The autobiography of one of the few surviving insiders, ‘Fast Tracks and Dark Deals’, is a surgical dissection of the business of sport and its evolution over the past fifty years from a cottage industry to a trillion-dollar business.
Fast-paced and edgy, it profiles the characters and events that gave birth to the sports biz. Along the way, readers encounter dazzling highs and sobering lows, as wars, scandals, and economic crises threaten to pull the whole spectacle apart.
The story is told from a seat close enough to hear the whispers in the corridor yet distant enough to see the broader patterns — the fragile alliances, the unexpected friendships, and the bold ideas that reshaped global sport.
‘Fast Tracks and Dark Deals’ offers unique business insights from someone who was a major player in many of them, who knew everyone and has been everywhere in the labyrinth of world sport, even its dark corners. The final part provides a telling and perhaps unsettling prediction for the next fifty years.
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what industry experts are saying...
This book presents a captivating story of sport’s transformation along with a record of one of its most influential architects.
Dr Thomas Bach, IOC President 2013-2025
If you care about innovation or success in business, you’ll want to read this.
Bernie Ecclestone, F1 Supremo
A must read for anyone involved in the sports world. Payne has not only seen, but helped shape the sports world’s evolution from a cottage industry, into a global trillion dollar behemoth. There’s another world beneath the glitter of gold medals and sparkling football trophies, and this book is a Google maps of how, when, where, and most importantly, why.”
David Hill, Former Chairman Fox Network
Payne is the consummate insider whose influence on multiple negotiations in the global sports arena over many decades is both deep and impactful. He provides much insight into the ever-evolving business models and the shifting landscape of the business side of the sports world.
George Foster, Professor of Management,
Stanford University, Graduate School of Management
650 pages of untold stories, with 60 pages of photographs that document the evolution of the business of sport.
about the book
Fast Tracks and Dark Deals rips back the curtain on sport’s explosive rise from cottage industry to trillion dollar empire. Told by one of the few surviving insiders who knew everyone and saw everything — even in the darkest corners — it’s a fast, edgy ride through dazzling triumphs, bitter scandals, fragile alliances, and bold ideas that reshaped global sport. Part autobiography, part exposé, it delivers hard-won business insights and ends with an unsettling look at the next fifty years.
Contains over 650 pages of industry insights and colourful stories plus over 130 images, many previously unpublished.
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Advance Information
ISBN: 978-1-916556-75-1 (hardback)
ISBN: 978-1-916556-77-5 (ebook)
forewords
THOMAS BACH
President of the IOC (2013–2025)
Olympic Gold Medallist Montreal 1976
I’ve known Michael Payne for nearly forty years, first as a rising young sports marketer and later as a central figure in the transformation of the Olympic Movement. We share a background as former athletes and a deep belief in sport’s power to inspire, educate, and unite – especially through the Olympic Games.
When Michael joined the IOC in 1989 as the Director of Marketing and I became a member shortly after, we worked closely during a time of immense challenge and change. The IOC at that time was far from the polished organisation it is today. Financial resources were limited, the political landscape was volatile, and other sports bodies competed fiercely for attention and funding.
What followed was a remarkable journey of rebirth and reinvention. First as a member of the newly created Athletes’ Commission and then, in 1992 as a Member of the IOC, I saw a small group of visionaries reshape the IOC’s future. François Carrard, our first Director General, brought legal brilliance and unshakable calm. Dick Pound, the sharp and formidable Canadian Olympian and lawyer, fought hard for reform. And, of course, President Juan Antonio Samaranch, whose vision pulled the IOC from crisis and laid the foundation for the modern Games.
The fourth member of this ‘musketeer’ group is the author of this book. Michael was the youngest, the D’Artagnan of the team. However, he quickly became the engine, travelling the world, closing deals, shaping the brand, and delivering unprecedented value through sponsorship and broadcast rights. He was the persuader, the enforcer, and always the fixer.
To this day, Michael provides a rare blend of wisdom, energy, and strategic clarity. He is a trusted friend, and this book presents a captivating story of sport’s transformation along with a record of one of its most influential architects. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
BERNIE ECCLESTONE
Legendary Sports Entrepreneur
The ‘Boss’ of F1 (1987–2017)
I’ve been involved in the sports industry for a while and have made a name as a person that can be trusted. Part of my success, at least what I tell myself, is that people rarely question my opinions – except for Michael Payne. He’s one of the few who has always told me what I didn’t want to hear, as he had already been there and more importantly, when I was about to make a mistake.
We’ve known each other for decades, since the days when I was a used car dealer and he was a ski bum. We both worked hard for what we built and understand the art of the deal. Michael had become a real rain maker in sports marketing – hire him, and money starts flowing in. That’s why I brought him into F1. He helped me rethink the importance of the F1 brand, sharpen our competitive thoughts, and centralise control. Like with the Olympics, we protected our rights ruthlessly and put those who stepped out of line back in their place.
When I heard IOC President Samaranch was stepping down in 2001, I knew the organisation would change, and I saw my chance to lure Michael away. After some careful persuasion, he joined F1 as my Special Adviser in 2004. He was exactly what I hoped for: bright, sharp, and always ahead. He helped take F1 into new markets, brought clarity to complexity, and became a trusted friend.
This book is a fitting testament to a curious (in a good way!) and remarkable mind. Michael may talk about the visionaries he’s worked with, but I can assure you, he’s one of them. If you care about innovation or success in your profession, you’ll want to read this.
what the media is saying...
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