Shorts: Emirates GBR SailGP Team, Salford Red Devils, PCA

The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team has become the first team in the global sports league to release an Impact Report, detailing results of its ambitious environmental and social commitments during Season 4.

The report follows Emirates GBR being crowned winners of the SailGP Impact League, a podium for the planet which rewards teams for their actions to reduce their carbon footprint and increase diversity in sailing.

The team, which has Sir Ben Ainslie as CEO, was commended for its work on climate education, renewable energy, gender equity and creating pathways for more inclusivity in the marine industry. 

Emirates GBR’s highlights from the report include taking its base off-grid at SailGP events with a portable renewable energy installation created in partnership with Low Carbon, producing a Blueprint to enable other sports teams and industries to incorporate renewable energy into their operations, hosting 1,750 young people around the world with in-person Protect Our Future ‘Climate Action’ lessons and expanding the Athena Pathway Programme to fast-track development of females and youth in the marine industry.

Emirates GBR CEO, Sir Ben Ainslie, said, “At Emirates GBR, we measure success by our achievements both on and off the water. Our goal is to be the most purpose-driven sports team in the world and inspire change that transcends our sport. This ambition underpins everything we do as a team, and last season we made great progress with ground breaking projects in both sustainability and diversity.”

Salford Red Devils have been instructed by the Rugby Football League (RFL) to lower their sustainability cap to £1.2m and sell players to meet the requirements.

The club cited ongoing financial challenges, including uncertainty over its future at Salford Community Stadium and delays in securing investor agreements.

Salford had received an advance on its 2025 distribution money in November, conditional on reducing overheads by £800,000, but delayed player sales while investor talks continued.

Issues with Salford City Council’s stadium purchase and the withdrawal of a promised subsidy grant in late 2024 have further impacted the club’s financial position.

Salford are set to begin their 2025 Super League season against St Helens on 15th February.

Daryl Mitchell has been appointed permanent Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), following a six-month tenure as Interim CEO.

Mitchell previously served as the organisation’s Chief Operating Officer and Chair, and his relationship with the PCA began in 2003 when he signed his first professional contract. Mitchell also captained Worcestershire for six years and represented the PCA from 2009.

He has played a key role in major negotiations, including the County Partnership Agreement and player representation during the Covid pandemic.

Mitchell succeeds Rob Lynch who will depart after serving the PCA for over four years.

Daryl Mitchell, said, “I am delighted to have been entrusted by the PCA Players’ Committee and the Board to lead the Association as the Chief Executive.

“I am eager to hit the ground running and build on the advancements we have made on behalf of members in recent years.”

UK-based clothing provider, Dryrobe, has inked a two-year deal with the International Winter Swimming Association (IWSA).

This follows the brand’s role as title sponsor of the 2024 winter swimming World Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.

Dryrobe will now serve as the official change robe of the IWSA. This includes sponsorship of the 2025 winter swimming World Cup and the title sponsor of the World Championships in Finland.

Gideon Bright, Dryrobe founder said, “Our sponsorship of last year’s IWSA Winter Swimming World Championships was a huge success and we’re looking forward to working with the IWSA over the following two years on an expanded brief.”

Summit Sports has added MMA athletes Kelly Staddon and Nili Block, alongside golf creators Emma Higgins, Jamie Sendle-White, and Leo Boniface, to its roster.

Former Team GB judoka Staddon is a MMA fighter and sports nutritionist, while Block, a former kickboxer and Muay Thai champion, recently returned from a career-threatening injury.

In golf, Higgins is a +0.2 handicap golfer, Sendle-White combines football and golf content, and Boniface, an 11-year-old with 60K Instagram followers, aims to turn professional while promoting youth participation in golf through his foundation.

Oliver Weingarten, Summit Sport CEO, said, “It has been a great start to 2025 and we are really excited about all our talent signings, who have such interesting profiles, stories to tell, and incredible work ethics, as well as opportunities on the horizon to get to the top of their respective careers.”

LIV Golf has appointed Scott O’Neil as Chief Executive Officer, to lead the league’s strategic vision, business operations, and global growth.

O’Neil will oversee LIV Golf’s 13 teams, its roster of golfers, and efforts to expand the league’s impact globally.

Greg Norman, who served as LIV Golf’s first CEO and Commissioner, will transition from day-to-day management but remain involved with the organisation.

With over 25 years of experience in sports and entertainment, O’Neil previously served as CEO of Merlin Entertainments and CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, LIV Golf Board Chairman, said, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we welcome Scott to the LIV Golf family, knowing he will capitalise on everything that has been accomplished over the past three years.’

The Pools has partnered with Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) to enhance its online platform and expand its digital offering

The Pools, one of the UK’s longest-standing betting brands, will adopt GiG’s X-Suite technology, including the CoreX iGaming platform and SportX sportsbook.

The updated platform integrates features such as advanced bet-builder tools, dynamic odds, and fully localised UK content, including horse racing provided by BetMakers.

GiG’s AI-driven technologies will enhance user engagement and personalisation while supporting The Pools’ efforts to grow in regulated markets across Europe.

The launch coincides with recent senior appointments, including Sharon Wright as Marketing Director, Phillip Donegan as Chief Technology Officer, Chris Williams as Head of Product, and Matt Knowles as Head of CRM.

James Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of The Pools, said, “This partnership has been key to enabling our ambitious vision for The Pools, that backs up our strategy for a sustainable, compliant growth trajectory for our brand.”

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