Interest in Lionel Messi merchandise has surged following the Argentine star’s latest international milestone. According to data from sports retailer JD Sports reported by Sportune, global Google searches for “Messi Argentina jersey” increased by 531% in the 24 hours following his final official match for Argentina. The rise in interest extends beyond the national team…
UEFA and groups opposed to Gianni Infantino are reportedly exploring potential candidates to challenge the FIFA president in the 2027 election. According to Italian sports business publication Calcio e Finanza, preliminary discussions have involved Olympique Lyon owner Michele Kang and Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness. Citing French newspaper L’Équipe, the report says European football’s…
Adidas ranks 24th, Red Bull 51st and Decathlon 57th in Brand Finance’s Europe 500 2026. JD Sports and Puma fall in the rankings, while Reebok climbs 35 places. Adidas, Red Bull and Decathlon are among the highest-ranked brands with strong links to the sports industry in Brand Finance’s Europe 500 2026, according to the latest…
The Independent Football Regulator’s State of the Game Report 2026 highlights the financial challenges facing English football, with rising costs, mounting debt and growing dependence on owner funding despite record revenues. English football continues to generate record revenues, but its financial sustainability is becoming an increasingly pressing concern. According to the State of the Game…
US-based sports marketing agency Relevent will exclusively market the commercial rights to UEFA’s national team competitions from 2028 to 2036, replacing CAA Eleven after more than a decade of managing the portfolio. UEFA said Relevent was appointed following a “competitive tender process” involving several leading international sports marketing agencies. The governing body said Relevent demonstrated…
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard, who is the reigning back-to-back NBA MVP and won the 2025 NBA championship and Finals MVP award, has joined the ownership structure without the club disclosing the size or value of his investment. Gilgeous-Alexander said the investment reflects his interest in Atlético’s long-term vision and international growth. “This is a…
Deutsche Telekom will retain exclusive live rights to all matches throughout the four-year cycle, taking the total value of the agreement to approximately €124 million. The deal underlines the growing commercial value of Germany’s third tier, with comprehensive live coverage providing Deutsche Telekom with a significant volume of football content for its media and digital…
The Roshn Saudi Pro League (SPL) increased its live viewership by 52% year-on-year to 198 million during the 2025–26 season, while revenue rose 11.5% and social media followers grew 44%. The figures suggest Saudi Arabia’s investment in football is beginning to generate commercial growth beyond high-profile player signings. Figures presented at the league’s General Assembly…
Juventus has selected nine startups for the second edition of its Forward Squad programme, using partnerships with emerging technology companies to explore new opportunities in athlete performance, fan engagement, stadium operations and corporate innovation. The 2026–27 cohort was unveiled at Wave by Vento at OGR Torino. The programme is part of Juventus Forward, the club’s…
Chinese sportswear group ANTA Sports Products Limited has completed the acquisition of a 29.06% stake in PUMA SE from Artémis SAS for €1.5055 billion, making ANTA the German sportswear brand’s largest shareholder. The transaction, acquired from the investment holding company of the Pinault family, was completed after all required regulatory approvals were secured and closing…
