SportsPro https://www.sportspro.com/ Sport industry news and insights for the latest broadcast, sponsorship, OTT, technology and endorsement deals Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:49:13 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-spicon.jpeg SportsPro https://www.sportspro.com/ 32 32 From Hungary to home plate: How smarter ticket pricing unlocks double-digit growth for minor league and niche sports properties https://www.sportspro.com/opinions/technology/smarter-ticket-pricing-unlocks-double-digit-growth-for-minor-leagues/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:07:35 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487980 DynamO Pricing built its dynamic pricing platform in Budapest. Six years on, it is pricing tickets for a dozen American baseball clubs, the West End, multiple motorsport properties and the Edinburgh International Festival.

The post From Hungary to home plate: How smarter ticket pricing unlocks double-digit growth for minor league and niche sports properties appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-93.png Aston Villa sign ‘UK£20m-a-year’ Visit Rwanda shirt sponsorship despite sportswashing concerns https://www.sportspro.com/news/sponsorship-marketing/aston-villa-visit-rwanda-shirt-principal-sponsorship-july-2026/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:21:26 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487968 Villa sign controversial deal as betting sponsor ban and new financial rules come into force.

The post Aston Villa sign ‘UK£20m-a-year’ Visit Rwanda shirt sponsorship despite sportswashing concerns appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Aston-Villa-Visit-Rwanda.jpg Why Athvance Capital is looking beyond sport’s trophy assets https://www.sportspro.com/opinions/finance-investment/investment/athvance-capital-qa/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:44:31 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487744 Danny Menken, co-founder of Athvance Capital, explains why sport’s next value opportunity sits beyond elite rights holders, how evergreen capital aligns with founders, and why US institutions are backing Europe’s operator-led growth story.

The post Why Athvance Capital is looking beyond sport’s trophy assets appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-91.png Seattle Seahawks sold for NFL record ‘US$9.61bn’ as US franchise valuations soar https://www.sportspro.com/news/finance-investment/seattle-seahawks-nfl-sale-vinod-khosla-family-july-2026/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:36:02 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487796 Vinod Khosla agrees deal for Super Bowl LX champions as soaring media rights deals reset valuations across the NFL and beyond.

The post Seattle Seahawks sold for NFL record ‘US$9.61bn’ as US franchise valuations soar appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jaxon-Smith-Njigba-Seattle-Seahawks.jpg Versant buys Full Swing for US$530m to build out digital golf business https://www.sportspro.com/news/finance-investment/versant-full-swing-golf-technology-simulator-acquisition-july-2026/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:09:11 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487579 Versant seeks to diversify away from linear television as Bruin secures another lucrative exit from its investment.

The post Versant buys Full Swing for US$530m to build out digital golf business appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-90.png NRL seals US$3.7bn media rights deals with Foxtel, Nine and Sky NZ https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/nrl-foxtel-nine-sky-nz-rugby-league-broadcast-rights-contracts-july-2026/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:33:53 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487580 New seven-year contracts are the richest in Australian sporting history and represent a 90 per cent uplift in cash received per annum.

The post NRL seals US$3.7bn media rights deals with Foxtel, Nine and Sky NZ appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/NRL-Penrith-Panthers.jpg TSC launches EventAIQ, an AI-enabled self-service for event impact https://www.sportspro.com/news/technology/tsc-launches-eventaiq-an-ai-enabled-self-service-for-event-impact/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:31:23 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487543 The Sports Consultancy (TSC) launches EventAIQ, an AI-enabled, self-service, always-on platform for measuring, comparing and optimising the impact of events, programmes and infrastructure assets across sport, culture and community programmes.

The post TSC launches EventAIQ, an AI-enabled self-service for event impact appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-88-1.png Sky confirms UK£1.6bn ITV takeover https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/itv-sky-acquisition-comcast-broadcasting-uk-fta-july-2026/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:03:09 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487525 Pair promise to deliver more FTA sport than ever through combined offering.

The post Sky confirms UK£1.6bn ITV takeover appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ian-Wright-ITV.jpg “It’s not that it doesn’t work”: Crux Football’s Bex Smith on why women’s soccer needs a new ownership model https://www.sportspro.com/features/finance-investment/womens-football-ownership-crux-football-bex-smith-montpellier-fc-rosengard/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487458 Women’s soccer in Europe has some of the world’s best players and most recognisable clubs. But, for Bex Smith, the numbers haven’t been adding up.

The post “It’s not that it doesn’t work”: Crux Football’s Bex Smith on why women’s soccer needs a new ownership model appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-2026-07-06T133241.879.jpg What the World Cup is showing the industry about the future of sport https://www.sportspro.com/thought-leadership/spotlight-agency/what-the-world-cup-is-showing-the-industry-about-the-future-of-sport/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:44:00 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487459 From creators and fan experiences to sponsorship, participation and media consumption, industry leaders share the trends reshaping how fans connect with football's biggest stage.

The post What the World Cup is showing the industry about the future of sport appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Untitled-1000-x-600-px-1000-x-600-px-34.png Little Dot Sport appointed to lead Goodwood’s year-round motorsport social media and commercial growth strategy https://www.sportspro.com/announcements/little-dot-sport-appointed-to-lead-goodwoods-year-round-motorsport-and-goodwoof-social-media-and-commercial-growth-strategy/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:24:33 +0000 Goodwood is looking to turn its flagship events into always-on digital stories, using platform-specific content and audience insight to engage existing fans, reach new communities and create fresh commercial value.

The post Little Dot Sport appointed to lead Goodwood’s year-round motorsport social media and commercial growth strategy appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Untitled-1000-x-600-px-1000-x-600-px-35.png What the World Cup prediction-market boom tells us about the future of fan engagement https://www.sportspro.com/thought-leadership/spotlight-agency/what-the-world-cup-prediction-market-boom-tells-us-about-the-future-of-fan-engagement/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:36:04 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487482 The surge in prediction markets during the World Cup points to a broader shift in fan behaviour, with rights holders increasingly challenged to turn passive audiences into active participants through prediction, gamification and first-party digital experiences.

The post What the World Cup prediction-market boom tells us about the future of fan engagement appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SI-Spotlight-1024x683.jpg Netflix, Roblox and Football Manager: World Cup 2026 reveals the benefits and limitations of Fifa’s post-EA video game strategy https://www.sportspro.com/analysis/esports-and-digital-sport/netflix-roblox-football-manager-video-game-strategy-fifa/ Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:06:27 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487437 Fifa and EA Sports used to launch World Cup video games together. Their strategies for this year’s tournament epitomise their divergent paths four years after the high-profile split and why Fifa may not challenge EA’s soccer supremacy any time soon.

The post Netflix, Roblox and Football Manager: World Cup 2026 reveals the benefits and limitations of Fifa’s post-EA video game strategy appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-82.png The business of the Tour de France: The curious commercialism of a national obsession and global spectacle https://www.sportspro.com/features/finance-investment/tour-de-france-cycling-business-model-sponsorship-media-rights-tech-finances/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:46:34 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487395 The Tour de France has transformed from an icon of French culture into a global media property and is backed by one of the most unique business models in sport.

The post The business of the Tour de France: The curious commercialism of a national obsession and global spectacle appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Tadej-Pogacar-Tour-de-France-2025-H.jpg “There will be a premium”: Canada’s CSME poised to raise sponsorship floor after World Cup https://www.sportspro.com/news/sponsorship-marketing/csme-to-raise-sponsorship-floor-after-world-cup/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:51:19 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487281 CEO James Johnson says some deals are deliberately timed to expire after event to capitalise on demand.

The post “There will be a premium”: Canada’s CSME poised to raise sponsorship floor after World Cup appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-2026-07-03T062726.363.jpg ITV ‘agrees’ 2027 Rugby World Cup rights deal https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/itv-2027-rugby-world-cup-uk-rights-advertising-nations-championship-july-2026/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:55:57 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487353 Commercial network beats out BBC to show tournament on FTA television.

The post ITV ‘agrees’ 2027 Rugby World Cup rights deal appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jamie-George-England-Rugby-World-Cup-2023.jpg The business of 26.2 miles: Inside marathon running’s commercial boom https://www.sportspro.com/thought-leadership/spotlight-agency/marathon-runnings-commercial-boom/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:16:04 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487128 Marathon running has become one of sport's most valuable assets. Hans-Peter Zurbruegg, senior vice president of Active Lifestyle at Infront discusses how cities, sponsors and organisers are trying to sustain the boom.

The post The business of 26.2 miles: Inside marathon running’s commercial boom appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-71.png What does Comcast split mean for NBC, Sky and sports broadcasting in the UK and US? https://www.sportspro.com/analysis/broadcast-ott/comcast-split-nbcuniversal-sky-sports-broadcasting-uk-us-future/ Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:38:03 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487226 Comcast is dividing its communications and media businesses into two separate companies. SportsPro explains what this means for the future of sports broadcasting either side of the Atlantic and the industry as a whole.

The post What does Comcast split mean for NBC, Sky and sports broadcasting in the UK and US? appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/NBC-Sports-Microphone.jpg 30 years of Opta: How a marketing exercise became the foundation of soccer’s AI future https://www.sportspro.com/features/broadcast-ott/stats-perform-opta-data-analytics-ai/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487090 Three decades ago, an upstart management consultancy kickstarted a data revolution in English soccer. Now, Opta is at the forefront of an AI-driven transformation of how the sport is watched, played and understood.

The post 30 years of Opta: How a marketing exercise became the foundation of soccer’s AI future appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Harry-Kane-Goal-H.jpg Fox uses World Cup to push IndyCar ratings to 15-year high https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fifa-world-cup-fox-indycar-viewership-road-america-june-2026/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:46:20 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487092 Road America averaged remarkable 1.8m viewers thanks to starting directly after Spain vs Saudi Arabia game.

The post Fox uses World Cup to push IndyCar ratings to 15-year high appeared first on SportsPro.

]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-98.jpg