Sky Sports, a subscription sports network that has been involved in boxing for many years, extended its deal with promoter Matchroom Sport. 

Matchroom Sport has been the exclusive provider of fights cards to the network for the past few years and will continue to be for the next two years — and 40 shows — under the terms of the deal. The extension commences in June, Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn announced.

“I’m delighted to announce a new two-year extension to our existing contract with Sky Sports, which will see us as the principle promoter on the channel to summer 2016,” Hearn said in a statement. “We have developed one of the strongest stables ever seen in world boxing and the extension gives us the perfect platform to grow our team and provide them all with the ultimate opportunity to achieve within the sport. 

“Sky shares our passion and vision for the sport and is a perfect partner as we look to grow boxing significantly over the next few years. It’s exciting times for an exciting sport and we have some mouth-watering plans to share with Sky Sports viewers.”

Frenchman Cyril Abiteboul became the youngest team principal in Formula One on Thursday with Caterham naming the 35-year-old as successor to Malaysian entrepreneur and co-owner Tony Fernandes.

Abiteboul was already the chief executive of the British-based team, who have yet to score a point in three years, and will now combine both roles. 

“Cyril is going to be an excellent team principal. He has extensive experience in F1, he is extremely well respected and he shares our vision for what we want our team to achieve,” said Fernandes in a statement.

“He takes over during a season when we have not yet fulfilled our potential, but at a time when we have everything in place to help us do so. One day we will earn our seat at the top table of Formula One and he is the right person to take us there.”

Abiteboul was previously deputy managing director of Renault Sport F1 and has spent 11 years with the French car manufacturer. Renault provide Caterham’s engines.

Fernandes announced earlier in the week, after presenting a joint venture between his Caterham group and Renault to revive the Alpine sportscar brand, that he would be handing over his F1 duties.

He said on Thursday that the move would allow him to focus on his AirAsia airline while Caterham Group chief executive Riad Asmat would oversee the automotove side.

Fernandes, who is stepping down as CEO of the Malaysian-listed airline to focus on regional growth with its Indonesian operation, will remain as co-chairman of Caterham Group with Kamarudin Meranun.

“Kamarudin and I will still have an active interest in our various Caterham companies, but we have now reached the point in the growth of the business where it makes most sense to step back,” said Fernandes, who also owns struggling Premier League soccer club Queens Park Rangers.

“We have taken Caterham Group from nothing just three years ago to today, where Caterham Cars has the platform with Renault to take it from a niche brand into an innovative participant in the global automotive market.”

The Caterham Group includes a technology company that is also working with Renault on the design and development of sportscars as well as with Airbus on the aviation side.

Caterham’s current F1 drivers are Finland’s Heikki Kovalainen and Russian Vitaly Petrov.

Marcin Herra, unhealthy the man responsible for leading and managing all activities associated with the organisation of this year’s UEFA EURO 2012™ football championships and iSportconnect columnist will present a case study at the International Sports Event Management Conference (ISEM) in London on 7-8 November.

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Co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, ampoule the UEFA Euros were a big leap for the hosts in terms of sports and social development. Marcin will speak at ISEM on the practical difficulties of co-hosting an event with their neighbour which was both commercially and culturally different in approach.  Marcin will discuss the biggest challenges faced by the committee and how they were solved, whether they have been successful in terms of legacy and what the future holds for the hosts.

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2012 Event Highlights at ISEM include;

• Sport Tech Focus Day – Listen to CIO’s and CTO’s from organising committees on the latest innovations and most complex challenges when implementing IT and technologies for major sports events.
• Interactive Workshops – Stadium and Venue Operation and Revenue Maximisation
• ISEM Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony – Recognising excellence in the sports event management industry
• Networking Sessions – Speed Networking and UKTI Networking Meetings

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Awards
The ISEM Awards are taking place alongside the conference, on the 7th November and recognises excellence in the sports event management industry.
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Are you a supplier or technology provider to a major sports event?  Would you like to meet bidding committees and organising committees?
Limited partnership opportunities are left!

Join UKTI, Event Logistics Navigators, ICSS, PRG and Creative Technology among others.  If you would like to showcase your services at the event, please contact Richard Arrowsmith at sponsorship@informasportsgroup.com

SuperSport are set broadcast the National Hockey League (NHL) after securing a new broadcast deal.

The NHL now sits alongside SuperSport’s other major American broadcast properties that include the National Basketball Association, health Major League Soccer, and Major League Baseball and National Football League.

The broadcast agreement includes the rights to telecast up to four live NHL games per week during the regular season, viagra up to 12 live games in rounds one, two and all of round three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, every Stanley Cup Final game, and the NHL All-Star games.

Hockey fans in South Africa will continue to connect with the NHL through NHL GameCentre LIVE and NHL.com.

SuperSport’s rights include simulcast on mobile and online, confirming the World of Champions’ multi-platform philosophy.

Robert Pickles, Managing Director of AMI said: “We are very pleased to add SuperSport to our ever increasing list of broadcasters across EMEA and look forward to a long and successful relationship.”

“This truly is a game-changer,” said Brandon Foot, SuperSport’s Head of Acquisitions and Legal. “The game is fast and dynamic, which is perfect for High Definition viewing. Our audience has a hearty appetite for contact sport and I’m confident NHL will soon command a loyal following.”

“The addition of SuperSport to the League’s international broadcast line-up complements the existing products these fans already consume including NHL GameCentre LIVE and NHL.com,” said David Proper, the NHL’s Executive Vice President of Media Distribution and Strategy. “We anticipate that sports fans in South Africa will continue to enjoy and follow our sport as we embark on an unprecedented season, with six big event outdoor games in the span of 61 days, followed by the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final.”

JMI (Just Marketing International), order the world’s largest motorsports marketing agency, arthritis today announced that Clive Richards has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Partnership Development, EMEA, with responsibility for business development across the region.

With over 17 years’ experience in global sports marketing, Richards brings insight from both the rightsholder and agency perspectives. Reporting to David Webb, President, International, his appointment was effective on 5^th November.

Webb commented: “Clive comes with a thorough understanding of highly respected clientele. His experience and competence within the sports marketing industry complement his leadership talent, and I look forward to these qualities contributing to the broader benefit of JMI.”

Richards was previously Head of Sponsorship at Wembley Stadium, where he established the Founding Partner and Official Supplier programme, securing market leading brands such as Microsoft, Carlsberg, Umbro, Coca-Cola, Walkers and npower. He spent eight years at IMG working in partnership sales and account management roles, while also representing the commercial interests of Sven-Göran Eriksson, during his time as coach of the England national football team.

Most recently, Richards led an innovative 3D digital business in the gaming space and acted in an international business development role with Engage Sports Media, whose clients include The FA, Manchester City, the International Rugby Board and HSBC.

Richards added: “I am delighted to be joining this dynamic and market leading agency during such an exciting period of growth for JMI. I’m looking forward to playing my part in delivering further success for our clients and the JMI business as a whole.”

 

Soccerex is delighted to announce a new line up of multinational companies who have signed up as event supporters for the Soccerex Seminar Lagos, pills 27-28 September 2012. The Seminar Lagos is the first international football business event in Nigeria and will provide Pepsi, advice Virgin Atlantic, buy Standard Chartered, Fourteen and Spier Wine with a unique and unrivalled opportunity to develop their brands in West Africa through football.

Virgin Atlantic is one of the most recognisable brands in the world and carried over 5.2 million passengers during 2011.  As the official airline supporter they will be providing preferential flights for all of the attendees at the Soccerex Seminar Lagos.

Pepsi are the official soft drink supporters for the event and have a long and established connection with football, with some of the most famous players in the world as brand ambassadors such as Lionel Messi and David Beckham. They also have a strong connection with Nigerian football through the Pepsi Football Academy. Originally based in Lagos, the programme now has 14 centres across the country with over 3,000 students, with Chelsea Midfielder John Obi Mikel as a former student.

Standard Chartered will be the official banking supporter of the Seminar and will use the partnership to raise awareness of their brand in Nigeria. As Liverpool FC’s shirt sponsor they have an active role in the footballing industry and will be able offer Nigerian businesses a better understanding of football administration. Commenting on their involvement at the Seminar, Nigeria’s Standard Chartered CEO, Bola Adesola said:

“This is a great partnership. We are excited to be working with such a famous global brand as Soccerex. This synergy brings together two highly successful institutions with a really strong cultural and strategic fit. Many people in Nigeria love football and it is actually the most popular sport in the country. As the main sponsor of Liverpool Football Club, partnering with Soccerex provides us with the ideal opportunity for Nigerians to deepen their knowledge of football administration and its development strategy. This is an outstanding opportunity for Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, our customers and all our stakeholders.”

Dating back to 1693, Spier Wine’s is one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa who have won multiple international awards for their wines. As the official wine supporter, Spier Wine will supply wine for attendees to drink during various structured networking sessions including the happy hour sessions at the end of each day.

Fourteen are a sportswear manufacturer based in Geneva, who produces a range of items that is focused towards clubs and organizations as well as individual sports. As part of the exposure as official sportswear supporter, Fourteen will be providing branded shirts for staff to wear during the seminar. Speaking about becoming an event supporter, Fourteen CEO, Philippe Wick said:

“Fourteen wants to share its commitment to excellence by reaching out to all sports lovers on all continents. With the setup of 14Fourteen Africa as part of our strategy, we want to establish a firm foothold in Nigeria to develop and service the continental market with a strong local approach yet international vision. Soccerex’s commitment to promote the growth of football business is the ideal platform to launch our strategy and present the team-up between Fourteen SA and Fourteen Africa.”

For more information on the Soccerex Seminar Lagos please go to www.soccerex.com/lagos

 

Media rights agency MP & Silva has been selected as the exclusive FIFA sales representative for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups TV rights in Italy.

MP & Silva will manage the distribution of the TV and media rights of 2018 FIFA World Cup (held in Russia) and 2022 FIFA World Cup (held in Qatar) inside the Italian territory, health selecting the broadcasting candidates and reaching the best possible distribution. This appointment builds on the previous distribution agreement for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil where MP & Silva is already FIFA’s media rights partner in Vietnam and Oceania.

The package offers all 64 live matches and ceremonies of the 2018 and 20122 FIFA World Cups as well as highlights and extended coverage, plus the Confederation Cups 2017 and 2021.

Niclas Ericson, FIFA’s TV Director, commented: “MP & Silva has done a great job in leading the distribution of international football content in Europe and other world regions and they are clearly the best partner we could select to distribute the media rights for the FIFA World Cups 2018 and 2022 in Italy. We are excited with the prospect of reaching out to a new generation of Italian football fans.”

Riccardo Silva, MP & Silva President, said: “We are extremely honored with this long-term relationship with FIFA as very few companies worldwide have the privilege of being selected by FIFA as their sales representative for the FIFA World Cup. Being again appointed by FIFA represents a further recognition of our leadership in the sports media rights market. We look forward to use our innovative distribution skills to guarantee improved audiences of the FIFA World Cup in Italy.”

Silvio Berlusconi has suggested the current economic climate may force him to sell Serie A giants, AC MIlan.

The Italian club has been owned byBerlusconi, 76, since 1986, saving them from certain bankruptcy and transforming them into one of Europe’s most dominant forces. The former Italian Prime Minister insists he would prefer to keep the club within his family but told ANSA that both rising costs and Italy’s prolonged economic issues may mean a need for fresh investment. 

Milan could end up in the hands of mega-rich foreign owners as seen at Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain – though it is something Berlusconi would like to avoid in an ideal world. 

“Foreign money in Milan? Only if I’m forced to do so,” he said. “But I want there to be conditions to such a thing. I’d love to keep Milan a family thing. 

“I still remember when my father took me to the stadium and I did not have to pay for a ticket because I was so small. Watching football, seeing my heroes, I began to understand what it meant to the people. 

“For me, Milan is in my heart. Over the years we’ve spent more and more money, perhaps too much. But this has allowed Milan to become the most successful team in the world. 

“The club is a part of my family. My daughter Barbara is now part of the company, and I’d like to keep it that way. 

“However, this does not mean that I’d instantly dismiss the idea of foreign investment. If the economic crisis continues, things may have to change.”

Sebastian Coe has appointed the new chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman, succeeding Colin Moynihan after being voted in unopposed.

Coe’s only competition for the role, head of British hockey Richard Leman, withdrew from the election in October to clear the path for the two-time Olympic champion following his role in delivering “the most successful Olympics in history”.

The 56-year-old, who is still in charge of the London 2012 organising committee as the organisation winds down after the Games, was elected at a meeting of all the British Olympic sports in London on Wednesday and will hope to end simmering tensions between the two bodies.

It is hoped that the good will and high standing of Coe in both the realms of sport and politics will help attract new sponsors to the cash-strapped organisation as they move on from the London Olympics 2012.

Coe succeeds Lord Moynihan, who stepped down as chairman after seven years. The former Conservative MP is also vice-president of the IAAF, and has stated his intention to stand for president of the international governing body of athletics when the post becomes available, possibly in 2015.

UK Sport Chair Baroness Sue Campbell, welcomed the appointment: “I am absolutely delighted to see Lord Sebastian Coe elected as Chairman of the BOA. I have the greatest respect for all he has achieved and, as a colleague and friend, have seen his passion and commitment for sport and the Olympic movement.

“We at UK Sport look forward to working closely with Seb and the British Olympic Association to capitalise on the success of London 2012 and continue to build a stronger, more sustainable high performance system for the future.”

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3	Olympianachlese: Länder – Medaillen – Ratings	Thursday, 16 August 2012
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