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Happy Friday!

Following the Super Bowl last Sunday, this week has been something of a football frenzy with lots of media attention on viewing figures, Rihanna’s chart surge, the best and worst ads, and, of course, the Puppy Bowl.

Thanks to Alex, Paul, Tim, Lenka, Dan, and Alexandra for all liking Tuesday’s newsletter which also took on a Super Bowl theme, concentrating on the NFL’s virtual concert in Roblox.

With all that said… Here’s five (non American Football) stories from across the industry that have made headlines and caught my attention this week 👇

V Sports become latest multi-club owners with 46% Vitoria stake
Prospective teams bid to expand F1 reach beyond European core
EA Sports spend almost £500m to retain Premier League
Women’s IPL smashes ceilings for female cricketers earning potential
Spurs decline to comment on £3.1 billion MSP takeover bid

V Sports become latest multi-club owners with 46% Vitoria stake ⚽️

It was reported on Valentine’s Day that V Sports, the holding company of Aston Villa, had entered into a sale purchase agreement to buy a 46% stake in Portuguese club Vitoria SC for €5.5m.

The Athletic report that this move “signals an important step forward in the global expansion of the V Sports portfolio and it means that Villa are set to become part of a multi-club project which encourages the sharing of scouting networks, coaching methodologies and youth development strategies.”

The Times have since reported that Villa aim to use the tie-up to sign Ibrahima Bamba and there are plans to add new MLS club, Las Vegas Villains, to network.

Duncan Castles @DuncanCastles

Aston Villa aim to use multi-club model to sign young Italian centre back Ibrahima Bamba. • 46% purchase of Vitoria Guimarães agreed • Plan to add new MLS club, Las Vegas Villains, to network thetimes.co.uk/article/aston-…

Prospective teams bid to expand F1 reach beyond European core 🏎

Wednesday (February 15th) was set by FIA as the preliminary date for applications to expand Formula 1 beyond 10 teams.

How many teams they will add is a matter of speculation, however, two or more teams are thought to be willing to pay the more than $200 million it will take, according to Sportico.

Michael Andretti and General Motors announced last month they had teamed up to field an entry. This bid is compelling as it would provide additional American representation (alongside Haas) for the series, a region of significant recent growth.

The other, Panthera Team Asia, would also seek to expand the league’s fan base beyond its western European core. As the first team based in Asia, they could provide important representation for Formula 1 and Liberty Media.

Andy Marston @AndyMarstonSP

"They are all looking west, nobody’s looking east” 🌏 🗣Benjamin Durand, co-founder Panthera Team Asia co-founder explains, “Formula 1 is focusing a lot on the US which is normal because it’s growing but once that market is there, Asia and Africa are the next big market for F1."

EA Sports spend almost £500m to retain Premier League 🎮

It was confirmed back in 2022 that EA Sports and FIFA would be parting ways after FIFA had been looking for "at least double" the €142 million it received annually from EA Sports to use the licence.

On the flipside, EA has signed licensing deals with hundreds of teams and athletes, as well as more than 30 leagues, allowing it to retain real-world names and venues within its new game title, EA Sports FC.

This ramped up further this week as it was reported by Sky Sports that EA have spent an incredible £488 million on a new six-year deal to retain the rights to the Premier League.

Front Office Sports @FOS

The Premier League and EA Sports are closing in on a new six-year, $588 million partnership, per @SkyNews. EA Sports would remain the Premier League's lead partner and video game license holder.

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Women’s IPL smashes ceilings for female cricketers earning potential 🏏

The five Women's Premier League franchises went out on a shopping spree on Monday, shelling out big bucks for domestic and international stars at the inaugural player auction.

In the process they have smashed the ceiling for earnings in any women's team sport to date. Mandhana, who becomes the most expensive female cricketer ever, commanded a fee of £340k (3.4 Rs Crore).

To put these fees in perspective, it is reported that Sam Kerr, the best women's footballer in the world, earns around £400k per year. Mandhana will be receiving £340k for just three weeks work!

Andy Marston @AndyMarstonSP

The Women's IPL Auction just took place... 🇮🇳 Smriti Mandhana 🔜 RCB - £340k 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Nat Sciver 🔜 MI £320k 🇦🇺 Ashleigh Gardner 🔜 GG - £320k 🇮🇳 Deepti Sharma 🔜 UPW - £260k 🇮🇳 Jemimah Rodrigues 🔜 DC - £220k Women's cricket is going places, fast! 🏏

Spurs decline to comment on £3.1 billion MSP takeover bid 💸

Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur are declining to comment on recent reports that they are the subject of a £3.1 billion ($3.72 billion) takeover bid by Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi’s MSP Sports Capital Group.

MSP’s portfolio currently includes an investment in Formula 1 team McLaren and the X Games, as well as stakes in a number of smaller European football clubs, including FC Augsberg. Najafi is also a minority owner in the NBA’s Phoenix Suns

According to the Financial Times, Najafi’s MSP are putting up 70% of the proposed price, with investors from Abu Dhabi set to make up the rest of the offer.

Sky Sports Premier League @SkySportsPL

BREAKING! The Financial Times have reported that Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi is preparing to make a £3.1bn bid to buy Tottenham Hotspur 💰👀

Did you enjoy this week’s Highlight Reel? Hit like, forward this email to a colleague, or share on social to show some love 🙏 👇

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