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Bucking Broncos turn a nice buck
How much is sporting success worth? The question can be answered when the team is also part of a publicly-listed company. The answer is almost $70 million, judging by the share price of Australia’s only listed sporting club, the Brisbane Broncos. Broncos shares (ASX : BBL) soared to a record high on Monday, a day after the Brisbane club won the National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Finals for men and women. At the time of writing the shares were trading at $2.01, which represented a 69 cent (52.3%) increase on the closing price last Friday and capitalised the company at $197.06 million. This increase represents $67.4 million. The Broncos beat the Melbourne Storm 26-22 in the NRL decider and the Sydney Roosters 17-16 in the NRL Women’s final, both played in Sunday. The shares opened at $1.40 and traded as high as $2.01. The company, incorporated in 1987 and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 1989, is 69% owned by News Corp (ASX: NWS) unit News Limited, which moved to control after a takeover bid in 2002, having previously held a smaller stake.
Sports
Nike shares strengthen despite drop in Q1 earnings
Nike has reported a 31% fall in net income for the first quarter of the 2026 financial year (Q1 FY26), but its share price rose because revenue increased unexpectedly. The global sportswear company said net income fell to US$727 million (A$1.098 billion) in the three months ended 31 August 2025 from $1.051 billion a year earlier on revenue, which increased 1% to $11.7 billion. Analysts had expected revenue to drop by 5.1% to $11 billion, according to Reuters, which quoted data compiled by LSEG. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) fell 30% to 49 cents. Nike (NYSE: NKE) shares closed 16 cents (0.23%) higher at $69.73 on Tuesday (Wednesday), capitalising the company at US$102.98 billion, before rising 2.45% to $72.18 in after-hours trading. The company said its gross margin fell 320 basis points to 42.2% in Q1, mainly because of a lower average selling price, which reflected higher discounts and the channel mix, along with higher tariffs in North America, but selling and administrative expenses dropped 1%. Nike expected tariffs to cost it about $1.5 billion, compared with the $1 billion expected earlier, according to a Reuters story. Direct revenues fell 4% to $4.5 billion, wholesale revenues rose 7% to $6.8 billion
Sports
Share sale values Bears at NFL record US$8.9bn
A new high-water mark has been set for the value of National Football League (NFL) teams, with the Chicago Bears reportedly worth US$8.9 billion (A$13.5 billion) based on a transaction approved by the NFL. The NFL finance committee approved the sale of 2.35% of the team by the estate of Andrew McKenna to the two other shareholders, according to CNBC. The McCaskey family will lift its ownership to 77% by acquiring two-thirds of the stake and the Ryan family will move to 23% with the balance, CNBC wrote in this story, citing people familiar with the deal who asked not to be identified. This beats the $8.6 billion record based on the sale of a minority shareholding set for the San Francisco 49ers in May, when a 6.2% stake changed hands, and the Bears’ last valuation of $6.4 billion a year ago. Investors typically pay a premium for control of any company, although CNBC reported smaller stakes below 10% can, in fact, sell at a higher premium than control shareholdings because of the smaller outlay and rarity in gaining access. The last control sale of an NFL team was Josh Harris’ purchase of the Washington Commanders for $6.05 billion in 2023.
Sports
AFL clubs kick membership records
Membership of Australian Football League (AFL) clubs increased 3.26% to a record 1,363,437 in 2025. The AFL said more than 240,000 people joined clubs this year, with 14 of the 18 clubs in the national competition, which spans five states, setting membership records. Collingwood, Carlton and the West Coast Eagles surpassed 100,000 members, with Carlton doing it for the second year, Collingwood the third and West Coast the sixth consecutive year. Collingwood hit an all-time VFL/AFL Club Member record with an individual club membership tally of 112,491. The AFLW (Australian Football League Women) also set a record with membership rising 15% to 79,309 year-on-year, with memberships on sale until the end of the 2025 season. “One in 20 Australians are a member of an AFL Club. The 18 clubs do an amazing job of driving the passion and commitment of all our fans, reflected with 14 clubs breaking their all-time membership record,” CEO Andrew Dillon said in statement. “From the AFL and the clubs, I thank all club members and the seven million plus fans who attended a game this season – the loyalty shown makes our game great.” Reigning Premiers, the Brisbane Lions recorded an 18.7% increase in membership, with Port Adela
Sports
Lions tour helps Rugby Australia tackle debt
The British & Irish Lions series this year has allowed Rugby Australia (RA) to become debt-free and focus on making the game sustainable in the long term. RA, the peak body for rugby union in Australia, said an A$80 million (US$52.3 million) loan from private equity firm Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), which was taken out in 2023 to cover a deficit, had been paid off earlier than expected. “Repaying the credit facility ahead of schedule is a significant milestone for the game and reflects the commercial success of the British & Irish Lions series, cost discipline and the efficacy of Rugby Australia’s organisational reset,” Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Paul Waugh said in a statement. The sporting body’s losses widened to $36.8 million in 2024 from $9.1 million in 2023 despite a 1.5% lift in revenue to $126.3 million as costs, particularly player payments and staff costs, increased, leaving it with a negative equity of $49.8 million. Costs included taking ownership of the Waratahs and ACT Brumbies Super Rugby teams and funding the Melbourne Rebels team in the same competition. But RA believed the deficit was manageable because of the credit facility and strong cash flow expected from the Lions Tour and

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Wallabies sign Endeavour's Cape Mentelle as wine partner
Rugby Australia has announced a partnership with a premium wine business owned by hotels and alcohol retailer Endeavour Group. Australian rugby union’s governing body said Cape Mentelle would be the official wine partner of national team the Wallabies for the next three years to 2027. This means Cape Mentelle wine will be served at Wallabies events and functions. "We’re thrilled to have Cape Mentelle officially on board with the Wallabies as the official wine partner,” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said in a media release. “Like Cape Mentelle, the Wallabies, and the Wallaroos, pride themselves on holding the highest of standards and we look forward to raising a glass or two from one of their exceptional wines over the next three years when we mark momentous occasions.” Founded in 1970 and now owned by Endeavour Group’s (ASX: EDV) premium wine subsidiary Paragon Wine Estates, Cape Mentelle has a portfolio of premium wines produced in the Margaret River region of Western Australia. Cape Mentelle replaces the privately-owned Taylor Wines, which had been wine partner since 2021. "Just like the Wallabies, Cape Mentelle embodies teamwork, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It is this shared spir
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Oxford to build UK's first all-electric football stadium
The United Kingdom’s first all-electric football stadium will be built for Oxford United, with the project also set to encourage sustainable transport and greater biodiversity. The stadium will seat 16,000, and the site will feature an events space, hotel, and community plaza. “This project is more than a stadium – it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the future of Oxford’s only professional club, and deliver lasting social benefits for Oxford’s communities at the same time,” said Ridge and Partners planning partner Giles Brockbank. Environmental consultancy Ridge developed the project alongside architecture firm AFL Architects. “As the first all-electric stadium in the UK, it will operate entirely on renewable energy, integrating 3,500 square metres of roof-mounted photovoltaic panels to help reduce the impact on the national grid during matchdays. An air-source heat pump and energy efficient building fabric will remove the need for carbon-based fuels and provide an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions per year compared with gas boilers,” according to Ridge. The project’s planning application has been approved by Cherwell District Council, and will now be referred to the U.K.'s government, as it would be bu
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AFL extends footy finals tickets price freeze
The Australian Football League (AFL) has frozen prices for entry-level tickets for all matches in the first three weeks of the finals for the 10th successive year but it is not likely to dent revenue across the season. The AFL, Australia's largest sporting body, said entry-level tickets would remain $35 for the first two weeks of the finals (4-13 September) and $65 for week three (19-20 September), continuing a price freeze in place since 2016. It said entry-level tickets for the Grand Final on Saturday 27 September would increase for the first time since 2019 with the cheapest reserved seat set at $195, part of a 4% average price increase on all ticket categories from 2024 in response to rising costs. The most expensive ticket would be $515, compared to $493 in 2024. General admission prices for the Melbourne venues where 40% of AFL regular season games are played, the 100,000 capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground and 53,000 person Marvel Stadium, have been frozen for seven years. They cost $27 for adults, $18 for concession holders $5 for juniors and $54 for families. Despite the freezes the AFL’s commercial operations revenue, which includes ticket sales, increased 12% to $465.589 million in 2024 because of higher
Sports
Rapper to entertain packed Aussie footy joint
American rapper Snoop Dogg will perform before the Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final. The AFL on Tuesday announced the singer, songwriter, actor and entrepreneur as the pre-game entertainment at a venue which is likely to be filled to capacity on 27 September. The league, which generated a net profit of A$41.327 million (US$26.9 million) on revenue of $1.029 billion in 2024, did not disclose the cost of hiring the performer, but it could be as much as $2 million to $3 million, based on previous Grand Final performances and his hiring rate. “Snoop Dogg is a pioneer, a performer, and a true entertainer. He’s played to packed stadiums around the world — but we think 100,000 fans at the MCG might just be his most iconic crowd yet,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said in a media release. “We want Grand Final Day to be an unforgettable celebration of footy — and beyond the four quarters of the match, a celebration of culture, energy, and entertainment. Snoop fits that brief better than anyone.” Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr but nicknamed Snoop Dogg because of his childhood likeness to Peanuts cartoon character Snoopy, he rose to fame in the 1990s as a singer but has since branched into film, television, business and e