Shorts: Leeds, TNT Sports, SPFL
The English Football League (EFL) has approved the sale of the Leeds United to 49ers Enterprises, paving the way for the immediate transition of ownership.
American investment group 49ers Enterprises already owned 44% of the EFL Championship club, but have now agreed a deal to purchase the remaining 56% from Andrea Radrizzani.
Paraag Marathe, previously Vice Chairman, will take over as Chairman. Chief Executive Angus Kinnear will remain in his current position and Rudy Cline-Thomas, Founder and Managing Partner of venture capital firm MASTRY, will join the board as Co-owner and Vice Chairman.
The Enterprises consists of around ten major investors, plus a number of smaller individual stakeholders including major winning golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Ricky Fowler recently pulled out of his proposed investment.
Paraag Marathe, recently appointed Chairman of Leeds United, said, “This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already hard at work, this transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the club. We have already appointed a highly respected first team manager with a track record of success, and we are confident Leeds will field a competitive squad to contend for promotion next season. It’s a privilege to carry this torch as I know we have a responsibility to ensure this club makes our staff, players, supporters, and the Leeds and Yorkshire communities proud.”
TNT Sports has officially launched in the UK and Republic of Ireland replacing BT Sport.
The new name, branding, and style is the result of the joint venture between BT Sport and Warner Bros. Discovery last year.
The TNT Sports brand is already used in the USA as part of Warner Bros. Discovery but aims to merge with the UK’s Warner Bros. Discovery owned-Eurosport in the coming years.
TNT Sports will maintain its competition rights as they will continue to air including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE.
The BT Sport app will be shut down later this year and replaced by the discovery+ app.
In wholesale talent changes Laura Woods will become the lead presenter for the Champions League, heading up a female-fronted presentation team for the new venture’s football properties.
Boxing legend Carl Frampton MBE has also been named the lead boxing analyst on TNT Sports alongside Woods.
BBC Scotland has extended its rights deal with the Scottish Professional Football League until 2029.
An existing UK only deal for radio coverage, television highlights, 20 live Scottish Championship games per season and online clip highlights was due to expire in 2025.
The SPFL have also extended their deal with rights agency, Infront, until 2029 in a deal that includes a buyout agreement from summer 2025.
BBC Scotland Head of Commissioning Louise Thornton, said, “We’re delighted we’ve reached this agreement with the SPFL, which further strengthens our commitment to provide extensive coverage of the top tiers of the game.
“Live Championship football has become a popular fixture of the Friday night schedule on the BBC Scotland channel. Combining that with the broad slate of live radio coverage and TV and online highlights from the Premiership over the same period is brilliant news for our audiences.”
Premier League football club Newcastle United has appointed Simon Capper as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Capper was previously at recently relegated Leicester City FC where he served as Finance Director.
During his time at the King Power Stadium, he played a prominent role in supporting the club’s development, with revenues rising from £20m to peak at £200m as the Foxes won the Premier League.
He was also an integral part of the management team that developed a new training facility at Seagrave.
Simon Capper, the new Chief Financial Officer for Newcastle United, said, “This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a team that is committed to excellence in all areas.
“Newcastle United is challenging football’s status quo and has embarked on an exciting journey to build a sustainable, leading, Premier League and European club.”
Darren Eales, Chief Executive Officer of Newcastle United, added, “I’m delighted to welcome Simon to Newcastle United.
“He is an extremely talented and experienced finance professional and has a fantastic track record in leadership roles in the football industry.
“Simon will be an integral part of the club’s senior management structure and will oversee our finance operations as we press ahead with the commercial growth that will drive and sustain our future successes.”
The Tour of Britain, the UK’s leading cycle race, has unveiled Accurist as its official timekeeper for 2023 and the limited-edition Tour of Britain Origin watch.
To celebrate becoming the official timekeeper of the Tour of Britain, Accurist has produced a limited-edition watch based on their flagship Origin collection. The watch features subtle nods to the Tour of Britain and cycling as a sport, from the unique dial texture, choice of additional quick release strap and the use of colour throughout the design.
Oliver Archer, Brand Manager at Accurist, said, “Accurist has always been at the heart of British timekeeping. From its founding in London, Accurist built a reputation for accuracy, affordability, and attention to detail. With the sponsorship of the speaking clock and countdown to the millennium we became a household name, setting the time of all other watches in the UK. We’re delighted to be joining forces with The Tour of Britain, and look forward to supporting this wonderful cycling event with our precision timing which is so important for all the competitors and fans.”
Team Bath, which plays in the Netball Super League, has announced a new partnership with Flyhawk.
The UK team sport brand will design, develop and supply on-court performance clothing and off-court apparel for Team Bath netballers across all age groups, from the Athlete Development Centres located across the Southwest through to NPL pathway players and Super League stars.
Flyhawk will also supply a collection of fan merchandise, allowing Blue & Gold supporters to show their colours in style.
Asha Francis, Head Coach of Team Bath Netball, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Flyhawk, who have quickly established themselves as real trailblazers in kit design, producing sportswear that is innovative, stylish and player-focused.
“As players and coaches, we are implementing a long-term plan to forge a fearless new identity for Team Bath and Flyhawk’s approach and bold concepts fully compliment that vision. The designs for next season look fresh and inspiring, and we can’t wait for the first set of kit arrive.”
Steph Essex, Flyhawk Founder, added, “We are thrilled to announce the new partnership between Flyhawk and Team Bath Netball. We have been working alongside Team Bath on the new kit concepts and our vision for the 2023-2024 season is to support Team Bath Netball’s growth with bigger, bolder and braver kit designs that give the players, staff and fans energy, passion and drive for the new season ahead.
“Team Bath is cemented in history as one of the UK’s most successful franchises and we are incredibly proud to be working alongside the club.”
EFL League Two club Stockport County has announced a new deal with DeliveryApp for the upcoming 2023/24 season.
DeliveryApp will feature as this season’s sleeve sponsor, building upon their previous involvement, including advertising boards within the ground and sleeve sponsorship for the Carabao Cup last season.
Olivia Hanvey, Head of Commercial at Stockport County, said, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Delivery App as our Sleeve Sponsor for the 23/24 season. Their logo looks brilliant on all three of this season’s kit and we’re looking forward to working with them again this season.”
Dwain McDonald, Chief Executive Officer at DeliveryApp, added, “We are extremely proud and excited to renew our association with Stockport County. Our partnership with them as the Sleeve Sponsor is a testament to our shared values and we feel the Hatters are a great fit to showcase the DeliveryApp brand on the pitch.
“As we embark on the 23/24 season, we are determined to excel on and off the field and are looking forward to a successful season – fingers crossed for a league win.”
English Football League club Newport County has announced Newport Bus as its official training wear partner for the 2023/24 season.
As part of the deal, the Newport Bus logo will appear on the men’s first team’s training wear.
The company also claims that it ‘aims to encourage fans to utilise public transportation on match days, fostering a more sustainable and eco-friendly means of travel.’
Scott Pearson, Managing Director at Newport Transport, said, “We are proud for Newport Bus to join forces with Newport County AFC as their official training wear partner. As a business operating bus services to the city and its community, including a number of fans of the County already, it is important that we can support a fan owned club and promote the supporters trust in this way, whilst also being able to promote our extensive range of services in the area. We also hope this will encourage other local business to look in to supporting either the team or trust of such an important fixture within our city.”
Matthew Owen, Commercial Manager at Newport County AFC, added, “We are delighted to welcome Newport Bus as our official training wear partner for the upcoming season. This partnership embodies our shared values of community engagement and environmental responsibility. By encouraging fans to utilise public transport, we aim to make a positive impact on Newport’s air quality and overall safety. Together, we can achieve great things for our city.”
