The Reasons Major Sporting Events Are Heading To The Middle East

ELLVEE founder Sam Hollis evaluates the Middle East’s increasing focus on hosting major events for iSportConnect.

Why is the Middle East becoming such a hot spot for major events?

Governments are prioritising major events because they deliver directly against national agendas. Events provide global visibility for host cities and countries, opening their doors to the world and shaping reputations.

Earned media value, the monetary value of an audience’s engagement with broadcast and other media content, is often in the multiple of 10-20x the total event budget.

Events provide a platform to highlight cultural and economic development, enhance profiles of tourist destinations and emphasise the liveability of cities – a powerful tool for recruiting and retaining both local and international talent.

How do major events deliver economic benefits to the host?

The direct and indirect economic impacts are relatively well known, delivering lasting public infrastructures, domestic and international tourism, job creation and local employment, amongst other benefits. Earned media value, the monetary value of an audience’s engagement with broadcast and other media content, is often in the multiple of 10-20x the total event budget.

The Diriyah Season in Saudi Arabia in 2019/20, which included sporting events such as the Diriyah E-Prixs and the Clash on the Dunes boxing, was delivered by a huge workforce, employing a large proportion of Saudis and creating new jobs. Many of the international companies involved have since incorporated in Saudi.

The Clash on the Dunes boxing attracted international ticket purchasers from all over the world and showcased Saudi to an international broadcast audience. Together with the publicity press trip across Riyadh, New York and London, the event was covered in tens of thousands news articles across the world and generated billions of global media impressions.

What about social benefits for the host?

Harder to assign a dollar value to, but important to host locations, are the wide-ranging social impacts of hosting major events. Increased national pride, sporting participation and development, volunteering opportunities for skills building, youth engagement, female empowerment, and inclusion – all of these can be maximised through the correct approach to event delivery and legacy planning.

“We are increasingly seeing commercial partnerships with international rights holders being structured to support the development of the broader sporting ecosystem.”

At ELLVEE, we are increasingly seeing commercial partnerships with international rights holders being structured to support the development of the broader sporting ecosystem. Host venues expect rights holders to concede greater rights and provide increased legacy contributions, such as local knowledge transfer and capacity building, in return for hosting fees.

Do you see the approach to hosting major events changing over the next few years?

In the short to medium term, we believe that governments in the Middle East will continue to boost the development of the sporting, cultural and events sectors through public investments as part of their national transformation agendas. However, we are already seeing a keener focus on financial sustainability via two forms – reducing costs of event delivery and increasing revenue generation – with the goal of increasing private investment to reduce reliance on the public purse over time.

Qatar will of course play host to the FIFA World Cup at the end of this year.

On costs of event delivery, we are beginning to witness the development of local supply chains and the ecosystem of local businesses to deliver events at more competitive pricing – driving down costs, reducing reliance on overseas vendors and mitigating leakages from the host economy.

On revenue generation, hosts are looking to secure more commercial rights in longer term partnerships with international rights holders. With local delivery capabilities now proven, focus is turning increasingly to the commercial exploitation of rights secured – such as local sponsorships, ticketing – alongside the creation of new revenue generating assets (e.g. tourism and e-visa packages via partnerships in the hospitality sector).

If you are a rights holder reading this, are you too late?

Absolutely not. ELLVEE is working on a range of exciting mandates with rights holders to help structure long term event partnerships in the region across sport, culture and entertainment.

“Hosts are looking to secure more commercial rights in longer term partnerships with international rights holders.”

There are also emerging opportunities to co-invest with local partners in creating new event IPs, both customised for local audiences but also which can be exported globally over time.

ELLVEE: The trusted commercial advisers for events and IPs across sport, culture and entertainment in the Middle East – FOLLOW ELLVEE HERE

U.S. Bank Named WNBA Changemaker And The League’s Official Bank

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced today that U.S. Bank will become a WNBA Changemaker through a new multiyear relationship with the league. WNBA Changemakers is a collective of purpose-driven companies that harness their power to elevate women in sports and support the league’s mission around advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. As a supporter of the league, U.S. Bank will serve as the Official Bank of the WNBA. U.S. Bank will also become the official bank of future marquee events such as the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase, AT&T WNBA All-Star, and the WNBA Draft 2022 presented by State Farm®.

“U.S. Bank’s support as a WNBA Changemaker is exactly what we envisioned when we created this platform, and we are excited that U.S. Bank will share in our mission to support the players and the league in unparalleled ways,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “One important element of this partnership was the idea to create financial education programs that will not only offer assistance to the elite athletes of the WNBA during their playing days, but also help set them up for long-term success beyond the court. U.S. Bank has shown outstanding commitment to highlighting our players as role models and community leaders, and we look forward to working together to advance the WNBA.”

As an official WNBA Changemaker, U.S. Bank will provide players and alumni access to financial resources and will create programs to increase financial education across the country. A cornerstone of the relationship will be the creation of a new league-wide financial wellness program, where U.S. Bank will implement benefits and resources that include access to advisors for all WNBA players so they can create a game plan for their financial futures.

“At U.S. Bank, we are focused on empowering women leaders, building wealth, and creating access for diverse communities,” said Andy Cecere, chairman, president and chief executive officer for U.S. Bank. “Our core values line up perfectly with the WNBA in inspiring the next generation of female leaders. We look forward to positively impacting women’s basketball as a WNBA Changemaker, not only by amplifying the sport, but also by focusing on social change alongside these other amazing supporters.”

As part of the relationship, U.S. Bank will provide financial education and opportunities to WNBA players – from rookies to veterans focusing on their life after basketball on an ongoing basis throughout each year via marquee league events and initiatives. Through these touchpoints, U.S. Bank will provide players with networking and mentorship opportunities, internships, training seminars and work to educate them about the importance of setting financial goals to prepare them for their post-playing careers.

In addition, the WNBA and U.S. Bank will identify and work with a non-profit organization to develop a tailored program aimed at supporting young women in underserved communities. This immersive community program, designed to improve financial health and propel economic advancement for women of color, will give aspiring businesswomen access to experts in a wide range of industries to help identify goals and access real business opportunities.

“This relationship represents so much of what we are committed to at U.S. Bank, and we could not be prouder to support the WNBA,” said Kate Quinn, vice chair and chief administrative officer for U.S. Bank. “Together, we will work to advance equity through financial wellness and education, which is part of U.S. Bank Access Commitment™, our long-term approach to building wealth and creating opportunities for diverse customers and employees. We are excited to get to work.”

U.S. Bank joins a growing lineup of WNBA Changemakers including: AT&T, the Official 5G Innovation Partner of the WNBA; Deloitte, the Official Professional Services Provider of the WNBA; Nike, the Official Outfitter of the WNBA; and Google, the Official Trends and Fan Insights Partner of the WNBA.

Nashville Soccer Club And GEODIS Announce Landmark Stadium Naming Rights Partnership

Nashville Soccer Club’s new 30,000-seat stadium will officially be known as GEODIS Park. Today, the club unveiled a historic naming rights partnership with global supply chain operator GEODIS during a special banner display ceremony at the stadium. Scheduled to be completed next month, GEODIS Park will be the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada.

“We have repeatedly said that the new stadium will become the spiritual home of Nashville Soccer Club,” said Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre. “The commitment of logistics specialist GEODIS as the naming partner and the unveiling of ‘GEODIS Park’ is a landmark part of the history and journey of the club. I am hugely proud of the incredible work that Will Alexander, our Chief Revenue Officer, and the partnership team played in bringing this opportunity to where we are today. Having had the opportunity to meet with GEODIS members throughout the formation of this partnership, I can confidently say that their people, culture and values are very similar to those of our organization and that makes them the perfect partner for this huge next step.”

GEODIS, a France-based industry-leading global supply chain operator with its North American headquarters based in Brentwood, Tenn., is one of the fastest-growing logistics companies in the United States, employing more than 15,000 teammates across 19 campuses and more than 230 sites. GEODIS is also a major employer in the Middle Tennessee area with more than 2,000 teammates in the region.

“At GEODIS, we are proud of our rich history in the Nashville community that dates back more than 70 years,” said Mike Honious, GEODIS Americas President &CEO. “With this historic new partnership—and the first of its kind for our company—we will be able to use GEODIS Park as a platform to strengthen our commitment to building a strong community alongside a like-minded organization who shares that same vision to make an even greater impact alongside one another. Ultimately, GEODIS Park will be the place where GEODIS, Nashville SC and our community will keep rising together.”https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.503.0_en.html#goog_172687221Play VideoPlayUnmuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 1:35Loaded: 10.38% CaptionsFullscreen

As a global showcase for the company, GEODIS will receive prominent branding on the stadium’s exterior, interior and rooftop, including flagship signage above the main entrance welcoming attendees to GEODIS Park. Additionally, the partnership features naming rights to one premium club and several innovative programs to support the Nashville community. For example, GEODIS will serve as the presenting partner of both a new soccer league focused on underserved neighborhoods in the surrounding community and the “One Nashville Under Gold” flag, a photo-mosaic with a collection of images representing Nashvillians from all walks of life that will be presented at every home game.

Excel Sports Management’s Properties division sourced and negotiated the stadium naming rights deal between Nashville SC and GEODIS.

Built in the heart of Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, GEODIS Park is set to become one of the premier sports and entertainment destinations in the United States. The 30,000-seat stadium will feature a 360-degree canopy, a 65-foot-wide shared concourse and a safe standing supporter’s section. Just 150 feet of distance will separate the last row in GEODIS Park and the touchline. In addition to being the official home to Nashville SC, GEODIS Park will serve as a leading multipurpose venue for concerts and community activities as well as a hub for Nashville-area businesses to utilize throughout the year.

The excitement leading up towards the opening of GEODIS Park has been evident across Middle Tennessee with approximately 20,000 season tickets sold to date and very few premium tickets remaining. All private suites, loge boxes and the stadium’s three largest clubs are sold out ahead of the 2022 season.

GEODIS Park will officially open its doors on May 1 when the Boys in Gold host the Philadelphia Union at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Come on “N” and be a part of history when Nashville SC opens the gates to GEODIS Park by visiting NashvilleSC.com/22tix or calling 615-750-8800 to secure your seats.

MLB & MLBPA Agree New Collective Bargaining Agreement, With Season Set To Start On April 7th

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement on Thursday, paving the way for the 2022 regular season to begin on April 7.

After the MLBPA approved the deal by a 26-12 vote, the owners ratified it Thursday night with a unanimous 30-0 vote, officially bringing the three-month lockout to a close.  

“I am genuinely thrilled to be able to say that Major League Baseball is back and we’re going to play 162 games,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “I do want to start by apologizing to our fans. I know that the last few months have been difficult. There’s a lot of uncertainty, at a point in time when there’s a lot of uncertainty in the world. [It’s] sort of the way the process of collective bargaining works sometimes, but I do apologize for it.  

“One of the good things about collective bargaining is that it gives our players an opportunity to have input on what their workplace and the game is going to look like going forward. And they took full opportunity to provide that input during these negotiations. Our players are great, great athletes. I respect them. And I respect the input that we received from them during this process. And we really did learn a lot.”

The mandatory Spring Training report date for all clubs is Sunday. Exhibition games will begin on March 17 or 18.

The deal came to fruition a day after MLB postponed Opening Day until April 14 in the absence of a new agreement and announced that each team’s first four series were removed from the schedule. However, as part of this agreement, a full 162-game schedule will be played, and the four series that were previously removed from the calendar will be rescheduled.

The new five-year CBA includes increased minimum salaries, a new pre-arbitration bonus pool to reward the top young players in the game, a raise in competitive balance tax thresholds, the introduction of a universal designated hitter, the widest-ranging Draft lottery in pro sports, a system to prevent alleged service-time manipulation and limits on the number of times a player can be optioned in a season to address concerns regarding “roster churn.”

The deal also includes an expanded 12-team postseason format, bringing playoff baseball to two additional markets each year.

As part of the agreement, a Joint Competition Committee will be formed comprised of four active players, six members appointed by MLB and one umpire. Beginning in 2023, the committee will be tasked with adopting changes to playing rules such as a pitch clock, base size, defensive positioning and automatic ball/strike zone.

Under the previous agreement, MLB had the right to unilaterally implement rule changes with a one-year notice, but the new system will allow the game to improve in a more timely fashion thanks to the collaboration between the league and players.

Manfred reached out to MLBPA executive director Tony Clark after the union voted in favor of the deal.  

“I told him that I thought we had a great opportunity for the game in front of us and told him that I hope to work with him on things that are new in the agreement, like the effort to get to the international draft,” Manfred said. “More generally, on seizing the opportunity that I think is in front of us.”

With the CBA finalized, teams around the league will now turn their attention to completing their offseason business, as more than 200 players remain on the free-agent market, including notable names such as Carlos Correa, Freddie Freeman, Kris Bryant and Trevor Story.

Here are some of the details of the agreement between MLB and the MLBPA:

Minimum salary

2022: $700,000
2023: $720,000
2024: $740,000
2025: $760,000
2026: $780,000

• The first-year increase is the largest single-year increase in history, nearly five times larger than the $27,500 increase in the first year of the prior CBA. It also represents a larger increase than the total from the past 10 years.

Competitive Balance Tax threshold

2022: $230 million
2023: $233 million
2024: $237 million
2025: $241 million
2026: $244 million

• The $20 million increase from 2021 to ’22 is nearly twice as large as the biggest previous first-year increase.

• A fourth tax level has been added at $60 million above the base threshold to address runaway spending.

Pre-arbitration bonus pool

• $50 million (to be distributed to the top 100 players based on awards and statistical performance).

• MLB and the MLBPA will jointly develop a statistical method to allocate the funds.

• Under this system, NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes would have seen his salary jump from $608,000 to $4.2 million last season, while Rookie of the Year winners Randy Arozarena and Jonathan India would have seen their respective salaries more than triple in 2021.

Draft lottery

• Top 6 selections will be awarded via lottery.

• Odds would be based on the reverse order of winning percentage, with the bottom three clubs each at 16.5%.

• The 18 non-postseason clubs would be eligible, though revenue sharing payees would be ineligible to receive lottery selections in three consecutive years, while non-payees would be ineligible to receive lottery selections in consecutive years.

International Draft

• In exchange for agreeing to an International Draft by July 25, 2022, MLB will eliminate the qualifying offer system (direct Draft-pick compensation) for free agents.

• International Draft would be 20 rounds (600-plus selections), increasing the total compensation earned by amateurs by more than $20 million annually.

• Signing bonuses would be guaranteed for drafted players.

• Clubs who select players from growth countries (countries with less than 0.5% of signings in the previous three signing periods) will receive additional selections to incentivize scouting and signing in emerging markets.

Rules changes

Beginning in 2023, a committee comprised of four active players, six members appointed by MLB and one umpire, will be tasked with adopting changes to playing rules such as a pitch clock, base size, defensive positioning and automatic ball/strike zone.

Other details

• Contracts for arbitration-eligible players will be guaranteed.

• Top prospects who finish 1st or 2nd in the Rookie of the Year voting will receive a full year of service.

• Clubs promoting top prospects to Opening Day rosters will be eligible to receive Draft picks if the player finishes in the Top 3 in the Rookie of the Year voting or Top 5 in MVP/Cy Young voting.

• Expanded postseason: 12 teams, with the top two division winners receiving a bye.

• Universal designated hitter.

• Players may only be optioned five times per season.

Haslam Sports Group Hires Eric Clouse As Chief Commercial Officer

Haslam Sports Group (HSG) today announced that Eric Clouse has been hired as its Chief Commercial Officer. Clouse will oversee revenue and marketing departments for the Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew, collaborating with leadership at both organizations to maximize initiatives related to ticket sales and services, business analytics, fan engagement, corporate partnerships and digital content and production.

Clouse has spent the past 10 years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, including as the team’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Service since 2019. In the leadership position, he directed all of the Cavs’ ticket sales, including premium and hospitality experiences, and was integral in the team becoming one of the most successful corporate partnership departments in NBA history. Complementing his commitment to delivering business results, Clouse has been dedicated to guiding and developing more than 70 current team members in his previous role, strengthened by a proven track record of past direct reports securing promotions within the sports and entertainment industry.

“While our HSG leadership team was impressed by Eric’s ability to achieve and exceed business goals, we are equally excited about his unique energy and ability to motivate others in a team environment that emphasizes both collective and individual growth,” said HSG Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dave Jenkins. “With 10 years of experience in Cleveland, Eric will be another key member of our executive staff who has a firm understanding of the local sports landscape and important business relationships, as well as other dynamics specific to our region that will benefit our fans and partners in Northeast Ohio and Columbus.”

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join Haslam Sports Group and the Cleveland Browns, and I look forward to helping continue to build upon our teams’ current culture and the positive momentum in all facets of our business,” said Clouse. “Spending a significant amount of my career in Cleveland, I have a deep appreciation for the region’s passionate sports fans, as well as many meaningful personal and professional relationships during my time in our great city. We are all excited for the 2022 seasons, especially as we identify new ways to engage our fans, partners and team members with the focus of providing them the best experiences possible throughout the year.”

Prior to being named the Cavaliers’ Senior Vice President of Sales and Service, Clouse worked for the team’s suites and premium seating department (vice president, 2016-2019; senior director, 2014-2016). In 2020, he was honored as a member of Crain’s Cleveland Business’ “Forty Under 40” Class of 2020, particularly for his contributions to and vision during the Cavs’ $185 million renovation of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Clouse initially joined the organization as a manager of business development in 2011 and was elevated to director of business development and inside sales in 2013.

Clouse launched his career in sports as a ticket sales associate for Central Florida Athletics (2007-2008), supporting football and basketball endeavors as the program debuted two venues: Bright House Networks Stadium and New UCF Arena. He also held a four-year tenure (2008-2011) as director of ticket sales at Louisville before heading to Cleveland.

After graduating magna cum laude from the University Kentucky with a degree in business management and marketing, Clouse earned master’s degrees in business administration and sports business management.

Formula 1 Partners With Lenovo To Bring Its Cutting-Edge Technology To Our Operations

Formula 1 has today announced Lenovo as an Official Partner ahead of the upcoming 2022 season.  The multi-year deal will see Lenovo’s cutting-edge technology used across Formula 1’s operations as it continues to bring the highest-level of racing and entertainment to its worldwide fanbase. As global leaders in their respective fields, Formula 1 and Lenovo want to push the boundaries of what’s possible when combining sports with advanced technology.

Over the next few years, the partnership will involve Lenovo’s technology being used across the Formula 1 organisation, both back at its base and at races. Lenovo’s hardware devices, as well as High Performance Computing and server solutions will be increasingly integrated throughout our operations. From running powerful on-premises data collection solutions to producing higher quality content and supporting broadcast applications, the Formula 1 and Lenovo collaboration will result in a better experience for fans.

The partnership will drive global visibility of Lenovo, showcasing Lenovo’s capabilities on a global scale and integrating industry-leading hardware technology at the heart of Formula 1. It plans to leverage Lenovo’s extensive selection of premium hardware as well as innovative next-generation technology such as augmented and virtual reality, as F1 continues to connect fans with the sport in new and more engaging ways.

Earlier this year, F1 announced that it has extended its commitment to create employment and education opportunities for underrepresented groups, in the form of ten engineering scholarships each year through to 2025. Lenovo is also focused on diversity and inclusion and removing barriers, and through the partnership will work with F1 on projects related to this important area.

Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said:

“As we prepare for our record-breaking season, it is exciting to welcome Lenovo to the team and for us to join forces with a global leader in technology. Like everything in Formula 1, precision and detail are everything, and Lenovo will be at the forefront of providing their experience and innovative technologies to our operations throughout the season. Our fans expect the best from everything we do, and Lenovo is the perfect partner in terms of its premium hardware offerings. We are entering a new era of our sport and we’re committed to delivering a high-quality experience for our dedicated followers around the world.”

Yang Yuanqing, Chairman & CEO of Lenovo, said:

“We are proud to announce our new global partnership with Formula 1, the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, to engage half a billion fans all over the world with exciting, innovative experiences. This partnership is based on our shared passion for innovation, performance, and the winning spirit. Together Lenovo and Formula 1 will push the limits of technology to help shape a faster, smarter, and more sustainable future.”

Luca Rossi, President of Intelligent Devices Group, Lenovo, said:

“Partnering with Formula 1 to deploy Lenovo’s smarter solutions across the organization, from base operations to the stunning excitement of the Grands Prix, will help push the boundaries of what is possible and transform the racing experience. Formula 1 is focused on its digital transformation and continuing to surprise and delight its fans. Lenovo’s portfolio of hardware, services and solutions will be key to helping Formula 1 create new ways for fans around the world to experience the same thrills you’d experience track side.”

Probellum Announces Multi-Fight Agreement With Discovery Sports

Probellum has today announced a multi-fight agreement with Discovery Sports.

The partnership starts with back-to-back events on March 18 and 19 with Discovery Sports set to broadcast the two Probellum Evolution shows through Eurosport’s linear channels, discovery+* and Eurosport App** to millions of homes across 62 markets and territories in Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

Since launching in September 2021, Probellum has signed almost 50 fighters from across the world, including current and former world champions, past Olympians and emerging talents.

France’s world lightweight champion Estelle Mossely headlines Probellum’s March 18 show in Dubai before England’s world flyweight king Sunny Edwards takes on the challenge of Muhammad Waseem of Pakistan, the following evening.

Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum, said:

“Agreeing a multi-fight deal with a broadcasting powerhouse such as Discovery is a truly momentous day for our company so early in our journey.

“Discovery’s truly global audience is the perfect platform for us to help continue with our core mission to open up boxing to new audiences by bringing together the best fighters for fans around the world.

“Together, I know we are going to bring about real change to the way that live boxing is presented. I have no doubt that it will be the perfect broadcast partner as we aim to transform how fans can experience boxing.”

Trojan Paillot, VP Sports Rights Acquisition and Syndication at Discovery Sports, said:

“Discovery has a strong heritage taking sports to wider audiences and in helping grow competitions and events using our full scale of channels and digital platforms.

“With the global reach that Discovery enjoys, this new partnership with Probellum is a perfect opportunity to showcase some of the best athletes in the world to millions of passionate sports fans in Europe and the Indian subcontinent.”

As the Home of the Olympics in Europe***, Discovery showed every minute of the boxing competitions across its platforms at Tokyo 2020 and will be again broadcasting an array of former Olympians now competing under the Probellum banner including the Olympic champion trio of Mossley (2016), Uzbekistani super heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov and middleweight Brazilian Herbert Sousa who both secured gold in Tokyo.

Viewers will also be able to watch the talented Olympic trio of silver medallist Pat McCormack, his twin brother Luke and Peter McGrail who all represented Team GB in Japan, and bronze medal winner Hovhannes Bachkov from Armenia.

After the double-header in Dubai, Probellum’s impressive roster of fighters then moves to Newcastle on March 25, where hometown favorite Lewis Ritson takes on Dejan Zlaticanin of Montenegro, with world title hopes on the line for both men.

The Discovery cameras will follow Probellum to Liverpool on April 22, for a world bantamweight title clash between local hero Paul Butler and champion John Riel Casimero of the Philippines, before the action moves to a major show in London, in May.

Award-winning production company, Whisper, were last week announced as Probellum’s new production partner and the upcoming Probellum’s events will feature eye-catching graphic design, opinionated talent, immersive camera angles and the best creative storytelling to offer viewers the ‘Best Seat in the House’.  

For all the latest fight news and how to access Probellum’s world class events on Discovery’s platforms, be sure to follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

*discovery+ is available is available to watch on discovery+ in Denmark, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom and Ireland.
**Eurosport App is only available in Europe
***Discovery is the Home of the Olympics in Europe, except Russia

NASCAR Promotes From Within For Chief Operating Officer And Senior VP Of Racing Development And Strategy

Two of NASCAR’s biggest proponents for innovation have been awarded new roles within the sanctioning body.

Steve O’Donnell has been promoted to chief operating officer, and Ben Kennedy has been named senior vice president of racing development and strategy. NASCAR announced the internal movement — effective immediately — Thursday in a news release.

“It’s just another opportunity to continue to push some initiatives with all the great teammates we have,” O’Donnell told NASCAR.com. “Both Ben and I really, really enjoy working with all the different stakeholders, and those projects, particularly around the schedule, allow you to work with the broadcast partners, the race teams to the race tracks. It makes it fun because you’re able to kind of touch all different aspects of the business.”

O’Donnell, whose previous title was executive vice president and chief racing development officer, will continue to oversee NASCAR’s competition and racing operations. His oversight will now also include track operations and strategic development.

Kennedy, meanwhile, is moving from the strategy and innovation sector (previously senior vice president there) to the competition department. He will, however, maintain oversight of schedule development.

“Going into the strategy and innovation side, there’s been a great opportunity to learn so many different facets of the business and areas that are quite frankly outside of my comfort zone,” Kennedy said. “But I think competition … it feels like it’s part of my DNA. … I’m excited to dive back into it. I have a lot of passion for this area.”

Kennedy was a race-car driver himself, competing full time at the touring and national levels from 2011-17. He’s also an active team owner, forming Ben Kennedy Racing in 2010. And he has worked in multiple corporate areas of the sport since he stepped out from behind the wheel. His first job within NASCAR was general manager of the Camping World Truck Series.

Kennedy is a crisp 30 years old.

“It’s just been really eye-opening — in terms of his work ethic — how quickly he’s been able to come up to speed,” O’Donnell said. “He went from someone, when we were first working on the Truck Series, who would not maybe say as much in a meeting to now he’s leading meetings, leading initiatives and really, really comfortable in his role. And for me, I’m just really happy to see him continue to grow.”

O’Donnell and Kennedy already have a successful history of working together. The two played an instrumental part in the NASCAR Cup Series’ schedule advancement in recent years. They were able to keep the sport running during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with unprecedented doubleheaders and midweek shows. They introduced various new venues in 2021, such as Circuit of The America’s stock-car debut, Bristol Motor Speedway’s dirt track, Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course and Road America’s return after 65 years. And they pushed the envelope even further in 2022 with the inaugural Clash at the Coliseum, which required NASCAR to build a race track on top of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum’s football field.

“I don’t think it’s, say, change for change’s sake,” Kennedy said. “I think it’s change to be able to challenge ourselves. See if there are different ways that we could do things or ways that we can improve things, but do it measured and calculated, too. … Some of those ideas are probably a little more bold than they were two or three years ago, but I think those are for the right reasons, so we’ve got a lot of cool ideas in the pipeline.”

That’s just all in reference to where and when NASCAR races. As for the what, don’t forget the brand-new Next Gen car took to the track competitively for the first time this year, too. It replaced the model that had been running since 2013.

The 2023 schedule has not been revealed and the Next Gen car is built to stick around for a while, but promises to keep down this path of progress that has been made.

“I’ve been in NASCAR a long time,” O’Donnell said, “and I’ve never seen this much momentum and really positive story lines around the sport — both from the competition side and really what we’ve got going on for the fans and the activities happening at the track.

British Government Sanctions Roman Abramovich, Blocking Sale Of Chelsea FC

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the British government due to his close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This is affecting the potential sale of Chelsea Football Club, with added restrictions established to ensure the running of the football club continues.

According the government: “The owner of Chelsea FC sees his assets frozen, a prohibition on transactions with UK individuals and businesses, a travel ban and transport sanctions imposed.

“Given the significant impact that today’s sanctions would have on Chelsea Football Club and the potential knock on effects of this, the Government has this morning published a licence which authorises a number of football-related activities to continue at Chelsea.

“This includes permissions for the club to continue playing matches and other football related activity which will in turn protect the Premier League, the wider football pyramid, loyal fans and other clubs. This licence will only allow certain explicitly named actions to ensure the designated individual is not able to circumvent UK sanctions. The licence will be kept under constant review and we will work closely with the football authorities.”

Chelsea have since issued a response to the announcement acknowledging the sanctions. The club states:

“By virtue of his 100 per cent ownership of Chelsea FC plc and affiliated entities, Chelsea FC would normally be subject to the same sanctions regime as Mr Abramovich. However, the UK Government has issued a general licence that permits Chelsea FC to continue certain activities.

“We will fulfil our men’s and women’s team fixtures today against Norwich and West Ham, respectively, and intend to engage in discussions with the UK Government regarding the scope of the licence. This will include seeking permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the Club to operate as normal as possible. We will also be seeking guidance from the UK Government on the impact of these measures on the Chelsea Foundation and its important work in our communities.

“The Club will update further when it is appropriate to do so.”

Charlotte Kenny Appointed Managing Director Of BLAST Premier

Esports tournament organiser and media network BLAST has appointed Charlotte Kenny as Manager Director for BLAST Premier. She joins after seven years working in the world of football with Arsenal FC, Club Affairs and LTT Sports. 

Kenny joins BLAST with a proven track record in growing revenue streams, building cross-functional teams, doubling down on fan engagement and instilling a culture of high performance. Previous roles saw her work for global football club Arsenal FC in 2014 as their Head of Fan Services before being promoted to Director of Business Development in 2018. 

She joins BLAST from Switzerland-based company Club Affairs after working as a Strategic Advisor Senior Commercial Consultant, where she consulted professional football businesses on commercial strategy and operations. Kenny will retain her role as a Non-Executive Board Member at LTT Sports. 

Kenny’s remit in the new role will entail her spearheading the growth and delivery of BLAST Premier as the company looks to maintain and enhance its industry-leading production, tournament operations, approach to fan engagement and commercial portfolio. 

Robbie Douek, CEO for BLAST, said: “Charlotte is a brilliant addition to an already hugely talented team delivering BLAST Premier. Since its launch in early 2020, BLAST Premier has enjoyed tremendous growth and gone on to become one of the world’s leading Counter-Strike and esports events. We are entering an exciting period and targeting accelerated growth over the next two years – we believe Charlotte is the perfect person to lead these efforts in this newly created role.”  

Charlotte Kenny, Manager Director for BLAST Premier, said: “I am excited and truly honoured to take on this new role and lead the incredibly talented team at BLAST Premier. I have been following the phenomenal growth of BLAST over the last couple of years; they have established something really special and unique in the esports market. This is an important and exciting time for BLAST and esports generally. I look forward to playing my part in their future success.”

Over the last 18 months BLAST Premier, the company’s leading light and global Counter-Strike tournament circuit, has renewed and secured a range of long-term commercial partnerships with Coinbase, Betway and EPOS among others.   

Last November saw BLAST Premier’s long-awaited return to physical events with a record 25,000 fans attending the Fall Final in Copenhagen’s iconic Royal Arena over three days.

BLAST Premier is the world’s leading Counter-Strike tournament series, hosting the best players and teams, offering opportunities to regions across the globe and crowning the world champions of CS:GO. Up to 32 of the world’s best teams take part in the seven BLAST Premier events across the year with a combined prize pool of $2,475,000 on the line.