Can the ITTF bounce back from big losses?

Grand Budapest Intel

This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, Jonathan Rest and Joseph Perry return from the Champions League final to pore over big European football topics with Martin Ross. THE NEWSROOM: High stakes for latest Uefa club comps sponsor secured by RFP/UC3, UCL piracy numbers, why now for Uefa’s national teams tender and who’s winning AFC’s agency tender? INSIDE THE DEAL: The ECB’s sponsorship strategy overhaul, aided by Two Circles, and driven by fresh thinking and new inventory opportunities. Matthew Williams has all the details. AOB: Absent World Cup kits, F1 back on German FTA TV and a pawsome return for the Stanley Pup   You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sportbusiness-podcast/id1804579275], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Vsc2tHkTF8hxm4w3UFEEX], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b3420d4a-5387-4e2e-bf43-f88e859c00c2/the-sportbusiness-podcast] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@sportbusiness_group]. Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com [http://sportbusiness.com/] subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here [https://www.sportbusiness.com/subscription-options/].   Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin Ross Contributors: Joseph Perry, Matthew Williams Editor: Lumi Lehmuskallio Sources: 1. EXCLUSIVE: Bet365 close, Alibaba signs as Uefa eyes €1bn windfall [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/exclusive-bet365-close-alibaba-signs-as-uefa-eyes-e1bn-windfall/] 2. Epstein: AB InBev and PepsiCo UC3 deals send ‘strong message’ [https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/2026/03/epstein-ab-inbev-and-pepsico-uc3-deals-send-strong-message/] 3. EXCLUSIVE: Uefa invites national team rights bids [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/exclusive-uefa-invites-national-team-rights-bids/] 4. EXCLUSIVE: AFG-Sela preferred AFC bidder [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/exclusive-afg-sela-preferred-afc-bidder/] 5. Centralisation backed despite Benfica resistance [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/centralisation-backed-despite-benfica-resistance/] 6. EXCLUSIVE: Sky retains exclusive ATP Tour rights [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/exclusive-sky-retains-exclusive-atp-tour-rights/] 7. New assets, new approach: inside the ECB’s sponsorship reset [https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/2026/05/new-assets-new-approach-inside-the-ecbs-sponsorship-reset/] 8. Live F1 returns to RTL following Sky takeover [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/live-f1-returns-to-rtl-following-sky-takeover/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

On the Seine at SportGen Summit in Paris

This week, Martin Ross, Maria Kholodova and Matthew Glendinning are in Paris to bring you the lowdown from the inaugural SportGen Summit, plus the usual look at major industry stories. We explore PSG’s brand building targets internationally and commercial approach, and Gucci’s landmark Alpine F1 title deal. Why Roland Garros host broadcaster Whisper rejected a sale to private equity to retain its independence and how co-founder David Coulthard views its approach to live sports production. A snap tender for Uefa club Spanish-language rights in the US also comes under the microscope, along with Fifa’s long-awaited TV deal in India. Plus, a EuroLeague Final Four dispatch from Athens, an Enhanced Games watch-along and tennis headwear tips. You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sportbusiness-podcast/id1804579275], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Vsc2tHkTF8hxm4w3UFEEX], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b3420d4a-5387-4e2e-bf43-f88e859c00c2/the-sportbusiness-podcast] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@sportbusiness_group]. Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com [http://sportbusiness.com/] subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here [https://www.sportbusiness.com/subscription-options/].   Co-hosts: Martin Ross, Maria Kholodova Contributor: Matthew Glendinning Editor: Lumi Lehmuskallio Sources: 1. Gucci makes grid history with Alpine title deal [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/gucci-makes-grid-history-with-alpine-title-deal/] 2. Tight Uefa club deadline for Spanish TV rights in US [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/tight-uefa-club-deadline-for-spanish-tv-rights-in-us/] 3. Fifa close to Zee deal for World Cup rights in India [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/fifa-close-to-zee-deal-for-world-cup-rights-in-india/] 4. Private ownership for Whisper as Sony divests [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/private-ownership-for-whisper-as-sony-divests/] 5. PSG eyes commercial income hike from sale of major assets [https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/2026/03/psg-eyes-commercial-income-hike-for-current-season/] 6. Enhanced Games devoid of sponsors, broadcasters [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/enhanced-games-devoid-of-sponsors-broadcasters/] 7. EuroLeague to roll out new distribution model [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/euroleague-to-roll-out-new-distribution-model/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

High hoops: Netball bids for reach, revenue and relevance

This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Rest and Martin Ross discuss some major developments in European football, a crucial media rights deal for a challenger sport and the week’s industry snippets. THE NEWSROOM: As Uefa issues a snap tender for men’s national team commercial rights, what does it mean for incumbent CAA Eleven and the 2028-36 cycle? Plus, Uefa club competitions finals paywalled by TNT Sports. INSIDE THE DEAL: Netball Australia courts reach and revenue from Nine Entertainment. Joseph Perry joins as we break down the deal and World Netball’s battle for rights fees ahead of its Commonwealth Games exposure window. AOB: The Enhanced Games debut, Sønderjyske’s MoM motors along and who wants to broadcast robot fighting? You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sportbusiness-podcast/id1804579275], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Vsc2tHkTF8hxm4w3UFEEX], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b3420d4a-5387-4e2e-bf43-f88e859c00c2/the-sportbusiness-podcast] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@sportbusiness_group]. Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com [http://sportbusiness.com/] subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here [https://www.sportbusiness.com/subscription-options/].   Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin Ross Contributor: Joseph Perry Editor: Lumi Lehmuskallio Sources: 1. EXCLUSIVE: Uefa invites national team rights bids [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/exclusive-uefa-invites-national-team-rights-bids/] 2. Chinese brands double down on family-friendly Uefa national team events [https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/2024/06/chinese-brands-double-down-on-family-friendly-uefa-national-team-events/] 3. Podcast – Team Talk: Champions League rights sales – then and now [https://www.sportbusiness.com/2025/06/podcast-team-talk-champions-league-rights-sales-then-and-now/] 4. Podcast – Making it Relevent: New Uefa agency team assembled [https://www.sportbusiness.com/2025/05/podcast-making-it-relevent-new-uefa-agency-team-assembled/] 5. TNT eyes Max audience with Uefa finals paywalls [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/tnt-eyes-max-exposure-with-uefa-finals-paywalls/] 6. Netball Australia finds reach, revenue with Nine [https://media.sportbusiness.com/2026/05/netball-australia-finds-reach-revenue-with-nine/] 7. Enhanced Games devoid of sponsors, broadcasters [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/enhanced-games-devoid-of-sponsors-broadcasters/] 8. Podcast - Enhanced Games: Where’s the commercial injection? [https://www.sportbusiness.com/2026/01/the-enhanced-games-wheres-the-commercial-injection/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

YOG days are over?

This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Rest and Martin Ross are back to delve into the headline stories of the week and take a look at a big-ticket football sponsorship. THE NEWSROOM: Game over for YOG? The rationale, plus significant IOC funding, for the late Jacques Rogge’s labour of love are called into question. Plus, Bruin’s bet on more Matchroom growth. INSIDE THE DEAL: Sports Illustrated Tickets expands its Premier League sponsorship portfolio by landing a 12-year deal with Aston Villa. A route into taking over ticket operations? Matthew Glendinning explains. AOB: A stadium dilemma – Ajax Styles it out, a sleeve sponsorship courts attention and ‘No Broke Boys’ at LIV Golf. You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sportbusiness-podcast/id1804579275], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Vsc2tHkTF8hxm4w3UFEEX], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b3420d4a-5387-4e2e-bf43-f88e859c00c2/the-sportbusiness-podcast] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@sportbusiness_group]. Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com [http://sportbusiness.com/] subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here [https://www.sportbusiness.com/subscription-options/].  Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin Ross Contributor: Matthew Glendinning Editor: Lumi Lehmuskallio Sources: 1. Youth Olympic Games to hit the skids? [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/youth-olympic-games-to-hit-the-skids/] 2. Hearns sell 15% of Matchroom to Bruin [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/hearns-sell-15-of-matchroom-to-bruin/] 3. Matchroom profits uptick spurred by darts, boxing [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/matchroom-profits-uptick-spurred-by-darts-boxing/] 4. (ARCHIVE) Hearn: Matchroom equity sale still likely [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/hearn-matchroom-equity-sale-still-likely/] 5. SI Tickets puts Villa at heart of Premier League push [https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/2026/05/si-tickets-puts-villa-at-heart-of-premier-league-push/] 6. Sports Illustrated Tickets trades on licensed name for market push [https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/2025/10/sports-illustrated-tickets-trades-on-licensed-name-for-sports-market-push/]  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Can the ITTF bounce back from big losses?

This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Rest and Martin Ross bring you analysis of this week’s industry developments, big numbers and the context behind the headlines. THE NEWSROOM: We look at the reasons behind the International Table Tennis Federation’s $14.4m loss, its sale of more WTT equity and what the future holds. Plus, DAZN’s $100m ViewLift swoop driven by a rights opportunities and US ambitions. INSIDE THE DEAL: Ben Cronin on why Uefa’s first-ever corporate strategic sponsorship with Schwarz Group represents one of the confederation’s most significant commercial innovations in a shift beyond its traditional competition-based sponsorship model. AOB: Guardians League launch – a life-saving addition to the sports landscape? And Fox Sports is offering you $50K to watch DR Congo v Uzbekistan. You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.  You can subscribe to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sportbusiness-podcast/id1804579275], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Vsc2tHkTF8hxm4w3UFEEX], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b3420d4a-5387-4e2e-bf43-f88e859c00c2/the-sportbusiness-podcast] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@sportbusiness_group]. Enter SBPODCAST30 at checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com [http://sportbusiness.com/] subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here [https://www.sportbusiness.com/subscription-options/]. Co-hosts: Jonathan Rest, Martin Ross Contributor: Ben Cronin Editor: Lumi Lehmuskallio Sources: 1. ITTF sells 10% WTT stake after loss-making 2025 [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/ittf-sells-10-wtt-stake-after-loss-making-2025/] 2. Long-serving ITTF, WTT CEO Dainton exits [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/long-serving-ittf-wtt-ceo-dainton-exits/] 3. DAZN swoops for ViewLift to bolster US prospects [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/dazn-swoops-for-viewlift-to-bolster-us-prospects/] 4. Schwarz Group corporate deal marks commercial first for Uefa [https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/2026/04/schwarz-group-corporate-deal-marks-commercial-first-for-uefa/] 5. Lidl shops for more Uefa sponsorship rights [https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/news/lidl-shops-for-more-uefa-sponsorship-rights/]  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.