Sports Ticker (9th Nov 2020) - CAP consultations, UEFA prize money and British cycling

Welcome to the latest edition of the RPC Sports Ticker - providing fortnightly bite-size updates from around the sports industry.

Access the full Sports Ticker here 

In our 25th edition, we consider regulatory plans to clamp down on celebrities appearing in gambling ads and guidance on ads for in-game purchases. We also take a look at cuts to prize money available in UEFA competitions, a recent High Court case with implications for sports agents involved in sponsorship introductions and the new star of British cycling.

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.

CAP plans clampdown on celebs in UK betting ads  

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) - the organisation responsible for writing the codes applied by the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) - is consulting on banning celebrities (such as sports personalities and TV stars) from gambling and betting ads. 

Liverpool take the spoils in key case for sports intermediaries 

A recent decision of the High Court to dismiss Winlink Marketing Limited's (Winlink) claim against Liverpool FC could have wide-ranging implications for sports agents and intermediaries. 

 UEFA cut prize money amid COVID-19 losses

Champions League and Europa League prize money will be cut over the next five seasons due to losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. UEFA has decided to slash the prize money available for clubs competing in its two flagship competitions, after reporting a loss in excess of £514 million for the 2019/2020 season.

Game on: CAP consults on new guidance for in-game purchases

CAP has also been busy on the sports advertising front and is consulting on new guidance for advertising of in-game purchases, which includes 'loot boxes'. 

Giro d'Italia winner is Britain's new cycling star

British cycling is celebrating the rise of a new star - 25 year-old Londoner Tao Geoghegan Hart - who last month was crowned victor of the Giro d'Italia, a race that's difficulty and prestige is considered second only to the Tour de France. 

Extra time... 

...and finally, as England enters a second national lockdown, hopes of a reprieve for grassroots sport remain up in the air, with the rules that will apply to amateur sport still being finalised by the Government at the time of writing. While elite sports have been given the green light to continue during the shutdown, the Prime Minister has already confirmed that community sports and leisure facilities, including tennis courts and golf courses, will be forced to close. There is hope that grassroots sport at youth level may at least be spared, with the Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, admitting in a press conference last week that he was "not aware" of any cases of Covid-19 transmission between children playing football outdoors. However, it remains to be seen if calls for an exemption for youth sport will fall on deaf ears. (See more here).