By Andrew Warshaw
August 4 – No more rumours, no more speculation. Just global disbelief. The protracted €222 million world record transfer of Brazil forward Neymar to Paris St Germain from Barcelona has finally been completed, with the Brazilian forward telling anyone who will listen that he needed a new challenge rather than the record-shattering move being just about the money.
August 4 – Former Walt Disney chief executive Michael Eisner has completed his £5.67 million takeover of Portsmouth via his Eisner’s Tornante Company.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 4 – The closed shop system in the United States which prevents promotion and relegation has long been a source of controversy, but usually only outside the country where traditional fans are bemused by a practise that differs totally from the rest of the world.
August 3 – With Europe’s transfer deadline now less than 30 days away and the start of the Premier League season just eight days off, how much more activity can be expected in what has already been a financially explosive window?
August 3 – As the football world awaits the official unveiling of Neymar’s world record €222 million move from Barcelona to Paris St Germain, reaction to the deal is coming in thick and fast led by Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp who has slammed the fee as flying in the face of UEFA’s attempt to cut down excessive spending.
August 3 – After almost four years in the making, David Beckham’s dream of heading a new MLS team in Miami has moved a vital step closer to reality.
By Paul Nicholson
August 3 – The battle for Britain’s punters is well and truly on. Bookmaker William Hill has promised a social media onslaught to win customers after first half profits fell 7% to £93.5 million on turnover of £837 million. Meanwhile, rival Ladbrokes was setting up for this weekend’s start of the Championship season, becoming Sheffield United’s Official Stadium Betting partner.
August 2 – Despite concerns over financial fair play, Barcelona forward Neymar’s world record €222 million transfer to Paris St-Germain has moved to the brink of completion after he was formally given permission to move according to Spanish and French reports.
By Paul Nicholson
August 1 – The acquisition of majority ownership of Premier League Southampton by Chinese construction business Lander Sports has hit a new roadblock, though it was probably always the same one.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 31 – Despite concerns over how they would avoid falling foul of UEFA’s strict financial fair play rules, Paris Saint-Germain are expected to imminently announce they have agreed to buy Neymar from Barcelona for a world record €222 million.
July 28 – Chelsea have opened discussions with banks about loan finance to rebuild their Stamford Bridge stadium. The stadium is estimated to cost £500 million to rebuild, but like Tottenham Hotspur’s rebuild of White Hart Lane, that cost is expected to rise.
July 27 – Ten of the 13 Chinese Super League clubs threatened with being banned next season say they have cleared their debts.
July 27 – Foreign investment interest in English clubs is not confined to the Premier League and Championship, but there is growing interest in opportunities provided by clubs in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.
By Paul Nicholson
July 26 – A study by Football Benchmark of the commercial revenue opportunity for the Chinese Super League concludes that even though the focus is on big money transfers and grassroots development, there is significant room for revenue growth for clubs in the more traditional areas of business.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 26 – While most of the leading clubs in the English Premier League have gone on a massive pre-season spending spree, one of them, Tottenham Hotspur, have been conspicuous by their lack of activity in the transfer window.