How club revenue turns Champions Cup into cash of the titans April 4, 2025 This weekend’s Investec Champions Cup round of 16 may be about getting the win in one of Europe’s most iconic stadiums, but in reality competitions such as this – seen by many as the top club rugby competition in the world – can have a monumental impact on rugby finances. The classic cliches in rugby [...]
Fifa president Infantino ‘cheering’ for Russia’s return to football April 3, 2025 Fifa president Gianni Infantino wants Russia to return to world football as part of a peace pact with Ukraine, saying it is “what we have to cheer for”. Russia have effectively been barred from Fifa and Uefa club and national team competitions at all levels since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The US is [...]
Which English teams can win this weekend in the Investec Champions Cup? April 3, 2025 There’s always a fuzzy feeling when the Investec Champions Cup returns to the calendar, especially during the knockout stages. There are six French teams, five English sides and five URC outfits left in the competition but I do fear for the Gallagher Premiership contingent this weekend. Usually the five competing teams – Northampton Saints, Saracens, [...]
England Rugby captain Itoje sees £1m jump in wealth April 3, 2025 England Rugby captain Maro Itoje has seen his wealth jump by nearly £1m, according to his company’s latest accounts. Oghene Limited, whose sole director is England captain Itoje, saw total assets rise from £2.6m to £3.4m in the year to 30 June 2024. The Saracens forward is one of the highest paid players at his [...]
UK to host first Fifa World Cup since 1966 triumph April 3, 2025 The United Kingdom’s 2035 Fifa Women’s World Cup bid is the only “valid” application, according to Fifa. The organisation’s chief Gianni Infantino admitted at the Fifa Congress that it’s the “one valid bid” following the submission deadline. “I can confirm that we have received one bid for 2031, and one valid bid for 2035,” Infantino [...]
Next Wimbledon development to begin in 2026 April 3, 2025 The next development at Wimbledon will begin next year, the All England Club confirmed on Thursday. The SW19 site will soon look to expand its footprint into the adjacent golf course in a development that will include a third show court to accompany Centre Court and No1. Court. But the next series of works to [...]
Dazn’s Pete Oliver on growth, ‘insane’ fights, boxing’s golden era and TKO April 3, 2025 Dazn’s CEO of Growth Markets Pete Oliver is bullish about the sports streamer’s growth as it leans into boxing and its Saudi relationship – and, he says, Dana White’s TKO is welcome. What’s the only thing crazier than stopping rush hour traffic in downtown New York City to stage a high-profile boxing event in Times [...]
Why the 2026 World Cup could help the USL to relegate MLS April 3, 2025 The United Soccer League is challenging MLS for US supremacy. If the 2026 World Cup is a hit, the USL’s pro-rel gamble may just pay off, says Ed Warner. Qualifying is well under way for the 2026 World Cup. Four countries have already booked their places to add to the trio of North American hosts. [...]
Exclusive: Hundred franchises could do own sponsorship deals April 2, 2025 Teams in the Hundred could soon be allowed to negotiate their own front-of-shirt sponsorship deals, as the England and Wales Cricket Board, counties and prospective investors finalise the sale process. The ECB struck deals to sell 49 per cent stakes in the eight Hundred franchises to a variety of international investors earlier this year in [...]
Zak Brown admits cynically using Red Bull F1 Horner investigation April 2, 2025 McLaren team principal Zak Brown has admitted to cynically using Red Bull’s 2024 investigation of Christian Horner to destabilise their Formula 1 rivals. Horner was accused of sending inappropriate messages to a Red Bull colleague, something he denied and was cleared of by an independent investigation last year. The news played a part in the [...]