EFL calls for businesses as it kicks off innovation programme October 7, 2024 The English Football League (EFL) is calling for businesses to join its first innovation programme and develop their products by working with its 72 professional clubs. The EFL Innovation Lab is a partnership with corporate innovation specialist L Marks aimed at “suppliers, start-ups and scale-ups” and targeted at four key areas of business. They are [...]
Fifa embarrassed, more player power, forced transfers: Legal verdicts on the Diarra ruling October 7, 2024 Like the Bosman ruling to which it has been compared, the shockwaves from Lassana Diarra’s victory over Fifa’s current transfer rules at the European Court of Justice may take months, perhaps even years, to be felt in full. But legal experts are in agreement that Friday’s ECJ verdict in Brussels marks a watershed moment in [...]
Chelsea investor in talks for landmark stake in Miami Dolphins October 3, 2024 Chelsea investor Ares Capital is in talks with the owner of the Miami Dolphins to become the first private equity firm to buy a stake in an NFL franchise. The New York-headquartered asset manager is negotiating the purchase of a 10 per cent stake in the Dolphins’ parent company, according to multiple reports. The deal [...]
The new Bosman? Why the Diarra ruling could change football forever October 3, 2024 The biggest changes to the football transfer market since the Bosman ruling could be unleashed on Friday at the European Court of Justice, potentially making it easier for players to walk away from their contracts at will. That is when the ECJ is due to deliver its verdict in a long-running dispute between world governing [...]
Ahead of the Game: Yorkshire land financial boost from Castore deal October 2, 2024 Yorkshire have agreed a multi-million pound kit deal with Castore in a major boost for the cash-strapped county. The five-year contract is the first significant commercial deal brought to the club since their leadership was overhauled following the return of Colin Graves as chairman in February. Graves has yet to secure the £4m outside investment [...]
FC Barcelona lose £76m after investors default on payments October 1, 2024 Barcelona suffered a £76m loss last year after investors defaulted on payments due for shares in the club’s media spin-off Barca Vision. The Spanish club was forced to write off £117m in the accounts for 2023-24 as a result of the dispute with investors including German fund Libero. Barcelona also lost out on an estimated [...]
Hampshire sell up but insist Southern Brave won’t be thrown in for free September 30, 2024 Hampshire Cricket insist GMR is not getting a Hundred franchise on the cheap after agreeing a deal to become the first Indian-owned county in the English game. GMR, which owns Indian Premier League side the Delhi Capitals, has signed a deal worth around £120m to acquire Hampshire and the Utilita Bowl, and pay down debt. [...]
Indian Premier League owners agree deal to buy Hampshire Cricket September 30, 2024 Hampshire Cricket has confirmed it has agreed a sale to GMR Global Pte Ltd (GGPL), the owners of Indian Premier League side the Delhi Capitals. The deal, believed to be worth £120m, will see GGPL acquire Hampshire Cricket and the Utilita Bowl but it remains unclear if it will also include a 51 per cent [...]
Architect of Premier League calls for it to be cut to 18 teams September 29, 2024 The Premier League should be trimmed to just 18 teams in order to tackle the player workload row dividing the game, says former chief David Dein. Europe’s 20-team domestic leagues are coming under increasing pressure to slim down as clubs juggle additional European games and the imminent expanded Club World Cup. France’s Ligue 1 joined [...]
Three charts which show why Manchester United want a new stadium September 27, 2024 Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made renovating Old Trafford or building a brand new stadium one of his top priorities since investing in Manchester United. Ratcliffe wants the club’s home to be a modern, 100,000-seater stadium and has assembled a task force that includes Lord Coe and Gary Neville to shape the plans. The project is [...]