DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Racheal Kundananji: Bay FC signs Zambian soccer star for reported $787,000 world record fee
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Bay FC, the newest team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has made an ambitious statement of intent ahead of the upcoming season by signing Zambian international Racheal Kundananji. “I want to give the [Bay FC] fans what they want – to enjoy the games, to enjoy seeing me playing and scoring.”Kundananji joins Bay FC from Spanish side Madrid CFF for a reported world record fee of €735,000 (around $787,000), according to multiple reports including ESPN. CNN has contacted Bay FC, Madrid CFF and the NWSL regarding the transfer fee. The contract runs through the 2027 season with an option for an additional year in 2028, Bay FC said. “We are delighted to add Racheal to our group,” Bay FC general manager Lucy Rushton said in a press release from the club.

Persons: Kundananji, ” Kundananji, Lucy Rushton, Diego Souto, Asisat Oshoala, Jen Beattie, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, Aly Wagner Organizations: CNN — Bay FC, National Women’s Soccer League, Zambian, “, BBC Sport Africa, FC, Bay FC, Madrid CFF, ESPN, CNN, Real Madrid, Liga F, Spain’s Liga, San, Spanish, Costa, US Women’s National, Sixth Locations: “ People, Zambia, Bay, Spanish, Scottish, San Jose, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica

☆ Shakhtar Donetsk: Serhii Palkin was running the biggest soccer club in Ukraine. After war broke out, his life changed forever
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Ben Church | Martynas Ruseckas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

While he scrambled to keep his young family safe amid the near constant bombardment, Palkin also had the responsibility of looking after Ukraine’s most successful soccer club, Shakhtar Donetsk. Almost two years we have been in these kinds of conditions.”Palkin was named Shakhtar Donetsk’s CEO in 2004, taking charge of the most decorated club in Ukraine. In addition to its domestic dominance, the team regularly competes in the UEFA Champions League, alongside the biggest names of the sport. Since the conflict began, though, six people with direct ties to the club have died, according to Palkin. But many of those players, which the club had invested in before the war, left Shakhtar for free as a result of the ruling.

Persons: Palkin, ” Palkin, Milos Bicanski, didn’t, ”, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he’s, it’s, Matteo Ciambelli, Fernandinho, FIFA’s, Mykhailo Mudryk, Marvin Ibo, GES Sportfoto Organizations: CNN, Shakhtar Donetsk, CNN Sport, Shakhtar Donetsk’s, UEFA Champions League, Soccer, country’s Premier League, ” Shakhtar, FC Barcelona, Champions League, Shakhtar, Getty, FIFA, Manchester City, Atlético Paranaense, Premier League, Sport, European, European Commission, English Premier League club Chelsea, Barcelona, “, ” Shakhtar Donetsk, Europa League, Marseille Locations: Russia, Ukraine, London, Kyiv, Europe, Germany, Donbas, Crimea, Russian, Brazil, Hamburg

☆ Sven-Göran Eriksson: After terminal cancer diagnosis, Liverpool fan is set for emotional day at club’s Anfield stadium
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson will be part of the Liverpool FC Legends management team for a charity soccer match, the club announced in a statement on Tuesday. Eriksson, who publicly revealed his terminal cancer diagnosis last month, will be on the sidelines alongside Liverpool greats Ian Rush, John Barnes and John Aldridge against an Ajax Legends team. The annual LFC Foundation charity match will be held at Anfield on March 23. Following the news of Eriksson’s diagnosis, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp invited the Swede to Anfield after the former England boss said he would never be able to fulfil his dream of managing Liverpool following his terminal cancer diagnosis. According to Liverpool, all proceeds from next month’s charity match will support the work of the club’s foundation and its charity partners.

Persons: Sven, Göran Eriksson, Eriksson, Ian Rush, John Barnes, John Aldridge, ”, “, Jürgen Klopp, Swede, “ You’re, ” Klopp, “ That’s, ” Eriksson, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand Organizations: CNN, Liverpool FC Legends, Liverpool, Ajax Legends, LFC Foundation, Anfield, Sky, Sky Sports, English, Portugal Locations: Anfield, England, Swedish, Liverpool, Rio, China, Mexico, Philippines

☆ Hang a picture of Jason Kelce shirtless in the Louvre? ArtButMakeItSports thinks so
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Callum Sutherland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Social media account ArtButMakeItSports connects the dots. He says: “I tend to see things through a sports lens, and I guess art is no different for me. Rebecca Blackwell/APSamson and Delilah, by Anthony van Dyck, 1628-30, 📸 by Rebecca Blackwell pic.twitter.com/jNJ6HNjNn5 — ArtButMakeItSports (@ArtButSports) December 24, 2023Are sport and art all that different? Since starting ArtButMakeItSports, Rader says the audience has been small for the most part. After all, wouldn’t we all love to see a roaring Jason Kelce matched with a renaissance painting on our social media feeds again?

Persons: –, ArtButMakeItSports, LJ Rader, Phillips de Koninck, haring, ake, eason, hy, ruth, ”, ike Organizations: CNN, ust

In fact, football wasn't even on her radar when Norma Hunt returned from Ireland, where she had spent a year on a Rotary Club scholarship. Norma Hunt was never going to be the passive wife of a sports tycoon, though. Lamar Hunt died in 2006 at the age of 74, and Clark Hunt took over the leadership of the Chiefs franchise. Norma Hunt became an astute businesswoman, every bit as savvy as her husband, the son of an oil magnate. “You know, they both loved the game," Clark Hunt said, ”and my dad obviously had such a huge impact on the game in so many different ways.

Persons: HENDERSON, Clark Hunt, Lamar Hunt, —, Norma Hunt, Clark, I'm, “ It's, ” Hunt, “, Norma Hunt's, Norma, Roger Goodell, Michael Jordan, ”, Andy Reid, Ford, Mark Donovan, ‘ Norma, it's, Donovan, Daniel —, FC Dallas —, ” Clark Hunt, Hunt, Pete Rozelle Organizations: Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Super, Kansas City, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, AFC, NFL, Rotary Club, Dallas Texans, AFL, Chicago Bulls, NBA, Ford, Arrowhead, MLS, FC Dallas, T, FIFA Locations: Nev, Miami, Arizona, Ireland, Innsbruck, Austria, lockstep, North America, Bidwell, California, Sonoma County, Kansas City, ”, Kansas, Arrowhead, Dallas

☆ Jessie Lingard: Former Manchester United star makes shock move to South Korea’s FC Seoul
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Gawon Bae | Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has signed for South Korea’s FC Seoul in a surprise move that ends the England international’s months-long search for a new club. He also impressed for England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where the team reached the semi-finals. Following a successful loan spell with Premier League side West Ham in 2021, Lingard made a permanent transfer to newly promoted Forest, becoming the team’s highest-paid player. FC Seoul, South Korea’s oldest professional club, finished seventh in the top division last year. The new K League season begins next month, when Lingard could make his debut in FC Seoul’s clash with Gwangju FC on March 2.

Persons: Jesse Lingard, Lingard, ” Lingard, ” Organizations: South Korea CNN — Former Manchester United, South Korea’s FC Seoul, FC Seoul, K League, English Premier League, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, UEFA Europa League, England, Premier League, West, FC Seoul’s, Gwangju FC Locations: Seoul, South Korea, England, Korea, Russia, Old Trafford, yesteryear, West Ham, South

☆ Lucas Ocampos: LaLiga to report fan who poked player in the backside to the juvenile prosecutor’s office
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —LaLiga, Spain’s top soccer league, says it is going to report a young Rayo Vallecano fan who poked Sevilla forward Lucas Ocampos in the backside to the juvenile prosecutor’s office. “LALIGA is going to report the facts to the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office as it involves a minor,” the league said in a statement to CNN. After the match, Ocampos said he hoped the league takes the incident as seriously as it takes incidents of racist abuse. Ocampos said he hopes the league takes the incident as seriously as racism. “Rayo Vallecano has always promoted the maximum respect towards referees, footballers and coaches.

Persons: CNN —, Rayo Vallecano, Lucas Ocampos, Ocampos, Valentín, “, ” Ocampos, DAZN España, Rayo, “ Rayo Vallecano, ” Sevilla, ” Rayo, Martin Presa Organizations: CNN, Sevilla, Rayo, Argentine, Isi, “, Police, Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla FC, Spanish Locations: Europe

☆ Why Eva Longoria is ‘addicted’ to padel
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Amanda Davies | Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —At first glance, padel might seem like an unusual investment for a Hollywood star like Eva Longoria. ElevenEleven Team USA, a team owned by Longoria, was participating at the event. Unlike tennis, padel is generally played in a doubles format, although the same scoring system is used in both sports. Some of the world's best padel players competed at the Hexagon Cup in Madrid. “The ownership team behind Angel City was born of that gender parity in pay,” Longoria recalled.

Persons: Eva Longoria, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Robert Lewandowski, Longoria, – padel, ”, Amanda Davies, ” Longoria, Guillermo Gutierrez Carrascal, Gabrielle Solis, Oscar, Natalie Portman, Angel City, “ Natalie Portman, doesn’t, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, ElevenEleven, USA, Angel City FC, Liga MX, Club Necaxa, Angel Locations: Madrid, Mexico, padel, pickleball, Los Angeles, Angel

☆ Lionel Messi: Paper napkin ‘contract’ to seal move to FC Barcelona heads to auction with a $380,000 starting bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The paper napkin containing the agreement which saw Lionel Messi join FC Barcelona will go to auction with a starting price of $380,000 (£300,000). Together with Rexach, Minguella helped organize Messi’s initial audition with the Blaugrana in September 2000. On December 14, Rexach, Minguella and Gaggioli met for lunch at the Pompeia tennis club to sign the napkin. “Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career. It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Carles Rexach, Minguella, Horacio, ” Rexach, Horacio Gaggioli, Josep Minguella, Rexach, Gaggioli, Joan Gaspart –, – Messi, ” Ian Ehling, “, Lionel Messi’s Organizations: CNN, FC Barcelona, Messi, Barcelona, Camp, La Liga, Bonhams Locations: Barcelona, Argentine, York

☆ Jürgen Klopp to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Ben Church | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has announced that he will step down from his position at the end of the current season. Since taking over in 2015, the German has overseen one of the most successful eras in the club’s history, notably winning a Champions League title and Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years. Video Ad Feedback Jurgen Klopp's influence on Liverpool FC 02:05 - Source: CNNUnder Klopp, Liverpool transformed back into a powerhouse of English and European soccer. Under his guidance, the team won the Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup, as well as the FA Community Shield. Chief among them is perhaps the stunning comeback against Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League in 2019.

Persons: Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool’s, “, ” Klopp, ”, Pepijn Lijnders, Peter Krawietz, Vitor Matos, Jurgen Klopp's, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio, Klopp Organizations: CNN, Liverpool, League, ” Liverpool, Liverpool FC, Klopp, Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA, FA, Tottenham, Reds, Barcelona, Chelsea Locations: Liverpool

☆ Soccer-Everton, Forest charged for breaching Premier League profitability and sustainability rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton wins a header during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Everton FC at City Ground on December 02, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)Nottingham Forest and Everton have been charged by the Premier League for a breach of the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), British media said on Monday. "The club intends to continue to cooperate fully with the Premier League on this matter and are confident of a speedy and fair resolution," Nottingham said in a statement quoted by British media. "Everton can assure its fans that it will continue to defend its position during the ongoing appeal and, should it be required to do so, at any future commission – and that the impact on supporters will be reflected as part of that process," Everton said.

Persons: Tony McArdle, Nottingham, Everton Organizations: Everton, Premier League, Nottingham Forest, Everton FC, City, Getty Images Locations: NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND, Nottingham, England

☆ Ange Postecoglou: How Australian coach is transforming his club and winning the hearts of soccer fans
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

However, the top flight of English soccer had never seen an Australian manager in its 31-year history – that is until the arrival of Ange Postecoglou. Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesThe Australian was greeted with a similar reception when he was hired by London club Tottenham in the summer of 2023. “He’s inspired Australian football and inspired Australian football coaches,” Dr. Craig Duncan, one of the nation’s leading sports scientists who worked with Postecoglou during his tenure with the Socceroos – the Australian national team – told CNN Sport. So much so that, according to Duncan, many Australian football fans he has spoken to will immediately check the score of Tottenham’s matches when they wake up. “This isn’t about us playing good football, it’s about us winning games of football,” Postecoglou told reporters after a recent 2-1 defeat by West Ham.

Persons: Ange Postecoglou, Postecoglou, Callum McGregor, Ian MacNicol, “ We’ve, “ He’s, ” Dr, Craig Duncan, –, Duncan, ” Postecoglou, “, Postecoglou’s, Craig Foster, Foster, unemployable ”, Ryan Pierse, Postecoglou's, ” Duncan, Spurs, Antonio Conte’s, you’re, ”, Anusak, “ Ricky Sacks, Sacks, Pedro Porro, Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, ’, Mauricio Pochettino, Pochettino, José Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo, Conte, Harry Kane, Son Heung, he’s Organizations: CNN, Premier League, Spain’s Basque, Australian’s Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Scottish, Celtic, Glasgow, Scottish Premier League, London, Tottenham, Spurs, Socceroos –, Australian, CNN Sport, BBC Sport, Sky Sports, South Melbourne FC, FIFA, Australia, Panachaiki, Brisbane Roar, Roar, Melbourne Victory, Socceroos, Brisbane, Melbourne, Marinos, Tottenham Hotspur “, ” Spurs, ‘, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Spurs ’ Locations: Argentinians, Australia, Greece, Japan, Australian, Postecoglou, Athens, Victoria, Brazil, South Melbourne, Yokohama, Scotland, North London, West Ham, London

☆ With Washington Capitals, Wizards move to Virginia, owner Ted Leonsis pursues his vision of a $10 billion sports empire around Washington, D.C.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-14 | by ( Ian Thomas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Glenn Youngkin (L) looks on during the announcement of a new sports arena for the Washington Wizards NBA basketball team and Washington Capitals NHL hockey team, on December 13, 2023 Virginia. Win Mcnamee | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesTed Leonsis, the owner of the NBA's Washington Wizards and the NHL's Washington Capitals, has a grand vision for growing a regional sports empire. Glenn Youngkin announced that the Capitals and Wizards have agreed to move to a new arena in Alexandria, Virginia, as part of a $2 billion entertainment complex in 2028. How will they compete with big market teams? "We could have a billion-and-a-half-dollar revenue run rate and a $10 billion to $15 billion trend of valuation," Leonsis said.

Persons: Ted Leonsis, Glenn Youngkin, Win Mcnamee, Leonsis, we'll, aren't, I'm, it's, It's, David Rubenstein, David Blitzer, Blackstone, James Dolan, Stan Kroenke, Kroenke, I've Organizations: Monumental Sports, Entertainment, Virginia Gov, Washington Wizards NBA, Washington Capitals NHL, Getty, Washington Wizards, NHL's Washington Capitals, CNBC, Summit, Washington , D.C, AOL, Capitals, Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital, D.C, Sports, Mystics, NHL, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, MLB, Carlyle Group, Bloomberg, Orioles, Red Sox, Fenway Sports Group, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, Premier League's Liverpool, Philadelphia 76ers, New, New Jersey Devils, Washington, Cleveland Guardians, MSG, Sphere Entertainment, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, New York Knicks, Rangers, MSG Networks, Atlanta Braves Holdings, Liberty Media, Sports & Entertainment, Nuggets, Avalanche, Los Angeles Rams, Premier League's Arsenal FC, Qatar Investment Authority, MSG Sports, NHL's Rangers, NBA's Knicks, Phoenix Suns, NBA, Ottawa Senators, Braves Locations: Virginia, Alexandria , Virginia, Washington ,, Washington, London, Richmond, Delaware, New Jersey, Real Salt Lake, Denver, MLS's Rapids, Colorado, Monumental

☆ Private-asset binge exposes insurance to new risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( John Foley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The concept is not new: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa.N) has used its insurance premiums to help fund everything from railways to cowboy-boot makers. The prospect of insurance companies buying risky loans or private equity investments has raised eyebrows. Many private credit assets, for example, rely on so-called private letter ratings based on confidential data. Given the private nature of private credit, it’s hard to see from the outside how big these risks are, or where they lurk. Besides, even if the share of life insurance assets that are mis-rated or undercapitalized is tiny, smaller insurers could carry more concentrated risk.

Persons: Blackstone, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, Fitch, Kroll, Egan, Jones, DBRS Morningstar, Banks, SVB, Jonathan Guilford, Neil Unmack, Peter Thal Larsen, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Apollo Global Management, KKR, Global Atlantic, Investments, National Association of Insurance, England’s Everton FC, Rivals, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Athene, P Global, Insurance, SVB, Thomson Locations: Global, Delaware , New York, Iowa, New York, London

SEATTLE (AP) — Denis Bouanga scored his fourth goal of the MLS Cup playoffs in the 30th minute, goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau made seven saves, and defending champion Los Angeles FC advanced to the Western Conference final with a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday night. Bouanga got one chance at goal and didn’t miss, scoring in his sixth straight game and sending LAFC home for the conference championship game against the Houston Dynamo next Saturday. Bouanga was the Golden Boot winner during the regular season with 20 goals and he added three more in LAFC’s opening round victory over Vancouver. His goal came despite Seattle controlling play for most of the first half and having two great chances in the opening five minutes that were denied by Crepeau. Bouanga’s shot was the only attempt LAFC put on goal in the first half and it finished with only two shots on target in the match.

Persons: — Denis Bouanga, Maxime Crepeau, Bouanga, didn’t, LAFC’s, Bouanga’s, LAFC, Josh Atencio’s, Jordan Morris outran Giorgio Chiellini, Crepeau, Morris, Alex Roldan, Joao Paulo, Albert Rusnak’s, ___ Organizations: SEATTLE, MLS, Los Angeles FC, Western, Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, Vancouver, Seattle, Crepeau, Sounders, Portland Locations: Seattle

☆ Sam Kerr nets hat-trick as she captains Chelsea Women to a 4-1 Champions League win against Paris FC Féminines
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Australian superstar Sam Kerr scored a stunning hat-trick in Chelsea’s 4-1 win against Paris FC Féminines in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) on Thursday. Paris sought to take the game to Hayes’ team early on and forward Mathilde Bourdieu forced a save from Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger with a low strike. The deadlock was broken on the half hour as Kerr collected a pass from Lauren James, who was coming off a hat-trick in a 5-1 WSL win against Liverpool on Sunday, and poked past Paris goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. A long ball forward by Berger evaded the Paris defenders and put the Australian striker through on goal. With Nnadozie off her line, Kerr audaciously lobbed the Nigerian goalkeeper from outside the penalty area to score her third.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Emma Hayes, Hayes ’, Mathilde Bourdieu, Ann, Katrin Berger, Kerr, Lauren James, Chiamaka Nnadozie, deservedly, Thea Greboval, Berger, Jess Carter, Fran Kirby, Bourdieu, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, John Walton, Nnadozie, Kerr audaciously, Erin Cuthbert, Louise Fleury, Kirby, Sophie Ingle, Ève, “, ” Hayes, “ Sophie, Ingle, Millie Bright Organizations: CNN, Paris FC Féminines, UEFA Women’s Champions, Chelsea, Super League, US, National, Stamford, Liverpool, Paris, Häcken, Real Madrid Locations: Paris

☆ Women’s Champions League: Salma Paralluelo’s brace leads Barcelona to comeback victory over Frankfurt
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Salma Paralluelo’s second-half brace ensured defending champion Barcelona avoided a Champions League upset against Eintracht Frankfurt, as the Catalan club came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory. “I’m happy above all for being able to help the team,” Paralluelo said after the match. But the team was frustrated by some resolute Frankfurt defending in the first half, before Freigang’s goal against the run of play. Against the best team in the world, that’s not a surprise, but I think we played well today. Benfica’s 1-0 victory over FC Rosengård on Wednesday puts the Portuguese club in third.

Persons: CNN — Salma Paralluelo’s, Laura Freigang’s, –, Mariona Caldentey, Paralluelo, “, ” Paralluelo, ”, Dan O, Connor Organizations: CNN, Barcelona, League, Eintracht Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Benfica, Barça, ”, FC Rosengård, Wednesday, Portuguese Locations: Catalan, Ona Batlle’s, Barcelona, ” Barcelona

☆ Prices for a set of Messi’s World Cup jerseys could exceed a record $10 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A set of six jerseys that he wore during last year’s World Cup, which his home country of Argentina won, are being put up for auction by Sotheby’s next week. That shirt currently holds the world record title of being the “most valuable item of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction,” according to the auction house. Bids were initially expected to range from $5 million to $7 million, perhaps signaling that Messi’s jersey prices could go higher. The online auction for Messi’s jerseys runs from November 30 to December 14 and will be displayed during that time in a free exhibition at Sotheby’s gallery in New York. His appearances sent MLS ticket prices skyrocketing and fans had trouble getting their hands on replica jerseys for several months.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Sotheby’s, Michael Jordan, Diego Maradona, ”, Brahm Wachter, Messi, Messi’s, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, Germain Organizations: New, New York CNN — Soccer, France, FC Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real, NFL, NBA, MLS, Inter Miami, Paris Saint, FIFA, Adidas Locations: New York, Argentina, Argentine, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Qatar

☆ Mendy sues Man City over unpaid wages after rape charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Mendy was found not guilty of one count of rape and one of attempted rape by a British court in July after being acquitted of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January following allegations made by multiple women. Mendy's lawyer Nick De Marco confirmed he was acting for Mendy in a "multi-million pound claim for unauthorised deductions from wages" in an emailed statement to Reuters. "Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offences all of which he was subsequently acquitted of, until the end of his contract in June 2023," the statement added. Mendy, currently at Ligue 1 side Lorient, joined City from AS Monaco in 2017 for a fee of around 52 million pounds ($64.80 million). ($1 = 0.8025 pounds)Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk and Sam Tobin in London; additional reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Benjamin Mendy, Phil Noble, Mendy, Nick De Marco, Mr Mendy, Anita Kobylinska, Sam Tobin, Lori Ewing, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Chester Crown Court, REUTERS, Manchester City, Premier League club, France, Mendy, Reuters, Manchester City FC, Ligue, Lorient, City, AS Monaco, Thomson Locations: Chester, Britain, Mendy, Gdansk, London

☆ Man United nears sale of 25% stake to Jim Ratcliffe for $33 a share -Sky News
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Glazer family announced last November that they were exploring "strategic alternatives" for the club, including a possible sale and were open to fresh investment. Manchester United's U.S.-listed shares rose 9.5% to $20.10 in early trading on Friday. Manchester United generates more revenue and has a larger fan base than its London rival. The Glazer family has faced intense criticism from fans over its handling of this key part of the club's operations. The six descendants of American businessman Malcolm Glazer, who died in 2014, currently control 96% of Manchester United's voting stock.

Persons: Glazer, Jim Ratcliffe, Ratcliffe, Sir Alex Ferguson, Richard Arnold, Roman Abramovich, Todd Boehly, Phil Noble, Malcolm Glazer, Ineos, Eva Mathews, Matt Scuffham, Arun Koyyur, Susan Fenton Organizations: Manchester, soccer, Sky News, Old, Manchester United, Premier League soccer, Chelsea, U.S, Clearlake, REUTERS, Reuters, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Forbes, Ligue, Nice, Swiss Super League, FC Lausanne, Racing Club Abidjan, Ivory Coast Ligue, Grenadiers, Thomson Locations: Old Trafford, Manchester United's U.S, London, Manchester, Britain, Ineos, British, Bengaluru

☆ Everton deducted 10 points for breaching English Premier League rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Everton FC has been handed an immediate 10-point deduction by an independent commission for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs), the English Premier League announced on Friday. The deduction means that Everton drops to 19th in the league table, level on points with last-placed Burnley. “The Premier League issued a complaint against the Club and referred the case to an independent Commission earlier this year. Everton’s next Premier League match is at home to Manchester United on November 26 following the conclusion of the men’s international break. The Merseyside club narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season after finishing 17th, two points above the relegation zone.

Persons: ”, ” Everton, “, Everton’s, Caroline Dinenage Organizations: CNN — Everton FC, English Premier League, Everton, Burnley, Premier League, Club, Commission, “ Everton, Manchester United Locations: Merseyside, England

☆ Everton: Premier League deducts club 10 points for profit and sustainability rule breach
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Everton badge with flags before the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on May 28, 2023 in Liverpool, England. Everton have been deducted 10 points by the Premier League for a breach of profit and sustainability rules. Everton say they are "shocked and disappointed" by the ruling and have vowed to appeal. "Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted," said the club. The deduction, which was meted out by an Independent Commission and will be imposed with immediate effect, is the largest in the history of the Premier League and plunges Sean Dyche's team into the relegation zone.

Persons: Sean Dyche's Organizations: Everton, Premier League, Everton FC, AFC Bournemouth, Goodison Park, Independent Commission Locations: Liverpool, England

☆ Emma Hayes: Chelsea ‘robbed’ of Champions League win against Real Madrid, says Blues manager
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says her team was “robbed” of a win after controversial refereeing decisions overshadowed her side’s entertaining 2-2 draw against Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League group stage on Wednesday. Firstly, a questionable penalty was awarded to Madrid in the 78th minute and then a last-minute winner was ruled out for offside. “I think we’ve been robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game,” Hayes said after the match. With Chelsea dominating proceedings, referee Frida Klarlund awarded Real Madrid the penalty after Blues defender Jessie Fleming brought down Athenea del Castillo. Real Madrid manager Alberto Toril said he was pleased with the performance and result against Chelsea.

Persons: Emma Hayes, “, ”, ” Hayes, OIga Carmona’s, Millie Bright, Niamh Charles, Sam Kerr, Misa Rodríguez –, Frida Klarlund, Jessie Fleming, Athenea del, Isabel Infantes, Carmona, Hayes, Jessie, Fleming, shouldn’t, ’ Chelsea, Lauren James, Charles, Kerr, Niamh, Sam, Alberto Toril Organizations: CNN, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Women’s Champions League, Reuters, Real, Super League, Madrid’s, Blues, Athenea, Getty, US, National, ” Chelsea, UEFA, Madrid, BK Häcken, Paris FC Locations: Madrid, Spanish, Real Madrid, Athenea del Castillo, she’s, European

☆ Manchester City report record profits to match best season on pitch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"The 2022-23 season saw Manchester City scale new heights and set new benchmarks," City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said in a statement. "In short, last season saw Manchester City achieve the greatest football and commercial year of its storied history." Commercial revenues accounted for 341.4 million pounds, followed by broadcast at 299.4 million and then matchday at 71.9 million, for a profit of 80.4 million, nearly doubling the previous year's record profit of 41.7 million pounds. Profits also benefited from significant player trading with 121.7 million pounds generated from transfers, up a significant 79.8% over the previous 12 months. On the pitch, manager Pep Guardiola guided City to a third successive Premier League title, an enthralling 2-1 FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester United, and a first ever Champions League title.

Persons: Lee Smith, Sheikh Mansour, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Pep Guardiola, Lori Ewing, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Chelsea, Etihad, Premier, Rights, Manchester City FC Ltd, Broadcasting, Champions League, FA, City, Brand Finance, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Deloitte Football Money League, soccer, Real, Club, Super League, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Rights MANCHESTER, England, Real Madrid

☆ High risk, High reward: Life Lessons with Lindsey Vonn
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Olympic gold medalist skier Lindsey Vonn speaks during an interview with Reuters in New York City, New York, U.S., May 17, 2022. After doing that for years – and being the best in the world at it – nothing much fazes Lindsey Vonn. For the latest in Reuters' "Life Lessons" series, she talked with us about how to attack your career with speed, skill and courage. One thing he made sure I understood was that ski racing didn't make any money. Q: Was it difficult to plan a financial life, when you are only paid when you win?

Persons: Lindsey Vonn, Chris Taylor, Lauren Young, Richard Chang Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Angel City FC, SAG, Salt Lake, Saks Fifth, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, Salt, –

Search resuls for: "fc"

25 mentions found