Governance
Premiership Rugby ‘considering’ URC merger to boost revenues
Greater media rights revenue is likely to be the key factor determining whether a merger between Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship (URC) would be a viable option for both properties.
Hunter swaps E1 for CWI commercial post
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has appointed experienced UK sports industry executive Rupert Hunter as its new chief commercial officer, SportBusiness can reveal.
RFEF adds to commercial unit with Plaza hire
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has appointed former Real Madrid executive Ramón Plaza Bautista as commercial and business development manager.
Euroleague and IMG’s fruitful marriage might need counselling
Euroleague Basketball and IMG are entering a crucial period of discussions with just two seasons remaining in their 10-year contract, and as the rights-holder eyes greater control over its commercial returns.
Restriction lifted on figure skaters’ field-of-play sponsorship branding
Figure skaters will be able to generate sponsorship funds from field of play advertising for the first time after the International Skating Union passed a proposal to allow the branding of manufacturers’ logos.
World Rugby eyes full unbundling of women’s rights but some joint deals ‘still make sense’
World Rugby is increasingly looking to unbundle commercial rights to the women’s game, following similar steps taken by Fifa and Uefa in recent years, but believes that bundled rights deals “still make sense” in certain markets.
Brown swaps ECB for Blast as commercial director
Blast, the international esports tournament organiser, has appointed former England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) commercial executive James Brown as its new commercial director
In-game digital buys becoming key revenue stream for esports teams
A shift in the esports revenue distribution model away from prioritising sponsorship to focus more on in-game digital purchases is set to become the new norm, industry experts have predicted.
Krauss to vacate Infront Austria MD, winter sports roles
Stefan Krauss, the long-standing managing director of Infront Austria and the agency’s vice-president of winter sports, is to leave the company by the end of next month.
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.
Premier League toughens rules on ‘Associated Party’ sponsor and transfer deals
The Premier League has tightened its rules on its member clubs striking inflated sponsorship and transfer deals with companies and organisations connected to their owners
MCO ‘essential’ to grow women’s football revenues, Mercury 13 set for first deal
Multi-club ownership (MCO) in women’s football is a necessity to growing the overall quality of the game and, eventually, commercial revenues, according to two leading protagonists.
Borussia Dortmund opens first US office, eyes quick revenue uptick
Borussia Dortmund is eyeing a doubling of its sponsorship revenue emanating from the United States after opening its inaugural office in the Americas, chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has declared
Canada Soccer board members hit with $30m legal challenge to CSB rights award
Current and former members of the Canada Soccer board have been hit with a C$40m ($29.6m/€27.4m) lawsuit over approving the 2018 award of a long-term media and sponsorship rights contract to Canada Soccer Business.
SA Rugby to set up commercial unit with investor ASG
South Africa Rugby is to establish a commercial vehicle to manage its media and sponsorship rights after striking an agreement with Ackerley Sports Group (ASG), a new unit of the US investment firm
Andretti F1 application rejected amid teams’ concern over dilution of revenues
Andretti Cadillac's application to join Formula 1 in 2025 or 2026 was rejected by the organisation's management following concerns from the 10 existing F1 teams over the dilution of commercial revenues
Ethics clause included in Altrad’s French rugby shirt sponsor renewal
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has signed a two-and-a-half-year extension to its shirt sponsorship deal with the Altrad Group, although the agreement includes a reciprocal ethics clause amid the ongoing probe into the company’s chairman, Mohed Altrad.
IOC social media rules aim to balance athlete engagement with rights-holder exclusivity
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has significantly loosened its restrictions around athletes' use of social media during the Olympic Games following discussions with media rights-holders, albeit…