Why athletics needs a silver bullet in the form of private investment September 30, 2021 The results are just in, and they don’t make for easy reading. World Athletics posted a small financial surplus in 2020, but only because Russia coughed up a fine for its doping misdemeanours. W hat’s worrying is the long steady decline in the reserves of track and field’s governing body. For the sake of the [...]
Defeated but not deflated: Anthony Joshua thanks London after stunning loss to Oleksandr Usyk September 26, 2021 Anthony Joshua took to social media hours after his reign as world heavyweight champion was ended and a ‘Battle of Britain’ against Tyson Fury is in tatters following Oleksandr Usyk’s stunning win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Joshua said his world “is crumbling in front you” but he urged fans to be positive and thanked them [...]
Emma Raducanu capitalises on US Open success with Tiffany & Co sponsorship deal September 23, 2021 Emma Raducanu has signed the first major sponsorship deal since her breakthrough success at the US Open, with jeweller Tiffany & Co. The 18-year-old British tennis sensation has been tipped to land a swathe of commercial deals after producing one of sport’s most remarkable storylines at the grand slam earlier this month. Raducanu wore Tiffany [...]
Lend your support to Morning Wire’s London Marathon runner and help charity Give Them A Sporting Chance September 22, 2021 Morning Wire hit the streets again this week and thousands of runners are preparing to do the same at the London Marathon next month. Among them will be Morning Wire’s own representative George Reed, who is raising money for Give Them A Sporting Chance, a charity that helps carers and those with disabilities of all [...]
Legal Q&A: What uncertainty around the Ashes means for England, the players, contracts, sponsors and broadcasters September 21, 2021 Lawyer Jamie Horner examines the legal issues around this winter’s Ashes series between England and Australia, which remains in the balance due to Covid-19 restrictions Down Under. What are some of the key legal issues around this Ashes series? The key issue is the difference between Covid-19 restrictions in the UK and the more draconian [...]
Premier League NFTs: Sorare aiming to launch digital fantasy football trading cards collection following similar deal with Spain’s LaLiga September 21, 2021 French technology start-up Sorare is hoping to launch a range of NFTs comprising digital fantasy football trading cards with the Premier League. The company, which has raised £500m from investors including SoftBank, has emerged as a major player in sport’s growing blockchain economy and recently struck a deal with Spain’s LaLiga. “We have had conversations, [...]
Legal Q&A: How referees’ pay could be hit by a tax dispute with HMRC and why this could have wide-reaching effects on the gig economy September 21, 2021 Lawyer Kevin Barrow explores the implications of an ongoing case between referees and HMRC. What’s this case about? It’s about whether PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) needs to deduct income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from payments it makes to referees whom it has engaged on a self-employed “gig worker” basis to officiate at [...]
Why boosting physical activity is key to speeding up London’s pandemic recovery, by Prof Kevin Fenton of Public Health England September 20, 2021 In this guest column, Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director at Public Health England, calls on businesses to prioritise employee health ahead of London Sport’s Active London conference this week. As we emerge from Covid-19 and set out to repair its impact globally, the success of London’s post-pandemic recovery will ultimately depend on the physical [...]
Anti-doping chiefs WADA consider taking cannabis off prohibited list following Sha’Carri Richardson ban September 15, 2021 The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) is to a review cannabis as a prohibited substance after criticism surrounding Sha’Carri Richardson’s Olympic ban. WADA says the scientific review will be used to determine whether cannabis should remain a banned substance. The discussion around cannabis gained momentum after US sprinter Richardson was forced to miss this year’s [...]
Scottish Premiership clubs Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee and Dundee United task Deloitte with finding ways to increase league revenues September 15, 2021 Scottish Premiership football clubs have commissioned Deloitte to conduct a review of the league with a view to unlocking new revenue. Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian say they would like to see annual distributions increase from £27m to at least £50m a year by 2026. The five clubs say they will [...]