It’s D-Day for Champions League’s new format. So has it worked? January 28, 2025 When Uefa revealed its new format for the Champions League, it was with injecting more excitement and unpredictability in mind. Specifically, a stale group phase would be replaced with a ‘Swiss model’ league phase that promised more games between top teams and – crucially – a more competitive product. Notwithstanding the fact that Manchester City [...]
Top executives back sport clubs and tech as attractive investments January 28, 2025 Over two thirds of business executives see clubs and franchises as the most attractive investment opportunity over the next half-decade, new research has revealed. Over a quarter of executives asked instead said leagues and federations were preferred while nearly one fifth favoured participation events, according to Altman Solon’s Global Sports Survey. It is a tonic [...]
Can rugby union and the Six Nations survive behind TNT paywall? January 28, 2025 For the next two months, up and down the country, you’ll walk into the pub when the Premier League is supposed to be on and instead see Six Nations rugby. It is testament to the reach of a tournament that, despite football being the national sport, kicks off its rivals for the bumper Saturday and [...]
Barclays becomes main sponsor of Lord’s and MCC January 27, 2025 Barclays has expanded its sports sponsorship portfolio by becoming principal partner of Lord’s Cricket Ground and its owner, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The multi-year partnership, effective immediately, sees the Home of Cricket’s iconic Media Centre renamed the Barclays Media Centre. It will also mean the bank making “one of the largest ever donations” to the [...]
Marlborough Sports Garden: A £5m project to boost the City January 25, 2025 Marlborough Sports Garden in Southwark is a crucial space for Londoners. Looking to raise £5m for an inspiring development, why should the City get involved? Hyacinthe Loyson, a French preacher from the mid 1800s, is described by historians as one of the early users of a phrase that continues to be recited today. “Good people [...]
HSBC Championships: Bank replaces Cinch as Queen’s Club sponsor January 23, 2025 HSBC has doubled down on tennis by taking title sponsorship of the new combined men’s and women’s championships at Queen’s Club. The bank, which already counts Emma Raducanu and Tim Henman as ambassadors, has signed a four-year agreement with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). This year the traditional pre-Wimbledon event in west London will add [...]
Clear and simple calendars like NFL, not tennis, should be applauded in sport January 23, 2025 The NFL, unlike tennis, should be applauded for its clear and simple sport calendar that sees athletes thrive, writes Ed Warner. Naomi Osaka, Gael Monfils, Jack Draper. Each retired from the Australian Open mid-match. No substitutes bench in tennis, so the ultimate anticlimax for spectators. Injuries are an occupational hazard, but across sport the sheer [...]
Matt Dawson joins Clive Woodward-backed Seat Unique January 19, 2025 England’s Rugby World Cup winning scrum-half Matt Dawson has joined premium ticketing firm Seat Unique, which is backed by his former coach Sir Clive Woodward. Seat Unique have tapped up the former international as a business advisor to help the start-up penetrate into new markets, including the English rugby space and beyond. The platform has [...]
Investment firm Sixth Street poach FA bigwig of 20 years January 17, 2025 Investment giant Sixth Street has poached former FA Women’s Technical Director Kay Cossington to take up a new role with the US organisation. Cossington, who has been with the FA for two decades, will become Sixth Street’s Head of Global Women’s Football and serve as chief executive of Bay Collective, a multi-club organisation under Sixth [...]
Howden: Insurance giant expands sport portfolio with SailGP sponsorship January 16, 2025 Insurance giant Howden this morning expanded their sports sponsorship portfolio, announcing a three-year partnership with SailGP team Emirates GBR. The group, headquartered at One Creechurch Place, will see Sir Ben Ainslie’s sailing team join their roster of sporting sponsorships, which include the British and Irish Lions, Ascot Racecourse, Victoria Racing Club in Australia and the [...]