IPC Reverses Decision And Blocks Russian And Belarusian Athletes From Competing In Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games

Following a specially convened meeting, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board has decided to refuse the athlete entries from the RPC and NPC Belarus for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. 

This means that Para athletes from these respective countries will no longer be allowed to participate in the Games which open on 4 March 2022. 

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “At the IPC we are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix. However, by no fault of its own the war has now come to these Games and behind the scenes many Governments are having an influence on our cherished event.

“The IPC is a membership-based organisation, and we are receptive to the views of our member organisations. 

“When our members elected the Board in December 2021 it was to maintain and uphold the principles, values, and rules of the Paralympic Movement.  As Board members that is a responsibility and duty we take extremely seriously. 

“In taking our decision yesterday we were looking at the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement.  We are fiercely proud of the principles and values that have made the Movement what it is today.  

“However, what is clear is that the rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position so close to the start of the Games.  

“Yesterday we said we would continue to listen, and that is what we are doing. 

“In the last 12 hours an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am grateful. They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Multiple NPCs, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete.

“Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us and the situation in the athlete villages is escalating and has now become untenable. First and foremost, we have a duty as part of the Paralympic mission, enshrined in the constitution, to guarantee and supervise the organisation of successful Paralympic Games, to ensure that in sport practiced within the Paralympic Movement the spirit of fair play prevails, violence is banned, the health risk of the athletes is managed and fundamental ethical principles are upheld.

“With this in mind, and in order to preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to refuse the athlete entries from RPC and NPC Belarus. 

“To the Para athletes from the impacted countries, we are very sorry that you are affected by the decisions your governments took last week in breaching the Olympic Truce. You are victims of your governments’ actions. 

“Athlete welfare is and always will be a key concern for us. As a result of today’s decision 83 Para athletes are directly impacted by this decision. However, if RPC and NPC Belarus remain here in Beijing then nations will likely withdraw. We will likely not have a viable Games. If this were to happen, the impact would be far wider reaching.

“I hope and pray that we can get back to a situation when the talk and focus is fully on the power of sport to transform the lives of persons with disabilities, and the best of humanity.”

iSportConnect: This is a very severe decision for the IPC to have to make, after athletes will have spent years training for this moment, and the athletes have always been the cornerstone priority for the IOC and IPC. However, in a situation where the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes may lead to boycotts by fellow participating athletes refusing to compete against them, the IPC was forced into changing course over the last 24 hours.

MLB Season Delayed After CBA Negotiations Between League & MLBPA Passes Deadline With No Agreement

Tuesday’s deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement passed without a deal between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, as the players voted to reject the league’s final proposal before 5 p.m. ET.

With no deal in place, MLB announced that each team’s first two series of the regular season will not be played, meaning that the regular season will begin no earlier than April 7, while Spring Training games will begin no earlier than March 12.

MLB extended Monday night’s deadline until Tuesday at 5 p.m., believing enough progress had been made during Monday’s 16-hour bargaining marathon that a deal could be consummated the next day.

“We worked hard to avoid an outcome that is bad for our fans, bad for our players and bad for our clubs,” said Commissioner Rob Manfred while speaking to the assembled media in Jupiter, Fla., where the negotiations were taking place. “I want to assure our fans that our failure to reach an agreement was not due to a lack of effort on the part of either party.”

MLB made what it called its “best offer” before the deadline, though the MLBPA rejected it, prompting the league to take the first week’s worth of games off the schedule.

“The clubs and our owners fully understand just how important it is to our millions of fans that we get the game on the field as soon as possible,” said Manfred. “To that end, we want to bargain and we want a deal with the Players Association as quickly as possible.”

In February, Manfred said that based on injury data and the experience of the 2020 pandemic-shortened season, Spring Training should be at least four weeks long in order for players to properly prepare for the season. Without a deal on Tuesday, that means starting the season later than the scheduled March 31 Opening Day.

MLB’s final offer would have meant nearly $500 million in additional compensation for pre-arbitration players through a 23% increase in minimum salary and a $30 million pre-arbitration bonus pool. It would have also increased the competitive balance tax threshold to $220 million, a jump from $214 million in 2021. The MLBPA was reportedly seeking an $85 million bonus pool for pre-arbitration players and a competitive balance tax threshold starting at $238 million.

Puma Extends W Series Partnership And Signs Emma Kimiläinen

W Series announces that Emma Kimiläinen will compete for the Puma W Series Team in 2022 as the brand extends its team title and global racewear partnership this year

Emma has won two races in her two seasons with W Series, the latter victory – at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium last August – starting a run of four consecutive podium finishes which saw the 32-year-old Finn end the season in third place in the championship standings. Emma will now look to take that excellent form into the 2022 W Series season, which consists of support races at eight Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends, starting in Miami, USA, in May. The Puma W Series Team finished sixth in last year’s inaugural teams’ championship, and Emma’s team-mate will be announced in due course.

Puma Motorsport broke the mould during W Series’ second season in 2021 by tailoring racewear specifically for female drivers for the very first time. As part of their women’s platform, She Moves Us, Puma will supply bespoke racewear during W Series’ third on-track season. Puma Motorsport has supplied high-performance, flame-retardant racewear for W Series’ drivers since the inaugural season in 2019. Puma is associated with the highest levels of motorsport and their tailored, triple-layer Nomex race suits ensure F1 standards of safety, performance, and comfort.

Catherine Bond Muir (Chief Executive Officer, W Series) said:

“I am delighted that Puma will continue to support W Series’ mission in 2022. Our brands are perfectly aligned – W Series aims to change the face of motorsport and increase opportunities in our industry for girls and women all around the world, while Puma is committed to celebrating females who inspire others, as shown by their support of W Series since our inaugural season. All of W Series’ drivers are inspirational and none more so than Emma Kimiläinen, who has competed against and beaten the world’s best drivers throughout her career and continues to do so whilst juggling her life as a businesswoman and a mother.

“Like us, Puma is determined to do all it can to help our drivers showcase their talent on motor racing’s greatest stage, and W Series’ drivers will once again be equipped with racewear tailored to their exact specifications, enabling them to feel comfortable in the car and perform at their best.”  

Emma Kimiläinen (Puma W Series Team) said:

“I am very proud to be racing for the Puma W Series Team this year. With their She Moves Us campaign, our brand and values fit together perfectly and, being a professional athlete at the top level and a mother, I hope to inspire girls and women chasing their dreams in sports. It’s amazing to be recognised by Puma and the fact that they believe in my talent even though I’m a 32-year-old mum speaks volumes. Together we can show the world that, irrespective of your age or gender, you can always pursue your dreams.

“After finishing fifth in the inaugural W Series season and third last year, I’m aiming to continue my progress and win the title in 2022. The first half of last season was difficult, but I know what I need to succeed this year and I’m certain that the Puma team will provide that and enable me to launch a strong bid for the title – nothing less will do.

“Pre-season has been good so far with lots of snowmobiling at home in Finland and I’ve been training really hard. I’m looking forward to pre-season testing in Spain this week – we are a tight family in W Series so it will be lovely to see some old faces and greet some new ones.”

James Clark (Head of Sports Marketing Motorsport & Operations, Puma) said:

“It is fantastic to join forces with W Series and our own Puma W Series Team again this year, and I would like to thank the entire W Series team for embracing our vision. W Series has become one of the key pillars of our women’s campaign, She Moves Us, which celebrates females who move culture and sports forward and inspire women around the world. Passion for motorsport is in Puma’s DNA and we are excited to watch W Series grow worldwide. Through the She Moves Us campaign, we will provide comprehensive support and endeavour to drive women in motorsport forward, celebrating the success of the Puma W Series Team and the series as a whole.”

Maura Everett (Senior Brand Strategist, Women’s Performance, Puma) said:

“We are excited to have Emma Kimiläinen join the Puma family as she is the embodiment of She Moves Us: excelling as an elite athlete in a male dominated sport while being a full-time mother. Emma’s winning attitude on and off track will inspire the next generation of women in motorsport.”

Women’s Six Nations Unveils New Brand Identity Alongside TikTok

Six Nations Rugby has revealed a striking new brand identity for the TikTok Women’s Six Nations, that will be rolled out starting from this year’s Championship.

Charged with a sense of energy and led by an electric purple colour palette, Six Nations Rugby has invigorated the look and feel of the Women’s Championship to deliver a progressive, engaging, and digital-first identity that will form part of a fresh approach to content and storytelling.

Intended to resonate with existing fans and captivate new audiences, the reimagined brand identity joins a recent set of firsts for the Women’s Six Nations. One such crucial first was entertainment platform TikTok becoming the first ever Title Partner of the Women’s Championship, and as such the brand takes prominence within the new Championship logo and associated assets.

Alongside this is the unrivalled global broadcast support for the TikTok Women’s Six Nations, which once again occupies its own moment in the international rugby calendar.

As a result, the opportunity to engage with the Women’s Championship has never been so readily available, making this year’s competition the most accessible in its history.

Commenting on the new identity, Sarah Beattie, Chief Marketing Officer for Six Nations Rugby, said:

“Earlier this year Six Nations Rugby introduced the first ever Title Partner of the Women’s Six Nations: TikTok. To now reveal an all-new brand identity for the Championship is an important next step a in establishing a distinct creative platform, personality, and direction, to fuel the growth of the Women’s game.”

“Based on fan research we developed a brand position that will shape our approach to fan engagement. The intent behind the new identity was to mirror the electric energy of rugby we have come to expect from the Women’s Championship, celebrate the sense of togetherness and connect more people to the game-changing heroes that will inspire future generations.”

The TikTok Women’s Six Nations kicks off on 26th March, when Scotland host England, Ireland welcome Wales and France play Italy on Sunday 27th March.

NEO And Whistle Integrate Offerings To Create Global Studio For ELEVEN Group

The sports production company NEO Studios has merged with US based Whistle Studios to create a global studio business, which will be housed within the ELEVEN Group. 

The newly expanded NEO Studios will supplement ELEVEN’s offering of live sport with best in class on-demand content for audiences across the Group’s network. NEO will also create premium sports and entertainment programming for third party streaming and linear platforms.

NEO was launched by ELEVEN’s parent company – the sports and media investment platform Aser Ventures – in 2018. The studio’s first project was the award-winning Take us Home – Leeds United for Amazon Prime Video, which charted the club’s return to the Premier League across the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. Last year NEO told the story of four Hawaiian sumo wrestlers who travelled to Japan to become legends of the country’s national sport in the critically acclaimed three-part show The Giants for Rakuten TV. 

Whistle Studios has a long track record in developing and producing scripted, unscripted, animation, and live formats in the US. Recent releases include the Emmy winning docu-series Prideland for PBS and the NAACP nominated Benedict Men, a docu-series made in partnership with NBA star Stephen Curry and Unanimous Media.

The newly combined studio business will pool NEO’s capabilities in premium sports storytelling with Whistle’s diverse range of studio services, delivering additional value to the ELEVEN Group and third-party distributors. The merger also brings together the two studios’ unique network of relationships with some of the biggest talent, sports teams and federations in the world. As part of the Aser Ventures group, NEO enjoys close links with Premier League club Leeds United and to a roster of stars affiliated to Aser’s media, marketing and talent agencies. Whistle Studios have a history of collaborating with some of the top names in US sport. 

NEO will now focus on developing new formats across the entertainment spectrum, with a particular focus on sport. 

NEO is currently working on the release of the six-part docu-series Legacy: In The Shadow of Greatness, which will chart the journeys of three gifted young athletes and their legendary parents Dwyane Wade, Evander Holyfield and Randall Cunningham. NEO are working with 11-time Emmy Award winning filmmaker Jonathan Hock on the show, which will premier on March 8 th with Discovery+. 

NEO is also developing a new format called The Academy, which will follow young athletes hoping to fulfil their dreams of going pro. NEO has already partnered with the NFL Alumni Academy in the U.S, and will be expanding the series to a number of European football clubs.

Uniting NEO’s projects together will be a mission to tell powerful human stories that connect audiences with their passions. Projects that celebrate diversity and champion positive societal change will be central to the studio’s future plans.

Anouk Mertens, NEO Studios CEO, said: “Combining forces with the talented team in the US allows us to grow our capabilities and operate at a truly global scale. As part of the ELEVEN Group, NEO will be able to leverage our unique partnerships with talent, athletes, and leagues to tell powerful, untold stories that really connect audiences with their passions.”

Marc Watson, ELEVEN Group CEO, added: “The newly expanded NEO Studios will be an integral part of the ELEVEN Group, and give us the opportunity to supplement our compelling live sports offering with more award winning on demand content. NEO’s best in class production services will also empower us to deliver for rights partners and distributors around the world.”

NEO will operate as a global studio business with teams across Europe and the US. NEO’s distribution network includes Amazon Prime, Netflix, Rakuten TV, HBO Max, Discovery, Snap Originals, BET+, Facebook Watch, MGM/Orion, TBS, YouTube Premium and more.

Anouk Mertens will lead the business as Global CEO. NEO’s US team will be overseen by Emmy Award-winner Melanie Capacia Johnson (Managing Director NEO Studios US) and Jill Johnson (NEO Studios Head of Entertainment). NEO’s European operations will be headed up by Jimmy Rutherford (Director of Content) and Jonathan Gale (Director of Business Development). 

NEO’s merger with Whistle Studios follows ELEVEN’s acquisition of Team Whistle in 2021 and marks a key milestone in the ELEVEN Group’s journey to establishing itself as a global sports and entertainment powerhouse. The combined ELEVEN Group houses a total of 1,655 distribution channels and 665 million aggregated social media followers, generating more than 4 billion video views each month. It serves fans with approximately 65,000 hours of live sport each year together with a slate of original programming. The Group also delivers a 360 offering to brands and rights holders, with a suite of digital marketing & talent management services, in addition to NEO’s studio capabilities. 

The ELEVEN Group is part of the Aser Ventures family – a network of sports and media companies including Leeds United, LIVENow and the digital marketing agency Creed Media.

Authentic Brands Group Partners With David Beckham And Finalises Acquisition Of Reebok

Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand owner, development and entertainment company, today announces that it has entered into a strategic partnership with David Beckham to co-own and manage Beckham’s global brand. In connection with the partnership, David Beckham has become a shareholder in ABG. Regarded as one of the most successful athlete-turned-entrepreneurs, Beckham has built a diverse portfolio of brands and businesses that connect with audiences worldwide and is supported by key strategic partners including Adidas, Tudor, Maserati, EA Sports, Sands and Diageo.

David Beckham joins the roster of ABG’s growing entertainment portfolio that includes some of the world’s most celebrated athletes and iconic sports brands such as Muhammad Ali, Shaquille O’Neal and Sports Illustrated. He and his management team will partner with ABG to grow the David Beckham brand through strategic endorsements, innovative business models, compelling digital and media partnerships and new consumer products.

“We are thrilled to welcome David Beckham to ABG’s esteemed entertainment division and even further honored to call him an ABG shareholder. David is a superstar talent with an incredible global brand reach and a highly influential presence,” said Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman and CEO of ABG. “David and his team have built an enterprise that spans sports, entertainment, lifestyle and luxury, and we see significant opportunities to scale his brand and expand it into new verticals.”

“ABG takes an innovative approach to global brand development, and I’m delighted to be joining them,” said David Beckham. “Our shared vision makes ABG the ideal strategic partner to help unlock the full potential of my brand and business. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I have received in my business career and proud of what our team has achieved. I’m excited for the next chapter.”

The partnership with David Beckham marks a definitive step in ABG’s global strategy to expand its corporate footprint, launch new business verticals and drive growth in key territories, including EMEA and APAC. As part of this next phase, ABG officially opens its European headquarters in London. The office will house the David Beckham team, who have been welcomed into the ABG family.

 ABG also becomes the largest shareholder in Studio 99, an integrated creative and production studio co-founded by Beckham in 2019. The company has a slate of documentary series in development and production for global platforms, including Netflix and Disney+, in addition to a commercial business generating content and creative marketing campaigns for a range of global brand clients.

Beckham’s digital presence is considered one of the most influential in the world, with a following of more than 138 million, bringing ABG’s total portfolio-wide social media following to more than 420 million. Beckham’s annual impressions surpass 9 billion across Instagram, Facebook and Chinese platforms Weibo and Douyin, which has the highest engagement of any international account. He is also the most followed and engaged individual on social media in the U.K.

With a professional football career spanning more than two decades, Beckham has played for some of the most successful clubs in the world. He was a member of Manchester United’s celebrated “Class of ‘92” and was the first English footballer to win league titles in four countries: with Manchester United in England, Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the United States and Paris Saint-Germain in France. He is a former England Captain who played 115 times for his country including in three FIFA World Cups. In 2018, Beckham became co-owner of Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami CF, the culmination of his lifelong ambition to build a new football club and create a lasting legacy in the game.

Authentic Brands Group Completes Acquisition Of Reebok From adidas

Authentic Brands Group (ABG) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Reebok from adidas. As it ushers in its largest acquisition to date, the global brand development, marketing and entertainment company is charting a new path for Reebok.

“Reebok is a brand that needs no introduction,” said Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman and CEO of ABG. “The Reebok team has done an incredible job of cementing Reebok’s place in the minds and hearts of consumers. Through ABG’s operating model, Reebok will have the ability to evolve and embrace its iconic creativity, quality and innovation. It’s time to let Reebok be Reebok.”

With Reebok, ABG is taking a page from its playbook, connecting strong brands with best-in-class partners and a global network of operators, distributors, and retailers to optimize value in the marketplace. An essential pillar of ABG’s strategy is preserving Reebok’s DNA and a commitment to the brand’s heritage through the formation of Reebok Design Group (RDG) in partnership with SPARC Group. RDG is the global brand hub for the design, development and innovation for footwear and apparel servicing partners around the world.

“Product has always been at the forefront of Reebok, and we are committed to upholding the standard that our brand fans and consumers have come to expect,” said Matt O’Toole, President of RDG. “2021 was a banner year for Reebok, and in part that was a credit to our focus on the iconic silhouettes that immortalize the brand. Under new ownership, we have an exciting opportunity to reclaim our place in the market and take Reebok to even greater heights.” 

Reebok has inspired, connected and created great products for athletes and consumers across the world for generations. The brand is deeply rooted in professional sports, sneaker culture and performance apparel and will continue to deliver on its mission of providing each and every consumer with the opportunity, products and inspiration to achieve and exceed their potential.

From creating the first spiked running shoe over a century ago, to its breakthrough THE PUMP™ technology, to today with its award-winning Nano and Floatride models, Reebok has pioneered in the athletic space and continues to introduce innovations that propel the industry forward. The Reebok Classic Leather and Club C have cemented itself as icons within the footwear industry with their timeless and classic designs that first debuted nearly 4 decades ago and continue to be reimagined through unexpected collaborations with world-renowned creatives and design houses.

“Reebok is one of the few super brands that has the permission to play in any space,” said Nick Woodhouse, President and CMO of ABG. “Its position at the intersection of fashion, sports and culture allows Reebok to be elastic while staying true to its celebrated ethos and unmistakable DNA.” 

To support the new global structure for Reebok, ABG has assembled a roster of key players from around the world who will drive distribution and further Reebok’s business in key territories while upholding the brand’s integrity and values.

SPOTV Expands Its Reach In Hong Kong With NOW TV Launch

Eclat Media Group has announced its distribution deal for SPOTV into Hong Kong with  broadcast partner PCCW. Both channels, SPOTV and SPOTV 2 will launch live on 1  March on PCCW’s Pay TV platform, Now TV. 

Sports fans in Hong Kong will now be able to watch their sporting heroes compete on  SPOTV and get to enjoy front row seats to international sporting events such as BWF  World Tour & Major Events, FIM MotoGP World Championships, FIM World Superbike  Championships, World Table Tennis, The Open Championships (Golf Major),  Wimbledon and US Open (Tennis Grand Slams). Additionally, they can also catch the  latest K-wave of popular sports, including the Korean Baseball League (KBO) and  Korean Basketball League (KBL) and V.League from Japan. 

“We are delighted to partner with Hong Kong’s leading provider of premium content,  Now TV, which paves an important step for SPOTV’s growth in Hong Kong. We are  pleased that the avid sports fans and Now TV subscribers will be able to enjoy and  experience world-class sporting actions through this partnership. With our growing  content, Now TV subscribers can also expect to get more premium sports content in the  coming months.” said Mr Lee Choong Khay (CK), CEO of SPOTV. 

Mr. Derek Choi, Head of Pay TV, HKT, said, “Now TV is committed to presenting world class sports events to Hong Kong viewers. We are excited to collaborate with leading  sports network SPOTV to further expand our sports content offering. In addition to  tennis Grand Slams and MotoGP, SPOTV also features many sports events that Hong  Kong athletes participate in, such as BWF World Tour and World Table Tennis. We look  forward to working closely with SPOTV to provide more premium sports actions for  the local audience.” 

This launch in Hong Kong further expands and adds to SPOTV’s distribution network  which is currently broadcast in Southeast Asia and selected East Asia territories such  as Macau and Mongolia.

WarnerMedia Agrees Eight-Year Multimedia Rights Agreement With US Soccer

Turner Sports, a division of WarnerMedia, and the U.S. Soccer Federation have reached an eight-year multimedia rights agreement that will make TNT/TBS and HBO Max the exclusive English-language home to more than 20 Women’s and Men’s National Team matches each year. The new agreement, set to begin in 2023, will feature high-profile matches on TNT or TBS and a full slate of matches available through the HBO Max streaming platform. In addition, the strategic partnership will include digital and highlight rights for Bleacher Report and its portfolio brands, among additional content opportunities throughout the WarnerMedia portfolio.

HBO Max will live stream more than 20 United States National Soccer Team matches each year. TNT or TBS will televise approximately half of those matches – all simulcast on HBO Max – with the remaining matches being exclusive to the rapidly growing streaming platform.

“This is a significant milestone for Turner Sports and WarnerMedia, further demonstrating our commitment to the distribution of premium live sports content on HBO Max, while simultaneously fueling our leading entertainment networks, digital and social assets,” said Lenny Daniels, President, Turner Sports. “We’re excited to spotlight one of the most popular Women’s teams in the world, along with an ascending Men’s National Team, over the eight years of this agreement. This partnership offers us an opportunity to engage with their avid, young and diverse fan bases through all of our Turner Sports and Bleacher Report platforms.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Turner Sports at this amazing time for soccer in the United States,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “During our discussions it was clear how dedicated they are to growing soccer in the United States, especially their commitment to expand the women’s game. As we build towards 2026 and beyond, we have found a fantastic partner to spotlight the stories of our Women’s and Men’s National Teams.”

Per the terms of the agreement, Turner Sports will be the exclusive domestic, English-language rightsholder for U.S. National Team World Cup qualifiers, National Team friendlies (including premium U.S. matches against Mexico), send-off matches and special events leading up to and following the World Cup and Olympic Games, and the SheBelieves Cup, among additional events involving the Women’s and Men’s National Soccer Teams.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Turner Sports and Bleacher Report will have exclusive rights to live event coverage, including the potential to create interactive companion broadcasting experiences and/or newly developed matches or tournaments; behind-the-scenes content, such as the opportunity to produce docuseries and ancillary programming; along with bespoke digital experiences, in association with both teams;
  • Bleacher Report, including its leading B/R Football platform, will have expansive digital and highlight rights;
  • Turner Sports will have TV Everywhere rights that will allow its networks to make these matches and related programming available to authenticated subscribers across all WarnerMedia platforms;
  • The agreement also includes additional content and storytelling opportunities throughout the WarnerMedia portfolio, eCommerce rights, the possibility of integrating sports betting experiences, among others.

In addition to joining Turner Sports’ extensive portfolio of premium sports content – which also includes the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and National Hockey League, along with the depth of interactive fan experiences offered throughout Bleacher Report products and platforms – this partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation will provide the opportunity to leverage a vast network of leading lifestyle and entertainment brands to drive next-gen soccer fandom and further expand the sport’s growing impact on mainstream culture in the United States.

Turner networks hold three of the top five ad-supported cable networks in primetime among adults 18-49, including TNT and TBS, along with four of the top 10 cable networks with millennials in total day. In a month when Turner Sports presents one of its tentpole events – such as NBA All-Star, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and the MLB Postseason – its portfolio reaches more than 100 million fans and drives more than 60 billion minutes of consumption for live event coverage across all platforms.

Bleacher Report – the #1 digital destination for highly engaged sports fans – reaches more than 150 million fans across its digital platforms each month. Its B/R Football content vertical has amassed more than 31 million followers, totaling more than 1.4 billion engagements in 2021 (+17% over the previous year). B/R Football consistently ranks in the top five, most-engaged sports media brands on Instagram.

Doug Perlman and Sports Media Advisors (SMA) serves as U.S. Soccer’s media advisor and consulted on the partnership.

Tennis To Allow Russians And Belarusian Athletes To Continue Competing; World Triathlon, FIA, IRONMAN Decisions

A deep sense of distress, shock and sadness has been felt across the entire tennis community following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the past week. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, and we commend the many tennis players who have spoken out and taken action against this unacceptable act of aggression. We echo their calls for the violence to end and peace to return.

The safety of the tennis community is our most immediate collective priority. The focus of the WTA and ATP in particular in recent days has been on contacting current and former players, and other members of the tennis community from Ukraine and neighboring countries, to check on their safety and offer any assistance.

The international governing bodies of tennis stand united in our condemnation of Russia’s actions and, as a result, are in agreement with the following decisions and actions:

The WTA and ATP Boards have made the decision to suspend the WTA / ATP combined event, scheduled this October in Moscow.

The ITF Board has made the decision to suspend the Russian Tennis Federation and Belarus Tennis Federation membership and to withdraw their entries from all ITF international team competition until further notice. This action follows the cancellation of all ITF tournaments in Russia and Belarus indefinitely.

At this time, players from Russia and Belarus will continue to be allowed to compete in international tennis events on Tour and at the Grand Slams. However, they will not compete under the name or flag of Russia or Belarus until further notice.

World Triathlon bans participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials

World Triathlon stands in absolute solidarity with the Ukraine triathlon family and the entire country at this time of grave international crisis. Following the recommendation by the International Olympic Committee, World Triathlon Executive Board has unanimously decided not to allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes or officials in all international competitions or official events, following the principles of the Olympic Charter. This decision will be reviewed by the Executive Board at its monthly meetings in accordance with how the situation evolves.

This extreme measure is taken to protect the integrity and safety of all athletes participating in the events and the integrity of the global sports competitions.

Regarding the recommendation of the IOC not to organise any sports events in Russia or Belarus, World Triathlon had previously suspended the Russian Triathlon Federation, due to the high number of doping cases, in December 2021 for one year, and no events were permitted to take place in the country in 2022. World Triathlon strongly condemns the actions against Ukraine taken by Russia, through which the Russian government also breaches the Olympic Truce.

World Triathlon will work with Ironman and Challenge in order for them to follow these recommendations as well.  

World Triathlon has contacted all National Federations, especially those closest to Ukraine or bordering the country, as well as Europe Triathlon, to help coordinate our support to Ukrainian athletes, coaches, officials and staff.

World Triathlon has set up an email account (welcome@triathlon.org) where members of the Triathlon community in Ukraine who are leaving the country or willing to do so, can reach out to find families in other countries that are able to host them. The email address is also available for all prospective host persons anywhere in the world who can offer their support to those fleeing Ukraine. World Triathlon will keep all contacts confidential but will help to put the parties in touch with each other. 

World Triathlon and Europe Triathlon are coordinating support for those in need in Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian athletes and entourage who are abroad and either looking for support while unable to return to their country, or to relocate near the border awaiting further development of the situation. World Triathlon has already received more than 60 offers of assistance from all over the world from individuals, clubs and Federations offering help, and we are already in touch with some Ukrainian athletes and entourage that have requested this support.

World Triathlon has contacted the IOC task force monitoring the situation to offer our help to coordinate humanitarian assistance to members of the Olympic Community in Ukraine – and more specifically the Ukrainian triathlon family – where possible. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and how it affects our community and events in the region. Athletes, officials, coaches, staff and the TriathlonLive support personal based in Ukraine… you all have all our support and we stand with you in these terrible times. Stay safe and take care.

FIA ANNOUNCES WORLD MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL DECISIONS IN RELATION TO THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE

In his opening remarks to the meeting, the FIA President said: “As you know, the FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine. I would like to stress that the FIA, together with our promoters, proactively acted on this matter last week and communicated accordingly on the Formula 1, Formula 2, WTCR and the Intercontinental Drifting Cup. An updated version of the different FIA International Calendars will be presented to the WMSC meeting in Bahrain for approval.”

In accordance with the International Olympic Committee recommendations, Council members approved the following decisions to be implemented with immediate effect:

Competitions organized on the territory of Russia and Belarus

  • No international/zone competition to take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice
  • No flag/symbol or anthem of Russia/Belarus to be used in international/zone competitions, until further notice

Drivers, competitors and officials

  • No Russian/Belarusian national teams to participate in international/zone competitions (e.g. FIA Motorsport Games), until further notice
  • Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the “FIA flag”, subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA’s principles of peace and political neutrality, until further notice
  • No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (uniform, equipment and car)- should be displayed or anthems should be played at international/zone competitions, until further notice

FIA Elected officers/Commissions’ members 

  • Representatives from Russian/Belarusian FIA Members to step aside temporarily from their roles and responsibilities of elected officers/commissions’ members *

FIA grants 

  • No FIA grant to be awarded to the Russian/Belarusian FIA Members, until further notice *
  • No existing FIA grant funding will be paid to the Russian/Belarusian FIA Members *

* Subject to the approval of the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism

FIA International Sporting Calendar 

  • Upon proposal of the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, cancellation of the 2022 Russian F1 Grand Prix for reason of Force Majeure.

The FIA President added: “I want to thank the Council members for their prompt action in deciding these measures in the interests of sport and peace. We stand in solidarity with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine (FAU) and the wider FIA family in the country. The measures taken today recognise the authority of the FAU in Ukraine and are also aligned with the recommendations recently made by the International Olympic Committee. We are in active discussions with our members as we continue to extend our compassion and support in their time of need. We sincerely hope for a peaceful resolution to their intolerable hardship.”

IRONMAN Group Cancels St. Petersburg Event

The IRONMAN Group stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, our athletes and their community, and condemns the actions dictated by Russian leadership during this deeply troubling international crisis.

The 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 St. Petersburg triathlon scheduled to take place on July 17 will be cancelled and registered athletes will receive further email communication.

In line with the recommendation by the International Olympic Committee and World Triathlon regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competition, The IRONMAN Group, effective immediately, will disallow participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in St. George, Utah and our two IRONMAN World Championship events taking place in St. George, Utah and Kona, Hawai’i.

Furthermore, all Russian and Belarusian professional athletes will be ineligible to race at any 2022 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon events, including this weekend’s IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai triathlon.  No age group participants will be allowed to compete under the Russian or Belarusian flag at any IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 events in 2022.

While we recognize the difficult situation created for Russian and Belarusian athletes by these steps, we believe these are necessary to protect the integrity of our events.

Additionally, we understand that the current situation will be extremely challenging and worrying for athletes residing in Ukraine to compete in any 2022 IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 events and are offering our assistance for those athletes. Ukrainian athletes registered for an IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon will receive further communication with options available to them.  Those with additional questions may be directed to our athlete services team who are on hand to assist on eu.athleteservices@ironman.com.

Scuderia AlphaTauri Renews Partnership With Randstad Italia

Scuderia AlphaTauri and Randstad Italia have renewed their partnership for the next three seasons, with the world leader in Human Resources acting as the Italian Formula 1 team’s Official HR Partner until the end of the 2024 season. The Randstad logo will appear on the drivers’ race suits, on the team members’ clothing and on the AT03 for the Italian, Dutch and Miami Grands Prix.

As an on-going commitment to nurture young talents, both companies will continue the Formula Future programme which, for many years now, has trained graduates in technical, scientific and engineering disciplines, all aimed at careers in Formula 1. In 2021, over 3000 candidates applied to join the Formula Future programme and 41 people were selected to participate. Following the completion of the programme 90% of these employees then went on to join Scuderia AlphaTauri on a fulltime basis.

“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Scuderia AlphaTauri, with whom we share values such as results orientation, the promotion of talent, the drive for innovation and the constant effort to achieve success at work”, was the comment from Marco Ceresa, Group CEO Randstad Italy. “In recent years, we have been thrilled by the successes achieved by the team; in the coming seasons, our logo will also be on the cars of Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda in three Grands Prix but – ideally – we will be at Scuderia AlphaTauri’s side every day, to race and win challenges on the track as well as in the many training projects in which we are allied”.

“In recent years we have put our experience at the service of the entire motor industry, offering ourselves as a point of reference in HR services”, said Fabio Costantini, CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Randstad HR Solutions. “Over the years the Formula Future offer developed thanks to our Education division, it has evolved: we have not limited ourselves to identifying, training and placing specialised profiles in the automotive sector, but we have tried to anticipate the skills needed and to create a system capable of enhancing them”.

Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal, Franz Tost, commented: “We’re pleased to be extending our partnership with Randstad. Having their expertise on-board for a further three seasons is very beneficial to us, as we continue to work closely together across a variety of HR projects, including the Formula Future programme. This joint venture has been a big accomplishment for the partnership so far, as we have been able to select, train and develop young talents to help grow our team and we hope to continue its success as we work together in the upcoming seasons.”

“In the last three years the cooperation with Randstad has been extremely valuable for Scuderia AlphaTauri and has played a key role in the growth of our people and the improvement of our team” added Otello Valenti, Scuderia AlphaTauri HR Director. “It’s great to extend our partnership with Randstad for another three years. In the fast-moving F1 environment, where the rapid innovation and technological development is complicated by the new challenge of the cost cap, the right balance of technical expertise, people development and teamwork are key performance differentiators for the teams in order to be highly competitive and deliver outstanding results. At Scuderia AlphaTauri, we believe that a key for success is to give wings to people and their ideas and to create the right mix of talented young people and technical experts, blended in a high-performing team. The strategic partnership with Randstad, which shares our philosophy of striving for excellence through the growth of people, will continue to be the strong platform, contributing to build our future results”.