Shorts: GBR, Co-op LIVE, Hytro
Platform Media has acquired a majority stake of The Good, the Bad & the Rugby podcast.
Launched in 2020 by England legends Mike Tindall and James Haskell alongside presenter Alex Payne, the podcast spans across audio, video and social formats and is highly popular among rugby union fans across the UK.
Currently in its fifth season, the show has almost one million followers across social and digital platforms.
The Good, the Bad and the Rugby has been on the road across the UK and Ireland for several theatre tours, and launched numerous spinoffs, including a format dedicated to women’s rugby, featuring England Red Roses star Emily Scarratt and Natasha Hunt, as well as broadcaster Elma Smit.
The team at Platform Media have produced the podcast since its inception, and will have an even bigger role after making its first acquisition under the banner of global podcast group PodX.
PodX Group purchased a majority stake in Platform Media in May 2024, in a reported eight-figure deal, marking the UK podcast sector’s most significant acquisition to date.
Platform Media will continue to grow the podcast, while exploring areas for the brand including expansion into new sports.
Rick Ankers, Executive Director at Platform Media, said, “Mike, James and Alex are great storytellers and entertainers; they’re opinionated and insightful and share a real camaraderie and chemistry.
“ The show totally transcends the sport, which is testament to their character and star power.”
US-based Oak View Group (OVG) has launched a venue services offering in the UK and Europe.
This represents the first time an owner will provide services to venue owners in the European and UK market.
After nearly 6 months of the opening of the UK’s largest indoor concert venue, Co-op Live, this new contribution will include a range of services from venue development, management, premium hospitality, and food service, booking, sponsorship sales and marketing.
Led by Jessica Koravos, president of OVG International and Chris Granger, president of the OVG360, the venue services team includes multiple experts in the UK live entertainment and sports industry.
OVG’s other European partners include Aviva Studios, Birmingham City FC, EF Pro Cycling, AS Roma and Lloyd Webber Theatres.
“In just a few short months, Co-op Live has welcomed nearly one million fans and is setting new standards for artists and fans alike,” Koravos said.
“We are keenly aware of the challenges and opportunities facing venue owners.
“Our suite of service offerings is rooted in that knowledge and experience and paired with experts who have forged their careers in the European live entertainment and sports landscape, bringing real value to our clients.”
The carbon neutral venue, Co-op Live opened in Manchester on 8th May and is the largest indoor live entertainment venue in the UK at a capacity of 23,500.
UK sports performance and recovery brand Hytro has inked a new partnership with the Atlanta Falcons.
Hytro will provide the Falcons with the company’s BFR products throughout the 2024 NFL season.
The partnership will additionally focus on research and product development, working closely with the Falcons’ performance to explore new applications of wearable BFR technology in professional sports.
Hytro and the Falcons will together create and share a joint case study on the performance benefits of practical BFR applications.
The brand is now the chosen BFR wearable provider for over 150 professional teams globally, including England Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Dr Warren Bradley, Founder and CSO at Hytro, said, “At the very top echelons of sport, it can be easier to stick to the wider consensus and avoid going off-piste in search of performance advantages. This is why I was impressed with John, Nelly, and the rest of the performance staff, showing a clear commitment to their athletes and their craft by working smarter with Hytro.”
SailGP has partnered with Abelson to bring the global sailing series to new sportsbooks internationally.
The new deal, which launches ahead of its 2025 season, will provide a direct route for sailing fans to engage with the league, through bespoke algorithms built off SailGP’s data offering.
SailGP will produce algorithms from live race data to provide market opportunities throughout all races throughout the season. The series will leverage the 270,000 data points to provide instant probabilities to fans.
“Data-rich sports are ideally positioned for betting,” said Simon Temple, COO of Abelson Info.
“SailGP’s one-design format – whereby all teams race in identical F50 catamarans – along with readily available streams will lend themselves well to the sportsbooks of the future, as the league grows in popularity.
“We’re excited to be partnering with SailGP as they further strengthen their position in the sporting calendar.”
Team Bath Netball and Flyhawk have extended their partnership for a further three years.
The female-focused, netball apparel provider, has recommitted to the Blue and Golf after previously being named as the team’s kit and merchandise provider for the 2023/24 season.
Flyhawk will continue to provide performance-purposed playing and training kit for both the player pathway and regional development programmes, as well as supplying equipment for all Team Bath netball activities and future merchandise.
This new kit will be worn by all the teams representing Team Bath in league competition this season, including the U17s and U19s who begin their Netball performance League (NPL) campaigns later this month.
Stephanie Essex, Managing Director and Owner of Flyhawk, said, “With Flyhawk being a brand based in the Southwest region, it is really important to us to support Team Bath Netball’s pathway programme which enables some of the UK’s most talented youngsters in the region to thrive.”
Fans will be able to see the NXT Gen League squad take to the court in Flyhawk kit when their 2025 season begins on the 7th February.
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