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      Sky Sports and BT Sport face LOSING Premier League TV rights as streaming giants consider bid

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      APPLE are ready to make a move for Premier League TV rights when bidding for the next packages begin, according to reports.Their interest could provide a huge threat to Sky Sports’ and BT Sport’s Prem deals.
      The next Prem TV deal will start in 2025Credit: Getty
      Apple TV have already dipped their toe into the football market.
      They produced a four-part original documentary about the Super League, which released earlier this year.
      While they have also begun a ten-year contract to broadcast MLS globally worth a staggering £200million-a-season.
      The current rights packages owned by Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime Video will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
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      SunSports understands the bidding process will begin towards the end of this year.
      And the new rights will take effect during the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
      Sky Sports show around 140 Prem matches per season, with BT Sport owning rights to 50 and Amazon Prime Video broadcasting two complete game weeks, including the Boxing Day fixtures.
      American owners of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea’s Todd Boehly, believe that the £5.1bn over three years earned for global TV rights is less than market value.
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      Last year Boehly admitted that he hopes the Prem can “learn from US sports” when it comes to earning more revenue – even introducing the idea of an All-Star game, like those seen across the pond.
      He said: “Ultimately I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson from American sports.
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      “And really starts to figure out, why don’t we do a tournament with the bottom four sports teams, why isn’t there an All-Star game?
      “People are talking about more money for the pyramid; in the MLB All-Star game this year we made $200m (£160m) from a Monday and a Tuesday.
      “So we’re thinking we could do a North versus South All-Star game for the Premier League, for whatever the pyramid needed quite easily.”
      Sky Sports have owned the bulk of Prem TV rights since the league’s launch in 1992 – but now find their dominance under severe threat.
      They have revolutionised coverage in the UK, becoming a huge part of households around the country.
      BT Sport, meanwhile, will be renamed TNT Sports following a merger with Warner Bros Discovery [WBD].
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      Managing director of WBD Sports Europe, Andrew Georgiou, said: “On the next rights auction this is a premium service and our intention is to remain a premium service.
      “Our approach to any rights auction is to make sure we maintain that position in the market.”
      Todd Boehly suggested a Prem All-Star gameCredit: Alamy More

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      Chelsea fans all say the same thing as club announce derby clash against Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond at Stamford Bridge

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      CHELSEA fans have joked they would lose to Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond if they faced the fictional side.The Blues announced a derby clash with the team on Instagram as part of the promotion for the latest episode of the hit TV series.
      Chelsea shared a promotional poster for Ted LassoCredit: instagram / @Chelseafc
      The promotional poster sees characters Ted Lasso, Roy Kent and Coach Beard face off against Graham Potter, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kai Havertz.
      And Chelsea supporters have joked their side would manage to lose if they came up against AFC Richmond in real life.
      One fan responded to the poster saying: “We’ll probably lose.”
      Another added: “4-0 win to Richmond.”
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      A third said: “Potter would still manage to lose it.”
      And another commented: “Potter will sub on Gallagher to defend a 1-0 lead against Ted Lasso 😂.”
      Ted Lasso is now in its third series and another much-loved character Kent – who is modelled on nonsense pundit and Manchester United legend Roy Keane – goes back to his former side Chelsea, where he enjoys legendary status in the story.
      But Chelsea fans have slammed the show and their club after a tribute to club legend Ray Wilkins was doctored to celebrate Kent in its latest episode.
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      A banner remembering Wilkins that reads: “They don’t make them like Ray anymore,” was changed to ‘Roy’.
      Owner Todd Boehly apologised for the disrespectful stunt and revealed the agreement with the show was made during Roman Abramovich’s reign.
      He said: “We had nothing to do these arrangements.
      “The deal w/ apple was struck in 1Q/22. We are sorry it affected so many and mostly we care about Ray and his family.
      “We would also point out that none of the ‘Chelsea’ players were actual Chelsea players. Hopefully, that was clear.” More

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      ‘He won’t be the first to have to shut his mouth’ – Tottenham star Porro hits back at Sherwood with prison analogy

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      PEDRO PORRO has fired back at Tim Sherwood after being criticised by the ex-Tottenham boss.And the current Spurs star made his point with a bizarre PRISON analogy.
      Pedro Porro has fired back at Tim Sherwood after being criticised by the ex-Spurs bossCredit: PA
      Sherwood blasted Porro’s debut in a 4-1 defeat to LeicesterCredit: Getty
      Porro, 23, joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon for £42million on deadline day in January.
      And he’s already helped himself to a goal in seven appearances for his new side.
      But Porro had a nightmare debut in a 4-1 defeat to Leicester.
      It prompted fierce criticism from ex-Spurs manager Sherwood, who said: “I don’t want to keep picking on the kid but he needs to be relieved of his duties at the moment.
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      “I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt because it’s his debut but Pedro Porro is so bad it’s unbelievable.
      “His positioning is absolutely disgusting, Barnes and Maddison are destroying him down the left hand side.”
      Porro has now acknowledged it wasn’t the best impression to make in his first appearance.
      However, the Spain international hit back at Sherwood with a bizarre prison analogy, promising the Englishman he will eventually “shut his mouth.”
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      Porro told the Guardian: “It doesn’t annoy me, exactly. I really hope he keeps saying bad things about me because that will make me stronger.
      “Let me loose in a prison and I’ll end up owning the place. But it’s hard; it’s a couple of days, I start against Leicester.
      “What do you want? For me to score five and cut out 70 balls? Anyone can have a bad day.
      “I don’t know him, I don’t know what happened for him. But he won’t be the first who then had to shut his mouth.” More

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      Newcastle join transfer chase for Diaby with Arsenal ‘struggling to compete’ with Magpies for £62m-rated Leverkusen star

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      NEWCASTLE have reportedly joined the race for Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby and look set to challenge Arsenal with their financial muscle. The Magpies’ Saudi takeover at the end of 2021 means they can now compete at the top end of the market, which is far cry from the tight-fisted days under former owner Mike Ashley.
      Moussa Diaby has eight goals and four assists so far in the Bundesliga this seasonCredit: AP
      But the club have been fairly restrained with their spending so far as they look to break the Premier League’s established order.
      On the pitch the north-east club have made a genuine assault on the top four places this season.
      And now, in the boardroom, the club are also looking to show their Prem rivals what they are capable of.
      90min report that Newcastle are looking to move in on long-term Arsenal target Diaby.
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      The winger has been linked with a summer move to the Emirates after another impressive season in Germany.
      But Newcastle are set to get involved in the transfer hunt as they look to add some cutting edge to their goal-shy attack.
      They are reportedly set to spend this summer with £62m-rated Diaby among the targets.
      The Toon are also reportedly interested in the 23-year-old’s team-mate Mitchel Bakker, the Leverkusen left-back.
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      Arsenal are unlikely to be able to compete financially with Newcastle and sporting director Edu has consistently looked for value in the transfer market and tried to avoid bidding wars.
      In January the Gunners had to watch their long-term target Mykhailo Mudryk depart for Chelsea as it became clear the Blues had more financial heft on their side.
      But the London side quickly pivoted and found themselves landing a great deal to sign Leandro Trossard, who has been a hit so far.
      While money could be a disadvantage in the Diaby chase, Arsenal can offer the Frenchman guaranteed Champions League football next season.
      Newcastle’s wobbly form over the last few weeks makes their position at Europe’s top table less certain. More

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      I spent three years at Man City without ever speaking to Pep Guardiola or meeting a single team-mate, says Spurs star

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      TOTTENHAM star Pedro Porro spent three years at Manchester City without ever speaking to Pep Guardiola.The right-back joined Spurs in January and scored his first goal for the club against Southampton last Saturday.
      Pedro Porro was frozen out in his three years at Manchester CityCredit: Reuters
      But he has had to remain patient for his chance in the Premier League after being frozen out at Manchester City.
      He joined the Citizens in 2019 but he was judged not to be ready for the first-team and was subsequently loaned out to Real Valladolid and Sporting Lisbon.
      Porro, 23, revealed he never even trained at the club and when asked if he ever spoke to Guardiola, in an interview with The Guardian, he replied: “No, no, nothing.
      “They told my agents and we looked [for somewhere to go]. I wasn’t there at all. I didn’t even train. Nothing was said directly to me.
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      “You don’t feel important. And that’s hard. You’re there but you’re not there. I took it as a [sign that] I had to grow, follow my own path. It wasn’t just that it’s a big club, I was little too.
      “When I left City for Valladolid it was a smack in the face because I was very young.
      “City wanted to sign me long term but decided to loan me to mature in professional football because I’d only been playing for a year, at Girona.”
      Porro found it impossible to jump above Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo in the pecking order at City but did perform well for Sporting.
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      But he failed to impress former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood in his first few games for Spurs, with the pundit slamming his defensive weaknesses.
      Sherwood said: “I don’t want to keep picking on the kid but he needs to be relieved of his duties at the moment.
      “I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt because it’s his debut but Pedro Porro is so bad it’s unbelievable.
      “His positioning is disgusting, Barnes and Maddison are destroying him down the left-hand side.” More

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      Man Utd takeover in chaos as Qataris and Sir Jim WITHDRAW bids, deadline delayed and up to eight mystery offers lined up

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S takeover battle was plunged into chaos following a late change to Wednesday’s 9pm deadline.Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani initially made an improved world record offer of around £5billion to buy the Premier League giants from the Glazer family.
      Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad AI Thani withdrew a bid but could put in a new one
      The future of club owners the Glazers, including Joel and Avram, is unclearCredit: AFP
      But he WITHDREW that after deal organisers and US financiers Raine Group later extended the deadline by 48 hours and is now planning a revised offer.
      Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe was also ready to submit his offer – also around £5bn – before 9pm, but delayed it after Raine’s extension.
      Raine have now indicated there could be as many as EIGHT bids by the new deadline of 9pm Friday.
      Only one of those, US hedge fund Elliott Management, has declared itself, while the Qatari sheikh and the British knight are still the leading contenders.
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      Their latest bids will smash the record £3.75bn fee for the Denver Broncos, when the NFL franchise was sold last summer.
      But it remains to be seen if either offer will persuade the Glazers – who have set a £6bn valuation – to sell up.
      Unlike Ratcliffe’s Ineos petro-chemicals group, who want to buy out the Glazers’ 69 per cent share, and Sheikh Jassim – who envisages a full takeover – Elliott are merely seeking to forward funds to potential bidders.
      It is possible other interested parties are also seeking to provide funding, rather than actually take over the club.
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      But giving bidders an extra 48 hours suggests Raine believe there are genuine options open to them.
      However, the two main bidders are understood to still harbour doubts over whether the Glazers will sell unless their whopping valuation is met.
      United’s share price on the New York Stock Exchange rose more than four per cent in early trading yesterday to reach a “market capitalisation” of £3.33bn.
      As Sunsport revealed earlier this month, one option for the Glazers is use external funding to help to hive off the club’s commercial and merchandising arm into another branch of the club or simply take United off the market. More

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      Bournemouth star David Brooks in line for Wales return after 536-day cancer lay-off, confirms boss Robert Page

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      DAVID BROOKS is in line for a Wales return in June following his cancer battle.The Bournemouth ace, who has recovered from Stage-2 Hodgkin lymphoma, had a cameo as a substitute in the 3-0 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa last weekend after 536 days out.
      David Brooks could make his return to the Wales teamCredit: Alamy
      Coach Robert Page has said he could play a part in the futureCredit: AFP
      Then Brooks, 25, scored a hat-trick in a 45-minute outing for the Cherries’ development side as they beat Portsmouth 5-2 in the Hampshire Senior Cup on Tuesday.
      Wales boss Robert Page has hailed Brooks’ powers of recovery but left the 21-cap star out of his squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia because he felt it came too soon.
      But Page has given Brooks the realistic target of a summer comeback for the Dragons, with Group D clashes versus Armenia and Turkey.
      Page said: “We had a positive conversation. It’s a great achievement for him after what he has been through.
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      “He has had his first involvement, and it’s all about his rehab now and getting match fitness.
      “It was unrealistic for him to come for these two games against  Croatia and Latvia. But I have told him about how important he is for me — and to the future of Welsh football.
      “There are camps in June, and he can’t wait to be a part of it again.
      “He is an incredible talent, so to have someone like him coming back into the fold is great for all of us and gives us all a lift.”
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      Brooks’ treble versus Pompey did not go unnoticed by his Wales team-mates, who are preparing for their opening qualifier in  Split on Saturday.
      Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham, a close pal of Brooks for club and country, said: “I was buzzing.
      “I knew he had a game, and I was checking on my phone… one goal, David Brooks, two goals, three goals.
      “I was slightly disappointed when I saw the goals themselves. I wouldn’t say it’s the most exhilarating hat trick I’ve ever seen in my life!
      “But it was good to see, especially with what he’s gone through. And to have an amazing moment of coming on the other day for his first Premier League game back.” More

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      ‘I’m a better man’ – Cristiano Ronaldo opens up on Man Utd exit as he joins Portugal squad after Al Nassr transfer

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO says he is a “better man” following his exit from Manchester United.The Portuguese star left the club after his  explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
      Cristiano Ronaldo believes he is a better man since leaving Man UnitedCredit: EPA
      Ronaldo struggled for game time in his final months at UnitedCredit: Rex
      He is now enjoying his football for Al NassrCredit: Getty
      He has joined up with Portugal for their Euro qualification matchesCredit: EPA
      His final months at the club were filled with trouble as he struggled to star under new manager Erik ten Hag.
      Ronaldo even refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham before his appearance on Morgan’s TalkTV show.
      In that he criticised the Dutch manager and the club’s Glazer ownership, leading to his contract being mutually terminated.
      He has since joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a staggering £173-million-a-year deal.
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      Ronaldo has rediscovered his goalscoring form, netting nine goals in his first eight Saudi Pro League games.
      And he has now claimed that he has moved on from his struggles United.
      During a Portugal press conference ahead of their international fixtures, Ronaldo said of his issues at the Red Devils: “Sometimes, you have to go through some things to see who is on my side.
      “I have no problem saying, I had a bad career run, but there’s no time for regrets.
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      “Life goes on and, doing well or not, it was part of my growth.
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      “When we are at the top of the mountain, we often cannot see what is below.
      “Now, I’m more prepared and learning that was important because I had never been through this, like in the last few months.
      “Now I’m a better man.”
      Ronaldo has only addressed his exit from Old Trafford once before as he said “this chapter is closed” when asked about it during the Qatar World Cup.
      For now, he will be focused on helping Portugal in their Euro qualification matches against Luxembourg and Lichtenstein. More