Roger Federer-backed shoemaker files IPO in US August 24, 2021 On, a shoemaking company backed by tennis star Roger Federer, has filed for an initial public offering in New York, according to widespread reports. The Swiss shoemaker was, according to reports, valued at around $2bn after its last funding round. According to Reuters, On could pursue a valuation between $4bn to $6bn in its IPO. [...]
The Hundred has succeeded in attracting a new audience, say English cricket chiefs August 24, 2021 English cricket chiefs have hailed the success of The Hundred in reaching new audiences. Almost 60 per cent of the 16.1m people who watched the new domestic men’s and women’s competition on television had not tuned in to any other English cricket this year, the England and Wales Cricket Board said. More than half of [...]
UK’s biggest pub chain Stonegate to promote Spanish football after agreeing deal with LaLiga to show its matches in 100 pubs August 18, 2021 The UK’s biggest pub group, Stonegate, has struck a deal with Spanish football league LaLiga to show and promote its matches. Stonegate will showcase the LaLigaTV channel, which broadcasts all live games and recently announced Gary Lineker as a presenter, in almost 100 key pubs including its London-based Sports Bar and Grill chain. The move [...]
Tennis ace Naomi Osaka moved to tears in first press conference since revealing battle with depression August 17, 2021 Tennis star Naomi Osaka broke down in her first press conference since pulling out of the French Open and revealing her struggle with depression earlier this year. The world No2 took a break from the video call at the Cincinnati Open on Monday evening after appearing to become upset after a question about her relationship [...]
Socios: The blockchain-enabled fan token platform promising to unlock revenue from the global fanbases of sport’s most famous teams July 31, 2021 Football’s transfer market may have lacked headline-grabbing deals so far this summer but the same can’t be said for Socios. The platform, which sells “fan tokens” offering supporters the chance to influence decisions at their team, has instantly increased visibility with a clutch of major partnerships. Last week Socios announced the launch of an Arsenal [...]
Opening match of The Hundred sets UK TV record for women’s cricket July 22, 2021 The opening match of The Hundred, English cricket’s new competition, attracted a record UK television audience for a women’s match. A peak audience of 1.95m watched as the Oval Invincibles beat the Manchester Originals in a closely-fought curtain-raiser to the tournament. The figures marked an encouraging start for a competition that has divided opinion since [...]
Tokyo 2020: What Covid-19, no fans and public opposition mean for sponsors and the International Olympic Committee July 22, 2021 The 60,000 seats of Japan’s national stadium, built for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, are coloured in muted shades of green, brown, beige and grey. Architect Kengo Kuma chose those tones to fit his vision of the stadium, which he wanted to look as natural and organic as possible. Timber is the most visible material and [...]
Burnley sign spread betting and trading platform Spreadex as main sponsor on one-year deal July 20, 2021 Burnley have signed up spread betting and financial trading platform Spreadex as their main shirt sponsor for next season. The one-year deal will see the company’s sports fixed odds and spread betting arm, Spreadex Sports, replace Chinese brand LoveBet as principal partner. Spreadex is understood to be paying slightly less than LoveBet, whose £7.5m deal [...]
Toyota pulls Olympic related TV ads in Japan on eve of Games amid public opposition to Tokyo 2020 going ahead July 19, 2021 Major Olympic sponsor Toyota says it will not air Tokyo 2020-related TV advertising in Japan during the Games amid negative public sentiment towards the event. The Japanese car-maker has also decided not to send any executives to the opening ceremony, which takes place on Friday. More than half of Japanese are opposed to the delayed [...]
The brands that won Euro 2020, from Volkswagen’s tiny ball-carrying car to Bud Light ‘box heads’ and ITV super-pundit Emma Hayes July 12, 2021 Italy were deserved winners of Euro 2020, which will be remembered as one of the best football tournaments all of time. Off the field brands have had their own competition for the hearts and wallets of consumers. Here are my thoughts on who emerged as the winners. EE EE is a long-standing sponsor of the [...]