By: Matt Hardy

Deputy Sports Editor - City AM Matt Hardy is the City AM Deputy Sports Editor with a specialism in the business of sport. He covers the likes of rugby, cricket, sporting investment and venture capital funds; while also being across golf, cricket, and the politics of sport.

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Padel firm founder calls for operators to lower court rental costs

September 20, 2025

The founder of a major padel tournament organiser has called upon court owners to “be responsible” and lower the price of rental rates for the popular sport. The boom of padel in recent years has seen demand to play outweigh the supply of courts, despite the United Kingdom this year passing the 1,000 court threshold. [...]
Mercury13 acquires Bristol City as fund expands into English football

September 18, 2025

Women’s football investment fund Mercury13 has entered the English market, acquiring a majority stake in second tier Bristol City Women. The Juan Mata and Giorgio Chiellini-backed investment vehicle is adding to its portfolio, which counts FC Como Women as its crown jewel, by forging a presence in the West Country. The deal, subject to league [...]
TNT Sports in discussions for rugby union Nations Cup

September 18, 2025

TNT Sports are in discussions to broadcast the inaugural Nations Cup as the firm looks to grow its rugby union offering. The organisation, formerly BT Sport, currently shows the English top flight Gallagher Prem, which begins next week, as part of a broadcast deal that runs through until 2031. And having dropped the Investec Champions [...]
Trump tariffs forcing sports firms to be more flexible with supply chain

September 17, 2025

Sports merchandise and apparel firms are being forced to be more flexible due to President Donald Trump’s ever-changing tariff policies, according to a leading investment bank. Moves by Trump have impacted the share price of major firms in the sporting space, while US import costs for merchandise made in high tariff countries is hitting the [...]
Como 1907 partners with Stokes-backed Players Fund

September 17, 2025

Serie A club Como 1907 has launched a startup and investment platform powered by the Ben Stokes-backed Players Fund. Como Ventures will use the athlete-led venture capital firm – which enjoys the likes of Jessica Ennis-Hill, Stuart Broad and Allyson Felix as investors – to help create a “founder-first launchpad”, which will see start-ups “gain [...]
Raine Group: Inside bank behind Chelsea, Man United and Hundred deals

September 17, 2025

When a team or sporting entity changes hands, those doing the buying and selling usually command the headlines and screentime; think the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, or Roman Abramovich and Todd Boehly. But these well-known individuals could not complete their often multi-billion-pound transactions on their own. Enter, then, the Raine Group, the advisory [...]
Brady set for return to football field in Riyadh Season appearance

September 16, 2025

NFL legend Tom Brady will return to the football field after signing a deal to appear in the 2026 edition of Riyadh Season. The seven-time Super Bowl champion and co-owner of English Championship side Birmingham City will join forces with Turki Alalshikh, digital sports platform Fanatics, OBB Media and Fox Sports to produce a flag [...]
Millions on line for Premier League clubs in Champions League this week

September 16, 2025

Premier League clubs in the Champions League will be playing for £2m apiece this week as the group stages get underway across the continent. Increased prize money offerings in the top flight of European football will this year pay out £2m for a group stage win, while there’s a touch over £600,000 on offer for [...]
Spanish PM Sanchez calls for Israel ban from international sport

September 15, 2025

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has called on Israel to be banned from international sport following disruption to the Vuelta a Espana. It comes after pro-Palestine protestors caused the cycling race to be concluded prematurely at the weekend over anger surrounding the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team, which is privately rather than state-owned. The [...]
London Broncos to bring in NRL internationals in overhaul

September 15, 2025

London Broncos have revealed plans to bring in at least six international players from the NRL after confirming a change in ownership at the rugby league side. Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer is leading the takeover, alongside mining veteran Grant Wechsel and Gary Hetherington, formerly of Leeds Rhinos, in a bid which they’re hoping will [...]

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By: Matt Hardy

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