Cristiano Ronaldo on Mars: Where will sport take us in the next five years? Sport Business Tech disruption, athlete power and new formats: sport has changed dramatically since Ed Warner started writing weekly about the industry in 2021. This column – based on my weekly newsletter, Sport Inc. – has just reached its fifth anniversary. The book of the same name is three years older. In this short span of time, [...]
Manchester United accused of banning loyal fans to make space for big-spending tourists Sport Business Manchester United supporters have accused the club of attempting to force out season ticket holders in order to generate more revenue from tourists and corporates. Season ticket holders of several decades started receiving emails – seen by Morning Wire – informing them their accounts had been restricted after the club identified activity “that may indicate” [...]
Good call: How Wimbledon’s comms help it to avoid break points Sport Business Wimbledon’s success lies in heritage, prestige and scale but its disciplined communications also give it a competitive advantage, writes Jess Chan. Wimbledon is one of the most commercially successful institutions in global sport. I won’t dispute that its heritage is to be credited for its prestigious reputation. But its biggest competitive advantage is how it [...]
Could LIV Golf really file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy? May 25, 2026 The potential bankruptcy of LIV Golf could see players leverage their power to take over the isolated business, according to experts. The rebel golf league, featuring the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, has reportedly begun bankruptcy plans after its Saudi Arabian backers – the Public Investment Fund – confirmed that they’ll cease funding [...]
Golf ‘faces questions over financial viability’ following LIV setback May 21, 2026 LIV Golf’s struggles raise questions about the long-term viability of the sport, according to a new independent report on the business of golf. The breakaway tour’s huge financial incentives disrupted golf and forced the PGA Tour to raise its prize money but LIV now faces an uncertain future after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced [...]
Uefa probes Brighton and Hearts connection under Tony Bloom ownership May 20, 2026 Uefa is scrutinising the relationship between Hearts and Brighton and Hove Albion, with both clubs connected to Tony Bloom on course to qualify for Europe. Brighton owner Bloom holds a 29 per cent stake in Hearts – deliberately below the 30 per cent threshold Uefa prohibits owners from holding in more than one club in [...]
Mark Kleinman: Could Wells Fargo bank on a megadeal with Barclays? May 14, 2026 Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his Morning Wire column Could Wells Fargo bank on a mega-deal with Barclays? Now this really would liven up London’s M&A market. Since the turn of the year, the City rumour mill has persistently buzzed with talk of the biggest deal [...]
Ryder Cup captain Donald did not broker Rahm peace deal May 13, 2026 Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has said he did not intervene to broker the peace deal between the DP World Tour and Jon Rahm which allows the Spaniard to compete in the intercontinental golf tournament. Rahm risked being frozen out of Europe’s Ryder Cup defence in Ireland next year due to outstanding fines with [...]
LIV Golf players knew the risks of rebel tour, Rory McIlroy says May 12, 2026 Rory McIlroy says LIV Golf players knew the risks they were taking when they jumped ship to the rebel league, as uncertainty clouds the tour’s future. LIV’s backer, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, this month confirmed that it will withhold further funding following the end of the season. The move has come as part of [...]
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. [...]