News - SportsPro https://www.sportspro.com/news/ Sport industry news and insights for the latest broadcast, sponsorship, OTT, technology and endorsement deals Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:21:33 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-spicon.jpeg News - SportsPro https://www.sportspro.com/news/ 32 32 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.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Aston-Villa-Visit-Rwanda.jpg 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.

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]]> 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.

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]]> 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.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/NRL-Penrith-Panthers.jpg 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.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ian-Wright-ITV.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.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Copy-of-Untitled-1000-x-600-px-1000-x-600-px-34.png “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.

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]]> 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.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jamie-George-England-Rugby-World-Cup-2023.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.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-98.jpg Wimbledon and BBC extend to 2033 and agree to refresh coverage https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/wimbledon-bbc-aeltc-rights-extension-fta-tv-uefa-june-2026/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:15:47 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486995 Sport's longest running relationship will extend beyond a century with new deal.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Jannik-Sinner-Wimbledon-2025-Trophy.jpg PGA Tour approves two-tier competition revamp https://www.sportspro.com/news/decision-makers/pga-tour-revamp-structure-promotion-relegation-june-2026/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:09:22 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486900 Promotion and relegation across two tiers and a slimmed down calendar aim to increase interest among fans and partners.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tiger-Woods-PGA-Tour.jpg Apple streams Austrian GP for free in bid to expand US F1 audience https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/apple-streaming-austrian-gp-free-f1/ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:58:59 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486673 Follows deal with rival streaming giant Netflix to simulcast Canadian Grand Prix.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-97.jpg Fox eyes streaming reach, advertising and aggregation with US$22bn Roku swoop https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fox-roku-streaming-acquisition-reach-advertising-june-2026/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:48:52 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486520 Deal expands streaming distribution for broadcaster’s sports properties such as the NFL, MLB and Nascar.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Fox-Sports-Mic.jpg 2026 Fifa World Cup opener delivers US ratings record as Fox ‘escapes’ punishment for airing ads instead of action https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fifa-world-cup-2026-fox-telemondo-us-ratings-viewership-advertising-june-2026/ Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:28:21 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486467 Strong viewership for US and Mexico’s first matches underlines commercial appeal of tournament while intensifying scrutiny of in-game advertising.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Folarin-Balogun-US-Fifa-World-Cup.jpg Real Madrid and Emirates sign European record ‘€100 million’ sponsorship extension https://www.sportspro.com/news/sponsorship-marketing/real-madrid-emirates-record-sponsorship-june-2026/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:37:25 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486260 Deal runs until 2031, putting LaLiga giants ahead of its domestic and continental rivals.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-53.png Fifa signs up Kraken as World Cup 2026 crypto partner as late sponsor push continues https://www.sportspro.com/news/sponsorship-marketing/fifa-world-cup-2026-kraken-ab-inbev-sponsorships-june-2026/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:51:17 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486241 Long-time partner AB InBev also extends World Cup sponsorship to include 2030 edition before the tournament kicks off.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Fifa-World-Cup-Trophy-Gianni-Infantino.jpg Fifa World Cup 2026 digital push continues with Fifa+ DAZN launch and Netflix video game https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fifa-plus-dazn-netflix-world-cup-video-game-dtc-launch-june-2026/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:20:24 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486010 Fifa+ gets new life on DAZN as Fifa details first non-EA video game since split.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Kylian-Mbappe-France.jpg Premier League clubs warned about crypto sponsorship deals as betting ban comes into effect https://www.sportspro.com/news/sponsorship-marketing/premier-league-crypto-sponsorship-fca-warning-betting-ban-june-2026/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:49:43 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=485913 FCA warns teams that agreements with unlicensed firms could expose them to legal action.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bernardo-Silva-Manchester-City-Premier-League.jpg Champions League final records 7m UK viewers and ‘3.7m’ illegal streams https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/champions-league-final-tnt-sports-uk-piracy-illegal-stream-june-2026/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:17:46 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=485869 Arsenal a draw for pay-TV broadcaster but report claims European soccer showpiece hit by piracy.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PSG-H.jpg India’s Zee strike last-minute ‘US$40m’ 2026 World Cup broadcast deal https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fifa-2026-world-cup-zee-india-broadcast-rights-deal-june-2026/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:00:29 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=485814 Soccer’s governing body reaches agreement in major market just days before the tournament kicks off.

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