Bet365 announced as Official Betting Operator of the PGA Tour through 2024

The PGA TOUR and bet365 announced a three-year content and marketing agreement through 2024 naming bet365 as an Official Betting Operator of the PGA TOUR. bet365 becomes the TOUR’s first OBO outside of North America with territories including the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia in addition to Canada.

In the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia, bet365 will serve as the exclusive source for odds on the leaderboard and player pages on PGATOUR.COM and on TOURCast, the TOUR’s award-winning platform that allows fans to follow every shot from each group with a 3D rendering of the golf course. bet365 will further activate the relationship by having a brand presence across PGA TOUR media properties including on international market inventory on PGA TOUR.com, managed by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) under their strategic partnership with the TOUR, as well as on WBD platforms such as Golfdigest.com in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada.

“We are excited to work with bet365 to expand the TOUR’s sports betting initiatives outside of North America,” said Scott Warfield, Vice President of Gaming at the PGA TOUR. “bet365 was the first operator to integrate the TOUR’s official in-play betting product and they are poised for tremendous growth being on the forefront of in-play sports betting in golf. The TOUR continues to look for opportunities to innovate in new areas with a goal of engaging with fans.”

As part of the TOUR’s Official Betting Operator program, bet365 will have rights in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada to use PGA TOUR marks, rights to advertise within TOUR media and TOUR partner platforms.

A spokesperson for bet365 said, “The bet365 group are delighted to be working with one of the most iconic brands in global sport. Throughout this partnership with PGA TOUR, bet365 will strive to continue delivering a market leading in-play experience to our golf customers, both across our global sites and the PGA Tour platforms.”

Additionally, bet365 was the first sports betting operator to integrate the IMG ARENA Golf Event Centre product, which is an unparalleled, front-end sports betting solution, designed to revolutionize the golf betting experience by enabling interactive in-play betting on the sport. Created in association with the world’s leading golf tours, the Golf Event Centre is a real-time experience for golf fans and bettors. The industry-first product is the only place to find fast, comprehensive, shot by shot data and markets, live streaming which is purpose-built for in-play betting, and interactive course visualizations. The Golf Event Centre is available to sports betting operators worldwide where betting is legal.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the PGA TOUR instituted a robust integrity program in collaboration with Genius Sports and later that year announced a global partnership with IMG ARENA to license its official, live scoring data to betting operators around the world. The PGA TOUR is a platinum member of the National Council on Problem Gambling and is aligned with the American Gaming Association (AGA) as a Have A Game Plan®. Bet Responsibly public service campaign partner to educate golf fans on responsible sports betting.

McLaren and Goldman Sachs announce multi-year partnership

McLaren Racing today announced Goldman Sachs Group Inc, the global financial institution, as an Official Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team for the 2022 season and beyond.

The multi-year partnership brings together two high performance organisations with a focus on excellence. It includes a commitment to accelerate progress towards McLaren’s net zero goals.

With a shared belief that sustainability includes addressing social, environmental and economic impacts as we transition to an inclusive net-zero economy, Goldman Sachs and McLaren will be using their combined expertise to drive change faster in McLaren’s journey to a more sustainable future. McLaren aims to halve its GHG footprint by 2030 on a 2019 baseline and achieve net zero by 2040 in line with the UN Sports for Climate Action initiative and Race to Zero campaign.

This partnership announcement follows the news that McLaren Racing has been awarded the FIA three-star Environmental Accreditation for the ninth year running, after becoming the first Formula 1 team to receive this recognition back in 2013.

Goldman Sachs branding will be carried on the McLaren MCL36 F1 cars from the 2022 British Grand Prix.

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:

“We’re thrilled to partner with Goldman Sachs, a global institution that shares McLaren Racing’s own values in recognising the importance of sustainability. As we work to achieve our bold long-term goals, Goldman Sachs’ support will provide an invaluable boost in fast-tracking our progress.

“Goldman Sachs will be a key partner in our sustainability journey, and we look forward to 
collaborating to make a positive contribution to our team, communities, and the wider world.”

Fiona Carter, CMO, Goldman Sachs, said: 

“Goldman Sachs and McLaren share an ambition to accelerate progress for the fans, our clients and in our communities. Together we’re excited to see what’s possible when we push our collective technical and intellectual expertise to the limit.”

Birmingham and Budapest are host city candidates for 2026 European Athletics Championships

European Athletics representatives recently visited the cities of Budapest and Birmingham after the Hungarian Athletics Association (Magyar Atlétikai Szövetség) and UK Athletics had been confirmed as the two bidding Member Federations looking to host the 2026 European Athletics Championships.

“We have two excellent candidates for the 2026 European Athletics Championships, with both potential Local Organising Committees having great experience staging major outdoor athletics events. They also have excellent stadia and either one of them would make an excellent host,” said European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov. 

“Birmingham will stage the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Budapest will be the host of the 2023 World Athletics Championships and so by 2026 they will be able to draw on these experiences. In the past, these cities have also staged outstanding global and continental events and they both have a great legacy in this respect,” added Karamarinov. 

“European Athletics would also like to confirm, following a recent European Athletics Council decision, that the 2026 European Athletics Championships will be organised as a stand-alone event like that in Rome in two years time,” commented European Athletics CEO Christian Milz. 

“The involvement and cooperation with the host member federation is especially important for European Athletics at our major events and we believe being independent, as the European Athletics Championships were until 2016, will strengthen this relationship as well as help create a special athletics experience for the competitors, athletics fans, and every other stakeholder in our sport, such as commercial partners, and provide enhanced international visibility and profile,” added Milz. 

Budapest was the first of the two 2026 candidates to receive European Athletics representatives and was visited on 7-8 June, followed immediately by the delegation visiting Birmingham on 9-10 June. 

A decision about which city will stage 2026 European Athletics Championships will be made by the European Athletics Council in November 2022.

Unibet new official partner of Ajax

Ajax has signed a multi-year agreement with Unibet, a provider of online sports betting. Unibet will join the Ajax partnership group, effective immediately.

The collaboration follows after Unibet received a license on June 8, 2022 to offer online games in the Netherlands. In addition to a commercial partnership, Ajax and Unibet will work together in the field of the prevention of matchfixing, mental health and responsible gambling.

Menno Geelen, Commercial Director Ajax: “We are delighted with Unibet as our newest partner. Unibet is known worldwide as a frontrunner in the field of responsible gaming. This will receive explicit attention in our partnership. Unibet distinguishes itself through their high-quality product offering that is enjoyed by fans. We will support this with joint content and initiatives. Above that, we will also commit to Unibet Impact.”

Unibet Impact
Lennart Kessels, General Manager of Unibet Netherlands: “We are extremely proud to work together with Ajax. Within our partnership, we will invest in Unibet Impact. Unibet Impact is a unique program based on partnerships with professional and amateur sportclubs, and societal organizations. Unibet Impact is dedicated to fostering a safer and more responsible online gambling industry, while bringing fun and entertainment to the Dutch society.”

“Specifically with Ajax, we want to focus on responsible gambling in relation to mental health. In the coming period, we will investigate how we are going to shape this exactly, while also learning from initiatives that we have already supported elsewhere in the world. We look forward to rolling this out together with Ajax.”

DP World Tour returns to Singapore in 2023

The DP World Tour will return to Singapore for the first time since 2014 when the Singapore Classic tees off at Laguna National Golf Resort Club from February 9-12, 2023.

The venue previously hosted the Singapore Masters from 2002 to 2007 and was the scene of the most memorable moment in the country’s golfing history, when home favourite Mardan Mamat lifted the trophy in 2006.

Inaugurated in 1993 and situated on Singapore’s east coast, it was also the venue for the DP World Tour’s last visit, when Chilean Felipe Aguilar triumphed in The Championship at Laguna National eight years ago.

The Singapore Classic, to be played over Laguna National’s Classic Course, will be one of the region’s premier sporting events, with a US$2 million prize fund. The 2023 edition will be the first event in a three-year agreement.

Keith Pelley, European Tour group Chief Executive, said: “The DP World Tour is thrilled to be returning to Singapore and Laguna National Golf Resort Club for the Singapore Classic next year.

“Singapore was a popular Tour stop for many years, hosting events such as the Johnnie Walker Classic, Singapore Masters, Singapore Open, and our last event, The Championship at Laguna National. Laguna National has proved to be a wonderful host venue on many occasions and we thank its Chairman Peter Kwee, and his team, for welcoming the DP World Tour once again.

“Asia continues to be an important region for the DP World Tour and we look forward to announcing further exciting events there in due course.”

Peter Kwee, Laguna National’s Chairman, said: “We have a long history of hosting DP World Tour championship golf at Laguna National. We’re excited to once more welcome many of the world’s best players to our Club.

“The Singapore Masters proved to be a resounding success with so many memorable highlights, including the victories of Colin Montgomerie and Nick Dougherty, the ground-breaking successes of China’s Zhang Lianwei and Liang Wenchong and our very own Mardan Mamat, whose triumph in 2006 remains one of the proudest moments in Singapore’s golfing history.

“Now, we’re looking forward to building a new championship legacy with the Singapore Classic, which will showcase our fabulous Classic Course to a worldwide audience.”

The DP World Tour first visited Singapore for two editions of the Johnnie Walker classic, won by Major Champions Nick Faldo (1993, Singapore Island Golf Club) and Ian Woosnam (1996, Tanah Merah Country Club).

The Singapore Masters was hosted at Singapore Island in 2001, and won by another Major champion in Vijay Singh, before moving to Laguna National for the next six years, where winners included Scottish legend Colin Montgomerie (2004) and Singapore’s own Mardan Mamat (2006).

Four editions of the Singapore Open were then hosted at Sentosa Golf Club from 2009 to 2012, won by Ian Poulter, Adam Scott, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Matteo Manassero respectively, before the Tour’s last trip to Laguna National in 2014.
 

David Ferrer announced as new tournament director for Davis Cup by Rakuten finals

David Ferrer will join Kosmos Tennis after being announced as Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals Tournament Director today, replacing Albert Costa who held the position since 2019.

Former world No.3 Ferrer has had a 16-year involvement with the competition, having played 20 Davis Cup ties for Spain, lifting the trophy on three occasions. 

“I’m very excited about joining the project,” Ferrer said. “The Davis Cup is a unique competition. As a player, it is one of the tournaments that you always want to play because of what it means. You compete as a team, you play for your country, you spend a week with your team-mates and the crowd atmosphere is unbelievable.”

Sixteen teams will participate in this year’s Finals Group Stage, to be held on 13–18 September in Bologna, Glasgow, Hamburg and Valencia. The top two teams from each venue will automatically qualify for the ‘Final 8’ in Malaga on 22-27 November. 

“2022 is going to be another exciting challenge for us. Since 2019, we have been working with players, organisers, fans and sponsors to maximise the success of the new format, while maintaining the event’s unique qualities. Using my experience, my goal is to inspire new audiences for the competition both now and in the future,” added Ferrer. 

The 16 countries participating in the Finals Group Stage are Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea Republic, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, USA.

The Rio Ferdinand Foundation Launches Partnership With The Jockey Club

The largest employer in British horseracing, The Jockey Club, today announces an exciting new partnership with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation.

The collaboration aims to help young people from some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities learn more about the sport as a pastime and an industry they can work in.

It will initially launch across the three Jockey Club racecourses closest to London – Sandown Park, Epsom Downs and Kempton Park – with the Foundation working with hundreds of young people in the capital every year.

The aim is for the initiative to then be rolled out at some of The Jockey Club’s other racecourses nationwide, working with those being supported by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation in other areas of the country.

Initially educating groups of 16 to 24 year olds about the sport through visits, open days and a number of sessions with its employees, The Jockey Club will also showcase the wide variety of employment which horseracing offers, from sales and IT through to turf management and operational roles.

The Jockey Club, which operates 15 racecourses and stages some of Britain’s biggest sporting events including the Cheltenham Festival, Randox Grand National and the Cazoo Derby, will then work with the Foundation to provide mentoring and support the young people taking part in the programme in gaining the relevant training and formal qualifications to prepare them for a career in the sport.

The partnership will be integral to the Rio Ferdinand Foundation’s #NotBoxed campaign, which features a number of events and opportunities to drive new investment and support from business and government, other decision-makers and people in power and includes industries ranging from construction and sport to music and entertainment.

Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United footballer who played 81 times for England, is founder of the youth and community development charity.

He said: “I’m really excited that we’re going to be working with The Jockey Club to demonstrate to so many young people everything horseracing has to offer, both as a career path and a sport.

“Ten years ago we set up the Rio Ferdinand Foundation with the aim of supporting and empowering 16 to 24 year olds from some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, whilst also tackling racism and inequality head on.

“Ever since then we’ve helped thousands of young people through education and employment, opening their eyes to the opportunities that are out there and helping them make the most of the skills and talent they have.

“Day in, day out we work with community centres, education providers and a whole host of industries with the goal of helping young people realise their true potential and it’s fantastic that we’re now able to do the same in horseracing through this collaboration with The Jockey Club.”

Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, added: “We want young people and people from all backgrounds to look on horseracing as a sport and an industry which is full of opportunities for them.

“By working with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation we aim to introduce racing to a group of young people who have never previously considered it as a pastime or an industry to work in. My colleagues across The Jockey Club come from a significant range of backgrounds and this initiative will help highlight that it’s not essential to want to work directly with animals or to have a racing background to have a career in the sport.

“We’re just as passionate about the work the Rio Ferdinand Foundation is doing in the community as those who have helped make it the huge success it is today and we can’t wait for this partnership to get started.”

Explaining how the collaboration will work, Gary Stannett, Chief Executive of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, said: “We will be working with The Jockey Club to offer and support grassroots activities that will raise awareness of horseracing as a sport and the multiple career pathways associated with The Jockey Club.

“Our visits and careers-based activities will offer mentoring and training, promote transferable skills and sports-specific skills, and open pathways to employment.

“We are very excited by this partnership and look forward to working with The Jockey Club as part of our #NotBoxed campaign, raising aspirations and creating opportunities for young people.”

The first group of young people to be introduced to horseracing as part of the initiative will have their first sessions with The Jockey Club this summer.

Other partners involved in the #NotBoxed initiative investing in young people’s skills and future pathways include Warner Music UK, The Gym Group, multi-media entertainment brand KISS and the Guinness Partnership and their suppliers in the construction industry.

PFA appoints Ben Wright as Director of External Affairs

Ben Wright joins from the consultancy Portland, where he specialised in communications and engagement work with a range of international sports organisations. He was previously Head of Communications at the leading professional cycling team, Team Sky (now known as Ineos Grenadiers).

In his new role Wright will be tasked with overseeing all aspects of the PFA’s strategic communications and stakeholder engagement, covering both the union’s campaigning work and its range of activities across education, training and wellbeing.

The footballers’ union, which represents over 55,000 current and former players from the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Women’s Super League (WSL) is led by Chief Executive Maheta Molango, who took up the role last Summer.

Wright’s appointment to the newly created Director of External Affairs position comes as football’s structure and governance undergoes a period of significant reform, with the Government due to bring forward a White Paper outlining in detail it’s response to the recommendations of last year’s Fan Led Review, led by Tracey Crouch MP. Plans for a major review into the women’s domestic game have also been announced.

Wright is one of a group of new recent senior hires at the PFA, with Patrick Coyle joining from Manchester United as Chief Operating Officer. James King also recently joined the PFA from Arsenal as the union’s new General Counsel.

Maheta Molango said: “This is another important new senior appointment for the PFA. Ben will play an important role in making sure that those who play and have played the game lead conversations about its future and that the issues that matter to them, such as welfare, post-career support and the impacts of fixture congestion, are at the top of the agenda.”

On his appointment, Ben Wright said: “Across the world’s most-watched leagues athletes are standing together to force change in how their sports are run and how they are treated. They recognise the power of their voices and want to be heard, both within the game and beyond.

“At a time of significant change within football – at both domestic and international levels – the PFA has a major role to play in making sure those who play the game are listened to, and that the sport looks after those who have served it.

“This is a new era for the union, and I’m looking forward to working with Maheta and the whole PFA team.”

Mexico the next destination of the prestigious FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships 2023

The FIVB and Volleyball World today announced Mexico will host the next edition of the prestigious FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships across multiple cities in the second half of 2023 as the country adds to its impressive portfolio of staging world-class beach volleyball events.

Mexico is part of beach volleyball history as it became the first top-end destination to stage the newly launched Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour with the opening Challenge event taking place in Tlaxcala and the Elite level beach volleyball event in Rosarito. The two cities provided a true celebration of beach volleyball.

Mexico boasts a highly knowledgeable and passionate beach volleyball fanbase and with country’s beach volleyball national team ranked among the top 30 best teams in the men’s and women’s Senior Rankings, Mexican fans have had plenty of reason to cheer in recent years. There is no doubt all beach volleyball fans will witness amazing performances during the next year’s FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships 2023.

Mexico’s Sports Minister Ana Guevara said:

“It is an honor for our country to be granted the right to host the 2023 Beach Volleyball World Championship and to establish a joint long-term strategy for the development of Mexican sport, hand in hand with FIVB and Volleyball World.

“This event will definitely strengthen the foundations for new generations of athletes and will serve as a source of inspiration to make sport a tool for the development of our country. Welcome everyone to Mexico, the home of beach volleyball.”

FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° said:

“We are extremely pleased to bring the highest-level beach volleyball competition, the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships 2023, to Mexico. We recognise and appreciate the strong partnership we have with the Mexican Volleyball Federation and the vision of Minister Guevara to develop sport, especially beach volleyball, in the country.

“I am sure that the upcoming Beach Volleyball World Championships will inspire the next generation of players and fans across all of Mexico. As part of the innovative programme of Volleyball Empowerment aimed at supporting the national teams around the globe, the FIVB will continue to provide coaching support to the Mexico’s beach volleyball teams on the road to the World Championships.”

Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor said:

“Mexico is one of the strongest partners for Volleyball World and the FIVB and we are very encouraged by the long-term vision of the country’s sport leadership and their ambition to bring more events to the country with the next Beach Volleyball World Championships in 2023 and beyond.”

“Mexico is a strong market in the Americas and we are sure that together we can boost the appeal of our sport in the country and attract more people to this amazing destination. All the beach volleyball events hosted in Mexico proved to be extremely successful and we cannot wait to return there for the World Championships.”

With the 2022 edition of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships culminating in Rome, Italy the whole beach volleyball community, including the athletes and fans, can now look forward to what is going to be an incredible celebration of beach volleyball in passionate Mexico!

¡Nos vemos en México! ¡Nos vemos en la playa!

IBA opens bidding process for World Boxing Events 2023-24 

The International Boxing Association (IBA) has opened the bidding process for World Boxing Tour (WBT) events for 2023-2024. During that period there will be six key WBT events which are planned to offer points towards Olympic qualification. The events are expected to be spread between continents, ensuring fair opportunities to earn a chance to box at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

IBA President Umar Kremlev said: “For many years, IBA has delivered World Boxing Championships for men, women and youth. The World Boxing Tour was designed to expand the opportunities we make available for boxers around the world to participate in international tournaments featuring the best boxers. We are excited to partner with National Federations to deliver the World Boxing Tour and help turn the dreams of boxers worldwide into reality.” 

A hosting outline has been provided to IBA National Federations, featuring WBT requirements, financial expectations, governance models and more, while highlighting the benefits of hosting. This will also enable potential hosts to be more actively engaged in the bid process from an earlier stage and to better understand the WBT events as a platform which creates shared value by facilitating exchanges between athletes, spectators, media and organizers.  

IBA Secretary General Istvan Kovacs added: “When developing the World Boxing Tour, we had to consider not only IBA’s or the boxers’ needs, but also benefits for the hosts. With our model, hosts can expect a straightforward bidding process, supported event delivery, a partnership approach to rights and responsibilities, reasonable expectations, and significant measures aimed at sustainability and legacy.” 

The newly designed hosting requirements and draft of the competitions calendar which has been reviewed, revised and approved by the IBA Athletes’ Committee and the IBA Competitions Committee were distributed among all National Federations.