Nottingham Forest build partnership with Object 1
Premier League club Nottingham Forest have secured a new global partnership with international property developer Object 1.
The multi-year agreement sees the developer become an official partner of the club. The deal will provide Object 1 with brand visibility across the club’s digital platforms and in-stadium at The City Ground on matchdays. The partnership will also focus on community-led initiatives in the Nottingham area.
The deal comes as Object 1 continues to expand its presence in the UK market. The developer is known for its large-scale residential and commercial projects across Europe and the Middle East.
WSL sets new standard with Kitman Labs tech deal
The agreement will provide every Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2 club with access to Kitman Labs’ iP: Intelligence Platform. The technology, which includes Performance Medicine, Performance Optimisation, and Coaching & Development solutions, will be implemented across both senior and academy squads.
Kitman labs’ new partnership aims to give clubs a unified, data-driven approach to managing player health, performance, and development. The WSL is the first women’s league in the world to implement this type of system at scale, setting a new benchmark for player welfare and the use of technology in women’s football.
The platform will enable continuous tracking of player health, streamlined rehabilitation and injury prevention workflows, and the secure transfer of player data between clubs and national teams.
Channel 4 makes a splash with Boat Race deal
The Boat Race has announced a new multi-year broadcast agreement with Channel 4, which will become the exclusive free-to-air UK television home of the event.
The five-year deal, which begins in 2026, follows a competitive rights bid and will see the broadcaster provide coverage of both the Men’s and Women’s Boat Races. The partnership will cover the centenary of the Women’s Boat Race in 2027 and the bicentenary of the Men’s Boat Race in 2029.
Taking place in 2026, the next Boat Race will take commence on Saturday 4th April, with the Women’s Boat Race at 14:21 and the Men’s Boat Race at 15:21. Coverage will be produced by specialist sports production company FilmNova.
Khan swaps gloves for promoter’s hat
Former unified world champion boxer Amir Khan has launched a new boxing promotion, with an event set to take place in Nigeria.
Khan’s new venture, AK Promotions, has partnered with the African-based Balmoral Group Promotions to stage the ‘Chaos in the Ring’ event. The move into promotion follows a debut event held earlier in the year, with Khan identifying Africa as a key growth market for the sport.
Amir Khan said, “I’m still new to the game but I want to learn quick and move quick. Why Africa? I think it’s an untouched market. I’m not expecting to make anything in the next couple of years as a promoter. I’m happy to roll the dice because I want to learn the trade as I go. I made them millions, let’s see if they do the same for me now.”
Ed Smith begins term as MCC President
Former England batter and selector Ed Smith has begun his 12-month term as President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), succeeding Lord King of Lothbury.
Smith, who was announced as the new President at the Club’s Annual General Meeting, played for Kent, Middlesex and England before becoming Chief Selector for the England men’s team in 2018.
Ed Smith, President, MCC, said, “It is a huge honour to succeed Lord King as President of MCC. Lord’s has been a special part of my life – as a cricket fan, a player and then as a selector – and this is a fascinating moment in the club’s history. I’m looking forward to serving the Club – and the wider game – to the best of my ability.”
Tudor Pro Cycling Team partner with Hytro
Tudor Pro Cycling Team have partnered with human performance company Hytro, becoming the brand’s official Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) supplier.
As part of the agreement, Tudor riders trialled Hytro’s patented BFR wearables during a recent training camp to measure how the technology could accelerate recovery and improve performance. The collaboration, led by Tudor’s performance staff and Hytro’s science team, aims to validate wearable BFR as a performance tool in professional cycling.
