Business

Why sports teams are selling for eye-popping prices across major leagues

In 2025, Bill Chisholm-led group bought the Boston Celtics at a $6.1 bn valuation, just a few months before Mark Walter, a financier, bought a majority stake in the Lakers with a valuation at $10 bn

Who is Amit Bhatia? Man leading Bezos, Saverin bid for Liverpool stake

The group is in talks with Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool's controlling owner since 2010, over a significant minority stake in the Premier League club.

Premier League sponsorship's next era: From gambling to AI and fintech

Fintech companies, artificial intelligence firms, software businesses and sovereign-backed organisations are increasingly moving into football, bringing with them a different sponsorship landscape.

Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra joins UBS Athletics Kids Cup as co-owner

The UBS Athletics Kids Cup is one of a grassroots initiatives, designed to introduce children to sports through fun, inclusive and accessible competition.

Sachin Tendulkar's brand power endures, ranks 4th in Kroll's 2025 list

The former India batter has finished fourth in Kroll's India Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025, with an estimated brand value of $125.9 million.

Zaheer Khan takes co-owner role with Jaffna Kings in Lanka Premier League

The Stockholm-based global sports ownership group Anchor Sports AB completed the acquisition of the Kings, and has officially rebranded the team as Anchor Jaffna Kings

Why Fifa's private investment plan has pushed the World Cup towards crisis

Fifa says the stake sale would unlock billions for development, but Uefa and Concacaf fear an opaque deal could make football's biggest events answerable to investors.

Mercedes-Benz India becomes title partner of Indian Padel Tour 2026-27

The 2026-27 season will feature 19 professional tournaments across 10 cities, beginning in Mumbai in August 2026 and concluding in Bengaluru in June 2027

ASICS joins 2026 NMDC Hyderabad Marathon as official sports goods partner

As the official sports goods partner, ASICS will support the 2026 edition and use the platform to engage with the country's growing community of recreational and competitive runners

BCCI begins tender process for home events title sponsorship rights

The cricket board issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT), inviting entities to bid for the rights through a competitive process

Fifa World Cup's $871 mn jackpot: How football built its richest prize

Spain earned $51 million after beating Argentina in the 2026 final, but the record payout is only one part of a commercial machine that now towers over most global sports bodies

The World Cup's business divide: FIFA cashes in, host cities pay the price

The first-ever 48-team World Cup has rewritten the commercial playbook. Expanded from 64 to 104 matches, the tournament has created more broadcast hours and sponsorship inventory

Spain vs Argentina: Business cup to brim on World Cup final night

Spain-Argentina match promises windfall for eateries, pubs, delivery platforms

Beyond match days, sports jerseys emerge as India's latest fashion category

As fans embrace jerseys beyond stadiums, brands are targeting a growing middle market between premium official merchandise and dirt-cheap knock-offs

Are broadcasters bound to show Infantino? Inside Fifa's TV power, economics

Broadcasters are not explicitly ordered to show the Fifa president, but a compulsory global feed, dignitary-shot rules and Fifa's stake in its producer keep Gianni Infantino on screens worldwide

England-Argentina tops France-Spain in ticket pull despite lower team value

France and Spain have a combined squad value of $3.137 billion, against $2.475 billion for England and Argentina. Yet England-Argentina semifinal tickets are priced higher than France-Spain.

Norwegian Air honours FIFA World Cup bet with British Airways logo

Honouring its promise, Norwegian Air replaced its Instagram profile picture with British Airways' Speedmarque logo shortly after the England vs Norway FIFA World Cup quarter-final match

JSW announced as India's performance, lifestyle partner for 2026 CWG, Asiad

The official Team India merchandise for the CWG and Asian Games 2026 will be available through the JSW Inspire website from July 15, while sales on Myntra and Ajio will begin on July 23

Sourav Ganguly follows Sachin and Dhoni into India's sports biopic club

Rajkummar Rao's first look as the former India captain adds another chapter to Bollywood's long-running fascination with sporting legends, with cricket continuing to dominate the genre

Wimbledon's £64.2 mn prize fund tests its tradition-first business model

The men's and women's singles champions of Wimbledon 2026 will each receive £3.6 million (about $4.93 million), while first-round losers are guaranteed £80,000 (about $109,600)