Premier League broadcasting: What is the future of the 3pm kick-off and the TV blackout? September 13, 2018 Bob Lord, Burnley chairman between 1955 and 1981, was an outspoken voice in the national game and, among many things, a staunch critic of televised football. Fearing that a future of sports coverage being broadcast across England’s living rooms would drive down attendances and match-day revenue, he banned the BBC’s Match of the Day cameras [...]
Premiership takeover: A sports lawyer explains the questions rugby union clubs are pondering September 12, 2018 The shareholders of Premiership Rugby Ltd agreed on Tuesday that the sale of a majority stake to global private equity firm and former Formula One owners, CVC Capital Partners, is not their “preferred option”. The deal would have seen CVC purchase a 51 per cent stake in the Premiership for a reported £275m. The result [...]
Premiership takeover: A sports lawyer explains the questions rugby union clubs are pondering September 12, 2018 The shareholders of Premiership Rugby Ltd agreed on Tuesday that the sale of a majority stake to global private equity firm and former Formula One owners, CVC Capital Partners, is not their “preferred option”. The deal would have seen CVC purchase a 51 per cent stake in the Premiership for a reported £275m. The result [...]
Trevor Steven: Marcus Rashford shows England’s youngsters are being held back by lack of game time September 12, 2018 Marcus Rashford scored both goals and was the stand-out player in England’s defeat by Spain and win over Switzerland, but his performances also served to underline a growing problem. Rashford is undoubtedly a talent, but he doesn’t get on the field enough. He’s in a difficult situation at Manchester United: he’s not going to get [...]
Trevor Steven: Marcus Rashford shows England’s youngsters are being held back by lack of game time September 12, 2018 Marcus Rashford scored both goals and was the stand-out player in England’s defeat by Spain and win over Switzerland, but his performances also served to underline a growing problem. Rashford is undoubtedly a talent, but he doesn’t get on the field enough. He’s in a difficult situation at Manchester United: he’s not going to get [...]
The economic answer behind superstar salaries September 12, 2018 Rugby Union’s Premiership season is underway again. This is yet another professional sport which operates on the principles of socialism: the money all ends up in the pockets of what we might call the “workers”. In a sport which was allegedly only played by amateurs until the mid-1990s, earnings have boomed. The average salary in the [...]
PSG announce first blockchain partnership to increase fan engagement September 11, 2018 Paris Saint-Germain has today announced a new partnership deal with a blockchain platform, the first of its kind in world football. They have agreed a contract with Socios.com, an online voting website that looks to increase supporter engagement in football clubs while offering teams a chance to monetize their fanbase. The deal is part of [...]
Bitcoin takes fresh dive in two-day cryptocurrency crash September 6, 2018 The value of bitcoin has continued to slide today after a crash sparked by yesterday's rumours that Goldman Sachs has scrapped plans for a cryptocurrency trading desk. Bitcoin value slumped 15 per cent over two days to $6,405 (£4,950) after the investment bank reportedly cancelled plans to open the new desk. Read more: Goldman Sachs reportedly ditches [...]
Why Fifa and the Premier League are at odds over an imminent overhaul of the transfer market September 6, 2018 The great and the good of football head to London later this month to settle a contentious matter: the recipients of the 2018 instalment of Fifa’s The Best awards. But an even thornier topic is also set to be debated in the capital, with many of the game’s most influential stakeholders in town. The issue [...]
Uefa Nations League: Unpicking Europe’s new competition September 5, 2018 September means different things to different people. It can symbolise the start of a new school year, a grim occasion for teachers and children alike. It can also represent the harvest season for farmers, or the return of the Great British Bake Off – a clear moment of rejoicing across the nation. To football fans, [...]