Business of Sport

I feel like we have a month’s worth of news that has happened since we last recorded. Mo Salah’s departure announcement, yet more Chelsea punishment, Brendon McCullum’s continuation as England Head Coach, Spurs going deeper into the relegation pit; where do we even start. Don’t worry, we’ll be taking a look at all of this in some capacity, but the Mo Salah news and what it tells us about Liverpool’s current situation, alongside the ECB’s decision to stick with the leadership that oversaw such a depressing winter for English cricket will lead from the front in this week’s episode of ‘The Breakdown’.Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only. All financial analysis, commentary, and forecasts are based on publicly available information and/or permitted confidential sources. These represent our personal opinions, not professional financial, legal, or investment advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Nothing said should be taken as a statement of fact about any individual, club, or organisation's financial position or future prospects. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on our commentary.

One of the Business of Sport greats returns. It was too painful to do this just after the Ashes, but with time the ever effective healer, and with the IPL kicking off this week, what better moment to get Pat Cummins back in the seat.When Pat first came on before the 2023 Ashes, the conversation ranged from how they’d deal with the new style of cricket England were bringing to the test scene, while also looking at the impact of an increasingly packed calendar, and how the players manage their priorities. This time round, the less we talk about England the better, but with the IPL fronting the calendar for the next few weeks, we take a proper look at what that tournament has done for the global game. This is another quality insight into the world of cricket at the highest level from one of the game’s great players. We’re delighted to welcome Pat to the Business of Sport.The Ashes & LeadershipWhat it’s really like captaining Australia during an Ashes seriesHow Australia handled England’s “Bazball” approachThe role of individuality vs system in elite team performanceThe IPL & The Business of CricketInside the IPL: pressure, money and global attentionHow IPL exposure unlocks sponsorships and business opportunitiesWhy cricket is facing a growing tension between leagues and international dutyThe Evolution of CricketWhy T20 cricket is becoming more aggressive than everThe rise of 250+ scores and how teams are built to dominateHow rule changes like the “impact player” are reshaping the gameLife Beyond CricketWhy Cummins doesn’t define himself purely as a cricketerHis approach to investing, AI and business interestsBalancing elite performance with family, curiosity and long-term thinkingA huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/

After Charlie’s epic run through of the horse racing industry, the pressure is on to deliver this week. With F1 race cancellations and continued speculation on Iran’s World Cup participation, it feels like the right time to look at the impact of the war on the sporting calendar. We’re also at the crazy time of the season where manager hiring and firings dominate the headlines, so a look at the importance of managers on their teams and whether experience is overlooked for ‘fashionable’ alternatives delivers a bit of spice to the show. Add to that a dive into the US college sports competition that makes more money in a month than some football leagues in Europe make in a season, and we have ourselves a breakdown!Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only. All financial analysis, commentary, and forecasts are based on publicly available information and/or permitted confidential sources. These represent our personal opinions, not professional financial, legal, or investment advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Nothing said should be taken as a statement of fact about any individual, club, or organisation's financial position or future prospects. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on our commentary.

MotoGP has hundreds of millions of die hard fans, has an excellent commercial model, some of the most talented sportspeople in the business, and now Liberty Media, the owners of F1, have arrived to try and bring a true global business to this already powerful sporting property. This is an awesome conversation looking into one of the great sports that you may not know much about. Carlos Ezpeleta is the man at the helm looking to front this change while ensuring the sport doesn’t lose its identity and the core fans which have driven its growth. In a world of sporting plenty, I think this is one of the most exciting areas in the industry. I’m excited for you to hear it. We’re delighted to welcome Carlos to the Business of Sport. The Growth of MotoGPHow MotoGP is expanding globally while maintaining its core fanbaseThe challenge of competing with F1’s explosion in popularityWhy Liberty Media’s involvement could transform the sportMedia, Content & AudienceThe role of Drive to Survive and why MotoGP is approaching content differentlyHow digital platforms and storytelling can unlock new audiencesBalancing tradition with entertainment in modern sportThe Business of MotoGPWhere the money comes from: broadcasting, sponsorship and race hostingThe importance of manufacturers and why they shape the sportCost control, competitiveness and keeping the grid balancedThe Future of MotorsportExpanding into new markets like the US and AsiaThe next generation of fans and how to attract themWhy MotoGP must evolve without losing what makes it uniqueA huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/

This is a big week. Charlie is about to deliver a masterclass. Horse racing; it’s not my expertise, and may not be yours. But stick with us. His evaluation of the UK’s second biggest sport and one that has a huge global footprint is truly fascinating, just in time for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. You won’t be disappointed.It’s the turn for Scottish football to have its moment in the sun, looking at a competitive league including teams outside of Celtic and Rangers for the first time in 40 years. Caveat to say we recorded this very soon after the nasty scenes at the end of the Old Firm derby last weekend, and so that isn’t included. Add to that a potential return of the Christian Horner and Toto Wolff rivalry and we have ourselves a breakdown! Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only. All financial analysis, commentary, and forecasts are based on publicly available information and/or permitted confidential sources. These represent our personal opinions, not professional financial, legal, or investment advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Nothing said should be taken as a statement of fact about any individual, club, or organisation's financial position or future prospects. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on our commentary.

There couldn’t be a better time to have this chat. After the big news that Prem Rugby is set to embrace a franchise type model, we welcome Northampton Saints CEO Julia Chapman to the show.There is so much to unpick from this: what does it mean for the individual clubs? What opportunities does it offer the players? How will it impact the core business model? But there is also a huge amount to look at from the local level. One of the Prem’s great clubs, Saints have an amazing history with a dedicated fanbase that demonstrates the appetite and commitment of the audience to club rugby in England.Time to get stuck into the ins and outs of domestic rugby with a guest who we have had many requests for in the past. We’re delighted to welcome Julia to the Business of Sport.The Business of Northampton SaintsHow winning the Premiership created a sell-out season ticket boomThe financial reality of running a Premiership rugby clubWhy owning the stadium is one of the club’s biggest competitive advantagesThe Economics of Club RugbyWhy player salary spend directly correlates with league positionHow academies allow smaller clubs to compete financiallyWhy club rugby struggles to convert international fans into paying subscribersCommercial Growth in Modern RugbyThe power of player personalities and social media in growing audiencesHow clubs monetise content, partnerships and hospitalityWhy brands increasingly want access to players and behind-the-scenes contentThe Future of Rugby ClubsWhy Premiership rugby is moving toward a more aligned league structureThe investment required to modernise stadiums and unlock revenueWhy women’s rugby could become one of the sport’s biggest growth driversA huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/

It’s the turn of Chelsea to take the footballing spotlight today, as we take a deeper look at the implications of UEFA’s report showing a loss of £355m this year. How has this happened and what does it mean for the future?Follow that up with a look at the very exciting Prem Rugby franchising move and the start of the F1 season (with a particular focus on the Aston Martin chaos that seems to be unfolding), and we have ourselves a Breakdown.Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only. All financial analysis, commentary, and forecasts are based on publicly available information and/or permitted confidential sources. These represent our personal opinions, not professional financial, legal, or investment advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Nothing said should be taken as a statement of fact about any individual, club, or organisation's financial position or future prospects. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on our commentary.

Noel Mooney is the CEO of the Welsh FA. So, what does it take to run an international football organisation? It’s a question I’ve wanted to ask from day one, and today we get to. It has been a great few years for Welsh football. Multiple tournament appearances including an iconic 2016 Euro semi final, superstar players like Gareth Bale, a team which at the moment looks like one of the most together units in the international game, and now a big World Cup play off coming up at the end of the month. Noel Mooney is the man behind the scenes in charge of leading both the international team and overseeing domestic football in Wales. It’s no small job. How do you get the professional end firing while making sure grassroots and participation is building for future success? A fresh take with a truly fantastic leader. We’re delighted to welcome Noel to the Business of Sport.In Today's Show We Discuss:Building Modern Welsh FootballHow qualifying for Qatar 2022 unlocked £40–50m in grassroots investmentWhy the FAW deliberately runs a “non-qualification” budget modelTurning World Cup prize money into long-term infrastructureWhy Wales doesn’t own a national stadium and why that might be an advantageCentralised TV rights, sponsorship strategy and government fundingGrowing the Welsh League & Attracting InvestorsWhy investing £4m into the domestic league is a calculated riskThe Wrexham effect and why Wales is “ripe for investment”Whether the league could eventually sit outside the FAW structurePolitics, Performance & Global TournamentsManaging Qatar 2022 and the One Love armband controversyExpanding World Cups to 48 teams and what that means for smaller nationsWhy Craig Bellamy is “world class” and destined for the very topA huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/

Some huge football topics in the last few weeks and an amazing response to both the Spurs and Leicester situations which unfortunately for both do not look like they’re improving. However it’s the turn of Eileen Gu to stand tall this week, and after more gleeful messages than I can relay, an inevitable review of the rumoured boycotting of Pakistan players by Indian owned Hundred franchises. Add to that a look at the impact of referees losing confidence in VAR and we have ourselves a Breakdown.

Matt Richards is a double Olympic Champion and silver medallist in the pool, winning a historic back to back relay title and falling agonisingly short of individual gold in the 200m freestyle (2 hundredths of a second to be precise). And that won’t be the end of it; LA28 is firmly in his sights.At the age of 23, he has achieved more than most will in their whole career. You would think as an Olympic gold medallist, the world opens up to, and in some ways it does. But as he describes, these are athletes surviving on tiny salaries, reliant on sponsorship and external funding, all competing for the same dollars. So Matt decided to do something about it. He’s now not only an elite swimmer, but also a business owner looking to empower more athletes with the control over their revenue generating opportunities. I have put a link below to check out the platform. A special guy with a huge amount still to come. We loved this and I hope you do too. We’re delighted to welcome Matt to the Business of Sport.Olympic Gold & The Reality Behind It:Winning gold in Tokyo at 18 and why it did not feel how he expected.The brutal 0.02 second Olympic silver in Paris and how he reset overnight.What actually changes after you become Olympic champion and how fast the buzz fades.The Money Behind Olympic Sport:£28,000 lottery funding and what swimmers really earn.Why most Team GB athletes make nothing outside sponsorship.The three month Olympic window to monetize success without harming performance.Building a Business While Chasing Gold:Launching Sponsor while competing at the highest level.Why athletes must see themselves as marketing assets.Balancing brand building, training, and the risk of distraction.Pressure, Process & The LA 2028 Target:Calling himself Olympic champion at eight years old.The Olympic Village chaos, illness, and racing through adversity.Turning silver into fuel as he targets individual gold in LA.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/Seat UniqueDiscover your next premium experience  https://wgl.io/s10it7AND check out Sponza, Matt’s business to revolutionise sponsorship for athletes & brands https://sponza.co.uk/

This week it’s a balance of fact and hypothetical. The deep dive into Leicester’s concerning situation last week received an amazing response, and with it many requests to look at what would happen if the ever shortening odds of Spurs inconceivably going down paid out. So that’s what we’ll do! It was Charlie’s turn to suffer from the sniffles so bare with him; he’s still his usual self don’t worry. Add to this a look at how much money it takes to win an Olympic gold and the concerning events surrounding Vinicius Jr and alleged racist abuse he received during this week’s Champions League tie against Benfica, and we have ourselves a Breakdown.

After numerous shows with players from Wales, New Zealand, South Africa, France, we have ourselves an England international. And what a way to kick off the red rose association.Anthony Watson is one of the game’s biggest names over the last decade. He broke onto the scene young, played over 50 times for England, a double British & Irish Lion, and retired by 30. Injury prevented him from achieving even more, but as you will hear it also opened up other opportunities for him. From losing his way when first dealing with life in the spotlight, to university and masters degrees with a big future to look forward to, this is an incredible insight into how the world of elite sport can deliver big success both on and off the pitch. We’re delighted to welcome Anthony to Business of Sport.Retirement, Injury & Identity:Why long injury spells prepared Anthony for the reality of retirement.The shock of going from England international to silence overnight.The unhealthy obsession with recovery and performance that followed.Building purpose beyond rugby through media, business and new ventures.Eddie Jones, England & Elite Standards:Why Eddie Jones was a better man manager than people realise.The detail and intensity required to succeed in the England environment.What really went wrong at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.The Business of Rugby & Innovation:Why the Premiership needs radical innovation beyond the pitch.The reality of salary caps, squad depth and financial sustainability.R360, disruption and why rugby cannot afford to stand still.Player Welfare, Superstars & Growth:Why growing the game cannot come at the expense of player health.The tension between protecting athletes and building global appeal.Whether rugby relies too heavily on its biggest names.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/Seat UniqueDiscover your next premium experience  https://wgl.io/s10it7

What a show we have for you this week. Leicester’s points deduction for breaching financial regulations is a big problem, but is there something far worse going on? In short, Charlie expertly takes us through how a football club goes bankrupt. Add to that the Glazer’s IPL ambitions and some excellent conversation on whether NBA Europe will get off the ground (which includes some excellent statements for those of you out there who love a good comms strategy as much as we do) and we have ourselves a Breakdown. Oh, and don’t worry, the most requested topic of the week featuring some questionable antics of male ski jumpers looking to gain more lift to travel further is covered in detail too. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, that will soon change.

It’s a return to the chair for one of our greatest guests, and what a time to do it. When Claire Williams came to see you in 2024 she delivered an account of Williams and the recent sale that few had heard. Today, we look forward. As the new season approaches, teams have had to deal with some of the biggest regulatory changes in the sport’s history. Are we about to see F1 flipped on its head? Without the pressure of having to be across every detail expected when Team Principal, Claire can take a breath and look at the sport from a different lens. Today, we, and hopefully you, are the benefiters of that. From how to prepare a car from scratch to why she thinks George Russell would be great in a McLaren (incredibly juicy we know), the educated eye once again casts a view of what could be the most dramatic F1 season on record. We’re delighted to welcome Claire to the Business of Sport.On today's show we discuss:Regulation Changes, Cost Caps and Competitive Balance:How sweeping technical regulation changes can reset the grid overnight.Why interpretation of rules and strength of engineering teams matter more than budget alone.How the cost cap has fundamentally changed the survival prospects of smaller teams.Drivers, Risk and the Harsh Reality of Performance:Why being a second driver at certain teams can be the hardest job in the sport.Making brutal decisions on drivers and why timing matters more than patience.How pressure, risk and scrutiny have intensified in the modern F1 era.Growth, New Teams and Protecting the Sport:Why Formula One is cautious about expansion despite having the money to support more teams.The balance between growth, dilution and protecting long term value.What adding new teams really means for competitive integrity.Stepping Away and Looking Back:Why leaving Williams was not a choice and how perspective changes with time.Missing the sport while recognising the toll it takes on life outside racing.Why Formula One will always be part of who she is, even from the outside.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/Seat Unique Discover your next premium experience businessofsport.seatunique.com

We break new ground this week. A couple of English guys taking a look at what makes the NFL so powerful on Super Bowl week. Add that to a review of challenger football leagues after Baller League paused their tournament in Germany and a look ahead to the Winter Olympics, and we have ourselves a breakdown!

The Six Nations is upon us. With the tournament kicking off this Thursday in Paris, CEO Tom Harrison stopped by to give us a rare insight into how the tournament operates behind the scenes. As the former CEO of the ECB, Tom has a lot of experience when it comes to operating in top sporting organisations. The key focus here was how rugby continues to disrupt, adapt and protect its heritage while existing in the most competitive sports environment there’s been. This was one of the first interviews Tom’s given in the position. It doesn’t disappoint. We’re delighted to welcome Tom to the Business of Sport.On today’s show we discuss: Running the Six Nations as a Global Business:Why the Six Nations is a rights and media business, not a governing body.How the role of CEO has evolved into year-round commercial and content responsibility.Balancing heritage with the need to modernise one of sport’s most traditional properties.The Nations Championship and Calendar Reform:Why a globally aligned calendar is critical for player welfare, fans and broadcasters.How the Nations Championship brings together North and South without breaking the game.The political and structural difficulty of getting unions, clubs and players aligned.Broadcast, Private Equity and Commercial Strategy:The real impact of CVC investment and why COVID accelerated outside capital.Why free to air reach still matters more than short-term rights fees.How partnerships like Guinness are built on authenticity and long-term value.Innovation, Fans and the Future of Rugby:Using data and storytelling to make rugby easier to understand and more engaging.Why rugby must embrace players, personality and always-on content.The challenge of evolving without losing what makes the Six Nations special.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/Seat UniqueDiscover your next premium experience  https://wgl.io/s10it7

There are some big stories to look at this week: politically, commercially and socially charged. Coming up? The uncompromising behavior of Indian cricket and the chaos that has surrounded Bangladesh’s removal from the T20 World Cup asks some serious questions of the other major cricketing nations. Are English football clubs falling behind their biggest European rivals off the pitch? What does a head coach endorsing the use of TikTok amongst his players tell us about the shifting approach to how athletes as brands can still work for the performance of a team? We really got stuck into this, not much fence sitting as always. So let’s get to it. Welcome to the Breakdown.

It had to be done. It was the greatest upset in FA Cup history when Macclesfield beat holders Crystal Palace a couple of weeks ago. 117 places between the two teams in the football pyramid. But there is much more to the story than that result. A club that went out of business six years ago. An owner who was in the depths of addiction when he bought the club, now delivering one of the great football stories. Can they do it again against Brentford in a couple of weeks? You wouldn’t bet against them. But in the meantime let’s take a look at how this magic has been made possible. We’re delighted to welcome Rob Smethurst to the Business of Sport.On today’s show we discuss: The FA Cup Run That’s Changed Everything:What it meant for a sixth-tier club to beat Crystal Palace, the FA Cup holders.The financial impact of a single cup run, from gate receipts to TV money and global attention.Why moments like this can fund an entire season and transform a club’s trajectory overnight.Running a Sustainable Non-League Football Club:How you build a squad from scratch with part-time players earning a few hundred pounds a week.Why promotion often makes clubs poorer, not richer, at non-league level.How Macclesfield built a seven-day-a-week business around the club through gyms, bars, pitches and education.Turning football into part of the business, not the whole business, to survive and grow.Buying a Football Club on Rightmove:The unbelievable story of buying Macclesfield FC while in the depths of addiction and not remembering the purchase.Taking control of a club that had been stripped bare by receivers and rebuilding it from nothing.Why owning the club gave Rob purpose at the lowest point of his life and ultimately helped save it.Investment, Ambition & the Road Ahead:What it really costs to climb the football pyramid and why outside investment is unavoidable.How infrastructure underwrites club value as you move up the leagues.Why Macclesfield now has belief, momentum and a clear plan to go further.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/

It’s a big show this week. So much to cover, a fight as always to keep it to the point. Managers are back on the menu as we take a look at the ongoing discussion on whether power of selection should like with the head coach or the medical department. That inevitably feeds into a quick look at the chaos unleashed by Oliver Glasner in the media last weekend. It’s then the turn of tennis to celebrate the start of the Australian Open and a look at whether the Grand Slams should give a higher percentage of revenue to the players, before wrapping up with a look at F1 on the week the liveries for the 2026 season are revealed; how important is how the car looks to the brands spending tens of millions to sponsor them? Let’s get straight to it. Welcome to The Breakdown!

Elite athletes who have achieved everything in their sport while building a career alongside; it’s the ambition many sports stars have today. But how do you do it effectively? Petr Cech is a footballing legend, and I don’t use that term lightly. Four Premier League titles, a Champions League, record for the most Premier League clean sheets, and hugely respected as one of the most dedicated and attentive professionals the game has seen. He also has an MBA, is studying for a PhD, runs multiple businesses, and I need two hands to count the number of languages he speaks. The philosophy that has driven this? Win, that’s what it’s all about. If not then what’s the point. As you’ve just heard this is a theme that runs throughout. It also poses the question we wrestle most with on the show which is how to do that consistently and run a great business. I’ll get the apology in early, yes this was very exciting for me (and Harry too). Sitting across the table from someone who has given you some of your greatest memories as a fan is pretty cool, not many other ways I can say it. Just breeze through it.But what I can say is we’ve met few people are impressive or generous with their time who leave you genuinely in awe of but their successes and the processes they’ve adopted to achieve it. I promise you don’t just need to be a Chelsea fan to enjoy this. We’re delighted to welcome Petr to the Business of Sport.On today’s show we discuss: Elite Mentality, Preparation & Winning:​Why preparation beats talent under pressure and how Petr approached the biggest moments of his career.​What truly separates elite performers when everything is on the line.​Why winning is a mindset before it’s a tactic.Leadership, Standards & Team Culture:​How winning environments are built and sustained over time.​The role of managers, players and dressing-room standards in elite teams.​Why culture collapses when accountability disappears.Setbacks, Injury & Perspective:​How a life-threatening head injury changed the way Petr approached football and life.​Why fear never disappeared, but how he learned to perform alongside it.​The difference between confidence and control at the highest level.From Pitch to Boardroom:​Transitioning from player to executive and seeing football from the inside.​Why football performance must always come before commercial priorities.​How decision-making, incentives and governance shape success off the pitch.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Gemini SportsWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/SlateThe complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/EMWA pleasure to work with leading sports & entertainment agency EMW on this showhttps://emw-global.com/