Matt Slater
@mjslater.bsky.social
I cover the business/politics of football & other global sports for The Athletic. In other words, I mainly do bad news.
🔗 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/matt-slater/
🔗 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/matt-slater/
Pinned
Lindsay Vonn was the 13th racer in the start list and she was 13 seconds into her run…today was a bad day for triskaidekaphobics. Here’s a video from a subdued/worried women’s downhill course, which is a shame on lots of levels, not least for Breezy Johnson, who was brilliant.
Lindsay Vonn was the 13th racer in the start list and she was 13 seconds into her run…today was a bad day for triskaidekaphobics. Here’s a video from a subdued/worried women’s downhill course, which is a shame on lots of levels, not least for Breezy Johnson, who was brilliant.
February 8, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Lindsay Vonn was the 13th racer in the start list and she was 13 seconds into her run…today was a bad day for triskaidekaphobics. Here’s a video from a subdued/worried women’s downhill course, which is a shame on lots of levels, not least for Breezy Johnson, who was brilliant.
Reposted by Matt Slater
The vice president of Lionel Messi’s boyhood team Newell’s Old Boys says the club are working on plans to bring the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner back to the side in 2027.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
February 4, 2026 at 11:52 AM
The vice president of Lionel Messi’s boyhood team Newell’s Old Boys says the club are working on plans to bring the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner back to the side in 2027.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Matt Slater
Me on the death of the Washington Post sports section.
This isn't a day to be nostalgic. It's a day to be angry.
www.theringer.com/2026/02/04/m...
This isn't a day to be nostalgic. It's a day to be angry.
www.theringer.com/2026/02/04/m...
Death of a Sports Section
The Washington Post sports department was dismantled before its leaders gave it a chance to change
www.theringer.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Me on the death of the Washington Post sports section.
This isn't a day to be nostalgic. It's a day to be angry.
www.theringer.com/2026/02/04/m...
This isn't a day to be nostalgic. It's a day to be angry.
www.theringer.com/2026/02/04/m...
It’s OK, we’ve had our first row about some new aerodynamic kit Team GB has developed - we can start the Olympics now. This one is about helmets the top-ranked British skeleton team want to use. Skeleton’s governing body said no. CAS to decide on Friday.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Team GB goes to CAS over skeleton helmet ban at Winter Olympics
The IBSF says the aerodynamic shape of the British helmets does not comply with the rules.
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:27 PM
It’s OK, we’ve had our first row about some new aerodynamic kit Team GB has developed - we can start the Olympics now. This one is about helmets the top-ranked British skeleton team want to use. Skeleton’s governing body said no. CAS to decide on Friday.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
The 2026 Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony is on Friday but curlers curl when they want & they start this evening with the mixed doubles. As it’s probably been 4 years for most of you, I asked 2022 champ Eve Muirhead for a refresher on the lingo, rules & tactics. 🥌🧹🥇
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Guide to curling at the Winter Olympics: How it works, teams to watch and more
Everything you need to know about curling as the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games get underway.
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:14 PM
The 2026 Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony is on Friday but curlers curl when they want & they start this evening with the mixed doubles. As it’s probably been 4 years for most of you, I asked 2022 champ Eve Muirhead for a refresher on the lingo, rules & tactics. 🥌🧹🥇
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Hugely significant moment at the IOC Session in Milan. Olympic bosses have just voted on whether pineapple is an acceptable pizza topping:
Yes - 46
No - 49
Common sense prevailed. Just.
Yes - 46
No - 49
Common sense prevailed. Just.
February 4, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Hugely significant moment at the IOC Session in Milan. Olympic bosses have just voted on whether pineapple is an acceptable pizza topping:
Yes - 46
No - 49
Common sense prevailed. Just.
Yes - 46
No - 49
Common sense prevailed. Just.
Reposted by Matt Slater
'It’s David against Goliath'
I went behind the scenes at RC Lens last week, who are trying to do the unthinkable and pip Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title
Includes interviews with their owner, head coach and captain
#FiersDEtreLensois #RCL
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
I went behind the scenes at RC Lens last week, who are trying to do the unthinkable and pip Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title
Includes interviews with their owner, head coach and captain
#FiersDEtreLensois #RCL
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Inside RC Lens: The David challenging Paris Saint-Germain’s Goliath in France
We visit northern France to speak to the key figures at a small club taking on the might of a team funded by a nation state
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM
'It’s David against Goliath'
I went behind the scenes at RC Lens last week, who are trying to do the unthinkable and pip Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title
Includes interviews with their owner, head coach and captain
#FiersDEtreLensois #RCL
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
I went behind the scenes at RC Lens last week, who are trying to do the unthinkable and pip Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title
Includes interviews with their owner, head coach and captain
#FiersDEtreLensois #RCL
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Reposted by Matt Slater
Chelsea’s fans taunted the Emirates with chants of, “We’ve won it all.”
They have a reputation as winners, Arsenal as a perennial project. But it's Chelsea who seem to be a work-in-progress.
Tuesday's semi-final wasn’t pretty. But Arsenal are here to win, not entertain.
@gunnerblog.bsky.social
They have a reputation as winners, Arsenal as a perennial project. But it's Chelsea who seem to be a work-in-progress.
Tuesday's semi-final wasn’t pretty. But Arsenal are here to win, not entertain.
@gunnerblog.bsky.social
Arsenal are here to win, not entertain. And that’s just what they’re doing
The nervousness of prior weeks was banished on a Carabao Cup semi-final night that ended in euphoria - and the sense this is just the start
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Chelsea’s fans taunted the Emirates with chants of, “We’ve won it all.”
They have a reputation as winners, Arsenal as a perennial project. But it's Chelsea who seem to be a work-in-progress.
Tuesday's semi-final wasn’t pretty. But Arsenal are here to win, not entertain.
@gunnerblog.bsky.social
They have a reputation as winners, Arsenal as a perennial project. But it's Chelsea who seem to be a work-in-progress.
Tuesday's semi-final wasn’t pretty. But Arsenal are here to win, not entertain.
@gunnerblog.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt Slater
There's an instinct to accuse Pep Guardiola of double standards when he talks about Gaza, Sudan or anything else, because of who he works for. It's understandable, but at least he's speaking out about something.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
In praise of Pep Guardiola for speaking out, regardless of the inevitable ‘Whataboutery’ accusations
For someone in his position to speak on difficult subjects is welcome. The fact he is ultimately employed by Abu Dhabi doesn’t negate that
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:16 AM
There's an instinct to accuse Pep Guardiola of double standards when he talks about Gaza, Sudan or anything else, because of who he works for. It's understandable, but at least he's speaking out about something.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
I’m absolutely stoked at the news the ScottsMiracle-Gro Field & PayPal Park will become Olympic venues in 2028. Bit mean of LA not to give Detroit a game, though. Detroit has bid for the Olympics nine times & now sees Columbus get some Olympic action.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
LA28 Olympics announce six more venues across U.S. for soccer events
Both men's and women's competitions will play their final stages at the 90,000-capacity Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:01 PM
I’m absolutely stoked at the news the ScottsMiracle-Gro Field & PayPal Park will become Olympic venues in 2028. Bit mean of LA not to give Detroit a game, though. Detroit has bid for the Olympics nine times & now sees Columbus get some Olympic action.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Interesting line from @inttestagency.bsky.social chair Jacques Antenen at IOC Session in Milan. 8% of athletes at Milan Cortina 2026 weren’t drug-tested in pre-Games phase. Some big gaps in coverage, too. 13% of Norwegian team untested, only 1/3 of Finns, French & Swedish tested enough.
February 3, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Interesting line from @inttestagency.bsky.social chair Jacques Antenen at IOC Session in Milan. 8% of athletes at Milan Cortina 2026 weren’t drug-tested in pre-Games phase. Some big gaps in coverage, too. 13% of Norwegian team untested, only 1/3 of Finns, French & Swedish tested enough.
Reposted by Matt Slater
▪️ A missed penalty
▪️ A couple of sublime goals
▪️ A lot of not very much...
▪️One gloriously chaotic finish
We asked Tim Spiers to watch five minutes of every Champions League game on ‘Wild Wednesday’.
His patience paid off.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
▪️ A couple of sublime goals
▪️ A lot of not very much...
▪️One gloriously chaotic finish
We asked Tim Spiers to watch five minutes of every Champions League game on ‘Wild Wednesday’.
His patience paid off.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
January 29, 2026 at 9:55 AM
▪️ A missed penalty
▪️ A couple of sublime goals
▪️ A lot of not very much...
▪️One gloriously chaotic finish
We asked Tim Spiers to watch five minutes of every Champions League game on ‘Wild Wednesday’.
His patience paid off.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
▪️ A couple of sublime goals
▪️ A lot of not very much...
▪️One gloriously chaotic finish
We asked Tim Spiers to watch five minutes of every Champions League game on ‘Wild Wednesday’.
His patience paid off.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Reposted by Matt Slater
Want to learn more about Gianni Infantino? How he got to where he was etc - this is one of our special episodes of the @theathleticfc.bsky.social, featuring insight from @oliverkay.bsky.social @mjslater.bsky.social (inc presser battle) @adamcrafton.bsky.social et al
podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
The Athletic FC Podcast: The Most Powerful Man in World Football
Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, is world football's most powerful man.His presidency has been marked by the controversial men's World Cups in Russia and Qatar, as well as the awarding of the 2034...
podfollow.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Want to learn more about Gianni Infantino? How he got to where he was etc - this is one of our special episodes of the @theathleticfc.bsky.social, featuring insight from @oliverkay.bsky.social @mjslater.bsky.social (inc presser battle) @adamcrafton.bsky.social et al
podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
On the one hand, Match of the Day has lost 10% of its traditional TV audience this season. But, on the other, the BBC has compensated for that decline with its digital offer and is up overall. Verdict? Good move - got to follow the audience.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
BBC’s Match of the Day loses 10 per cent of audience but increases overall reach
The programme has been around since 1964 and airs Premier League highlights on Saturday and Sunday.
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:22 PM
On the one hand, Match of the Day has lost 10% of its traditional TV audience this season. But, on the other, the BBC has compensated for that decline with its digital offer and is up overall. Verdict? Good move - got to follow the audience.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Gianni Infantino was in full salesman mode in Davos today, claiming this summer’s World Cup will be the “greatest celebration of humanity…our planet has ever seen & probably will ever see”. He also said it’s going to be great for resale platforms, including FIFA’s!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Successful World Cup ticket applicants may use resale sites, Gianni Infantino says
“In the U.S., it is perfectly legal to resell tickets on resale platforms — there is a law for that, so we have to allow (it),” he said.
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Gianni Infantino was in full salesman mode in Davos today, claiming this summer’s World Cup will be the “greatest celebration of humanity…our planet has ever seen & probably will ever see”. He also said it’s going to be great for resale platforms, including FIFA’s!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Gianni Infantino in Davos. Raced through greatest hits: Fifa has 211 members, more than UN. This session will be “best”. This summer’s WC will be 104 Super Bowls, solve world’s ills etc. Also made two digs at UK (btw, Gianni, no UK arrests at 2010 WC either). Who has he been hanging out with?
January 22, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Gianni Infantino in Davos. Raced through greatest hits: Fifa has 211 members, more than UN. This session will be “best”. This summer’s WC will be 104 Super Bowls, solve world’s ills etc. Also made two digs at UK (btw, Gianni, no UK arrests at 2010 WC either). Who has he been hanging out with?
🎙️As you may have gathered, there’s a big old talkfest going on in Davos. Tomorrow, the World Economic Forum is discussing the global sports industry’s future. No ticket? Don’t fret: here’s a pod w/ Oliver Wyman’s sport guru Tony Simpson & Liverpool FC’s director of impact Rishi Jain.
pod.fo/e/37d70a
pod.fo/e/37d70a
The Athletic FC Presents: Can sport make huge profits sustainably?
The global sports industry is booming — already worth an estimated $2.3 trillion a year, with projections suggesting it could almost triple by 2050. But according to a new report from the World E...
pod.fo
January 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM
🎙️As you may have gathered, there’s a big old talkfest going on in Davos. Tomorrow, the World Economic Forum is discussing the global sports industry’s future. No ticket? Don’t fret: here’s a pod w/ Oliver Wyman’s sport guru Tony Simpson & Liverpool FC’s director of impact Rishi Jain.
pod.fo/e/37d70a
pod.fo/e/37d70a
Lots of people on that live stream from London's Appeal Court - hope you enjoyed the crash course on English contract law! For those who just want the result, John Textor lost, so the £70m row with Iconic goes to a full hearing in a commercial court. He must also pay some of Iconic's appeal costs.
January 21, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Lots of people on that live stream from London's Appeal Court - hope you enjoyed the crash course on English contract law! For those who just want the result, John Textor lost, so the £70m row with Iconic goes to a full hearing in a commercial court. He must also pay some of Iconic's appeal costs.
Reposted by Matt Slater
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
The Carney doctrine
Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech
paulwells.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
Reposted by Matt Slater
Despite record revenues and rising club valuations, nine out of 10 teams in English football’s top four divisions expect to post pre-tax losses for 2025, according to an annual survey of club finance directors by accountancy firm BDO.
More from @mjslater.bsky.social
More from @mjslater.bsky.social
90 per cent of English football clubs expected to post losses for 2025, report finds
A survey of club finance directors by accountancy firm BDO found over a quarter said their club finances were “in need of attention”.
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:35 AM
Despite record revenues and rising club valuations, nine out of 10 teams in English football’s top four divisions expect to post pre-tax losses for 2025, according to an annual survey of club finance directors by accountancy firm BDO.
More from @mjslater.bsky.social
More from @mjslater.bsky.social
Yeah, I’d just head straight to the comments on this one.
The Briefing: Are managers trying to get sacked? Why are fans so angry? How good were Man Utd?
Dissecting the major talking points from the Premier League weekend, featuring public outbursts, protests and a strangely good Man Utd
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Yeah, I’d just head straight to the comments on this one.
Reposted by Matt Slater
Yeah, have thought this for a while and wrote about it a few years back www.thisisanfield.com/2024/09/if-l... In some leagues, sporting directors do lots of media. In the PL they are allowed to hide.
If LFC wanted a head coach, Slot shouldn't be left to explain transfers
Fans would benefit from hearing from Liverpool's sporting director.
www.thisisanfield.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Yeah, have thought this for a while and wrote about it a few years back www.thisisanfield.com/2024/09/if-l... In some leagues, sporting directors do lots of media. In the PL they are allowed to hide.
Reposted by Matt Slater
👀 🇬🇱A huge surge of interest in ‘So You Want to Own Greenland?’ by Liz Buchanan means it has sold out at some retailers. But we have copies!
‘An engaging blend of history & modern-day political analysis.’ Ron Charles @washingtonpost.com
Get 25% off w/code GREENLAND25: tinyurl.com/4ezeesk4
‘An engaging blend of history & modern-day political analysis.’ Ron Charles @washingtonpost.com
Get 25% off w/code GREENLAND25: tinyurl.com/4ezeesk4
January 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM
👀 🇬🇱A huge surge of interest in ‘So You Want to Own Greenland?’ by Liz Buchanan means it has sold out at some retailers. But we have copies!
‘An engaging blend of history & modern-day political analysis.’ Ron Charles @washingtonpost.com
Get 25% off w/code GREENLAND25: tinyurl.com/4ezeesk4
‘An engaging blend of history & modern-day political analysis.’ Ron Charles @washingtonpost.com
Get 25% off w/code GREENLAND25: tinyurl.com/4ezeesk4