Sky Mexico And Bundesliga Extend Partnership With Four Season Deal In Mexico & Central America

Bundesliga International and SKY Mexico have agreed a four-year extension, ensuring that Mexico’s leading subscription-TV service remains the go-to place for Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 coverage in Mexico and Central America.

The deal, which will officially begin at the start of the 2022-23 season, gives SKY Mexico exclusive rights to all Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches, as well as the German Supercup and the relegation play-offs in Mexico, as well as in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and non-exclusively in the Dominican Republic.

It also includes a range of broadcasting commitments from both sides, as well as implementing a compelling distribution strategy that utilises both Sky Mexico’s well-established channels and new platforms. Additionally, both parties will explore opportunities to further increase reach and awareness of the Bundesliga in the market.

The Bundesliga has experienced tremendous growth with regard to live viewing figures in recent years. Industry research also highlights the Bundesliga as the fastest growing European league in Mexico, in terms of awareness and interest over the last two seasons. Social media engagement has also continued to climb; Mexico is currently the Bundesliga’s third-biggest market in terms of reach on its owned and operated content channels.

Bundesliga International CEO Robert Klein: “The rapid growth of the Bundesliga in Mexico and Central America highlights not only that our league is one of the most exciting in the world, but that our partnership strategy is the right one. SKY Mexico is one of the most popular pay-TV providers in the region, and we are working closely with them to deliver engaging, localised, and most importantly relevant content to fans. This includes the adoption of some of our most innovative features, such as Star Cam and the Tactical Feed, as well as working together to promote the Bundesliga outside of the on-air experience. As we extend this partnership, I can only see this relationship getting stronger.”

SKY Mexico CCPO Juan Carlos Muñoz: “We are more than glad to extend our solid partnership and to reinforce the commitment of high quality, top level international competitions available for our subscribers. SKY has been and will continue to be the best and most complete sports offering in the market, providing a variety of exclusive events live and definitely all the excitement of Bundesliga competitions”

Bundesliga International will also continue to reach football fans throughout Mexico and Central America by expanding its network of content partners and cross-digital platforms, to deliver localised highlights, news and information on the stories that matter from across the Bundesliga.

Earlier this month, the DFL signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Liga MX, the professional sector of Federación Mexicana De Fútbol Asociación A.C. (FMF). The new broadcasting deal also comes the day after Bundesliga club Bayer 04 Leverkusen played Toluca FC in Mexico. Furthermore, the DFL has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting grassroots football by refurbishing football pitches all over the world, including in Mexico City. The DFL and Sky Mexico will work together on the project to ensure that the current and future generations of football fans have the opportunity to play.

Follow all the latest Bundesliga action on Bundesliga.com and via the official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.

Shawn Doss Appointed Chief Business Officer, International For Elevate Sports Ventures

Elevate Sports Ventures, a best-in-class sports and entertainment consulting firm, has named veteran, international sports industry executive Prashanth (Shawn) Doss to the role of Chief Business Officer, International. Doss will be responsible for leading business development and serving as the lead liaison for the agency’s rapidly expanding roster of international clients; he will report to Elevate President Chip Bowers. 

Doss will be Elevate’s foremost senior executive located in the UK, representing the agency’s proficiencies and comprehensive solutions in Partnership Sales and Consulting; Hospitality Sales and Strategy; Experiential Design; Feasibility and Revenue Consultation for New and Renovated Venues; Consumer Insights, Research, Strategy and Analytics; and more.

Elevate currently counts four European professional soccer teams as clients; supporting venue development, partnership, premium and ticket sales strategy for three English Premier League (EPL) teams and one prominent La Liga club. The agency leads hospitality marketing, sale and service for Co-op Live, in Manchester; set to open in 2023 and host 1.3 million visitors annually.

Elevate has consulted for a number of international professional sports leagues, including Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), the EuroLeague Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, professional rugby and more; and (scope of work here) for global motorsports properties.

In March 2021, Elevate was selected by FIFA global rights holder MATCH Hospitality to sell exclusive hospitality packages for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.  Currently, Elevate represents the San Francisco 49ers future international business rights in the UK.

Doss will establish the agency’s London-based, international executive team, including recently appointed Elevate Sports Ventures Senior Vice President and Head of UK Business Development Shaun Graham.

Shawn Doss will be moderating a panel discussion at the 2022 edition of ALSD International featuring high-ranking industry executive speakers Chris Bray, SVP – Europe, ASM Global, Roy Westwood, Founder & CEO, Forward Associates, Oliver Wright, Head of Premium Sales, Hospitality & Catering, Everton Football Club and Andy O’Sullivan, Venue Director, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Chip Bowers, President of Elevate Sports Ventures, said:

Given the considerable client and partner growth and demand Elevate has experienced in our global business division, this is the natural time to appoint a seasoned, executive to service our ever-growing roster of international clients; as well as build and lead our global business strategy. As a founding member of our Elevate executive team, Shawn has tremendous experience and an appreciation for the diverse, impactful and dynamic range of revenue-driving capabilities, partnerships, technologies, proprietary insights and more our agency is equipped to deliver to our current and future global clients.

Shawn Doss, Elevate Sports Ventures’ newly promoted Chief Business Officer, International, said:

This is an opportune time for international sports brands, teams, leagues, venue owners, event operators and rights holders to re-examine, reimagine and realign their optimal mode of business strategy, revenue generation and operations. On behalf of Elevate, I am proud to deliver insights and revenue-driving solutions to our current and future international clients; as well as build out a London-based senior executive team to service the global sports and entertainment ecosystem with the processes, technologies, insights, partnerships and operational efficiencies to drive return on investment and objectives.

TVM Becomes The Official Partner Of LaLiga In The Metaverse; LaLiga Teams Up With Bloomsbury Football In UK

The agreement, with an initial length of two and a half years, will allow the integration of LaLiga’s current partners into the Metaverse.

The consumption of audio-visual content has undergone major changes in recent years, with the emergence of new platforms and formats that make possible to reach multiple audiences in a more direct and interactive way. Thus, among the innovative alternatives available to organisations, the Metaverse has carved out a niche for its great potential, especially in key aspects such as interaction, fan engagement and the generation of relevant content. 

This is why LaLiga and TVM have reached an agreement whereby the Korean company will become LaLiga’s official sponsor in the Metaverse and its partner in the development of an exclusive ecosystem in this virtual space, for the Spanish sports organisation. To this end, TVM will develop Triverse, the Metaverse of sport, a virtual world of augmented reality, focused on the fan experience, where dreams can come true.

Jorge de la Vega, Commercial and Marketing Director of LaLiga detailed:

“LaLiga is always looking for new ways to offer its best-in-class product to a global audience, a process that needs to have the best partners for it. The agreement with TVM as global partner is a proof of this, which will allow us to reach an ecosystem with unparalleled potential as the metaverse is.” 

Carles Puyol, LaLiga ambassador, offered his perspective on the future of football and how fans will be able to enjoy it in the digital ecosystem:

“I believe that football is emotion, is passion, and on the moment that they discover and get to know this digital world and have new places to enjoy it and live it, they will be able to enjoy the best league in the world, such as ours”.

The agreement, which has an initial length of two and a half years, but which can be extended, will also allow LaLiga to integrate its virtual partners within Triverse. In addition, by joining Triverse, sports properties will be able to open a new channel to communicate and engage with fans and users.

Yoon Chul Kim, Vice-president of TVM specified:

“Technology is continuously and rapidly changing and moving. We too should be ready for the next technological advancement. For now, that is digital transformation, and one of the best ways to successfully deliver digital sports content combined with non-sports-oriented content to the users is metaverse. Together with LaLiga, TVM will create a world where nothing is impossible and anything and everything is possible.”.

Official content from sports clubs, such as press conferences, club announcements, match highlights and player interviews, will be offered within the metaverse. In addition, when users consume official content within the metaverse, they will earn certain rewards and experience points, leading to more valuable items and goods, which they can use to gain wealth in real life.

Josh Kim, Managing Director of TVM concluded:

“The reward system will revolve around NFTs, as blockchain technology and NFTs go hand in hand. So, naturally, we will have our own trading platform for NFTs. Users will join as fans of a particular sports property, and will have to devote time and energy to building their fan city. At some point, they will be able to see and compare how their fan city has performed compared to other club cities.”

Jorge de la Vega (LaLiga Commercial and Marketing Director) and Yun Kee Hong (TVM CEO).jpg
LaLiga, 2022.

LaLiga teams up with Bloomsbury Football in first UK community partnership

As part of its commitment to grassroots football in the United Kingdom, LaLiga to support Bloomsbury’s initiatives in London and beyond.

LaLiga has joined forces with Bloomsbury Football to support the London-based grassroots charity, which uses the power of football to change the game for young people.

In a multi-year agreement, LaLiga will assist the pioneering community work being done by Bloomsbury Football, whose grassroots football initiatives reach over 5,000 young people per week, starting with the sponsorship of Bloomsbury’s youth league in central London from this summer, to be newly renamed as LaLiga x Bloomsbury Football League.

Bloomsbury Football is based on three pillars: that access to regular high-quality football training improves mental and physical health, builds stronger communities, and teaches young people valuable life skills. Through this multi-season strategic partnership with Bloomsbury, LaLiga and its clubs are supporting grassroots football in London and the continued development of the beautiful game in the United Kingdom.

Founded in 2018, Bloomsbury Football offers an elite football experience to young people aged between 18 months and 18 years old. The organisation’s financial assistance model means that everyone is welcome, regardless of ability to pay or play.

In addition to providing official kit donated by LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank clubs, LaLiga via its UK office will also provide training and expertise for Bloomsbury’s staff, and host Bloomsbury players at LaLiga watch parties from next season.

This is LaLiga’s first community partnership in the United Kingdom, following the opening of the league’s London office in King’s Cross (London Borough of Camden) in early 2020.

“It’s amazing that LaLiga is showing their support for grassroots football in London and beyond by supporting our work at Bloomsbury Football. It is so important for all those in the sports industry to show their support of grassroots sporting initiatives, as we really do see the life-changing power that regular physical activity has on young people. We are excited to grow our impact through this partnership with LaLiga and continue to change the game for young people in London” said Charlie Hyman, Founder & CEO of Bloomsbury Football.

“LaLiga is present on the ground over 40 territories worldwide, with the aim of assisting sporting development and increasing fan engagement with Spanish football. By supporting the pioneering work of Bloomsbury Football, we aim to give back to our local community here in London whilst inspiring young LaLiga fans in the UK” said Keegan Pierce, LaLiga Global Network Delegate for the UK and Ireland.

The partnership is the latest in several initiatives strengthening LaLiga’s ties to the birthplace of football, including the opening of a full-time London office and launching its own 24/7 television channel, LaLigaTV, in early 2020; as well as opening LaLiga’s first player development programme in England, LaLiga Camps UK, from July 2022.

SunGod Expands McLaren Racing Partnership To Join McLaren MX Extreme E Team

McLaren Racing today announced a partnership expansion with SunGod for the brand to  become an Official Fan Eyewear licensee of the McLaren Formula 1 Team and the McLaren MX Extreme E Team from 2022. 

SunGod joins the McLaren Extreme E programme for its inaugural season in the race series,  which aims to highlight remote environments under threat from climate change. The  partnership expansion represents McLaren and SunGod’s unified sustainability values. SunGod is a certified carbon neutral company and since the start has aimed to make better, more sustainable eyewear to the highest standard.

SunGod will continue its support of the McLaren Formula 1 Team, now as an Official Fan Eyewear licensee. McLaren and SunGod will release new 2022 limited-edition models co-designed by McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Each pair of sunglasses will combine SunGod’s premium 8KO lens technology and ultra-durable Adventureproof frame, alongside a McLaren-branded lens engraving. 

SunGod branding will be carried on the helmets of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo from the 2022 Formula 1 season. 

Lindsey Eckhouse, Director, Licensing, ecommerce and esports, McLaren Racing, said:

“It’s fantastic to expand our partnership with SunGod. Following the popularity of our 2021  design collaborations inspired by Lando and Daniel, we’re excited to see our fanbase’s reaction to the new editions.

“We’re also thrilled that SunGod are joining our Extreme E journey. Racing in this series  represents our mutual commitment to promoting sustainability by driving authentic change through what we do together.”

Ali Watkiss, co-founder and CEO, SunGod, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be supporting McLaren Racing, both in Extreme E and F1, in 2022. By taking our partnership to the next level, we’re doubling down on our commitment to our shared aims of performance, sustainability and community, as we work together to see The Future in Focus.”

Turner Sports & Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Collaborate For The First Time To Deliver Global Distribution

Turner Sports, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery, will exclusively present Capital One’s The Match – headlined by a foursome of legendary NFL quarterbacks in Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers teaming up to face Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen – on TNT, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 1, with simulcasts available on truTV and HLN in the U.S.  

Fans watching outside the U.S. will also be able to watch the star-studded event through Warner Bros Discovery Sports channels and platforms, marking the first time Turner Sports and its international sports partners have collaborated to deliver true global distribution and audience reach for a sports event.  Viewers can check local listings to find coverage in their country via a section of discovery+, the Eurosport App, Eurosport 2 and GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR.

Six-time Sports Emmy Award winner Ernie Johnson will host the live telecast, alongside Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, 2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelman and veteran sports reporter Amanda Renner. 

The Wynn Las Vegas,the only golf course on the Las Vegas strip, will host the Sports Emmy-nominated premier live golf event series for the second time in a row, and viewers will be treated to unprecedented access to the players and action through open mics throughout the entire 12-hole competition.  

The match will follow a “shamble” format: All four golfers will tee off at each hole, and each team will select their best tee shot to play. From then on, golfers will play their own ball until they hole out, with the best golfer’s score determining the hole’s winning team.  

Feeding America will be the primary charitable organization supported through this edition of Capital One’s The Match. Turner Sports has televised five editions of Capital One’s The Match, with the series serving as a significant platform to support philanthropical organizations throughout the country. To date, Capital One’s The Match has raised nearly $33 million for various organizations and has donated nearly 17 million meals to Feeding America.  

Official Marketing & Event Partners 

Turner Sports is proud to be working with a robust roster of marketing partners to host Capital One’s The Match.  A partner since the event’s inception, Capital One will return as title sponsor. To learn more about the company and its commitments to change banking for good, visit https://www.capitalone.com/about/our-commitments/. 

FTX, State Farm and Wagoneer will be the presenting sponsors of Capital One’s The Match. DraftKings Sportsbook is returning as content integration partner, with AT&T, Apple, Autograph, Autotrader, Sunset Studios, TB12, Wheels Up, Wynn Resorts and ZenWTR serving as associate sponsors. 

Partners also include Excel Sports Management as the tournament organizer, along with 199 Productions, Tom Brady’s global multi-platform content and production company.  

Why The GCC Is Investing In Gaming & Esports

Vivek Falod, Commercial Partnerships Director at ELLVEE, speaks about the untapped potential in gaming & esports in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council).

What makes gaming & esports an exciting prospect for the GCC?

Globally, the gaming industry is worth over US$ 300Bn and it is growing fast. Already gaming is larger than the combined markets of movies and music. Esports is the professional competitive aspect of gaming. Esports attracts a large youth audience, ~75% under 35 and more than one third female. 

“We are now seeing local female talent emerge on the world stage, like the FIFA e-Football winner Najd Fahd.”

This makes gaming and esports an attractive proposition for GCC countries where more than half the population is under 25 years of age. Saudi Arabia, for instance, has more than 23M gaming enthusiasts and is set to become the Gulf’s gaming powerhouse as the largest gaming market in the region.

And how is gaming & esports impacting the local communities?

From a social perspective, gaming and esports serves as a platform to inspire and drive societal change, including local job creation, local business participation, building inclusive communities and driving female empowerment. 

For instance, we are now seeing local female talent emerge on the world stage, like the FIFA e-Football winner Najd Fahd. Najd became the first Saudi woman to win an e-football title in October 2020. This moment was even more special because it was the first edition of the tournament and the first title for Saudi Arabia in the female category.

Najd Fahd became the inaugural winner of FISU eSports Challenge’s female tournament after she beat Brazilian Alexssandra Batista 8-0 in the final. Najd hopes that her achievement will inspire other women or girls in Saudi Arabia.

Certainly a proud moment for Saudi Arabia with Najd. And is there an untapped economic potential for gaming & esports?

The regional industry remains nascent despite having some of the richest gaming demographic across the world. Majority of the region’s potential gaming and esports revenues are captured overseas, leading to high value leakage.

“Equity investments in esports and gaming are increasing, given the strong economic growth potential.”

This points to the big gap in local content, both in gaming and esports. It presents an untapped opportunity for global gaming publishers and esports organisations to adapt their content for this market and spearhead localized content and esports events.

Have governments in the region taken note of this potential? If so, can you talk us through some of the major investments happening?

Certainly, investments in gaming and esports have grown exponentially and are expected to continue.

Equity investments in esports and gaming are increasing, given the strong economic growth potential. The involvement of sovereign wealth funds, such as the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Saudi Arabia, shows the strategic importance of this growing market for the Kingdom. During the last two years, the PIF made significant bets on video game franchises such as Capcom, Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive Software and Activision Blizzard. In early 2022, the PIF launched the Savvy Gaming Group to develop the local gaming ecosystem and to make international investments in the industry. Savvy announced its first wave of acquisitions in esports with the reported US$1.5bn takeover and merger of ESL and FACEIT.

“Gamers Without Borders 2020, hosted by the Saudi Esports Federation, drew over 200,000 participating gamers from 80+ countries in its inaugural year.”

Hosting major esports events and developing new esports event IPs are also becoming strategic ambitions for host cities in the region. Such events profile the host destination to the world’s youth as a hub for gaming and esports and boost demand within the local gaming communities to watch and play. For example, Gamers Without Borders 2020, hosted by the Saudi Esports Federation, drew over 200,000 participating gamers from 80+ countries in its inaugural year and has recently announced the launch of its third edition which will be the qualifying competition for a summer of gaming and esports events being planned for Riyadh this summer.

Celebrities like Anthony Joshua joined Gamers Without Borders Season 2, a $10M charity esports virtual event hosted by Saudi Arabia. Gamers Without Borders claims the title of the world’s biggest charity esports event.

How does ELLVEE support these ambitions? 

We set up ELLVEE for the exact purpose of helping to bridge the gap between rightsholders and potential clients for major events, with whom we have built trusted relationships in the region over the years.  We support our international clients to help them identify business opportunities in the region, such as sourcing host venue deals, sponsorships and other market entry openings. 

Author: Vivek Falod

The Walt Disney Company Strikes Deal With The XFL To Air All Games On ESPN And Other Networks In Multiyear Agreement

Starting next year, the XFL will have all its regular-season games and playoffs air on ESPN and other networks owned by The Walt Disney Company as part of a multiyear agreement, it was announced Tuesday.

Beginning in February 2023 and continuing through the spring, 40 regular-season XFL games, two playoff semifinals and a title game will appear on ESPN, ABC and FX, it was revealed at Disney’s upfront event.ADVERTISEMENT

The deal also includes content rights for Disney’s digital, social and streaming outlets, like ESPN+.

The eight-team XFL is returning under new owners Dany Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners. In February, the XFL reached a partnership agreement with the NFL that will focus on creating innovation programs and protecting the health of players.

“This is a definitive moment for the XFL and the beginning of an incredible, long-term partnership for the league, building on my longstanding, very successful legacy relationship I’ve had with Disney throughout my career,” Johnson said in a statement.

ESPN Signs New Nine-Year Agreement With Tennis Australia To Continue Exclusive Live Coverage Of The Australian Open

ESPN and Tennis Australia have signed a nine-year agreement – 2023 to 2031 – for continued exclusive live “first ball to last ball” coverage across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+ for the Australian Open, tennis’ first Major of the year.  Action from Melbourne will be comprehensive, with every match from all 16 courts – all singles (including qualifying), doubles, juniors, wheelchair and legends.  The agreement continues ESPN’s longest professional sports programming relationship – since 1984.  The 2023 Australian Open takes place next January 16-29.  

“We are proud of our nearly four-decade relationship with Tennis Australia and are thrilled to continue our exclusive coverage of one of the sport’s most important events,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content.  “The Open has provided so many memorable moments on our networks. With the capacity and quality of ESPN+, we can bring fans Down Under for every match, from qualifying through the championship of each division.”   

Craig Tiley, Australian Open Tournament Director, said, “ESPN has been an outstanding partner of the Australian Open for nearly 40 years and I’m delighted to extend and expand our collaboration. “As one of our most longstanding broadcasters, ESPN has a reputation for innovation and great storytelling, both of which form part of the Australian Open DNA.    

“Together we look forward to connecting with an even wider fan base in the United States and Canada and attracting new audiences across multiple platforms,” he continued. “As well as comprehensive coverage of the compelling on-court action, we will work together to also showcase the human stories, the personalities of the players and their teams, their preparation for competition on the Grand Slam stage and their journey to greatness.”  

With this agreement, ESPN+ will feature more than 1,300 matches and 3,000 hours of coverage from the sport’s Majors throughout the year, with rights to three of the four.  

Deal Highlights, 2023-2031  

ESPN/ESPN2 

  • Live nightly telecasts, generally beginning at 9 p.m. ET through the quarterfinals featuring multiple matches, and an increase of hours on linear TV 
  • Semifinals and Women’s and Men’s Championships, including encore presentations of the Finals 
  • Action from the previous day each weekday on ESPN2 at 2 p.m. and in the morning the middle Saturday and Sunday 

ESPN+ 

  • Exclusive coverage of all matches not on linear TV, including the 3 a.m. featured matches (prime time in Australia) and four quarterfinals 
  • On-demand replays of completed matches 
  • All doubles, juniors, wheelchair and legends championships 
  • A daily highlights show Exclusive coverage of all 224 matches from qualifying  
  • On-demand replays of great matches in Australian Open history 
  • ESPN+ coverage available in English and Spanish 

ABC 

  • A one-hour highlights show during the middle and final weekends 

 ESPN Deportes and Additional Regions  

  • ESPN Deportes: the live women’s and men’s semifinals and both Championships 
  • TSN: continued extensive schedule 
  • Under agreement announced in January: coverage in Latin America (Spanish), Brazil (Portuguese) and the Caribbean (English) 

The Gut Stuff Join Forces With World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 In Exciting New Partnership

The World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 (WGC2022) has today announced health and wellness brand, The Gut Stuff, as an official supplier.

The Gut Stuff was created in 2017 by twins Alana and Lisa, in an effort to empower people to understand more about their gut health and dispel myths about what it really means to be healthy – led by a team of scientists, nutritionists, dieticians and doctors. 

The partnership will see The Gut Stuff provide 15,000 high fibre bars for the Championships in October to feed the WGC2022 workforce. The collaboration is aiming to promote happier and healthier lifestyles whether through sport, nutrition, or improved education around general wellbeing. The Gut Stuff exists as a B Corp®, joining a global community of businesses measuring social and environmental impact as a key indicator of success. 

Discussing the partnership Gemma Williams Fox, Championships Director of the World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022, said:

“I am extremely pleased to announce The Gut Stuff as an official supplier for this year’s World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool. They are completely aligned with our values as an event, and we look forward to working closely with them to educate and inspire fans, spectators and our workforce to embrace healthy and active lifestyles.”

The Gut Stuff supports people to learn about gut health with a range of resources on diet, lifestyle, workplace wellness and how to address related health issues. On announcing their partnership, co-founder Lisa Macfarlane said:

“We’re excited to be part of the World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 and through our role as an official supplier will be bringing our high fibre snack bars to the athletes, workforce, and spectators throughout the competition.

“We’re on a mission to empower gut health in everyone and by working together with the World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 on a world-class event, we can’t wait to encourage even more people to get to know their gut stuff.”

The World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 will be an Olympic qualifying event for the Paris 2024 games and will be one of the largest international sporting events ever to be held in the city. 550 gymnasts from 75 countries will compete in the global event at the M&S Bank Arena, which will take place from 29 October to 6 November 2022.

To find out more and get your tickets, visit 2022worldgymnastics.com.

THE SPOT 2022 Kicks Off With A Fresh Format, Exceptional Speakers, And Endless Networking Opportunities

The third edition of THE SPOT, taking place on 17 and 18 May in Lausanne, Switzerland, opened last  night with a networking event and high energy levels at the Olympic Museum. ThinkSport’s international sport and innovation flagship event provides for one and a half days of unparalleled  discovery, learning and network acceleration, inviting the participants to explore and understand the  latest trends and solutions; connect with experts who can advise on innovative undertakings; and  learn from other sectors. 

ThinkSport President Andrea Traverso said: “THE SPOT 2022 comes back in a fresh and compact  format, fully packed with expert presentations, interactive workshop discussions, an exhibition space  featuring innovative solutions for the sports world and much more. Most importantly though, the  sport and innovation community can get together again in person, be curious and spontaneous,  share and learn from each other. We have all missed that in the last two years and are confident that  today’s conversations at THE SPOT will initiate exciting new ideas, projects, partnerships, and many  other opportunities.” 

The delegates got a taste of what to expect during last night’s networking event which also featured  a highly interactive fireside chat. Meagan Loyst, youngest investor at Lerer Hippeau and Founder of  Gen Z VCs, Aneesh Madani, Head of Digital Partnerships and Social Media at the International  Olympic Committee, and Charles Frémont, Innovation Hub Manager at UEFA talked TikTok, GenZ and  how to engage younger audiences, and took several questions from the attentive crowd. 

Today, the official conference programme resumes in the SwissTech Convention Center on the EPFL  Campus. A line-up of exceptional speakers from different sectors will share their insights on stage  and in workshops on the following pressing topics: 

• Shaping and retaining the workforce of the future 

• The future of fan engagement 

• New technology and digital revolution 

• Activity and social impact 

• Investment trends in sport 

• Air quality and its impact on sport 

• Adaptive sports 

Consult here the full programme and discover the speakers. 

The SPOT 2022 is co-organised by ThinkSport, the SwissTech Convention Center, the Swiss Federal  Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the Canton of  Vaud.

Check event updates on www.thespot2022.org and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram!  Join the conversation by using #TheSpot2022.