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”.

LDN UTD Announces HyperX As Official Peripherals Partner For 2022

LDN UTD, the tech led purpose driven esports org, today announces their partnership with HyperX, the gaming peripheral brand.

LDN UTD has become recognised as the org that utilises esports and grassroots gaming to address social issues through both online and offline events. Most recently at Samsung KX in partnership with the Mayor of London, health and wellbeing in gaming was front and centre in discussions between content creators and celebrities, including LDN UTD new Co-Owner, Connor Ball, to an audience of 130,000 on Twitch.

Simultaneously, LDN UTD plays host to a diverse roster of talented creators and esports teams, including a VALORANT roster which competes in the VCT EMEA Challengers against some of Europe’s most recognisable esports brands.

Accordingly, LDN UTD will be championing HyperX’s core message of ‘We’re All Gamers’ by targeting inclusion in esports through a variety of avenues in 2022, from grassroots tournament initiatives to community focused events, all while continuing to support their grassroots and professional esports rosters.

Additionally, HyperX will feature across LDN UTD’s 2022 jersey, be integrated into digital branding assets, and future tournaments hosted on LDN UTD’s digital economy platform. HyperX peripherals will be utilised by staff and visitors at LDN UTD’s Centre Of Excellence, including young persons attending for UTD EDN workshops, the first cohort of which began their journey with us on Monday 21st February and can be seen on our socials. The purpose driven esports venue is set to offer gamers a safe space to play video games, attend workshops on mental & physical health and fitness, and be offered opportunities relating to further education and employment prospects. 

Oliver Weingarten, CEO of LDN UTD said: “Ever since establishing LDN UTD, HyperX has provided unrivalled support to ensure we could support our events by providing our community with the best in class products, whether at GrimeAgainstKnives or most recently with All Access Gaming. We look forward to continuing our long term partnership to ensure the community can continue to experience HyperX’s peripherals in our Camden Centre of Excellence.”

“HyperX is proud to partner with LDN UTD. Their work around diversity and highlighting the good in gaming is something we’ve always admired.” said Amy Ash EMEA Events Specialist for HyperX. “We’re excited to continue supporting them with our peripherals and helping to bring inclusivity to the forefront of gaming.”

PGA TOUR Names NOBULL Official Training Apparel And Footwear Of The PGA TOUR And PGA TOUR Champions

The PGA TOUR and NOBULL, a high growth athletic footwear, apparel and accessory brand, announced a new multi-year partnership designating NOBULL as the “Official Training Apparel and Footwear of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions” and the umbrella sponsor of PGA TOUR Active through 2027.

As part of the TOUR’s Official Marketing Partner program, NOBULL will activate and create custom content within PGA TOUR Active (www.pgatour.com/active), a TOUR platform featuring health, fitness and lifestyles of professional golfers, where fans get an inside look into the techniques and activities helping the world’s best golfers perform at their peak. NOBULL products will be available on the Player Performance Centers, which are state-of-the-art mobile fitness centers that travel to PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions events and provide fitness and training equipment and recovery technology to players on-site at tournaments throughout the season.

“We are excited to partner with NOBULL to provide athletic footwear, apparel and training expertise in our Player Performance Centers,” said Brian Oliver, PGA TOUR Executive Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. “Our golfers recognize the importance of proper training in order to reach peak performance and aid with career longevity. NOBULL will provide our athletes with the resources and tools needed to achieve their training goals.”

NOBULL was founded in 2015 by Reebok veterans Marcus Wilson and Michael Schaeffer. The company sells its footwear, apparel, and accessories through its own website, permanent and pop-up stores, as well as at numerous events. NOBULL recently announced a multi-year partnership as the title sponsor of the CrossFit Games and as the Official Footwear and Apparel Brand of CrossFit. NOBULL has expanded its training offering into running, cycling and trail running, and continues to expand into new sports every year.

“We are thrilled to partner with a premier organization like the PGA TOUR and introduce our brand to the global golf community” said NOBULL Chief Marketing Officer, Todd Meleney. “NOBULL is a training brand for people who work hard and don’t believe in excuses, and we’re excited to support the PGA TOUR and golfers who put in the work off the course each and every day. Through training, this partnership will amplify the evolution of golfers as athletes.”

PGA TOUR golfer Scott Stallings, who is a NOBULL athlete, and PGA TOUR Player Performance Center trainers will work to create training and performance content for PGA TOUR Active along with hosting community workouts at TOUR events. PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions players and trainers will have access to the latest products from NOBULL to aid their training.

SX Global Unveils Plans for FIM Supercross World Championship Series

Global series promises to elevate the sport & expand global fanbase, offering unprecedented financial support for teams & riders, along with the sport’s richest prize purses.

SX Global, the Australian company that recently earned the  exclusive rights to manage and promote the FIM Supercross World Championship, today unveiled plans  for the comprehensive global championship series. Featuring an independent team-ownership model,  unprecedented financial support for teams and riders, expanded opportunities for global and local  sponsors and innovations to elevate the broadcast and in-stadium experience; the FIM Supercross World  Championship represent the most progressive and ambitious platform to elevate the sport and expand  its appeal across the world.  

The series will feature a highly exclusive structure, with only 10 team licenses available to independent  owners, and an unparalleled level of financial support for teams, including seed funding for every team  entering the series, appearance fees at every event, and logistics and freight support throughout the  series. In total, more than $50 million has been designated specifically for team and rider support over  five years. In addition, the independent ownership model opens the door for significant sponsorship  opportunities on global and local-event levels. 

The global series will feature the richest prize purses in the sport’s history, with a total of $250,000 up for  grabs at each event. The FIM Supercross World Championship will follow the established two-class format,  with each team fielding four riders – two in the WSX (450cc) class, and two in the SX2 (250cc) class. Furthermore, every event will allow for two wild card entries in each class, providing opportunities for  local riders and sponsor-driven exemptions and round out the 22-rider field. SX Global also plans to deliver  an elevated experience for fans, through unique race formats, broadcast innovations, and in-stadium  attractions that elevate the overall entertainment experience.  

Plans for the global Championship series were underscored today by the news of Mubadala Capital’s  investment in SX Global, bringing an unprecedented level of financial support and development resources  on behalf of the FIM Supercross World Championship. Mubadala Capital, the asset management arm of  Mubadala Investment Company, a sovereign investor with $243 billion in assets under management,  brings a wealth of experience in funding the development of global business and sports ventures.  

“There is a massive fanbase and untapped demand for supercross outside the United States and backed  by the financial support and significant resource of Mubadala Capital, we intend to feed that, bringing the  sport to new regions through the most exciting and lucrative World Championship series in the history of  the sport,” said Tony Cochrane, President of SX Global. “We have created an entirely new model for  supercross – one that emphasizes expanded financial support and opportunities for riders and teams,  expanded opportunities for sponsorship and an elevated experience for fans.”

The FIM Supercross World Championship will annually take place in the second half of the year, ensuring  a complimentary relationship to the Monster Energy Supercross Series in America. With plans for five  events from September through November, 2022 will serve as a “pilot” season, allowing the series to  establish itself and build momentum. 2023, and subsequent years, will see the series expand annually between June and November. 

While the supercross series in the United States has firmly established itself as the preeminent platform  for the sport, there has yet to be a definitive global series to lay claim to a true FIM-sanctioned World  Championship. Highly successful events are held throughout Europe and Australia every year, normally  around September–December. However, these events are not currently linked by any official FIM  ‘championship’ status, and this remains a significant untapped opportunity for the sport’s ongoing  credibility and evolution, as well as a significant opportunity for riders and teams to expand their influence  and financial prospects. 

“Over the years, there have been various attempts to build a true World Championship series for  supercross, but none of them have succeeded, due to deficiencies in funding and resource, lack of global  and regional relationships and a variety of other factors,” said Adam Bailey, Managing Director,  Motorsport, for SX Global. “Our team possess the necessary supercross and international event  background, relationships and expertise, and the funding to make this World Championship a reality.” 

SX Global brings a team of highly qualified motorsports and entertainment executives, armed with the  experience to successfully deliver a series of this magnitude. SX Global President, Tony Cochrane,  spearheaded the development and success of V8 Supercars, an Australian-based auto racing series that  became one of Australia’s most successful motorsports, eventually expanding with events in Shanghai,  the United States, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and New Zealand. In addition, proven supercross event veterans 

Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson have been the driving force behind Australia’s highest-profile supercross  offering, the AUS-X open. The duo has promoted five years of consecutive sold out AUS-X Open events in  Sydney (2015-2018) and Melbourne (2019), along with successful events in Auckland, New Zealand in  2018 and 2019. 

“Our entire careers have been driven by a passion for motorsport and entertainment, and our motivations  are as pure as they come – to continue to evolve and elevate our sport and its incredible athletes to new  levels of global relevance and success,” said Ryan Sanderson, Managing Director, Commercial, for SX  Global “Our aim is to take the amazing sport of supercross global and reveal its greatness to millions of  new fans all over the world.”

Mubadala Capital Backs SX Global To Launch New FIM Supercross World Championship

Mubadala Capital, the asset management subsidiary of Mubadala Investment  Company, one of the world’s leading sovereign investors with US$243 billion of assets under management, today  announced its investment in SX Global, an Australian company established to develop, promote, and  commercialize the FIM Supercross World Championship.  

Mubadala Capital has established a track record of successfully investing in category leaders across sports, media,  and entertainment—including EMI Music Publishing, Endeavor Group Holdings, Reigning Champs, Ultimate  Fighting Championship (UFC) and the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (YES Network), among  others—and this investment continues its history of backing world-class management teams in building  differentiated global sports, media and entertainment businesses.  

Mubadala Capital’s investment will support SX Global’s expansion plans for supercross and its efforts to capitalize  on the exclusive rights it has secured from the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) to manage and  promote the new FIM Supercross World Championship, bringing the exciting sport of off-road motorbike racing  to fans across the globe in a new competitive format.  

“Our commitment to SX Global and the FIM Supercross World Championship builds on our strategy and track  record of selectively investing in premier content properties with strong global appeal,” said Adib Martin Mattar,  Head of Private Equity at Mubadala Capital. “We expect that our investment in SX Global will introduce the  exciting sport of professional supercross to a global audience and build lasting value by delivering an authentic,  exciting and fan-centric experience.”  

SX Global’s President, Tony Cochrane, added, “We’re proud to partner with Mubadala Capital, a company that  shares our vision and global aspirations for the FIM Supercross World Championship. With the international  reach, resources, and business building experience of Mubadala Capital alongside us, we’re looking forward to  establishing FIM Supercross World Championship as a leading global motorsport and entertainment property.”  

Representing Mubadala Capital on the SX Global Board of Directors will be Matt Kim and Russ Pillar, who  collectively bring decades of experience backing and leading global sports, media, and entertainment companies.  They will be joining Tony Cochrane, SX Global’s President; Adam Bailey, SX Global’s Managing Director  (Motorsport); Ryan Sanderson, SX Global’s Managing Director (Commercial); Tom Potter, Rush Sport &  Entertainment; and Tavo Hellmund, Founder, Event Partners Marketing, on SX Global’s Board of Directors.  

In December 2021, the FIM awarded SX Global the exclusive organisational and commercial rights to stage,  manage and promote the FIM Supercross World Championship. Under the leadership of the SX Global Team, and  with the financial backing and support of Mubadala Capital, Supercross will become a true global sports property,  competing on a legitimate international platform for the first time in history. The FIM Supercross World  Championship will commence in late 2022.  

FIFA And UEFA Suspend Russian Clubs And National Teams From All Competitions, UEFA End Gazprom Deal

Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.

These decisions were adopted by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.

Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.

UEFA has also decided to end its partnership with Gazprom across all competitions. The decision is effective immediately and covers all existing agreements including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions and UEFA EURO 2024.