Sports Ticker 16 - Wigan, Beckham and Rashford

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 a fortnight where Liverpool F.C. has clinched the Premier League title, we consider the recent news further down the pyramid, as Wigan is put into administration.  We also highlight David Beckham’s investment in an eSports start-up, and Marcus Rashford’s successful campaign for free school meals amongst others.

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.

Mission Impossible:  Wigan falls into administration less than a month after rescue attempt

Despite being the subject of a very recent takeover, Wigan Athletic has unfortunately become the first EFL club to fall into administration since the COVID-19 impact on UK sport – with the news breaking in the last 48 hours. 

Spend It Like Beckham

David Beckham has never been shy of a business opportunity. In 2014, Beckham launched the ‘Haig Club’ whisky brand, became co-owner and president of MLS team Inter Miami CF and more recently joined former Man United teammates in a share of non-league club Salford City. 

Marcus Rashford scores in free school meals campaign

Marcus Rashford penned an open letter to the Government following its initial decision not to continue giving vulnerable pupils access to a national voucher scheme.  

McLaren speedy claim to stay afloat

McLaren is seeking a High Court declaration to allow the company to use its factory and historic car collection as a security for a new loan. 

No horsing about at this year's Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot, which some associate more readily with outrageous headwear, has demonstrated that it is still very much about horse racing, and there is a substantial audience (and even possibly a new audience!) that appreciates this. 

 Extra time...

and finally....the Rapid Transition Alliance has published a report entitled ‘Playing against the clock’ on the impact of climate change on sports. According to the report, by 2050 1 in 4 football stadiums is set to experience flooding on an annual basis and it is predicted that various other sports, including cricket, rugby and tennis, will also be significantly affected by rising temperatures. The study also found that almost 50% of the venues which have previously hosted the Winter Olympics will not be in a position to do so by 2050. Some sporting organisations, such as FIFA and the International Olympic Committee, have signed up to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action initiative. However, the report has urged the sporting industry as a whole to make “carbon zero world the common sense priority”.