1) What’s the LIV latest?
As we hit send on the newsletter, LIV Golf sent out official word that it has appointed new board members ‘as the league focuses on securing long-term financial partners to support its transition from a foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model’. Saudi’s Public Investment Fund is widely reported to be ending its funding of LIV, and reports surfaced yesterday that PIF Chair Yasir Al-Rumayyan is stepping down from the LIV board. LIV’s statement today did not reference PIF or Al-Rumayyan, but in Eugene Davis and John Zinman they have found what LIV describe as ‘seasoned experts with proven track records of navigating complex situations, and unlocking value for global organisations’. Davis is the Chair and CEO of Piranate Consulting Group, while Zinman has his own independent strategic advisory firm. Alongside LIV CEO Scott O’Neil, they’ll lead on ‘evaluating the range of strategic opportunities which have emerged as the league has evolved’. This week LIV postponed its June event in Louisiana, but this year’s season is due to continue in Washington next weekend, ahead of stops in South Korea, Spain and the UK over the summer. As it seeks new investment sources, LIV will likely lean on key metrics that show it is pacing $100 million ahead of last year’s revenue to date this season, a 129% year-on-year increase in ticket sales and the standout events in Australia and South Africa that drew record crowds. Much, though, is likely to depend on whether it can retain the support of its key players – who have been informed of the funding changes – through a fundraising roadshow as several of the star turns examine possible routes back to the PGA Tour.
2) How far can marathons go?
It’s an open secret that plans are being hatched to turn the 2027 London Marathon into a two-marathon, two-day affair, a one-off format that would double the amount of participants, earn millions more for charity but also place additional organisational and logistical strain on large parts of central London. Tinkering with what is undeniably a winning format is not usually advised, but organisers are looking at data that shows there were 1.13 million applicants in this year’s race (up from 540,000 in 2024 and 840,000 last year). This year saw a record number of starters, over 59,000. Twenty First Group’s Daniel Reece has examined the numbers, and his quick analysis, worth reading, concludes that in deciding whether to expand organisers are about to tackle the ‘tension that keeps showing up in sport’ – namely, just how valuable is scarcity?
3) Have you got anything I should be forwarding to my content team to make me appear trendy?
(Slightly) younger colleagues tell me this music video, choreographed and directed by French filmmaker Romain Gavras, is doing good business on the socials. To my untrained eye, it conveys the kind of intensity that feels like it would appeal to sports team content departments looking to turn another snazzy montage into something altogether more impactful. Keep an eye open for imitations.
4) Have you decided on your AI approach yet?
Thanks to Worth Knowing podcast listener Mark Shannon, Head of Digital Products at the DP World Tour, for sharing his piece examining sport’s relationship with AI. If the title – ‘Built for humans, consumed by agents: the next decade of sports digital platforms’ – doesn’t grab you, his call for sport to negotiate collectively with AI companies probably should.
5) What are the new leagues to watch?
It's a golden period for start-up leagues in all sorts of different sports, would-be sports and leisure pursuits transforming into sports. The World Fencing League, funded by the Flick Family Office and Chiron Sports Group, and co-founded by Miles Chamley-Watson, held its debut event in LA last weekend, helped by some sensational new visual technology. The six-team hip-hop start-up International Dance League, funded largely by Elysian Park Ventures, has this week added e.l.f Cosmetics to a sponsor roster already including Honda and Shopify, ahead of its debut in New York on Saturday. And from Australia this week, news of the launch of Guardians League, a new beach-based team format comprising lifesaving, athletics, kayaking and swimming, which is set to launch in 2027 and is the brainchild of former surfer Adrian Tobin and FIBA executive Andrew Ryan. Upfront Sports Partners has been tapped to help find partners, city locations are being sought for a four-event first season and 'advanced discussions' are underway with broadcasters Fox Sports in Australia and DAZN for global streaming, all as suggestions mount that Brisbane 2032 is looking to add lifesaving to its Olympic programme.
6) How can you help me identify my future boss?
We've got just the thing. Entries are open for nominations to this year's Leaders Under 40 Class of 2026, part of our refreshed Leaders Sports Awards. It's our 11th year of celebrating and recognising the industry's best talent - and our judges have a track record of top-level talent-spotting. Flashback a decade to 2016 and that year's class included the likes of Last Dance Executive Producer Connor Schell, Surj supremo Danny Townsend, Canada Soccer Media & Entertainment CEO James Johnson, Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada, Atlanta Hawks CMO Melissa Proctor and CAA Sports President Matt O'Donohoe. You can nominate yourself or the high flyer on your team – good luck!
7) Why is there no news?
We know there’s 115 charges. We know the closing arguments were 16 months ago. We await the judgement in the Premier League’s case against Manchester City. City deny all wrongdoing, the Premier League can’t say anything, but The Lawyer have outlined eight possible scenarios of what could be happening behind closed doors.
