Episodes

  • Weekend Edition
    May 31 2024

    This week on The Sports Agents,

    UK cyclist Lizzy Banks joined Gabby & Mark in the studio, following her 10-month battle with UK Anti-Doping, for an insight into what actually happens when you fail a drugs test and the reality of trying to live as a 'clean' athlete under the current rules.

    The youngest executive in English football history, and current West Ham Director, Jack Sullivan, joined us later in the week to to help us find out how the big calls, like replacing the head coach, or voting on whether or not to scrap VAR, are actually made at Premier League clubs.

    Just scroll back through The Sports Agents feed to listen to these interviews in full. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

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    12 mins
  • How does a Premier League club find a new manager?
    May 30 2024

    Today on The Sports Agents - as Bayern Munich announce Vincent Kompany, Chelsea turn to Enzo Maresca and Barcelona appoint Hansi Flick - West Ham Director, Jack Sullivan, gives us an insight into how the big calls are really made at Premier League clubs.

    Jack reflects on how David Moyes exit was handled, the process of identifying his successor Julen Lopetegui, as well as, the due diligence involved in transfers, being a teenager in a Premier League boardroom and how clubs will work together ahead of next week's vote to decide on the future of VAR.

    Plus, Gabby & Mark explain the big shake-up in the Netball Super League, which has caused outrage on the south-coast and why it matters that Emma Hayes' replacement at Chelsea, is not a man.

    Running order:

    Jack Sullivan interview (06:40)

    Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

    Producer: Sophie Penney

    Video Producer: Sam Trudgill

    Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

    Tom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast network

    Vicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global

    You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".

    And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

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    39 mins
  • What it's like to fail a drugs test
    May 28 2024

    *Trigger warning* Some of the themes explored within our interview with Lizzy Banks contains mention of suicide and suicidal thoughts

    Today on The Sports Agents, what's it really like for athletes living under the cloud of a failed drugs test?

    Lizzy Banks, the UK cyclist who has spoken out against Anti-Doping authorities following her 10-month battle to clear her name - which ultimately cost her, her sporting career and almost her life.

    Lizzy sheds light on the mind-blowing level of commitment it takes to be a 'clean athlete' and why WADA's rules are no longer fit for purpose.

    Plus, Gabby & Mark pay homage to some monster times from British middle-distance runners in the run up to the Paris Olympics as Josh Kerr and Keely Hodgkinson impressed in Oregon over the weekend.

    Running order:

    Lizzy Banks interview (11:07)

    Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

    Producer: Sophie Penney

    Video Producer: Sam Trudgill

    Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

    Tom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast network

    Vicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global

    You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".

    And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

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    42 mins
  • Weekend Edition
    May 24 2024

    This week on The Sports Agents,

    We brought you an exclusive interview between The News Agents' own Jon Sopel and the Arsenal and Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko - who reflected Arsenal's season and waning support for the war.

    A special insight into how world title fights are actually scored from the referee at the centre of what was described as the 'biggest robbery in boxing history'.

    Gabby & Mark then sat down with the Football League Chairman Rick Parry to discuss the widening gulf between the Premier League and The Championship, ahead of this weekend's Play-Off final.

    Plus, reaction to Gareth Southgate's provisional squad for this summer's Euros with Joe Cole and much more...

    New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

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    12 mins
  • Is Premier League promotion starting to feel pointless?
    May 23 2024

    Ahead of the Championship Play-off Final, dubbed 'the richest game in football', EFL Chairman Rick Parry, joins Gabby & Mark to answer the big questions facing the Football League - What’s the point in Premier League promotion? Is the gulf between the top two tiers of English football too big and how would a Government regulator close it?

    Plus, with Vincent Kompany set to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich and as Chelsea eye Ipswich's Kieran McKenna and Leicester's Enzo Maresca, how has the profile of a desirable manager changed?

    Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

    Producer: Rory Symon

    Video Producer: Sam Trudgill

    Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

    Tom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast network

    Vicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global

    You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".

    And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

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    41 mins
  • Judging the 'biggest robbery in British boxing history'
    May 22 2024

    Was Oleksandr Usyk's split-decision victory over Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight crown the correct decision? Should the referee have stopped the fight in the 9th? Does boxing need VAR?...

    The Sports Agents brings you a bonus interview with former star referee and judge, Ian John-Lewis, days before the eagerly anticipated rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall - a fight described as the 'biggest robbery in boxing history', where Ian was one of the two judges who scored it in favour of Taylor... and never worked for the British Boxing Board of Control again.

    In this bonus episode, Gabby & Mark explore how elite fights are actually scored, what influences the decision to let a boxer continue and Ian's long drawn-out court battle to clear his name.

    New episodes every Tuesday & Thursday

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    23 mins
  • Zinchenko exclusive: Ukraine's 'real heroes' & Why Arsenal's trophies will come
    May 21 2024

    Today on The Sports Agents, an exclusive interview with the Arsenal & Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko.

    In an emotional sit-down with The News Agents' Jon Sopel, Zinchenko talks about football and the war. The pride in representing Ukraine at this summer's European Championships and his 'duty' to use his profile to continue to help.

    Plus, as the Gunners missed out on the Premier League title on the final day, Zinchenko explains why Arteta's team are edging closer to silverware and reflects on that Son one-on-one!

    Later, after Gareth Southgate named his provisional England squad for this summer's Euros, Mark & Gabby speak to former England forward Joe Cole about what it feels like to make the squad for a tournament, Rashford's omission and Foden's best position.

    Guest Sports Agent: Jon Sopel

    Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

    Producer: David Domb

    Video Producer: Sam Trudgill

    Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

    Tom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast network

    Vicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global

    You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".

    And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

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    38 mins
  • Weekend Edition
    May 17 2024

    This week on The Sports Agents former England defender Rio Ferdinand joined us to discuss the stigma around mental health in football and whether teams are now better equipped to work with players who are struggling.

    We were also joined by Jadon Sancho's former youth coach and mentor Sayce Lewis-Holmes to find out more about the level of pressure on aspiring footballers today.

    Plus, with a huge final couple of days in the Premier League and WSL seasons this weekend, football writer Henry Winter talked us through a whole host of topics including the 115 charges for Manchester City over alleged breaches of financial fair play.

    New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday

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    11 mins