Fifa’s credibility is shot because it can’t decide what it wants to be Sport Business Does Fifa want football to be pure sporting competition floating serenely above politics, or a global force for peace? Its current approach is dumbing down, writes Matt Readman. On 21 June 1998, Iran faced the United States at the Fifa World Cup in what was billed as the most politically charged football match in history. Fifa later declared it the match that “football […]
Fifa’s credibility is shot because it can’t decide what it wants to be Sport Business Does Fifa want football to be pure sporting competition floating serenely above politics, or a global force for peace? Its current approach is dumbing down, writes Matt Readman. On 21 June 1998, Iran faced the United States at the Fifa World Cup in what was billed as the most politically charged football match in history. Fifa later declared it the match that “football […]
Italy Six Nations revival a lesson for Wales as England challenge awaits Sport Business In 2019 rugby in Italy was staring down the barrel of extinction: three home Six Nations matches at their 70,500-capacity Stadio Olimpico drew crowds of just 38,500 versus Wales, 49,700 against Ireland and 48,800 for their match against France. Fast forward to 2026, however, having just beaten Scotland in front of 68,200 fans Italy will […]
Hundred cricket stake sales help Glamorgan clear debts Sport Business Glamorgan’s sale of a stake in The Hundred franchise Welsh Fire has wiped the county cricket club’s debts, despite making a loss last year. The England and Wales Cricket Board sold eight minority stakes in eight Hundred franchises, handing the majority stakes to host counties. Glamorgan’s divestment saw them enter into a 50-50 partnership with […]
Marketing win for Prem Rugby would be Andy Farrell at Saracens Sport Business Andy Farrell dropping Sam Prendergast for Ireland’s clash with England in the Six Nations this Saturday is a ballsy move. But the next time Farrell travels to Allianz Stadium, after this weekend, could be in a Prem Rugby final as a key cog in the Saracens machine. Because I am one of the growing number […]
Formula 1 presents creativity conundrum for brands and sponsors Sport Business They know how to make noise in Formula 1. This week, motorsport’s premier championship explodes back into life across its ever-expanding media universe. Twenty-four high-glamour race weekends, driving peerless broadcast innovation. A mould-breaking, news-making Netflix docuseries. An official film starring Brad Pitt, the highest-grossing sports movie ever made and an Oscar nominee to boot. More […]
New York Knicks could be first publicly traded NBA team in 24 years Sport Business The New York Knicks could become the first NBA team in more than 20 years to be publicly traded under proposals being considered by their current owners. New York Stock Exchange-traded Madison Square Garden Sports Corp currently holds both the Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers but could split them into two separate listed […]
Emirates boss on Arsenal stadium, leaving F1 and NBA Europe Sport Business Matt Hardy talks sponsorship and strategy with the executive vice president of corporate communications, marketing and brand at global airline Emirates. At the end of the Premier League season 11 teams will be forced to change their front-of-shirt sponsor and, for some sides, the brand on their strip is synonymous with a particular era of […]
Premier League facing Easter weekend football blackout Sport Business The Premier League and Championship are set to voluntarily be without football over an Easter weekend for the first time this century. Football’s global governing body Fifa has modified the 2027 spring international break to include Good Friday and Easter Monday next March in a move that will hit the two top tiers of English […]