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

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.

As always, if there are any issues on which you’d like more information (or if you have any questions or feedback), please do let us know or get in touch with your usual contact at RPC.

Hammers to gavels: West Ham United weighs up Supreme Court appeal 
West Ham United’s parent company, WH Holding Limited (WHH) is considering an appeal to the Supreme Court after being ordered to pay £3.6 million to its landlord, London Stadium LLP. The 99-year concession agreement between the parties includes an “anti-embarrassment” clause, entitling the stadium’s owners to a share of profits from certain share disposals. London Stadium says the clause was triggered when Czech investor Daniel Křetínský bought a 27% stake in the club in 2021. WHH initially agreed to pay £2.6 million, but disputes a further £3.6 million sum, tied to an £18 million call option premium paid as part of the transaction. An expert determination found in favour of London Stadium, but WHH appealed to the High Court, successfully arguing the decision was affected by a “manifest error” – that is, an error so obvious that it cannot be construed otherwise. However, the Court of Appeal has since overturned that judgment. The club’s announcement that it “has sought leave to appeal” means the dispute may ultimately be decided before the UK’s highest court.

Raducanu serves up brand switch with new £2.6 million-a-year Uniqlo deal
Tennis star Emma Raducanu has ended her long-standing partnership with Nike and signed a new clothing sponsorship deal with Japanese brand Uniqlo. The British number one has been sponsored by Nike since her teenage years, extending her contract after winning the US Open in 2021. Uniqlo teased the announcement on social media before confirming Raducanu on Instagram as its newest global brand ambassador. The company said she will represent its “LifeWear” philosophy, which focuses on “excellence”, and “making meaningful contributions to society”. Raducanu debuted her new Uniqlo kit at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, currently underway in Indian Wells, California. The move mirrors Roger Federer’s high-profile switch from Nike to Uniqlo in 2017. Despite Raducanu’s departure, Nike’s portfolio of stars still includes men’s and women’s world number ones Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka.

From Relegation to Regulation: RFU vote for Prem Rugby overhaul
Automatic promotion and relegation between Premiership Rugby and the Championship has been abolished, following a vote by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Council. Instead, entry to rugby’s top tier will be decided on a points-based system, with new franchises considered through an application process. A new Expansion Review Group will assess potential entrants, with the league aiming to expand from 10 to 12 teams by the 2029–30 season. Birmingham City owners Knighthead Capital are among those reportedly interested in purchasing a new franchise in Prem Rugby. The agreement brings English rugby closer to an NFL-style model, with individual franchises operating within a closed league. RFU CEO, Bill Sweeney, said that the reform “is about safeguarding the future”, giving clubs and investors greater financial certainty.

Lead climber found liable after Austrian mountaineering tragedy
An amateur mountaineer has been convicted of gross negligence manslaughter after an Austrian court found that he failed to call for help, following the death of his fellow climber and girlfriend on Großglockner, Austria’s highest peak. The mountaineer (identified only as ‘Thomas P’ in accordance with Austrian privacy laws) was found to have acted as a “Führer aus Gefälligkeit” – a “courtesy guide” – by planning the route and assuming responsibility for the ascent. Prosecutors argued that he ignored clear avalanche risks, failed to turn back when his climbing partner, ‘Kerstin G’, showed obvious signs of exhaustion, and proceeded without adequate equipment. The court accepted that his significantly greater experience created a special duty of care towards his partner and held him criminally liable for breaching it. However, the case remains open to appeal. While the “courtesy guide” concept has no direct equivalent in English law, the ruling is likely to concern visiting mountaineers and may have an effect on informal mentorship in the climbing community.

Ringside to Courtroom: Warren challenges Zuffa heavyweights in billion-dollar showdown 
Frank Warren, head of Queensberry Promotions and long-time promoter of Tyson Fury, is preparing for what could be the biggest fight of his career – in court rather than the ring. He is reportedly pursuing a potential $1 billion claim against Saudi state-backed events company Sela and US sports group TKO (owner of UFC and WWE). Queensberry says it agreed exclusive boxing services with Sela in September 2023 and separately granted TKO access to its online data. It alleges Sela and TKO then sidelined Queensberry, breaching both contracts, to form rival venture Zuffa Boxing. Zuffa, fronted by UFC chief Dana White and Saudi General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh, has already secured a major broadcast deal and a roster of fighters, and is aiming to disrupt boxing's status quo. A High Court showdown now looms – the outcome potentially reshaping who calls the shots in top tier boxing. 

Extra time...

…and finally, the rise of artificial intelligence is producing a surge of hyper realistic deepfake images and videos showing footballers in situations that never happened – from Kylian Mbappé on a ski holiday with a turtle, to fabricated transfer unveilings. The spread of this so-called “AI slop” online highlights how difficult it is becoming for users to identify fake content. Players and clubs have traditionally protected their brands through trade marks (notably, Cole Palmer registering “Cold Palmer” and his famous shivering celebration). However, English law does not offer the same protection for a person’s likeness, leaving few clear routes to challenge the most prevalent types of deepfaked content, unless reputational or financial damage can be proven. As AI tools become more accessible, and ways to produce deepfakes that are potentially damaging to the image of clubs and players alike increase, calls for clearer labelling of AI-generated media are likely to grow.