The Sports Agents

This week on The Sports Agents... Sports Personality of the Year winner and 2024 Olympic gold medallist, Keely Hodgkinson, joins us for an exclusive interview (03:45). We find out more about Tyson Fury and what it's like to box a rematch with cruiserweight boxer and former WBO title holder, Chris Billam-Smith, ahead of the biggest rematch of the century Fury v Usyk 2 (11:25). And how extreme can running get? We find out with ultra-runner Jon Shield (17:45). Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.com New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

The fight of the century is back. Last time around, Oleksandr Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion for 25 years, and he's back again for the rematch against Tyson Fury, who'll want to avenge his first professional defeat. Gabby and Mark chat to cruiserweight boxer and former WBO title holder, Chris Billam-Smith, about running with Fury, the pressure of a rematch and how he sees it going (09:25). We react to Marcus Rashford essentially saying he wants to leave Manchester United. Is he right to want to go? And where could he move to? (04:15)Plus, everyone knows someone who took up running in lockdown, right? But how many of them went on to win four 200-250km ultramarathons in the desert, arctic, jungle and mountains like ultra-runner Jon Shield? (25:19)Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producers: Sam TrudgillSocial 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 here!

Olympic gold medallist, Keely Hodgkinson, speaks to Gabby and Mark for an exclusive interview ahead of the Sports Personality of the Year Awards. Keely raced to gold in the 800m this summer in Paris, in the most watched event on the BBC. That was Team GB's first track gold since Jess Ennis-Hill at London 2012 - the very moment that inspired Keely to start running. Even as a teenager Keely won silver at the Tokyo Olympics, breaking Kelly Holmes' British record. So can she break the world record that's stood for 41 years? Will she be joining Michael Johnson's new Grand Slam Track event? What does she think can be done to improve athletics in the UK? And how does she balance her love of seeing friends and fashion with her gruelling training regime? Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producers: Sam TrudgillSocial 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 here!

This week on The Sports Agents... After the biggest contract in sports history was signed (15 years and $765m dollars for baseball player Juan Soto) we tried to get our heads around the huge numbers with U.S. Sports Business Reporter, Daniel Kaplan (01:43). As the Formula One season ended we had a debrief about the big driver argument, Lewis Hamilton and next year's wide open title race with BBC F1 presenter and voice of Drive to Survive, Jennie Gow (07:34). We talked about the Game of Thrones at Manchester United with The Athletic's Adam Crafton after their sporting director Dan Ashworth left after just five months (14:40). And for a Christmas treat, Gabby's husband and ex-Scotland and Wasps rugby player, Kenny Logan, joined us to spill the tea on Gabby (18:40).Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.com New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

The biggest contract in the history of sport has just been signed. It's a 15-year deal worth $765m for 26-year-old Major League Baseball player Juan Soto to join the New York Mets. Is Soto worth the jaw dropping contract? How did a deal that big come together? And are European clubs like Chelsea headed in the same direction? We pick the brains of U.S. Sports Business Reporter, Daniel Kaplan, formerly of The Sports Business Journal and The Athletic. After Gabby went to Germany to see Aston Villa's Champions League win over RB Leipzig, we wax lyrical about Jhon Duran and their throwback style.And as Saudi Arabia is confirmed as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Mark asks what this means for the future of global sporting events. Plus, is this teenager the new Usain Bolt? We try very hard not to big up Australian 16-year-old sensation Gout Gout too much. Like the look of Gabby's Sports Agents mug? You can buy the Sports Agents merch here! Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producers: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".

Gabby and Mark are with you one day earlier than usual this week, following yet more off-field drama at Manchester United as Sporting Director, Dan Ashworth, leaves after just five months in the job.... What went wrong, and can Sir Jim Ratcliffe recover from this? We speak to The Athletic’s Adam Crafton for the inside story (08:28). The Formula One season is over so it’s time for a debrief with BBC F1 presenter and voice of Drive to Survive, Jennie Gow (19:26). Is the big argument between champion Max Verstappen and George Russell just for the cameras? How did Lando Norris and McLaren get so good so quickly? And what can we expect from Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next season? And we have a special guest appearance from Kenny Logan, the ex-Scotland and Wales rugby player who is, of course, Gabby’s husband (39:08). He spills all the funny stories about Gabby and just how competitive she really is. Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producers: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby & Mark tackled the controversy surrounding the Premier League’s annual LGBTQ+ 'Rainbow Laces' campaign - after some players chose to directly challenge the Premier League’s directives. Wales all-time top goalscorer, Jess Fishlock (10:34) - MBE awarded for her services to football and the LGBTQ+ community and double-Paralympic 200m Champion Richard Whitehead joined us for a discussion about how 'inclusion' in wider sport (17:13). The 4x Olympic Champion, Sir Ben Ainslie, joined us in the studio for an insight into working with Manchester United's new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe (02:39). Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.com New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Inclusion has been top of the agenda this week in sport. Rainbow armbands and rainbow jackets have caused a stir after some Premier League players refused to wear them for religious reasons or added their own religious messages on. Rather than get bogged down in the detail about armbands we ask the bigger question - how do you make space for everyone in sports? Jess Fishlock, the two-time Champions League winner who has an MBE for services to football and the LGBTQ+ community, joins us to talk about rainbow armbands and making history with Wales. As Wales most capped player and top goalscorer this week she led the team to qualify for their first ever major tournament. Richard Whitehead, two-time 200m Paralympic champion, then joins in to discuss how to make sport more inclusive for disabled people. His new documentary, Dare to Defy, with Adele Roberts, is out on Amazon Prime now. Plus, what was on Gabby and Mark's Spotify Wrapped? Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producers: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

Man United may have lifted the FA Cup last summer and just got their first Premier League win under new manager Ruben Amorim but the biggest victory for their co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe this year... was probably in the sailing.He helped Ben Ainslie's team reach the Americas Cup final for the first time in 60 years and the four-time Olympic champion joined Gabby & Mark in studio to talk about what’s it like to work with Ratcliffe and how a 'multi-sport ownership model' can speed up progress. The Athletic's Adam Crafton explains how Ratcliffe has managed to turn some Manchester United fans against him in just 11 months as supporters gathered outside Old Trafford to protest ticket price rises. Ben’s wife and broadcaster Georgie Ainslie, will also be with us as the couple shed some light on one of the secrets to high-performance - how to get a good night's sleep.Plus, what does Chappers think of Pep's six-finger salute and do the Arne Slot x Bob Paisley comparisons ring true? Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producers: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

The week on The Sports Agents... Gabby and Mark Pougatch play darts with the world's best, teenage superstar Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries (3:49). Do they act like rivals or friends? How's it been for Littler becoming famous so young and so quickly? And what darts tips can they give us? Lawyer to the likes of David Beckham and Alex Ferguson, Nick Freeman, aka 'Mr Loophole', joined us (11:01) to tell some entertaining stories from court and discuss whether high-profile stars have it easier than others. Liverpool could lose their star player Mo Salah in the summer, as well as captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. We ask Paul Machin, founder of The Redmen TV, if alarm bells are ringing and what price the club should pay to keep them (16:59).And Mark's favourite golfer, Bryson DeChambeau, hits a hole in one... over a house! Could this set off a new trend in golf and beyond? (21:08)Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.comNew episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

As Liverpool finally broke their Real Madrid jinx in the Champions League we speak about the big news from their star, Mo Salah, who said he hasn't had a formal offer to stay past the summer (05:40).What price should Liverpool pay to keep him? How much can any sports team, franchise or organisation rely on just one player? And is Mo (and his abs!) redefining what it means to be a 32-year-old in the transfer market? We speak to Paul Machin, founder of the Liverpool fan channel, The Redmen TV (10:30). And we've chatted on the show before about the biggest stars possibly getting a leg up by having the best lawyers, well we chat to the lawyer to the stars, Nick Freeman, aka 'Mr Loophole'. He helps A-listers like Alex Ferguson and David Beckham get off driving and other charges (26:21). Plus, Mark reacts to his favourite golfer Bryson DeChambeau hitting a hole in one... over a house! (39:10)And Gabby tells us about the time she ran on a treadmill next to Paula Radcliffe. Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producers: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

Gabby and Mark Pougatch play darts with the world's best, teenage superstar Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries, ahead of the biggest tournament of the year - the PDC World Darts Championships (18:25). Seventeen-year-old Littler has gone from 164th to 4th in the world in just a year, winning 10 titles and over £1m in prize money. Humphries has won seven major titles in just over a year, beating Littler to become world champion. Do they consider themselves rivals? How has Littler dealt with his rapid rise to fame? And what darts tips can they give us?Plus, to bring us up to speed with the latest from the darts world, we chat to Sky Sports presenter Emma Paton (11:45). Watch GAME OF THROWS: INSIDE DARTS from 30 November and the PDC World Championship from 15 December on Sky and NOWExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producers: Sam Trudgill, Rory Symon, Shane FennellySocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

The week on The Sports Agents... Gabby travels to Newcastle United to speak to players Dan Burn and Amber-Keegan Stobbs, and club icon Shola Ameobi about using the power of the Premier League to help the local community (02:40). Burn chats about his work with the Foundation, the pressure of 'local hero' status and Eddie Howe's England snub.Plus... this stadium ain't big enough for the both of us: we look at lots of sports to see if women's football will actually get more fans by sharing the men's stadiums. Is it even feasible long-term? And if not, what's the new plan? That's with ex-England footballer Anita Asante and Host of Counter Pressed podcast, Flo Lloyd-Hughes (13:50). And Mo Farah chases down a thief - you can guess who won! (23:16) Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.comNew episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Gabby travels to Newcastle to speak to Dan Burn (21:54), captain of the women's team, Amber-Keegan Stobbs (9:21), and club icon, Shola Ameobi (02:14). All three are involved in the Newcastle United Foundation, which helps almost 70,000 people across the North East each year. Burn shares how he uses his time away from the pitch to help his local community. He talks about Eddie Howe and the England job, and how he might not have coped with the pressure of being a local hero if he'd started his senior career at Newcastle. Ameobi tells us how the Foundation helped him go from a 5-year-old who arrived in Newcastle from Nigeria, unable to speak English, to a Premier League player with almost 400 appearances for the club. Plus, Stobbs shares her mental health journey and talks about the rapid rise of the women's team, record crowds of almost 30,000 in the fourth tier, and back-to-back promotions into the Championship. Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

Big crowds filling big stadiums is the dream for most sports - and women's football did just that (well, at least the big stadiums bit) at the weekend. For the first time ever, all the games in the top two leagues of women’s football were hosted in main stadiums. But, after Arsenal's recent fixture clash - is sharing stadiums feasible? If not, what's the long-term plan to grow attendances? And how does moving around impact the players and fans? We spoke to ex-England player Anita Asante and host of Counter Pressed podcast, Flo Lloyd-Hughes. As England and Wales continue long losing runs in the rugby, Gabby and Mark ask, if Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland were football managers would they have lasted this long? And thieves steal a phone from Mo Farah - did they really think they could outrun him?!Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

This week on The Sports Agents, Donald Trump will be the President when the U.S. host the World Cup and the Olympics - what will that mean for global sport? We speak to The Telegraph’s Sport Investigations Reporter, Ben Rumsby, and Amnesty International’s Head of Sport and Labour Rights, Steve Cockburn. With Mike Tyson back in the ring 19 years later facing YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul - are influencers killing boxing or throwing it a lifeline? We debate it out with Kalle Sauerland, Co-President of Misfits Boxing and Head of Boxing at Wasserman and The Guardian’s Chief Sports Reporter, Sean Ingle. As cycling great Mark Cavendish retires, we find out about the man behind the lycra with his friend and ex-Team GB team mate Adam Blythe. And how does Gabby think influencers should be punished when they take things a bit too far...?Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.comNew episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. 04:51 - Will Trump change global sport 11:25 - Are influencers killing or saving boxing? 16:01 - Mark Cavendish the mini Usain Bolt 21:34 - When influencers go too far...

As a 58-year-old Mike Tyson gets back in the ring - 19 years after his last professional fight - to take on young YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, are boxing purists right to be up in arms? Could Paul become the 'new face of the sport' if he wins? Are influencers killing boxing or giving it a lifeline? And in a world where content is king, are these fights here to stay? We discuss it all with The Guardian's Chief Sports Reporter, Sean Ingle, and Kalle Sauerland, who’s promoted over 30 world champions including Oleksandr Usyk, and is also the brains behind the influencer boxing company, Misfits Boxing (along with KSI). And did this influencer take it too far by bringing a camera crew to the New York marathon? And how does Gabby want him to be punished? Plus, is Harry Kane right about England dropouts? Or has he got a Bayern bias? 00:00 - Prize money 06:57 - Harry Kane on club v country 12:03 - Tyson v Paul 36:20 - Influencer brings camera crew to marathon Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

So, Donald Trump is back in the White House - and while America has decided, the sporting world remains divided... As the World Cup, Ryder Cup, Olympics and more descend on the US over the next four years, what impact will Trump’s Presidency have on global sport? Is he on a collision course with the International Olympic Committee over transgender ban? Will FIFA’s powers grow thanks to Gianni Infantino’s ‘great friend’? How would he fix golf in 15 minutes? Investigations reporter for The Telegraph Ben Rumsby & Amnesty International's Steve Cockburn join Gabby & Mark to discuss... Later, following Mark Cavendish's retirement, close friend and ex-Team GB teammate, Adam Blythe, joins us to discuss Cav's incredible comeback story and cycling legacy. Plus, The Sports Agents reflect on *that* David Coote video and the potential ramifications for Howard Webb and the PGMOL. 00:00-08:40 - David Coote's rant08:42- 28:13 - Trump's impact on sport28:15-47:55 - Mark Cavendish legacy48:05- 52:08 - Your sporting howlersExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

This week on The Sports Agents, Do winning teams need to be a bit "toxic"? England rugby centurion Danny Care, who has won three Six Nations and two Premiership titles, joins us on the podcast to discuss the "dictatorship ruled by fear" at England under Eddie Jones. Plus, Care spills some of his party stories - can you guess what tattoo he got in Vegas with his England team mates? Later, we chat about the 'haves' and the 'have nots' in tennis. We're joined by former professional tennis player Conor Niland - if you haven't heard of him, that's kind of the point! The man who beat Roger Federer aged 12 tells us about the loneliness and grind of being outside the top 100, and life on tour with the golden generation. As Arsenal lose their hugely popular sporting director Edu, we speak to Clive Palmer from The Arsenal Vision Podcast, about the void that he's left at the club and how to fill it. And we share our sporting howler stories. If you've got one of your own please get in touch! Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.comNew episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. 02:40 - England's "dictator" with Danny Care12:03 - How tennis' other half live17:51 - Yin to his Yang: Edu and Arteta 23:11 - Sporting howlers

England rugby centurion Danny Care, who won three Six Nations and two Premiership titles, joins Gabby and Mark on the podcast today... "A dictator who ruled by fear" - that's how Care describes ex-England manager Eddie Jones. Hyper-successful sporting environments can be toxic. But is that the price you pay to win? Is that healthy? And does it give one person too much power to define careers and lives?Care also spills some of his rugby stories too - what tattoo do you think he got in Vegas with his England team mates? We find out. And was that Noel Gallagher on Man City's Champions League commentary?! 00:00 - Habla español? 09:50 - England's Danny Care 36:30 - Noel Gallagher's commentary Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial 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".And, the Sports Agents now have merch!