Covid-19: All our latest coverage on the impact to the global sports industry
Fukuoka’s Fina World Championships set to move back to 2023
Fukuoka’s staging of the Fina World Championships has been postponed once again by the global governing body of aquatic sports amid ongoing concern over the Covid-19 situation in Japan.
Hosts India withdraw from Women’s Asian Cup due to Covid outbreak
Host nation India has been forced to withdraw from the Women’s AFC Asian Cup after a Covid-19 outbreak within its squad meant it could not field a team against Chinese Taipei on Sunday.
Hiroshima’s Parkour World Championship hit by fresh postponement
The inaugural Parkour World Championship in Hiroshima, organised by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), has again been postponed due to the Covid-19 situation in Japan
Chinese FA financial report shows pandemic hit
The Chinese Football Association has reported a total financial loss of RMB50m ($7.8m/€7m) over the two years 2019 and 2020.
Latest Video
Gaudenzi: “Linear programming wasn’t a good fit for tennis”
In the latest video interview from SportBusiness, ATP chairman, Andrea Gaudenzi, speaks to Europe editor Ben Cronin about plans to resume the international tennis tour in August and his vision to centralise…
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Infront’s Bruno Marty – Smaller properties can flourish if they innovate and engage
Bruno Marty, senior vice-president of the ProSports unit at Infront, discusses the impact of sport's Covid-19 induced liquidity crisis, how properties can emerge stronger, the role of private equity i…
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Youth sports in US look for reinvention, industry unity
LeagueApps president Jeremy Goldberg and Gators Baseball Academy partner Joe Lopez speak to SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher on the state of the $19bn American youth sports industry amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The second of a two-part series.
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US youth sports industry grapples with heavy Covid-19 uncertainty
LeagueApps president Jeremy Goldberg and Gators Baseball Academy partner Joe Lopez speak to SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher on the state of the $19bn American youth sports industry amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The first of a two-part series.
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NFL stays confident about LA Super Bowl, but readies backups
League's standard contingency planning assumes greater prominence amid virus
I-League suspended for six weeks due to Covid
Indian football's second-tier I-League has been suspended for at least six weeks due to an outbreak of Covid cases within its 'bio-secure bubble'
Canada tightens restrictions on event attendance
New provisions extend operational challenges for North American sports properties
Big Bash League ‘may move to Melbourne hub’
Australia's T20 cricket Big Bash League may see out its 2021-22 season in a hub location in Melbourne due to Covid-related disruption, The Sydney Morning Herald has reported
Latest Inside Track
Jared Melzer | The real power of sponsorships – driving social activism
Having led sponsorships for major B2C and B2B brands in the US, Jared Melzer shares his perspectives around sponsorships and Black Lives Matter
Mohit Lalvani | Public health a fruitful theme in search for sponsorship spend and ROI during Covid-19
Mohit Lalvani, founder and CEO of 1 Play Sports, the Singapore-based sports streaming services provider, identifies a potentially valuable avenue for sponsorship during the pandemic, that may resonate with the public and governments
Paramount+ deal underpins Football Australia commercial confidence
In the second part of a two-part interview, the Football Australia commercial head Tom Rischbieth and comms head Peter Filopoulos discuss the landmark domestic media-rights deal with 10 ViacomCBS and the fed's global outlook.
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Kathryn Rhodes | Tokyo 2020 fulfilled the new Olympic motto and united the world
Despite the challenges, Tokyo 2020 delivered on the Olympic promise of uniting people around the world through sport, says Kathryn Rhodes associate director, business development, at CSM Asia.
Kevin McCullagh | Coping with disaster
With a curtailed Tokyo Olympics about to begin, it is clear there is a long road ahead out of the pandemic for the Asia-Pacific sports industry. Some admirable qualities traditionally associated with Japan could prove valuable along the way.
Luca Massaro | Five steps to maximise post-Covid attendances
Luca Massaro, CEO of performance marketing agency WePlay, offers five marketing steps that will encourage fans back into stadiums once lockdown restrictions ease
Bo Pearl and Anna Alvarado | Are vaccine passports the ticket to packed live events?
Paul Hastings LLP attorney James "Bo" Pearl and law student Anna Alvarado explore the legal landscape around teams requiring Covid-19 vaccines to attend live events
Lars Haue-Pedersen | Hosting sector needs to reassert itself
Now is the time for rights-holders and cities to make the case for hosting sports events again, argues Lars Haue-Pedersen, head of BCW Sports
Sponsorship market dynamics favour premium sports brands in the pandemic
There is an expectation that sponsorship sales at premium sports properties tend to be more resilient during economic crises. Matthew Glendinning looks at whether big really has proven best during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Caradh O’Donovan | Athletes have not had adequate preparation for the Olympics
Irish athlete Caradh O'Donovan says many athletes have not had appropriate training and qualification opportunities for this year's Olympics, and should have had a bigger say in the organisation of the postponed event
“One big, complicated event” | Cricket Australia’s CEO on its toughest season
Cricket Australia's interim CEO Nick Hockley explains how his organisation had to adapt in order to deliver a full season of cricket in 2020-21. Kevin McCullagh reports.
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MLB clubs relishing chance to sell tickets once again
After going a full year without being able to sell any tickets, MLB clubs are embracing the restart of fan attendance in local markets. Eric Fisher reports.
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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.
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Nick Sakiewicz | Why the NLL chose to sit this one out
National Lacrosse League commissioner Nick Sakiewicz explains why the league is continuing to halt its play amid the Covid-19 pandemic and is instead preparing to return in the fall.
Todd Cooper on making sense of the turbulent world of NFTs
In this week’s episode, podcast co-hosts Eric Fisher and Chris Russo interview Todd Cooper, founder and chief executive of blockchain technology outfit NuArca Labs. Fisher and Russo also discuss National Football League quarterback Tom Brady’s high-profile plans to eventually join Fox Sports as an on-air analyst, Sorare’s entry into baseball non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, tennis star Naomi Osaka’s move to form her own agency, Rich Strike’s absence from the upcoming Preakness Stakes after the horse’s upset Kentucky Derby win, and EA Sports’ video game licensing split with Fifa.
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DFL innovation chief Heyden: clubs should leverage own sponsorship deals to implement 5G
Speaking to SportBusiness at the SportsInnovation conference in Düsseldorf, Andreas Heyden, executive vice-president of innovation at the DFL, explains why Bundesliga clubs should deploy 5G technology at their stadiums.
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Singapore25 promises pan-regional athletics development and world-class experiences
Sport Singapore chief executive Lim Teck Yin sets out the vision for the city state's bid to host the World Athletics Championships in 2025. Kevin McCullagh reports.