Sports Ticker 11 – 2.6 Challenge, Premier League furlough and #IsolationGames

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 fortnight's edition, we look at the Premier League clubs that have reversed their furlough decisions, the battle for naming rights of Spurs' stadium and ways that sporting bodies are entertaining fans at home whilst also fundraising for charities. We also consider the legal implications of the home workouts streamed by the likes of Joe Wicks, Barry's Bootcamp and others - thank you to the reader who asked for an update on this!

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.

Major charity fundraising organisers run with 2.6 Challenge

In a bid to raise vital funds to help charities during the COVID-19 outbreak, organisers of the biggest charity fundraising events in the UK joined forces and  launched The 2.6 Challenge yesterday. 

Furlough no more! 3 Premier League clubs reverse their decision

Premier League clubs Bournemouth, Tottenham and Liverpool have reversed their decisions to make use of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which sees non-working staff paid 80 per cent of their wages (up to £2,500 a month) whilst furloughed.

Virtual Grand National defies neighsayers and raises £2.6m for NHS charities

As many are aware, the 2020 Grand National was cancelled due to COVID-19. However, for the last three years, ITV have broadcast a computer-generated version on the same day. 

TikTok brings #Isolation to the nation 

In the absence of the Olympic games this summer, Team GB and TikTok - the recently popularised social media app - have partnered up to launch the '#Isolation Games'. 

Clash of the Titans: Amazon battle Nike for Spurs stadium rights

Technology giant Amazon has emerged as an early contender to secure the lucrative naming rights for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

Extra time...

And finally…we know that many of you have managed to find extra time in your day to tune into social media and fitness - with instructors like Joe Wicks, The Fitness Marshall and HASfit helping the nation to keep fit and active.  But it's worth pausing here and thinking about some of the legal angles to this.  In the absence of clear contractual duties arising between personal trainers and viewers (e.g. on apps such as ClassPass), both PTs (and viewers) need to think carefully about liability.  For PTs it's important to: i) think about whether you have (or need) specialist insurance; (ii) avoid any 'dangerous' or 'reckless' exercises; and (iii) remind viewers to take greater care around their own safety in a virtual workout setting (after all, you aren't there to check!). For viewers – be sensible, and make sure you are comfortable completing the exercises correctly (and to your fitness level).  Either way, stay safe!  We have an excellent personal injury and general liability team if anybody has any further questions.