@mjslater.bsky.social
I cover the business/politics of football & other global sports for The Athletic. In other words, I mainly do bad news.
@mjslater.bsky.socialReposted by @mjslater.bsky.socialDon Garber was the star turn at a sports biz summit in London this week. The outgoing MLS boss discussed the league’s sketchy start, 2001 reboot, signing a “foundational” Beckham & “transformational” Messi, flipping the calendar, the Apple deal & World Cup legacy.
@mjslater.bsky.socialDon Garber was the star turn at a sports biz summit in London this week. The outgoing MLS boss discussed the league’s sketchy start, 2001 reboot, signing a “foundational” Beckham & “transformational” Messi, flipping the calendar, the Apple deal & World Cup legacy.
@mjslater.bsky.social🎙️ And here’s the video version, complete with directions to Somerset House and the Royal Courts of Justice, and Adam’s “fall” wardrobe.
@mjslater.bsky.social🎙️ This week:
- Should we reassess FSG’s time at LFC or Brendan Rodgers’?
- What makes a good owner anyway?
- Klopp v Guardiola (plus a great Sarri story)
- How HUGE is Sunday’s game?
- PL v City, class action or club-on-club chaos?
W/ “The Thursday Club” regulars Adam, Kate & Rob
@gatesheadfc.bsky.socialReposted by @mjslater.bsky.socialGateshead Football Club can confirm that a sale agreement has been reached in principle with American based private investment company, Flacks Group, subject to Independent Football Regulator approval.
Full statement 👉 ow.ly/sFIj50ZWnkL
@mjslater.bsky.socialAnd Aleksander Ceferin…at Uefa.
Four more years, four more years etc etc
@mjslater.bsky.socialAs is Victor Montagliani…at Concacaf.
@mjslater.bsky.socialJust in case you hadn’t got the memo, here are three stories to underline what has seemed inevitable for a few weeks now. Gianni Infantino is getting another term.
@mjslater.bsky.socialIf you fancy joining the first bidding contest for a Summer Olympics since 2017, you’ve got until November to get your bid in. Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, S Africa, S Korea & Turkey are already in. The vote is in mid-2029. Lots of IOC dialogue in meantime.
@mjslater.bsky.social📽️ And here’s the video, which has already been watched by a staggering 127,000 people. Wow. We’re very grateful for your time, support & kind messages.
@mjslater.bsky.social🎙️Day 7 in the Big Bother studio & we tried to answer as many Man City v PL questions as we could in 50mins. Shams defined, impact on players, Burnham’s conflicts, City’s definition of “irrefutable”, VAR & the appeal.
W/ the usual “Thursday Club”, Kate, Rob & Adam.
@leytonorientear.comReposted by @mjslater.bsky.socialNo site secured, no planning permission, and no funding: so David Gandler needs to create a sense of momentum around his plans for a new stadium and campus
Free to read! This one is public service journalism, after all…
@mjslater.bsky.socialThe fact the Treasury select committee chair has asked HMRC to investigate potential tax evasion at Man City shouldn’t be a surprise. The surprise should be that HMRC hasn’t already started an investigation. The grounds for one have been in public domain since 2018.
@totallyshow.bsky.socialReposted by @mjslater.bsky.social🚨THURSDAY POD!🚨
@acjimbo.bsky.social, @tomwfootball.bsky.social, Tim Spiers, @liamtwomey.bsky.social & @mjslater.bsky.social have some things to discuss 🎙️
⚖️ What next for Man City & the Premier League?
🇵🇹 Cristiano walks out!
🏴 Gordon's alive
@semafor.comReposted by @mjslater.bsky.socialVisitors to the US are on track to drop by almost two million year-on-year.
“We’re the only major country in the world losing visitation,” the head of the US Travel Association said. “It’s mind-boggling.”
@chrisdhwaugh.bsky.socialReposted by @mjslater.bsky.social⚫ Retains all key elements of previous badge ✅
⚪ Spot the difference? Subtle but important changes 👀🤔
⚫ 791 days - feat. "tension" 😬
⚪ How & why this badge 🔍
⚫ 2/3s majority of fans 🗳️
👀🛡️ #NUFC confirm their new club crest - & it's a revision of the previous one:
@danneidle.bsky.socialReposted by @mjslater.bsky.socialManchester City cheated Premier League rules, the Commission found. Did it also cheat HMRC? We've examined the decision and leaked Mancini documents. We think City likely failed to pay £12m in tax. There should be a criminal investigation. Thread:
@uglygame.bsky.socialReposted by @mjslater.bsky.social"There appear to be good grounds for a criminal investigation of the circumstances under which a sham arrangement was put in place and tax was not paid when it should have been."
taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/10/01/m...
@mjslater.bsky.social📽️ And here’s the motion picture, shot on location in Copenhagen, London & Manchester.
@mjslater.bsky.social🎙️ A pod about the player-release payments to clubs from the Nations League & European Football Clubs’ governance reforms. Nah, only kidding. It’s about Man City, Soriano, the sham deals, what next…all the good stuff.
