Sky under threat as BT takes fight to football rights June 14, 2012 BSKYB’S delight at remaining the primary broadcaster for live football in the UK is not unreserved. Increased competition from the likes of Al Jazeera and ESPN has forced it to pay handsomely for the privilege, and the entry of BT into the market threatens its pre-eminence more powerfully than any of its previous competitors have [...]
BSkyB and BT spent £3bn to show Premier League June 14, 2012 Shares in BskyB and BT have fallen after markets reacted to their decision to pay £3bn to receive legal rights to broadcast English Premier League football. BSky’s shares fell by seven per cent and BT’s by three per cent. BT is to show 38 games a season in 2013-14 and the remaining 116 games will [...]
Eurozone concerns and football bid war keep FTSE pinned back June 14, 2012 The FTSE 100 fell back in early trading, reversing the previous session’s gains, with Eurozone concerns dominating after Spain’s debt rating was downgraded and Italy faces up to a crucial bond auction. Last night credit ratings agency Moody’s slashed its rating on Spanish government debt by three notches to ‘Baa3’ from ‘A3’, saying the newly-approved [...]
Moyes in frame as Redknapp leaves Spurs June 13, 2012 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp’s reign came to an abrupt end last night. Redknapp and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy had been due to meet in an attempt to resolve increasingly tense discussions over a new contract. But rather than mend his differences with the north London club’s hierarchy, Redknapp has parted company with them, despite a [...]
Premier League’s £3bn TV bonanza June 13, 2012 BT shot into the lucrative world of Premier League football yesterday, splashing out £738m to share domestic rights with BSkyB as the cost of broadcasting live games rocketed by an eye-watering 70 per cent. Fierce competition for the rights, believed to have involved channels such as Al Jazeera and current holders ESPN, saw the price [...]
Man United drops Asia IPO for US June 13, 2012 Manchester United, the world’s best-supported football club, has ditched its plans for an Asian stock market flotation and is preparing to list in the United States, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. After first eyeing a Hong Kong IPO, the Premier League runners up, owned by the Glazer family, had planned a $1bn [...]
Rangers at risk of relegation with vote set for top flight clubs June 12, 2012 CRISIS-HIT Scottish giants Rangers could be made to start next season in the fourth tier after a creditors’ deal was sunk by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Their future in the top flight now rests in the hands of other Scottish Premier League clubs, who will vote on the matter, possibly as early as Monday. [...]
Powell seals dream transfer as United continue to strengthen June 12, 2012 MANCHESTER United have signed 18-year-old Crewe forward Nick Powell for an undisclosed fee believed to be an initial £3m. Powell last season scored 16 goals in 45 matches to attract Premier League interest and has, to the obvious pleasure of manager Sir Alex Ferguson, signed a four-year contract with United, though he will not return [...]
Hughton hopeful over Norwich despite daunting Lambert legacy June 7, 2012 NORWICH City’s new manager Chris Hughton admits it will be difficult to replace predecessor Paul Lambert, though he is relishing the challenge regardless. Hughton was yesterday confirmed as Lambert’s successor after the latter left to join Aston Villa following three successful seasons in which he established Norwich in the top tier, but Hughton is adamant [...]
Chelsea lose in £400m battle for Battersea June 7, 2012 HE MAY have earned a reputation for gazumping rivals in the football transfer market, but this time billionaire Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is the one who has been outbid. Abramovich had hoped to move the recent Champions League winners across the Thames to Battersea Power Station but yesterday saw his plans effectively sunk by a [...]