Covid-19
Features
Bundesliga ‘ghost games’ provide backdrop for sponsorship re-set
When the German Bundesliga presented behind-closed-doors action on Saturday, May 16, it ignited a wave of interest among football fans worldwide, and a reawakening of sponsorships that had gone largely…
Iconic Strat-O-Matic games find new lift during pandemic
Venerable maker of sports simulation games has seen a strong resurgence amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Eric Fisher reports.
How the Covid lockdown is redrawing international federations’ content strategies
Without live events, international federations are being forced to innovate with their fan engagement strategies. Adam Nelson reports.
Legal challenges inevitable whatever the final form of English football’s ‘Project Restart’
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.
USA Weightlifting’s woes paint familiar picture for Olympic NGBs
US Olympic national governing body has suffered declining revenues and membership numbers since the onset of the health crisis but large financial reserves coupled with a move to put competitions and coaching courses onto digital platforms have stemmed losses.
Australian cricket and rugby union face additional cuts
Australia's cricket and rugby governing bodies are to implement further cost-cutting measures in response to the Covid-19 downturn
Round-Up: J-League restart, Nike and Adidas show solidarity, Ferrari plans Asia-Pac academy, and more
Japanese football's J-League is to resume first division matches on July 4, with the second and third divisions starting on June 27. Matches will be played behind closed doors
LaLiga to resume on June 11 with daily matches
Spanish football's LaLiga will resume its 2019-20 season on June 11 and will play matches every day for at least the first week
USTA now firmly focused on staging US Open in New York
The United States Tennis Association is now firmly focused on staging the US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, on its scheduled dates in the calendar
Risk considerations for sport’s return from lockdown
David Griffiths, senior member of the sports and entertainment team at Miller Insurance, on the challenges presented by playing sport behind closed doors.
Is playing football behind closed doors always the best medicine?
Behind closed doors matches are not a panacea for the impact of Covid-19, nor are they always better than not playing at all.
LA Chargers leverage huge reach with “Bolt Up Your Small Business” initiative
The National Football League's Los Angeles Chargers, by offering a free team sponsorship through a new sweepstakes, are looking to reach out in a very different way to a local business community battered by the Covid-19 pandemic
Luke Organ | The changing landscape of commercial activity amid Covid-19
Luke Organ, Right Formula’s managing director of commercial, explains how Covid-19 has focused minds on digital engagements to achieve business objectives.
Education technology company Everfi sees growing opportunity in sports
A wide array of major sports properties, both in and out of the US, have relied on DC-based outfit to engage students of many ages. Everfi co-founder and president of global partnerships Jon Chapman speaks with US Editor Eric Fisher on the company's work with the sports industry and the new EduCup Challenge
Pair of small US towns suffer heavy blow from loss of marquee baseball events
The cancellation of the Baseball Hall of Fame's Induction Weekend and the Little League World Series this summer are leaving big economic holes in the small communities that play host to the marquee events.
Lars Haue-Pedersen | Reload, don’t rebuild
As many major events are postponed due to Covid-19, BCW’s Lars Haue-Pedersen provides hints for organisers of these events on how to adapt their communication strategy.
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.
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.
DBS bank bullish on esports investments in Asia
Bank’s investment office is recommending investments in esports and gaming.
Says Covid-19 will accelerate sector growth in Asia-Pac.
Sees game developers as the biggest beneficiaries of growth.
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.
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.
Deltatre – Working towards the return of live sport
Sports streaming technology company Deltatre's co-founder and chief executive officer Giampiero Rinaudo, and Adam Nightingale, senior vice president of commercial in the OTT division, discuss how the company…
Gareth Balch – Sport set for a New World Order as the biggest and most innovative emerge stronger from pandemic
Covid-19's brutal impact on the global sports economy is forcing the pace of necessary change according to Two Circles chief executive Gareth Balch, who believes that while some properties will go to the…
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.
USA Rugby pushed to very brink following “absolutely catastrophic” Covid-19 crisis
USA Rugby sent shockwaves throughout the US sports industry, as well as the global rugby community, when it filed for bankruptcy in March. Bob Williams examines how the organization is looking to escape from its latest financial 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.
Umberto Gandini – Fear is a major factor among decision-makers
Part two of our video interview with Umberto Gandini, senior Italian sports business and administration figure and president of Lega Basket
Umberto Gandini – Most Serie A clubs face difficulties if rights fees are withheld
In part one of a two-part video discussion, Umberto Gandini speaks to SB24's Kevin Roberts