Italy’s top soccer league Serie A and its strategic media rights advisor Infront Sports & Media announced yesterday the tender process details for the Serie A media rights on Italian territory.

The tender, which expires on 5 June at 12.00pm, covers 380 matches in each of the 2015/16, 2016/17, and 2017/18 Serie A seasons. 

In summary, Infront has proposed four innovations in order to enhance competition and the possibility of access by new market players:

• An offering that not only includes exploitation rights through digital terrestrial or satellite platforms, but also primary rights for exploitation through online and other audio-visual platforms. This allows licensees to offer Serie A content through other channels;

• An offering structured “by matches”, covering a certain number of fixtures, but overall not more than 35 per cent of the championship;

• A dedicated offering for direct exploitation, containing live broadcast rights, reserved for licensees offering OTT (“over-the-top”) content via Internet, IPTV and mobile phones;

• An ancillary rights offering, designed to enrich editorial content and allow for differentiation of the core packages (e.g. exclusive feeds, priority in the pre- and post-match interviews, etc.).

The following exclusive domestic tender packages are available to media companies in Italy:

• Packages A and B include home and away matches of 8 selected teams (248 of 380 total matches) for transmission via satellite and digital terrestrial platforms respectively (plus related exploitation rights via Internet, IPTV and mobile phones);

• Package C is an upgrade of package A or B and includes ancillary rights related to live broadcast (e.g. different isolated feeds, (unilateral) camera positions, etc.);

• Package D includes 132 matches which are not included in packages A and B and are complemented by ancillary rights as indicated in package C (for exploitation through all platforms);

• Package E provides 3 matches for each match day, for a season total of 114 matches. These rights might only be offered as OTT content via Internet, IPTV and / or mobile platforms.

Marco Bogarelli, President of Infront Italy, said: “The innovations introduced for the 2015 to 2018 period ensures a system that stimulates competition, guarantees market players to further segment their offer and provides the final consumer with multiple ways to access the football product. This means that the new tools meet consumer demands, allowing fans to get closer to football in a new and more modern way. The ultimate goal is to maximise resources for the league, expanding the number of viewers and ultimately Lega Serie A fans.”

Maurizio Beretta, President of the Lega Serie A, stated: “We are very pleased with the result. On Friday, clubs unanimously gave the green light to the presentation of the packages, expressing satisfaction and approval for the work done. This is a significant arrival point, but is only the first step in the selling process. We are happy to have made a good and confident start for future engagements. We will bring to market new technologies to spread football more and more globally, with a particular attention to new generations.”

California-based World Skateboarding Grand Prix (WSGP) has revealed today it is actively seeking strategic partners in India and China with intentions to bring a world-class skateboarding championship to the country in the next 24 months.

Set on a custom-designed, world-class skate park and featuring the most comprehensive group of professional street and vert skaters from around the world, WSGP events offer one of the largest prize purses in the action sports industry. The contest draws thousands of fans and reach 173 countries and 367 million homes through television broadcasts and live webcasts.

The recent South Africa world championships, the Kimberley Diamond Cup, drew some of the biggest names in skateboarding, including Nyjah Huston, Felipe Gustavo, Ryan Decenzo, Louis Lopez, PLG, Andy Macdonald and Marcelo Bastos.

“South Africa has experienced a skateboarding movement over the last few years and the Kimberley Diamond Cup was the most highly anticipated event of the year,” said John Block, MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. “This year’s contest had the largest number of skaters and the biggest names of any skate event we’ve ever hosted. The hotels in Kimberley were at capacity and the flights were sold out. This event has established Kimberley as a tourist destination and paid a tremendous boost to the local economy.”

WSGP CEO Tim McFerran is an expert in the skate events management industry. He previously ran the Maloof Money Cup skate championships and is responsible for many of the innovations seen in skate contests today.

“We’re excited about the possibility of bringing a WSGP championship skateboarding event to India and China,” said McFerran. “Our mission is to not only host a world-class contest, but to develop a program to support host cities economically and socially by promoting skateboarding as a positive and affordable recreational activity for youth of all ages.”

The international skiing federation (FIS) has provided opposition to any plans to stage the 2022 soccer World Cup in the winter, fearing it will damage their own competitions.

Following a council meeting late on Sunday, FIS said it planned to agree on a resolution with the other six winter sports federations in a combined attack on world soccer’s governing body FIFA’s plans to switch the dates of the tournament in Qatar.

“FIS will submit a proposal to the other six International Winter Sports Federations to sign a resolution against organizing the World Cup during the winter sports season in 2022,” it said in a brief statement.

FIS has long viewed FIFA’s plans with suspicion, aware that a soccer World Cup, the world’s biggest and most popular single sports event, would take away viewers and sponsors from the skiing season.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has since said it was a mistake to award a summer tournament to Qatar and is now looking for dates in the winter.

Volvo today announced their new golf strategy, bringing the Championship to geographical areas of interest for Volvo’s businesses.

The strategic move will see the Championship rotate between a few host destinations, acknowledging the true global nature and growing global appeal of golf. Volvo and IMG also announced that the 2013 Volvo World Match Play Championship will be played at the breathtaking Thracian Cliffs Course in Bulgaria from the 16th to the 19th May.

For the 48th edition of the event Volvo and IMG will work closely with the Bulgarian Government in conjunction with the national Golf Association.

The last three editions of the Volvo World Match Play Championships were held at Finca Cortesín in Spain and this move to the much-lauded Gary Player designed signature course marks the first time a full European Tour event will be played in Bulgaria. Framed by rugged coastal cliffs and the vast blue of the Black Sea, which can be viewed from each and every hole, Thracian Cliffs is arguably one of the most dramatic golf courses on earth. Gary Player once commented, “You will not find a golf course like this anywhere else on the planet.” Underlining the unique features of this new venue, the Thracian Cliffs has also been called the ‘Pebble Beach of Europe’.

The Championship has evolved considerably since moving from Wentworth in 2009, successfully securing a world-class field by qualification on merit, increasing the field to 24 players and revising the format.  The qualified players are divided into eight groups of three players to be played out on Thursday and Friday with 16 players progressing to Saturday’s knock-out stage with the semi-finals and final played on Sunday.

Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management explained, “Volvo was the first company to bring a European Tour event to China and we are the first to take a full European Tour event to Bulgaria, as Eastern Europe is an important business area for us.  We are very proud to still be delivering ground-breaking innovations as we mark our 130th professional golf tournament. Everyone at Volvo looks forward to welcoming Bulgaria to the ‘family’ of exclusive host destination partners.”

He continued, “We are delighted to be working with the Bulgarian Government and the Bulgarian Golf Association and are thrilled that they have committed their support to this prestigious and historic Championship. We will announce future venues in due course and while our focus is firmly on delivering a magnificent 2013 Championship as our inaugural event at Thracian Cliffs, we then plan to rotate the Volvo World Match Play Championship between a few very special venues around the world of which Thracian Cliffs is the first.” 
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Mr Boyko Borissov, in announcing his Government’s support commented, “This is a real coup for Bulgaria being chosen to host such a prestigious international tournament with a rich heritage and sporting traditions. The vast media coverage will deliver a reputable boost for Bulgaria and our tourism industry. The recent growth of golf in our country will have the opportunity to be showcased around the world.”

He added, “Volvo is setting a wonderful example to other international companies, as this shows they view Eastern Europe and Bulgaria as an area of interest for their future business development. I am looking forward to welcoming the world’s best golfers and the successful staging of the tournament will only enhance Bulgaria in becoming recognized as one of the established golfing destinations around the world.”

Guy Kinnings, Global Co-Managing Director IMG added, “We are very grateful to the Bulgarian Government for their support and all the work the Bulgarian Golf Association has done to make this possible. The Volvo World Match Play Championship was founded in the same year as IMG and now, more than 50 years on, we are delighted that, with the help of our partners, Volvo, this historic Championship continues to ‘trail-blaze,’ going to new venues as was McCormack’s vision back in 1964.”

Kinnings continued, “In the last decade, IMG’s business interests in Eastern Europe, and Bulgaria in particular, have really developed and bringing such a globally significant tournament to the region was always our ambition. The decision to rotate the Championship around different countries in the future is another innovative move which allows the event to remain fresh annually. While these future venues are yet to be announced, it is no secret that we are considering Northern Europe, including the UK, as a possible future destination.”

George O’Grady CBE, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “On behalf of everyone at The European Tour, and particularly our Members, we thank Volvo and IMG for their continued support of this Championship and The European Tour. I would also like to thank the Bulgarian Golf Association who has worked hard to secure the Volvo World Match Play Championship and I know their support will be rewarded when the world’s best players travel to their country in May.”

Krassimir Guergov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Golf Association, commented: “This is just the most amazing news and I am delighted that Bulgaria has been able to demonstrate its credentials to Volvo, IMG and the European Tour in order to make this happen. We will now concentrate on helping IMG and Volvo deliver a world-class Championship that will showcase Thracian Cliffs and Bulgaria.”

Die erfolgreichste deutschsprachige Rockband Die Toten Hosen ist ab sofort Ehrenmitglied von Fortuna Düsseldorf. Der Bundesligist würdigt damit die bis in die 1980er Jahre zurückgehenden Verdienste der Musiker für den Club aus der nordrhein-westfälischen Landeshauptstadt.

Die Toten Hosen haben zweifelsfrei großartige Musikgeschichte geschrieben – dies macht sich nicht nur an mehr als 12 Millionen verkaufter Alben allein in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz bemerkbar. Von “Hier kommt Alex” bis zum jüngsten Smashhit “An Tagen wie diesen” weiß die Band seit 1982 immer wieder mit Songs aufzuwarten, die den Geschmack eines sehr breiten Publikums treffen.

Neben der Musik wussten Die Toten Hosen aber auch immer wieder mit der Unterstützung sozialer Projekte Akzente zu setzen. So erschien 1992 der Song “Sascha… ein aufrechter Deutscher”, der sich gegen Rechtsradikalismus richtet und mit dessen sechsstelligem Erlös die Band den “Düsseldorfer Appell gegen Fremdenfeindlichkeit und Rassismus” unterstützte. Die Band unterstützt darüber hinaus seit vielen Jahren die Entwicklungshilfsorganisation Oxfam und Pro Asyl, einer Menschenrechtsgruppe. Daneben bestritt die Band zahlreiche Auftritte in sozialen Einrichtungen, bei denen sie allesamt auf Gage verzichtete.

Großes Augenmerk legte die Gruppe jedoch immer wieder auf ihre Heimatstadt Düsseldorf und dabei besonders auf die Fortuna, deren bekennende Fans sie vor allem auch in schlechteren Jahren waren. Die Verpflichtung von Spieler Anthony Baffoe zur Saison 1989/1990 wurde beispielsweise durch finanzielle Beteiligung der “Toten Hosen” möglich. Im Jahr 1993 konnte durch erhebliche Spendenzuwendung der Band das “Fanprojekt Düsseldorf” ins Leben gerufen werden, dessen Träger der Düsseldorfer Jugendring und Teil der Jugendarbeit im Umfeld der Fortuna ist.

Höhepunkt der Unterstützung für den rot-weißen Traditionsclub war indes das Trikotsponsoring in den Jahren 2001 bis 2003. Obwohl die Fortuna in die Viertklassigkeit abgerutscht war, konnte der Verein nicht nur die Einnahmen aus dem Sponsoring einstreichen, sondern wusste die Bandmitglieder immer wieder auf ihrer Seite – vor allem bei Konzerten und anderen öffentlichen Auftritten, bei denen “Die Toten Hosen” im besten Sinne Botschafter für den Verein waren. In der Folgezeit unterstützten “Die Toten Hosen” über viele Jahre auch die Jugendabteilung der Flingeraner.

Peter Frymuth, Vorstandsvorsitzender von Fortuna Düsseldorf: “In den vergangenen Jahren war es für mich immer wieder beeindruckend, wie ‘Die Toten Hosen’ an den verschiedensten Orten der Welt ihre Verbundenheit mit der Fortuna deutlich gemacht haben. Ihre Unterstützung in mannigfaltiger Form – gerade in den Zeiten, in denen der Fortuna-Stern noch nicht so leuchtete wie heute – war herausragend. Daher ist es jetzt an der Zeit, zurückzublicken und diese Leistungen zu würdigen.”

Die Band selbst meint zu der Auszeichnung: “Die Ehrenmitgliedschaft ist für uns eine große Auszeichnung. Als Fans von Fortuna haben wir über die Jahre immer wieder versucht, den Verein im Rahmen unserer Möglichkeiten zu unterstützen. Wir freuen uns, wenn uns das hier und da gelungen sein sollte. Die Wiederauferstehung des Vereins und die Rückkehr in die erste Liga sind das Ergebnis vieler gemeinsamer Bemühungen von Spielern, Mitarbeitern, Sponsoren und den unermüdlichen Fans. Insofern empfangen wir die Ehrenmitgliedschaft auch stellvertretend für viele andere, die in den vergangenen Jahren die Fortuna unterstützt haben und nicht im Licht der Öffentlichkeit stehen.”

UPS has renewed its sponsorship of Japanese touring car team, health Team TAISAN.

UPS has only been a major sponsor of the successful team for one year and the deal is through UPS Japan.

UPS will continue to have branding on the team’s Porsche and on the driver and team member uniforms.

UPS has leveraged the sponsorship through its community program, specifically its support of children from foster homes.

UPS Japan President, Masato Umeno said the company is pleased to continue the sponsorship and support the team with its global network and services.{jcomments on}

 

Lotus team principal Eric Boullier is convinced that the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) has a strong future, despite the departure of several members.

Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Toro Rosso and Sauber all decided to quit FOTA at the end of 2011 as a legacy of the ongoing row over the Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA).

The move prompted doubts over the future of FOTA, but Boullier, who remains as vice-chairman for 2012, is confident that the body can not only survive but also thrive because co-operation with the non-member teams is still ongoing.

“FOTA was created in 2008 by car manufacturers to fight against some people and to maybe go for a breakaway series – that story we know,” he said at a Lotus launch event at Jerez on Monday.

“FOTA today faces a different challenge, and to understand if FOTA is relevant, that is the first question. The second question is, what do we want to achieve with FOTA? I think this question has been asked, and we have got a proper answer now.

“Even the teams who have resigned from FOTA are still working with FOTA, in terms of factory shutdown, testing agreement, and RRA. So, from that perspective, there will be no change.

“So at least if we can still work on making F1 better, more sustainable and help F1 to be better, that is what FOTA should be.”

Sauber CEO Monisha Kaltenborn said that despite leaving FOTA, her outfit would remain keen to work with the other teams on future plans.

“Our FOTA membership has now come to an end and, because of that, definitely we will be on our own like others are,” she explained at Jerez.

“I would not exclude that we will still be talking about points like this because, in other areas, we are definitely continuing our talks with FOTA.

“We are respecting the agreements that were signed under FOTA, even though legally they are not depending on us being a member of FOTA or not – like the RRA. We also agreed on the factory shutdown this year which is again done under FOTA originally.

“So getting out of FOTA does not mean that we have just broken all contacts over there. We had our reasons [for leaving] which we explained to FOTA, but that does not stop us cooperating with other teams.”

Former English county cricketer Mervyn Westfield has pleaded guilty on Thursday to a corruption charge linked to his bowling in a 40-over one-day game.

Westfield, ed 23, who played for Essex, admitted accepting or obtaining a corrupt £6,000 payment to bowl in a way that would allow the scoring of runs when Essex played Durham in a Pro40 match in 2009, during a hearing at the Old Bailey in London.

The court heard he had agreed to bowl his first over in a way that would let Durham score a set number of runs in the game in September 2009.

Westfield will be sentenced on February 10 and was warned he will face a jail sentence.

Judge Anthony Morris told Westfield: “I hold out no promises to you as to the eventual outcome of this case. It’s open to the court in this case to pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

Morris added the name of the other party involved in the deal would be known to cricket fans, but it was not revealed in court.

This continues to hurt the reputation of the sport after Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were jailed in Britain last year for their role in a ‘spot-fixing’ scandal in a Test match against England.

Huge sums are bet on cricket matches, especially in the Indian sub-continent — the sport’s financial powerhouse but an area where gambling on cricket is generally illegal — because of the way incidents in matches, and results, can be manipulated.

The court heard the seamer, who was released by Essex in 2010 “on cricketing grounds,” agreed to bowl the first over so that 12 runs could be scored, but only 10 were achieved.

Westfield conceded 60 runs from seven overs as Durham scored 276 for six, a target surpassed by Essex, who won by seven wickets with 19 balls to spare in the Pro40 game played in Chester-le-Street.

His admission of guilt came just two days after former England captain Mike Brearley, now the chairman of MCC’s world cricket committee, urged players to “take ownership” of the issue of corruption in cricket.

The England and Wales Cricket Board’s anti-corruption chief Chris Watts, formerly a detective with London’s Metropolitan Police, recently suggested the domestic game may be more vulnerable to malpractice because of its lower profile and the fact players involved are generally earning less than their international counterparts.

But Angus Porter, the chief executive of England’s Professional Cricketers’ Association, told the Press Association: “Our view on it is that the world has moved on quite a long way since he (Westfield) committed those offences.

“We’ve invested a huge amount in educating players as to their responsibilities, but I think that none of us can be complacent.”

As for suggestions the county game was particularly vulnerable, Porter added: “I’m not convinced that we know who the high-risk groups are.

“There is no doubt that where there are threats of corruption they will be linked to gambling and that gambling will predominantly be on televised games.

“International cricket certainly is a risk and I think domestic cricket is also a risk because some games are televised on the Indian sub-continent so I suppose those specific matches are the ones we need to worry about.”

Porter added the PCA had advised Westfield.

“We did offer him advice in the early days and one thing that was important, given that that case involved a number of people in the Essex dressing room, was to make sure he had independent legal advice and we helped him to source that,” he said.

---

Join the iSportConnect discussion on the implications for the game right here