Oregon State men’s basketball coach Wayne Tinkle will not return after the 2025-26 season, the school announced Thursday. Tinkle has the option to finish the campaign before departing from his post, but has not yet decided whether to see the season out, according to John Canzano. The Beavers are 16-14 this season and 9-8 in West Coast Conference play.
Tinkle’s exit comes after a 12-year run with the Beavers that featured some of the program’s highest highs and lowest lows. It also coincides with Oregon State’s move from the WCC back into the Pac-12, which debuts as a reconstructed conference beginning next season.
Oregon State never finished higher than fourth in the Pac-12 during Tinkle’s decade in the conference and concluded its first year in the WCC with a fifth-place finish. Tinkle has a 175-204 overall record for his tenure, with an 82-141 mark in conference games
“We are grateful to Wayne for his dedication to Oregon State and for the leadership he has provided our men’s basketball program,” athletic director Scott Barnes said in a statement. “He has represented Beaver Nation with integrity and commitment. As we approach the dawn of the new Pac-12 era, we believe it is in the best interest of our men’s basketball program to transition to its next chapter. These decisions are never easy, but we are focused on positioning our program for sustained success in a rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape.”
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The Tinkle era at Oregon State will be most remembered for the program’s miraculous run to the 2021 Elite Eight. The Beavers entered the NCAA Tournament that season as a No. 12 seed and pulled off upsets of No. 5 Tennessee, No. 4 Oklahoma State and No. 8 Loyola Chicago before falling to No. 2 Houston. It was one of two NCAA Tournament appearances for the Beavers during Tinkle’s 12 years at the helm.
While the Beavers reached the postseason three times, including a trip to the College Basketball Crown last season, they also logged two of the worst seasons in program history under Tinkle’s leadership. The year directly following the Elite Eight run, Oregon State went 3-28 and posted the worst winning percentage (.097) of any Beavers squad in 125 years. Tinkle also oversaw a 5-27 team in 2016-17.
Oregon State making changes ahead of Pac-12 relaunch
When the Pac-12 returns as a full conference this summer, Oregon State will be under new leadership in both football and men’s basketball. The Beavers fired football coach Trent Bray midway through the 2025 season and hired Alabama co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard as his replacement.
The overhaul is part of the Beavers’ efforts to establish themselves as top-tier contenders in the new-look league. Oregon State was long a bottom-half athletic department in the old Pac-12, but it enters the conference’s new era as a potential leader across the board given its status as a recent Power Five member.
The Pac-12 has the opportunity to thrive as a top-six basketball conference with the addition of Gonzaga as a basketball-only member, as well as prominent former Mountain West schools. For the 2026-27 basketball season, the Pac-12 will operate as a nine-member league featuring Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State and Washington State.
Getting more speed in your swing is a popular goal for lots of recreational golfers. But for many of them, the distance gains they crave are achievable simply by hitting the center of the clubface more frequently.
LPGA pros are a prime example of this. Despite the fact that their swing speeds are not outrageously fast, they can all generate plenty of distance by virtue of the quality of their strikes. For most recreational players, this blueprint is a good one to follow. One of the easiest ways to promote a solid strike on the ball is by swinging with better tempo.
At the GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher Summit a couple of years back, instructor EA Tischler explained a great feel that recreational players can use to find this smooth tempo.
“You’re going to go to the top of the backswing,” Tischler said. “And once you get there you’re going to count to three. Then, you’re just going to transition and swing through, feeling like you;re staying on cruise control.”
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Tischler stressed that although it’s important to accelerate through the ball, having that thought in mind when swinging can lead to a poor transition and bad sequencing.
“We don’t want to feel like we are accelerating through the ball too much,” Tischler said. “You always hear that, but that’s mainly so you don’t end up decelerating.”
Instead of feeling like you speed everything up from the top, try taking a quick pause to collect yourself and then start the transition. By doing that a few times when you practice, you’ll get your swing on cruise control early and have much better tempo and ball striking.
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The opening day of on-field drills at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis presented defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts. Some prospects uplifted their stock with standout efforts while others caused teams to go back and look at their college film with a fine tooth comb.
Here are some of the intriguing things from Thursday’s on-field drills for the linebacker position, beginning with the measurements and testing numbers of the top prospects in CBS Sports’ top 50 rankings, courtesy of NFL Draft analyst Mike Renner:
Ohio State first-team All-Big Ten linebacker Sonny Styles entered the combine as a projected top-10 pick, and after displaying jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism with a 43.5-inch vertical, he may be making a case to go in the top five in April, positional value be damned. NFL Media reported fellow linebackers were rooting him on and jumping in unison during his attempt. He blew away his positional peers.
His 11-foot-2 broad jump put an exclamation point on his elite athleticism. Styles recorded the highest vertical jump by a player 6-foot-4 or taller since at least 2003, when NFL Network began collecting combine data.
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His combine performance was so explosive that he tested similarly to Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, the artist formerly known as Megatron.
That helped him generate a nearly perfect Relative Athletic Score, ranking as the No. 4 linebacker in the metric since 1987.
Anthony Hill Jr. is similar to Arvell Reese as a linebacker with edge-rush experience, though he is not quite on the same level as Reese or Styles. Still, he acquitted himself well Thursday. A 4.51-second 40-yard dash at Hill’s size is a strong result, and his 9.93 Relative Athletic Score reflects an excellent day in Indianapolis.
He remains a tier below Styles, who delivered a historic performance, but Hill’s showing was strong enough to earn a B+.
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Grade: B
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Jake Golday measured and jumped well at the combine. He did not get out of the blocks quickly in the 40-yard dash, as reflected in his early split times, but he showcased strong closing speed to finish with a 4.62. Overall, Golday helped himself Thursday.
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Grade: N/A — Josiah Trotter opted out of doing on-field drills on Thursday.
Texas Tech‘s Jacob Rodriguez was the most decorated linebacker in college football in 2025. He earned the Bronko Nagurski Award (nation’s top defensive player), the Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), the Dick Butkus Award (top linebacker), the Vince Lombardi Award (top lineman), unanimous All-American honors and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year recognition.
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His tape is outstanding, and he moved smoothly during Thursday’s workouts in Indianapolis, posting a 38.5-inch vertical, a 10-foot-1 broad jump and a 4.57-second 40-yard dash. Rodriguez’s measurables were decent, but the way he moves — combined with his production at Texas Tech — earns him a B grade.
Eric Gentry is a certified freak. He is both the tallest linebacker and owns the largest wingspan recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine since NFL Media began tracking data in 2003. A creative defensive coordinator could have plenty of fun deploying him at the next level.
Brady Tkachuk has found himself in a rather awkward position.
Days after crushing the hearts of Canadians by helping the United States win a gold medal over its northern neighbor, Tkachuk is back with his Senators, who play in Canada’s capital of Ottawa, for a playoff push.
A TikTok posted by the White House probably didn’t help matters because it featured footage of Tkachuk’s conference at a 4 Nations game last year that was doctored by artificial intelligence to make it appear as if he spoke disparagingly of Canada and its citizens.
Brady Tkachuk of the United States celebrates after winning the gold medal during the men’s gold medal game against Canada at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games Feb. 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
“They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple syrup-eating f—- a lesson,” Tkachuk allegedly says in the video. Tkachuk and his brother, Matthew, were part of three fights in nine seconds against Canada last year.
Tkachuk celebrated his gold medal in Washington, D.C., but was not pleased with the video.
“Well, it’s clearly fake, because it’s not my voice, not my lips moving. I’m not in control of any of those accounts. I know that those words would never come out of my mouth. So, I can’t do anything about it,” Tkachuk told reporters Thursday ahead of his NHL return, via ESPN.
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When asked if he enjoyed the video, he repeated his sentiments.
Brady Tkachuk (top) of the U.S. fights Canada’s Sam Bennett (9) during first-period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
“It’s not my voice. It’s not what I was saying,” he added. “I would never say that. That’s not who I am. So, I guess I don’t like that video because that would never come out of my mouth and never had that thought.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Some have also accused Tkachuk of saying, “Close the northern border” while on the phone with President Donald Trump after the team won gold.
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“I’ve been seeing stuff that people think it’s me. But if you watch the video, it’s not my voice or something that I never say,” Tkachuk said. “I don’t know how that took a storm on its own when I give everything I have here.
“It’s crazy when things go on social media, how fast they go. I would never say anything like that.”
Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrate after their game against Canada during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena Feb. 22, 2026.(Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) and the Tennessee defense celebrate after a play stopping the New Mexico State offense in an NCAA college football game on November 15, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.
We are at the NFL Combine stage of the pre-draft process, where the Vikings brain trust will watch this year’s potential draftees perform physical and mental tests in front of coaches, general managers, and scouts. The chance for players to give their draft stock a boost by showing elite traits or proving fitness if there have been injury issues.
Seven Names That Match Minnesota’s Biggest 2026 Draft Priorities
I have picked out seven prospects who should be high on the Vikings’ agenda and worth extra attention this weekend. Mainly focusing on defense, the area of the team that I think is a priority in this draft, but also a couple of players on offense, too.
Caleb Banks (DT), Florida
Many are focusing on the Vikings’ secondary in this draft, but my early draft crush has been Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. The Gators DT can be a long-term partner for Jalen Redmond in the center of the Vikings’ defensive line.
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Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
At 6’6″, 325 pounds, with arms over 35″, Caleb Banks has overwhelming size, length, and forklift power, to pair with inhuman burst and quickness at that size. An impressive display at The Combine can confirm his round one status. Given the history of injuries, the medical side will be closely monitored.
Dillon Thieneman (S), Oregon
Dillon Thieneman has been earmarked as the Harrison Smith replacement should Minnesota choose to do that through the draft rather than free agency. Brian Flores’ defense demands safeties who can blitz, drop into coverage, and diagnose plays pre-snap — Thieneman does all of this while reading the field like a veteran at 21 years old.
Thieneman’s draft projection is hovering around the early Day 2 and late first-round range. His Combine performance may dictate where the Vikings have to go to get him, should they want to.
Jermod McCoy (CB), Tennessee
The search for an outside CB ready to shut down WR1s has been a long one for Minnesota. Jermod McCoy can provide that while also being a ball hawk. He’d likely be well out of reach for the Vikings at 18 if it weren’t for the fact that McCoy tore his ACL in a preseason workout and missed the entire 2025 season.
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Interestingly, McCoy won’t work out at The Combine, which leaves more mystery around his recovery. Teams will look closely at his medical reports, which will be one of the big stories of the weekend.
Avieon Terrell (CB), Clemson
A CB in a different mold to McCoy, Avieon Terrell is an undersized but feisty corner who also has a knack for taking the ball away. Terrell – younger brother of Falcons All-Pro A.J. Terrell – has inside/outside versatility but would probably find more success playing in the slot in the NFL.
Nov 1, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) reacts to a pass interference call during the NCAA football game against the Duke Blue Devil at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin-Imagn Images
He will hope to impress with his elite quickness and short-area burst, convincing a team like Minnesota he is worth a mid-first-round pick.
Kenyon Sadiq (TE), Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq provided Oregon with a big play whenever it needed one last season. A dependable threat on third down or in the red zone, Sadiq is the top-rated TE in this year’s draft. He caught a team-high 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns, showing a penchant for getting open at various levels.
Sadiq is big and strong and moves as well as any tight end in this class. A good 40 time will put Sadiq’s draft over the top and start a serious conversation over whether he’s an option to replace the highly paid TJ Hockenson.
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Colton Hood (CB), Tennessee
Another option to be the lockdown CB the Vikings need is McCoy’s teammate at Tennessee, Colton Hood. At 6’0, and 195 lbs, Hood has an enticing blend of explosiveness, corrective twitch, proportional length, and physicality.
He had the opportunity to step up in McCoy’s absence and did just that. An impressive outing at The Combine can secure him first-round status and put him firmly on the Vikings’ radar.
Nick Singleton (RB), Penn State
The Vikings need a young, exciting prospect at RB, but with Jeremiyah Love likely to go in the top 10. The next group of RBs is, at best, Day 2 prospects. One player who can boost his draft stock at The Combine is Penn State’s Nick Singleton.
Penn State has a history of producing freak athletes, and Singleton is the latest at 220 lbs while expected to run in the low 4.4s on top of a massive broad jump. With three Day 2 picks to play with, that sort of performance will put Singleton in the Vikings’ eyeline.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
No. 1-ranked Duke Blue Devils will host No. 11-ranked Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, Feb. 28. The Blue Devils are looking to extend their winning streak to six, while the Cavaliers are aiming to reach 10.
With the game occurring at Noon, let’s look at the prediction, venue, odds and tips for today’s game.
Duke vs. Virginia Prediction
Here’s a look at the odds and forecasts for the showdown:
KenPom: Duke 75-65
BartTorvik: Duke 74-65
ESPN BPI: Duke +12.5
KenPom and BartTorvik have the Blue Devils winning by ten and nine points, respectively. They’re currently the No. 1-ranked team in the nation and will be a tough team to beat in March Madness.
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Duke vs. Virginia Preview
The Duke Blue Devils are having arguably their best season since Coach K announced his retirement. Cameron Boozer and Co. have lost just two games this season, with both coming against Top 20-ranked opponents. They lost by three points or less.
The Blue Devils are led by freshman phenom Cameron Boozer, the son of former Duke great Carlos Boozer. The younger Boozer is widely projected as a Top 3 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, and he’s been on a tear lately. The Cavaliers will have to contain him in the post and pay attention to a supporting cast stacked with future NBA talent.
The Virginia Cavaliers enter today’s game as one of the in-form teams in college basketball. They’re on a nine-game winning streak with a vast majority of those wins coming by comfortable margins.
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The Cavaliers are filled with experienced collegiate players out for one last national championship hurrah. Their 86-83 win over Miami last weekend featured three freshmen, one junior and four seniors. That’s in contrast to a Duke team that’s become a hub for high-profile freshmen in recent years.
Today’s game has all the markings of a late-season classic with both teams looking to close out February with a statement win. Ultimately, it could come down to the better-coached team and the set of players that want it more.
Where to watch Duke vs. Virginia
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
Time: Noon ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Venue: Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina
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Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey – who is NCAAW’s highest-paid coach? Find out here
The jockey Thomas Stockdale wants to keep the high of becoming a dad for the first time going by landing a major prize at Flemington.
Partnering Simon Zahra’s Onavuitton in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), Stockdale recognizes the difficulty of the three-year-old event, which is known for occasional shocks.
Stockdale, married to Lily (daughter of ex-rider Peter Mertens), had son Ronnie born Sunday, with fatherhood’s energy rush lingering.
“They got home on Tuesday, and I’ve been pretty much running on adrenalin since,” Stockdale said.
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Family joys notwithstanding, the priority is Saturday’s ride for Stockdale’s greatest career success to date.
This year he won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Unit Five at Gold Coast, though a Group 1 in his newborn’s birth week would top that.
Onavuitton sits at $26 betting against favourites Observer ($2.30), Sixties ($2.90) and Planet Red ($4.80), but past Australian Guineas results feature Lunar Fox ($301, 2021) and Feroce ($14 last year).
Onavuitton’s four outings include third in Flemington’s Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) last March.
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He claimed a Cranbourne maiden recently, then placed fourth behind Observer in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield February 7.
“We were happy with his run,” Stockdale said.
“He was a month between runs, and they never sat up in the race. They ran along at a good clip the whole way and Observer, he’s a class horse.
“I thought he did a good job to keep rolling along on the hot speed like he did, especially off the gap between runs.
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“He would have benefitted off it, and if you take the top three out and it’s a very even race.
“He always puts his best foot forward and his run in the Sires’ at Flemington was good and I think getting back to the bigger track at Flemington is only going to help him, especially stepping up to the mile.
“It’s a race that can throw up a rough result and Simon’s team is flying, they’re getting result after result and I’m confident they will have him in tip-top order on Saturday.”
For the best value, visit betting sites with racing betting markets for the Australian Guineas.
Shivam Dube, left, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: The uncertainty surrounding India’s campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has finally cleared. After a dramatic round of Super 8 matches, the defending champions now have a straightforward path to the knockouts.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!South Africa’s commanding nine-wicket win over West Indies in Ahmedabad confirmed the Proteas’ place in the semi-finals from Group 1. Later in the day, India strengthened their position with a resounding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in Chennai.With Zimbabwe eliminated and South Africa already through, the final Group 1 clash between India and West Indies at Eden Gardens on Sunday has effectively turned into a virtual quarterfinal.
India keep T20 World Cup dream alive, over to Kolkata now
India Semifinal Qualification Scenario
The equation is simple: India must beat the West Indies to qualify for the semi-finals.Both teams currently sit on two points from two matches. The winner of Sunday’s encounter will join South Africa in the last four.There is, however, one small caveat. If the match is washed out due to rain — and there is no reserve day — West Indies would advance on the basis of a superior net run rate, knocking India out of the tournament. At present, though, there is no forecast suggesting weather disruption in Kolkata.In short, the calculators are back in the bag. For India, it is purely a win-and-progress scenario.
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India’s qualification push gathered serious momentum after a batting masterclass against Zimbabwe. Posting 256/4 — the second-highest total in men’s T20 World Cup history — India entertained home fans with a barrage of sixes.Abhishek Sharma returned to form with a blistering half-century, while Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma provided a thunderous finish. Zimbabwe fought back through Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97, but India’s bowlers ensured a comfortable victory.Earlier, South Africa’s clinical chase of 177 against West Indies reshaped the group. A rapid opening partnership between Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock made light work of the target, underlining why the Proteas remain unbeaten in the tournament.
Worn down after four years in charge of Morocco, Walid Regragui is expected to step down with the World Cup now less than four months away. The Moroccan federation, which met on Thursday, is likely to announce Regragui’s successor soon. The leading candidate is Mohamed Ouahbi, currently in charge of the nation’s U20 world champion side.
Manchester United have a busy summer ahead, regardless of whether they clinch qualification for the Champions League
It has been a busy week for several Premier League sides thanks to European responsibilities, but Manchester United have had the luxury of observing from the sidelines. Weekend opponents Crystal Palace faced Zrinjski Mostar in the second leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday, giving them only a few days’ recovery time ahead of their visit to Old Trafford.
Should Michael Carrick’s side capitalise and claim all three points, it would bring them a little closer to making sure they end the season in the top four. Nearest rivals Chelsea and Liverpool will be looking to ramp up the pressure, though, with Arne Slot’s reigning champions welcoming West Ham to Anfield on Saturday and Liam Rosenior’s Blues taking on league leaders Arsenal in Sunday’s 4.30pm kick-off.
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Carrick’s own position may well depend on his ability to build upon the foundations he has already laid. United have accumulated 16 points from a possible 18 under the interim manager, and appear to have reaped the rewards of a lighter schedule whilst their competitors contend with a more congested calendar.
In today’s round-up, attention shifts to the summer transfer window and the business the club will and won’t be pursuing. Here’s the very latest from around Old Trafford.
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Onana may not get his wish
Manchester United have no plans to reintegrate goalkeeper André Onana next season, according to TeamTalk. The Cameroon international is currently on loan at Trabzonspor but is not anticipated to remain with the Turkish side beyond the conclusion of the current campaign.
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United are reportedly eager to remove Onana’s wages from their payroll, with Senne Lammens now firmly established as the number one keeper at Old Trafford. Reports suggest they will dismiss Onana’s request to prove his worth back at Old Trafford, instead seeking to offload him this summer, whether that’s on another loan or in a permanent deal, which would surely force them to take a hit on the £47m they paid Inter Milan to acquire him in 2023.
Mainoo contract risk
United face the prospect of allowing Kobbie Mainoo to enter the final year of his contract without a new deal in place. The Sun report that neither party has yet resumed negotiations over an extension, with the midfielder currently still on the deal he agreed around the time he made his debut for the club in 2023.
Mainoo turned down an offer from United towards the close of the 2024/25 season and struggled for regular game time under Ruben Amorim in the first half of the current campaign. There was talk of a departure in January amid interest from Napoli but he has re-established himself as a first-team regular under interim manager Carrick.
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United do retain a one-year extension clause on Mainoo’s contract, which currently runs until the summer of 2027. However, the club are said to be planning further discussions over a lengthier deal when the time comes to reopen talks with his representatives.
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Ronaldo’s new investment
Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Spanish side Almeria. The promotion-chasing club was bought by Saudi consortium SMC Group and has now seen Ronaldo invest via CR7 Sports Investments.
“It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said in a statement as the investment was confirmed. “UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the club’s next phase of growth.”
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
Man Utd are seeing commercial revenues fall and are without a training kit sponsor this season, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments on immigration are also a challenge.
06:00, 27 Feb 2026
The fallout from Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that the United Kingdom is being “colonised by immigrants” might have died down now, a couple of weeks after the Manchester United co-owner made the controversial claim in a TV interview that angered club staff, players and fans.
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Its after-effects might be felt for a little longer yet, however. Ratcliffe has been quiet since his half-hearted apology the following day, and United will be hoping the issue blows over, but it could still cause complications, especially at a time when the club’s commercial team are trying to raise revenues and attract new partners.
“I’m not sure they will be forgotten, that kind of thing sticks, and that is something that if he’s well advised, he will be thinking about,” sport marketing expert Tim Crow told the Manchester Evening News.
“It’s not every day that a football club owner makes a comment that the Prime Minister then says you should apologise for and withdraw. That’s not tomorrow’s fish and chips wrapper, that sticks because Google has got a long memory.”
United’s latest financial results, released this week, spelt it out in black and white, reporting a 13.5% drop in revenues compared to the same three-month period last year. That is almost all down to the absence of a training kit sponsor this season, with the £24million-a-year Tezos deal expiring at the end of last season.
The partnership with DXC Technology is also set to expire at the end of this season, but United insist they are relaxed about both situations and would rather wait for the right partner at the right time, rather than rush into a deal that doesn’t provide value.
They aren’t alone in finding the market more competitive now, and Chelsea haven’t had a permanent shirt sponsor for the last three seasons. But at a crucial time for United, having their co-owner voice his opinion on such a controversial topic is unlikely to be helpful.
“Sponsors don’t like risk,” said Crow. “You can imagine the sponsorship managers of the various companies wake up in the morning and they see that comment. And they’re thinking, ‘right, okay, I’m gonna have a chat with the CEO now, explain what’s going on, they’ve got to call the club’. It creates a lot of work, a lot of angst, and it’s unnecessary.”
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How much of an impediment it is to attracting new sponsors will only become clear in the months ahead. United still set the standard with many of their deals, signing industry-leading partnerships with Adidas (£90million a year) and Snapdragon (£60million a year) recently, and sources insist there is still plenty of interest from brands in partnering with the club.
“Whilst the marketing department would have probably listened to that interview with their fingers covering their eyes, I don’t think it will make a significant difference, because Manchester United are looking for an international or global brand to partner with,” said football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
“For a long-term relationship, they’re more concerned about getting value for money. It’s not helped, but I genuinely don’t think it will have hindered things either.
“If somebody wants to partner with United, they can separate Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s role as the golf club bore from the benefits that partnering with a brand as strong as Manchester United.”
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Anecdotal evidence certainly suggests United aren’t finding it as easy as they once did to attract sponsors. There has been upheaval in the commercial department and the days when Ed Woodward could claim playing performance was irrelevant to the club’s commercial success appear to be over.
United fell to their lowest-ever position in the Deloitte Football Money League recently, sliding four places down to eighth, and they are likely to fall further next season, although it will primarily be down to a lack of European football and a season that will include just 20 games at Old Trafford.
“There are larger issues that have been holding United back, and continue to hold them back, which are what you might call standard commercial issues,” explains Crow.
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“On the pro side, what they’ve got is they’ve a very good reputation for their partners. They handle partners very well and have done for a long time.
“The other is that because of an extraordinary period where the Premier League was growing globally and United was doing so well, they benefited from the growth of each other, and United generated this enormous worldwide fan base.
“But they are being caught up, and the signs are that when it comes to the contest for new fans, they are not acquiring new fans anywhere near as quickly as they used to be
“That’s down to two things: one is success on the field and the other is the type of football United have been playing. Something that a lot of people forget is that the reason United were such a commercial phenomenon was not just about the fact that they were good; it was the type of football they played. United forgot that for a while.”
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Returning to the Champions League, which United are on course to do, will be a significant boost to their ability to attract new partners. It is transformative in terms of global eyeballs on the club. Something else which could help is if the club’s new signings continue their own impressive impact at Old Trafford.
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“What have Manchester United prepared to throw into the deal?” asks Maguire. “Which players are going to be doing the advertising? That’s always important. With no disrespect, you don’t want the Under-21s left-back, and Manchester United at the present perhaps don’t have, with the exception of Bruno. They don’t really have that many faces where you would really like your product aligned with the brand.
“At the end of the season, if Bryan Mbeumo continues to play as well as he is doing, if Cunha is going well, then United might be in a stronger position, especially if they qualify for the Champions League, when they go to the market holding a much stronger hand.”
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But one issue they can’t escape is the market’s competitive nature. Crow tells a story of one of his clients receiving 11 separate commercial proposals from Premier League clubs in the space of a week.
“It’s a tough market at the moment. The global economy is very volatile, very patchy, a lot of turbulence and it is not easy to find that kind of money,” he said.
“You can see examples all over the place, not just in top football but in top sport everywhere, where people are finding it hard to retain and find new sponsors. It is just a tough marketplace and it’s incredibly competitive.”
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United have found form under Michael Carrick, edging towards a return to the Champions League, and what Crow referred to as the club’s DNA has also been restored recently.
They will be two major advantages as they seek at least two new partners this summer, when they hope Ratcliffe’s comments are long forgotten and the positives on the pitch are the biggest selling point.
“Well, the further away it gets from Old Trafford, the less of an issue it is,” said Crow. “What effect does it have on United over time from a PR perspective? I think there are a lot of other things in the mix when it comes to sponsorship. This is an unwelcome one, but I suspect it’s just a short-term issue, which would not have endeared him to any of United’s sponsors.”
