SPORTEL Monaco 2026 Reveals Conference Programme: Bruin Capital, YouTube, SURJ Sports Investment, LALIGA Among Other Brands

The global sports industry is entering a new era in which media, technology, data, investment, brands and fan engagement are increasingly interconnected. At SPORTEL Monaco 2026, leading executives from across the sports ecosystem will come together to examine how these forces are transforming the way sports content is created, distributed, monetised and experienced.

Taking place on 19 and 20 October at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum, as part of SPORTEL Monaco (19-21 October), the 2026 Conference Programme, brings together an exceptional line-up of thought leaders and innovators from across broadcast, investment, leagues, digital, technology, brands and entertainment.

Through keynotes, masterclasses, panels and client case studies, the programme will examine the major trends shaping the next phase of the global sports business, from AI to direct-to-consumer, to new distribution models, remote production, data-driven fan experiences, live sports betting, sponsorship, women’s sport and esports.

At the heart of the programme is the question of how sports organisations can create and capture value as audiences become increasingly fragmented and the traditional boundaries between media, technology and entertainment continue to disappear.

Business tech dominates the masterclass programme including: “The New Global Sports Ecosystem” where leading executives Jeff Roth (Bruin Capital), Hillary Mandel (IMG) and Peter Bellamy (Deltatre) led by Imran Yusuf (SportBusiness), will explore the rapid globalization of digital, changing fan behaviours and how investors are identifying and evaluating emerging opportunities across the evolving sports value chain.

Bruin Capital’s Jeff Roth commented ahead of the conference, “In a world where media consumption has become so fragmented, leagues and teams have had to become much more direct-to-consumer businesses. They’ve had to really focus on customers in the way an e-commerce business would, but the path to growth just isn’t as simple as traditional media rights being linear and moving up and to the right. You have to invest in new areas, grow internationally and follow where the consumer wants to go.”

AI will be a major theme throughout the programme, with the industry moving beyond experimentation towards practical applications across content, audiences, operations and commercial strategy. “Defining Your Corporate AI Strategy”, one of two masterclasses led by Ken Kerschbaumer (SVG), will examine how AI is reshaping sports media, from content creation and fan engagement to monetisation and operational efficiency, while considering the continuing importance of human creativity and editorial judgement.

The panel will feature Danny Townsend (SURJ Sports Investment), Prashant Khanna (JioStar), Marcin Serafin (Live Park – Ekstraklasa) and Paola Marinone (BuzzMyVideos), who will share their personal experiences and vision for the future.

The transformation of live sports production during major sporting events, including the Olympics and recent World Cup, is proving remote production does not equate less quality in production. The masterclass, “The Future of Production : « Which Way to Go? » featuring Lowell Conn (Protocol Sports Marketing), Sarah Jakob (LiveU), Carlos Silva (TNA Wrestling) and Dominik Scholler (Bundesliga Media GmbH), moderated by Will Strauss (SVG Europe), will dive into how organisations leverage new ways of working to improve efficiency and control costs.

The final masterclass, “Live Sports Betting: The Technology, Data & Fan Experience”, Adrian Gatt (AWS) and Steve Carter (Bolt6), led by Ken Kerschbaumer (SVG), will examine the opportunities and challenges facing sportsbooks, rights holders and fans – including scalability, latency, integrity and regulation.

A keynote interview with the legendary LALIGA President, Javier Tebas, “LALIGA’s Next Frontier: New Broadcast Models, Formats and Challenges”, will offer insight into how the league is approaching innovative distribution models, strategic partnerships and content development, while addressing piracy, audience fragmentation and the changing media landscape. A second headline keynote from Mediapro will be announced shortly.

An innovative showcase of client presentations, panels and partner case studies, include YouTube, who will feature prominently in the programme with three sessions examining the platforms growing role in sports distribution and fan engagement. In “The Value Multiplier: Making YouTube Fundamental to Your Distribution”, Jonny Keogh (YouTube) along with Scott Melvin (The Overlap), will examine how the platform can provide global reach, diversify revenue streams and support the next generation of sports fandom through creator-led storytelling. A further session, “Reaching the Next Generation of Olympic Fans” will feature Jason Wachs (YouTube) and Srinath Sripath (IOC), as they explore how the Olympic Games are navigating an increasingly dynamic media ecosystem. Then, “LiveMode, YouTube, and the Next Era of Live Sports Broadcasting” with Pedro Pina (YouTube), Thiago Tourinho (LiveMode), moderated by media expert Evan Shapiro (ESHAP), will give key insight in to how LiveMode broke World Cup broadcast records and how creator communities and brand partnerships drive modern fan engagement, and are influencing the future of live sports distribution.

Carrying on the live sports thread, the programme will also look at the growing importance of personalization. In “Personalization and Storytelling in Live Sports”, Kish Patel (Dolby OptiView) will explore how technology can reshape engagement, retention and monetisation.
The evolution of free streaming will be examined in “Local Fans, Global Reach: How Free Streaming Is Expanding the Sports Experience”, moderated by Keith Bedford (Wurl), this panel will discuss how free ad-supported streaming TV is giving teams, leagues, and media companies new ways to strengthen local connections while reaching fans around the world.
AI and automation will also feature in “Highlights 3.0: The Next Era of Live Content Is Human-Led, AI-Accelerated”, with Volodymyr Boiko (Epic Clips) exploring the evolution of broadcast-quality highlights produced within minutes of the live moment.

Immersive tech will take centre stage with Phil Ventre (Pixotope) and John Murphy (BBC Sport) during “From The Studio to the Live Game, How Advancements in Graphics Technology are Reshaping the Present & Future of Live Sports Production”, examining how XR and virtual production can create new commercial opportunities, including sponsorship and in-game revenue.
Carrying on the immersive theme, the XR Sports Alliance with “Learnings from the FISE World Series Immersive Project”, the world’s largest annual urban and action sports festival, will be unpacked by partners Charles Edwin Rolot (HBS) and Jose Somolinos (Accedo) and moderated by Patrick Costello (Qualcomm).

Elsewhere, Lawrence Bowden (Deltatre) and An Dang Duy (World Athletics) will share how together they are “Reinventing the Athletics Experience: Broadcast Graphics, Data and Digital at the Ultimate Championship”. Then, the challenge of distributing live events globally and reliably will be addressed in “The Role of DTC Digital Infrastructure in Global Event Distribution”, featuring Manik Bambha (ViewLift), Gibran Khan (FISU) and Victorien Tixier (ScorePlay). We then go behind the scenes with Chandradev Bhagat (Grey Matter Entertainment) for a sports documentary, “Beyond Competition: How Grassroots Sport Can Transform Communities”, about India’s largest rural sports festival and the extraordinary challenges of filmmaking in its most raw and immersive setting.

Esports returns to the agenda, as the industry looks to build sustainable global properties and connect with new generations of fans. “Beyond the Broadcast : How Esports Is Expanding the Global Sports Audience” where Mohammed Alnimer (Esports Foundation), Bertrand Amar (NEO – New Esports Org.) and Patrick Maitrot (Warner Bros. Discovery), led by Giovanni Aquilanti (SPORTEL) will share insight on the growth of the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) and how broadcasters, platforms and rights holders can work together to create new value.

SPORTEL’s popular “Pitch Perfect Innovation Contest”, will bring together a selection of SPORTEL newcomer companies (BuzzMyVideos, Epic Clips, Media Distillery, Pixotope, ValkaAI, Wyplay among others), who have a creative or innovative solution to showcase during their three-minute pitch and two minutes of questions with judges, to win prizes and prestige alongside other emerging innovators.

“SPORTEL Monaco has once again confirmed its place as the intersection of sports media and tech which is evident in the largest programme to date of client case studies between tech providers, leagues, broadcasters and industry partners and confirms how key tech is to the evolution of the business of sports media. We are very pleased to welcome several major organisations for the first time to the programme alongside some traditional and startup innovators, proving that SPORTEL’s diverse programme provides a platform for all players from across the ecosystem to communicate their latest partnerships and solutions” said Marine Picoulet, Executive Director, SPORTEL Monaco.

NEW! On Monday 19 October, a dedicated CMO Brand Programme in partnership with Qualcomm, founding member of XR Sports Alliance, was created for the SPORTEL community to connect with senior brand decision-makers. Leading marketing executives Ashish Babu (TCS), Rory Miller Cheevers (Revolut), Paddy Carberry (Guiness/Diageo) and Garret Ponder (Qualcomm), will join a behind closed doors panel for “Brands & Sport: harnessing the full value of sponsorships in the age of Tech, Data & Total Video”, moderated by Imran Yusuf (SportBusiness), exploring how brands and sports properties can create value for one another and how that relationship is evolving. A second lunch event panel on “Brands and Sport: Rethinking the Role of Sponsorship in the Age of Media, Technology and Content”, moderated by Stéphane Corbule (RTL AdAlliance), will explore how brands evaluate sports partnerships, from global rights versus local relevance, and teams versus leagues, to data versus emotion and exposure versus engagement.

On Tuesday 20 October, the popular Women’s Lunch networking event and panel, in collaboration with AWS, will dive into “Women’s Sport: From Momentum to Market – What Will it Take to Unlock the Next Wave of Growth”. The panel will be moderated by Fiona Harold (AWS), with panelists Elizaveta Bracht (Athlete), Danny Townsend (SURJ Sports Investment) and Frank Leenders (FIBA) debating what it will take to move women’s sport from a compelling growth story to a mature and investable market.

International Biathlon Union Signs Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH As Premium Sponsor

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) and Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH have announced a new strategic partnership that will see the renowned tire manufacturer join the IBU ecosystem as a Premium Sponsor across the IBU World Cup, IBU World Championships and LOOP ONE Festival. The agreement was brokered by Infront, the IBU’s exclusive global marketing partner.


As one of the world’s leading tire brands, Continental is synonymous with innovation, safety and performance. Through this partnership, Continental will connect with biathlon’s passionate global fanbase across some of the sport’s most prominent events and platforms, leveraging the unique reach and authenticity of one of the most popular winter sports.

Continental will enjoy a significant presence across the IBU’s premier events and channels. The partnership includes extensive branding and activation rights, including venue advertising, selected start number placements and a range of additional on-site marketing assets. The agreement also provides fan engagement and promotional opportunities at events, digital rights across IBU-owned channels, access to official event footage and photography, as well as hospitality experiences including VIP ticket allocations.

Felix Bitterling, Commercial & Marketing Director of the IBU, said:

“With Continental, we are welcoming a strong and renowned brand to the Biathlon family. The company’s commitment to quality, innovation and performance resonates perfectly with the values of our sport and federation. Biathlon provides an excellent platform and global visibility to showcase the brand while creating meaningful engagement opportunities with our passionate fan base.”

Alexandra Gaillard, Head of Marketing at Continental, said:

“Our partnership with the International Biathlon Union brings together two organisations that share a common belief: challenging and unpredictable conditions do not have to limit what is possible. They can create opportunities for those who are prepared. Whether on the biathlon course or on winter roads, determination and the right equipment make all the difference when conditions change. Together with the IBU, we want to inspire people to rediscover winter and embrace the possibilities it offers, helping them navigate changing conditions safely and confidently.”

Ferdinand Hoyos, Head of Business Area EMEA at Continental, said: “Biathlon is a natural fit for Continental: success in the sport depends on the perfect combination of performance, precision and control in winter conditions, just as it does for our winter tire portfolio. For decades, biathlon has been one of the most popular and successful winter sports on the Olympic stage, and throughout those decades, Continental has remained a trusted leader in winter tire technology. This shared commitment to excellence, performance and reliability makes for a great partnership and provides a strong platform to engage with fans, customers and retail partners across EMEA.”

Marco Sautner, Managing Director Infront Germany, added: “Continental has seen firsthand the value that winter sports can create for leading brands. Biathlon’s passionate fan base, strong presence in key European markets and range of activation opportunities provide an excellent platform to build on that success. It is hugely satisfying to bring together two organisations that stand to benefit from a long-term collaboration.”

The partnership further reinforces the IBU’s position as one of winter sport’s most attractive marketing platforms, providing brands with access to a dedicated international fanbase through a combination of broadcast exposure, on-site activations, digital engagement opportunities and premium hospitality experiences.

Disney+ To Broadcast Season Five of The Icon League Live in Germany

Disney+ will broadcast Season Five of The Icon League live in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from October 18, 2026. All matchdays of the new season will be shown on Disney+ and supplemented by pre- and post-match coverage. Following the live broadcasts, the matches will also be available as a full match replay on demand.

During the season, Disney+ will supplement the live broadcasts with additional content related to The Icon League. This includes interviews with players and creators, behind-the-scenes insights and content from the Disney+ Creator Lounge on site, which is played out via Disney+’s social media channels. The broadcasts will be commented on by Florian Mahlburg, who has accompanied the league’s coverage since its launch.

The Icon League was founded by Toni Kroos and Elias Nerlich and enters its fifth season in October. On a total of nine match days, twelve teams will compete against each other, led by well-known team heads from sports and entertainment. Most matchdays take place on Mondays in Berlin, supplemented by several double-headers during the season.

The game will be played in a 5-on-5 format. Additional game elements such as the so-called rulebreakers can be used during a game and have a direct influence on the course of the game.

Eun-Kyung Park, SVP DTC & Networks, Country Manager of The Walt Disney Company GSA, says: “Disney+ stands for extraordinary entertainment that connects people and creates shared experiences. With The Icon League, we are adding one of the most innovative sports entertainment formats in the German-speaking world to our offering. This cooperation underlines our claim to offer our subscribers unique live experiences in addition to first-class entertainment. Together, we will bring the new season to life on Disney+ with exclusive content, creative activations and new fan moments.”

Elias Nerlich, co-founder of The Icon League, says: “Starting the next season with Disney+ is a huge statement. We bring world-class entertainment and the new generation of sports together. This combination is just perfect.”

Marco Sautner, Managing Director of Infront Germany, says: “The Icon League has become much more than a format for your own community. The fact that Disney+ is now on board shows how important digital sports formats have become. As a marketing partner of the league, we are particularly pleased to be involved in this development. We are excited about Season Five and what will develop from it.”

West Ham United and Lyca Mobile Renew Long Standing Partnership 

West Ham United and Lyca Mobile have extended their partnership which will see the global mobile network operator continue as the Hammers longest standing commercial partner. 

The renewal will see the Club and Lyca Mobile continue to champion the east London community, using the power of the partnership to forge meaningful connections and enhance participation in sport for everyone of all backgrounds. 

Lyca Mobile will receive a wide range of partnership assets including match day LED activations, whilst also prominently appearing across the Club’s Men’s and Women’s teams digital portfolio. 

The partnership will also be utilised to promote SIMZY, an international travel eSIM (embedded SIM) provider. SIMZY provides instant mobile data across more than 220 destinations worldwide, including dedicated regional packages for Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America. With plans able to be activated in a little as 3 minutes, SIMZY will also use their Rights to enhance the West Ham United community when they travel overseas.

Lyca Mobile, the Club’s Official Telecommunications Partner for the past 14 years, have been synonymous with West Ham United and its supporters, in particular on a wide range of activations that have had the community at its core. This includes the Lyca Mobile Cup, a football tournament providing a platform for young players of all backgrounds to participate in the sport. 

Most recently, Lyca Mobile headline sponsored West Ham United Track Nights which has seen hundreds of runners take part in a free of charge run club at the London Marathon Community Track in Stratford. The activation has also seen appearances from Club legends, West Ham United coaching staff and Czech international midfielder Tomas Soucek who gave his support to runners at February’s edition of ‘Track Nights’. 

Speaking on the renewal of the partnership, David Chaplin, Director of Commercial Strategy at West Ham United said: “We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Lyca Mobile and are delighted to continue our relationship which has a real impact on the local community throughout our time working together. Our shared pride in community makes the partnership a natural fit and we’re excited in continuing to build on the success we’ve achieved during the past 12 years.”

Holly Flintoft, UK Head of Digital Sales at Lyca Mobile said:  “We’re proud to renew our partnership with West Ham United. Through initiatives such as the Lyca Mobile Cup and Track Nights, we’ve seen how this relationship can bring people together and create opportunities for the local community. We’re excited to continue working alongside the Club and look forward to seeing where the partnership takes us next.”

Ninavarapu Naresh, Vise President of Digital Sales performance and Governance at SIMZY said: “This partnership gives us an opportunity to introduce SIMZY — and the promise of roaming made easy — to West Ham supporters. Whether fans are travelling for football, a holiday or to visit family, we want mobile connectivity to be an easy part of their journey.”

Australian Open and Adobe Join Forces to Shape Fan Experiences

The Australian Open and Tennis Australia have announced a landmark multi-year partnership with Adobe, naming the global technology leader as the Official AI Marketing and Creativity Partner.

The Australian Open will become Adobe’s first tennis sponsorship globally marking a significant milestone for both organisations.

Together, the partnership will shape the next generation of fan experiences and help grow tennis across Australia by combining creativity, productivity, marketing and AI to deliver more personalised and connected interactions for millions of fans during the Australian Open and throughout the year.

Tennis Australia Chief Commercial Officer Cedric Cornelis said the partnership reflected a shared ambition to redefine how fans engage with sport.

“As the Grand Slam of Asia-Pacific, the Australian Open provides a unique platform to connect with audiences across one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

“The most exciting part is that we’re using Adobe’s technology to better leverage the Australian Open to drive year-round play and moments for tennis in Australia and across the region

“We’re proud that Adobe has chosen the Australian Open as its first tennis partnership globally,” Cornelis said.

Tennis Australia Chief Technology Officer Alan Sharvin said the partnership will help deliver enhanced experiences to help fans engage with tennis.

“One of our core ambitions is to better understand our audiences and deliver more connected, relevant and personalised experiences at scale, whether you’re a fan, a patron or a participant. Adobe is a key partner and enabler in helping us bring that ambition to life, connecting our data and digital capabilities to create more value from every interaction,” Sharvin said.

With Adobe CX Enterprise — an end-to-end platform for customer experience orchestration – Tennis Australia aims to help attendees of the Australian Open spend less time on screens, and more time enjoying the event itself. Patrons will be connected with relevant matches, dining options and activities, based on their specific needs and interests.

Beyond the tournament itself, the expanded partnership will support the continued evolution of the organisation’s digital ecosystem and help enhance how fans engage with tennis year-round.

Adobe Vice President and Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand Katrina Troughton said the partnership brings together two organisations united by a vision to put tennis fans at the centre of every interaction.

“With Adobe CX Enterprise, Tennis Australia can connect fans with the moments, content and experiences that matter most to them. At the same time, we’re giving tennis fans access to AI-powered tools to unleash their creativity and share their love of the game. Together, we’re helping shape the future of fan experiences both on and off the court,” Troughton said.

Adobe Vice President of Enterprise Marketing, Asia Pacific and Japan Duncan Egan said “The Australian Open is one of the world’s most innovative and iconic sporting events, making it the ideal partner to showcase how AI can transform fan engagement at scale. We’re excited to use this platform to reach millions of tennis fans around the world, deepen our connection with customers and communities, and demonstrate how we bring creativity, marketing and AI together to turn ideas into meaningful impact.”

The partnership will also support Tennis Australia’s continued global growth ambitions, enabling content and campaigns to be tailored for international audiences while maintaining the distinctive Australian Open brand that connects with fans around the world.

Cape Town to host the 20th SportAccord Convention in 2028

SportAccord is delighted to announce that Cape Town, South Africa, will host the 20t edition of the SportAccord Convention in 2028, marking the first time the Convention will be held in Africa.

The global sports community will come together in Cape Town for a week of meetings, dialogue. networking and collaboration, bringing together International Federations, host cities, event
organisers, commercial partners and other leading organisations from across international sport.

One of the world’s most distinctive sporting destinations, Cape Town has extensive experience of hosting major international events and will provide an exceptional setting for the SportAccord Convention and its global community.

South Africa is currently one of the Interested Parties in Continuous Dialogue with the International Olympic Committee, with a stated interest in hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. Under the IOC’s recently announced process, Interested Parties will be considered for progression to Strategic
Dialogue in March 2027.

Should South Africa progress further in the IOC Future Host process, SportAccord and its South African partners will review the arrangements for the 2028 Convention as appropriate.

Further details on the SportAccord Convention 2028 will be announced in due course.

Netflix Taps IMG As Production Partner For FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027

Netflix has appointed IMG as the production partner for its coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ (24 June – 25 July 2027), the first Women’s World Cup to be staged in South America. Netflix will serve as the exclusive home of the tournament in the U.S. and Canada for both 2027 and 2031. The tournament will mark Netflix’s most ambitious sports production to date. 

IMG will help deliver Netflix’s live coverage of the tournament across all 64 matches, with more than 100 hours of studio programming featuring top-tier talent and Netflix-exclusive in-tournament announcers. Coverage will be available in English and Spanish in the U.S., and English and French in Canada.

IMG will also support Netflix’s live coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 Final Draw, taking place on 11 December 2026.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is one of the fastest-growing events in global sport, showcasing the best football and captivating new audiences worldwide. As Netflix makes its live football debut, we’re excited to help bring this tournament – and its extraordinary athletes – to new and existing fans in the U.S and Canada. Netflix’s scale, discoverability and storytelling, combined with IMG’s best-in-class production expertise, make this a huge moment for football and women’s sport.” – Adam Kelly, IMG’s President.

IMG produces content for some of the world’s biggest leagues, events and media platforms, including Major League Soccer, English Football League, WTA Tour, Saudi Pro League, CBS’ UEFA Champions League and Europa League coverage, UFC, DP World Tour, Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and The Open Championship. 

NFL Extends Strauss Partnership Across London and Munich

STRAUSS is extending its partnership with the National Football League (NFL) as part of the league’s 2026 International Games. Following its kick-off at the NFL Melbourne Game on September 11, 2026, the workwear brand’s next drive will be at the two NFL London Games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 4 and 11, 2026 and at the NFL Munich Game in the FC Bayern Munich Stadium on November 15, 2026.

A new set of downs


STRAUSS first partnered with the NFL in Europe in 2023. The 2026 agreement renews the brand’s NFL partnerships in Germany and the United Kingdom, while adding Australia to its game plan. For STRAUSS, the international NFL calendar brings together three separate markets connected by a shared appreciation for preparation, craft, teamwork and the determination to deliver when it counts.

In Munich, the partnership gets a soundtrack. Before kickoff at the 2026 NFL Munich Game, American country music artist and STRAUSS partner Drew Baldridge will perform the U.S. national anthem, putting football, country music and workwear culture on the same stage.

Behind every big play


The performance reflects a belief at the core of STRAUSS: big moments are built by the work that comes before them. An athlete preparing for game day. An artist stepping up to the mic. A tradesperson getting the job done right. Each depends on preparation and pride in the craft.

“American football connects people far beyond the United States,” said Henning Strauss, CEO and Chief Brand Officer of STRAUSS. “Melbourne was a milestone in our journey to Australia, and we’re carrying that momentum to London and Munich. Having Drew perform before kickoff brings together sport, music and work in a powerful way and gives fans a special shared moment on one of the biggest stages in sport.”

SPORTEL Awards 2026: A Jury of Champions and Professionals

A major figure in international football, three-time French champion and three-time Ligue 1 top scorer, Sonny Anderson will chair the SPORTEL Awards 2026 Jury. He will be joined by six leading figures from elite sport, creative industries, photography and the Olympic movement, who will bring their expertise to the selection of the year’s most outstanding sporting images and stories.

Since 1990, the SPORTEL Awards have celebrated the finest sports productions each year, recognising works that capture the power of sport through exceptional images, performances and emotion.

Among the competition’s major distinctions, the Golden Podiums honour directors and producers for the year’s most outstanding sporting sequences, while the Renaud de Laborderie Book Prize recognises a landmark publication dedicated to sport. The competition also includes several categories showcasing the many forms of sports storytelling through images.

For the 2026 edition, the Jury, chaired by Sonny Anderson, former Brazilian international and former AS Monaco player, will bring together Kilian Bron, Enduro/Freeride MTB rider and filmmaker, representing the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF); Siraba Dembélé-Pavlovic, World and European handball champion and Olympic silver medallist; Georges Mohammed-Chérif, President and Chief Creative Officer of BUZZMAN; Nicolas Nkoulou, Cameroonian international footballer and Champion for Peace with Peace and Sport; Lisa Pou, bronze medallist in the 10km at the 2025 World Championships and Monegasque athlete representing the Monaco Olympic Committee (MOC); and Catherine Steenkeste, award-winning sports photographer and 2024 UJSF award recipient.

Champions and elite athletes, a filmmaker, a photographer, a leading creative expert, and representatives of the French and Monegasque Olympic movements: the breadth of expertise represented on the 2026 Jury reflects the richness and diversity of the SPORTEL Awards.

The Jury members will be responsible for selecting the works that best capture the strength, originality and emotion of sport, bringing to light the stories, personalities and moments that have the power to move audiences.

The winners of the SPORTEL Awards 2026 will be announced in Monaco at the Awards Ceremony on Monday 19 October 2026 at 7.00 pm at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco.

Liberty Media Strengthens MotoGP With Senior Hires

MotoGP has announced four executive appointments as it continues to build the team to drive the sport’s next phase of global growth.

Ryan Norys will join MotoGP as Chief Commercial Officer from Tottenham Hotspur, where he currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer. Sameer Pabari will become Chief Media Officer, having previously held senior leadership roles at the NFL, Warner Bros. Discovery and Manchester United. Louise Young will join as Chief Operating Officer following more than eight years with Formula 1, most recently as Chief Race Promotion Officer, while Denitza Batchvarova joined earlier this month as Chief Strategy Officer, bringing two decades of strategic leadership experience across finance and sports entertainment, latterly with UFC and TKO Group Holdings.

These appointments build on Carlos Ezpeleta’s promotion to Deputy CEO in August and the arrival of Vince Russell as Chief Financial Officer in May, with Enrique Aldama moving into the role of Chief Administrative Officer. Together with CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, they form a strengthened leadership team for MotoGP.

Carlos Ezpeleta, Deputy CEO of MotoGP, said: “These appointments are an important step in building the team that will help shape MotoGP’s future. Ryan, Sameer, Louise and Denitza bring hugely valuable experience from leading sports and entertainment organisations that will strengthen our commercial, media, operations and strategy capabilities. Together with our existing team, they will help us deepen our connection with our fans, reach new audiences and create new opportunities for our existing and new commercial partners, building on the strong foundations of the sport.”

As Chief Commercial Officer, Norys will lead MotoGP’s global commercial function across partnerships, sponsorship, licensing, hospitality, marketing and digital. He joins from Tottenham Hotspur, where he has led the club’s commercial business since 2022, most recently as Chief Revenue Officer. He previously held senior commercial roles at AS Roma, Manchester City and the Miami Dolphins.

Pabari will become Chief Media Officer following his current advisory role with MotoGP. He brings 20 years of experience across sports, media and technology, including leadership roles at the NFL, Warner Bros. Discovery and Manchester United. His expertise lies in creating content and digital media products that build and engage global fandom. As Chief Media Officer, he will oversee live broadcast production, long-form content, media distribution partnerships and the commercial growth of MotoGP’s direct-to-consumer streaming service.

As Chief Operating Officer, Young will direct MotoGP’s race promotion business, as well as its events, operations and ESG functions. She will join MotoGP from Formula 1, where she held a series of senior legal roles before being appointed to lead the race promotion business in July 2023 and subsequently becoming Chief Race Promotion Officer in early 2025. Her experience working with promoters, circuits and government stakeholders, gained during one of the most successful periods of growth in global sport, will support MotoGP’s continued expansion and help ensure the delivery of world-class events around the globe.

Batchvarova joined MotoGP in September as Chief Strategy Officer and will lead the development and execution of MotoGP’s global growth strategy. She has 20 years of experience across sport, entertainment and finance. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Finance at TKO Group Holdings following the combination of UFC and WWE, building on her previous role leading strategy at UFC. Her experience shaping long-term strategic direction, driving business transformation and aligning execution with sustainable growth objectives will help shape MotoGP’s next phase of development.

MotoGP has also made senior additions to its people and operation teams to further develop the business. These hires strengthen its ability to support employees, race promoters and event stakeholders, reflecting continued investment in the capabilities needed to deliver MotoGP’s long-term ambitions.