Events
Features
Pro League’s roaring audience growth is welcome damage limitation for ESL
Even as Covid-19 took a terrible toll on ESL’s event business, it helped the 11th season of the Pro League become the most viewed in its history. Callum McCarthy reports on how organisers put the event together despite the pandemic, and what its success suggests for esports' wider outlook.
Success of Digital Swiss 5 points way toward cycling’s hybrid future
The Digital Swiss 5 virtual cycling series launched in April, drawing significant audiences from around the world. It may point the way toward a more digital future for the sport as it navigates its way out of the Covid-19 crisis. Adam Nelson reports.
Premier Lacrosse League embraces structural flexibility to salvage 2020 season
The Premier Lacrosse League has become the latest tour-based model to announce its comeback from the Cobid-19 shutdown. PLL chief operating officer Andrew Sinnenberg tells Bob Williams the opportunities and challenges of staging the PLL Championship Series.
KBO and K League create templates for the return of sport
Korea’s football and baseball leagues have published detailed guidelines governing their resumptions this week.
How Professional Bull Riders has helped pave way for return of live sports in United States
Bull-riding circuit provides important test case after making Covid-19 comeback at event in rural Oklahoma. Bob Williams speaks to PBR CEO Sean Gleason about the opportunities and challenges of being a first-mover in the live-action return from the health crisis.
MLS Orlando tournament format taking shape
Major League Soccer's planned mini-tournament in Orlando, Florida, this summer is poised to comprise of four groups, with the top two advancing to a knockout round
CVC completes swoop for 28-per-cent stake in Pro14
Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners has today (Friday) completed its acquisition of a 28-per-cent stake in the Pro14 cross-border rugby union competition from league organising body Celtic Rugby DAC
European Tour to announce back-to-back “British Swing” to salvage season
The European Tour is planning to host at least five closed-doors tournaments back-to-back in England and Wales across the months of July and August as it seeks to bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic
Snooker’s Championship League to return on June 1 with ITV coverage
Plans have been announced for snooker’s Championship League to return from June 1-11 at Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, with the event to be covered live in the UK by commercial broadcaster ITV.
Failure to insure against pandemic will catch out many Asia-Pac sports properties
Only a handful of the biggest sports events globally were insured for the Covid-19 interruption. Tommy Elliot of specialist events insurer Circles Group tells SportBusiness about the implications for sports properties, and for his own industry.
Endeavor needs the UFC to make money, but at what cost?
Endeavor's financial difficulties are pushing the UFC to stage events, which could risk severe damage to the promotion's hard-won reputation.
NBA H-O-R-S-E competition proves mixed success due to “unique” logistical challenges
Individual shooting competition was a bold and innovative attempt to stage a rare non-esports competition to keep fans engaged amid the hiatus but various weather and WiFi issues prove problematic. Bob Williams reports.
Timely cost-cutting for IPL proving wise with Covid-19 storm
When the Indian Premier League enacted cost-cutting measures in March 2020, franchises were shocked given the relative profitability in recent years. John Duerden takes a closer look at how the coronavirus outbreak led to the decision.
Why withdrawing from Tokyo 2020 was “toughest decision” for Canadian Olympic Committee
Canada was the first nation to announce it would not send a delegation to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics if they went ahead as scheduled this summer. It was a 'heartbreaking' decision but the right one, says the COC
Women’s golf embraces South Korean dominance as a positive force in Asia and worldwide
The LPGA once worried about the dominance of South Korean players in the women’s game. Now it embraces them as a means of driving the sport’s regional and global popularity. John Duerden finds out more.
Even amid game cancellations, MLB still has keen eye on Mexico
The United States' neighbor to the south is being increasingly viewed by Major League Baseball as a viable location for both regular-season games and perhaps an expansion franchise
Paul Garbett | French Open the first ‘land grab’ as the sporting calendar is ripped up by coronavirus
Paul Garbett, associate director at CSM Sport & Entertainment, gives his view on the impact and opportunities of a dramatically changed post-coronavirus sporting calendar.
Barcelona shifts focus as Olympic legacy lives on
Barcelona’s blueprint for Olympic legacy is widely respected. But how is the city’s approach evolving nearly three decades after the transformational Games? Bradley Rial reports.
Health and duty of care considerations override rights commitments as sports seek Covid-19 legal advice
UK law firms acting for clients in the sports industry say they are dealing with an unprecedented demand for advice after the Covid-19 outbreak caused the widespread cancellation of sporting events.
Georgiou targeting further growth for Eurosport Events after announcing UCI tie-up
Eurosport Events' partnership with the UCI is its first outside of motorsports. Andrew Georgiou, Eurosport president, tells Adam Nelson about his plans to extend the reach of the broadcaster's events promotion arm even further.
In their own words: APAC sports industry leaders on the impact of the coronavirus
From the way sports organisations have responded to the initial outbreak of the coronavirus, to predicting the scenarios of recovery, SportBusiness spoke to leaders and executives in the Asia-Pacific region…
New US Open marketing effort part of broader USGA revamp
New branding campaign follows extensive outreach effort
Flagship tournament funds nearly 75 per cent of all USGA operations
Association looking to revive national championship after years of mishaps
CFA regulations create casualties on Chinese football clubs’ hard road to sustainability
The Chinese Football Association’s tough line on football club finances has cooled spending at the top level and is pushing lower-tier teams toward oblivion. Chen Yaolin reports.
Can Chinese viewership help the Tour de Langkawi to fiscal health?
Malaysia’s UCI-certified Tour de Langkawi has long struggled with raising enough revenue to cover costs, but a path to break even may lie through China. SportBusiness’ Asia editor Kelvin Tan reports.
Super Bowl LIV sees historic ticket demand, fueled in part by On Location Experiences
Eric Fisher takes a look at the ticketing market ahead of this Sunday's Super Bowl in Miami.
Roger, meet Greta | Sport needs to address its sustainability problem
In the wake of climate activists asking if tennis star Roger Federer actively supports the destruction of the planet, Ben Cronin asks what sport can do to minimise its environmental footprint and mollify its critics.
Asian interest in Superbowl LIV dulled by bad timing and lack of local stars
Beyond Australia, the Superbowl evokes little interest with Asian sport fans, due to scheduling and a lack of local stars plying their trade in the NFL. Can short form content and clips help? John Duerden investigates.