Sports Ticker 15 – Black Lives Matter, Dillian Whyte and Disney
Welcome to the latest edition of the RPC Sports Ticker - providing fortnightly bite-size updates from around the sports industry.
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In this edition, we consider the sporting world's supportive response to the Black Lives Matter movement, Dillian Whyte's legal challenge against the WBC and salary caps in Premiership Rugby. We also look at the NBA's magical return and the potential regulation of ‘loot boxes’ in gaming.
As always, if there are any areas you'd like more information on (or if you have any questions or feedback), please let us know or get in touch with your usual RPC contact.
80+ British NGBs publish unprecedented statement on racism
How the sports world reacts to the increased focus on the Black Lives Matter movement has been under the spotlight in recent weeks - with each day bringing fast moving developments and new stories.
Dillian Whyte squares up to the WBC
Last week, the WBC announced that interim heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte had taken legal action against it regarding the date of his fight against Tyson Fury.
English clubs agree salary cap cut by £1.4m
England’s top-flight rugby clubs have agreed to reduce the salary cap by £1.4m in response to financial pressures heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
When you wish upon a (NBA) star...
Following the suspension of the 2019-20 NBA season on 11 March due to COVID-19, the NBA’s board of governors and players’ union have (almost unanimously) approved plans to resume the season on 31 July inside the Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports near Orlando, Florida.
UK could class loot boxes as gambling to protect children
There have been renewed calls from MPs to regulate loot boxes (items purchased and redeemed for randomised in-game rewards) as gambling products in the UK.
Extra time...
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and finally....last Monday, the CAS appeal commenced regarding Manchester City’s alleged breaches of the Financial Fair Play Regulations. On 14 February 2020, the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) fined Manchester City 30 million euros and banned the club from European club competition for 2 years. Manchester City have argued that the allegations “are simply not true” and that the CFCB was an impartial body who used evidence which had been stolen through computer hacking. Whatever the outcome, the impact will have huge ramifications. If Manchester City win, they will take part in European competition but could also take part in dismantling the Financial Fair Play Regulations. If UEFA win, Manchester City will miss out on large sums of revenue and will prove that their regulations stand up to the likes of the strongest legal tests from Lord Pannick and Paul Harris QC.