This Month
Dominican slugger lands $1.2b record sports deal
Superstar Juan Soto made history after agreeing to the contract – the largest ever in professional sports – with the New York Mets, according to media reports.
- Ronald Blum
February
Messi apologises again after China’s wrath over no show
The Inter Miami star said his decision to sit on the sidelines rather than play in a match in Hong Kong this month was not political.
- Richard Frost
Swift effect set to help Super Bowl break US advertising records
The world’s biggest brands are spending $996 million on short but coveted ad slots, featuring celebrities from Lionel Messi to Jennifer Aniston.
- Daniel Thomas and Sara Germano
January
Kerr honoured at FIFA awards as Ange, Gustavsson miss out
Sam Kerr was named in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World XI, voted for by players around the world.
- Updated
December 2023
This Japanese baseballer could be more valuable than Taylor Swift
Japanese star Shohei Ohtani has signed a ten-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, believed to be the largest individual sports deal in the world.
- David Brandt
October 2023
‘Gifted icon’: Tributes flow for soccer giant Bobby Charlton
The Manchester United legend, who survived a plane crash that killed teammates, was known as a gentleman of the game and perhaps England’s greatest player.
- Mattias Karen
August 2023
Why Saudi Arabia is spending a fortune on luring big sporting names
The kingdom says the splurge will help its plan to diversify its economy away from oil. But critics say it amounts to “sportswashing”.
- The Economist
June 2023
Messi magic kills Socceroos’ hopes in Beijing
It took Lionel Messi just over a minute to score against Australia in front of a packed stadium in Beijing who gave the fans what they came for.
- Martin Quin Pollard
Manchester City wins first Champions League title
The Champions League win means City has completed a rare treble of trophies after winning the English Premier League title and FA Cup this season.
- James Robson
Messi spurns $600m Saudi offer to help Beckham’s Miami dream
The Argentine superstar is being offered a profit-sharing agreement with Adidas and Apple, The Athletic reported, citing people familiar with the transaction.
- Updated
- Felipe Marques and Anna Jean Kaiser
Who are the world’s highest-paid golfers?
Tiger Woods has earned roughly $US1.8 billion during his professional golf career.
- Updated
- Reuters
- Opinion
- World golf
PGA merger with LIV Golf is only the beginning
Owning a professional sports team or league is a means for wealth to project status and soft power. It was just a matter of time before Saudi Arabia joined in.
- Adam Minter
May 2023
Putin launches major strike on Kyiv as he strengthens border security
Ukraine’s capital was hit in a two-stage attack late on Saturday; Boston Celtics stun Miami Heat in massive comeback; getting the US debt deal past the Republican right will be a big test for Kevin McCarthy’s negotiating skills. See how the day unfolded here.
- Updated
- Andrew Hobbs
Lionel Messi in talks for $600m deal with Saudis
Saudi Arabia is preparing to offer football star Lionel Messi a $600 million annual contract to play with the Saudi Pro League this summer.
- Tom Morgan
December 2022
Huge crowds welcome Argentina team after World Cup victory
The World Cup and the success of the Messi-led squad has brought much-needed good news for a country that has been stuck in economic doldrums for years.
- Daniel Politi
- Opinion
- FIFA World Cup
The 11 reasons you probably watched the greatest World Cup final ever
Featuring dizzying highs and desperate lows, Argentina’s penalty shootout win over defending champions France was an instant classic.
- Thom Gibbs
Billionaire soccer chairman won’t be bullied by ‘guys in hoodies’
Other business heavyweights, including Anton Tagliaferro and David Gallop, understand the anger of football fans over the sale of grand final rights but do not excuse the violence.
- Updated
- Gus McCubbing
For Messi, the World Cup wait is worth it
The Argentinian finally claimed the one prize that had eluded him, the one achievement that could cement his status as the greatest player of all time.
- Rory Smith
Messi brings euphoria to inflation-swamped Argentina
The win sparked rare celebrations and happiness for a country battered by near three-digit inflation and facing months of economic and political uncertainty.
- Updated
- Patrick Gillespie
Argentina just won the greatest final in World Cup history
Lionel Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete. The Argentine star is finally a champion of the global soccer event, despite Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick.