The Sports Desk

Feb 21 2024 103 ep. 176

The Sports Desk Podcast artwork

Your weekly dive into the biggest talking point in sport, featuring interviews with top stars and influential figures, plus discussion and debate around the issues that resonate beyond the field of play. BBC Sport’s Sarah Mulkerrins, Dan Roan and Nesta McGregor and their guests take you behind the headlines and tell you what’s really going on.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe: full exclusive interview

Feb 21 2024 50 mins

Sir Jim Ratcliffe sits down with BBC sports editor Dan Roan after completing his deal to buy a 27.7 per cent stake in Manchester United. The British billionaire's investment is worth about £1.25bn. He says it's a boyhood dream to be involved in United and that restoring them to the pinnacle of English and European football is the greatest challenge. Sir Jim also discusses how it's

Harry Kane on breaking records and building resilience

Feb 07 2024 32 mins

We catch up with England captain Harry Kane after his brilliant start to life at Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.Kane talks to Alex Howell about his pre-move nerves, his pride at his goalscoring feats and his hopes of ending his personal trophy drought.We also hear from Bayern fans, who have taken Kane to their hearts.Kane also talks about the work he and his wife are doing to prom

Luke Littler: The Boy who Changed Darts

Jan 03 2024 33 mins

The public has watched with growing astonishment at the 16 year old darts prodigy who has beaten players forty years his senior to progress in one of the biggest tournaments in the world. We discuss the impact Luke Littler has had on the sport already and how his success could change darts in the years to come. Jane Dougall is joined by semi-professional darts player Deta Hedman, w

Inside the Saudi sporting revolution

Dec 08 2023 58 mins

Whether it’s the Saudi Pro League's £750m spending spree, the unopposed bid for the 2034 men’s World Cup or the growing influence in golf, tennis, boxing and F1, the scale of Saudi Arabia’s sporting ambitions seem boundless. But the more money that’s spent, the greater the concerns over human rights, the environment and the very integrity of sport. BBC sports editor Dan Ro

How should football react to the Middle East conflict?

Oct 25 2023 50 mins

As the Israel-Gaza war intensifies, we examine the stance taken by football and some of its key protagonists. Following the row over the decision not to light the Wembley arch in Israeli colours - and fans being urged not to bring Palestinian flags into stadiums - what considerations are clubs, players and governing bodies having to make when responding to an international crisis?

Climate of fear: What's the solution to women's football's ACL crisis?

Sep 28 2023 45 mins

England captain Leah Williamson and star Beth Mead were among more than 25 players to miss the Women's World Cup due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage, drawing attention to an injury that's threatening to derail the progress of the women's game.Women's health expert Dr Emma Ross from The Well HQ explains some of the reasons why women are six times more likely to have a non

Is Spain's football crisis really over?

Sep 20 2023 22 mins

Katie Smith is joined by Spanish football expert Guillem Balague and reporter Antia Andre from RNE radio to react to the news that most of the Spain women's team have agreed to end their boycott.The deal was reached at 05:00 local time on Wednesday after more than seven hours of meetings.They discuss how the decision was reached following government intervention and whether it will

Can women’s football be a billion pound industry?

Jul 13 2023 34 mins

On the eve of the Women's World Cup, we discuss Karen Carney's landmark review into domestic women's football. Carney joins the podcast panel to outline her plan to drive investment and growth by creating two fully professional leagues, better grassroots facilities, a regular TV slot - and much more.Carney warns that unless her proposals are acted upon "the moment of the Lionessess

How does protest impact sport?

Jul 06 2023 40 mins

As Wimbledon becomes the latest major sporting event to be disrupted by protestors we discuss what impact protest has on sport and explore the cause of the activists. Sarah Mulkerrins is joined by BBC sports editor Dan Roan, Managing Director of Silverstone Stuart Pringle and historian Dr Fern Riddell - expert on the Suffragette movement - to discuss the impact of recent protests o

Cricket's day of reckoning

Jun 27 2023 40 mins

A long-awaited independent report has painted a sorry picture of deep-rooted discrimination in English cricket and challenged its governing body to adopt recommendations to transform the culture and structure of the game.We hear shocking evidence from the chair of The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) Cindy Butts, an apology from Richard Thompson, chairman of the