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Paul Brown

@pbsportswriter.bsky.social
2.8K followers 152 following 137 posts

Investigative reporter, freelance, specialising in sport and finance. You will see me in Josimar and many UK nationals

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Reposted by Paul Brown
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Ny! New! A US state regulator claims A-CAP’s football clubs are still exposed to 777 Partners and received loans that were wrongly reported. By @pbsportswriter.bsky.social & @philippeauclair.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2026/09/24/s...
josimarfootball.com
State of Denial - josimarfootball.com
A US state regulator claims A-CAP’s football clubs are still exposed to 777 Partners and received loans that were wrongly reported.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Everton insiders speak of a power vacuum, a lack of communication between the owners and the executive and a flawed decision-making process, leaving some to ask: Are the Friedkins in this for the long term? inews.co.uk/sport/footba...
inews.co.uk
Everton insiders fear 'power vacuum' with four deals still to come
A false dawn, transfer mutiny and Moyes fury - inside the Toffees' chaotic summer
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Hardwood Classics. Dominique scoring 54 on the Celtics in 87. Highlights are Bill Russell’s commentary. On two bigs going for a rebound: “Like two Sumo wrestlers, only less fat.” 😂 Then “trying to hold Kevin McHale is like trying to hold on to water.” 😭🏀
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Reposted by Paul Brown
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Chelsea co-owners Mark Walter and Todd Boehly are trying to sell. But a federal investigation into Walter involves a company long tied to sporting icon Magic Johnson, who owns football teams of his own. By @pbsportswriter.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2026/08/19/t...
josimarfootball.com
The Magic Johnson mystery - josimarfootball.com
Chelsea co-owners Mark Walter and Todd Boehly are trying to sell. But a federal investigation into Walter involves a company long tied to sporting icon Magic Johnson, who owns football teams of his ow...
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
There are now over 1,500 creditors listed in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings for 777 Partners, which once held stakes in seven football clubs and tried to buy Everton. Oaktree deal with A-CAP we wrote about in April still yet to complete josimarfootball.com/2026/04/08/e...
josimarfootball.com
Everything must go - josimarfootball.com
The fall-out from the demise of 777 Partners has resulted in a fire sale of assets by A-CAP, and a potential bail-out by Internazionale Milano owners Oaktree.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
New for @josimarfootball.bsky.social by @pbsportswriter.bsky.social : what has NBA legend Magic Johnson got to do with...Chelsea FC and the current troubles of its co-owners Mark Walter and Todd Boehly? Rather more than you'd think. josimarfootball.com/2026/08/19/t...
josimarfootball.com
The Magic Johnson mystery - josimarfootball.com
Chelsea co-owners Mark Walter and Todd Boehly are trying to sell. But a federal investigation into Walter involves a company long tied to sporting icon Magic Johnson, who owns football teams of his ow...
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Reposted by Paul Brown
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Ny! New! Chelsea co-owners Mark Walter and Todd Boehly are trying to sell. But a federal investigation into Walter involves a company long tied to sporting icon Magic Johnson, who owns football teams of his own. By @pbsportswriter.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2026/08/19/t...
josimarfootball.com
The Magic Johnson mystery - josimarfootball.com
Chelsea co-owners Mark Walter and Todd Boehly are trying to sell. But a federal investigation into Walter involves a company long tied to sporting icon Magic Johnson, who owns football teams of his ow...
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Problems growing in private credit and they have the potential to hurt insurance policy holders, retirees and football clubs. Was 777 was just the start? Boehly and Walter now in talks to sell their stakes in Chelsea according to the FT. josimarfootball.com/2026/08/17/c...
josimarfootball.com
Credit In The Straight World - josimarfootball.com
Is Mark Walter’s sudden sale of the LA Lakers a sign of things to come where private credit meets sport?
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Problems growing in private credit and they have the potential to hurt insurance policy holders, retirees and football clubs. Was 777 was just the start? Boehly and Walter now in talks to sell their stakes in Chelsea according to the FT. josimarfootball.com/2026/08/17/c...
josimarfootball.com
Credit In The Straight World - josimarfootball.com
Is Mark Walter’s sudden sale of the LA Lakers a sign of things to come where private credit meets sport?
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
New for @josimarfootball.bsky.social: as Chelsea co-owner Mark Walter's financial empire is disintegrating at dramatic speed, what could be the consequences for his friend Todd Boehly and the London club? By @pbsportswriter.bsky.social.
josimarfootball.com
Credit In The Straight World - josimarfootball.com
Is Mark Walter’s sudden sale of the LA Lakers a sign of things to come where private credit meets sport?
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Reposted by Paul Brown
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Ny! New! Is Mark Walter’s sudden sale of the LA Lakers a sign of things to come where private credit meets sport? Could his Chelsea stake be next, and what does the investigation into his finances mean for Todd Boehly?  By @pbsportswriter.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2026/08/17/c...
josimarfootball.com
Credit In The Straight World - josimarfootball.com
Is Mark Walter’s sudden sale of the LA Lakers a sign of things to come where private credit meets sport?
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
I wonder if Everton would consider a loan move for Dibling now that Johnson is signed. Third choice now at best in his favoured position. Will struggle for playing time and needs to rebuild his confidence.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Josh Wander’s old firm 777 Partners, which tried to buy Everton, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Texas, disclosing debt obligations of “at least” $2.7 BILLION. Remarkably, it still has 14 employees (none of which he is allowed to speak to under the terms of his pretrial release).
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Josh Wander’s old firm 777 Partners, which tried to buy Everton, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Texas, disclosing debt obligations of “at least” $2.7 BILLION. Remarkably, it still has 14 employees (none of which he is allowed to speak to under the terms of his pretrial release).
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Is football at the frontline of the next financial crisis? Private Equity firms are using complex offshore arrangements to channel insurance money into football. This Bermuda Triangle strategy ended badly for 777 Partners, but could be a preview of the future. www.playthegame.org/news/investm...
playthegame.org
Why investment funds could trigger football’s next crisis
Firms that specialise in buying and selling companies are using complex offshore arrangements to channel insurance money into football clubs. This Bermuda Triangle strategy has already ended badly for...
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
One for the John Textor completists. Iconic, one of the funds that invested in Eagle, has won its row with him in London’s commercial courts. Textor owes Iconic $99.6m, plus daily interest of $22,602.74! Iconic: “The time has come for him to honour his contractual obligations.”
Iconic v Textor court orderIconic v Textor court order
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Josh Wander, who has requested an adjournment of his fraud trial until January because his lawyers need more time to go over 7 million documents produced in discovery, is already asking US President Donald Trump for a pardon. news.bloomberglaw.com/antitrust/77...
news.bloomberglaw.com
777 Co-Founder Josh Wander Among Latest Trump Pardon Seekers
Josh Wander, co-founder of Miami investment firm 777 Partners, is scheduled to go on trial on fraud charges in October, but he’s already seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Josh Wander, who has requested an adjournment of his fraud trial until January because his lawyers need more time to go over 7 million documents produced in discovery, is already asking US President Donald Trump for a pardon. news.bloomberglaw.com/antitrust/77...
news.bloomberglaw.com
777 Co-Founder Josh Wander Among Latest Trump Pardon Seekers
Josh Wander, co-founder of Miami investment firm 777 Partners, is scheduled to go on trial on fraud charges in October, but he’s already seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
New counts added to Josh Wander’s indictment. Set to face trial in October. Wander, co-founder of 777 Partners, now faces claims he diverted most of a $20 million loan to his brokerage account and ordered fake bank statements to cover it up. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
In a new legal filing in Josh Wander’s fraud case, the DOJ reveal that a grand jury subpoena was first issued in February 2024. At that point 777 Partners were still confidently predicting they would complete a takeover of Everton which had been agreed 5 months prior. Approval never came.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
“It’s going to be more systemic than an individual company. Other companies are likely to fail.” One for fans of all those football clubs run or financed by private credit lenders.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Josh Wander of 777 Partners is scheduled stand trial on fraud charges in the US in October - exactly three years on from his infamous “message to Evertonians” in which he claimed: “Our success both on and off the pitch is clear to see.” 1/
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Josh Wander of 777 Partners is scheduled stand trial on fraud charges in the US in October - exactly three years on from his infamous “message to Evertonians” in which he claimed: “Our success both on and off the pitch is clear to see.” 1/
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Graham Dunbar @gdunbarap.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
The World Cup referee from Somalia was picked by FIFA 2 months ago and still could not enter the U.S. with a valid visa. This is so farcical from a World Cup host and has potential to get even worse for the 2028 LA Olympics when bona fide people from every country are coming.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Martin Calladine @uglygame.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
🚨 Exclusive 🚨 On the day it finally went live, regulators in several countries immediately moved to block ADI Predictstreet, Fifa’s $150m prediction market sponsor, for operating illegally. (Free to read for 24 hours, then paywalled.) josimarfootball.com/2026/06/08/f...
josimarfootball.com
Faites vos jeux - josimarfootball.com
On the day it finally went live, regulators in several countries immediately moved to block ADI Predictstreet, Fifa’s new prediction market sponsor, for operating illegally.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
I was thinking exactly the same thing today. And it’s why this World Cup could be remembered as a horror show by contrast. Russia was a brilliant, welcoming experience. The USA will not be. Because they don’t care.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Private credit and football. Part I. The chaotic implosion of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group is a warning sign of the growing dangers of the sport’s infiltration by the shadowy world of private credit. By @pbsportswriter.bsky.social. josimarfootball.com/2026/06/04/j...
josimarfootball.com
John Textor vs Private Credit - josimarfootball.com
The chaotic implosion of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group is a warning sign of the growing dangers of the sport’s infiltration by the shadowy world of private credit.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
In a June 3 filing in USA v Josh Wander, the DOJ cites “a former 777 Partners analyst who may be a witness at trial” who they claim has “significant firsthand knowledge of other criminal acts by the defendant, including the defendant’s frequent drug use during the conduct charged in the indictment.”
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Part I of the dossier, by @pbsportswriter.bsky.social, can be read here.
josimarfootball.com
John Textor vs Private Credit - josimarfootball.com
The chaotic implosion of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group is a warning sign of the growing dangers of the sport’s infiltration by the shadowy world of private credit.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
New! Ny! Eagle Football’s collapse exposes the systemic risks of private credit in European football. Is Chelsea next in line? By @the-esk.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2026/06/05/p...
josimarfootball.com
Predators at the gate - josimarfootball.com
Eagle Football’s collapse exposes the systemic risks of private credit in European football. Is Chelsea next in line?
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Reposted by Paul Brown
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
New! Ny! The chaotic implosion of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group is a warning sign of the growing dangers of the sport’s infiltration by the shadowy world of private credit. By @pbsportswriter.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2026/06/04/j...
josimarfootball.com
John Textor vs Private Credit - josimarfootball.com
The chaotic implosion of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group is a warning sign of the growing dangers of the sport’s infiltration by the shadowy world of private credit.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
John Textor vs Private Credit New, for @josimarfootball.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2026/06/04/j...
josimarfootball.com
John Textor vs Private Credit - josimarfootball.com
The chaotic implosion of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group is a warning sign of the growing dangers of the sport’s infiltration by the shadowy world of private credit.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
John Textor vs Private Credit New, for @josimarfootball.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2026/06/04/j...
josimarfootball.com
John Textor vs Private Credit - josimarfootball.com
The chaotic implosion of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group is a warning sign of the growing dangers of the sport’s infiltration by the shadowy world of private credit.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Jim Waterson @jim.londoncentric.media · 06/05/2026
Reform UK expels London election candidates on eve of poll after London Centric uncovers them as ex-BNP members. www.londoncentric.media/p/reform-lon...
londoncentric.media
Reform candidates were BNP members
Plus: When you'll know the election results, where Labour is playing defence, the Extinction Rebellion founder backing candidates in Lambeth, and the Reform MP still urging people to vote Tory.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Tariq Panja @tariqpanja.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Argentina fans have provided dramatic backdrops to many FIFA World Cups. Now they find that passion comes at a cost as they are hit harder than most by FIFA’s dynamic ticket prices. “They are making business from our passion.” Our story from Buenos Aires www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/w...
nytimes.com
World Cup or Bust: Going Into Debt, Sleeping 10 to a Room, and Layovers for Days
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Sharks don’t need prospects unless they see a transformational D in this draft. I see trades coming, with or without whoever they pick being included.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Where's the money from your exorbitant World Cup tickets going? To FIFA's $14 billion in revenue. Yes, friends in Europe, there's plenty of anger here in the U.S., too. How bad will the scars from this summer be in a country whose money FIFA deeply covets? www.inquirer.com/soccer/world...
inquirer.com
Where's the money from your exorbitant World Cup tickets going? To FIFA's $14 billion in revenue.
Anger over high prices isn’t just a "rest of the world" thing. With a women's World Cup and perhaps another men's World Cup on the horizon, how long will it take for scars left this summer to heal?
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Everton and Roma owner Dan Friedkin consortium misses out to Clearlake co-founder José E. Feliciano (Chelsea) and his wife in big bid for Padres according to WSJ.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
777 Partners funnelled US insurance policyholders funds into its football clubs. Now, one of the insurance companies they tapped could be sold to Inter Milan owners Oaktree. Will the deal go through? josimarfootball.com/2026/04/08/e...
josimarfootball.com
Everything must go - josimarfootball.com
The fall-out from the demise of 777 Partners has resulted in a fire sale of assets by A-CAP, and a potential bail-out by Internazionale Milano owners Oaktree.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
777 Partners funnelled US insurance policyholders funds into its football clubs. Now, one of the insurance companies they tapped could be sold to Inter Milan owners Oaktree. Will the deal go through? josimarfootball.com/2026/04/08/e...
josimarfootball.com
Everything must go - josimarfootball.com
The fall-out from the demise of 777 Partners has resulted in a fire sale of assets by A-CAP, and a potential bail-out by Internazionale Milano owners Oaktree.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
New! Ny! The fall-out from the demise of 777 Partners has resulted in a fire sale of assets by A-CAP, and a potential bail-out by Internazionale Milano owners Oaktree. By @pbsportswriter.bsky.social and @philippeauclair.bsky.social. josimarfootball.com/2026/04/08/e...
josimarfootball.com
Everything must go - josimarfootball.com
The fall-out from the demise of 777 Partners has resulted in a fire sale of assets by A-CAP, and a potential bail-out by Internazionale Milano owners Oaktree.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
They are, and always will be, “Trump’s team”
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
That’s going to haunt MacKinnon for the rest of his life - he’ll be remembered as a generational talent but not an all-time great
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Amazing day of ice hockey. Absolutely nailbiting drama all day long. This is what the Olympics is all about. And this is the medal they all care about most. Curling? Ice dance? Doing tricks on a snowboard? Nah. Gimme a puck drop in a sport millions are glued to any day thank you very much 👊
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Bull's eye by @pbsportswriter.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social. In private, many football and finance executives will agree that a disaster is brewing. But no-one dares speak out - yet - for fear of precipitating a crisis which will come to pass anyway.
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Is football at the frontline of the next financial crisis? Private Equity firms are using complex offshore arrangements to channel insurance money into football. This Bermuda Triangle strategy ended badly for 777 Partners, but could be a preview of the future. www.playthegame.org/news/investm...
playthegame.org
Why investment funds could trigger football’s next crisis
Firms that specialise in buying and selling companies are using complex offshore arrangements to channel insurance money into football clubs. This Bermuda Triangle strategy has already ended badly for...
03416
Reposted by Paul Brown
Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Be honest. You thought the Bermuda Triangle was just about ships going missing at sea and planes going down, didn’t you? Well, there are some new risks associated with that phrase now. Piece for the National Law Review natlawreview.com/article/berm...
natlawreview.com
The “Bermuda Triangle” and the Growing Risk in the Insurance Markets
The influx of private equity into the U.S. life insurance and annuity market has altered what has traditionally been viewed as the safe sector of finance. In this new era, U.S. life insurers—acquired ...
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Paul Brown @pbsportswriter.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Be honest. You thought the Bermuda Triangle was just about ships going missing at sea and planes going down, didn’t you? Well, there are some new risks associated with that phrase now. Piece for the National Law Review natlawreview.com/article/berm...
natlawreview.com
The “Bermuda Triangle” and the Growing Risk in the Insurance Markets
The influx of private equity into the U.S. life insurance and annuity market has altered what has traditionally been viewed as the safe sector of finance. In this new era, U.S. life insurers—acquired ...
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Reposted by Paul Brown
Sam Kunti @samindrakunti.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
A stellar (and difficult) year for @josimarfootball.bsky.social. Here is some of our best reporting. We started in Saudi Arabia, host of the 2034 World Cup, and labour abuse of migrant workers. With @aselliaas.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2025/01/06/t...
josimarfootball.com
The zone of interest - josimarfootball.com
In the week that Fifa awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, a group of Bangladeshi workers went on strike over unpaid wages at a luxury resort in Neom. They were immediately fired.
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Reposted by Paul Brown
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
New. Josh Wander of 777 Partners has been indicted by the DOJ, but what does this mean for A-CAP, their biggest creditor, which has seized most of their assets, football clubs included, and remains accused of being the “puppeteer” pulling their strings? josimarfootball.com/2025/12/04/t...
josimarfootball.com
The A-CAP mystery - josimarfootball.com
Josh Wander of 777 Partners has been indicted by the DOJ, but what does this mean for A-CAP, their biggest creditor, which has seized most of their assets, football clubs included, and remains accused...
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