World Athletics facing commercial acquisition proposal by RunGP in bid to shake up sport
The organisation behind new running league RunGP is devising a bold plan to acquire the commercial operations of World Athletics in a bid to revamp the sport, The Independent has learned.
The Global Running League (GRL), which last week announced the launch of RunGP on Formula One circuits around the world, wants to take control of World Athletics' sponsorship and media deals in a model similar to that of F1, where the FIA administrates the sport and US company Liberty Media owns the commercial rights.
World Athletics has been considering establishing a company to manage broadcast rights and is understood to be open to new partners.
Marcel Muenster, a healthcare entrepreneur and the CEO of both GRL and RunGP, believes World Athletics needs fresh innovative formats to breathe new life into the sport, particularly through mass participation running events like marathons.
RunGP is a team-based series designed to combine elite athletes and influencers in races around F1 tracks. It is backed by Sir Mo Farah and the inaugural event, which will be streamed live by DAZN, will take place at the Lusail International Circuit, home to the Qatar Grand Prix, on 9-10 May.
Muenster told The Independent the plans are about 'merging forces and not taking over World Athletics as a foundation … [we want to] take the commercial rights, create a spin-off and basically make this into a for-profit entity, while the governing body itself should remain independent.'
World Athletics makes profits in Olympic years thanks to direct payment from the International Olympic Committee, but those profits are outweighed by the intervening three years in each Olympic cycle, with losses of around £13m and £12m posted in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
The World Athletics Championships take place every two years and are the sport's main draw outside the Olympic Games. The Diamond League, its annual series of global meets, meanwhile faces competition as Michael Johnson prepares to roll out the elite-only Grand Slam Track in Jamaica next month.
A Saudi Arabia-backed sports fund, SURJ Sports Investments, is separately considering investing in the sport, according to a recent report by Reuters.
Muenster did not disclose the potential finances involved in any deal with RunGP but believes World Athletics is receptive to a proposal.
'This is intended to change the sport,' he added. 'Sometimes you need to break something to change it. It comes from a good place. It's not a hostile takeover, it's just the sport has so much potential.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Amelie Mauresmo says French Open organisers will address problem of empty seats
Women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng played out one of the biggest match-ups of the tournament in the quarter-finals. But with the match beginning at 11am, the vast Court Philippe-Chatrier was almost deserted, with many of the French spectators having lunch instead. Qinwen Zheng played Aryna Sabalenka in front of empty seats (Lindsey Wasson/AP) Mauresmo said: 'We are aware of this, and we will definitely work on the solutions that we can find for the future. 'In two weeks we have our debrief all together and definitely talk about these subjects and see how we can make it work better.' The lack of women's matches in the prime-time night sessions remains a hot topic but Mauresmo once again stressed that is purely down to men's best-of-five set matches being longer, ensuring value for money for ticket holders. 'I think we wouldn't be having this conversation if we would have the same format for both games, because in my opinion it's the length or the possible length of the match that is making it hard for us in terms of scheduling,' she added.' Amelie Mauresmo oversaw the 2025 tournament (Christophe Ena/AP) The French Open remains the last of the four grand slams to still use line judges rather than electric line calling, which is currently considered not reliable on clay. Former Wimbledon champion Mauresmo said the standard of line judging was good at the tournament, but admitted the issue still remains up for discussion. 'Generally speaking, we had a very high level and this is a very great satisfaction for us, because, as you know, we are the last of the Mohicans to some extent with the line judges,' she said. 'We will be looking at it again this year, in what way would there not be line judges next year. I don't really have the answer to that, but we will look at that question.'
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Amelie Mauresmo says French Open organisers will address problem of empty seats
French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo will address the problem of empty seats for early matches ahead of next year's Roland Garros. Women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng played out one of the biggest match-ups of the tournament in the quarter-finals. But with the match beginning at 11am, the vast Court Philippe-Chatrier was almost deserted, with many of the French spectators having lunch instead. Mauresmo said: 'We are aware of this, and we will definitely work on the solutions that we can find for the future. 'In two weeks we have our debrief all together and definitely talk about these subjects and see how we can make it work better.' The lack of women's matches in the prime-time night sessions remains a hot topic but Mauresmo once again stressed that is purely down to men's best-of-five set matches being longer, ensuring value for money for ticket holders. 'I think we wouldn't be having this conversation if we would have the same format for both games, because in my opinion it's the length or the possible length of the match that is making it hard for us in terms of scheduling,' she added.' The French Open remains the last of the four grand slams to still use line judges rather than electric line calling, which is currently considered not reliable on clay. Former Wimbledon champion Mauresmo said the standard of line judging was good at the tournament, but admitted the issue still remains up for discussion. 'Generally speaking, we had a very high level and this is a very great satisfaction for us, because, as you know, we are the last of the Mohicans to some extent with the line judges,' she said. 'We will be looking at it again this year, in what way would there not be line judges next year. I don't really have the answer to that, but we will look at that question.'
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Boxer Keyshawn Davis ‘escorted out by police after backstage brawl caught on camera with his brother's opponent'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BOXER Keyshawn Davis was reportedly escorted out by police after a backstage brawl with his brother's opponent. Keyshawn was due to headline a homecoming show in Norfolk, Virginia with his brothers Keon and Kelvin on the undercard. 5 Keyshawn Davis was reportedly escorted out by police after a backstage brawl Credit: ESPN 5 It came after Kelvin Davis' loss Credit: ESPN 5 Nahir Albright's brother is in the purple Credit: ESPN But the 2020 Olympic silver medalist missed weight by 4.3lb and was stripped of his WBO lightweight world title. And opponent Edwin De Los Santos later pulled out of fighting Keyshawn at a revised weight - but was still paid his full purse. The show still went on and Keon scored a knockout win but Kelvin was stunned on points by Nahir Albright. And later in the night, ESPN footage captured the moment Keyshawn was involved in a backstage brawl with Albright. READ MORE IN BOXING 'Class act' Justis Huni's incredible dressing room reaction moments after Fabio Wardley KO In an interview with ESPN, Albright claimed he was "jumped" by Keyshawn and Keon. He said: "They started walking up to me all tough, putting his head against mine, and then grabbed me. "Then I was about to swing, but my team and everybody, they grabbed Keyshawn and everything, and it was crazy." Albright also alleged that Keyshawn headbutted him and added he is contemplating whether to take legal action. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The Davis brothers declined to comment when asked by ESPN. Keyshawn beat Albright by decision in 2023 - but the win was overturned to a no-contest when he tested positive for marijuana. Now Albright says there is unfinished business between the two that he plans to settle one way or another. He said: "It's definitely unfortunate, but it added fuel to the flame. Keyshawn, you gotta run it back with me - in the ring, not outside of the ring." 5 Nahir Albright, left, beat Kelvin Davis Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
