In 2016, the global ambitions of the NFL and NBA are an example for every sports organisation to follow February 6, 2016 In the $100bn (£68.7bn) global sports industry, teams must think of themselves as technology companies as well as traditional sports businesses. In a competitive, borderless marketplace, the success and growth of individual sports teams is increasingly dependent on them being able to build an international community of fans. Successful sports teams now operate like a [...]
Rangers say goodbye to Mike Ashley: Club formally gives notice to end relationship with Sports Direct February 5, 2016 Rangers are looking to bring their tumultuous relationship with Sports Direct to a close by formally giving notice to the Mike Ashley-owned company to end their commercial partnership – yet the two companies could still be tied together until 2023. In a letter to supporters, club chairman Dave King said he had immediately written to Sports Direct [...]
Sports technology: How open data can help Britain end the scourge of physical inactivity February 4, 2016 Physical inactivity is the fourth largest cause of disease and disability and is responsible for one in six deaths in the UK – it has as great an impact on our mortality as smoking, according to Public Health England. It affects individuals and their families, businesses who are dependent on a healthy workforce, and our [...]
Findel dashes Mike Ashley’s hopes after selling Kitbag to American buyer February 2, 2016 Findel has offloaded its replica football shirt business Kitbag to an American firm for £11.6m, putting an end to Mike Ashley’s hopes of buying the subsidiary. The home shopping retailer said it has completed the sale to Fanatics, a US sportswear firm, more than a year after putting the sports strip retailer on the market. [...]
Bayern Munich beat Manchester United and Barcelona in social media race to win over Chinese football fans January 28, 2016 German giants Bayern Munich are engaging China's football fans through digital media more successfully than any other football club, according to a new report. With millions of potential fans to be found in the increasingly football-focused country, leading football clubs have all built a presence in the country its digital sphere. An annual index from [...]
FTSE 100 ends the week in a party mood as oil stocks jump January 22, 2016 After a week of turmoil, the FTSE 100 finished Friday on an upbeat note, closing 2.2 per cent higher, at 5,900 points. Other European stocks followed suit, with the French Cac finishing more than three per cent higher, and the German Dax ending almost two per cent higher. The news followed a bounce in oil prices, with [...]
Rangers: Blow for Mike Ashley and Sports Direct as club chairman Dave King is cleared of contempt of court January 22, 2016 Rangers chairman Dave King has been cleared of contempt of court at the High Court over his legal dealings with Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley. Mr Justice Peter Smith threw out the charge and said the fact it had been made was an abuse of the process. King had been accused of committing contempt for [...]
The tradition of Christmas shopping on the high street could be about to come to an end January 20, 2016 We’ve come to that time in the New Year when retailers and investors alike look back on the data accumulated by shops throughout the Christmas season. Next was the first retailer to release the data and it wasn’t great news – either for them or for other high street retailers, as we had disappointing updates from everyone from [...]
MySale shares jump as flash sales website backed by Sir Philip Green swings back into profit January 19, 2016 MySale, the Australian flash sales website 25 per cent owned by Sir Philip Green's wife Tina, has swung back into profit in the first half after blaming marketing and expansion costs for posting heavy losses last year. The UK-listed online fashion retailer, which operates in the UK, New Zealand, and Asia, as well as Australia, [...]
Football supporters’ groups given government backing and extra £1m funding from Premier League in new report January 19, 2016 Premier League and Football League clubs have been instructed by the government to consult more regularly with supporters' groups in a new report. Clubs should meet with fans' groups at least twice a year and consult them on any major changes to the club's identity such as a colour change, new club crest or relocating [...]