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

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.

Super League sanctions scrutinised: Courts find restrictions unlawful
The Provincial Court of Madrid has upheld the decision that UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and La Liga engaged in anti-competitive practices and abused their dominant market position, by prohibiting clubs from participating in the European Super League. Opposition from fans and the threat of heavy sanctions from UEFA contributed to preventing Real Madrid, along with eleven other European clubs, from joining the breakaway league in 2021. In an official statement, Real Madrid stated that the ruling “paves the way for the club to claim substantial damages for the losses suffered”. The Spanish decision is consistent with a 2023 judgment of the European Court of Justice, which held that FIFA and UEFA’s rules requiring prior approval for new interclub football competitions such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from participating in them, are unlawful under EU competition law. UEFA responded that it will “carefully review the judgment before deciding on any further steps.”

The Hundred breaks boundary with UK's first player auction
The Hundred will introduce a player auction for the 2026 season, replacing the current draft system in a major overhaul driven by new private investment. Under the new model, teams can sign four players directly, with the rest of each squad selected through the inaugural auction in March 2026. Teams’ salary pots will also rise significantly, with the men's increasing by 45% to £2.05 million and the women's doubling to £880,000. The minimum salary for women will also climb 50% to £15,000. Managing Director Vikram Banerjee said changes to the men's salary pot were influenced by “market forces”. Higher pay has historically been offered in other franchise leagues, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL). Four teams now have IPL-linked ownership, including the Northern Superchargers, renamed “Sunrisers Leeds” to mirror IPL sister team Sunrisers Hyderabad. Banerjee said that the Hundred “has always been proud to innovate”, aiming to attract “the best players in the world”.

Trophy-takers and record-breakers: Women’s sport reaches viewership high
Capping off a memorable year, new data from the Women’s Sports Trust revealed that women’s sport reached new heights this summer. In the UK, women made up 44% of all audience members for the Women’s Euros and 43% Women’s Rugby World Cup, the highest proportions on record for either competition. The Lionesses and Red Roses also dominated TV ratings. England’s victories over Spain in the Euros final and France in the Rugby World Cup semi-final became the most watched broadcasts of 2025, drawing 16.22 and 9.88 million viewers apiece. The historic rise in popularity of women’s sports has not been limited to marquee tournaments – Sky Sports reported similar successes across the full spectrum of women’s fixtures. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and European Athletics Championships on their way, sports fans will be hoping the trend continues in 2026. 

Whip Crackdown: Horseracing Authority rules on Murphy miscounts
The British Horseracing Authority’s Judicial Panel has ruled that Oisin Murphy, a multi-time British Champion Jockey, is banned from riding for 15 days for excessive whip use. The breach, which occurred at Newmarket last month, was one of multiple over a six month period. All of Murphy’s breaches were marginal – using the whip seven times instead of the permitted six. As a result, he was able to escape the entry point sanction of 28 days. Instead, five of the 15 days will be suspended, for either six months or the completion of 200 rides. He must also spend one day attending specialised training. Explaining his violation, Murphy claimed he “miscounted”. The Panel, however, did not seem to find this particularly compelling, calling the explanation “hollow and unattractive”. Concluding its ruling, the Panel warned that eventually, it may be concluded that Murphy “either cannot or will not control his use of the whip”.

Game Over: IOC and Saudi Arabia split on Esports Games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Saudi National Olympic Committee (SNOC) have agreed to terminate their agreement to host the inaugural Esports Games. The inaugural Games – part of a proposed 12-year deal – were initially scheduled for Riyadh in 2025 but were postponed to February 2027 due to concerns about preparation time. Both organisations have committed to hosting their own esports events independently. Saudi Arabia previously hosted the Esports World Cup in both 2024 and 2025. According to Saudi Arabia’s Esports World Cup Foundation, the organisation now aims to launch “the inaugural Esports Nations Cup” in November 2026, allowing teams to compete under their national flags. The IOC is expected to face challenges in developing the Esports Games from scratch but remains confident. Both organisations are committed to exploring the commercial viability of the esports market. As the esports landscape continues to shift, we’ll be watching closely for new announcements from both parties!

Extra time...

…and finally, once niche tools for political scientists, prediction markets have exploded into multi-billion dollar sports betting giants. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, these exchanges allow users trade shares in outcomes – such as a win or a loss – with prices and odds fluctuating as trades occur. Kalashi, a New York-based prediction market, now handles almost $1 billion in weekly sports volume, far exceeding volumes seen in its political origins. The company's estimated value is now $10 billion, five times its June worth. Polymarket, a crypto-based competitor, is reportedly targeting a $12-15 billion valuation. This growth has attracted major partners, with the NHL becoming the first league to agree licensing deals with both. Traditional betting platforms are also taking notice, with DraftKings planning to launch its own prediction market – blending fandom, finance and data in a new era of sports speculation.