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Inform. Inspire. Celebrate. | |
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‘Opening Play’ or ‘First Touch’ | |
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Amidst the turmoil of Trump, tariffs, and tech lash, thank goodness for sport. It’s at this time of year that being British feels great with the anticipation of a summer of world class sport. The Derby, the First Test Match, Royal Ascot, and Wimbledon all land this month - and that’s just in June.
Amid all the anticipation of on field action, a quieter shift - with much bigger consequences - is looming. My Leader this week explores the UK’s Online Safety Act, which comes into force next month. It’s a significant moment for sport, and it will change how we reach - and keep - younger fans. We’ve also introduced something new: a Your Turn button. It’s your space to respond to stories in the newsletter, share news about your business, or send us your feedback. We’d genuinely love to hear what’s on your mind. | |
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In the meantime, whether it is in the inbox or in the hospitality box, I look forward to seeing you soon!
Rebecca Hopkins, CEO The STA Group
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MLB’s Major Move on Women’s Softball | |
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Major League Baseball is putting money where its mitt is, backing the women’s game with both cash and airtime. The launch of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) marks MLB’s first significant investment in professional women’s sport. With AUSL set to debut on 7 June, the league will gain broadcast exposure via MLB Network and MLB.TV, plus player presence at major league events like the All-Star Game.
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Fast Track to $68 Billion | |
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It’s what we’ve always said - the smart money is in sports tech.
Global dealmaking is up 30% year-on-year, with 26 transactions already announced or completed in 2025. Confidence is climbing alongside demand, with the market forecast to double in value from $34.25bn in 2025 to $68.7bn by 2030. Wearables, AI, and data tools lead the charge as sponsors and rights holders are turning to technology to get a competitive edge in an increasingly tough market.
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Bro Science Breaking Female Hearts | |
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Research from Amsterdam UMC - one of the Netherlands’ leading university medical centres - has revealed that female elite athletes’ hearts adapt differently to intensive training from those of their male counterparts. The findings deepen understanding of how sex influences cardiac response to high-level sport, with implications for designing better training loads and medical support tailored to women.
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Headsets Create Headspace | |
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A UK-led initiative is turning to virtual reality to boost young athletes’ mental health - equipping them to handle pressure, not just perfect their technique. With national sports bodies showing growing interest, the immersive training focuses on building psychological resilience in ways traditional coaching often overlooks.
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Smith+Nephew Bring Smarter Joints to Industry Knees Up | |
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Smith+Nephew is set to present its latest developments in sports medicine at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.
The focus: improving surgical precision and recovery for athletes undergoing joint repair. As demand grows for evidence-led approaches to rehabilitation, these reflect a shift towards more tailored, tech-enabled treatment strategies.
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Gumi Bears Witness Rise of India’s Athletes | |
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India’s track and field athletes concluded the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea, with a haul of 24 medals - 8 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze - marking its best performance since topping the table in 2017. The team finished second overall, behind China. The country’s investment in grassroots programs, improved training facilities, and sports science is clearing paying off.
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Before you go, don’t forget to use the button to share your thoughts or news. We’re always keen to hear from you! | |
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