Features
Draghi’s appointments raise question of Italian government’s commitment to sport
New Italian Premier names 62-strong government team without a sports portfolio
Unions and athlete bodies write to Draghi to express concerns
Saudi city of NEOM reboots its sponsorship strategy with Mercedes EQ team deal
This weekend's Diriyah E-Prix offers an opportunity for Saudi future-city project NEOM to reboot its sponsorship strategy after it lost two key deals in the esports sector. But will a partnership with the Mercedes EQ team succeed in repositioning the Kingdom? Ben Cronin talks to sports partnership director Neal Coupland.
O2, Allianz among the highlights as RFU maintains deal flow even as lockdowns bites
Rugby Football Union chief commercial and marketing officer Simon Massie-Taylor explains how the organisation has kept sponsorship deals flowing, even while fans have been locked out of England international games. Matthew Williams reports.
“We succeed or we fail together” | Inside CVC’s $100m volleyball deal
Matthew Glendinning looks at the ambitions the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has for the future of the sport, which recently benefited from a significant investment from venture capital firm CVC Capital Partners.
Swimming deal expected to presage further moves by Amazon for sport in Australia
Amazon’s first sports rights acquisition in Australia left local industry insiders puzzled and expecting further moves for sports content by the tech giant.
Washington Spirit seeks new relevance with Clinton, Bush Hager among new investors
NWSL club is looking to gain new relevance on a local, national and international level by bringing in an expansive group of investors headlined by US presidential daughters Chelsea Clinton and Jenna Bush Hager.
The SportBusiness Finance Weekly Podcast | Legends’ Shervin Mirhashemi on the firm’s $1.35bn Sixth Street deal
In the latest episode of the SportBusiness Finance Weekly podcast, Shervin Mirhashemi, president and chief executive of Legends, discusses global investment firm Sixth Street's deal to acquire a majority stake in the company for $1.35bn.
Webinar replay | The opportunities for private equity in European football
Private equity houses have been examining a host of league investment opportunities across European football with Serie A, Bundesliga and La Liga all reported to be examining the idea of selling stakes…
Portuguese league plan to centralise media rights is a long way from becoming reality
The Portuguese Primeira Liga is one of only two European football leagues that hasn't centralised its media rights. A government-backed plan to change that is in motion, but will Portugal's big three play along?
NHL’s Lake Tahoe games poised to become league’s most spectacular outdoor event
It took the NHL just a matter of seconds before deciding that Lake Tahoe would be the ideal spot for an outdoor tentpole event. The logistical challenges, however, have been significant, explains NHL chief content officer Steve Mayer.
US sports industry looks to retool executive search, vetting in wake of Porter, Callaway incidents
After multiple American sports industry leadership figures were found to have sent inappropriate text messages, properties and executive search firms see the need to heighten executive screening processes. US Editor Eric Fisher reports.
Haggerty | ITF to review betting sponsorship following investment in integrity
International Tennis Federation president David Haggerty talks about the federation's decision to review its stance on gambling sponsorship, the impact of Covid-19 on its commercial agreement with Kosmos Holdings for the Davis Cup and plans to introduce a new skill rating system for players. Ben Cronin reports.
The SportBusiness Finance Weekly Podcast | KB Partners’ Keith Bank and Phenix Real Time Solutions’ Jed Corenthal
The latest episode of the SportBusiness Finance Weekly podcast features interviews with Keith Bank, founder and managing partner of Illinois-based investment firm KB Partners, which has has been active in sports technology startups, and Jed Corenthal, chief marketing officer of video streaming outfit Phenix Real Time Solutions, which is part of KB Partners’ portfolio of companies.
Nascar looks to expand reach, engage fans with Netflix sitcom ‘The Crew’
US stock car racing series is looking to engage its fanbase, attract new supporters, and extend relationships with commercial partners via a scripted comedy series. Bob Williams reports.
Demand starting to catch up with supply in China’s new winter sports infrastructure
SportBusiness looks at what China is doing to get ready for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and the impact preparations are having on local engagement with winter sports.
Team Liquid esports team launches virtual stadium concept to get closer to fans
The world's third-most valuable esports organisation, Team Liquid, is looking to harness its global fanbase through the development of a new virtual stadium concept.
The Athletic seeks new markets for football and US sports coverage
Subscription sports journalism service The Athletic will launch in a number of new markets this year. Experienced sports media executives Simon Greenberg and Alex Peebles are leading the expansion and discussed the plans and strategy with SportBusiness.
The SportBusiness Finance Weekly Podcast talks to GameChanger’s Sameer Ahuja
The latest episode of the SportBusiness Finance Weekly podcast features an interview with Sameer Ahuja, chief operating officer of GameChanger
Tampa tourism leaders confident Covid-impacted Super Bowl will be “shot in the arm”
Rob Higgins, the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee president and CEO, tells SportBusiness about the challenges and opportunities of hosting the NFL championship game amid the pandemic.
After sponsorship-fuelled expansion in US, Hyperice sets sights on international markets
Matthew Glendinning talks to Hyperice chief executive Jim Huether about the ambitions of the recovery tech company, and how it is looking to raise 50 per cent of its revenue from international markets in the next three years.
Osaka investment reaps immediate rewards for North Carolina Courage
The announcement that the Japanese tennis star joined the NWSL team's ownership group resulted in significant global publicity, social-media engagement and sponsorship inquiries, majority owner Steve Malik tells SportBusiness.
SportBusiness Finance Weekly Podcast | HBSE’s Scott O’Neil discusses SPAC fever
The debut episode of the new SportBusiness Finance Weekly podcast features an interview with Scott O’Neil, chief executive of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
Korean baseball club sale raises questions over traditional company patronage model
SportBusiness looks at the sale of Korean KBO baseball league club SK Wyverns by telco SK Telecom to the retail group Shinsegae, and why this appears to be a departure from the usual protocol in the Korean world of company-owned professional sports teams.
Peacock assumes more prominent role within Comcast
The better-than-expected growth trajectory of NBCUniversal's new streaming service has it now squarely in the center of Comcast's overall corporate plans, which company executives remain hopeful will still include this summer's Tokyo Olympics. US Editor Eric Fisher reports.