KSI’s minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge is the latest sign that celebrity ownership is changing how lower-league clubs grow. In this week’s issue: the rise of creator-backed football clubs, New Balance’s chess-inspired Eberechi Eze campaign, Kith and On’s cinematic running film.
Rich Hewes
If you care about how brands show up around big cultural moments, this summer’s World Cup is going to be a stress test. Not just for creative work, but for how well we understand what football actually provides people with in 2026.
Rich Hewes
From Chelsea’s “Return of the Rebel” and TAG Heuer’s revived Formula 1 watches to fans co‑creating future kits with AI, clubs and brands are using nostalgia to draw in fans, blending archive with the present day to offer continuity in a culture where the past is as valuable as the future.
Rich Hewes
Brands are falling over themselves to get into women’s sport, but too many still treat it like a bolt-on sponsorship. The real wins, however, can be found in telling richer stories, tapping into their wider passions, and committing to the game long after the final whistle.
Hannah Bowler
