Mike Ashley appeal case confronts ‘unjust’ trademark claims April 21, 2026 Billionaire businessman Mike Ashley‘s company, Sports Direct, is back before the court today as it seeks to challenge damages awarded in a trademark infringement claim. The appeal follows a long-running dispute between Sports Direct and the Beverly Hills Polo Club brand, owned and managed by Lifestyle Equities, which claimed Sports Direct had infringed its trademark through products [...]
The cult of cute: The strange drama of corporate mascots April 21, 2026 While they remind us of our childhoods, mascots are as much a part of corporate culture as ever. Simon Coates asks why Last winter the language learning app Duolingo announced the death of its cartoon mascot, Duo the Owl. Duo had died, they said, after being hit by a car while he was waiting for [...]
What next for LIV Golf and Newcastle United after Saudi PIF strategy shift? April 18, 2026 With Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund updating its strategy, what next for the PIF-owned Newcastle United and LIV Golf? Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund last week published the latest iteration of its Vision strategy, which will cover the remainder of the decade. The strategy’s publication had been expected for some time. When the last planning [...]
The golden boy: What we can learn from the late Henry Kelly April 16, 2026 If you’re of a certain age – by which I mean at least in your 40s – you may have memories of wasting afternoons watching the extraordinary Reg Grundy-produced Euroquiz Going for Gold. Its genius loci was an affable Irishman called Henry Kelly, a man whom you suspected of having a different brass-buttoned blazer for [...]
Neville rivals Lineker media empire after The Overlap buys out YouTuber Goldbridge April 14, 2026 Gary Neville is continuing to follow fellow former footballer Gary Lineker’s media empire-building after his network, The Overlap, acquired Manchester United YouTuber Mark Goldbridge’s fan channels. The deal, reported to be worth seven figures, sees ex-United and England defender turned pundit Neville join forces with Goldbridge, a 47-year-old former police officer who has become the [...]
New insurance products for female sports stars must cover fertility care April 12, 2026 With changes to insurance products for female sports stars incoming, Dr Mireia Galian says women can’t be undermined though a lack of consideration for fertility support Maintaining good health and wellbeing goes hand in hand with performance for elite athletes. But for women, there’s an added layer. Women’s health and biology – such as natural [...]
Betfred Grand National Offer: 6 Extra Places on the Grand National 2026 April 9, 2026 Are you looking to place a bet on the Grand National and wondering which bookmaker has the best offer for the big race? Then look no further than Betfred and its exciting Grand National promotion, which is offering 6 extra places on the 2026 Grand National. In this expert review, users can learn all about [...]
Woods to McIlroy: How Tiger Slam at Masters reshaped economics of sport April 7, 2026 Ahead of the Masters, Nick Keller marks 25 years since Tiger Woods won the Tiger Slam and sports consumption changed forever. When Tiger Woods completed the ‘Tiger Slam’ in 2001 – holding all four major championships at once – it wasn’t just a sporting achievement. It was a cultural marker for how modern sport would [...]
Beyond the beach: exploring fabulous Creole culture in the Seychelles April 2, 2026 With their unique wildlife, jungle-meets-beach landscape and year-round warmth it is easy to see why the Seychelles are popular with sun-seekers. You would be mistaken, however, if you thought a trip here was your average beach vacation. The Creole culture is central to this collection of islands off the coast of East Africa and the [...]
Premier League +, VPN piracy and lessons from Norway and France March 28, 2026 The Premier League is built on its precious media rights but will its new streaming service be susceptible to the piracy that just scuppered a similar service in Norway? In less than five months’ time the Premier League will take one of the most significant steps in its history when it launches its own direct-to-consumer [...]