The Sports Agents

*Trigger warning* Some of the themes explored within our interview with Lizzy Banks contains mention of suicide and suicidal thoughtsToday on The Sports Agents, what's it really like for athletes living under the cloud of a failed drugs test? Lizzy Banks, the UK cyclist who has spoken out against Anti-Doping authorities following her 10-month battle to clear her name - which ultimately cost her, her sporting career and almost her life. Lizzy sheds light on the mind-blowing level of commitment it takes to be a 'clean athlete' and why WADA's rules are no longer fit for purpose.Plus, Gabby & Mark pay homage to some monster times from British middle-distance runners in the run up to the Paris Olympics as Josh Kerr and Keely Hodgkinson impressed in Oregon over the weekend.Running order: Lizzy Banks interview (11:07)Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

This week on The Sports Agents,We brought you an exclusive interview between The News Agents' own Jon Sopel and the Arsenal and Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko - who reflected Arsenal's season and waning support for the war. A special insight into how world title fights are actually scored from the referee at the centre of what was described as the 'biggest robbery in boxing history'.Gabby & Mark then sat down with the Football League Chairman Rick Parry to discuss the widening gulf between the Premier League and The Championship, ahead of this weekend's Play-Off final. Plus, reaction to Gareth Southgate's provisional squad for this summer's Euros with Joe Cole and much more... New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Ahead of the Championship Play-off Final, dubbed 'the richest game in football', EFL Chairman Rick Parry, joins Gabby & Mark to answer the big questions facing the Football League - What’s the point in Premier League promotion? Is the gulf between the top two tiers of English football too big and how would a Government regulator close it? Plus, with Vincent Kompany set to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich and as Chelsea eye Ipswich's Kieran McKenna and Leicester's Enzo Maresca, how has the profile of a desirable manager changed? Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Rory SymonVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

Was Oleksandr Usyk's split-decision victory over Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight crown the correct decision? Should the referee have stopped the fight in the 9th? Does boxing need VAR?...The Sports Agents brings you a bonus interview with former star referee and judge, Ian John-Lewis, days before the eagerly anticipated rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall - a fight described as the 'biggest robbery in boxing history', where Ian was one of the two judges who scored it in favour of Taylor... and never worked for the British Boxing Board of Control again. In this bonus episode, Gabby & Mark explore how elite fights are actually scored, what influences the decision to let a boxer continue and Ian's long drawn-out court battle to clear his name.New episodes every Tuesday & Thursday

Today on The Sports Agents, an exclusive interview with the Arsenal & Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko. In an emotional sit-down with The News Agents' Jon Sopel, Zinchenko talks about football and the war. The pride in representing Ukraine at this summer's European Championships and his 'duty' to use his profile to continue to help. Plus, as the Gunners missed out on the Premier League title on the final day, Zinchenko explains why Arteta's team are edging closer to silverware and reflects on that Son one-on-one! Later, after Gareth Southgate named his provisional England squad for this summer's Euros, Mark & Gabby speak to former England forward Joe Cole about what it feels like to make the squad for a tournament, Rashford's omission and Foden's best position. Guest Sports Agent: Jon Sopel Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: David DombVideo Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

This week on The Sports Agents former England defender Rio Ferdinand joined us to discuss the stigma around mental health in football and whether teams are now better equipped to work with players who are struggling. We were also joined by Jadon Sancho's former youth coach and mentor Sayce Lewis-Holmes to find out more about the level of pressure on aspiring footballers today. Plus, with a huge final couple of days in the Premier League and WSL seasons this weekend, football writer Henry Winter talked us through a whole host of topics including the 115 charges for Manchester City over alleged breaches of financial fair play. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday

Today on The Sports Agents, is it ever OK to want your own team to lose, would Manchester City's historic fourth consecutive title require an asterisk and how do you move on from legendary managers like Jurgen Klopp and Emma Hayes... Writer Henry Winter joins Gabby and Mark in the studio to debate the big stories heading into the final weekend of the Premier League and WSL seasons. Running order: Big Ange's big ambitions (04:12)Man City's 115 charges (14:33)Jurgen Klopp & Emma Hayes (24:00)Fury v Usyk (41:20)Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: David DombVideo Producer: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!Clips: John Fury (Sky Sports)Mauricio Pochettino (BBC)

Rio Ferdinand joins The Sports Agents to discuss the stigma around mental health in sports and a new campaign aimed at helping children to understand their emotions. As more Premier League stars open up about their own mental health struggles, Gabby & Mark asked the former Manchester United defender if his old club has been equipped to help players like Marcus Rashford & Jadon Sancho.Later, we're joined by Sancho's mentor and former youth coach Sayce Holmes-Lewis to talk more about the mentality of a prodigious six-year-old Sancho, how Dortmund helped him to rediscover his confidence and the extreme pressures on young aspiring male and female players.Plus, a weather report from a leaky Old Trafford after Mark is soaked on TV duty and Gabby tells us about Phoebe Gill - the teenage runner who just shocked the Athletics world. Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: David DombVideo Producer: Rory SymonSocial Media Editor: Rory SymonTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!Clips: Wayne Rooney (Sky Sports) Phoebe Gill (Team GB)

This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby & Mark took a closer look at a controversial new rule in cricket - the impact player in the IPL - and whether it's introduction became a threat to the fabric of the sport. The Telegraph's Nick Hoult joined us in the studio to discuss it's impact on the game and whether the current domestic schedule demands too much from players.And with the 'fight of the century' a week away between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, just how big is the latest drug scandal to hit boxing? Two-weight world champion Carl Frampton and broadcaster Adam Catterall explore how sensation Ryan Garcia is making headlines. Catch up with full episodes for more on how much Declan Rice's West Ham depature impacted David Moyes and his final season at the club, and just how do Real Madrid always find a way in the Champions League? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Today on The Sports Agents - with 'The Fight of the Century' between Fury and Usyk just over a week away - how damaging is its latest drugs scandal?Gabby & Mark are joined by the former two-weight World Champion Carl Frampton and broadcaster Adam Catterall to reflect on one of the most bizarre chapters in recent boxing history - involving Ryan Garcia.Handsome, talented and unstable. So why has his stunning victory over Super Lightweight Champion Devin Haney been overshadowed and when, if ever, will boxing take PEDs seriously? Plus, how Real Madrid always find a way to the Champions League final and just how difficult is it to measure a course for a marathon? Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducers: David DombVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Rory SymonTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!