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71. Blinded by the rights: Fifa's TV goldmine
46:23||Season 1, Ep. 71This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, it's a World Cup preview special as Jonathan Rest is joined by Martin Ross, who - with passport and kilt at the ready - prepares to head out to the US with the Tartan Army. THE NEWSROOM: Two more sponsorship deals in controversial categories close out Fifa's World Cup programme, while there are a few last-minute TV contracts to sort. In non-football news, the PGA Tour makes a move on Australia and there are tax developments in Canada for Netflix, Amazon et al.INSIDE THE DEAL: Frank Dunne joins to share insights on his deep dive into the broadcast revenues driving the World Cup's commercial success. More inventory equals more cash, of course, but new income streams are also unlocked for the first time.AOB: Previewing a major winter sports federation presidential election, E1 racing in picturesque Dubrovnik and Golden Boot winners, past and present.You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here. Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin RossContributors: Frank DunnerEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:Kraken deal adds to World Cup programmeExpressVPN joins Fifa’s World Cup sponsor rosterPGA Tour enters key LIV market with Australia deal | SportBusinessJas deal averts World Cup blackout in ThailandFifa reels in revenue from YouTube, TikTok firstsFifa earns China uplift as challenging Asia sales endIn Focus: Fifa World Cup | SportBusiness MediaWPP’s Copas replaces Basso as E1 CEO | SportBusiness
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70. Grand Budapest Intel
45:27||Season 1, Ep. 70This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, Jonathan Rest and Joseph Perry return from the Champions League final to pore over big European football topics with Martin Ross.THE NEWSROOM: High stakes for latest Uefa club comps sponsor secured by RFP/UC3, UCL piracy numbers, why now for Uefa’s national teams tender and who’s winning AFC’s agency tender?INSIDE THE DEAL: The ECB’s sponsorship strategy overhaul, aided by Two Circles, and driven by fresh thinking and new inventory opportunities. Matthew Williams has all the details.AOB: Absent World Cup kits, F1 back on German FTA TV and a pawsome return for the Stanley Pup You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here. Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin RossContributors: Joseph Perry, Matthew WilliamsEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:EXCLUSIVE: Bet365 close, Alibaba signs as Uefa eyes €1bn windfallEpstein: AB InBev and PepsiCo UC3 deals send ‘strong message’EXCLUSIVE: Uefa invites national team rights bidsEXCLUSIVE: AFG-Sela preferred AFC bidderCentralisation backed despite Benfica resistanceEXCLUSIVE: Sky retains exclusive ATP Tour rightsNew assets, new approach: inside the ECB’s sponsorship resetLive F1 returns to RTL following Sky takeover
69. On the Seine at SportGen Summit in Paris
42:08||Ep. 69This week, Martin Ross, Maria Kholodova and Matthew Glendinning are in Paris to bring you the lowdown from the inaugural SportGen Summit, plus the usual look at major industry stories.We explore PSG’s brand building targets internationally and commercial approach, and Gucci’s landmark Alpine F1 title deal. Why Roland Garros host broadcaster Whisper rejected a sale to private equity to retain its independence and how co-founder David Coulthard views its approach to live sports production.A snap tender for Uefa club Spanish-language rights in the US also comes under the microscope, along with Fifa’s long-awaited TV deal in India.Plus, a EuroLeague Final Four dispatch from Athens, an Enhanced Games watch-along and tennis headwear tips.You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here. Co-hosts: Martin Ross, Maria KholodovaContributor: Matthew GlendinningEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:Gucci makes grid history with Alpine title dealTight Uefa club deadline for Spanish TV rights in USFifa close to Zee deal for World Cup rights in IndiaPrivate ownership for Whisper as Sony divestsPSG eyes commercial income hike from sale of major assetsEnhanced Games devoid of sponsors, broadcastersEuroLeague to roll out new distribution model
68. High hoops: Netball bids for reach, revenue and relevance
45:01||Season 1, Ep. 68This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Rest and Martin Ross discuss some major developments in European football, a crucial media rights deal for a challenger sport and the week’s industry snippets.THE NEWSROOM: As Uefa issues a snap tender for men’s national team commercial rights, what does it mean for incumbent CAA Eleven and the 2028-36 cycle? Plus, Uefa club competitions finals paywalled by TNT Sports.INSIDE THE DEAL: Netball Australia courts reach and revenue from Nine Entertainment. Joseph Perry joins as we break down the deal and World Netball’s battle for rights fees ahead of its Commonwealth Games exposure window.AOB: The Enhanced Games debut, Sønderjyske’s MoM motors along and who wants to broadcast robot fighting?You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here. Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin RossContributor: Joseph PerryEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:EXCLUSIVE: Uefa invites national team rights bidsChinese brands double down on family-friendly Uefa national team eventsPodcast – Team Talk: Champions League rights sales – then and nowPodcast – Making it Relevent: New Uefa agency team assembledTNT eyes Max audience with Uefa finals paywallsNetball Australia finds reach, revenue with NineEnhanced Games devoid of sponsors, broadcastersPodcast - Enhanced Games: Where’s the commercial injection?
67. YOG days are over?
43:22||Season 1, Ep. 67This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Rest and Martin Ross are back to delve into the headline stories of the week and take a look at a big-ticket football sponsorship.THE NEWSROOM: Game over for YOG? The rationale, plus significant IOC funding, for the late Jacques Rogge’s labour of love are called into question. Plus, Bruin’s bet on more Matchroom growth.INSIDE THE DEAL: Sports Illustrated Tickets expands its Premier League sponsorship portfolio by landing a 12-year deal with Aston Villa. A route into taking over ticket operations? Matthew Glendinning explains.AOB: A stadium dilemma – Ajax Styles it out, a sleeve sponsorship courts attention and ‘No Broke Boys’ at LIV Golf.You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here. Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin RossContributor: Matthew GlendinningEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:Youth Olympic Games to hit the skids?Hearns sell 15% of Matchroom to BruinMatchroom profits uptick spurred by darts, boxing(ARCHIVE) Hearn: Matchroom equity sale still likelySI Tickets puts Villa at heart of Premier League pushSports Illustrated Tickets trades on licensed name for market push
66. Can the ITTF bounce back from big losses?
43:14||Season 1, Ep. 66This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Rest and Martin Ross bring you analysis of this week’s industry developments, big numbers and the context behind the headlines.THE NEWSROOM: We look at the reasons behind the International Table Tennis Federation’s $14.4m loss, its sale of more WTT equity and what the future holds. Plus, DAZN’s $100m ViewLift swoop driven by a rights opportunities and US ambitions.INSIDE THE DEAL: Ben Cronin on why Uefa’s first-ever corporate strategic sponsorship with Schwarz Group represents one of the confederation’s most significant commercial innovations in a shift beyond its traditional competition-based sponsorship model.AOB: Guardians League launch – a life-saving addition to the sports landscape? And Fox Sports is offering you $50K to watch DR Congo v Uzbekistan.You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube. You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here.Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin RossContributor: Ben CroninEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:ITTF sells 10% WTT stake after loss-making 2025Long-serving ITTF, WTT CEO Dainton exitsDAZN swoops for ViewLift to bolster US prospectsSchwarz Group corporate deal marks commercial first for UefaLidl shops for more Uefa sponsorship rights
65. Bundesliga's investment strategy: Three stripes and you're in
46:38||Season 1, Ep. 65This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Rest and Martin Ross analyse the industry’s heavy-hitting stories, go deep on a football media rights deal with lessons for the wider market and, as always, review the trends shaping the industry.THE NEWSROOM: The Bundesliga’s lengthy – and often controversial – search for external funding leads to Adidas providing a €100m facility loan and extending its ball supply deal. Where’s the money going and where does the German league body look next? Plus, IMG fully back in media rights business with World Rugby.INSIDE THE DEAL: Maria Kholodova joins us to look at Norwegian football’s 10% uplift in its domestic broadcast deals in a bear market. We break down the what, but more importantly, the why.AOB: A Miami GP look ahead, a man called Fifa and does LaLiga’s rights inventory pack a punch?You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here.Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin RossContributor: Maria KholodovaEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:Bundesliga scores €100m Adidas loan facilityON THE MONEY: A German solution to a German problemSerie A returns to CCTV in China for season finaleIMG reprises World Rugby rights role with gaze on USSportBusiness Media: Rugby World Cup In FocusNorwegian football’s early gamble pays offEliteserien pulls OTT service over VPN concernsLaLiga rights on market in seven European countries