Inside Wimbledon: 66,000 balls, secret languages & wrestling with tradition

Imagine you win your first major trophy and then a month later, you still don't know if you're getting European football. Gabby and Mark speak about Crystal Palace's excruciating wait, how it all ties into Lyon's forced relegation, and whether UEFA are making a scapegoat out of the wrong club. That's with French football journalist Julien Laurens and Dan Cook, aka. HLTCO - the Palace fan channel. (10:04)Plus, after Man City's dramatic exit is Juergen Klopp still right that the Club World Cup is the "worst idea ever implemented in football"? And can you imagine making the second round of Wimbledon but not being allowed to keep the £100,000 prize money?! You can watch our full episodes on YouTube here!Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty GiddingsTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!

The moment England women lifted the Euros trophy, ending all those years of hurt, is etched in our memories. Next week, they defend that title. So Mark spoke to two stars of the England team, Lauren Hemp and Niamh Charles, in an exclusive interview at St George's Park. Who's going to step up as leaders with Mary Earps and Millie Bright missing? What's do they like most about Sarina Wiegman's coaching? And have you heard of this card game they're all obsessed with? And as the England men's cricket team pull off one of their best ever comebacks in the first Test against India, Mark chats to ex-England cricketer Steven Finn and The Telegraph's Tim Wigmore. Tim's book, "Test Cricket: A History" is out now!You can watch our full episodes on YouTube here!Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty Giddings & Matt HughesTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!

Gabby heads down to Wimbledon to take you behind the scenes of one of the world's most prestigious sporting events. From the practice courts to Murray Mount, we meet the man who coached Andy Murray to win Wimbledon, the US Open and the Olympics, Daniel Vallverdu, and the world number one doubles player, Marcelo Arevalo. We're joined by the person in charge of the 66,000 tennis balls, Andy Chevalier, and the hitting partner for Aryna Sabalenka and Venus Williams, Jessica Matthews. Plus, does tennis broadcaster Gigi Salmon think Jack Draper could go all the way? Can Emma Raducanu shake off the pressure? And how will Wimbledon look different this year? You can watch our full episodes on YouTube here!Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty GiddingsTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!

Gabby and Mark hear the behind the scenes story of the attempted poisoning of former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the snap sale of the London football club. Abramovich very rarely speaks publicly but broke his silence in a new book and we’re joined today by the author, Nick Purewal. When Abramovic sold Chelsea for £2.5bn, the money was meant to go to victims of conflict - a huge sum that could change the face of global humanitarian aid. But three years later it's still frozen in a UK bank account. To explain why we're joined by the man who'll be heading up the foundation to give out that money, former Executive Director of Unicef UK, Mike Penrose. Plus, Britain's most successful female racing driver, Jamie Chadwick, tells us about the realities of racing the 24 hours of Le Mans, with 30 minutes sleep, night driving through BBQ smoke and more. And Mark & Gabby's early verdict on the Club World Cup and Wales women's Euros squad announcement from the top of Snowdon. In response to the comments made in this podcast Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “The Government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far. While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.”You can watch the full episode on our YouTube channel here. "Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC" is out now.Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty GiddingsTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!

As Royal Ascot starts, Gabby and Mark take you behind the scenes at one of the best stables in the country - Park House Stables in Kingsclere. Trained by Claire Balding's brother, Andrew Balding, the horses from Park House won over £5m in prize money domestically last year, putting them second in the Trainers Championship, and they've got 25 horses racing at Royal Ascot. Gabby and Mark hear about visits from the late Queen Elizabeth II and horse passports as we watch the horses ride out and take a tour with Anna-Lisa Balding. We meet top jockeys Hollie Doyle and Rob Hornby, to chat about the physical demands of racing and sweating to hit the right weight. Lead trainer Andrew Balding blows our minds by knowing all 250 horses inside out and explains how he prepares them to win the biggest races. Plus, Mark gets on an Equicizer horse simulator, guided by young rider trainer, Leanne White. You can watch the full episode on our YouTube channel here. Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty GiddingsTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!

Mark heads down to Soccer Aid training to meet up with some of the biggest names in sport. What does ex-England goalkeeper Jo Hart make of Man City's transfer business and how seriously is he taking Soccer Aid? (Very!) Is Bryan Habana still almost as fast as a cheetah and how does he think the Lions will fare? How do Steph Houghton and Jack Wilshere rate England at the moment heading into the Women's Euros and after that Senegal defeat? And who are they most intimidated by at Soccer Aid?Plus, Jill Scott and Leonardo Bonucci trade threats and share what they learnt from becoming European Champions. Former Spurs players Jermaine Defoe and Aaron Lennon, and former Australia and Liverpool player Harry Kewell, talk about Tottenham sacking Ange Postecoglou and whether Thomas Frank could be a good replacement. And former boxer Tony Bellew gets emotional about the last Everton game at Goodison. Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be broadcast live at 6pm on Sunday 15th June on ITV1, ITVX, STV And STV player. You can donate to UNICEF ahead of the match at socceraid.org.uk/donateThis year, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, every donation made to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million. Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty GiddingsTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!

As Lucas Paqueta’s spot-fixing trial comes to an end and we wait for the verdict, Gabby and Mark welcome convicted match-fixer, Moses Swaibu, to the studio. Swaibu went from scholar of the year at Crystal Palace to a 16-month sentence for match-fixing at non-league Bromley. He reveals how rife match fixing is now, what he did to fix games and what he wants to see change. With lower pay is the women’s game more susceptible to match fixing? The Telegraph’s Sonia Twigg tells us about her investigation into betting in women’s cricket. Plus we react to Hull KR and Wigan Warriors lifting the men’s and women’s Challenge Cup trophies, and Billy Boston’s long overdue knighthood. “Fixed: My Secret Life as a Match Fixer” is out on June 12thExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty GiddingsTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!

With the NBA Finals tipping off, Gabby and Mark talk about Michael Jordan returning to our screens to set the record straight, the great NBA draft conspiracy and why basketball is a bigger hit in Europe than the UK. That's with international basketball coach and host of The Athletic's NBA Daily podcast, Dave DuFour. Comedian Lee Mack, or Mark's doppelganger, joins us to spill Soccer Aid secrets from playing with the legends and slate Gabby's sport. Plus, Gabby and Mark react to the big dropouts for the Lionesses' Euros squad, wildcard Lois Boisson's record run at the French Open and calls from the likes of Mo Farah and Kelly Holmes for the UK to host the World Athletics Championships. Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Bogdan BriceagSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty GiddingsTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!

PSG are on top of the world after winning the Champions League but has their Euro domination masked their domestic league's ongoing financial crisis? Gabby and Mark speak to Global Sports Correspondent for The New York Times, Tariq Panja. Former Chelsea and Nigeria footballer, John Obi Mikel, joins us in the studio ahead of the Club World Cup - kicking off later this month. Are we guilty of failing to appreciate how fans outside of Europe feel about it and would players actually sit and rest if they weren't dragged off to yet another tournament? Plus, Gabby and Mark react to Simon Yates' historic Giro D'Italia victory and Alexander Bublik shocking Jack Draper at the French Open. Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Bogdan BriceagSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty GiddingsTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!

This week on The Sports Agents...Gabby and Mark get a rare access all areas pass to go behind the scenes at Sale Sharks rugby club, from training to the team meeting to interviews with Lions and England players Tom Curry, Ben Curry and George Ford. (02:45)Four-time Olympic champion sprinter Michael Johnson has launched a new league to make athletics popular outside the Olympics, he tells us how it's going so far. (08:15)Britain's most decorated Paralympian, Sarah Storey, joins Professor Kirsty Elliot-Sale from Manchester Metropolitan University, to explain their mission to extend the careers of female athletes through menopause support. (13:15)Ahead of the Champions League final, Italian football writer James Horncastle, explains why this match isn't the end of the road for Inter Milan. (19:30)Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at [email protected] New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.