The Sports Agents

Did you know the government doesn't fund deaf athletes, because they aren’t allowed to compete at the Paralympics? For 100 years now they’ve been holding their own competition - the Deaflympics - where referee whistles are replaced by flag signals, and starting guns by flashing lights. But no Paralympics means no funding. All because they were born with the so-called “wrong” disability. Great Britain medal hopefuls Charlotte Gower and Nathan Young join Gabby. Plus we look back at the best bits from this week on The Sports Agents from the NBA gambling scandal featuring the mafia and x-ray glasses with Andy Hughes (Co-Host of The Crime Agents podcast) and The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov; to a love letter to the Ashes with some hilarious stories from Phil Tufnell. You can watch the Deaflympics live on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@TOKYO2025DEAFLYMPICS And find out more information about DeaflympicsGB here: https://www.deaflympicsgb2025.co.uk/📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6 🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod 📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagents Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/ X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: thesportsagents@global.com Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents

Former England cricketer Phil Tufnell, who played in five Ashes series, joins Gabby and Mark to share his love letter to the Ashes, just weeks out from the competition. He has us in stitches with his stories from Down Under, from outrageous sledging to his hilarious first meeting with his England team mates. And how does he think England will get on this winter? And on that theme Gabby and Mark chat about "torture" for England in the current Rugby League Ashes, England taking on Australia in the Rugby Union Autumn Internationals this weekend, and the England v Australia Women's Cricket World Cup Final that almost was before England's demolition at the hands of South Africa. 📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6 🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod 📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagents Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/ X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: thesportsagents@global.com Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyAssistant Producer: Jasmine WissartVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents

It's one of the most iconic photos in Olympic history: Mary Decker falling flat on her face as Zola Budd runs past her bare foot. Decker, America’s golden girl and the World Champion on home turf, against Budd, from apartheid-ridden South Africa, who acquired a British passport in double quick time to line up, against her own will. Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward bring you the story behind the photo from the LA Games in 1984. How did two such different characters end up being the main protagonists in one of the Olympic’s most infamous moments? How did politics, the Daily Mail and fearsome fathers play their part? And what were the long term effects on both runners?Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: howitallplayedout@global.com Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Today’s story involves everything from the five families of the New York mafia, x-ray glasses at rigged poker games, FBI arrests and huge bets placed on inside information.As the NBA was rocked by an illegal sports gambling scandal, Gabby and Mark catch up with Andy Hughes (Host of The Crime Agents and Crime Correspondent for LBC) and Mike Vorkunov (The Athletic's Basketball Business Reporter). How did the mafia infiltrate U.S. sports? Will America regret embracing sports gambling in 2018? And is the integrity of the game shot? Plus, Gabby and Mark react to Brendan Rodgers resigning as Celtic manager, the spicy statement from Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond and Hearts' unexpected success. 📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6 🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod 📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagents Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/ X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: thesportsagents@global.com Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyAssistant Producer: Jasmine WissartVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents

Formula One might be about to witness a comeback worthy of a Drive to Survive Hollywood film. With five races to go, the McLaren driver win that seemed as certain as death and taxes, has suddenly been put in jeopardy by Max Verstappen and Red Bull. Could they pull off the impossible? Gabby and Mark are joined by 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard, who has history with both teams as a world championship runner-up with McLaren, who became the highest scoring British driver of all time while at Red Bull. Plus, we look back at this week on The Sports Agents. Andy Cole, the Premier League's fifth top goalscorer of all time, revealed what it was like being one of four top strikers at Man United, and his reaction to the managerial merry-go-round at Nottingham Forest. And as basketball finds itself in big trouble with the GB men's team banned from international competition, we spoke to the first Brit to play in the NBA, Professor John Amaechi, as well as the leaders of the two warring sides, Sanjay Bhandari, Chair of Super League Basketball, and Chris Grant, who recently stepped down as Chair of the British Basketball Federation. 📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6 🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod 📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagents Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/ X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: thesportsagents@global.com Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents

Michael Jordan returned to TV screens across America last night for the launch of a new NBA season that had fans all over the world giddy with excitement. Here in the UK the sport is in chaos... again, after the GB men’s team was banned from global sport.Gabby & Mark are joined by Prof. John Amaechi - psychologist, author and also the first Brit to make it to the NBA to discuss how the civil war could be stunting the growth of UK talent. It might be a while before we get our Michael Jordan. Plus, a fierce debate in the studio as they put the big questions to the men who have led the two warring sides in Sanjay Bhandari - Chair of Super League Basketball, and Chris Grant - who stepped down this month as Chair of the governing body, British Basketball Federation.Please note that the British Basketball Federation's suspension applies to men's 5v5 professional basketball only.📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6 🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod 📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagents Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/ X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: thesportsagents@global.com Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents

From General Franco to Johan Cruyff, and from a pig's head to the Messi v Ronaldo rivalry - Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague joins Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward to explain how El Clasico became the biggest club match in the world. And it's not all about fascism versus socialism, underdog versus serial winner...You might think you know the story but believe us, there's a lot of myths to be busted. Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: howitallplayedout@global.com Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyHead of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Gabby and Mark are joined by the Premier League's fifth top goal scorer of all-time and winner of eight major trophies with Manchester United, Andy Cole. Was Andy surprised to see Ruben Amorim become the first Man United manager to win at Anfield since 2016? With the focus on set pieces despite a transfer window dominated by big striker moves, are strikers taking too long to settle in? And as a man who was born in Nottingham and ended is career at Forest, what does he make of the managerial merry-go-round as Sean Dyche becomes their third manager of the season! Plus, Gabby and Mark chat about Tommy Fleetwood's son running on the green to congratulate him for winning the DP World India Championship; the retirement of two-time Rugby World Cup winner Emily Scarratt; and rugby's next big thing, Noah Caluori, after he scored five tries on his first Saracens start (against Sale - sorry Mark!); And should Wythenshawe FC Vets, the Sunday league team with 822 Premier League appearances between them, give Mark a shot? 📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6 🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod 📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagents Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/ X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: thesportsagents@global.com Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents

British Gymnastics has been on a journey of root and branch reform since the damning 2022 ‘Whyte Review’ exposed systemic abuse and cultural failings.We are now three years into its "Reform 25" plan, which was designed to "create safe, positive and fair experiences for all in gymnastics by 2025" by implementing the Whyte Review recommendations. So as the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships starts, has enough progress been made? Gabby and Mark are joined by Joseph Carr, Senior Associate in the Abuse Team at Bolt Burdon Kemp, who has acted for around 40 clients bringing abuse cases in gymnastics. British Gymnastics have yet to respond to The Sports Agents' request for comment. Their latest progress report can be found here: https://a.storyblok.com/f/83342/x/f0b8c9f937/british-gymnastics-reform-25-final-progress-report-v4.pdf If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available at charities such as Gymnasts for Change (https://www.gymnastsforchange.com/) 📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6 🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod 📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagents Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/ X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: thesportsagents@global.com Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents

You might have spotted the world’s best sumo wrestlers riding around on Lime bikes and posing for pictures on Abbey Road - that's because for the first time in 34 years, the thunderous spectacle of Grand Sumo is back in London.At the Royal Albert Hall, toilets and seats have been reinforced to take 200kg, spectators in the front row have been warned they could be crushed, and they’re getting through 70kg of rice per day!As other sports are determined to ‘go global’ in this age of commercialisation and constant reinvention, sumo has remained remarkably unchanged: a sport rooted in discipline, respect, and spiritual symbolism.From its uncompromising code of conduct to its deep connection with culture, we explore why sumo’s return is more than just an event — it’s a statement.That's with nine-time British Heavyweight Sumo Champion, Mandeep Singh Kundi, and Head of Programming at the Royal Albert Hall, Dave Gamble.Plus Gabby & Mark reflect on what *could be* the last October international break for a while, and how Man United can take advantage of Liverpool's second-choice goalkeeper at Anfield this Sunday.📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6 🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod 📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagents Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/ X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: thesportsagents@global.com Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents