News
Caf eyes sponsorship boost with introduction of virtual advertising
The Confederation of African Football is planning to introduce virtual overlay advertising at its events for the first time and has invited suppliers to submit bids for the contract, SportBusiness understands.
Atalanta’s progression secures free-to-air coverage of Europa League final in Italy
The Uefa Europa League final will be shown by Italian public broadcaster Rai, after Atalanta’s semi-final win against Olympique Marseille triggered a ruling that provides free-to-air exposure for the match should an Italian team be involved.
Top F1 sponsor Qatar Airways adds MotoGP to portfolio
Qatar Airways, one of world sport's most prominent sponsors, has signed a multi-year deal with motorcycling's MotoGP.
James launches Bazballers Consulting after departing ECB
Commercial rights executive Russell James has set up a new consultancy after recently vacating the sales and marketing director position at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
Investors line up for slice of WNBL future
Basketball Australia is stepping up plans to privatise the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), with advanced talks having been held with a number of the country's richest business executives.
WBD’s Zaslav ‘hopeful’ of retaining NBA up against NBC competition
Speaking on the back of Warner Bros. Discovery's latest financial results, CEO David Zaslav claims to be "hopeful" that it will retain NBA domestic rights in a deal "that makes sense for both sides" with the broadcaster holding a matching right clause.
NRL’s Dolphins cuts back Alternaleaf sponsorship over advertising breach
The Dolphins National Rugby League team has been forced to downgrade its sponsorship agreement with medicinal cannabis sponsor Alternaleaf over breaches of Australian advertising laws,
Flamengo and Fluminense poised to retain control of Maracanã
Rio de Janeiro football giants come out on top in a tender process involving Série A rival Vasco da Gama for a 20-year contract to operate the historic stadium.
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.
Aramco doubles down on ICC deal after IPL exit
Saudi energy and chemicals companies Aramco has extended its global partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for another four years
Endeavor Q1 loss exceeds $300m ahead of Silver Lake takeover
Endeavor's Owned Sports Properties was the entertainment giant's sole business unit to show revenue growth in the first quarter of 2024, aided by last year's acquisition of WWE, as the wider group swung to a net loss.
Calendar configuration boosts F1 coffers in Q1
Formula 1's revenue broke the $500m (€465.7m) barrier for the first quarter of this year, with the addition of an extra race in the period and strong performances across all three main revenue drivers paying dividends.
WWE, NBC strike short-term $25m Raw deal; TKO raises 2024 targets
NBCUniversal has agreed a cut-price deal with World Wrestling Entertainment to continue showing 'Monday Night Raw' for the remainder of 2024, until the bumper 10-year global contract with Netflix kicks…
EXCLUSIVE: Japan’s U-Next nets joint Premier League, FA Cup rights deal
Streaming service U-Next is close to finalising a deal for exclusive media rights to the Premier League and FA Cup in Japan, SportBusiness understands
Formula E returns to AI category with sustainability and fan-focused Infosys deal
Formula E has signed its second successive sponsorship deal in the artificial intelligence (AI) category in the space of two months, announcing a three-year agreement with Infosys.
Disney bullish on NBA retention, ESPN+ subs slip in Q2
Disney is confident of retaining its National Basketball Association rights ahead of a new deal that would begin in 2025, chief executive Bob Iger has declared
Genius net loss flat as betting, media units report revenue upturn
Genius Sports’ first-quarter net loss remaining flat at $25.5m comes as improved revenue generation at its betting and media divisions underpinned the financial performance.
Pitch moves for minority stake in Matchroom Sport
Matchroom Sport, the UK-based event promotions company and agency, has ended its search for investment by striking an equity agreement with Pitch International which includes "collaboration" with the agency on international media rights and sponsorship sales.
Brazil in box seat for 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup
Brazil is the favourite to stage the 2027 Women’s World Cup after Fifa’s evaluation report scored its bid more highly than its European rival from Belgium, Netherlands and Germany.
Orsen lands Fiba 3×3 global commercial rights sales
The Orsen sports marketing agency has landed the contract to handle the commercial rights for Fiba 3x3 basketball competitions globally.