Taking flight: Inside the rise and rise of darts – and where the sport is heading next May 15, 2023 “More people in this country know who Michael van Gerwen is – a darts player from the Netherlands – than who the fastest British man and woman are,” declares Matt Porter, chief executive of the Professional Darts Corporation. Porter might have a dog in that particular fight but he is on the money about the [...]
LIV Golf Tulsa: Dustin Johnson rediscovers winning touch ahead of US PGA May 15, 2023 Former world No1 Dustin Johnson toasted a timely return to form after warming up for this week’s US PGA Championship by winning the LIV Golf League event in Tulsa on Sunday. Johnson beat Open champion Cameron Smith and South Africa’s Branden Grace in a three-man play-off in Oklahoma to claim the $4m (£3.2m) first prize. [...]
London brawling: Why the city has become a combat sports capital again May 15, 2023 Wrestling and MMA have followed boxing in staging huge shows in London this summer, cementing the city’s reputation as a leading destination for combat sports’ biggest events. An earthquake hit the world of professional wrestling earlier this month and its epicentre was London. All Elite Wrestling, formed to compete with the all-conquering World Wrestling Entertainment, [...]
Women’s FA Cup final prize money and how it compares to men’s FA Cup May 13, 2023 The winners of the Women’s FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United on Sunday are in line to receive record sums thanks to a major boost to prize money. There is £100,000 on offer to whichever team lifts the trophy at Wembley, where Chelsea will be looking to triumph for a third year in [...]
Chelsea respond to supporters’ warning with season ticket price decision May 11, 2023 Chelsea have bucked the Premier League trend and announced a freeze on their cheapest general admission season ticket prices for next season. The majority of teams in English football’s top division, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, have hiked their prices for the 2023-24 campaign. But Chelsea chiefs have decided to maintain their [...]
Back-to-back Jacksonville Jaguars games pave way for London NFL franchise May 10, 2023 The NFL is stepping up preparations for a possible London franchise by handing the Jacksonville Jaguars a historic double-header in the capital later this year. The Jags, who have staged a game in London every year since 2013, will become the first NFL team to play two fixtures in consecutive weeks outside the United States. [...]
Qatari bidder Sheikh Jassim rules out Manchester United move for Lionel Messi May 10, 2023 Manchester United will not make any attempt to sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer this summer if Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani buys the club. Messi, 35, is due to leave Paris Saint-Germain next month when his contract with the Qatar-owned French champions expires. His availability has sparked a €1bn scramble for his [...]
Ed Warner: English cricket must accept that The Hundred is dead in the water May 4, 2023 England gave cricket to the world. It followed up with the generous present of T20. The Hundred, though, remains a gift unwrapped and a spurned England and Wales Cricket Board is now scrambling to secure its place in the crowded T20 world market. It’s not too melodramatic to say that the future of first class [...]
Play it again, Sam: Leeds confirm Allardyce appointment for four-game rescue mission May 3, 2023 Leeds United have confirmed the appointment of former England manager Sam Allardyce in a bid to swerve relegation from the Premier League. Allardyce becomes the club’s third manager this season and replaces Javi Gracia, who has been sacked after winning just three times in his 12 games. Leeds currently sit 17th in the Premier League, [...]
English football eyes change to post-Brexit transfers – here’s what it means May 2, 2023 For better or for worse remains to be seen, but Brexit’s impact on English football has changed the game for how teams now operate in the transfer market. Clubs now face various legal hurdles and visa requirements to get international talent in their colours, with immigration rules allowing teams to sponsor an elite player who [...]