Sports

Rio’s bid for 2016 Olympics makes good sense

1 Oct 2009

Friday s decision will leave three cities as losers or should that be winners? Olympic investments create distortions and rarely pay off. The price for a few weeks of global glory is high. But the games might just fit with Brazil s developing economy and Rio s dynamism.

StanChart and Liverpool FC make an unlikely pair

14 Sep 2009

The emergingmarkets lender has almost no UK business, but it s paying a nearrecord sum to get its name on the premiership team s shirts. Sure, Asia loves football and Liverpool. But it s hard not to worry that StanChart s crisisproof performance has gone to its head.

Ronaldo, Kaká E160m price tag may not be too high

11 Jun 2009

Real Madrid is spending 44% of 2008 revenue to buy soccer's top stars. The capital outlay will depreciate fast and cost millions to maintain. But President Florentino Pérez may be content if the investments help Real sustain its pace of revenue growth.

US basketball is no slam dunk for Chinese cash

28 May 2009

Investors from the Middle Kingdom are buying into the Cleveland Cavaliers home to LeBron James, one of sport s hottest stars. The team could use the capital and marketing deals. But the investment could easily end up another western miss for China if James signs elsewhere.

US college hoops to boost online video and betting

18 Mar 2009

The annual March Madness basketball tournament is a pressure cooker for the 65 teams involved. Bricksandmortar casinos and media group CBS also have plenty at stake. But the online video and gambling businesses may turn out to be the upandcoming teams to watch.