Premier League kicks off AI era with five-year Microsoft deal July 1, 2025 The Premier League has inked a five-year deal with Microsoft to overhaul how fans engage with the game. But the tie-up also tightens Big Tech’s grip on British sport, reigniting scrutiny over data use and monetisation. Under the agreement, Microsoft will become the League’s official cloud and AI partner, with its Copilot technology powering a [...]
BBC-owned Inside the Factory maker rakes in millions July 1, 2025 Turnover has spiked at the production company behind the likes of Inside the Factory which was taken over by the BBC in 2022, it has been revealed. Voltage TV has posted a turnover of £14.2m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2025, up from the £8.9m it achieved in its prior financial year. New [...]
West Ham announce betting sponsor year before gambling ban July 1, 2025 West Ham United has announced a sponsorship deal with bookmaker Boyle Sports one year out from a voluntary Premier League gambling ban. Clubs in England’s top flight have agreed to scrapping gambling brands as front-of-shirt sponsors from the 2026-27 season. Irish bookies Boyle Sports will replace Betway at the London Stadium. The multi-year deal will [...]
Surj Sports chief: Saudi parent PIF, investing and league focus July 1, 2025 Chief executive of Dazn investors Surj Sports Investments Danny Townsend discusses the state of the changing landscape. When Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund purchased Premier League club Newcastle United in 2021, Middle Eastern sports spending was thrust into the voyeuristic forefront of executive and fan consciousness. Since then Saudi Arabia has invested in a multitude [...]
Can Kemi Badenoch woo the City? July 1, 2025 The Conservative leader sits down with City AM’s City editor, Simon Hunt. The Labour government is gearing up for an anniversary. On 5 July, the party will have completed its first full year in office since it was kicked out in 2010. Having won last summer’s general election with a thumping majority of 411, Sir [...]
LeBron James opts into £38m contract as Lakers set for $10bn deal June 30, 2025 LeBron James is set to play in the Lakers’ new ownership era after opting into a £38m contract option. It will mean the 40-year-old, who turns 41 in December, will compete for the Los Angeles side for a 23rd season. The American is just 50 appearances short of Robert Parish’s NBA record, having played 1,562 [...]
Cannes Lions: Athletes, algorithms and the ascent of women’s sport June 27, 2025 At this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, sport didn’t just show up – it dominated. From athletes turned media moguls to billion-pound plays on women’s leagues, the message was clear: sport is now a strategic asset for marketers hungry for cultural relevance, real life interactions and experiences, and commercial return. The Sport Beach [...]
Southampton owner Solak steps up £170m fight with London fund June 26, 2025 Billionaire Southampton FC owner Dragan Solak has escalated a legal battle with London-based private equity fund BC Partners, which he says owes him and his business partners £170m. Solak has asked Dutch authorities to investigate what he calls a “serious governance crisis” at United Group, the telecoms and media business he founded but which is [...]
Chef Tom Sellers interviews former England player Joe Cole June 26, 2025 For our Chef’s Table series, Michelin starred chef Tom Sellers has lunch at his restaurant Story Cellar with former England player Joe Cole. They talk fatherhood, friendship and the future Tom Sellers: We’ve known each other for years now, do you remember when we first met? Joe Cole: Yeah – I came into Restaurant Story and we got [...]
Tony Bloom tips Hearts to break Old Firm after Brighton owner invests June 25, 2025 Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has vowed to loosen Celtic and Rangers’ grip on Scottish football after his £10m investment in Hearts was confirmed. Bloom has acquired a 29 per cent share in the Edinburgh club which confers no voting rights but comes with a non-executive director’s seat, which will be taken by [...]