Formula 1 and The Hundred offer lessons in governance for fragmented likes of rugby Sport Business To succeed, sports need governance structures that empower one entity to steer it, as in Formula 1, The Hundred and SailGP, writes Nevin Truesdale. The increasing commercialisation of sport has seen historical governance structures come under scrutiny. As in any business, governance structures are central to the ability to evolve in response to a changing [...]
Surrey close £60m Oval Invincibles deal with Reliance after eight months Sport Business Surrey have finally exchanged contracts with Reliance Industries over the shareholders’ agreement governing their new partnership in the Oval-based Hundred team after almost eight months of negotiations. The Mumbai Indians owners agreed to pay £60m for 49 per cent of the franchise in February, but talks over the finer details of the deal have been [...]
BBC facing fight to retain £60m Wimbledon broadcast rights Sport Business The BBC faces the prospect of having to significantly increase its rights fee to the All England Club to extend their exclusive coverage of Wimbledon beyond 2027 amid increased competition for tennis amongst broadcasters. While Wimbledon’s status as a Category A “crown jewel” event means live coverage has to remain available on free-to-air channels, the [...]
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 [...]
London Spirit: Tech titans eye speedy Hundred deal to beat Trump tax rises June 25, 2025 English cricket is set to be an unlikely beneficiary of US President Donald Trump’s tax changes, with the so-called “tech titans” who are buying into London Spirit eager to complete the transaction before the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is rubber-stamped by Congress. One clause of the Republic-sponsored bill, now with the Senate having been [...]
Champ Rugby: English second tier gets rebrand and new format May 15, 2025 English rugby’s second tier will be rebranded Champ Rugby from next season and feature a six-team play-off system to determine a candidate for promotion. The rebrand sees the name of the competition change from the Championship and the introduction of a bold black, white and green visual identity. The division’s 14 sides will play each [...]
Ed Warner: Why our review calls for the RFU Council to be disbanded April 30, 2025 A review has called for the RFU Council to be disbanded. City AM columnist Ed Warner, who was part of the review panel, explains its conclusions. A number of readers have asked why I’ve been silent on the turmoil within English rugby in recent months. Resignation of the chair of the RFU; a special EGM [...]
RFU CEO Sweeney faces no confidence vote today March 27, 2025 Bill Sweeney could be ousted as Rugby Football Union chief executive this evening when member clubs vote on his future. Sweeney has been fighting for his future since the RFU’s latest accounts revealed he received a £1.1m pay package – including a £300,000 bonus – for the 2023 financial year despite the union making losses [...]
England rugby’s nutritionist on social media dangers and advising City traders March 24, 2025 Rugby fans watching England’s explosive renaissance at the recent Six Nations might have been left wondering just what they’d had for breakfast. One person who knows the answer is James Morehen, men’s performance nutritionist at the Rugby Football Union and part of a backroom team that has helped Steve Borthwick’s young side emerge from the [...]
England Rugby Travel: RFU joint venture goes into liquidation March 21, 2025 England Rugby Travel Limited, a venture involving rugby’s governing body the RFU, has gone into liquidation. The firm, based out of Twickenham Stadium (Allianz Stadium), provided fans with ticket packages and experience for England Rugby matches both home and away. Paul Ellison and Rob Keyes of KRE Corporate Recovery Limited have been appointed liquidators for [...]