifth round of the FA Cup, their fans celebrating shortening odds of a Wembley semi-final appearance and, in turn, final glory. Most will be oblivious to the £2m prize for the ultimate winners of the trophy. Club owners will likely consider this a paltry reward in itself, although broadcast [...]
Olympics recognises World Boxing after ditching Russia-led IBA February 26, 2025 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally recognised World Boxing after disassociating with the Russian-led and funded IBA. The IBA – International Boxing Association – has been the governing body behind boxing at the Olympic Games but has made controversial calls and has Russian ties. The IOC withdrew its recognition of the IBA in 2023 [...]
Olympic Games set to steady ship with major Chinese sponsor February 6, 2025 Consumer electronics firm TCL is reportedly set to become an Olympic partner in a boost to the International Olympic Committee after long-term sponsors jumped ship. The Chinese organisation is in the final stages of signing a deal to join the IOC sponsorship family, according to SportBusiness. In 2023 the cooperation generated £19bn and its subsidiaries [...]
Paris 2024 Olympic medals to be replaced after they flake and rust January 21, 2025 Red-faced Olympics chiefs have pledged to replace defective medals from the Paris 2024 Games after more than 100 athletes complained that they have begun to flake and rust. Just days after the closing ceremony, disgruntled athletes began sharing pictures of their damaged medals on social media and demanding they be replaced. American skateboarder Nyjah Huston [...]
Battle for IOC presidency needs rigorous candidate tests January 2, 2025 The position of president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) isn’t quite the leadership of the free world, but is arguably more influential on the global stage than the heads of many nations, both free and not-so-free. It comes with far fewer constraints on the post-holder’s power too. Little wonder that seven sporting presidents, vice-presidents, [...]
Olympic chiefs lose another sponsor as Bridgestone makes tracks October 1, 2024 Tyre maker Bridgestone has become the latest key sponsor to cut ties with the International Olympic Committee. Bridgestone said it would not be renewing its contract as a TOP partner, estimated to be worth £255m, when the deal expires at the end of the year. It follows fellow Japanese brands Toyota and Panasonic in exiting [...]
Ed Warner: Seb Coe, Gary Glitter and the most powerful job in sport September 19, 2024 Seb Coe, newly confirmed as one of seven candidates for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is regarded as a serial vote winner. It wasn’t always thus. Witness his single term in office as the MP for Falmouth and Camborne in Cornwall, ousted by Candy Atherton as Labour swept to power in 1997. [...]
Olympics’ switch to pay TV triggered big rise in illegal streaming of Paris 2024 August 27, 2024 The IOC's move has caused frustration among some fans at being denied immediate access to sport that has historically been available on free-to-air channels.