SportsPro Podcast

SportsPro editorial director Michael Long is on the pod this week to comb through a week of industry news headlined by the launch of the Africa Super League (ASL). Alongside regulars George Breare and Tom Bassam, the panel discuss Fifa's role in the new competition's rollout, the ASL's vague finances and CAF governance. Conversation then turns to the National Football League (NFL) and how its increasingly close ties with Amazon may lead to a game being played on Black Friday. Also covered off are the plight of two brands - Cazoo and Peloton - who have major reach in the sports industry but are now having to plot a retreat. The show then closes out with a few 'under the radar' stories and listener questions.

SportsPro senior writer Ed Dixon, who recently penned a wonderful introduction for the second season of The Hundred, joins the pod to discuss the return of the ECB's short format domestic cricket competition. Podcast host George Breare, no stranger himself to the world of cricket, and news editor Tom Bassam also offer their thoughts on the competition, as well as its wider implications for the game. The pod then turns its attention to a selection of some of the biggest news topics in the sports industry, including Sky's disappointing Q2, the wild state of affairs at Barcelona and the latest in the LIV Golf's attempts to shake up the sport. The show concludes with the regular 'under the radar' section, including some discussion on Jake Paul's gambling startup.

The latest SportsPro Podcast sees regulars George Breare and Tom Bassam joined by features editor Sam Carp for a soccer-centric episode. Basking in the glory of the Lionesses winning Women's Euro 2022, discussion covers what happens next for the players, the Women's Super League (WSL) and the game at club level across Europe. Then, with the Premier League returning this weekend, the conversation moves to the big storylines heading into the new season, the growing gap with the lower divisions, as well as what Chelsea and Newcastle can expect in their first full campaigns under new ownership. To finish up, the trio look at some of the sports industry's under the radar stories and take some listener questions. If you have a question you want answered on the pod, get in touch via podcast@sportspromedia.com.

Making his debut as SportsPro Podcast host, content manager George Breare is joined by news editor Tom Bassam and Nathan Homer, chief commercial officer at the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), to talk about what the 2012 Olympic Games have left behind. Homer, who joined the LLDC in 2020, outlines the successes and shortcomings of the Olympic Park in the wake of London 2012, and shares some of the plans for what will happen in the next ten years of the venue's development. The pod then dives into some of the under-the-radar stories from the last week of sports industry news, before taking some listener questions to close out the episode.

To mark Women’s Sports Week across SportsPro’s platforms, Eoin Connolly speaks to Annie Panter, MD of Ventures at Two Circles, about how women’s sport can maintain its commercial momentum.  She explores the most effective strategies for women's sports bodies and their partners, and explains why rights holders need to focus on events and products that work to keep driving a virtuous cycle. She also reflects on how women’s sport has changed since she won Olympic hockey bronze at London 2012, how the progress of powerful sports like soccer will affect the sector, and what can be learned from recent success stories.

SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam and features editor Sam Carp join Eoin Connolly for another sports industry update, including a look ahead to the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.  They ask what impact the track and field showpiece will have and whether the sport can evolve to find a new place in the modern media ecosystem. They also consider Nike’s influence on a hometown event, and World Athletics’ plans to rebuild an American presence ahead of LA 2028.  There is also time to preview golf’s 150th Open and reflect on a busy week for world soccer in the courts.

Jenny Mitton, the women’s sport lead at M&C Saatchi Sports and Entertainment, joins Eoin Connolly and SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam to preview Uefa Women’s Euro 2022.  They look at the expectations being set for the tournament over the next three weeks, the impact it can make in host nation England, and the commercial development of women’s soccer. Mitton also explains what is being learned about the competition’s fanbase - which combines hardcore followers and big eventers - and how brands are approaching the opportunity.  Then, they ask what will come next for the women’s game in Europe and beyond.

Quentin Thom and James Newman, co-heads of PerfORM Due Diligence, join Eoin Connolly to explain what sport needs to understand about the crypto marketplace.  They discuss the risks that sports teams and organisations should recognise before entering into crypto partnerships, especially given the complexity of companies in the sector and the speed of change. In that context, they then detail the ambitions their practice has for creating specialist operational due diligence services that facilitate smarter, more secure business in the space.  They also discuss the path towards greater regulation and why sport’s relationship with crypto differs from other industries.

Eoin Connolly and SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam are joined by Alex Duff, author of Le Fric: Family, Power and Money – The Business of the Tour de France.  They discuss how the model of cycling’s biggest event has been shaped by the decades-long ownership of the Amaury family, consider its role as an elite global challenge and national showpiece, and ask how the outsized prominence of the Tour continues to affect the wider business of the sport.  They also look to the future of the Tour, including the Zwift-backed women’s event, data partnerships and a new Netflix series.

SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam and media and tech editor Steve McCaskill join Eoin Connolly to reflect on another week of industry news. First, they look ahead to The Championships at Wimbledon, asking whether the removal of rankings points will really hamper the appeal of tennis’ grass-court Grand Slam and reviewing the latest tech innovations introduced at SW19 by IBM and other AELTC partners.  Then they look back on a busy week for soccer in North America, piecing together the implications of a landmark deal between Apple and MLS and confirmation of host venues for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.