AC Milan and eBay announce partnership

AC Milan and eBay are pleased to announce a new partnership, which sees the leading marketplace in global commerce become the Official Marketplace of the Rossoneri.

The new partnership is based on the sharing of objectives and values by these two global brands with the concept of passion at the heart of the agreement. On the one hand, eBay positions itself as the “marketplace of passions” to its community, where users, who share the same wishes and interests, can find whatever they are looking for and what will make them truly happy. On the other, there is AC Milan, which provides unique experiences to its 500 million fans around the world, driven every day by their dedication for red and black colours.

A perfect union that is reinforced by the opening of the AC Milan store on eBay.it,where all Rossoneri fans will be able to enjoy an exclusive experience that will allow them to purchase original products of their favourite team.

Maikel Oettle, Sponsorship Sales Director of AC Milan, stated: “Today we announce a partnership between two international and prestigious brands, recognisable all over the world. We are particularly proud to provide our fans with an additional touchpoint to bring them even closer to the AC Milan world through the creation of an AC Milan store on the eBay platform.Launching a store on eBay underlines the innovative spirit of the Club, which is always focused on improving the experience of our fans also in the digital world.”

Alice Acciarri, General Manager of eBay Italy, added: “We are very excited about this partnership, which for us represents a further demonstration of the centrality of our community. The union of two important global brands will be able to further consolidate the relationship with our users, with the ambition to nurture their interests, dreams and experiences”.

RLWC 2021 announces new broadcast partners

Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) is pleased to announce the acquisition of two new broadcast partners as it continues its ambition to deliver the biggest, best and most inclusive World Cup and take the game to new audiences around the world.

BeIN SPORTS are set to show all the French teams’ matches, across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments, as well as other key games, including all the men’s tournament matches and all matches from the quarter finals onwards, across its platforms. These will be shown in France and across French territories.

The tournament has also confirmed Viaplay as a broadcast partner, meaning matches will be streamed across 10 of Viaplay’s markets: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Poland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

In addition, it has been confirmed that VOGO UK will become the official sports services provider for the tournament to provide match officials communications systems, timing systems and the Head Injury Review System for the first time in an international rugby league event.

VOGO UK’s comms kit will enable effective communication amongst match officials across the 61 games, while the timing system will be operated via a specially designed app which enable the timekeepers to manage timing and restart clocks. The Head Injury Review System will allow doctors to review multiple angles of an incident to inform decision making.

Jon Dutton, RLWC2021 Chief Executive, said: “It’s a big step forward for the RLWC to be broadcast on beIN SPORTS platforms across France, raising awareness of our fantastic sport in France before we hand the baton over to France 2025, while our partnership with Viaplay means we are showcasing rugby league across 10 of their European markets, which is a fantastic opportunity to attract a new audience.

“In addition, I am delighted we have secured VOGO UK as our official sports services provider and I am looking forward to deploying their world-class products throughout the tournament.”

RLWC2021 will show the restart clock on the big screens, thanks to VOGO’s technology, making each game even more engaging for fans while the Head Injury Review System will have a big role to play in player welfare. 

Stephen Pagliuca appointed Chairman of Deltatre after acquisition

Deltatre, one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment technology providers, today announced that Stephen Pagliuca will take on the role of Chairman of the Board at Deltatre.

The appointment comes following the completion of the acquisition of Deltatre by Bain Capital and Nextalia SGR, first announced in June 2022.

Stephen Pagliuca, Chairman of the Board at Deltatre, said: “I have followed Deltatre’s journey for years and the growth it has experienced as a provider of leading media technology solutions – particularly in North America – is nothing short of remarkable. The company is at the forefront of a transformational shift in how consumers engage with content. Its investments across video streaming, fan data, and broadcast technology have positioned it well to capture new markets. I’m proud to take on the role of Chairman and to help Andrea unleash the full potential of Deltatre as a unique, trusted, and proven brand.”

Andrea Marini CEO of Deltatre, said: “There is no person I trust more than Stephen to take on the role of Chairman of the Board. His credentials are unmatched, and he will provide tremendous value to Deltatre as we embark on this new chapter in our company history. It is an incredibly exciting time in the sport and media sector with a huge opportunity to drive innovation across the entire ecosystem. I look forward to working closely with Stephen – and the wider team at Bain Capital – as we continue to deliver on our mission of transforming fan experiences.”

Mr. Pagliuca is Co-Chair of Bain Capital and has played a leading role in a wide spectrum of prominent businesses in which Bain Capital Private Equity has made investments. He is also a Managing General Partner and co-owner of the Boston Celtics and Atalanta in the Italian Serie A.

Endeavour appoint new President, Global Partnerships – IMG Events, IMG Media and On Location

Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company, announced today Robbie Henchman has been promoted to President, Global Partnerships – IMG Events, IMG Media and On Location.

In addition to leading Global Partnerships teams across the three groups, the new role will see Henchman, who was previously Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for IMG, work alongside Endeavor’s senior leadership team to maximize partnership alliances for all of the company’s divisions and business units. He will report directly to Paul Caine, President of IMG Events and On Location, with additional responsibilities into IMG Media which is run by Adam Kelly.

Henchman will continue to oversee the IMG Events international offices in North America, Europe, APAC, and MENA, and the leads of IMG’s sports events sub-divisions across Golf, Tennis, Football, Action & Winter Sports, and Rugby will now report into him.

Mark Shapiro, President of Endeavor, said: “Robbie’s deep global expertise and wide-ranging personal network of key relationships, built over 25 years at IMG, have made an invaluable contribution to our organization. Under Robbie’s leadership and with his track record of connecting Endeavor’s businesses to drive maximum value for our clients and owned assets, we are confident that all businesses that rely on our Global Partnerships team will benefit tremendously from this new appointment.”

Henchman was credited with creating the Women’s World Cup of Golf in 2000, as well as bringing Tiger Woods to China for the first time in 2001. He and his team in Asia were responsible for much of IMG’s early growth in APAC, including the company’s 20-year joint venture with the Asian Tour, the development of the LPGA’s footprint in Asia and HSBC’s world-renowned golf programs. Over the past decade, his efforts have reached far beyond golf to impact IMG’s tennis, football, mass participation and arts & entertainment events, as well as Endeavor businesses like UFC and its marketing agency 160/90.

The changing landscape of Women’s Tennis

In this article, Thomas Inskip, Head of Sport & Fitness at The PHA Group, looks into the future of Women’s Tennis, the stars of tomorrow that are taking centre stage today and what that means for sponsorships.

The landscape of women’s tennis is currently going through one of their biggest transitions ever with the retirement of one of the greatest sporting stars of all time, Serena Williams. Despite being 40 years old and ranked 605th in the world prior to this year’s US Open, most of the talk across both the men’s and women’s tournament revolved around Serena, who was bidding to end her career with an incredible 24th Grand Slam.

Serena is irrefutably the biggest star in the female game, who sold out Arthur Ashe Stadium for her first-round match within a ‘nanosecond’ according to tournament director, Stacey Allaster (CBS News). Given this was her swansong, it begs the question where and how the next star from the women’s game will emerge.  

For the last ten years, there has not been enough women who have consistently stayed at the top of the game winning grand slams on a regular basis, apart from Serena of course. Before the US Open, the last seven grand slams saw seven different female winners, which from the outset might appear exciting and unpredictable to the casual tennis fan, but for the future of the sport, building and maintaining loyal fanbases may prove a lot trickier. 

For the women’s game to move forward, it’s important we start seeing big rivalries forming between the players at the top of the game. Between 1999 – 2015, Serena built up some of the game’s most intense clashes, none more so than with her sister Venus Williams, but also with the likes of Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin and Jennifer Capriati among others. Repeated rivalries and familiarity are what draws fans in across all sports. El Clásico between Real Madrid & Barcelona is the most watched football game in Spain without question, as are matches like Manchester United vs Liverpool in England, while in tennis terms, matches between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were always the most eagerly anticipated contests that drew the most eye-balls to the sport. 

Looking at the current landscape of women’s tennis, it’s difficult to think how the game might entice new viewers without rivalries beginning to develop. The top 10 ranked women have only won four grand slams between them, while the top 20 ranked women have only won six. Current world number one and recent winner of this year’s US Open, Iga Swiatek, has had an incredible 2022 having achieved the longest win streak in the 21st century (37 matches) aside from her Grand Slam triumphs both in France and USA and at just 21 years old, she appears to be the obvious heir to Serena Williams in taking the women’s game to new heights.  

This year’s Roland Garros may have presented a glimpse of the future, with the final being contested by 21-year-old Swiatek and 18-year-old Coco Gauff, but the Pole has won all three meetings between the pair in straight set victories. Having said that and still only a teenager, Gauff is widely tipped as one of the game’s future stars and her appearances in three Grand Slam finals across both singles and doubles would have given her good big-match experience to take into her later years as a professional. Britain’s hopes for the future are pinned on 19-year-old Emma Raducanu, who may also be considered as a potential rival to Swiatek in the coming years. Her incredible maiden win at the US Open in 2021 has lifted expectations considerably and despite a turbulent 2022, that experience of winning a major will put her in good stead going forwards.

Developing rivalries and more eyes on the women’s game can also create huge commercial earning opportunities for the players. The Forbes list of highest-earning female athletes is always dominated by tennis players, with Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Garbine Muguruza and Ashleigh Barty all listed in the top ten highest earners in 2021. However, comparing that to the nine tennis players that featured in 2020’s list could be a sign of declining interest into the sport. 

Swiatek is beginning to reap those rewards having secured partnerships with brands such as Rolex, Lexus and Red Bull but despite her number 1 status, she’s not quite a household name yet as the Williams’ sisters were. Winning grand slams on a regular basis may change that narrative but competing in thrilling finals and developing ‘Fedal’-esque rivalries could see the landscape of women’s tennis change for the better.

RedBull Racing announce sportswear partnership with Castore

Premium sportswear brand Castore have announced their new long-term partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing. This partnership will see Castore become a Team Partner for the Oracle Red Bull Formula 1 team from the 2023 season onwards.

Castore will supply the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team with apparel from the start of the 2023 Formula 1 season. Additionally, Castore branding will feature on team apparel and on the race suits of Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 drivers, current World Champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez.

Castore exists with one simple principle – to create the highest quality sportswear to help athletes perform at their best. The Manchester-based company takes great pride in their apparel that optimises athletic performance in all conditions. Oracle Red Bull Racing and Castore both share a commitment to innovation, with both brands always pushing for marginal gains across the business. Using advanced engineering, expertise in sports science, unique technical fabrics and rigorous testing means Castore are delivering products that are revolutionizing the performance sportswear industry.

Castore have collaborated with the 4-time Constructors Champions to develop high performance sportswear ranges. The British brand will also take on Oracle Red Bull Racing’s licensed merchandise programme providing the team’s global fanbase with fantastic access to products across the globe.

The Castore x Oracle Red Bull Racing collections will be available to purchase on Redbullshop.com, Castore.com as well as trackside retail.

Tom Beahon, Co-Founder, Castore said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Oracle Red Bull Racing, one of the most iconic F1 teams of modern times. Not only are they an impressive brand but we share the mindset of relentlessly pursuing ways to optimize performance, encapsulated by Castore’s motto ‘Better Never Stops’. The partnership further strengthens Castore’s presence in Formula 1, and we are thrilled to continue this journey with the Oracle Red Bull Racing team and their hugely passionate fanbase.”

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner said: “Formula 1 is a tremendously demanding environment. In 2023 we’ll race in 24 different locations around the world, in conditions that range from freezing cold to soaring heat and energy-sapping humidity. Our Team members have to be equipped to perform no matter what they encounter and sportswear optimised for functionality and comfort is a crucial component in achieving the level needed to win. Consequently, I’m excited that we are partnering with Castore as their expertise in sports science, materials and engineering will help us to meet that goal. I’m also really pleased that we’ll be able to bring that level of performance to fans.”

OneFootball announces new UK distribution partnership Premier Sports

OneFootball, has announced a new distribution partnership with Premier Sports that will bring three of Europe’s top competitions to fans in the UK.

The new partnership includes a multi-year highlights deal for the Spanish LaLiga – one of the top football leagues in the world – where some of football’s most renowned clubs, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, all compete. 

The distribution partnership will give fans access to post-match highlights clips of all ten games each matchday, free-to-air via the OneFootball App on smartphone and tablet, and via the OneFootball website. Highlights from last weekend’s action in LaLiga are already available to view on OneFootball, with the deal set to run until the end of the 2024/25 season. In total, fans will have access to 380 highlights clips per season.

In other exciting news, OneFootball will also show selected live matches from both the DFB-Pokal, Germany’s most prestigious knockout cup competition, and the Portuguese top flight, Liga Portugal. For the rest of the 2022/23 season and for just £1.79 per game, fans can watch some of Europe’s best teams go head-to-head, including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig in the DFB-Pokal, or Benfica, FC Porto, and Sporting CP in Liga Portugal.

The deal builds on OneFootball’s growing list of free-to-air streaming rights in the UK. OneFootball recently announced a multi-year streaming deal to bring select live matches from the Italian Serie A to fans in the UK and Ireland, and also offers free-to-air coverage from many other leagues across Europe, Asia and South America. OneFootball already has similar distribution partnerships in place across the world, including with Sky Deutschland for the live broadcast of Bundesliga 2 and DFB-Pokal in Germany, as well as with Helbiz Media for Serie BKT in Italy.

The distribution partnership complements Premier Sports offering across their owned and operated platforms, with the aim of tapping into OneFootball’s young and highly-engaged UK user base.

Nikolaus von Doetinchem, Vice President OTT Streaming & Media Rights at OneFootball, said: “Our approach to live football at OneFootball is all about flexibility, accessibility, and getting fans closer to the clubs and leagues they love from all around the world. We’re building a fantastic offer for our UK community, bringing them live action and highlights from a big mix of global leagues, as well as some of Europe’s elite competitions. Thanks to Premier Sports, UK fans can enjoy highlights from one of the best leagues in the world, LaLiga, as well as affordable live coverage of two other top European competitions.”

Why live will beat digital in the battle to engage sports fans

In this month’s Digital Café, David Granger looks at the race for fans’ attention, and whether augmented reality makes a live event even better than the real thing.

In the generational lack of attention-span debate (it’s-less-than-a-goldfish v ever-seen-Gen Z-tear-into-eight-hours-of-xBox FIFA?) sport has examined and experimented with changes to the format of games and to the way sport is consumed.

For cricket it was offering shortened games and series. For Formula E it was the fanboost: a (some might say misguided) Mario Kart-esque premise that the fans can directly influence performance by voting to give their driver’s car an extra power-up. Their intention of engaging fans via technology is a noble one, but the concept is a little warped.

The reaction of traditional sport to the supposed threat of losing a fanbase and chasing younger viewers to this perceived problem has resulted in innovation to enhance (though not necessarily improve) the viewing experience or the gamification of live sport itself.

The march of progress is one which should be harnessed, rather than halted, but assessing why sports fans are sports fans should be taken into consideration. Changing the sport and the viewing experience to emulate a screen experience might not be the salvation some marketers believe. 

Last month the Minnesota Twins launched ARound, a shared augmented reality (AR) app for use at its Major League Baseball home games.

The premise is fans can aim their phones at Target Field during breaks in the live action to play games against other fans in the stadium. It’s (obviously?) targeted at younger spectators to keep them engaged while their older relatives grab refreshments/discuss the innings. 

It’s described by Chris Iles, the Twins’ senior director of brand experience and innovation as able to “…create a shared experience and creating some context around an event…” which is interesting, because that arguably is exactly what the live baseball game is intended to do. 

Currently (like the Manchester City connected scarf) there are no plans to capture or leverage user data, but that’s surely only a matter of time. And will those young AR-battling fans take their own kids to games if the only way they could be engaged in a shared experience at live baseball was through gamified augmented reality?

Where added layers of technology will make sport more engaging is when it’s watched not live, but on screen. For those who work in sport business, there is really nothing like the atmosphere of a live event, and the visceral reaction of a crowd in real-time. But we can and shold enhance the screen experience.

Companies like Sports Buff have identified and built on this. They create graphic layers which can be added by any broadcaster to give information as well as entertainment and engagement be that polls, prize draws or posts. The premise is to stay engaged with the action, rather than detract from it. And to prove the concept has legs, it’s just secured a cool £2.1 million in its latest funding round.

The single biggest chunk of cash has come from London-based sport investment firm Sport Republic, who see this as a way not only to keep online audiences engaged, but eventually monetised to create new commercial opportunities, as they said: “…especially with next generation audiences.” Because again, the ultimate commercial aim is catching them young and reeling them in for life. 

To be fair to ARound and the Minnesota Twins, the next iteration will bridge the gap between stadium and sitting room. Viewers watching games which are streamed and televised could also be added to the AR platform in the stadium. 

But… I’m not so sure an AR game will be able to deliver the “energy and excitement that is in the stadium” as they predict. There really is nothing like live sport.

Euroleague basketball names new leadership

Euroleague Basketball (EB) announced changes to its senior management on Wednesday, September 14, with a new President and a new CEO appointed by its shareholders. 

EuroLeague icon Dejan Bodiroga, who won three EuroLeague titles and multiple individual awards during a legendary playing career, has been named President of Euroleague Basketball, and will also fulfill the role of Director. Bodiroga is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in European basketball history. 

Bodiroga brings his deep knowledge and experience into his new role and will focus on increasing the quality of the competition for clubs, players, fans, partners, and all EB stakeholders. His extensive international network provides the foundation for a new strategy focused on improving EB’s institutional relationships within the global basketball community, including the EuroLeague Players Association, the EuroLeague Head Coaches Board, the Union of Euroleague Basketball Officials, FIBA, domestic leagues, and other basketball-related institutions. 

Following his playing career, Bodiroga served as Vice-President of the Serbian Basketball Federation between 2011 and 2015 and subsequently as President of the Competition Commission of FIBA Europe. 

“We are entering a new era for EuroLeague,” Bodiroga said. “The past 20 years have seen Europe’s premier basketball competition establish itself as a powerhouse in global sports. I’d like to thank Jordi Bertomeu and his team for their vision and hard work and look forward to continuing to build and expand the impact of EuroLeague and EuroCup.” 

Marshall Glickman, G2 Strategic’s CEO and a long-time advisor to Euroleague Basketball, has been named the Acting CEO of EB, Director of its affiliated companies, and Special Advisor to Euroleague Properties. Additionally, he will have a seat on the board of Euroleague Ventures, the league’s joint venture with IMG Media. Glickman will serve a transitional role and will assist Euroleague Basketball’s shareholders in recruiting a permanent CEO. 

Glickman’s focus will be on the business side, working closely with IMG to optimize the value of the league and the clubs’ collective commercial assets, expand its fan base, integrate European basketball into popular culture across the globe and, ultimately, expand into more key markets. 

“Euroleague Basketball is like family to me,” said Glickman. “I have always believed that the top pan-European basketball league has tremendous potential, particularly its appeal to the digital native generations. I am thrilled to help our friends at the league office and the best clubs in Europe transition to new leadership. I am grateful to EuroLeague’s founder, Jordi Bertomeu, for his leadership, friendship, and support, helping me adapt to European cultures and sporting traditions, and look forward to his counsel and wisdom going forward.” 

Glickman has an extensive career in the sports industry, including being the President of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers and Oregon Arena Corporation, Broadcasting Coordinator for the National Basketball Association, Director of Media Sales for NBA Properties, and Chairman & CEO of Portland Family Entertainment. Glickman has a profound knowledge of the European sports ecosystem, as G2 Strategic has been a business advisor to Euroleague Basketball for 20 years. G2 Strategic’s European client portfolio has included LaLiga Santander (Spain), Ligue de Football Professionnel (France), French Tennis Federation, FC Barcelona, Olympique Lyonnais, Stade Rochelle, Stade Français, CSKA Moscow, Association of Tennis Professionals, Tennis Canada, as well as several European sports clubs (PSG, Olympique Lyonnais, CSKA) and tennis tournaments. 

Glickman has also played a leading role in the development of several planned or built arenas and stadiums, including Moda Center (Portland, Oregon), Providence Park (Portland, Oregon), Moscow Sports & Entertainment Center, American Airlines Arena (Miami, Florida), Roland-Garros (Paris), and a new arena in Villeurbanne, France. 

Glickman has served on several boards in his hometowns of Portland, Oregon, and Bend, Oregon, and has produced live jazz shows for several years. 

Jordi Bertomeu, 22 years at the forefront of EB

Glickman and Bodiroga will take over from CEO Jordi Bertomeu, who had been in the role for 22 years. 

Bertomeu was one of Euroleague Basketball’s founders in 2000 and has led it since then throughout its continuous growth. Under his management, the EuroLeague rapidly became the most recognized basketball competition outside of North America, gaining a worldwide audience for both the intensity of the competition and its role in forging breakthrough talents. Bertomeu was at the center of decisions on competition structure and rule changes that consistently heightened the dramatic effect of the EuroLeague to make every game count more than any other league of its kind. 

Euroleague Basketball broke new ground again in 2016 by creating the first true international European league among major European team sports in a joint venture with media and entertainment giant IMG. As a result, EuroLeague’s popularity and commercial performance have experienced significant increases in television viewership, social media engagement and global recognition. 

The Euroleague Commercial Assets shareholders would like to thank Bertomeu for his unmatched dedication over 22 years and wish him well in his future endeavors.

The9 Limited’s NFTSTAR to launch Neymar and Giannis NFTs, Metaverse dApps and Games

The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) (“The9”), an established internet company, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary NFTSTAR Singapore Pte., Ltd, which operates the Web3 metaverse platform
NFTSTAR, will hold the four new products launching conference on October 15, 2022.

NFTSTAR will launch four different products，including a NFT collection designated for the international soccer superstar Neymar Júnior, a unique Web3 metaverse social platform “Playmaker” to provide worldwide Web3 users with moments of reunion for the coming important global soccer matches, a Blockchain soccer game “Metagoal” for gamers to build their own Web3 soccer clubs to compete for the honour of the “Meta-World-Cup” and a sports prediction collecting game “Wonder Win” for gamers to collect commemorative NFTs and quiz each game.

The launch of these NFTs, metaverse dApps and games constitutes the core foundation of the NFTSTAR metaverse ecosystem.

The NFTSTAR community platform will cover superstars in various fields, including but not limited to sports, entertainment, art and celebrities in different industries. The NFTSTAR community platform aims to become a significant portal to the metaverse.