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[Gulf] Regional turbulence: Pivot to Sports Investments

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Thanks to South Korea's Prosview for publishing my review of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, which can be read in both South Korean and English here webzine.prosports.or.kr/resources/we...

Chokepoints - the maritime waterways that have the power to upend global sport

The stability of everything from football boots to the oil and gas revenues driving some sports is dependent upon very narrow stretches of sea
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport

Diasporas in football – growing significance, proliferating issues

Navigating the delicate balance between international performance, cultural identity, and domestic sports development is an important task facing the sport
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport

My latest for @forbes.com

F1 Highlights The Realities Of Global Sport’s Chokepoint Problems
www.forbes.com/sites/simonc...

Africa’s Formula 1 race: Three countries, one dream, and a growing sibling rivalry
substack.com/home/post/p-...

Written by Nnamdi O. Madichie, Professor of Marketing, Nova Business School Africa
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport

All roads lead to Paris as sport apparel’s global battle for market share intensifies

On’s signing of Kylian Mbappé and Thierry Henry opens up a new front in an industry where Adidas and Nike have previously dominated
profchadwick.substack.com/p/all-roads-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport

Best league in the world, poorest country in Western Europe?

The Manchester City case is laying bare the harsh post-Brexit realities of Britain
substack.com/home/post/p-...

Comments for The New Arab & John Duerden

How Manchester City's financial reckoning could reshape the UAE's sporting ambitions
www.newarab.com/analysis/man...

Manchester City case might appear close to a conclusion, but it isn’t

Ultimate outcome of high-stakes geopolitical game could be determined by international diplomacy, with British PM Andy Burnham potentially playing pivotal role
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@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport

Networks, Strategy & Sport: the Case of City Football Group
emerald.com/jsma/article...

This article was double-blind peer-reviewed and published, but then challenged

Who challenged it, how they did so, and the threatened action should there be failure to comply were interesting

My latest for AGBI

The Manchester City case is about more than football

Britain’s soccer-loving prime minister will need to hone his diplomatic skills
www.agbi.com/opinion/busi...

Sport in the 21st century: the journey from authoritarianism to liberalism and back again

From fascism and the Cold War to the world in 2026, sport appears to have turned full circle
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport

How the relocation of this year’s Esports World Cup created a diplomatic opportunity

The event was supposed to take place in Riyadh but instead was staged in Paris
substack.com/home/post/p-...
@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport

Coming soon...

Sports Diplomacy - An Introduction
www.routledge.com/Sports-Diplo...

Since 2019, private equity investors have spent US$55 billion on sport - why?

From Snoop Dogg at Swansea to Ryan and Rob at Wrexham, investors are on the hunt for prize assets
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@paulwiddop.bsky.social #Geosport

2nd edition of HELEGS's executive programme in Law, Economics & Geopolitics is now recruiting

Further details:
www.helegs.com/en/?referrer...

I'll be involved again, both as Programme Director and as leader for the Sport & Geopolitical Economy module

Looking forward to meeting those who join us

Latest for @forbes.com

Paris' Pivotal Role As Mbappé And Henry Hook Up With On And Nike Fights Back
www.forbes.com/sites/simonc...