Football
“We have ten captains, and we’ve turned our limitations into strengths”: the man behind Bodø/Glimt
An interview with Frode Thomassen, CEO of the Norwegian club, on how Bodø/Glimt went from Norway’s second division to becoming a team respected by its Champions League rivals in nine years.
China is becoming a global tennis powerhouse
The China Swing is under way and will run until early 2027, with nine tournaments in all. China has 25 million tennis players, and its talent pool and fan base continue to grow, thanks to a far-sighted strategy.
FOOTBALL
Manchester City fans are bringing inflatable bananas back to the stands, helping the former player who started the trend make a fortune
Imre Varadi played four decades ago and made his fortune from these unlikely gadgets. Today, even Phil Foden is copying him.
Fabian Hürzeler sold paintings in Bavaria before being sacked for watching too much football. He now has Brighton up to third in the Premier League
A remarkable turnaround. Just a few months ago, the manager was being booed by the same fans who now cheer him.
Richarlison accuses Flávio Bolsonaro of stealing his private island off Rio de Janeiro
The Tottenham striker’s posts have caused a stir in Brazil and beyond, as the country approaches the second round of its presidential election.
Illja Zabarnyj continues to speak about the invasion in Ukraine, he has been doing so since he arrived at PSG and now he has taken a stand against Marine Le Pen.
The Ukrainian defender, who has been playing in Paris for a year, never misses an opportunity to express himself about the conflict between his country and Russia.
PSG has become increasingly out of reach, leading many Paris fans, particularly younger ones, to turn to Paris FC
Geographical and political factors also play a part in fans turning away from PSG.
TENNIS
Zheng Qinwen becomes the first Chinese player to win the China Open
A historic triumph for several reasons. It marks the return of a champion who had been sidelined for months and the continued growth of her personal brand.
For ten years, the Rafa Nadal Academy has been trying to do the hardest thing in tennis: turn young players into professionals
At the centre founded by the Spanish great, they develop people before players, as Nadal himself has said. The system works, as the stories of Alex Eala and Ivan Ivanov show.
Sun Xinran wins the US Open junior title, confirming her status as the new young star of Chinese tennis — and beyond
After losing two Grand Slam finals, she finally has a title that feels like vindication. But the more interesting, and more difficult, part starts now.
The US Open can destroy anyone’s dreams, but it is also a tournament where extraordinary, beautiful stories are born
An excerpt from Francesco Longo’s Tennis Paradise, written by Francesco Longo and published by 66thand2nd.
At the US Open, some players are complaining about too many influencers and content creators
Coco Gauff and Adrian Mannarino have complained about distractions and excessive noise during matches.
FORMULA UNO
Franco Colapinto has had to ask his fans to stop abusing other drivers on social media
Anyone who clashes with the Argentine driver, on or off the track, is subjected to insults and abuse on social media.
Formula One will return to Africa, with Rwanda set to host a race in the early 2030s
The circuit will be built on the outskirts of the capital, Kigali, and could have a significant impact on tourism and economic growth across the country.
Kimi Antonelli looked set for a difficult weekend, yet secured a podium finish that underlined his growing maturity and left him within touching distance of the world title
The Italian driver’s third-place finish was significant for both how he secured it and what it could mean for his season and career.
In 2027, Asia will host more Formula One Grands Prix than Europe for the first time, and many countries would do almost anything to secure a race
Hosting a Grand Prix offers economic benefits and prestige to any country, but the appeal is even greater in the Far East.
ALL SPORTS
The NBA looked all but certain to bring the Sonics back to Seattle. Now, Mexico City is back in the running
The Sonics’ return is once again in doubt, as the league is unhappy with the bids submitted by the groups seeking to revive the franchise.
Jonathan Milan makes track cycling history as he propels Italy forward at the World Championships in Shanghai, the first ever held in mainland China
The Italian won gold in the individual pursuit and also broke the world record.
GTA VI is such a big event that US broadcasters fear it could eat into sports viewing figures — and with good reason
A video game competing for television ratings with the NBA and NFL sounds unlikely until you remember that a day contains only twenty-four hours, and millions of young viewers have already made up their minds.
The Chicago Cubs have released a 17-part romantic comedy on TikTok
Nine Innings to Love premiered on 4 September and is set at the stadium during a game.
LIFESTYLE
Roger Federer also played a part in Kylian Mbappé’s new deal with On
The sportswear brand is looking to break into football with a star ambassador, echoing what it did a few years ago with the king of tennis.
Italy-Belgium to be screened at Jersey United watch party, with Undici director Giuseppe De Bellis speaking
The first Jersey United Night will take place at WAO Kitchen in Milan on Friday, 25 September at 7pm.
With Mbappé, On enters football in style
After making its mark in tennis with Flavio Cobolli and Ben Shelton, the Swiss brand signs Real Madrid’s French star. The beginning of a new era.