Finance & Law
NWSL franchise interest intensifies with $58m Reign sale
Seattle Reign has become the second National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise to be sold in a week, as the ownership overhaul in the top United States division continues apace.
Fifa 2023 revenues buoyed by WWC, sponsorship makes up 39 per cent
World governing body FIFA enjoyed income of $1.17bn (€1.07bn) in 2023, boosted by strong commercial revenues from the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
AFA threatens ESPN with legal action for streaming-only coverage of Supercopa
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is weighing legal action against domestic broadcast partner ESPN for what it claims is a contractual breach relating to coverage of yesterday's (Thursday's) Supercopa.
RMC Sport parent Altice Media to be sold to CMA CGM in €1.55bn deal
Altice France has today (Friday) announced plans to sell Altice Media, parent of subscription broadcaster RMC Sport, to logistics company CMA CGM Group in a move that seemingly marks the final step in the telco’s move away from premium sports output in the country.
Singtel ‘exploring all options’ on Optus but rules out full sale
Singaporean telco Singtel is considering disposing of a significant stake in its Australian business Optus to a Canadian private equity firm, but plans for a full sale have been vehemently denied by the firm.
San Diego Wave sold in record $120m deal for NWSL
The San Diego Wave of the National Women's Soccer League is being sold for a league-record price of $120m (€110m) on the eve of the team's third season, a source with knowledge of the deal confirmed t…
Barcelona hit by resignation of key finance exec Romeu
Spanish LaLiga club FC Barcelona has been hit by the surprise resignation of Eduard Romeu, the vice-president in charge of financial affairs and a key figure in attempts to rebalance the club’s finances.
Reliance tightens grip on Viacom18 after buying out Paramount stake
Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries, chaired and run by business mogul Mukesh Ambani, will buy out Paramount Global’s 13-per-cent stake in media group Viacom18 for $517m (€472m).
Two Circles develops US business with move for digital content agency
US-based digital content agency Let It Fly Media has become the first Two Circles acquisition under the ownership of private equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners
Matchroom reaffirms investment appeal with £34m profit
Matchroom Sport delivered a profit of £33.8m during the 2022-23 financial reporting period on the back of strong performances from its darts and boxing verticals, SportBusiness has learned.
Sevilla announces 10-year refinancing venture
Sevilla has announced a 10-year refinancing agreement worth €108m ($118m) in a move the LaLiga club hopes will provide long-term stability and allow it to undertake its strategic plan with “full effectiveness”.
Blow to European Super League as Danes win trademark case
No other football league or competition in Europe will be able to use the name, The Super League, after the European Union Trade Mark Office sided with Denmark's Superligaen A/S.
Adidas global revenues drop 5 per cent after Yeezy split
German sportswear company Adidas suffered a five-per-cent reduction in total revenues in 2023 and posted reduced operating profits of €268m ($293.2m) after severing ties with controversial rapper and fashion designer Kanye West’s Yeezy brand.
Manchester United Q2 revenues buoyed by Champions League TV rights payment
Premier League club Manchester United has today (Tuesday) announced record second-quarter revenues of £225.8m (€264.2m/$288.4m), with profits of £20.4m up from £6.3m over the same period a year previously.
Premier League clubs risk government action after failing to agree EFL funding deal
Premier League clubs have risked a fallout with the UK Government after failing to agree a funding deal with the English Football League (EFL) over the distribution of future broadcasting revenues.
Chicago Bears ‘shifts focus’ for new stadium to lot next to Soldier Field
The Chicago Bears, of the National Football League, is planning to build a new stadium just south of its current home, Soldier Field, with more than $2bn (€1.8bn) to be invested for the domed stadium.
Fifa embarks on legal team recruitment drive following staff exodus
Fifa is recruiting new executives to join its in-house legal team after a large number of senior legal counsels handed in their notice in the space of a few months, SportBusiness understands.
Audi fast-tracks F1 plans with full Sauber takeover
German car maker Audi has acquired 100-per-cent control of the Swiss Formula 1 team Sauber, ahead of its previously planned arrival in the sport in 2026