Forget finishing the current seasons; this is a time for sport to ponder far bigger questions March 25, 2020 The now globally iconic slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On” was originally used on a 1939 British motivational poster, during the country’s preparations for World War II. With Covid-19’s outbreak and spread across Eurasia, much of British sport has appeared intent on summoning the spirit of this old poster. From the Cheltenham Festival to Champions [...]
Sports Direct hikes prices after store closures amid coronavirus crisis March 24, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct has reportedly hiked the price of some sports equipment by as much as 50 per cent amid the coronavirus crisis. The retailer has increased the price of exercise equipment such as skipping ropes and weights, according to documents seen by the Press Association. It comes on the same day Sports Direct [...]
UK coronavirus lockdown: Michael Gove warns of tougher punishments March 24, 2020 Michael Gove has criticised Mike Ashley for failing to close Sports Direct stores on the first day of the UK coronavirus lockdown, and warned of tougher punishments for flouting the public order to stay at home. The minister blasted Ashley’s argument that keeping Sports Direct stores open was crucial to help UK households “maintain a [...]
UK coronavirus lockdown: Sports Direct asks if staff count as key workers March 24, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct and Evans Cycles stores will now remain closed unless the government gives them permission to stay open during the UK coronavirus lockdown. Bosses earlier claimed the stores are vital to the health of the nation, giving staff so-called key worker status. Under new measures announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last [...]
ITV drops dividend and outlook as pandemic hits advertising March 23, 2020 ITV today ditched its dividend and outlook for the year as the coronavirus outbreak continues to decimate advertising revenue. The broadcaster said it would no longer propose a 5.4p per share dividend for 2019 at its upcoming annual general meeting, nor its 8p full-year payout for 2020. ITV said its decision to scrap the dividend [...]
Chancellor Rishi Sunak to announce wage bailout plan March 20, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce a massive wage bailout package today to battle the UK coronavirus outbreak. Business groups yesterday pressed the government to step in to help pay workers’ wages. They want protection for millions of jobs as the number of UK coronavirus cases spiked again. Britain’s death toll from coronavirus reached [...]
Frasers Group: Mike Ashley’s firm issues profit warning amid ‘significant disruption’ caused by coronavirus March 20, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has issued a profit warning this morning citing the “significant disruption” to business. Formerly Sports Direct, the retailer will no longer give guidance in relation to the current financial year. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the firm has seen reduced customer footfall to its brands’ stores, which includes House of Fraser, [...]
How is each Premier League club dealing with coronavirus? March 17, 2020 While Premier League football has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, top-flight clubs across England are taking differing approaches to first-team training. It was announced on Friday that the Premier League, English Football League and FA had called off all matches for the rest of this month and on Monday the UK government issued [...]
ITV shares drop despite £50m saving from Euro 2020 cancellation March 17, 2020 ITV today said the cancellation of the Euro 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak will save the broadcaster as much as £50m. Uefa this morning announced that its flagship national football competition will be pushed back by a year due to health concerns. ITV, which jointly holds the rights to the tournament alongside the BBC, [...]
Coronavirus sport updates LIVE: Wales v Scotland called off in dramatic U-turn as Premier League and EFL suspended March 13, 2020 Welcome to City A.M.’s live rundown of all the latest sporting events to be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Please refresh your browser for live updates. The Premier League, EFL and FA have decided to suspend all matches until early April following an emergency meeting this morning. A number of other sports, including two Six [...]