{
  "id": 2145220,
  "title": "Exclusive: Plans for city-based, private equity-backed athletics league revealed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/exclusive-plans-for-city-based-private-equity-backed-athletics-league",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T13:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/exclusive-plans-for-city-based-private-equity-backed-athletics-league-revealed/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A novel athletics league, spearheaded by former runner Florian Lussy under the banner of R-evo Ventures, is set to launch in 2027 with city-based franchises and private equity backing. The league aims to revolutionize the sport by incorporating road running, stakes sales, and sponsorships. Lussy envisions an entertainment-driven format that could compete with popular sports like SailGP and Formula 1, drawing in a younger demographic of 25-year-olds. The league plans to establish teams across Europe initially, with the possibility of global expansion. Races will take place on open streets, with a focus on duration rather than distance, and the goal is to move away from traditional track-based athletics. While London is a desired host city for the inaugural season, Lussy acknowledges that a full calendar may not be achievable. The league's structure aims to build trust among athletes by involving them in decision-making processes, ensuring they have a stake in the franchises. Lussy emphasizes that the racing format will be less taxing on the athletes' bodies compared to traditional competitions, potentially attracting a broader range of participants, including social media runners and sub-elite athletes. The league is already in discussions with prominent athletes and has a waiting list of 80 interested athletes.",
  "summary": "An audacious new athletics league that will see city franchises, road running and stakes sold to competitors is seeking funding to the tune of seven figures ahead of a 2027 launch, City AM can reveal. Former runner Florian Lussy is spearheading the as yet unnamed project – under his R-evo Ventures firm – which will [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}