Eleven Sports Grabs UFC Rights In UK

Eleven Sports has secured the rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the UK and Ireland.

Starting next year, the multi-year deal gives the international broadcaster coverage of all 42 live UFC events in 2019, along with more than 150 hours of original and archive programming.

Eleven takes over the rights following BT Sport’s five-year relationship with UFC.

UFC Fight Nights will be shown live on Eleven Sports, and Eleven will have the option to make some events available in partnership with other broadcast platforms.

Fight Nights that are shown live on Eleven Sports will also be available on demand in full after the event.

Danny Menken, Group Managing Director, Eleven Sports, a featured speaker at the 2018 iSportconnect Broadcast Masterclass, commented: “UFC has become a massive brand which has built a hugely dedicated and engaged following over 25 years, making it a perfect fit for our fan centric strategy. We are a big supporter of combat sports across our global markets and the fresh and innovative approach that we have taken with our properties has been very successful. We are looking forward to creating the same added value for the legions of MMA fans in the UK and Ireland.”

UFC’s Senior Vice President of International and Content, David Shaw, commented: “We have worked very successfully with Eleven Sports in Belgium and Luxembourg and we are looking forward to extending our partnership here in the UK and Ireland. The UK and Ireland are amongst UFC’s strongest markets globally and with Eleven Sports making a significant impact here, it made perfect sense to partner with them to showcase our thrilling product to our loyal and passionate fans.”

Clipper Race Changes Gear For Next Edition

The Clipper Race is changing its look following a new deal with high-performance kit supplier Musto as Technical Clothing Partner for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 editions of the round-the-world event.

The new partnership means Clipper Race crew members (there were over 700 of them for the 2017-18 race) will swap their familiar red kit for a new striking gold look.

All crew members, over 40 percent of whom have never sailed before taking part in the race, will wear Musto gear when the fleet enters more extreme ocean sailing conditions.

This is the first time in its 50-year history that Musto has partnered with a race where, aside from professional skippers, the crew members are amateurs.

Clipper Race Founder Sir Robin Knox Johnston (at centre in photo) said: “Our oceans do not distinguish between a professional or amateur sailor. Our novice crew need the very best kit to protect them against the extreme conditions they will face and Musto, with its years of experience in ocean racing, will give them everything they need for the extraordinary adventure that lies ahead.”

Paul Stoneham, Musto Executive Chairman, said: “What’s really unique about the Clipper Race is that it has the potential to take someone out of their comfort zone and provide them with an experience that changes the way they see their lives forever. The inspiration and drive that comes from seeing what you can achieve when you push yourself extends far beyond the race. These sailors will be facing the most challenging of conditions, which is why they need the best protection to keep them focused on the task at hand.”

NFL Players Association Accelerator Partners With Health Network

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and its OneTeam Collective athlete-driven accelerator have forged a strategic investment and partnership with Fan Health Network (FHN).

Through the partnership, FHN has an exclusive NFLPA license for its web and mobile based application that uses current NFL players to facilitate engagement and participation in corporate wellness challenges.

The FHN social app connects users directly to professional athletes and other sports stars to inspire healthier lifestyles.

FHN was founded by Robert Smith (in photo), the current CEO, a two-time Pro Bowl running back who played eight seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and current Fox Sports college football analyst.

The deal is the first partnership by the OneTeam Collective with a company founded by a former NFL player.

It’s the ninth NFLPA partner secured through the OneTeam Collective, an athlete-driven accelerator designed to give innovative companies the opportunity to leverage the NFLPA’s exclusive group player rights and access to more than 2,000 current players for product inclusion, activations and endorsements.

Through the NFLPA partnership, select active players will be integrated across FHN, adding unique levels of competition and connections with fans.

The FHN Captain’s Network will provide tips, dietary advice, workouts and motivation to pursue healthy lifestyles like the professionals.

An element of rivalry and added motivation is also at play with Captains competing against one another, urging their participants to achieve goals to help them win contests against their peers.

FC Barcelona Closes In On €1 Billion Revenues

The new FC Barcelona budget forecasts a net after-tax profit of €11 million for 2018-19, based on projected all-time record club revenues of €960 million versus expenses of €929 million.

The result would be in line with the club’s aim of reaching €1 billion in revenues by 2021, and the anticipated EBITDA ratio is also in keeping with the limits set by the statutes.

In July, Barcelona reported record revenue for 2017-18 of €914 million and costs of €882 million. The reported operating profit was €32 million, while the net profit was €13 million euros after taxes and EBITDA was €177 million.

Integrity Group Opens Doors In Brussels

The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) inaugurated its new office in Brussels on September 26 by hosting a discussion on the role of the European Union in safeguarding the integrity of sport.

Marisa Fernandez-Esteban, Deputy Head of the Sport Unit at the European Commission, told participants that the Commission sees protecting integrity as an area of fundamental importance. She said: “Last year 16 million people participated in events across Europe as part of the European Commission’s drive to promote active living during the European Commission’s Week of Sport. Good governance is a pre-condition for providing financial support to sports governing bodies. Achieving good governance is an ongoing process and is fundamental for sport.”

Former UK Minister of Sport Richard Caborn (in photo) said: “Do not underestimate the power of Europe to develop sport integrity. As a former minister of Sport in the UK I understand how sport can be used to deliver what other departments couldn’t: education; health and social inclusion.”

Antonio Silva, former Director in the Directorate-General of Education & Culture in the European Commission, welcomed the opening of the new Representation Office. “I commend SIGA for the hard work over the last three years. You have created a remarkable framework for sports integrity and the European Commission has the good intentions – now is a time for synergies and collaboration between both.”

Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, CEO of SIGA said: “The EU has come a long way in recent years to put more emphasis on the role of sport to achieve it’s political, economic and cultural objectives. Its new Sport Action Plan 2017-2020 provides a vehicle for making further progress, and SIGA is well positioned to complement this work through its convening power, thought leadership and constructive collaboration.”

Esports Outlook Shines In PwC Sports Survey

Sports industry leaders expect the sector’s growth to continue at a healthy rate of 7% annually over the next three to five years, according to the third annual PwC Sports Survey, which was given an exclusive first public airing at the iSportconnect Lausanne Summit powered by PwC today.

Despite the growth outlook, concerns over shifts in consumer behaviour among younger generations have led to less confidence in sustained growth during the transition to digital.

The consumption of highlights is expected to grow faster than live sports content, and the ability to target fans through personalised content will be a top priority.

Furthermore, traditional sports can no longer ignore eSports and should devise a clear strategy to enter the space.

PwC’s Sports Survey collected the views of 470 sport industry leaders on a wide variety of trends that are prevalent in today’s market.

Additionally, it features three deep dives assessing the future of the sports media landscape, how to drive ROI through sports sponsorship going forward, and how to approach the fast-growing space of esports.

Highlights and on-demand sports content is foreseen to grow at a greater pace than live in the next three to five years, with 14-35-year-olds consuming considerably more non-live than live sports content online.

PwC predicts that the consumption of non-live sports content to grow at an accelerating pace relative to live going forward.

When asked where sponsors should be focusing their energy in the next three to five years to drive higher returns, nearly three-quarters of sports leaders chose personalised fan/customer targeting through improved CRM data.

By contrast, over half believe that senior management at global sponsors either do not or only partially appreciate the shift in consumer behaviour with regard to sports media.

David Dellea, the Head of PwC’s Sports Business Advisory team, said: “In the face of intensifying competition from alternative entertainment formats, brands and rights holders need to wake up and smell the coffee.”

He continued: “We are approaching a tipping point, where digital is overtaking linear in terms of media consumption. This does not mean ‘more of the same’ through different channels. Content needs to be better and stand out in order to keep fans engaged.

“Attention is the main currency of the entertainment industry, which sports can no longer deny being a part of.”

Esports is now perceived as having the highest potential to grow revenues globally among sports disciplines, with perennial powerhouses’ football and basketball in close pursuit thanks to their ongoing efforts to continue growing their respective sports internationally.

A striking 70.5% of sports leaders see it as necessary for traditional sports to develop a strategy to enter the space, where they can learn most in terms of fan and community engagement.

PwC projects the economy around eSports to double by 2022.

The PDF of the study is available on: www.pwc.ch/sports-survey-2018

IF Forum Will Tackle New Technologies

The 12th International Federation (IF) Forum has confirmed partnerships with Eurosport, JLT and Sports Nevada USA for the event taking place from 5-7 November 5-7, 2018, in Lausanne.

The event, organised by SportAccord, will bring together more than 100 international sports federations, associates and observer members from the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) at the Hotel Royal Savoy in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The IF Forum provides a platform for GAISF members (both Olympic and non-Olympic) to tackle global matters related to the Sports Movement. The annual event is limited to a small number of industry partners and gives them exclusive access to an authoritative networking environment and recognition as a supporter of the Sports Movement.

This year’s IF Forum conference agenda is entitled Open Doors and Open Minds – New Tools for IFs. Key decision-makers from the international sports federations will hear from industry experts representing blockchain and cryptocurrency; robotics; 5G and livestreaming; event/ticket pricing models, and much more.

Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord, said: “We are delighted to have JLT and Sports Nevada USA with us again. Their commitment demonstrates the value a partnership brings by being involved in a high-profile event. We are also pleased to welcome Eurosport into the fold for the 2018 edition.

Limited partnerships are available and partners have access to the official schedule which includes: entry to all conference and panel sessions, workshops; VIP functions and social events; and the opportunity to deliver a presentation as part of the conference programme.

To discuss partnership opportunities and take advantage of exclusive access to the IF Forum, contact Malcolm Hardman of SportAccord +41 (0)79 945 89 34 or email malcolm.hardman@sportaccord.com

 

Real Madrid Renews Sanitas Partnership

Spanish club Real Madrid has renewed its partnership with Spanish healthcare brand Sanitas.

Under the three-year deal, Sanitas will provide digital health services, such as video consultations with more than 30 available medical specialists, for players on the first teams of both Real Madrid’s football team and the basketball team, as well as for their families.

Sanitas CEO Iñaki Ereño said: “It’s an honour to continue working for the health of such a charismatic team. With this renewal, Sanitas continues to unite its values of effort, sacrifice and leadership to those of Real Madrid. We wish the club’s different teams lots of success during this season.”

The LaLiga season has already started well with three straight victories for Real Madrid, the reigning European champions and winners of four of the last five European Champions League trophies.

eSports In The Olympics? Bach Rules Out “Killer Games”

IOC President Thomas Bach has not ruled out making eSports part of the Olympic Games programme in the future but has drawn the line at incorporating “killer games” built around violence.

Speaking at the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, where eSports is a demonstration sport for the first time, Bach said: “We cannot have in the Olympic programme a game which is promoting violence or discrimination. So-called killer games. They, from our point of view, are contradictory to the Olympic values and cannot therefore be accepted.”

eSports will again be part of the Asian Games at the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, China, and it’s possible that in four years eSports will be a full-medal event.

The commercial explosion of eSports has been largely driven by first-person shooter games and strategy games that feature a fair degree of imaginary mayhem.

The comments by Bach, a Gold Medal fencer at the 1976 Olympics, would seem to indicate that the eSports on the Olympic programme, if they arrive, may well come from within the world of traditional sport.

“Of course every combat sport has its origins in a real fight among people,” he said. “But sport is the civilized expression about this. If you have e-games where it’s about killing somebody, this cannot be brought into line with our Olympic values.”

The IOC held an eSports forum in July at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The subject will be on the programme at the iSportconnect Lausanne Summit powered by PwC at the Olympic Museum on September 25th.

Speakers on the topic of eSports will include Stephane Fillastre, Head of Licensing Merchandising & Retail at the International Automobile Federation (FIA), along with Brent Barry, Head of eSports at Logitech, and Candice Mudrick, Senior Client Director at Newzoo, with other names to be announced.

Invictus Games Enlists ATPI As Travel Partner

ATPI Sports Events has been confirmed as the Official Travel Partner for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 presented by Jaguar Land Rover taking place from October 20-27.

An estimated 500 competitors will head to Sydney for the fourth Invictus Games, which use the healing power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for service members and veterans.

Competitors will participate in 11 medal sports, with events taking place across Greater Sydney, including the Harbour and Sydney Olympic Park.

ATPI Sports Events is also expected to handle the travel arrangements for up to 1,000 family members and friends coming to cheer on their loved ones.

Michiel Aulbers, Global Commercial Head of Sports, ATPI Sports Events, said: “It is a great honour for us to be the Official Travel Partner of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. As a business we are experienced in dealing with elite athletes, but we are in awe of the determination and commitment shown by the men and women heading for the Invictus Games in Sydney. Everyone here is very much looking forward to helping make the Games a success.”