Sports Ticker #122: APT rules deemed void, padel passion and Zara's carbon plated trainers – a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

In a fortnight which saw Avram Glazer confirm that Manchester United is not for sale, the F1 75 Live event take place and Amazon Prime Video launch live pay-per-view football with Ligue 1, we bring you updates on a tribunal's ruling that Premier League APT rules are void, the RFL's investigation into the Salford Red Devils squad selection ahead of their takeover being approved and Zara's new carbon plated running shoe.

As always, if there are any issues on which you'd like more information (or if you have any questions or feedback), please do let us know or get in touch with your usual contact at RPC.

Premier League APT rules deemed 'void'

In early 2024, Manchester City commenced legal action against the Premier League in relation to the associated party transaction (APT) rules that were introduced in December 2021 following the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Towards the end of last year, an independent tribunal held that the APT rules were unlawful in three respects, but the ultimate conclusion was provided on 14 February 2025: the unlawful aspects cannot be severed, rendering the APT rules in place from December 2021 to November 2024 void and unenforceable. The tribunal's decision centred around interest-free shareholder loans, which should have been included within the scope of the APT rules, and changes made in February 2024 which breached competition law. The decision has potentially huge implications as any club who had a case heard under the rules up to November 2024 may seek compensation for undervalued deals. Amended APT rules were voted through in November 2024 following the tribunal's initial decision, however last month Manchester City launched a fresh arbitration challenge against the amended rules, arguing that shareholder loans have still not been properly addressed. The Premier League's position is that the amendments passed in November were lawful and the APT rules comply with all competition law requirements. For now, the amended APT rules remain in place. 

RFL investigates Salford Red Devils squad selection

Following a record-breaking win by St Helens in the opening fixture of the Betfred Super League 2025, the Rugby Football League (RFL) has launched a compliance investigation into a controversial decision by the Salford Red Devils to field a team comprising almost entirely of reserves. Issues first arose between the RFL and the Red Devils last year when the club was placed into "special measures" following concerns around its financial viability. In January, the decision was taken to order the team to cut costs by £800,000 and a temporary salary cap of £1.2 million was imposed, prohibiting the club from fielding many of its star players. Whilst Salford has since been the subject of a consortium takeover led by Swiss banker Dario Berta, the transaction was only approved following the St Helens fixture, meaning the salary cap remained in place for the opening game of the season. In response, Salford Head Coach Paul Rowley elected to field the side of reserves against St Helens despite a number of senior players being eligible to play, resulting in the team's 82-point loss – the largest losing margin in league history. In what has been dubbed a "black mark on the competition" by the head coach of league rivals Warrington, the RFL launched the compliance investigation to decide whether the Greater Manchester side had "brought the sport into disrepute" by breaching competition rules, which require each club to have "at all times a squad of players sufficient to meet its obligations in all competitions". A finding against the club, who have since seen salary caps lifted following approval of its takeover, could expose the side to a wide range of financial and sporting sanctions. Salford has yet to respond.

FIFPRO and SDL announce athlete data program

FIFPRO Technologies BV, the global football players' union's new division, has announced its partnership with Sports Data Labs (SDL) to build a data platform for players in member organisations. The deal will see FIFPRO Technologies BV acquire an undisclosed stake in SDL, joining the NFL Players Association and the Cleveland Clinic as investors. It is anticipated that the platform will be released later this year and allow athletes to store, access and share performance and personal data obtained via wearable devices, optical tracking technologies and Electronical Medical Record systems. The information and statistics will help athletes to better understand their bodies and may provide future opportunities for them to monetize their data, pending their consent preferences. Several major sports entities including the PGA Tour, ATP Tour, and NFL Players Association have used SDL's AI-powered athlete data platform, indicating the functionality of the software. Overall, the partnership is a step towards allowing players to regain control of their personal data and generate new value across the professional football ecosystem.

Ronaldo's passion for padel

Since Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube debut last year, he has amassed a staggering 73 million subscribers, making his account one of the most followed on the platform. However, on 16 February 2025, he deviated from his usual content and broadcast the Riyadh Premier Padel Finals globally, representing a rare example of an athlete using a personal account to livestream sports. Although not an investor in Premier Padel, motivation for this decision seemingly stems from other connections, namely his status as an investor in a padel training complex in Portugal and the fact that he plays for Riyadh-based Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Official data for the livestream has not yet been published, although 54,000 likes were recorded prior to the commencement of the event, indicating a substantial audience. As one of the most followed athletes in the world, Ronaldo's support is another boost for one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide.

Padel partnership between Premier Padel and the Hexagon Cup

The padel hysteria continues with Premier Padel, the world's leading professional padel tour, and the Hexagon Cup, a renowned padel competition, forming a strategic partnership in collaboration with the International Padel Federation (FIP). Aimed at advancing the growth of padel worldwide, the collaboration follows the recent surge in the sport's popularity and aims to expand across various territories and levels including men's, women's, and youth divisions. The initiatives will utilise the expertise and networks of both Premier Padel and the Hexagon Cup to drive the development of padel globally, enhancing the experience for players and fans. In the immediate term, the partnership will focus on promoting each other's existing events and supporting the Hexagon Cup's goal to become an official tournament recognised by FIP. Looking to the future, the two organisations plan to introduce the first-ever FIP Intercontinental Cup this summer.

Extra time...

…and finally, Zara has entered the competitive world of high-performance athletics with the launch of its first carbon-plated running shoe. Traditionally the domain of specialist sports brands, carbon-plated trainers dominate the upper echelons of professional running but are also the choice of many casual runners looking to gain a boost. Zara’s foray into this sector signals a broader trend: fashion brands blurring the lines between performance wear and everyday apparel. While previous entrants such as Decathlon have also introduced lower-cost alternatives, Zara’s move raises questions about increased accessibility, innovation and brand diversification. Established sportswear brands may face increased price competition, but they retain an edge in research and development. Meanwhile, Zara’s entry could open up the market for advanced footwear technology, though concerns remain over product efficacy and consumer safety, particularly due to the complexities of integrating carbon fiber for optimal performance and durability. Whether this disrupts the market or simply broadens consumer choice, it highlights the growing demand for innovation at all price points.