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☆ Soccer Serie A looks at media platform as right sale faces stalemate
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Elvira Pollina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Italy's top flight soccer league Serie A is pressing ahead with plans to launch its own media operations with the support of financial investors as a sale process of domestic broadcasting licences struggles to gain traction, club and league officials said. The creation of a media platform to distribute Serie A matches to other TV outlets as well as the launch of a league-run live video streaming subscription service have been repeatedly floated in recent years. The launch of a TV streaming service platform to broadcast matches would a first for any major soccer league in Europe. The 20 clubs may also decide to use the league's streaming platform to screen only some of the matches, awarding part of the rights to the established broadcasters. TV rights are a key source of revenue for Serie A clubs such as this year's champions Napoli, Juventus (JUVE.MI) and Milanese clubs AC Milan and Inter.

Persons: Elvira Pollina, Keith Weir Organizations: MILAN, Serie, Sky Italia, Napoli, Juventus, Milanese, AC Milan, Inter, English Premier League, Premier League, Thomson Locations: Europe

☆ For U.S. investors seeking an edge in European soccer, the cheaper the better
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This comes as deep-pocketed investors — from top U.S. private equity and venture capital firms to global rivals like sovereign wealth funds — have intensified competition. Meanwhile, more than one-third of the clubs in the so-called "Big Five" leagues in Europe are backed by U.S. investors, including private equity and venture capital firms. "These recent transactions have set a precedent in terms of club valuation but also prompted many owners to consider selling to [private equity]," according to an analyst report from PitchBook. Some firms, like Sixth Street Partners, have found different outlets into taking a stake in European soccer, particularly in Spain's LaLiga. The shift is happening as soccer clubs have been looking for fresh capital following the distress stemming from the earlier days of the Covid pandemic.

Persons: Liverpool's Curtis Jones, Charles Baker, PitchBook, Todd Boehly, English Premier League's, Elliott Management's, Lionel Messi Organizations: Premier League, King Power, U.S, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Newcastle, Clearlake Capital, English Premier, English Premier League's Chelsea, Redbird Capital Partners, Italy's AC Milan, Sixth Street Partners, FC Barcelona, Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool FC, Dynasty Equity, English Premier League, Sheffield United Locations: Leicester, European, U.S, Europe, PitchBook, LaLiga, Spanish, Real Madrid's

The retiring star was honored by club team OL Reign on Friday night in front of a National Women's Soccer League record crowd of 34,130 fans, many of whom wore pink wigs in her honor. Rapinoe had already played her final match with the U.S. national team last month in Chicago, but Friday marked her final regular-season home game for the Reign. The 38-year-old Rapinoe has played in 114 regular-season games for the Reign and scored 49 goals. “And she's really embraced her role with her full authentic self.”Rapinoe is also known for her social justice activism. She led the national team's long fight for equal pay with the men’s national team, which started with an EEOC complaint in 2016.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, “, ”, Sue Bird, Rapinoe, Lumen, Lauren Barnes, Abby Wambach, Ken Griffey Jr, Magic Johnson, Billie Jean King, isn't, —, Ballon, Jessica Berman, ” Berman, Colin Kaepernick Organizations: SEATTLE, Women's Soccer League, Washington, U.S ., Chicago Red Stars, Orlando Pride, FIFA, men’s, U.S, Soccer, NFL Locations: Chicago, Australia, New Zealand, France, Netherlands, U.S

☆ Rapinoe bids farewell as record NWSL crowd, sports greats pay tribute
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Oct 6, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) reacts after the game against Washington Spirit at Lumen Field. It was always the safest place," Rapinoe, 38, said of her time in Seattle. Rapinoe had already called time on her international career, wearing the U.S. crest for the last time last month in friendly against South Africa. Players from each side hugged Rapinoe as she stepped off the field to a roars from the crowd, which included her five-time Olympic basketball gold medallist fiance Sue Bird. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Stephen Brashear, Lumen, Billie Jean King, Ken Griffey Jr, Ballon, it's, Rapinoe, Aubrey Kingsbury, Claudia Dickey, Dorian Bailey's, Trinity Rodman, Sue Bird, It's, Amy Tennery, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Washington, USA, National Women's Soccer League, NFL's Seattle Seahawks, Seattle, South, Rapinoe, Players, Thomson Locations: Seattle , Washington, USA, Seattle, South Africa, Washington, New York

[1/2] A smartphone with the Electronic Arts logo is seen in front of a displayed stock graph in this illustration taken September 16, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 29 (Reuters) - Electronic Arts (EA.O) on Friday launched its first soccer game without the FIFA tag, betting its "FC 24" title will maintain the momentum in its best-selling franchise and provide a bulwark against an industry slowdown. That has left "FC 24" without the visibility and marketing heft the FIFA brand enjoyed. EA has tried to boost the appeal of "FC 24" with new features such as cross-platform play and HyperMotion V technology that uses data from real footage to program in-game movements. Analysts also believe the FIFA split should unlock a bigger marketing budget for "FC 24", which has retained licenses to most of the soccer leagues, teams and players.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Joost Van Dreunen, Michael Pachter, Pachter, Zaheer Kachwala, Shinjini Organizations: REUTERS, Electronic, FIFA, EA, FC, NYU's Stern School of Business, Wedbush Securities, Apex, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

☆ Saudi soccer league says big-money player purchases are only the first step in a long-term strategy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The big-spending Saudi Pro League is aiming to build its global broadcasting presence and become one of the top 10 soccer leagues in the world, its chief operating officer, Carlo Nohra, told CNBC on Thursday. The league dominated the sports headlines over the summer as Saudi clubs cumulatively spent more than $1 billion in transfer fees and attracted some of the biggest names from Europe's top leagues with mammoth contract offers. Speaking to CNBC at the APOS conference in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday, Nohra said that Saudi Arabia's strategy is "extremely long term," but that the acquisition of players was the first step. watch nowThe kingdom's massive investment in sport is part of a broader effort to diversify its economy away from oil by investing in commercial infrastructure to become a tourism, leisure and entertainment powerhouse. Nohra explained that the objectives handed down to the Saudi Pro League's bosses were to firstly improve on-pitch performance through the acquisition of world-class players, to fill the country's stadia and ultimately to drive the commercialization of the vastly improved overall product.

Persons: Carlo Nohra, cumulatively, Neymar, Sadio Mane, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nohra, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Organizations: Saudi Pro League, CNBC, English Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Serie, Ligue, Saudi, Fox News, Saudi Pro Locations: Saudi, Bali , Indonesia

☆ Head of Spanish women's soccer league says Rubiales-led FA was 'sexist'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Elena Rodriguez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

President of Spain's women's Liga F soccer league Beatriz Alvarez speaks with Reuters during an interview at their headquarters in Madrid, Spain, September 27, 2023. "At least since I came to the Liga F, there has been an absolute lack of institutional respect - as well as sexism - from the federation," Alvarez added. Alvarez recounted how her third child had been born just a day before the Liga F season kicked off. Alvarez said she was not invited by the RFEF to the Women's World Cup final in Sydney, which she believes would never have happened to the president of the men's league. Still, she said the fact that the women's team won the World Cup had put them in the global spotlight, which should boost women's football, help to stamp out sexist attitudes and promote equality.

Persons: Spain's, Beatriz Alvarez, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso's, Hermoso, Alvarez, Elena Rodríguez, Guillermo Martínez, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Ed Osmond Organizations: Liga F, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Spain's, Liga, women's, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Spanish, videoconference, Sydney

☆ Rapinoe brings the curtain down on her fabled international career
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It has been such an honour to be able to wear this shirt, play with all these players and live out my childhood dream," Rapinoe said at the end of the game. With 203 caps and 63 goals for her national team, the veteran played in four World Cups, winning in 2015 and 2019, and helped the U.S. to claimed the Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games. Her activism and off-field personality brought her to achieve household fame after supporting causes such as LGBT+ rights, speaking out against racism and standing up for equal pay in women's soccer. Rapinoe is scheduled to play her last National Women's Soccer League regular-season game with OL Reign on Oct. 6 against Washington Spirit in Seattle. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Alex Morgan, Emily Sonnett, Ballon, Lindsey Horan, Rapinoe, Angelica Medina, Michael Perry Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, South Africa, Soldier, Trinity Rodman's, Ballon d'Or, Women's Soccer League, Washington Spirit, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, U.S, Chicago, soccer, Seattle, Mexico City

☆ Twice US World Cup champion Ertz bows out
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Sep 21, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; United States midfielder Julie Ertz (8) acknowledges the crowd as she walks the field after the match against South Africa at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsSept 21 (Reuters) - Two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz bid farewell to professional soccer with a 3-0 U.S. victory over South Africa in a friendly in Cincinnati on Thursday. Ertz, a twice Female Player of the Year who played a key role in the team's World Cup winning campaigns in 2015 and 2019, was given an emotional send off with fans holding up messages of appreciation throughout the contest. Some were hoping that Ertz, who took an 18-month break prior to this year's Women's World Cup to give birth to her son Madden, might be convinced to stay on through next year's Paris Olympics but she said her priorities had changed. "I've got a little boy that I'm exciting to spend my time with," said Ertz, who is married to NFL tight end Zach Ertz.

Persons: Julie Ertz, Aaron Doster, Ertz, Madden, I've, Zach Ertz, Striker Alex Morgan, She's, Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Rory Carroll, Michael Perry Organizations: South, TQL, NFL, Women's Soccer League, Chicago Red Stars, Angel City FC, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Cincinnati , Ohio, USA, United States, South Africa, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, New Zealand, Australia, Chicago

☆ Julie Ertz to play in final US women’s national team match against South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

ET Thursday will see the two-time Women’s World Cup winner and two-time Olympian earn her 123rd and final cap for the US. She announced her retirement last month, adding that she made the decision “with immense emotion and processing.”Ertz controls the ball against Sweden in what would be her final Women's World Cup match. Jenna Watson/USA TODAY Sports/ReutersErtz, 31, was an integral member of the US teams which won the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019. She represented the US women’s team on 122 occasions, losing just five matches and scoring 20 goals during her 10-year international career. Ertz, pictured as the US celebrates its victory over the Netherlands at the 2019 Women's World Cup final, was an integral member of the US teams which won women's soccer's showpiece event in 2015 and 2019.

Persons: Julie Ertz, Jenna Watson, Reuters Ertz, Richard Heathcote, Ertz, “ There’s, Momma can’t, Momma, ” Ertz, Madden, Twila Kilgore, Ertz’s Organizations: CNN, US, National, TQL, Sweden, USA, Reuters, Getty, Chicago Red Stars, US Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City, Interim, “ Locations: South Africa, Cincinnati, Netherlands, Angel, Australia, New Zealand, Interim US

☆ CarMax just promoted a longtime employee to CMO. She tells Insider how she went from search analyst to marketing chief.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

CarMax just promoted its long-time employee and VP of marketing Sarah Lane to the role of CMO and SVP. Lane started as a search analyst at the company at the age of 22 and in the early aughts, when the company was in only a handful of markets. "We haven't permeated culture in the way that brands today want to and need to, to have that lasting legacy," Lane told Insider. I want to be the only place to consider when you buy a used car." She's also monitoring the United Auto Workers strikes to figure out how they could potentially drive more demand to the used car market.

Persons: CarMax, Sarah Lane, Lane, Jim Lyski, Candace Parker, Sue Bird, Steph Curry, Usain Bolt —, we've, Joseph Kunkel Organizations: Automotive News, Circuit, National Women's Soccer League, WNBA, United Auto Workers, CMO Locations: CarMax

Meanwhile, failed uprisings in Bahrain and eastern Saudi Arabia were followed by years-long crackdowns and a continuing civil war in Syria. “What we’re beginning to see in Saudi Arabia right now is the emergence of a new social contract. Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest exporter of crude oil, and nearly two-thirds of its income still comes from selling fossil fuels. If Saudi Arabia can become a hub for major sporting events, then that’s a way of attracting interest to the country,” said Maguire. In response to previous criticism about Saudi Arabia’s purported “sportswashing,” the kingdom’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said: “People that don’t know Saudi Arabia, have never been to Saudi Arabia, go out and talk about it as if they’ve lived there for 30 years, 40 years.

Persons: Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, Germain, Neymar Jr, Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Patricia de Melo Moreira, it’s, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman –, Leon Neal, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Al Hilal, spender, –, Carlo Nohra, Jordan Henderson, Henderson, “, ’ ” Simon Chadwick, “ We’ve, ” Chadwick, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Al Nassr, Stringer, you’re, Kieran Maguire, they’re, Everybody’s, ” Maguire, Chadwick, Ronaldo, Maguire, … Mohammed bin Salman, ” James Dorsey, ”, Chadwick –, Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al, Faisal, don’t, they’ve, LIV Golf, Jimmy Dunne, LIV, Dunne, Aleksander Ceferin, Erling, Haaland, Jurgen Klopp, Michael Emenalo, Steven Gerrard, Nohra, ” “ They’ve Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Al, Paris Saint, PSG, Saudi Pro League, Ligue, Liga, Serie, Bundesliga, English Premier League, Deloitte, Investment Fund, AFP, Getty, SPL, Saudi Crown, Spanish, Arsenal, CNN Sport, English, Newcastle United, Liverpool, The Athletic, SKEMA Business School, Argentina, Zamalek, King Fahd Sports City, Anadolu Agency, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Football, AFC Asian, FIFA, Greece, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish Super, ”, Amnesty International, Amnesty, Middle East Soccer, Saudi Ministry, Sport, PGA Tour, European, UEFA, Premier League, Ettifaq Media, Reuters New Saudi Pro League, Major League Soccer, La Liga, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Russian Direct Investment Fund, Investigations, PGA Locations: Saudi Arabian, Brazil, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Ahli, Real Madrid, England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Liverpool, China, Qatar, Taif, Egypt, Spanish, East, North Africa, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Bahrain, Syria, “, ”, Europe, ” Liverpool

☆ WSL confident of becoming first billion pound women's soccer league
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Christian Radnedge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Soccer Football - Women's Super League - Reading v Chelsea - Madejski Stadium, Reading, Britain - May 27, 2023 Chelsea's Magdalena Eriksson celebrates with the trophy and team mates after winning the Women's Super League Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - England's Women's Super League is confident of becoming the first billion pound ($1.24 billion) women's soccer league in the world within 10 years, the chair of the WSL's board said ahead of the new season that begins next month. "One of the stated goals that we have is to make this league the first billion pound women's league in the world, that is league revenue and club revenue and there's no reason why we shouldn't do it," Airey told reporters at a launch day for the new WSL season in north west London. LOWER LEAGUESAirey also said they wanted a close relationship with the lower leagues and to avoid a revenue-governance split like the one between the men's Premier League and the lower tiers of the English Football League. The WSL will negotiate a new deal once the Premier League has agreed its new TV rights package, to avoid clashing publicity, Airey said. "The reality is the infrastructure isn't there in many of the women's games, so you're talking about a huge investment.

Persons: Chelsea's Magdalena Eriksson, John Sibley, Dawn Airey, Airey, Sue Campbell, we've, Dawn, Campbell, Christian Radnedge, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, League, Reading, Chelsea, Madejski, The Football Association, men's Premier League, English Football League, BBC, Sky Sports, Premier League, Women's Football, FIFA, Saudi, Thomson Locations: Reading, Britain, London, Saudi, Saudi Arabia

☆ Spanish women players call off strike after reaching pay agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Unions representing players in Spain's women's soccer league have called off their strike after reaching an agreement on minimum wages, the Futbol Profesional Femenino (FPF) organisation said on Thursday. The players went on strike at the start of the month before the first two fixtures of the season after failing to reach an agreement with the league on better conditions and pay. The FPF is the organising body of the top league of women's soccer in Spain. The minimum salary for next season will be 22,500 euros, with the potential to rise up to 25,000 euros, and the minimum salary for the final season covered by the agreement has been set at 23,500 euros, potentially increasing to 28,000 euros. ($1 = 0.9313 euros)Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Futbol Profesional, Spanish, Thomson Locations: Spain, Bengaluru

MADRID (AP) — The players in Spain’s women’s soccer league have called off a strike after reaching a deal to increase minimum wage, the league and unions said Thursday. The first set of games was not played last weekend because of the strike, but the second block of matches will now go ahead as scheduled. The minimum salary for the women’s league until now was 16,000 euros ($17,100), compared to 182,000 euros ($195,000) for the men's league. The new deal will increase the minimum wage for the women's league to 21,000 euros ($22,500) this season, with that sum rising to 23,500 euros ($25,200) by 2025. Last season, of 334 players, 80 players made less than 20,000 euros ($21,400) per year, while the average salary was about 40,000 euros ($42,900), according to the league.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, ___ Organizations: MADRID Locations: Spanish

☆ Players in Spain’s Women’s League Call Off Strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Rachel Chaundler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Players in Spain’s women’s soccer league have called off a strike that delayed the opening of the season after reaching an agreement with the league over minimum salaries, a rare moment of harmony in what has been an acrimonious period in Spanish soccer. The agreement, confirmed early Thursday, would raise the minimum salary for players in the league to 21,000 euros, or about $22,500, from 16,000 euros this season, a significant increase but still far short of what their male counterparts make. The minimum is scheduled to rise to €23,500 for the 2025-2026 season, with the potential for an even higher benchmark “if enough profits are obtained from commercial assets,” such as sponsorship, according to a statement from the unions representing the players. Spanish soccer is in the midst of a turbulent moment, touched off by an unwanted kiss by Luis Rubiales, the nation’s top soccer official at the time, on Jennifer Hermoso, one of the national team’s top players. The episode occurred last month after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso Organizations: England Locations: Spain’s, Sydney, Australia

☆ LaLiga announces partnership with Llanfairpwll, a small Welsh team with a very, very big name
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Jude Bellingham, Robert Lewandowski, Luka Modrić – those are just some of the big names currently playing in LaLiga. Or, more accurately, the longest name: Welsh team Clwb Pêl Droed Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch Football Club. “This really is an outstanding partnership for us,” Samantha Jones-Smith, the club’s chairwoman, said as part of a LaLiga press release. Silvia Kusidlo/picture-alliance/dpa/APAccording to the press release, the jersey will debut on Saturday as Llanfairpwll, currently playing in the fifth tier of Welsh soccer, faces Holyhead Town. Llanfairpwll, which next year celebrates its 125th anniversary, isn’t the only Welsh team to achieve international distinction.

Persons: CNN — Jude Bellingham, Robert Lewandowski, Luka Modrić, ” Samantha Jones, Smith, “, Silvia Kusidlo, “ We’ve, ”, Gwydaf Hughes, LaLiga, It’s, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney Organizations: CNN, Spanish soccer, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch Football Club, Llanfairpwll FC, LaLiga, Welsh, Holyhead Town, Wrexham, League Locations: LaLiga, North Wales, Holyhead, Anglesey, Europe

☆ Spain's soccer president resigns 3 weeks after kissing player at Women's World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Once the most powerful man in Spanish soccer, Rubiales insisted the kiss was consensual and done in a "moment of jubilation." "The former president of the Spanish soccer federation has done what he had to do," Spain's Secretary of State for Sport Víctor Francos told Spain's Cadena SER radio. Rubiales said that he had told interim Spanish federation president Pedro Rocha — who replaced him when Rubiales was suspended on Aug. 26 — of his resignation late Sunday night. The uproar against Rubiales coincides with a strike by Spain's women's league as its players call for higher wages. Those included the coaches of Spain's women's and men's teams.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Reuters Luis Rubiales, Spain's, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Sport Víctor Francos, Spain's Cadena, Pedro Rocha —, Piers Morgan, Britain's, Luis, Morgan, Letizia, Princess Sofía, Spain —, –, — Rubiales, Alexia Putellas Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, RFEF, Reuters, Spain, England, FIFA, Twitter, Rubiales, State, Sport Víctor, Spain's Cadena SER, UEFA, Women's Nations, Pachuca, Barcelona, League, Ballon, Saudi Locations: Spanish, Sydney, Australia, Portugal, Morocco, Ukraine, Spain, Sweden, Europe, Ballon d'Or, Africa, Madrid

☆ Why Saudi Arabia is spending hundreds of millions on soccer stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Anuz Thapa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Soccer in Saudi Arabia has entered a new era — the era of having global superstars play on Saudi turf. "This is what we're doing by bringing household names like that to the Saudi league. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, is the financial vehicle driving these high-priced transactions. "Saudi Pro League is the top men's professional soccer league in Saudi Arabia." Watch the video above to find out why Saudi Arabia is doubling down its investment in professional soccer and more.

Persons: Neymar, Ballon, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fahad Nazer, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Stefan Szymanski, Simon Chadwick Organizations: Soccer, Pro League, Saudi, CNBC, Public Investment Fund, Saudi Pro League, University of Michigan, Newcastle United, Critics, Skema Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Saudi Embassy, U.S, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli

☆ Saudi Arabia soccer spending ranks second in the world as it bids to become global powerhouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Matthew Ward-Perkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowThe Saudi Arabian soccer transfer window has slammed shut, marking the end of a historic summer of spending from clubs based in the Gulf state. Saudi clubs outspent four of the "big five" soccer leagues, the first time another league has outspent any members of the dominant European grouping since 2016. However, human rights groups and activists have criticized the high levels of soccer investment from Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East, with accusations of "sportswashing" leveled at the country. The European Club Association, which represents 220 soccer clubs from across Europe, discussed the impact of Saudi Arabia's investment in the sport at its General Assembly this month. "We believe in ourselves … we have the best competition in the world, the biggest clubs in the world, the best players in the world.

Persons: Mohamed Salah, Hilal, spender, CNBC's David Faber, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Glazer, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Karim Benzema Organizations: Saudi Arabia's Pro League, English Premier League, Liverpool, country's Public Investment Fund, Chelsea FC outspent, Public Investment, Manchester United Saudi, Manchester United, Saudi, European Club Association, Assembly, Champions League, Afp, Getty Locations: Saudi, Gulf, Al, Ittihad, Ahli, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Europe

☆ Oscar winner Portman praises Spain team's resilience amid kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Bruna Casas Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Oscar-winning actress and soccer club co-owner Natalie Portman on Thursday praised Spain's World Cup-winning players, saying they showed great resilience against "harassment, abuse and assault". Rubiales has refused to step down, saying he did nothing wrong and is a victim of "false feminism". Portman said in a speech to the European Clubs’ Association General Assembly on Thursday that other teams had in the past had to fight for equal pay. "This time the Spanish team was fighting against harassment, abuse and assault," said the actor, who is co-founder and co-owner of National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team Angel City in Los Angeles. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann: Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Bruna Casas, Natalie Portman, Spain's, Jenni Hermoso's, Rubiales, Portman, Karolos Grohmann, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Bruna, Rights, Clubs ’, General, Spanish, National Women's Soccer League, Angel City, FIFA, Thomson Locations: Sant, Barcelona, Spain, Spanish, Sydney, Angel, Los Angeles, Australia

☆ The rich are competing with private equity to buy sports teams. Here is how they are getting creative in a crowded field.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Valuations show no signs of cooling off with billionaires and private equity firms in bidding wars. Bankers to the rich told Insider which sports are drawing moneyed clients. Now rich individuals have to compete with institutional investors like private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds for a limited number of teams. As a result, aspiring team owners have gotten more creative to seal the deal. "It's never going to be a private equity type of model where these assets will be exited every five years," he told Insider.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, LeBron James, Milwaukee Bucks Marc Lasry, Brian Kantarian, Josh Harris, Kantarian, Ivo Voynov, It's, Gerry Cardinale, Voynov Organizations: Bankers, Sports, NBA, Wrexham AFC, Milwaukee Bucks, NFL, Citi Private Bank, Europe's Big Five, XFL, JPMorgan Locations: Washington, Europe, Plenty, Wall

☆ Spanish women's soccer unions call strike over conditions
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO-Soccer Football - People protest against Royal Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales - Plaza Callao, Madrid, Spain - August 28, 2023 General view during a protest in Madrid following a kiss between Royal Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales and Spain's Jennifer Hermoso after the Women's World Cup Final Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreMADRID, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Unions representing players in Spain's women's soccer league called for a strike during the first two fixtures of the season after failing to agree with the league on better conditions and pay, the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) union said on Friday. AFE, the biggest of the unions, said the strike was the result of an impasse in negotiations with Liga F for a collective bargaining deal seeking to "achieve fair and dignified treatment for female soccer players and address and reduce the existing wage gap", among other issues. The stoppage is set to take place during the weekends of Sept. 8-9 and Sept. 15-16. It comes amid a national furore over football federation boss Luis Rubiales grabbing and kissing a Women's World Cup-winning player. Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, AFE, David Latona, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Soccer Football, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Plaza, Spanish Footballers ' Association, Liga F, Thomson Locations: Plaza Callao, Madrid, Spain, MADRID

☆ Transfer deadline day deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Asked if Palmer was Chelsea's last signing of the window, he told reporters: "I think so. 0930 CITY SIGN NUNESManchester City have signed Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a five-year contract. 0830 CHELSEA SIGN MIDFIELDER PALMER FROM MAN CITYChelsea said they have signed midfielder Palmer from Premier League champions Manchester City on a contract running until 2027, with the option of a further year. The transfer fee was reported to be worth around 40 million pounds ($50 million). 0800 MAN UTD SIGN GOALKEEPER BAYINDIR FROM FENERBAHCEManchester United signed Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Super Lig side Fenerbahce on a four-year deal, with the option of a further year, a day after Dean Henderson joined Crystal Palace.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Sam Navarro, POCHETTINO, Mauricio Pochettino, Cole Palmer, Palmer, Chelsea's, St, Moises Caicedo, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Josko, Karim Benzema, Paris St Germain, Rasmus Hojlund, Atalanta, Dominik Szoboszlai, Matheus Nunes, VILLA, Clement Lenglet, Tyrone Mings, BONUCCI, Leonardo Bonucci, Nuno Tavares, Dean Henderson, Hritika Sharma, Aadi Nair, Peter Rutherford, Toby Davis Organizations: Inter Miami, Nashville SC, USA, CHELSEA, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, St Germain, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Leipzig, Manchester City, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, LENGLET, Barcelona, Aston Villa, France, CITY, NUNES Manchester City, Wolves, JUVENTUS, Serie, Juventus, Union Berlin, TAVARES FROM ARSENAL Portuguese, Ligue, Olympique de Marseille, PALMER, CITY Chelsea, Premier League, BAYINDIR, FENERBAHCE Manchester United, Turkish, Altay Bayindir, Super Lig, Fenerbahce, Crystal Palace, Thomson Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida, USA, Brighton, Chelsea, West, Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Paris, Liverpool, England, Portugal, Germany

☆ Julie Ertz: US soccer great announces retirement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Two-time Women’s World Cup winner Julie Ertz, one of the greats of US soccer, has announced her retirement from the sport. Ertz, 31, was an integral member of the US teams which won the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019. She made her senior international debut in 2013 and went on to play in 17 World Cup matches, winning 13 of those. I hope that I was able to leave an impact that reflects that.”Ertz celebrates winning the 2015 Women's World Cup. 8) celebrates with teammates afer winning the 2019 Women's World Cup.

Persons: Julie Ertz, Ertz, I’ve, ” Ertz, Mo Khursheed, “, I’ll, Madden, afer, Richard Heathcote, Angel City, ” Organizations: CNN, National Women’s, US, National Team, Chicago Red Stars, US Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City, Getty, Angel Locations: France, Angel, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden

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