Sport24 to broadcast men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups

IMG’s inflight and in ship sports channel, Sport 24, today announced a deal with World Rugby to broadcast Rugby World Cup 2021 (played in 2022) and Rugby World Cup 2023.

As rugby fans gear up for an action-packed year, Sport 24 will deliver live coverage from two of the sport’s biggest international tournaments to airlines and cruise ships across the world. The deal will kick-off with the much-awaited Rugby World Cup 2021, hosted by defending champions New Zealand from 8 October to 12 November 2022. Sport 24 will broadcast 38 hours of live coverage as the world’s best women rugby players face-off for the coveted title.

The deal will also see Sport 24 broadcast 112 live hours across 56 games of the Rugby World Cup 2023. Scheduled to take place in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023, this will be the tenth edition of the quadrennial world championship for men’s rugby. 

Sport 24 is the home of world cup sport, having recently announced coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 alongside both the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 competitions taking place this Autumn.  

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “We are delighted to have Sport 24 join the family of broadcasters for our men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups. Rugby World Cup 2021 will be a record-breaking celebration of the best of women’s rugby, starting with a 40,000 world record attendance for a women’s rugby match at Eden Park this Saturday. The excitement will continue to grow and partnering with Sport 24 means that fans won’t miss a minute no matter where they are!”

Richard Wise, SVP, Content and Channels for IMG’s media business, said: “We are delighted to partner with World Rugby in an exciting and pivotal year for the sport. As rugby’s popularity continues to surge around the globe, we look forward to playing our role in expanding the reach and viewership of the sport through our unmatched inflight and in-ship live coverage of the next two World Cups.”

Sport 24 is available on Panasonic’s market-leading live television service, which is broadcast via satellite. Launched in 2012, both Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra are produced from IMG’s production HQ at Stockley Park, near London’s Heathrow Airport. Sport 24 also shows live action from the – Premier League, UEFA Champions & Europa League, ICC Cricket World Cups, NBA, NHL, NFL (Inflight Only), golf’s Majors, tennis’ Grand Slams and more.

IOC announce retirement of Timo Lumme and appoint Anne-Sophie Voumard as successor

The IOC yesterday announced that Timo Lumme, Managing Director of IOC Television & Marketing Services (IOC TMS), has decided to retire at the end of the year. Anne-Sophie Voumard has been appointed to succeed him as of 1 January 2023. Ms Voumard has been with the IOC for 13 years, working as Vice President, Broadcast & Media Rights at IOC TMS at Mr Lumme’s side. 

IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper said: “We are grateful to Timo for all his hard work over the past 18 years. During his tenure, he has helped grow the Olympic commercial programmes and secured record revenues for the benefit of the entire Olympic Movement, including the athletes. I respect Timo’s decision to retire for personal reasons, and am pleased that we have been in a position to prepare this transition for some time. I am happy that Timo will remain close to the IOC, and we will continue to benefit from his expertise as a senior advisor. I also look forward to continuing our work with Anne-Sophie Voumard, who has demonstrated a clear ability over the past 13 years to be ready to succeed Timo. Anne-Sophie has our full support, and we are looking forward to continuing writing the success story of the IOC’s commercial programme together.”

Mr Lumme said: “Looking back, I am proud of what my team and I have achieved over the past 18 years on behalf of the Olympic Movement and all the stakeholders that continue to benefit from the Olympic commercial partnerships. I’m glad we’ve been able to plan a smooth transition for my successor, Anne-Sophie, in whom I have full confidence and with whom it has been a pleasure to work closely together for over a decade. I am also happy that I won’t have to miss the IOC and my colleagues too much, and that I will continue to serve as best I can in an advisory role.”

Ms Voumard said: “Having worked with Timo for 13 years, I am very proud to be appointed as his successor. He has developed the IOC commercial team into the successful entity it is today, and I look forward to building on this strong foundation. From the outset, there are some clear priorities for me and my team, including renewing existing TOP sponsorship and media-rights partnerships. A focus will be to also look into opportunities for partners to find new ways to activate, given the fundamental changes in the media and communication landscape.”

Mr Lumme, who is now 61, started his journey with the IOC in 2004. As IOC TMS Managing Director, he has helped the IOC’s commercial programme to grow over almost two decades. During the past four Olympiads, the revenue from broadcasting and the TOP Programme has more than doubled under his leadership. This has led to a constant increase of redistributed revenue from the IOC to the athletes, the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, the National Olympic Committees and the International Sports Federations for the development of sport around the world.

Ms Voumard is a lawyer qualified from the Bars of both Geneva and England and Wales. She holds an MBA in international management, and joined IOC TMS in September 2009. Her professional background includes more than 18 years of expertise in the international sports business industry, working for UEFA and the America’s Cup, as well as sports equipment manufacturer Columbia Sportswear. A dual Swiss and Portuguese national, she speaks five languages (French, English, Portuguese, German and Spanish).

Oracle Red Bull Racing announce one-race partnership with BINGO

Oracle Red Bull Racing is excited to announce the launch of a collaboration with international car experts BINGO (BH AUCTION Co., Ltd.), for the F1 Honda Japanese Grand Prix 2022. The BINGO logo will be placed on the front side of the car at the iconic Suzuka circuit.

BINGO manage and plan auctions by collaborating with global events and media platforms and have dealt with many of the world’s most famous cars and brands, providing first class automotive and concierge services for its customers in the luxury and high-end automotive markets and auctions. BINGO also takes pride in offering their top-tier marketing and PR solutions to international hyper car brands to raise brand awareness in Japan.

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner said: “We appreciate that Suzuka is home to some of our most avid fans and to have this unique collaboration with BINGO will be another memorable addition to the race, as Formula One returns to Japan. The premium nature of BINGO’s operation is a natural fit for Oracle Red Bull Racing, and we’re proud to have their name on the car at the much-anticipated race in Suzuka.”

BINGO CEO Shinji Takei added: “Our company prides itself in dealing with the best brands of cars and presenting our clients with first class bespoke services. The affinity we share with the values of Formula 1 and the Oracle Red Bull Racing team of performance at all levels, BINGO aims to be at the height of our market and are very enthused for this partnership. As motorsport fans, we have watched the continual success of the team and are excited to be with them on their return to Japan.”

Roundtable roundup: The role of technology in taking live sport broadcast to the next level

One of the main challenges facing broadcasters is storytelling, and how to use technology to help tell that story to the viewer at home. 

We are seeing more and more technological innovations on our broadcasts from the now famous Monday Night Football Sky Pad to an augmented reality Eagle flying over stadiums before the IPL Final.

Quidich, the makers of the AR Eagle, were the thought leaders in the room at our latest iSportConnect Roundtable which brought together people from DAZN, ATP Media, Aurora Media and ITV amongst others.

Here are the key findings from the event:

“It is all well and good having lots of data, but you have to be able to show it on the screen and it has to be clear to people in terms of storytelling.” 

The battle of having multiple data points but the challenge being on how to show/inculcate the data into an interesting story telling experience for the viewers, without having to move away from the live action.

“We will change the length of certain parts of shows depending on if they are getting a lot of talk on social media or not”

Social Media is a massive part of everyone’s lives and the instant feedback it gives broadcasters is valuable. You used to have to wait for the ratings or letters of complaint to come in but now with social media, broadcasters can change the line-ups of their shows on the fly.

“It is a benefit to build the audience into what the product looks like”

At the end of the day, the product is for one group of people and that isn’t the competitors, it is for the audience. The blank canvas new sports have gives them the opportunity to ask the audience what they would like and build their response into their product. It is an exciting place to be.

“We like to bring in second screen experiences for innovation”

Second screens are seen as a place where you can innovate and give fans new experiences without taking away from the live event that is taking place on the first screen. If innovations work and really add to the experience then broadcasters can look at adding them to their linear broadcast.

For more information about Quidich click here

To see our future Roundtables click here

World Table Tennis appoints new chairman

World Table Tennis Pte. Ltd. (World Table Tennis) today announced the appointment of Liu Guoliang as Chairman of its Board.

An extremely well-respected leader within the table tennis community, current WTT Council Chair and a member of the Board, Liu Guoliang takes the position to boost World Table Tennis in its mission to transform table tennis and grow the sport worldwide.

He commented, “I am very glad to be appointed as Chair of World Table Tennis Board, which conveyed the trust and support of World Table Tennis and the ITTF. I think the new position will bring great opportunities and challenges alike.”

Liu Guoliang will use his unparalleled experience to build on the initial successes of World Table Tennis and lead the sport to new heights.

“Of course the perspectives differ from different positions, but the dream to further elevate our sport is shared. I will devote more time and energy to promoting and advancing table tennis as well as fostering global cooperation”

A legend of the sport, Liu Guoliang has won all the major titles as a player and head coach of the Chinese men’s team. In 2018, he was elected President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association. In 2021, he was elected to the ITTF Executive Committee, and was appointed Deputy President of the world governing body in October 2022.

World Table Tennis places players and fans at the core of its business, helping catapult table tennis to the forefront of the global sports industry. World Table Tennis delivers the WTT Series – the official professional Table Tennis series of events – to commercially drive the sport forward through a new and innovative approach, delivering world-class sports entertainment events and engaging fan-centric content.

The decision was taken during a Board meeting held on 5 October in Chengdu, China. Petra Sörling, ITTF President, was invited to attend the meeting. The other board members of World Table Tennis are Khalil Al Mohannadi, ITTF Executive Vice President, and Mr Steve Dainton, WTT Director and ITTF Group CEO.

“Liu Guoliang’s long history of leadership, coupled with his unique experience across all areas of our sport, makes him the ideal person to chair the Board of World Table Tennis,” said Dainton. “We know him as a famous table tennis player, as one of the most successful coaches in the history of our sport, and, today, that he accepts this very important position is also an honour for us.”

“His main work is to help us increase the table tennis industry. We have big expectations and hopes, but we can also see here in Chengdu the excellent work he has done so far. Together with Liu Guoliang, we will grow our sport and make it bigger than ever before. I am very much looking forward to collaborating with him in his new role.”

AFC and beIN Media agree a new landmark broadcast deal

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and beIN MEDIA GROUP (“beIN”) have agreed a landmark new long-term deal in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region covering the AFC’s competitions over three cycles up to 2032. 

For the initial 2022-2024 period, the agreement grants beIN – whose flagship channel is beIN SPORTS – exclusive rights to all AFC competitions in certain MENA territories, excluding Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, IR Iran and Iraq. beIN’s exclusive territories are (14): Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. In addition, beIN SPORTS has non-exclusive broadcast rights in the following territories: Chad, Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia and Sudan. For the 2025-2028 and 2029-2032 cycles, beIN has exclusive rights to all AFC competitions across 17 countries of MENA and non-exclusive rights in 6 countries of MENA (see full summary of rights and territories below).

Through this partnership between AFC and beIN, which originally dates back to 2010, beIN SPORTS will showcase the new AFC rights on its four dedicated AFC channels, which will all allow concurrent viewing of games. Every AFC broadcast on beIN features the best-in-class studio analysis presented by beIN’s top punditry team using beIN’sstate-of-the-art studio facilities and technology.

The AFC rights will be available across all beIN’s subscription packages and add to beIN SPORTS’ unparalleled sports portfolio across the MENA region, which also includes exclusive rights to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, LaLiga,Ligue 1, Bundesliga, the FA Cup, and a multitude of other sports rights and entertainment offerings.

Group CEO of beIN Media Group, Yousef Al-Obaidly, said: “We are delighted to enter this long-term partnership with the Asian Football Confederation up to 2032. It is a hugely significant deal for beIN and our business, showing our complete commitment both to premium rights and to the long-term. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM later this year is simply the beginning of our plans at beIN, and this deal is just one proof-point of that.

“The AFC rights add to our unparalleled suite of major sports and entertainment rights within our portfolio over the coming decade. This new deal continues to firmly establish beIN as the home of sport and entertainment in MENA – both now and for decades to come. We look forward to being a trusted partner of Asian football across the entire region.”

AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John, said: “The AFC is delighted to enter into this significant partnership with beIN, who have been loyal partners of the Asian game since 2010. This long-term deal underlines not only the ever-growing stature of the AFC’s world class competitions but also the confidence top broadcasters have in the future of Asian football; and for decades beIN has simply been best-in-class in this region.

“MENA is home to some of the most ardent supporters of Asian football and we are pleased to be able to grow the consumption of AFC football with the hundreds of millions of passionate fans across the MENA region.”

NBA and Aldar announce multi-year partnership with Abu Dhabi Games

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today named Aldar, one of the leading real estate developers and managers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an associate partner of the sold-out NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022, which will feature the Atlanta Hawks and the 2021 NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks playing two preseason games at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. GST.  

The multiyear collaboration will play a key role in supporting and encouraging healthy communities through sport, as well as enriching the basketball landscape in Abu Dhabi and throughout the UAE.  Through the collaboration, Aldar will support dedicated activations at both games and at “NBA District,” an immersive, interactive fan event that will be held at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi from Wednesday, Oct. 5 – Sunday, Oct 9.  Tickets for NBA District are available to purchase here.  At both games, Aldar will offer select fans the opportunity to meet NBA legends and volunteer as honorary “ball kids” and will activate in the arena with LED and jumbotron visibility, courtside branding and on-court activations, including a branded t-shirt toss.

Aldar will also partner with the league on NBA FIT clinics for boys and girls and will feature NBA branding at its residential communities and Aldar Education schools.

“Aldar has a long-standing commitment to delivering world-class experiences for its customers, and that is exactly what we are set to achieve as an associate partner of the league’s first games in the UAE,” said Rashed Al Omaira, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldar Development.  “We look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with the NBA, and we are confident that this collaboration will provide us with the opportunity to showcase Abu Dhabi as an exciting destination to live, visit and enjoy world class events.”

“We are excited to welcome Aldar to the NBA family beginning with our historic games in Abu Dhabi this week,” said NBA Europe and Middle East Managing Director Ralph Rivera.  “Aldar’s diverse approach in the market will allow the NBA to tap into their extensive reach and connect with a wide array of audiences and communities to further develop the game and the league’s profile in the UAE.”

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 are part of a groundbreaking multiyear collaboration between the NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) that earlier this year saw the launch of the first Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, a youth basketball league for 450 boys and girls ages 11-14 from schools across Abu Dhabi.  The collaboration also includes a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA FIT clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event.

Fans can purchase tickets to NBA District by visiting NBAEvents.com/AbuDhabi and follow the NBA on Facebook,Instagram and Twitter (@NBAArabic) for the latest updates, news and content in Arabic.  

Sail GP win Ambition and Impact award at BBC Green Sport Awards

SailGP, the world’s first climate positive sport and entertainment property, has been announced as the winner of the Ambition and Impact award in the first edition of the BBC Green Sport Awards at Wembley Stadium. 

The prestigious awards, newly created by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) to represent its ongoing commitment to a greener future, aim to celebrate individuals and organizations from across the globe who are actively contributing to a more sustainable future through their sporting profile and practices.  

One of just five BBC Green Sport Awards, the Ambition and Impact award is for any elite, professional or high-performance sporting body involved in the organization of, or participation in, competitive sport that has net zero and reduction emissions targets by a specified date.

SailGP was lauded by the judging panel of leading sustainability experts for its brave and ambitious approach to purpose, in particular the introduction of its ground-breaking ‘Impact League’ – a second leaderboard which runs alongside the Season Championship and rewards teams for the positive actions they take to reduce their overall carbon footprint and accelerate inclusivity in the sport.

SailGP was also credited for winning three gold medals in the UN Climate Neutral Now Initiative, setting an ambitious target of 55 per cent reduction of its carbon footprint by 2025 and having already made significant progress in Scope 1 and 2 reductions.

SailGP global director of purpose and impact Fiona Morgan said: “I’m so proud that all our staff and athletes’ hard work and the league’s bold and ambitious approach to sustainability in sports has been recognized at such a high level. It’s fantastic to see the BBC as such a global media organization creating these awards to celebrate the power of sport in tackling the climate crisis and engaging their audience on such a crucial issue.

“We’re only at the start of our journey at SailGP and we’re excited about achieving our ambition to be the world’s most sustainable and purpose-driven global sports platform, as well as inspiring other sports to do things differently.”

BBC Sport director Barbara Slater said: “The BBC Green Sport Awards were created to acknowledge that Sport is not immune to climate change and we felt it was important to recognize, celebrate and raise awareness of the individuals within the industry that are going the extra mile for a greener future. Congratulations to all the winners, we hope they continue doing brilliant work that inspires and encourages others.”

In addition to the Ambition and Impact award, Britain’s most successful female Olympic sailor, Great Britain SailGP Team athlete and SailGP Global Purpose Ambassador Hannah Mills, was shortlisted in the ‘Athlete of the Year’ category. 

In what was an incredibly competitive category won by former Australian rugby player David Pocock, Mills was applauded for using her profile to raise awareness of ongoing climate issues. In recognition of her ongoing efforts, Mills was awarded an OBE in the 2022 New Year Honors for her services to sailing and the environment. 

The news comes on the back of SailGP recently publishing its inaugural Purpose & Impact Report to showcase the environmental and social successes and challenges it has faced in its second season.

Leicester City renew long-standing partnership with Walkers

Leicester City Football Club are pleased to renew their long-standing partnership with Walkers, which also includes sponsorship of LCFC Women.

Running throughout the 2022/23 season, the partnership of both the Men’s and Women’s teams will involve a series of activations and will include Walkers’ branding being visible at King Power Stadium on home matchdays. The stadium is located less than five miles from where the nation’s favourite crisps are made at Walkers’ factory in Beaumont Leys.

It is the first time Walkers will have sponsored LCFC Women, who recently kicked off their second successive campaign in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

PepsiCo, Walkers’ parent company, has made a long-term commitment to women’s football, and this sponsorship marks a major step in its ongoing support.

It comes after PepsiCo recently announced a partnership with Women in Football to sponsor 45 aspiring female coaches on a Football Association course to help kick-start football coaching careers for women across the UK.

Fiona Tomlin, Chief Marketing Officer at PepsiCo UK & Ireland, said: “From Gary Lineker’s iconic ads to our special Salt and Victory crisps marking the historic Premier League title win, Leicester City has regularly been part of the Walkers story for decades.

“Continuing our partnership with the Club and adding to the support of LCFC Women is particularly special for us. It takes PepsiCo’s commitment to supporting its local team and growing the women’s game to the next level, and we can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve.

“With this sponsorship, we’re hoping to inspire even more support for this great city and its footballing legends.”

Leicester has been the home of Walkers since it was founded by Henry Walker in 1948, with the relationship with the Foxes dating back more than 25 years. The company sponsored the Club’s shirts from 1987 to 2001 and Filbert Way carried the brand’s name between 2002 and 2011.

Walkers has also been an advocate for grassroots football in Leicester, launching a community football pitch in the city last year in partnership with Leicester City in the Community, which was made in part using recycled Walkers crisps packets.

Harj Hir, Head of Partnerships at Leicester City, said: “It’s an exciting time for women’s football and the growth and success of LCFC Women in recent seasons has been phenomenal.

“We look forward to continuing our work with Walkers as we aim to boost LCFC Women’s profile even further.”

Sport24 to show ICC Cricket World Cups for the first time

Sport 24, the 24/7 live sports channel produced exclusively for inflight and in ship, today announced a deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to broadcast the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 for the first time.

Sport 24, which is owned and operated by IMG, will show 150 hours of live coverage from the Men’s T20 World Cup, hosted by the defending champions Australia from 16 October to 13 November 2022. The T20 extravaganza enjoys a loyal following from hundreds of millions across the globe as the best teams in the world face each other in cricket’s most spectator-friendly format. 

The deal will also see Sport 24 broadcast more than 350 hours of the Men’s Cricket World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for One Day International Cricket, to be held in India during October and November 2023.  

Sunil Manoharan, Vice President Media Rights at ICC said: “We are pleased to welcome Sport 24 to the ICC broadcast family. It is fantastic for cricket fans to be able to see the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 inflight and in ship as we deliver our vision of more fans enjoying our sport.”

Richard Wise, SVP, Content and Channels for IMG’s media business, said: “We are delighted to start a new innings with ICC to expand our premium sports offering to passengers. As one of the most popular sports in the world, we look forward to bringing the highly anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to the seas and the skies.”

Sport 24 is available on Panasonic’s market-leading live television service, which is broadcast via satellite. Launched in 2012, both Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra are produced from IMG’s production HQ at Stockley Park, near London’s Heathrow Airport. Sport 24 also shows live action from the – Premier League, UEFA Champions & Europa League, NBA, NHL, NFL (Inflight Only), golf’s Majors, tennis’ Grand Slams and more.