Events
Features
Cricket beyond Covid | Connor, Gould and McCrum on dealing with the pandemic
In part 1 of a three-part interview, Matthew Williams speaks with managing director of women's cricket at the ECB, Clare Connor, Rajasthan Royals chief operating officer Jake Lush McCrum and Surrey County…
Major sporting events to bear scars of Covid-19 pandemic “for a decade”
Major sporting events are likely to bear the scars of the Covid-19 pandemic for the majority of the coming decade, though in the long-term the sector should recover to full health, experts believe.
Japanese sport sets out on the long road back
Japan’s biggest domestic sports league, Nippon Professional Baseball, commenced its 2020 season on June 19 following a three-month delay due to Covid-19.
Joe Carr | Take an unfortunate situation and create opportunity
Action sports media company Thrill One Sports & Entertainment launched in January, just ahead of the pandemic which brought most live sport to a grinding halt. Chief executive Joe Carr tells SportBusiness how Covid-19 impacted on the new company’s event business and how its creative digital strategy has served to increase reach and deepen engagement with fans.
“Nothing should be off the table” | Commonwealth Games’ Grevemberg on major events after the pandemic
The CGF's chief executive tells Adam Nelson that collaboration and innovation will be crucial as events owners and organisers look to navigate the post-Covid-19 landscape.
Singapore focuses on return on investment as city’s Covid-19 recovery plan gathers pace
Singapore’s biggest annual sporting event, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, has become a casualty of the pandemic, but as a regional hub for major sports agencies and with a track record of hosting major events, ‘destination Singapore’ is preparing to welcome back sport with a cost-conscious approach.
“It’s like having a Summer Olympics” | Orlando prepares for the arrival of NBA and MLS
Florida city ready to capitalize on its position as the epicenter of professional sports in the US this summer to rejuvenate its tourism industry and secure major sporting events. Bob Williams reports
“There’s going to be a strong trend towards localisation” | Andrew Messick, Ironman
Ironman Group chief executive Andrew Messick talks about the three steps the world's largest mass participation business has taken to minimise commercial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
MLB looks for audience lift in reformatted Draft
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic helped lead to a dramatic reduction in the number of rounds for the MLB Draft. But the league and its media partners are still hoping for lift among a competition-starved fan base
Charles Schwab ready to seize its moment in spotlight as PGA Tour makes return
Multi-national financial services company will gain huge reach as the title sponsor of the first event back on the PGA Tour in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, writes Bob Williams
World TeamTennis poised to set significant precedent for staging events in front of fans
Mixed-gender professional tennis league will hold its entire season at The Greenbrier in West Virginia this summer, becoming one of the first sports events in US to be held in front of limited spectators. Bob Williams reports.
Legal challenges ‘inevitable’ after pandemic leaves mark on football calendar
As the end of May approaches and the Premier League continues to work on ‘Project Restart’, Adam Nelson examines the legal issues facing English football’s operating bodies as they push for football’s return.
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.
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.