News / Updates

A New Year Begins

Happy New Year to one and all. I can often feel a post-holidays malaise in January so this year I decided to plan my first few weeks of 2026 in advance to counter that. It had been a long time since I was in contact with many friends and colleagues in the industry so, when I sent my usual Christmas messages in December, I also suggested catching up in the new year. Many responded positively so in the first weeks of the year This meant that there were several calls already my diary when I got back to work after the break. It has been a really positive way to start the new year, reconnecting with people, finding out what is going on in their lives and also in the industry. It has meant there was no time for that post-holidays malaise.

The new year has not been all positive. I received the very sad news that Josh Burack passed away last year. I first crossed paths with Josh back in 2013 when I was advising Dentsu on their sales of the media rights to the FIFA Club World Cup. Josh was with Dentsu Sports Asia in Singapore and over the years we worked together on numerous FCWC deals as well as other Dentsu work and latterly for his own business, Zeus Sports Marketing. I had not heard from Josh for some time when I heard last summer that he was seriously ill. I sent him a message of support and also expressed my appreciation for how easy and enjoyable he made it to work with him. Despite his illness he immediately sent a lovely response. I recently learned that he passed away only a week or two after that exchange. Josh was extremely knowledgable and well respected in the industry. But more than that he was warm and generous of spirit, a real gentleman and always an absolute pleasure to work with. This article I came across about him gives an idea of how sorely he will be missed. Gone too soon but not forgotten, rest in peace Josh. https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/tributes-paid-to-revered-and-vibrant-josh-burack/

Sportel

I attended Sportel in Monaco in October 2025 with the America's Cup and it was great to catch up with so many colleagues and contacts after so long. We were there to meet with prospective broadcast and production partners for the 2026/27 cycle, the 38th edition of the Cup. It was the perfect time to meet as the new organisational structure of the Cup had only recently been announced, with the advent of the America's Cup Partnership in which all the team share in the ownership and decision making. Looking forward to continuing the discussions we started in Monaco and putting in place a successful broadcast programme for AC38, Napoli.

38th America's Cup, Naples, Italy 2027

I am delighted to have been engaged to provide legal and business support for the broadcast programme of the 38th America's Cup, Naples, Italy (AC38). I very much enjoyed working on AC36 and AC37 and am humbled to have been trusted once again to work on this prestigious competition. The America's Cup is the pinnacle of international sailing and its magnificent trophy - the 'Auld Mug' as it is affectionately known - has been awarded to every winner since the first competition in 1851, making it the oldest international trophy to be in continual use. In a major step forward, all the teams have come together to form the America's Cup Partnership that will be responsible for organising the America's Cup going forward. This will ensure continuity and enable the competition to go from strength to strength. I am excited to contribute to delivering what I am sure will be the best America's Cup to date.

Red Bull Summit

I am grateful to Red Bull for inviting me to speak at their Marketing, Media & IT Legal Summit in Salzburg in July 2025. We had a lively discussion on the media rights panel about the direction that media rights exploitation was going in. It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and connect with so many industry contemporaries. Red Bull were fantastic hosts throughout with the evening drinks at their Hangar 7 a wonderful way to wind up the summit. My thanks to Red Bull, my fellow speakers and all who attended the summit.

Saudi Pro League

I am pleased to be supporting the Roshn Saudi League in the broadcast production and media rights distribution contracts for their new commercial cycle. The RSL has grown rapidly in quality and profile in recent years with significant investment and several high profile international players making the move to Saudi Arabia including of course, Cristiano Ronaldo. This has resulted in a marked increase in interest in the league outside of the Kingdom, consequently making the media rights more attractive. Of course the league has a long history in different guises with many of the clubs that participated in the first iteration in 1957/58, still involved. It will be fascinating to follow the continued growth of the league.