Werder Bremen Moves Sponsor EWE Into eSports

German Bundesliga football club Werder Bremen has expanded its sponsorship with energy and telecommunications company EWE AG to encompass the team’s new eSports activity.

EWE, long-time sponsor of the club, will now also be a jersey sponsor of the side’s eSports division, launched in July.

Klaus Filbry, CEO of SV Werder Bremen, said: “It’s great that we are now working together with EWE on eSports. The product world of EWE fits in perfectly with the topic, especially high-performance internet offers and a secure power supply are a basic requirement for every gamer.”

“We look forward to working with Werder Bremen on eSports and the new impulses it brings in a relationship that has grown over many years,” added Carsten Niederberger, Project Manager at EWE AG. “We are sure that we can profit from the know-how of Werder in the area of eSports and open up a new target group for us. All in all, it is an ideal introduction to the very exciting topic of eSports for us.”

Kickboxing President Passes Away

Funeral services were scheduled to take place today in Belgrade for the President of the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), Borislav Pelevic, who passed away on October 25.

WAKO has 128 affiliated national organisations which are officially recognized by either National Olympic Committees or the relevant national government sports authority.

A professor at Belgrade University, Pelevic was the former President of the Nationalist Party of Serbian Unity and a member of the Serbian Parliament.

He brought the sport to his country as the founder and President of the Serbian Kickboxing Federation. Pelevic was elected to the presidency of WAKO, a member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations, in 2015.

LA 2028 Taps Legends For Sponsorship

Legends has been named the sponsorship sales agency by LA 2028 to help develop, identify and secure sponsorship opportunities for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Under the multi-year agreement, Los Angeles-based Legends will work with U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties, LA 2028’s commercial joint venture with the United States Olympic Committee to sell the collective LA 2028 and Team USA story.

Central to the agreement, Legends will also provide sponsorship-related consulting services including development and operation of a sales centre, analysis and valuation of sponsorship rights; and a comprehensive sales and marketing plan for LA 2028 and Team USA.   

“The opportunity ahead is unprecedented,” said LA 2028 Chairman Casey Wasserman. “Never before in the Olympic movement have we had a known 10-year time horizon to imagine stories and create platforms to engage and connect with people. We are thrilled to partner with Legends to bring to life sponsorship opportunities for LA 2028 and Team USA. Their talent and experience in the Los Angeles market and across the U.S. will be critical to amplifying our commercial success.”

Shervin Mirhashemi, President and CEO, Legends, said, “The Olympics is one of the world’s preeminent sports events, offering a unique value proposition and an important cultural influence for brands to connect with consumers through the experience of the Games. This is a tremendous opportunity for our business to partner with an iconic property to engage with partners to create a strategic investment in the LA 2028 and Team USA platform.”

“LA 2028 is the first Summer Games in the U.S. in a generation,” said Kathy Carter LA 2028 Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture. “We have a unique story to tell of optimism, imagination and creativity that will connect with young people across the country and the team at Legends will help us do that. With zero planned construction projects and an unprecedented ten-year lead-up to the Opening Ceremony, we are focused one hundred per cent on creating an unforgettable Games experience for athletes, fans and partners.”

Michael Jordan Makes eSports Play

Charlotte Hornets owner and former NBA star Michael Jordan has invested $26 million in the e-sports company aXiomatic, the parent of the Team Liquid franchise in League of Legends.

Jordan joins a group of top sports owners who have invested in aXiomatic, including Golden State Warriors owner Peter Guber and Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis.

Following investments in many technology start-ups, this is the first time Jordan has invested in the eSports landscape.

Curtis Polk, the managing partner of Hornets Sports & Entertainment, and manager of Jordan’s financial and business affairs has also invested in the eSports company.

With over 60 athletes in 14 of the world’s top games, Team Liquid’s collective teams have won the most prize money in the history of eSports. Its League of Legends was the top North American team this year.

“I’m excited to expand my sports equity portfolio through my investment in aXiomatic,” Jordan said in a statement. “Esports is a fast-growing, international industry and I’m glad to partner with this great group of investors.”

“From the beginning of our esports and video gaming journey aXiomatic has sought to bring together world-class talent in its investor group. We are extremely excited to welcome these esteemed investors into the aXiomatic and Team Liquid family and look forward to their valuable and unique perspectives,” said aXiomatic CEO and co-founder, Bruce Stein.

NBA Appoints New European Chief

The NBA has appointed Ralph Rivera as the new Managing Director of NBA Europe and Middle East, effective from January 2, 2019.

Rivera was most recently the Managing Director at Eurosport Digital with Discovery Communications, where he was responsible for leading the digital business, including the sports website, Eurosport.com and the OTT platform Eurosport Player.

Before that, he spent six years as Director at BBC Digital, and previously served as President at Major League Gaming and spent 10 years at AOL as Senior VP and General Manager for Games and International Programming.

Rivera will report to NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, who said: “Ralph’s extensive experience in leading prominent media and sports companies make him well-suited to oversee the league’s operations in Europe and the Middle East. We are looking forward to working with Ralph to help take basketball and the NBA to even greater heights throughout the region.”

Rivera said: “It is an honour to join the NBA at a time when the league has never been more popular. I am excited to work with our partners to explore new ways to reach and engage basketball fans in Europe and the Middle East and increase the number of young boys and girls playing the game.”

Lagardère Hooks Up With Story Mob

Lagardère Sports has signed a deal with The Story Mob for communication and consulting in relation to eSports brands.

Lagardère will represent the people in the on-air talent and community influencers group opened by The Story Mob in September.

Moritz Altmann Head of eSports at Lagardère Sports. Said: “With more and more brands taking their first steps into the eSports space with us, it’s more important than ever that we’re working together to create clear and measurable impact for eSports fans – and communications strategy is key.”

“We’re thrilled for the opportunity to contribute communications expertise to the largest dealmaker in eSports’, said Anna Rozwandowicz, Co-Founder at The Story Mob. “This partnership offers a fantastic opportunity not only for us to work with the best in the business to create powerful storytelling through influencer and media outreach, but also for us to help brands build meaningful communication paths directly to esports fans.”

Top Speakers Confirmed For Sports Connects In China

Leading international brands and rights owners will feature on the summit programme of Sports Connects, the China Sports Forum, from November 26-28, 2018 at the Mission Hills resort in Shenzhen.

The two-day conference, in English and Mandarin, will bring together more than 300 senior industry executives from the global and Chinese sports industry.

Sports Connects is presented by social media platform Weibo Sports, digital marketing agency Mailman and rights owner ONE Championship and is produced by event marketing agency Branded, to be held in Mission Hills.

Currently confirmed to speak at Sports Connects 2018 are:

  • Andrew Collins, CEO, Mailman Group
  • Arjun Chowdri, Senior Director, Global and Corporate Strategy, PGA of America
  • Caroline Darcy, Group Head, Advertising, Social Media and Sponsorship APAC, UBS
  • Catherine Gibbs, Head of Sponsorship, ​AIA Group
  • Chris Robb, Founder & CEO, ​Mass Participation Asia
  • Danielle Jin, Vice President, Head of Marketing of Greater China, Visa
  • David Yang, CEO, Wanda Sports China
  • Derek Chang, CEO, NBA China
  • Edmund Chu, Founder and Executive Director/Managing Director, Kosmos/SECA
  • Eric Geng Hui, Senior Director Strategic Business Development, ​China Sports Media
  • Helen Soulsby, Managing Partner, APAC, Sports Recruitment International
  • Ian McGibbon, Global Marketing Lead, Brand Partnerships & Sponsorships, Bose Corporation
  • Jason Fung, Global eSports Director, Alisports,​​ ​Alibaba Group
  • Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive, The R&A
  • Michael Patent, CEO, Culture Group
  • Richard Young, Managing Director, NFL China
  • Robbie McRobbie, CEO, Hong Kong Rugby Union
  • Scott Dinsdale, Managing Director, ​FutureNext Pty Ltd
  • Steve Tew, CEO, New Zealand Rugby
  • Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman, Mission Hills Group
  • Tianyi Zhou, Operations Director, Weibo Sports
  • Victor Cui, CEO International, ONE Championship

Branded CEO Jasper Donat said: “China has addressed its need to modernise in its continuing journey to commercialise a sustainable sports infrastructure.  There is a discernible difference in today’s China sports industry and it is largely due to the contribution, expertise and calibre of the speakers we feature at Sports Connects.”

“​To build competition IP, we are looking to build our international presence, which is one of the programme tenets at Sports Connects,” said Jason Fung of Alibaba Group.

Tianyi Zhou of Weibo Sports added: “With the development of the internet and new technologies, how Chinese audiences consume information has completely changed. More and more sports fans are checking news on the Weibo platform during their fragmented time, with short form videos around events and tournaments, to engage with sports in every way. China’s sports industry is undergoing earth-shattering change.”

This is an invitation-only event. To register your interest, please contact Ami Vora at ami@branded.live.

FIFA Doubles Women’s World Cup Prize Pot

The eighth meeting of the FIFA Council today approved a 100% increase in prize money for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.

FIFA increased its overall financial contribution to $50 million for the 24 teams playing in the tournament, more than tripling the amount paid in the 2015 edition of $15 million.

Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, the Council voted to increase FIFA World Women’s World Cup prize money to $30 million.

FIFA is introducing preparation money of $11.52 million to support the qualified teams in organising preparatory matches before the competition, and a Club Benefits Programme to reward clubs releasing players for the competition with a total available pool of  $8.48 million.

The FIFA Council appointed Paraguay as the host of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 and Lithuania as the host of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2020.

The Council also established a Task Force to bolster the consultation process regarding the prospect of a revamped FIFA Club World Cup, as well as a worldwide Nations League, to present its proposals at the next FIFA Council meeting, scheduled to take place in Miami from March 14-15, 2019.

Following a request for guidance from the Spanish FA, US Soccer and CONCACAF, the FIFA Council discussed LaLiga’s proposal to host an official 2018-19 regular season league match outside Spain (in Miami).

Consistent with the opinion expressed by the Football Stakeholders Committee, the Council emphasised the sporting principle that official league matches must be played within the territory of the respective member association.

Pictured above are FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right) and French Football Federation President Noël Le Graët.

William Hill Partners NHL Devils

Betting company William Hill announced a partnership with NHL team New Jersey Devils and its arena, the Prudential Center.

The multi-year agreement is the first signed by a sports organisation in New Jersey after the state’s legalisation of sports betting in June 2018.

The betting company will open the William Hill Sports Lounge at the arena, to be made available for all the Devils’ home games as well as more than 175 concerts and special events held annually.

The lounge will feature 20 digital screens showcasing the world’s most popular sporting events and compelling odds.

“We are thrilled to partner with the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center,” said Joe Asher, CEO of William Hill. “With three retail William Hill Sports Books and our Mobile Betting app now available in the Garden State, engaging New Jersey sports fans is extremely important for us. This partnership provides us with a number of fantastic opportunities to connect directly with the passionate supporters of New Jersey’s hockey team.”

“In William Hill, we have found a partner that shares our dedication to the state of New Jersey and our commitment to creating a dynamic and engaging fan experience,” said Hugh Weber, President of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center. “As the number eight-ranked arena in the world and in light of the New Jersey Devils’ international roster and fanbase, it was only natural that our first partner in this dynamic new category be a trusted, international brand like William Hill.”

ASICS Extends Australian, South African Rugby Deals

Sports kit manufacturer ASICS has announced the extension of its contracts with Rugby Australia (RA) and The South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) teams.

Both contracts, signed in 2014, will be extended until 2024 for the Springboks and 2025 for the Wallabies respectively.

The extensions mean both sides will wear ASICS at upcoming Rugby World Cups in Japan 2019 and France 2023.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle said: “Through this partnership extension ASICS has given a strong vote of confidence in Australian Rugby by committing for the long haul as we look forward to a number of exciting major tournaments and tours over the coming years across all of our national teams.”

SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said: “This is obviously an extremely important period for our game, so we are very happy to go into it with the backing of ASICS once again. The goal of the South African rugby team is to get back to the summit of world rugby and together with ASICS’ help on and off the field, we believe we will get back there.”