Sports

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Sports Ticker #158 - PFA commences dispute with EFL and F1's updated calendar

Published on 26 August 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

Birds flying in sunset

In a fortnight that saw Great Britain’s Amy Hunt become the first athlete to win four gold medals at a single European Athletics Championship, the return of the Premier League, and Nottingham Forest FC owner Evangelos Marinakis lodge a defamation claim against Crystal Palace FC, we bring you news of the Professional Footballers’ Association’s dispute with the EFL over cost controls and Formula 1’s updated calendar.

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Sports Ticker #157 - Josh Kerr breaks one-mile world record and Mayo break a 75-year long curse

Published on 04 August 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

Man descending from sky with purple parachute

In a fortnight that saw the XXIII Commonwealth Games take place in Glasgow and Tadej Pogačar win the Tour de France 2026 to become the competition’s joint most successful rider of all time, we bring you news of Josh Kerr’s new one-mile world record time and an end to County Mayo's 75-year long curse.

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Sports Ticker #156 - Landmark player pregnancy judgment and Balogun's World Cup suspended suspension

Published on 24 July 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

A mother hiking with her baby on her back

In a fortnight that saw Jannik Sinner and Linda Nosková win the Men’s and Women’s Wimbledon Singles tournaments respectively, Spain lift the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup trophy, and Australia win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in invincible fashion, we bring you news of the landmark judgment following Maja Göthberg’s pregnancy dispute with SS Lazio Women and the suspension of Balogun’s red card playing for the United States men’s national soccer team.

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Sports Ticker #155 – Government proposes sports broadcasting protections and MotoGP’s milestone Concorde moment

Published on 03 July 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

Happy woman jumping

In a fortnight that saw the start of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, England qualify for the Round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, and Lionel Messi become the all-time top scorer in the same competition, we bring you news of the UK Government’s proposed legislative changes to protect the ‘crown jewels’ of sports broadcasting and MotoGP’s milestone Concorde moment.

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Sports Ticker #154 - Burnley v Everton judgment and F1's decade long Vegas GP extension

Published on 19 June 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

Man descending from sky with purple parachute

In a fortnight that saw the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup kick-off, the New York Knicks win their first NBA title since 1973, and Paris Saint-Germain FC retain the UEFA Men's Champions League title, we bring you news of the landmark judgment between Everton FC and Burnley FC and F1 extending its Las Vegas Grand Prix residency.

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Sports Ticker #153 - North of England Olympics bid and Alpine's Gucci F1 sponsorship deal

Published on 11 June 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

Woman in purple running in outdoor urban setting

In a fortnight that saw, Burnley succeed in a landmark case against Everton arising from the latter’s breach of Premier League financial regulations, Pep Guardiola manage his final Manchester City FC game, England’s Red Roses win their fifth consecutive Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam victory and Sunderland AFC qualify for Europe for the first time since 1973, we bring you news of the potential 2040 North of England Olympic Games bid and the fashion sponsorships making waves in the worlds of F1 and tennis

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Sports Ticker #152 - Europe's first purpose-built women's stadium and Matchroom Sports £1 billion valuation

Published on 20 May 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

Stylish man leaning against purple brick wall

In a fortnight that saw Southampton FC be expelled from the Championship play-off final (as of the time of writing) for reports of spying on opposition training, Manchester City Women lift their first league title in 10 years, and Arsenal FC secure their first Premier League title in 22 years, we bring you news of Europe’s first purpose-built women’s stadium and Matchroom Sports’ £1 billion valuation.

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Sports Ticker #151 – Two-hour marathon barrier smashed and Britain’s biggest boxing clash finally announced - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports

Published on 12 May 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

Happy woman using her phone in back of taxi

In a fortnight that saw York City FC draw against Rochdale AFC in dramatic fashion to win the National League, a world-record 59,000 people take part in the London Marathon, and the Women's Six Nations in full swing, we bring you news of the robot rivalling the world's best table tennis players and the first sub two-hour marathon time in race conditions.

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Sports Ticker #150 – Marie-Louise Eta makes history and JPMorgan closes in on Olympic partnership - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 30 April 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

Man hiking on mountain

In a fortnight that saw I Am Maximus become the first horse to regain the Grand National since Red Rum in 1977, Rory McIlroy successfully defend his Masters title, and the Italy team fail to qualify for the FIFA Men’s World Cup for the third consecutive time, we bring you news of the first female head coach of a men's team in Europe’s top five football leagues, and the teenager who could be coming for Usain Bolt’s sprinting records.

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Sports Ticker #149 - Dyson invests in Bath Rugby and the new equestrian Premier Jumping League - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 10 April 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Sam Hall, Trainee Solicitor

Woman cycling

In a fortnight that saw the Bahraini and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix cancelled due to safety concerns in the Middle East, Morocco awarded the AFCON trophy from Senegal following a legal challenge and the Belfast Giants be crowned champions of the Elite Ice Hockey League, we bring you news of the Bath Rugby takeover, the launch of the equestrian Premier Jumping League, and the landmark changes to female athlete insurance.

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Sports Ticker #148 - F1 meets darts and Chelsea FC suffers financial penalty - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 26 March 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

Woman cycling

In a fortnight that saw Chelsea FC Women lift its third Women's League Cup, F1 cancel the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia portions of the 2026 season, and France win the Six Nations, we bring you news of Chelsea FC's fine and transfer ban, the Ineos Grenadiers rebrand, and an unlikely crossover between darts and F1.

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Sports Ticker #147 - Queensberry’s billion dollar boxing battle and Prem Rugby’s promotion reform - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 12 March 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

A person mountaineering

In a fortnight that saw the 2026 F1 season launch its electric-powered era in Australia, India clinch a record third T20 Cricket World Cup on home soil, and Sheffield Wednesday’s £47.8 million takeover collapse, we bring you news of Queensberry Promotions’ billion-dollar boxing dispute, Emma Raducanu’s Uniqlo sponsorship switch, and West Ham United’s potential Supreme Court showdown.

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Sports Ticker #146 - Man City’s Revolut-ionary partnership and RPC's IFR Guide Launch - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 26 February 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

A person mountaineering

In a fortnight that saw the 74th Ashes series get underway in Australia, Chelsea and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton crowned BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, and the RPC Sports group win Legal/Professional Services Team of the Year at the Global Football Industry Awards, we bring you news of a new Premier League financial fair play framework, the UFC stepping into its AI era, and Mercedes’ latest multi-million-pound investment.

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Sports Ticker #145 - The $14 billion sports streaming battle and Leicester’s PSR points sanction - a speed read of commercial news from the sports world

Published on 17 February 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

In a fortnight that saw the opening of the 25th Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Floyd Mayweather bringing a $340 million lawsuit against Showtime Sports, and Spurs parting with manager Thomas Frank after eight months in charge, we bring you news of Leicester City’s PSR points penalty, Formula E’s cutting-edge AI partnership with Google Cloud, and a record $1.7 billion surge in sports streaming spending.

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Sports Ticker #144 - Football Money League leaders and prediction market parlays - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 02 February 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

In a fortnight that saw Wales legend Liam Williams' retirement from international rugby union, European gold medallist Robert Paxton securing his second title at the 2026 World Bowls Championships, and Scottie Scheffler's 20th PGA tour win, we bring you news of the Deloitte Football Money League's major movers, the San Francisco event set to be the largest in boxing history, and Ford's long-awaited F1 return.

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Sports Ticker #143 - Djokovic departs from PTPA and GSG’s debt finance drive - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 15 January 2026. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

Woman cycling

In a fortnight that saw the Ashes conclude with a fourth Australian test win, former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury announcing another return from retirement, and non-league side Macclesfield’s historic FA Cup victory against Crystal Palace, we bring you news of Novak Djokovic's departure from the PTPA, Global Sport Group’s €2.7 billion debt raise, and the most expensive World Cup tickets in history.

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Sports Ticker #142 - Rising rates hit clubs and the Enhanced Games’ merger milestone - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 12 December 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

In a fortnight that saw Lando Norris become the 11th British Formula 1 Drivers champion, the 2026 World Cup groups being drawn, and the sad passing of Celtic legend Dixie Deans, we bring you news of the UK’s bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, the Enhanced Games’ new $1.2 billion valuation and the NASCAR antitrust trial set to change the face of the sport.

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Sports Ticker #141 - Mercedes' minority stake sale and the Squad Cost Ratio shake up - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 28 November 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

Two people buying food from a stall

In a fortnight that saw the 74th Ashes series get underway in Australia, Chelsea and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton crowned BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, and the RPC Sports group win Legal/Professional Services Team of the Year at the Global Football Industry Awards, we bring you news of a new Premier League financial fair play framework, the UFC stepping into its AI era, and Mercedes’ latest multi-million-pound investment.

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Sports Ticker #140 - Court critiques Super League sanctions and historic highs for women's sport - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 14 November 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

Woman cycling

In a fortnight which saw Lando Norris claim victory in a dramatic Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Llywelyn Wiliams winning his fourth consecutive gold medal at the World Para Surfing Championship, and football legend Lionel Messi reaching 400 career assists, we bring you news of Real Madrid's Super League showdown with UEFA, the fragile future of the Olympic Esports games, and The Hundred making history with the UK's first cricket auction.

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Sports Ticker #139 - FIFA faces NFT probe and Apple accelerates into F1 partnership - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 31 October 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

Driving through a tunnel

In a fortnight which saw Jannik Sinner win his fourth ATP Tour title at the Vienna Open, Team GB bring home a record 14 medals from this year's Track Cycling World Championships, and Brendan Rodgers' resignation from Celtic Football Club, we bring you news of a criminal complaint against FIFA for its World Cup 2026 NFTs, women's volleyball netting new major venture capital backing and Apple's $700 million streaming partnership with Formula 1.

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Sports Ticker #138 - The IFR's new licensing landscape and darts debuts in Saudi - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 17 October 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

Two swimmers sitting on the beach talking

In a fortnight which saw Cape Verde celebrate a historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the NFL's Broncos and Jets touchdown in London, and Coco Gauff capture a thrilling victory at the Wuhan Open, we bring you stories of innovation and expansion across the sporting world – from the IFR’s groundbreaking new licensing regime to darts’ Middle Eastern debut and the growing allure of celebrity-backed SailGP.

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Sports Ticker #137 - Amazon's AR revolution and UFC unleashed at the White House - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 02 October 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Briana Cumberbatch, Trainee Solicitor

Sailing boats

In a fortnight which saw England victorious in the Women's Rugby World Cup, Team Europe retaining the Ryder Cup, Hannah Cockroft claiming her 17th world title at the World Para Athletics Championships, and a record-breaking $55bn takeover of gaming giant Electronic Arts by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, we bring you news of the ongoing dispute between Olympic Champion Nafi Thiam and Belgian Athletics, Conor McGregor's return to the UFC at the White House, and Amazon's new game changing augmented reality football coverage.

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Sports Ticker #136 - WRU scrum for survival and Women's Cricket World Cup prize boost - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 22 September 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Charlie Osborne, Trainee Solicitor (on secondment)

Person on phone

In a fortnight which saw Jamaica sprinting legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce run her final ever individual race at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, England Men beating South Africa by the largest margin in ODI cricket history and the sad passing of former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton, we bring you news of the $800 million antitrust lawsuit filed by the Enhanced Games, a significant increase in prize money for the Women's Cricket World Cup, and potential changes to the Welsh Rugby Union that could see two regions axed.

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Sports Ticker #135 - Women's Rugby World Cup final sells out and UEFA says no to surge pricing - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 08 September 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Charlie Osborne, Trainee Solicitor (on secondment)

Sailing boats

In a fortnight which saw the world’s first professional bogsnorkeller defend his title at the Wales-based World Bog Snorkelling Championships, the return of the Barclays Women’s Super League and renamed Barclays Women’s Super League 2, and NFL heavyweights the San Francisco 49ers express their interest in a London Super Bowl, we bring you news of professional pool player Harriet Haynes’ unsuccessful discrimination claim against the English Blackpool Pool Federation, a look at the suspension of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league after the upstart tournament failed to make payments to its roster of athletes, and a peak at the record-breaking attendance anticipated for the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

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Sports Ticker #134 - FIFA faces fracas with furious footballers and boxing's back on the BBC - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 20 August 2025. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Simon Williams, Senior Associate and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Senior Associate and Charlie Osborne, Trainee Solicitor (on secondment)

In a fortnight which saw the return of the English Premier League to televisions around the world, tennis’ top stars prepare for a revamped doubles competition at the US Open, and a new record set at the annual Dorset Knob Throwing Contest after the champion competitor tossed his bread roll a commendable 32.05m, we bring you news of boxing’s return to free-to-air television, an insight into the multibillion pound claim brought by players against FIFA, and a look at Telford’s record breaking role in pickleball’s rise to the top.

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