Champions League and Europa League revenue: How much prize money and TV income will triumphant Liverpool, heartbroken Arsenal receive? May 4, 2018 Liverpool are in line for a €74m (£67.8m) windfall after reaching their first Champions League final for 11 years. Arsenal, meanwhile, stand to receive around €40m (£35m) after being dumped out of the Europa League in the semi-finals last night by Atletico Madrid. Jurgen Klopp’s side could even earn as much as €78m should they [...]
Leicester City deal helps Puma outstrip rivals Adidas and Nike in Brandwatch study May 3, 2018 Puma is outperforming bigger rivals Adidas and Nike to achieve the best return on investment from its football kit deals, according to a new study published today. The German sportswear manufacturer’s contracts with Leicester and Arsenal rank highest for value in Brandwatch’s Brand Visibility Report, which is based on data from social media. Every image [...]
Wembley sale: Questions over the FA’s valuation and need to sell, says its former commercial director May 1, 2018 As has been widely reported, the Football Association has received an offer from the American billionaire Shahid Khan to buy Wembley Stadium. Khan already owns an NFL franchise and Fulham FC, and is no stranger to football or London and the UK. Permission for the FA executive to develop the proposal has been granted by [...]
Fifa’s $25bn question: The radical offer to Gianni Infantino that could change the face of football April 30, 2018 If Fifa president Gianni Infantino gets his way, this summer’s World Cup in Russia could be the last of its kind before a major revamp of club and international football. Sepp Blatter’s successor convened an emergency Fifa Council meeting today to discuss a $25bn offer that the governing body has received from an investment group [...]
Sunderland axe Chris Coleman and announce sale of club to consortium headed by chairman of non-league Eastleigh April 29, 2018 Sunderland will begin life in English football’s third tier under new ownership after it was confirmed that the Black Cats have been sold to an international consortium headed by the chairman of non-league Eastleigh, Stewart Donald. The first casualty of the takeover, which requires ratification by the Football League, is former Wales manager Chris Coleman, [...]
DEBATE: With Comcast and Fox bidding over Sky, does it matter that it will be owned by a US company? April 27, 2018 With Comcast and Fox bidding over Sky, does it matter that it will be owned by a US company? Alastair Benn, editor of Reaction Weekend, says YES. Pre-Murdoch, the British media was a pretty conservative, comfortable place. There was a recognisable journalistic culture derived from the close proximity of newsroom, editor’s office, and printing press [...]
Fulham FC owner Shahid Khan poised to complete £800m deal for Wembley Stadium April 26, 2018 Fulham’s billionaire American owner Shahid Khan is understood to be ready to complete an audacious purchase of Wembley Stadium without delay if English football chiefs accept a deal valued at £800m. The Football Association (FA) is weighing up the offer, which was presented to the governing body’s board on Thursday and comprises a sum up [...]
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid: Arsene Wenger’s long and storied history of European disappointments – and his last shot at redemption April 25, 2018 While Arsene Wenger’s first match as Arsenal manager is officially listed as a 2-0 win against Blackburn at Ewood Park on 12 October 1996, it is almost forgotten that the Frenchman effectively took charge two games earlier. During half-time of a Uefa Cup fixture at Borussia Moenchengladbach, an impatient Wenger left his seat alongside David [...]
Trevor Steven: Gentleman Arsene Wenger is a one-off and I hope he gets a triumphant Europa League send-off April 24, 2018 It was the summer of 2008 and I was in Switzerland, where the European Championship was taking place, when I spotted a familiar figure across the hotel breakfast room. Although my spell at Marseille coincided with his time in charge of Monaco, I hadn’t really spoken to Arsene Wenger, but I admired him so I [...]
Arsenal signs deal with Warren Buffett-backed electric car firm BYD to become club’s official car and bus partner April 24, 2018 Arsenal has signed an agreement with Chinese firm BYD Auto for the electric car giant to become the football club’s official car and bus partner. BYD designs, develops and manufactures cars, buses, commercial vehicles and rail stock. It provides double-decker buses to Transport for London and employs more than 220,000 employees across five continents. The [...]