Week in Sportbiz: Bitcoin plunge hits chess grandmasters; ‘Stamford Beach’ stunt recalls Chelsea row; and Hundred teams get new spinners May 20, 2021 When is a $100,000 bonus not worth $100,000? That is a conundrum for the chess grandmasters taking part in the FTX Crypto Cup. The tournament, which features world champion Magnus Carlsen and starts this weekend, is offering a $320,000 prize to the winner – a record for an online chess event. But $100,000 of that [...]
Modernising Burnley: How ALK Capital plan to use artificial intelligence and a network of partner clubs to take the Clarets into a new era May 20, 2021 Think of Burnley FC and you think of target men, tigerish midfielders and hulking centre-backs. Of manager Sean Dyche’s gravelly tones. Of one of the Premier League’s less fashionable and most traditional clubs consistently outperforming more glamorous rivals with a defiantly no-nonsense brand of football. But for all that they have punched above their weight, [...]
FTSE 100 reshuffle: Are Royal Mail and ITV in pole position for promotion? May 19, 2021 Royal Mail and ITV look to be strong contenders for promotion to the index of the UK’s 100 biggest public companies during next month’s FTSE reshuffle. ITV, which has been boosted by the return of ad revenue, is considered a strong outsider to inch back into the top flight, according to analysis from Hargreaves Lansdown. [...]
Roy Hodgson set for emotional farewell to Crystal Palace fans after club confirm he will step down in the summer May 18, 2021 Crystal Palace have announced that Roy Hodgson will step down as manager at the end of the current season. The former England coach, 73, has been in charge at his boyhood club since 2017, during which time he has succeeded in keeping them in the Premier League. “After more than 45 years of coaching I [...]
Premier League and the race for European places: Which teams can still qualify for the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League? May 17, 2021 The Premier League title and relegation may have been decided, but with two rounds of games to go one important question remains: who will qualify for Europe? Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League places are still up for grabs ahead of Gameweek 37, which begins on Tuesday 18 May. That means Leicester City, [...]
Australian Open won’t move to Dubai or Doha in 2022 despite players’ reported opposition to quarantine May 17, 2021 Australian Open chiefs have denied reports that the tennis grand slam could be moved overseas next year. Players were forced to quarantine in hotels for 14 days before this year’s tournament as a Covid-19 precaution but are said to be unwilling to do so again in 2022. The Australian government’s prediction that borders will remain [...]
FA Cup Final: Thunderbolt strike by Youri Tielemans seals Leicester’s triumph over Chelsea May 15, 2021 Youri Tielemans’ thunderbolt strike sealed Leicester’s maiden FA Cup triumph with a gritty 1-0 win over Chelsea at Wembley this evening. The Belgian midfielder rifled an unstoppable effort into the top corner from 25 yards, as Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes put another genuine stamp on years of recent quality. Former Leicester full-back Ben Chilwell saw a [...]
Surrey Cricket boss to move on after transformative decade May 14, 2021 Surrey County Cricket Club Chief Exec Richard Gould is to leave the south London institution after a decade in charge. Gould will move on to the same role at Championship football club Bristol City. Surrey’s business model has been transformed under Gould’s tenure, with the year before the pandemic delivering record profits. Read more: Surrey [...]
London Covid test capacity spikes half a million a month as Prenetics boosts capacity May 13, 2021 Rapid test developer and manufacturer Prenetics has bolstered its London lab network ahead of its partnership with Virgin Atlantic where it will supply passengers with Covid-19 testing. With demand for rapid testing expected to soar in demand now that foreign travel will be allowed from 17 May and online booking platforms reporting a surge in interest for Vitamin D-doused destinations, the [...]
BT ramps up broadband target as pre-tax profit drops 23 per cent May 13, 2021 BT today said it would extend its full-fibre broadband network to 25m premises by the end of 2026. The provider aims to fund the 5m additional homes and businesses through a joint venture with other parties. It is thought the move, which could cost up to £50bn, will lead to as many as 7,000 new [...]