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64. The Padel paradox: Packed courts, low returns
45:35||Season 1, Ep. 64This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Rest and Martin Ross pick apart the week’s headlines and address some big-ticket issues affecting the sports industry:THE NEWSROOM: An in-depth look at the imbalance between padel’s surging participation and commercial performance. Which revenue-generating sectors are serving up growth and why some baseline figures haven’t improved? Plus, key media rights developments for three European football leagues.INSIDE THE DEAL: As the debate around LIV Golf and PIF rages on, we look at that investment but broaden the discussion out to the wider Saudi sports ecosystem, from the Saudi Pro League to SURJ. Matthew Glendinning joins to offer on-the-ground reflections after his trip to Riyadh.AOB: A London Marathon participant to hog the limelight and a Killer setlist at the Enhanced Games. 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: Matthew GlendinningEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:Full Swing on Netflix suffers audience dropSaudi enters padel as 54 gets new Hexagon event remitWill PIF let LIV die?PODCAST: Unpacking losses at LIV, European Tour and DAZNSURJ INTERVIEW: DAZN to grow in Saudi, Mena ‘in measured way’Saudi Prince’s KHC takes majority stake in Al-HilalSponsorships make case for PIF as ‘impactful investor’Record rights fees in new Norwegian domestic cycleDAZN to honour Pro League deal next seasonCentralisation backed despite Benfica resistance
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63. Gold rush? Latest Netflix move ignites FTA debate
38:05||Season 1, Ep. 63This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, co-hosts Martin Ross and Jonathan Rest delve into the topics and trends shaping an eventful week for the sports industry:THE NEWSROOM: Maria Kholodova joins as we discuss Netflix’s surprise and controversial Concacaf Gold Cup move in Mexico amid political calls for the government to defend free access to major sports events. Plus, Alibaba’s impending Uefa sponsorship, IMG leadership changes and more profits for Matchroom Sport.INSIDE THE DEAL: Matthew Williams gets under the bonnet of Ford’s new MLB sponsorship and its Independence Day activation, but also the league’s sponsorship appeal further afield.AOB: A challenge to the Belgian Pro League’s planned format and some bog-standard suggestions for additions to the new Matchroom Talent Agency.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, Jonathan RestContributors: Maria Kholodova, Matthew WilliamsEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:Netflix nets exclusive Gold Cup rights in MexicoListed events call made to Mexican governmentNetflix outmuscles rivals for Women’s World CupEXCLUSIVE: Alibaba nears expansive Uefa dealCBO role for Francis in IMG leadership changesMatchroom profits uptick spurred by darts, boxingZDF ends Tour de France exile in new rights dealFord backs MLB’s Fourth of July pushPODCAST - Netflix blows rivals out of the water to land Women’s World Cup in US
62. Unqualified success? Fifa's World Cup deals in Italy
48:55||Season 1, Ep. 62This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, Martin Ross is joined by Joseph Perry to give listeners the intel behind the latest industry stories and go deep on big topics.THE NEWSROOM: How Publicis’ $500m move for 160over90 represents its ‘big bet on sport’ in the AI era. Plus, the details behind Chelsea’s record £262.4m pre-tax loss.INSIDE THE DEAL: Frank Dunne explains how Fifa rejected a conditional offer for 2026 World Cup rights as Italian broadcasters hedged their bets on the national team qualifying. We bring you the lowdown on deals struck with Rai and DAZN.AOB: A looming UCL broadcast rights deadline, Unilever showering the public with World Cup products and the SportAccord curse strikes again.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, Joseph PerryContributor: Frank DunneEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources:1. Emirates Arena renamed after fruitless search2. Spurs ups income, Chelsea posts record loss3. Publicis to buy 160over90 amid ‘big bet on sport’4. Italy no-shows weigh heavily on World Cup value5. Bumper Rai, TVP ratings for World Cup heartache6. RFP, UC3 ready mass-markets sales process
61. $300m showjumping series to stirrup competition
47:15||Season 1, Ep. 61This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, we shake up the format as co-hosts Martin Ross and Jonathan Rest bring you the latest insights from the cutting edge of the industry.THE NEWSROOM: The launch of the $300m Premier Jumping League – its business model, backstory and disruption in showjumping. And the latest on investment in the NFL’s flag football league and its commercialisation.INSIDE THE DEAL: Ben Cronin explains why Mistral, Europe’s most valuable AI start-up, has invested in professional cycling and how the tech-led sponsorship sector is rapidly evolving.AOB: Bidding for NBA Europe teams reaches $1bn and the fallout from a dramatic night of Fifa World Cup playoffs.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:1. NFL unveils elite investor roster for pro flag venture2. IFAF to diversify revenue mix to lessen NFL reliance3. Returning McCourt backs Premier Jumping League4. Mistral flies the flag for European AI sector in Team Visma deal5. Euroleague to tap private markets, re-engages NBA6. DAZN, Rai to share World Cup coverage in Italy
60. Money on the table? Matchroom pockets Crucible extension
56:13||Season 1, Ep. 60Welcome to The SportBusiness Podcast, getting you informed on the biggest stories in the global sports industry. This week, we look at the decision to snub riches elsewhere and keep snooker’s World Championships at The Crucible and what the deal means for the sport.Jonathan Rest is back from Toronto, where he spoke to industry leaders about Rogers and its MLSE stake, the C$11bn NHL rights deal, big tech and the CRTC’s OneSoccer v Rogers ruling.We report from Sportel Singapore, as Joseph Perry offer insights into the latest media rights sector developments, and Ben Cronin weighs in from Spain on LaLiga’s Jornadas de Clubes. Plus, flying discs and the World Paint Drying Championships.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. Host: Catherine Davies Contributors: Jonathan Rest, Martin Ross, Joseph Perry, Ben CroninEditor: Lumi Lehmuskallio Sources: 1. Rogers ‘to shell out’ $7.7bn for NHL renewal2. EXCLUSIVE: CSME ‘open for business’ to investors3. Snooker Worlds remain at Crucible for the long term4. Regulator backs OneSoccer in Rogers carriage row5. Serie A, LaLiga exploring overseas match options6. AFC halts bidding for 2031, 2035 Asian Cups7. EXCLUSIVE: WFDF targets World Frisbee rebrand
59. Pay days and power plays: Sizing up the IPL
49:12||Season 1, Ep. 59Welcome to The SportBusiness Podcast, getting you informed on the biggest stories in the global sports industry. This week, Matthew Williams and Faaez Samadi join Catherine Davies to discuss the latest sponsorship trends in the Indian Premier League as the curtain rises on the latest iteration.Jonathan Rest looks at why IPL franchises are attracting billion-dollar bids and what this means for cricket’s future as a business. Lalit Modi, the league’s founder, also weighs in with his take on the next media rights cycle.Plus, we look ahead to what’s next for the US major leagues with on-the-ground observations from New York, and is latency killing the streaming star?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.Host: Catherine Davies Contributors: Matthew Williams, Faaez Samadi, Jonathan Rest, Lalit ModiEditor: Lumi Lehmuskallio Sources: 1. Cricket the battleground in India’s AI arms race2. Gemini’s IPL deal follows ChatGPT’s WPL tie-up3. India leads the way as T20 nations split on shirt sponsorship strategy4. Sunrisers, Super Giants replace Dream11 on shirts5. Investors circle rare deals for IPL team stakes6. JioStar hits record revenues in first quarter7. BBC trial aims to shrink streaming latency8. Sky extends, expands Masters coverage
58. OTT reaction: Is EPL move really a game-changer?
45:09||Season 1, Ep. 58Welcome to The SportBusiness Podcast, getting you informed on the biggest stories in the global sports industry. This week, Martin Ross and Joseph Perry join Catherine Davies to discuss the implications of the Premier League’s D2C launch in Singapore. Why now, what next and how do other major European leagues compare in the streaming space?Then, Martin and Joseph take a look at fiscal challenges for Europe’s public-service broadcast sector in the big tech era – in light of a decision by voters in Switzerland not to reduce their TV license fee payments.Plus, a lookahead to Sportel Singapore, mixed viewing figures for F1’s Drive to Survive and the winter Paralympics opening ceremony, as well as a novel sponsorship activation touching down in the Paulista state league final.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. Host: Catherine Davies Contributors: Martin Ross, Joseph PerryEditor: Lumi Lehmuskallio Sources: 1. EPL makes long-studied Singapore D2C move2. EPL to have Olympia HQ for in-house production3. European leagues stumble towards D2C as market hardens4. SRG SSR delivered crucial licence fee backing5. Swiss sports bodies oppose TV licence fee cut6. Winter Paralympics: Rai ratings solid, RTVE meagre