July/August 2009 issue

COVER STORY

The World's 200 Most Valuable Sports Properties

Months of analysis and close examination of statistics, trends and finances have resulted in the first truly global listing of sport's 200 most valuable properties.

SPECIAL REPORT: THE BUSINESS OF THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

The Lions' commercial roar   

Once every four years, the British and Irish Lions form to tour the southern hemisphere. Combining the best players from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, the tour has become one of rugby's premier events. The 2009 tour to South Africa is certain to be the most commercially successful in the Lions' long history.  

John Feehan is at the heart of the Lions

John Feehan is the man who makes it happen when it comes to making a commercial success of the Lions Tour. Now, for the first time, he is developing a long-term strategy to manage the brand's rapid expansion.

HSBC's 360-degree sponsorship   

HSBC has become an integral part of the Lions brand as the principal partner of the team. Its commitment to the tour has been matched only by the complex activation plan that is overseen by the group's head of sponsorship, Giles Morgan.

Andrew Burton's touring party

With this summer's British and Irish Lions Tour set to see 40,000 people follow the team to South Africa, the size of this major sporting event will need to be matched by the logistical operations behind it. Fortunately for British Lions Limited, Andrew Burton - a pioneer in sports travel and hospitality - will be handling the greater part of those operations.

PROFILE

Bob Stapleton: The billionaire biker

With world cycling's showcase event, the Tour de France, due to begin in Monaco in July this year, much of the focus will be on the return of seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong. The future of the sport, however, is in the hands of another American. Bob Stapleton is the billionaire owner of Team Columbia Highroad and he is taking professional cycling by the handlebars.

INSIGHTS

Cricket - US$220 million and counting 

India's growing ability to capitalise on the immense popularity of cricket in the country came to a head last year with the creation of the Indian Premier League. Twenty20, the short format of the game, has opened the door to a worldwide sponsorship surge.  

Rugby Union: Vive la Revolution

As foreign stars begin to flock to the Top 14, five charismatic millionaire owners are on the brink of transforming the domestic French rugby union league into the foremost competition in world rugby.

FEATURES

Philipp Grothe's friendly agency    

In little more than five years, Kentaro has grown from three men in the breakfast room of a hotel to become a company employing more than 80 people - and chief executive Philipp Grothe is determined that it will be the soccer agency that finally cracks America.

The truth about Sir Allen Stanford

For nearly 25 years, according to one theory, Sir Allen Stanford was an agent of the United States Department of Justice working for its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agencies. He was an agent working at the heart of America's fight  against drugs and organised crime. Stanford may be reviled around the world but, in reality, no-one has done more to fight the war on drugs.

BACK STORY

The ambassador

In 2008 Sir Jackie Stewart celebrated his 40th anniversary as a brand ambassador for the Rolex company. Few commercial relationships last more than a few years, but Stewart's has endured for more than four decades.