Can the ITTF bounce back from big losses?

Blinded by the rights: Fifa's TV goldmine

This week on The SportBusiness Podcast, it's a World Cup preview special as Jonathan Rest is joined by Martin Ross, who - with passport and kilt at the ready - prepares to head out to the US with the Tartan Army.  THE NEWSROOM: Two more sponsorship deals in controversial categories close out Fifa's World Cup programme, while there are a few last-minute TV contracts to sort. In non-football news, the PGA Tour makes a move on Australia and there are tax developments in Canada for Netflix, Amazon et al. INSIDE THE DEAL: Frank Dunne joins to share insights on his deep dive into the broadcast revenues driving the World Cup's commercial success. More inventory equals more cash, of course, but new income streams are also unlocked for the first time. AOB: Previewing a major winter sports federation presidential election, E1 racing in picturesque Dubrovnik and Golden Boot winners, past and present. 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: Frank Dunner Editor: Lumi Lehmuskallio Sources: 1. Kraken deal adds to World Cup programme [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/kraken-deal-wraps-up-world-cup-programme/] 2. ExpressVPN joins Fifa’s World Cup sponsor roster [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/expressvpn-joins-fifas-world-cup-sponsor-roster/] 3. PGA Tour enters key LIV market with Australia deal | SportBusiness [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/pga-tour-enters-key-liv-market-with-australia-deal/] 4. Jas deal averts World Cup blackout in Thailand [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/jas-deal-averts-world-cup-blackout-in-thailand/] 5. Fifa reels in revenue from YouTube, TikTok firsts [https://media.sportbusiness.com/2026/04/fifa-reels-in-revenue-from-youtube-tiktok-firsts/] 6. Fifa earns China uplift as challenging Asia sales end [https://media.sportbusiness.com/2026/06/fifa-earns-china-uplift-as-challenging-asia-sales-end/] 7. In Focus: Fifa World Cup | SportBusiness Media [https://media.sportbusiness.com/2026/06/in-focus-fifa-world-cup-2/] 8. WPP’s Copas replaces Basso as E1 CEO | SportBusiness [https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/wpps-copas-replaces-basso-as-e1-ceo/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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.