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Why Premier League’s new domestic TV deal isn’t really a record, but a warning sign

You may have seen the headlines about the Premier League’s new domestic “record TV deal” being worth £6.7 billion ($8.4bn) for the 2025-2029 cycle, and your eyes might have glazed over as they often do around big numbers. You may have thought, “OK, it’s the most successful soccer league in the world, they’re making billions, no wonder they’re raking it in. Everything’s fine and dandy.” Except, it’s not. This new…

Rubiales launches NFT to ‘support equality’

The former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales launched his own NFT on Wednesday, claiming it was intended “to support real equality.” Rubiales is facing charges of sexual assault and coercion in a Madrid court over his conduct following the Women’s World Cup final last August, including his non-consensual kiss of the Spain forward Jenni Hermoso. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) An investigating judge…

The Best FIFA awards: How Messi won on tiebreaker, Pep swears on stage, Henry’s Spurs jibe

The Best FIFA Football Awards took place in London on Monday as the great and good of the professional game descended upon the Hammersmith Apollo for one of football’s most prestigious annual gala evenings. Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (who also played for Paris Saint-Germain in the first half of 2023) and Aitana Bonmatí of Spain and Barcelona were the big winners on the night, both taking home…

England boss Wiegman extends deal until ’27

Sarina Wiegman has made the “impossible job more possible” according to FA CEO Mark Bullingham, with the Dutch coach warning that she has unfinished business with the Lionesses after signing a new deal. The FA announced on Tuesday that Wiegman had signed a new contract with the England’s women’s team taking her through to after the 2027 World Cup. Her new deal sees her become one of the highest paid…

Spain star Bonmatí wins FIFA The Best award

LONDON — Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí cemented her place at the top of women’s football on Monday, winning FIFA’s The Best women’s award to go alongside her Ballon d’Or Féminin title. Bonmatí enjoyed a record-breaking season with club country in which she helped Barça to win Liga F amid a two-year unbeaten run that ended on the last day of the season, followed by leading Spain to win…

Ratcliffe: United deal to be ratified next month

Sir Jim Ratcliffe expects the Premier League to ratify his move to take charge of Manchester United’s football operations by “mid-February” as he spoke for the first time about his investment in the club ahead of Sunday’s game against Tottenham. Ratcliffe, 71, agreed to buy 25% of United from their American owners the Glazer family for £1.3 billion, after lengthy negotiations finally concluded with an announcement on Christmas Eve. –…

Xavi disputes drop in Barcelona form this season

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández disputed that his team’s performances are not as good as last season, although he acknowledged Real Madrid are in better form ahead of Sunday’s Spanish Supercopa final. Barça won the Supercopa and LaLiga last year but go into this weekend’s Clásico showdown in Saudi Arabia seven points behind Madrid, who are unbeaten in 20 matches, in the league table. – Stream Supercopa on ESPN+: Barca vs.…