Ben Cronin | Masters needs to come up with football reforms before they are forced upon him
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is being assailed on multiple fronts as the UK government threatens a systematic review of football governance and clubs plot European competition reform.
Lockdown dampens Brentford FC’s new stadium celebrations
Brentford FC’s plans to open a brand new 17,250-capacity stadium this autumn have been thwarted by the Covid pandemic. Chief executive Jon Varney describes how the club is coping with the lockdown and its plans to compete on a more even commercial footing in the English Championship.
AEG’s O2 Arena targets April comeback for London live events
Paul Samuels, executive vice-president of global partnerships for live sport and entertainment company AEG, says the company is targeting a full schedule of events at London's O2 Arena from April next year. Ben Cronin reports.
Ben Cronin | Rights-holders need to show caution in use of virtual advertising
Closed-door sport has prompted an upsurge in virtual advertising but a new report cautions against using the technology indiscriminately.
Bayern’s ‘lighthouse’ Super Cup spectator study gives hope to Bundesliga
The company behind a pilot study that tested 315 Bayern Munich fans for Covid-19 ahead of last month's Uefa Super Cup match believes it is possible to create rapid and safe testing programmes that will allow more spectators to attend live sports events. Ben Cronin reports.
Francis: OTT streaming operators have struggled to provide lockdown service
Barney Francis, the former managing director of the UK division of Sky Sports, has suggested the Covid-19 crisis has exposed the business models of some of the OTT streaming services operating in the sports sector but says there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the industry. Ben Cronin reports.
Pepsi sponsorship chief Warner says revamped Champions League delivered ‘comparable value’
PepsiCo’s senior director for global sports marketing, Adam Warner, commends Uefa for finding 'different sources of value' in this year reformatted Men's Champions League and explains why the brand has decided to expand its relationship with the governing body to include women's club and national competitions. Ben Cronin reports.
Murray: PFL to monetise OTT app through advertising, microtransactions and prop bets
SportBusiness speaks to Professional Fighters League chief executive and board member Peter Murray about what attracted investors to the promotion while outlining its media, sponsorship and hosting strategy.
“Over time we plan to make acquisitions” | Simon Bazalgette on his new advisory firm
Former Jockey Club chairman Simon Bazalgette describes how the Covid-19 pandemic has forced him to adapt plans for a new consultancy business and how there will be an even greater need for right-holders to control operational costs when sport resumes. Ben Cronin reports.
Airbnb, Coca-Cola and Visa look for positives in Tokyo 2020 postponement
Three leading brands from The Olympic Partner Programme have described the challenges they have faced as a consequence of the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and how they have adapted their activation plans. Ben Cronin reports.
Diversity dividend | Five ways sports bodies can encourage diversity and inclusion
Last week SportBusiness invited a group of senior black and ethic minority executives to take part in a webinar exploring how sports organisations can increase diversity and inclusion in their workforces. Here we summarise five strategies outlined in the discussion.
Ben Cronin | Stadium variables complicate safe spectator return
Spectators could soon be allowed back into UK sports stadiums if a series of pilot events pass by successfully. But Ben Cronin says social distancing requirements could be easier to maintain in some sports venues than others.