Poker player’s punt on Wednesday shrouded in secrecy after Blades missteps

23 janvier 2026 à 09:00

James Bord’s consortium is the preferred bidder to take over Sheffield Wednesday but his data-led player recruitment record is mixed, especially with United

Sheffield Wednesday fans will be delighted to hear that one associate of James Bord describes the preferred bidder for their club as “a mini Tony Bloom”, although the professional poker player’s references from the other side of the Steel City are rather less complimentary.

Until it became clear late last year that Bord was planning to buy Wednesday his data company, Short Circuit Science, had a consultancy contract with Sheffield United to assist with their recruitment, which, as their position in the lower reaches of the Championship indicates, has delivered limited success.

Players’ group’s $1bn breakaway tour plan pushes tennis to brink of civil war

The Guardian

Par :Matt Hughes

22 janvier 2026 à 18:27

PTPA develops new Future Tennis blueprint for the sport
Funding sought from investment banks for Pinnacle Tour

The players’ lobby group embroiled in a lawsuit with tennis authorities is seeking $1bn in investment to fund a radical restructure of the professional game based around a new Pinnacle Tour that would offer more prize money for the top men and women despite playing fewer tournaments.

In a direct challenge to the ATP and WTA tours, the Professional Tennis Players Association has developed a new blueprint for the sport, Future Tennis, that was sent to more than 20 investment banks and financial advisory firms on Tuesday.

Rob Key likely to survive but T20 World Cup crucial to Brendon McCullum’s fate

The Guardian

Par :Matt Hughes

20 janvier 2026 à 17:41

Key told ECB review of willingness to change after Ashes
McCullum has had poor record in white-ball cricket

Rob Key’s position as England’s managing director of men’s cricket is looking increasingly secure after the initial stages of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s review of the Ashes defeat, but the future of Brendon McCullum as head coach remains uncertain and will be influenced heavily by his side’s performances at the T20 World Cup next month.

Key is understood to have spoken to the ECB chief executive, Richard Gould, and chair, Richard Thompson, and taken responsibility for England’s poor preparation for the Ashes and some bungled selections while on tour. He is believed to have indicated a willingness to do things differently if allowed to stay on, a crucial concession that could end up saving him.

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