sport news SPORTS AGENDA: Premier League clubs split on increasing TV access next season trends now
Changes are afoot to access levels for broadcasters. As this newspaper revealed, half-time interviews with managers and coaches will be looked at during this summer’s meeting of Premier League clubs.
And it is understood proposals go even further, with an increased presence at training grounds and the potential for cameras in the dressing rooms at half-time. While there would be no sound, so bosses giving the hairdryer treatment cannot be heard, for the first time viewers would be taken into the inner sanctum, as often happens at rugby matches.
Most clubs are relaxed about the plans, believing broadcasters who pay large sums should be kept onside. However, there is a suspicion that some of the Big Six teams may kick back against the plans, given they can monetise such content by using it on their own channels and charging companies to sponsor it.
Half-time interviews with Premier League managers could start from next season
ENGLAND STARS ENJOY MONACO PIT-STOP
An England reunion at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Chelsea's Mason Mount and Phil Foden of Manchester City were joined by Eric Dier of Tottenham to watch the Champions League final at Red Bull's plush Energy Station facility.
MANNING-COOPER LANDS FA ROLE
Joanna Manning-Cooper is to become the next head of comms and marketing for the Football Association following the pending departure of Louisa Fyans.
Manning-Cooper will join from Sky, where she leads the broadcaster’s corporate comms and is known as a savvy operator.
Prior to that she was director of marketing, communications and digital for the RFU and is also known for her work on London 2012. Manning-Cooper was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 2016.
The role at the FA has been expanded to include marketing.
DRURY GETS STATESIDE GIG
NBC Sports have made a big call ahead of the start of a new rights deal to show the Premier League in America, opting to replace Arlo White with Peter Drury. White has commentated for NBC since they began broadcasting English football in 2013 and is set to take on an as-yet-unannounced role elsewhere.
He is also expected to continue his Major League Soccer work, where he already commentates for Chicago Fire. For popular veteran Drury, once unceremoniously dumped by ITV Sport, it is a career-first ‘number one’ role.
Peter Drury is set to become the lead commentator for NBC Sports in America
ROLES REVERSAL AT LANCASHIRE
Lancashire are to reverse roles this week — with their men’s match acting as a curtain-raiser for the women at Old Trafford.
Lancashire Lightning take on Derbyshire Falcons at 3pm on Wednesday in the Vitality Blast, followed by Lancashire Thunder against Southern Vipers at 7pm in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. Officials hope for a bumper crowd in what is thought to be the first time in domestic cricket that the women’s match has been given the headline slot.
The aim is to raise the profile of women in sport and between the matches Manchester United chief operating officer Collette Roche and ECB head of
