Fifa suffers legal setback just weeks before 2026 World Cup kick-off May 8, 2026 Fifa has suffered a legal blow just weeks before the World Cup after the French footballers’ union UNFP achieved a landmark decision in the European courts. The UNFP has successfully advanced a complaint about the health and safety of players’ working conditions and a lack of collective bargaining as a result of decisions made by [...]
Wimbledon to serve strawberry flavoured fried chicken May 8, 2026 Strawberries and cream have been synonymous with the Wimbledon tennis Championships ever since the very first tournament in 1877, when the fruit was served to around 200 spectactors. These days some two million strawberries are served across the 14 days of the Championships, equating to almost 40 tonnes of the fruit. The All England Lawn [...]
In defence of Bristol Bears CEO Tom Tainton’s rugby marketing comments May 8, 2026 “At Bristol Bears, we don’t call ourselves a rugby club. We are a marketing agency that plays rugby. Yes, our players have to be competent and able to deliver on the field, but if they are not bringing any value off the field, that genuinely factors into our recruitment conversations.” Those were the words of [...]
Sports industry braced for media rights dip, PwC report warns May 8, 2026 Sport bosses have warned that media rights are set to fall in value and can no longer be relied upon to drive growth across the industry. PwC’s Global Sports Survey of more than 500 senior executives found that growth was expected in all streams in the next three to five years, except media rights. Even [...]
Surj reiterates sports commitments following PIF’s partial retreat May 7, 2026 Surj Sports Investment has reiterated its commitment to its stakes in ATP tennis, T100 triathlon and broadcaster Dazn in the wake of cuts to some Saudi-backed events. LIV Golf has been rocked by the withdrawal of further financial support from the Public Investment Fund, while Saudi Arabia has also axed snooker and flag football competitions. [...]
Climbing handed £1.4m boost to LA 2028 Olympic medal push May 7, 2026 Climbing has received the biggest boost after UK Sport increased Team GB funding by £4m for the LA 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. Canoeing, para canoeing and visually impaired judo programmes have also received significant uplifts in funding but by far the biggest increase – £1.43m – has gone to climbing. Teenager Toby Roberts won gold [...]
Sir Dave Brailsford has left his role as director with Manchester United May 7, 2026 Sir Dave Brailsford has left his role as director with Manchester United just over two years after his Ineos pal Sir Jim Ratcliffe invested into the Premier League club. Brailsford has had a long-standing relationship with petrochemicals firm Ineos, having become team principal of the Ineos Grenadiers grand tour cycling team after its switch from [...]
LIV Golf’s decline leaves sport with more questions than answers May 7, 2026 LIV Golf. What was that all about? Ok, the past tense might be a bit harsh. But could anyone have the appetite and depth of pockets to rescue a venture that has burned through $5bn from the ignominy of collapse? Where too does this embarrassing failure leave Saudi Arabia and its sporting ambitions? Time has [...]
Is Mercedes-Benz’s $500m WTA Tour partnership value for money? May 7, 2026 With the deal between Mercedes-Benz and the WTA Tour well underway, Matt Hardy heads to Madrid to see if its value for money. The supermarket meal deal, the cost of an upgrade to business class, the Category A versus Category B match ticket; value for money is one of capitalism’s greatest dilemmas. It is a [...]
Cornish Pirates announce US investment into Champ Rugby team May 7, 2026 US investors have taken a stake in Champ Rugby club Cornish Pirates as English ovalball continues to be seen as an attractive asset class. The Cornish Pirates, who play their home games at Mennaye Field in Penzance, have become the first known English rugby union club to onboard major American investors. J. Kenneth Moritz and [...]