The generation game: How sport should prevent young people deserting it December 30, 2024 Are young people into sport anymore? It’s a question we are hearing more and more often, and one that is causing a concern for some leaders. So should they be worried? Gen Z (born 1996-2010) are half as likely to describe themselves as passionate sports fans, compared to Millennials (born 1980-1995). Their traditional viewership also [...]
2025 must be the year of the partnership disruptor in sport December 29, 2024 Hardcore boxing fans may have felt sucker punched with the underwhelming Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul bout earlier this year. But it delivered knockout results for streaming giant Netflix and established a new contender in sports partnerships. It was an unexpectedly bold and wildly successful move for Netflix, crowning them as the surprise new champ [...]
The three sport business trends you need to watch in 2025 December 27, 2024 Every other prediction piece you’ll read, across any industry, will attempt to explain what the impact of AI will be on that sector over the coming year. Most answers will be variations on Hemingway’s theme. AI will end up taking over. Gradually and then suddenly. So, to avoid giving the likes of Chat GPT too [...]
The best and worst sports marketing campaigns of 2024 December 25, 2024 In the true Christmas spirit of judging others, I’ve looked at my favourite – and not so favourite – sports marketing campaigns of 2024. I had planned to hand out awards with categories based on the startling number of current football pundits who were in Graham Taylor’s Euro 92 England squad. The Gary Lineker Award [...]
Hit or miss? The best and worst football club Christmas adverts December 22, 2024 Creative type Steve Howell casts his critical eye over Christmas adverts produced by Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham and Celtic. Think of a Christmas advert and your mind may conjure memories of “A dog is for life…” or any number of classic John Lewis commercials that have become synonymous with this time of year. Whatever brand [...]
What to expect from sports law in 2025: Man City, Saudi and the ‘unlikely MVP’ December 21, 2024 What will the big talking points be in sports law in 2025? We asked the experts at one of the industry’s top firms. This year will be remembered as one in which key sporting decisions were made in the courtroom rather than the boardroom. With the Football Governance Bill, ongoing financial regulatory disputes, and the [...]
Everton takeover confirmed but Friedkin Group has warning for fans December 19, 2024 Everton’s new owner, the Friedkin Group, has warned “it will take time” to make them successful again after completing their long-awaited takeover. The deal will bring stability to the nine-time English champions following years of financial distress, new executive chairman Marc Watts said. But he added that turning Everton from relegation-threatened strugglers back into a [...]
Ed Warner: Why the anti-doping fight desperately needs a shot in the arm December 19, 2024 Confirmation that Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a routine anti-doping test must rightly trigger the usual essential caveats. Chelsea’s Ukrainian winger has only been provisionally suspended. This is simply the start of a process with the facts to be established and the outcome far from certain. What is clear is that Mudryk’s case will be another [...]
Fifa president branded ‘a chancer’ over £1,750 Club World Cup tickets December 18, 2024 Fifa has been slammed by football fans after the first ticket prices for next year’s Club World Cup were published, with the cheapest seats available for the final costing £700 ($890). The prices, listed on Bayern Munich’s website, go up to £1,755 ($2,230) for lower-tier seats at the final, which will be played at the [...]
Former NBA owner invests in $100m women’s football multi-club group December 18, 2024 The move will see World Cup and Olympic gold winning former US women’s international Lauren Holiday join the board of Mercury/13.