legendary Dota 2 and esport brand OG Esports (OG) and purpose driven organisation LDN UTD announce the beginning of a strategic and exciting partnership which will see the current LDN UTD VALORANT team rebranded to OG LDN UTD.
Having retained its VCT status, the OG LDN UTD team will subsequently be competing in the upcoming VCT Challengers Stage from May 13 with all players wearing co-branded OG LDN UTD jerseys to represent this new partnership.
Through this unique partnership, both organisations will provide world class support, including regular high end bootcamps and other performance services to the players, whilst also focus on community growth and joint events, with some taking place at LDN UTD’s Centre Of Excellence in Camden Town, London.
The Roster will continue to be comprised of the existing LDN UTD roster:
- Ričardas “Boo” Lukaševičius (IGL)
- Lukas “feqew” Petrauskas (Main Duelist)
- Tomas “Destrian” Linikas (Initiator)
- Michał “MOLSI” Łącki (Initiator);
- who will be joined by Tautvydas “hype” Paldavicius (Sentinel) on transfer from Alliance.
Tommaso “joYnt” Gavioli will continue in his role as Coach and will be joined by OG analyst Tyler “Bambino” Jay.
Day to day operations will continue to be under the auspices of LDN UTD, and in particular Head of Esports Ali “Rezi” Rashid, alongside OG’s Head of Esports, Mike Schwartz.
JMR Luna, CEO of OG Esports: “Very rarely do we have a chance to work with another value driven company and in LDN UTD we have found a perfect match. We love their community driven initiatives and what they are building, so when we all sat down together and spoke, we became very excited about this adventure together. We think they have done a very good job building and nurturing this project and we hope we can contribute to its success this new season
Land Rover Agrees Further Three Year Deal With Rugby Australia
Rugby Australia is proud to announce Land Rover has renewed their partnership as the Official Vehicle of the Wallabies until the end of 2024.
The three-year deal extends the relationship to seven seasons, with Land Rover first joining the Rugby Australia family in 2018.
Through the major partnership, the Land Rover logo will adorn the back of the Wallabies team shorts on game days and at training, and be displayed prominently on the Gilbert Test match rugby balls.
Land Rover has been at the heart of global Rugby for over two decades, from grassroots to the elite, via partnerships with Rugby World Cup as well as national and club teams. The extension of the Wallabies partnership reinforces Land Rover’s commitment to supporting rugby at all levels and creating unforgettable experiences for the Australian rugby community.
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said: “Rugby Australia is thrilled to be able to continue our partnership with Land Rover for another three years.”
“The values of Rugby Australia have great synergy with those at Land Rover and the Wallabies will wear their logo with pride throughout the Test seasons.
“Land Rover have a long history of supporting Rugby around the globe and we look forward to continuing to have a successful partnership that benefits both organisations for many years ahead.”
Shannon Edwards, Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Australia, said: “For over 20 years, Land Rover has actively supported rugby through partnerships globally, nationally, and through grassroots programs.”
“With shared values of passion, integrity, leadership, and a commitment to going above and beyond, we couldn’t be more excited to write the next chapter of our partnership with the Wallabies, engaging with fans across the country and helping to grow the game.”
Reckitt Named Official Partner Of The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Reckitt has been appointed as an Official Partner of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with its market-leading Dettol brand serving as the Official Hygiene Partner, and its Durex brand the Official Intimate Wellness Provider.
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, set to run from 28 July to 8 August, is a multi-sport event started in 1930. It aims to unite Commonwealth countries with a celebration of sport and human performance. Dettol Pro Solutions, Dettol’s business-to-business offering, will support athletes and spectators over the 12-day event, bringing hand sanitiser dispensers, disinfectant products and educational hygiene messages to the 15 competition venues across Birmingham, Coventry, Royal Leamington Spa, Sandwell and London, as well as Dettol hygiene kits for all athletes and volunteers in attendance.
This partnership follows the launch of the Dettol Pro Solutions programme in 2021, which is also set to support the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June. Dettol was also the hygiene partner at COP26, the UN’s global climate change conference in 2021, which played host to more than 25,000 delegates. Building on this, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games celebrates human achievement, perseverance and dedication; attributes that Reckitt champions in its purpose to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world.
As part of its science-led approach, Reckitt and Dettol Pro Solutions will provide hygiene protocol guidance to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games for athletes, spectators and officials.
Dettol Pro Solutions’ offering uses science-backed measures to enhance hygiene standards and help reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses. The team has already delivered hygiene programmes for industry leaders in the UK including British Airways, Avis Budget Group and Hilton Hotels, amongst others.
In addition, Reckitt’s brand Durex will be the Official Intimate Wellness Provider, working with Birmingham 2022 to make 100,000 Durex condoms and educational materials available in Athletes’ Villages and medical facilities during the Games.
Nick Sedgwick, Regional Director for Reckitt’s Health business in the UK & Ireland commented: “We’re delighted to bring two of Reckitt’s iconic brands, Dettol and Durex, to support Birmingham 2022. As a UK business with strong roots across the Commonwealth, we’re beyond proud to support the athletes and spectators at this year’s Games, with confidence, pride and strength, to make it an event to remember.”
Ian Reid, CEO at Birmingham 2022 said: “It’s more important than ever before to ensure that Birmingham 2022 has all the necessary measures in place to help protect all participants and supporters. This new partnership with Reckitt will give us added reassurance as we look ahead to the Games in a few months’ time. Alongside working with health experts and authorities to ensure we deliver a safe Games, we look forward to working with a major hygiene brand like Dettol who is committed to developing world leading practices.”
Jonathan Weiss, Commercial Director of Reckitt’s Pro Solutions said: “Dettol Pro Solutions is helping to elevate consumer confidence with our enhanced hygiene measures, which can help reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria. So much has changed since the last Commonwealth Games in 2018, and hygiene standards have become one of the most important requirements. We’re committed to supporting Birmingham 2022 with a gold medal standard of hygiene across the facilities and are proud to play a part in reassuring thousands of people to come together and enjoy live events in a hygienic environment.”
Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “We are proud to welcome Reckitt to the team. As the Official Hygiene Partner, Dettol’s industry leading knowledge and expertise will help us deliver a successful and safe competition for athletes, officials and fans.”
OneFootball And CONMEBOL Agree Innovative New Highlights Deal To Bring CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana To Latin American Fans
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the world’s largest football media platform, OneFootball, have today announced a groundbreaking new streaming partnership.
The deal will give the millions of passionate OneFootball users across Brazil and Latin America access to an innovative new highlights format for South America’s most prestigious club competitions: the CONMEBOL Libertadores and CONMEBOL Sudamericana. Running from 2023 to 2026, the deal brings OneFootball’s mission to create the most immersive fan experiences, on and off the pitch, one step closer.
Starting for the 2023 season, for the first time fans will be able to view near-live highlight clips, just 3 minutes from game play. Clips of all decisive match action will be available, as well as full post-match highlights after the final whistle. All highlights will be free-to-view giving fans the chance to see the best action from the biggest clubs of the continent. The 2022 edition of CONMEBOL Libertadores sees the participation of South American powerhouses Palmeiras, Flamengo, River Plate and Boca Juniors, amongst others.
The deal covers 314 matches per season, including every game of the CONMEBOL Libertadores and CONMEBOL Sudamericana, as well as both matches of the CONMEBOL Recopa Sudamericana, a match-up between the reigning Libertadores and Sudamericana champions. The CONMEBOL Libertadores, the equivalent to UEFA’s Champions League, is one of the most followed football events in the world. It reaches hundreds of millions of football fans every season and the 2021 final was broadcast in nearly 200 countries.
Unique fan experience
This cutting edge approach furthers OneFootball’s ambitions to offer young, mobile-first fans a more flexible approach to watching football, allowing them to follow all of the action from multiple matches at once in near real time.
The partnership will provide fans with a unique and accessible experience when following their favourite teams. OneFootball users will be able to see a dedicated CONMEBOL Libertadores section on the platform and follow a live match feed with in-app alerts and push notifications on all key events, such as goals, red cards, penalties and more, genuinely amplifying the experience of these thrilling tournaments for football fans. On top of the highlights offer, OneFootball’s newsroom will also produce dedicated editorial and video coverage in Portuguese and Spanish.
Nikolaus von Doetinchem, Vice President OTT Streaming & Media Rights, OneFootball, said: “As we continue to build our streaming offer at OneFootball, getting fans even closer to the game they love, we’re looking for innovative new ways to give fans more access and greater flexibility when it comes to watching football. This partnership with CONMEBOL is unique, letting fans enjoy South America’s top club competitions for free and in near real time. Whether on our app, website or CTV, they can follow the action whenever and wherever suits them. Fans right across Latin America deserve access to the best football the region has to offer, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”
Juan Emilio Roa, CONMEBOL’s Commercial Director added: “Our goal is always to share the joy of living and enjoying the best soccer in the world with the millions of fans of CONMEBOL tournaments, wherever they are and at any time. We explore new ways and means to make the emotions and passion of South America available to everyone. CONMEBOL and FC Diez Media developed this unprecedented and innovative Instant Highlights package to follow the market trends of clips and highlights’ consumption on digital platforms. OneFootball is the right partner not only to increase the distribution of our content in Brazil and Latam, but also to reach a new and younger audience through innovation and new technologies. We are confident that the unforgettable moments of the CONMEBOL Libertadores and CONMEBOL Sudamericana will more easily reach new audiences across the continent.”
Patrick Coyle Joins The PFA As New COO
The Professional Footballers’ Association (The PFA) has announced the appointment of Patrick Coyle as the union’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Coyle joins the PFA after almost a decade working in operational, commercial and finance roles at Manchester United, most recently as Chief of Staff to the CEO of Media.
In his time at Manchester United he played a major part in the innovation and growth of the club’s digital channels, overseeing and co-ordinating teams around the delivery of a number of significant strategic business projects.
Coyle, who was recruited through an independent and competitive process earlier this year, will report directly to PFA Chief Executive, Maheta Molango. He will be responsible for providing internal leadership to key departments at the PFA and driving operational efficiency, effective business change and strategic planning activities.
The newly created role will also include responsibility for governance, change management, operations, technology, safe-guarding, estates and resources and risk management.
Coyle is one of a number of new hires at the PFA, which has recently undertaken a programme of reform to its structures and governance. These changes include the establishment of new Operational and Player Boards and Molango’s appointment last summer as the union’s new CEO.
On Coyle’s appointment, Maheta Molango said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Patrick to the team. This is a key appointment for the PFA and one that will help ensure that, across the organisation, our staff can work strategically and effectively to provide the best possible support and services to those we serve – our members.
“Patrick brings with him a wealth of industry experience from his time at Manchester United, which I believe will be of huge benefit to the organisation.”
Patrick Coyle said:
“It’s a great time to be joining the PFA, an organisation that has a major role representing those who play the game at a time of significant change for the sport.
“Maheta and the team have a clear strategic vision for the future of the PFA and I’m looking forward to working with the union’s talented and dedicated staff to bring that to life.”
The PFA is the world’s oldest professional sport trade union and represents over 55,000 current and former players across the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Women’s Super League (WSL).
McLaren Racing To Compete In Formula E From Season Nine
McLaren Racing will open the next phase of its electric motorsport journey when it enters the 2022/2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship from Season Nine and the beginning of the Gen3 era in the pioneering all-electric race series. Formula E will join the McLaren Racing portfolio of Formula 1, IndyCar, Extreme E, and esports.
The decision to enter Formula E follows McLaren Racing signing an option in January 2021 to participate in Season Nine and a period of evaluation, during which time the team entered the Extreme E all-electric off-road series. The move into Formula E not only reflects McLaren’s commitment to EV motorsport but the aim to accelerate McLaren Racing’s sustainability journey and reach a new, more diverse global audience.
The McLaren Formula E Team will be formed through the acquisition of the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team, expected to complete later this year, that will see the reigning champion team become part of the McLaren Racing family. Ian James will continue to lead the team, enabling a smooth transition to McLaren following the end of the current season.
Further details on the McLaren Formula E Team programme, including its driver line-up, powertrain supplier, and commercial partners, will be announced in due course.
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:
“McLaren Racing always seeks to compete against the best and on the leading edge of technology, providing our fans, partners and people with new ways to be excited, entertained and inspired. Formula E, like all our racing series, fulfils all those criteria.
“As with all forms of the sport we participate in, Formula E has racing at the centre but will be strategically, commercially and technically additive to McLaren Racing overall. It is also satisfying to provide a home for the class-leading Formula E team that Mercedes has built, which will become a fully-fledged part of the McLaren Racing family. While run separately to our F1 and IndyCar teams, Formula E complements and builds out our EV racing programme alongside Extreme E.
“I firmly believe that Formula E will give McLaren Racing a competitive advantage through greater understanding of EV racing, while providing a point of difference to our fans, partners and people, and continuing to drive us along our sustainability pathway.”
Ian James, Team Principal, Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team, said:
“Today’s announcement confirms the next exciting chapter in the development of the team. Since our inception in 2019, performance, sustainability and adaptability have been the keys to our success. Mercedes-Benz have been the main enablers for this team so far and when we started this journey, we could only have hoped for the results we’ve achieved to date. The company’s clear objectives and technological expertise accelerated our ambitions, and I would like to thank them for being the most supportive owner by helping us to do what we do best: racing. Now, once again, they have been instrumental in securing the right partner to continue our Formula E journey.
“Becoming part of the McLaren Racing family is a privilege: McLaren has always been synonymous with success and high-performance. This is a great moment for all parties involved but, above all, for the people that make up this team. They are what keeps its heart beating. Being able to continue working with them is what I am most excited about.
“I’m very much looking forward for this next chapter for the team and will be a proud member of it in Season 9. Until then, we will be focused on delivering the best results possible as the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team, for the remainder of the current season.”
Sky Sports Extend Broadcast Partnership With British Basketball League
The British Basketball League in partnership with production company Buzz 16 is delighted to announce that Sky Sports have extended their deal to continue as the League’s broadcast partner throughout the 22/23 season.
This latest deal highlights Sky’s commitment to broadcasting British Basketball’s elite competition for a third successive year, with fans up and down the country set to be thrilled by another year of exhilarating BBL and WBBL action.
As part of the agreement Sky Sports will continue to air matches live across their platforms throughout the British Basketball League and Women’s British Basketball League season. This includes the BBL/ and WBBL Trophy Final, Cup Final and Play Offs, as well as action every week during the regular Championship season.
It is an exciting time for the British Basketball League which is currently in the midst of a ground-breaking era, with record attendances at arenas across the country and fans tuning into watch the best of action on Sky each week. To secure a renewal with the best sports broadcaster in the business is another step to the BBL’s ambitions to become the second biggest basketball league in the world.
Speaking about the renewal, the British Basketball League’s Chief Operating Officer, Andy Webb, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to continue our partnership with Sky Sports who have been outstanding to work with throughout their time as broadcast partner of the league. Their high quality coverage brings Basketball to homes across the country each week and ensures our fans can enjoy the very best of the action the league has to offer. This is a thrilling time to be involved with the sport and it’s great to see Sky continue to support us on our journey”.
Helen Falkus, Director of Multi Sports at Sky: “Having the BBL back on Sky Sports for the past two seasons has been great for our viewers, complementing our NBA and WNBA schedules and giving an insight into the growth of the sport in this country. We’re excited to see the story develop in the future on our platforms.”
Basketball fans can continue to catch games throughout the 22/23 season live on Sky Sports Arena and the Sky Sports YouTube channel, as well as the BBL Player.
LaSource Becomes Media Partner Of iSportConnect Web3 Summit Presented By Tezos
Sports consultancy company LaSource has become the latest organisation to join up with iSportConnect’s Web3 Summit presented by Tezos as an event media partner.
The Web3 Summit will be taking place on the 28th and 29th of June 2022 at Emirates Stadium in London. Head to https://www.web3summit.sport/ for more information, the full agenda and to purchase tickets.
LaSource is a B2B agency based in Paris, focused on sport, digital and technology. Since 2019, they have been helping handpicked and high potential startups to expand their business and premium technology across the European Market.
“Our belief in new technologies to help sports organisations develop their activities lead us to explore and analyse all the possibilities that could bring Web3.”
LaSource has created a model that gives companies access to new innovative and digital solutions to meet their strategic objectives. They believe in the power of digital and how it can bring sports organisations to new heights. They can aid leading sports organisations by putting together digital strategies and helping them to execute and get results with their digital transformation.
The organisation works with both startups and established companies to benefit their operations through business development, brand positioning and innovation consulting.
Jean-Baptiste Alliot, CSO at LaSource: “Our belief in new technologies to help sports organisations develop their activities lead us to explore and analyse all the possibilities that could bring Web3.
“Events such as the ISportConnect Web3 Summit are essential to further investigate and democratise the use of these technologies and we are pleased to be participating in this amazing opportunity. We are looking forward to discussing Web3 and the rise of a new distribution model at the Emirates in June.”
“The Web3 Summit has been created in order to provide educational benefits for the sports industry to be able to learn and understand where they can create benefits for their organisation from this new technology.”
Sandy Case, CEO of the iSportConnect Web3 Summit presented by Tezos, added: “The Web3 Summit has been created in order to provide educational benefits for the sports industry to be able to learn and understand where they can create benefits for their organisation from this new technology.
“It is fantastic to have LaSource on board as a media partner for our event in June to help us spread this message and we look forward to welcoming them to the Emirates.”
Through this partnership with LaSource we are able to offer a discount of 10% for the iSportConnect Web3 Summit presented by Tezos on the 28/29 June at Emirates Stadium in London – use the code LASOURCE10 at checkout to receive the discount.
Purchase your tickets to the iSportConnect Web3 Summit now – https://www.web3summit.sport/event-details/tickets/ticket-form
OneFootball Appoints Former Arsenal Executive, Peter Silverstone, In New Senior Leadership Role
OneFootball, the world’s largest football media platform, has today announced the appointment of Peter Silverstone to the role of SVP, Global Development, responsible for OneFootball’s Clubs, Leagues, Federations and Players (CLFP) network and partnerships division. Peter brings almost two decades of commercial experience in the football industry that will be critical to OneFootball’s continued growth and momentum.
He joins from Arsenal FC where he was the Chief Commercial Officer and member of the Arsenal Executive team. During his tenure at Arsenal, Peter led a number of successful commercial initiatives, most notably from a partnership perspective the bringing on board, and successful development, of Arsenal’s globally renowned adidas partnership, and the signing and extension of Arsenal’s ground-breaking sleeve partnership with Visit Rwanda. Peter also oversaw the rapid growth of Arsenal’s e-commerce business, the extension, and sell-out, of Arsenal’s expanded Club Level and the agreement with Amazon for Arsenal’s “All Or Nothing” documentary. Peter represented Arsenal on various Premier League, FA and ECA Committees and Task Forces across Men’s and Women’s football.
In his new role at OneFootball, Peter will be responsible for the development of new and existing partnerships across the company’s CLFP network, building on the 125+ clubs, leagues and federations that are already publishing exclusive or new content on the OneFootball platform, working with OneFootball VP Partnerships, Tom Muller. He will also play an integral role in driving forward the company’s expansion into Web3, helping clubs, leagues, federations and players leverage OneFootball’s recently formed joint venture, OneFootball Labs, to deliver new products and services on the blockchain.
Patrick Fischer, Chief Business Officer of OneFootball, said: “It’s a privilege to have Peter at OneFootball, as someone who has played such a critical commercial role at one of the biggest clubs in world football. As OneFootball enters a new phase in its journey, Peter’s experience managing a number of different revenue streams will be incredibly valuable to drive our company forward. I’m delighted to have him on board as we build an even better experience for football fans and the industry.”
Silverstone said: “OneFootball is at a turning point, having just announced its Web3 strategy and the successful Series D funding round that will help power its delivery. I have seen how Lucas, Patrick, Tom and the entire team have built the business over the past decade and I am excited by its growth prospects and its ability to be the OneFootball destination that brings global football fans closer to the game they love. I have been immediately impressed by the energy and diverse industry talent that is joining, and will join, the already established team at OneFootball. I’m looking forward to being part of this new team so I can lend my skills and experience to create new revenue opportunities, deepen and broaden partnerships, and deliver mutually beneficial relationships to support OneFootball’s comprehensive fan ecosystem.”
OneFootball’s platform provides fans around the globe access to high-quality football content whenever and wherever they want it. The appointment follows the closing of its Series D funding round of US$300 million, to support the company’s future global growth and expansion into Web3. This week, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced it will become the first football federation globally to officially launch a personalised NFT platform with OneFootball. Fans of the Argentine National Team will also be able to purchase officially licensed digital collectibles on the platform when the collection is launched.
Snapshot: Let’s Talk About NFTs By Fayre Labs
So what is an NFT?
NFTs are opening up new opportunities in the sports industry, as they are a great way for fans to engage with their favourite teams. But, what is an NFT?
NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token. Each NFT represents the ownership of a unique piece of digital property as a token. These tokens exist on and are secured by a blockchain to be resilient against theft or copy attempts. There are no two NFTs that are exact equals of another. Even if 100% of one NFTs’ contents are copied into another, it will never be original.
People have always loved owning sports collectibles, and now NFTs offer a new, digitised and more trusted way to do so, providing benefits that are not limited to the physical world.
We are just starting to discover the possibilities that NFTs can offer sports. In the next deliveries we will explain some of these early use cases.
As fans and athletes and their organisations connect, the more opportunity there will be for further innovations. NFT drops and NFT trading cards are a great start, but who knows where the technology will go as metaverse and Web Integrations enter the arena too.”
Fayre is a global multi-chain marketplace and dashboard for brands and fans. They are a partner of the upcoming iSportConnect Web3 Summit presented by Tezos. Fayre are passionate about bringing NFTs to a wider audience. They are on a mission to change the way brands and creators interact with their fans.
Part NFT marketplace, part fan activation hub. They make tools that allow creators and brands to establish and manage fan clubs, which gives NFTs unlimited function & purpose in real life, online and in virtual worlds.
Get your tickets now for the iSportConnect Web3 Summit, available at our Early Bird price of £699 here > https://www.web3summit.sport/event-details/tickets