ICC And FanCraze Launch Women’s Cricket Digital Collectibles

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and its Official Digital Collectibles Partner, FanCraze, today announced a very special release of ‘ICC Crictos’ featuring some of the top moments of the women’s game from recent ICC tournaments. 

ICC Crictos are the ICC’s official digital collectibles.  Minted on the Flow Blockchain, Crictos enable fans to collect and trade their own slice of cricket history from a range of ICC events. As part of the ICC’s commitment to growing women’s cricket, fans now have the opportunity to own and trade some of the most celebrated moments in women’s cricket featuring superstars of the game such as Ellyse Perry, Mithali Raj, Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, Alyssa Healy, Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Ecclestone, Natalie Sciver and Jess Jonassen.

A special pack drop will occur tomorrow (Wednesday), with all fans having the opportunity to secure one of these historic women’s cricket moments within a pack, alongside some noteworthy moments from the recent ICC U19 World Cup and from ICC Men’s Tournaments of the last two decades. This special pack drop will start at 12pm UTC at www.fancraze.com/icc and will be uniquely promoted by Twitter India as part of a collaboration to celebrate women’s cricket and International Women’s Day. 

Finn Bradshaw, ICC Head of Digital said: 

“Women have created some of the most memorable moments in ICC tournament history, so we are pleased to be able celebrate them and give fans the chance to own a moment from their favourite player. We believe creating products like these in emerging technologies helps the next generation of cricket fans get closer to the game they love.

“This very special drop contains classic moments from previous tournaments featuring the biggest names in women’s cricket. And most importantly, this won’t be the last time we celebrate our champion women cricketers as part of the Crictos program – we are very much looking forward to commemorating fans favourite female moments as we expand the Crictos collection.” 

Anshum Bhambri, CEO of FanCraze remarked:

“Our mission at FanCraze is to build a platform for cricket fans to discover, engage with and own all types of cricket content. We are very proud to showcase women cricketers who create history and inspire millions to do the same. These are marquee NFTs in the evolution of our cricket metaverse and we believe fans would love to own these iconic moments.”

BWF Signs Multi-Year Deal With M88 Mansion As Official Betting Partner

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has appointed M88 MANSION as official betting partner of BWF Major Championships through to 2024.

The partnership encompasses the following tournaments:

  • TotalEnergies BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2022
  • TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2022
  • TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2023
  • TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2023
  • TotalEnergies BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2024

BWF Commercial & Communications Director, Owen Leed, said: “We are excited to announce our partnership with online betting platform M88 as we look to strengthen the sport’s profile globally,” Leed said.

Carlos Lopez, Creative Director of M88, added: “We are very much delighted and thrilled to partner with BWF over the next three years. Badminton is recognised as a worldwide sport and has a fast-growing audience not only in Asia but globally. Joining forces with BWF will help elevate the connection between M88 and its Asian followers to expand its brand visibility in the region. We believe that this partnership will create compelling and sustainable value for both parties.”

The deal was brokered by BWF’s Commercial and Broadcast partner, Infront, with the assistance of Outlast Sports & Entertainment.

“This is just the start of the evolution of the engagement of the sports fans by M88. Expect more exciting things in the coming months together with BWF,” said Outlast CEO Salauddin SS.

Haas F1 Ends Partnership With Uralkali And Cuts Nikita Mazepin From Team

Haas F1 Team has decided to end their title partnership with major Russian brand Uralkali and terminate the contract of Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.

The company is part-owned by Mazepin’s father, Dmitry Mazepin, and due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Haas felt there was no choice but to end their association with the Russian group.

This is the latest of the sporting sanctions coming against Russian businesses, after many major deals such as Gazprom’s with UEFA and Aeroflot with Manchester United.

Puma And Serie A Announce A New Long-Term Partnership

Global sports company PUMA and Lega Serie A have today announced a new long-term partnership. PUMA becomes the league’s official technical partner from the start of the 2022/23 football season and will be the official match ball provider for all games in Serie A, Primavera 1 competitions, the Coppa Italia, Supercoppa and eSerie A competitions.

With a total audience of over one billion viewers in close to 200 countries annually and with over 21 million social media followers across all platforms, Serie A is one of the most watched leagues in the world. The competition is home to some of the most popular teams and players in the game. PUMA is already active in Italian football through iconic teams such as AC Milan and US Sassuolo and over the years has partnered with beloved players that include Diego Armando Maradona, Giorgio Chiellini and Gigi Buffon.

The exciting new partnership adds to PUMA’s existing LaLiga collaboration and significantly expands PUMAs on pitch visibility and strengthens its position as a leading football brand. 

The partnership paves the way for a new era in Lega Serie A. One that will be amplified through PUMA’s Faster Football platform that focusses on performance, innovation and culture. A mission that aligns perfectly with the ambitions of Lega Serie A and their aim to be the world’s most beautiful league, promote social responsibility and drive innovation on and off the pitch. Reflected in Lega Serie A’s Mantra ‘We are Calcio’. 

Defined by its history, legacy and passion that follows it all over the world. Serie A is considered one of the most tactical leagues around the globe and is the perfect stage for PUMA to help drive the next chapter in Lega Serie A football.

“We are extremely proud to announce this new partnership” – said Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo – “The link with a brand of international recognition such as PUMA demonstrates the importance and reputation of Lega Serie A at a global level and offers a greater level of visibility for our brand. By choosing PUMA we will guarantee both the highest technical standards for all our competitions and a style in line with the fashion trends of the young generations. This agreement also guarantees continuity in the centralised marketing operations of the Lega Serie A and confirms the willingness of the Clubs to work together for the enhancement of our product”.

“PUMA is very proud to partner with Lega Serie A and we look forward to many exciting football seasons together,” said Manolo Schuermann, Head of Sports Marketing Teamsport. “The partnership gives PUMA the platform to promote the brand in one of the world’s elite football leagues and will be rooted in collaboration and ambition. This mindset will allow us to produce great product, storytelling and commercial campaigns. We have always been deeply rooted in Italian football and now look forward to creating another legacy together with Lega Serie A.”

PARTNERSHIP START: July 1st, 2022

BCCI Announces RuPay As Official Partner For TATA IPL

The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) today announced RuPay, the flagship product of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) as an official partner for TATA IPL, which will begin on 26th March 2022. This will be a multi-year partnership.

RuPay is the first-of-its-kind Global Card payment network from India, providing an exceptional self-reliant card payments network with innovative features that have made it a successful interoperable card. RuPay is widely accepted at ATMs, POS devices, and e-commerce websites.

Mr. Brijesh Patel, Chairman, IPL, said:

“We are pleased to have RuPay on board as an official partner of the Indian Premier League 2022. This association of IPL and RuPay, the flagship product of NPCI, brings together two of India’s best homegrown brands and is set to create a huge impact on millions of Indians across the globe, encouraging digital payments adoption in a faster and seamless manner.”

Commenting on the partnership, Ms. Praveena Rai, Chief Operating Officer, NPCI said, “We are delighted to partner with the BCCI for one of the most celebrated sports leagues – Indian Premier League. We believe RuPay resonates well with IPL as both brands are bringing India together. Just like IPL provides high voltage entertainment to all Indian cricket lovers, RuPay offers tech-led, innovative, and customized offerings to people across the country, being accepted in India and internationally. With RuPay’s venture into IPL as the official partner, we feel it is one of the best ways to define the tech-savvy, youthful, contemporary brand personality of RuPay.”

Zwift Extends Investment Into Growing Women’s Cycling With Paris-Roubaix Femmes Title Sponsorship

Zwift, the global online fitness platform, is delighted to announce it will become presenting partner of the Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift.

The four-year deal will see Zwift expand its significant investment in the women’s peloton and partner with one of the most exciting and iconic one-day road races, the ‘Hell of the North’, set to kick off on 16th April 2022.

Today’s announcement builds on the momentum generated by Zwift’s groundbreaking partnership with the A.S.O for this year’s inaugural Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, with both events underpinning its overarching commitment to redrawing the map for women in cycling.

The Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift are highlights of the Women’s Tour that showcase the exceptional breadth of talent and drama of the women’s peloton and it is Zwift’s ambition to introduce the world to a new generation of female heroes and inspire future champions.

Zwift has been working to put women’s racing on an equal footing with men’s for some time with initiatives including the recent UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, the Virtual Tour de France, Zwift Academy and the Tour for All. 

Kasia Niewiadoma, Professional Cyclist with CANYON//SRAM Racing UCI Women’s WorldTeam:

“It’s fantastic to see a company like Zwift stepping in to make the investment our sport deserves, allowing us to now race some of the most iconic races in the world. Paris Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift is something truly special and is one race that will always live up to the expectation.”

Coryn Labecki, Professional Cyclist with Jumbo-Visma UCI Women’s WorldTeam:

“We have already proven this to be an unmissable event in the UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar and it’s fantastic to have Zwift show its support by increasing their investment in the advancement of professional women’s cycling. 

“This is another important milestone for the women’s peloton and I’m certain that increased exposure will help bring the drama and excitement of this race to more people than ever before.”

Eric Min, CEO & Co-Founder of Zwift:

“We’re incredibly proud to be the first ever presenting partner to Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift and to be expanding our relationship with the A.S.O. Alongside the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, this is a huge opportunity to shine a light on one of the most iconic and exciting races on the Tour and showcase the incredible quality and talent of the women’s peloton.

“The ‘Hell of the North’ is a highlight of the cycling calendar and I’m sure it will captivate audiences across the world and inspire women everywhere to begin their own cycling journey.”

Yann le Moënner, General Director of Amaury Sport Organization: 

“We are particularly excited to have Zwift join us as title partner of Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift. Zwift’s involvement in the development of women’s cycling continues after being the very first to follow us after the creation of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which will take place for the first time next July. Following our collaboration during the virtual Tour de France of 2020 and after the success of the first edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes last year, we are convinced that with Zwift at our side, our efforts for the development of women’s cycling will be crowned with success.”

World Sports Photography Awards Announces iSportConnect Partnership

The World Sports Photography Awards and iSportConnect are pleased to announce a media partnership for the 2022 World Sports Photography Awards. 

iSportConnect was launched in 2010 with the aim of bringing together sports business professionals around the world in a sports business networking community enabling them to meet one another, find information and obtain access to a wide range of relevant services. 

The platform is now the largest global private network of sport business executives, where membership is exclusive and follows a strict door policy. iSportConnect’s three pillars are their community, advisory service and networking events.

iSportConnect’s founder and CEO, Sree Varma, will join the 2022 World Sports Photography Awards judging panel.

World Sports Photography Awards has recently announced a headline partnership with MPB for the third edition of the awards, which will celebrate the best sports photography of 2021 across 27 different categories. 

LDN UTD Announces Alienware/Dell Gaming As Official PC & Gaming Display Partner For 2022

LDN UTD, the tech led purpose driven esports org, today announces their partnership with Alienware/Dell Gaming. 

Alienware/Dell Gaming PCs and monitors will be on full display in LDN UTD’s Centre Of Excellence, providing quality visuals to players, staff and members of the community. The partnership will further support LDN UTD’s commitment to inclusivity and grassroots gamers, helping them to “defy boundaries” through access to cutting edge equipment which might otherwise be inaccessible for them. 

Alienware/Dell Gaming’s PCs and displays have already proven invaluable in LDN UTD’s delivery of education and career initiative UTD EDN to help young adults work in the esports sector. The first cohort of participants of the 8 week learning experience are this week commencing 70 hours of work experience in LDN UTD’s Centre Of Excellence. 

The partnership will also see Alienware/Dell Gaming feature on LDN UTD’s 2022 jersey, which will be seen by hundreds of thousands across Europe during the VCT EMEA Challengers season. You can grab a jersey for yourself over at our store, but be quick as it’s a limited run!

Additionally, the Alienware/Dell Gaming branding will be included into digital branding assets and tournaments as a part of LDN UTD’s digital economy platform.

“Alienware is a brand that is synonymous in the world of gaming, and at LDN UTD we are pleased to welcome Alienware to the LDN UTD family. We are looking forward to using their state of the art equipment to make gaming accessible to all at our purpose driven Centre Of Excellence.” Hannah Shiels, Commercial Manager. 

LET And Asian Tour Join Forces For Two New Mixed Events Sponsored By Trust Golf

The Ladies European Tour (LET) and Asian Tour today jointly announce two exciting new mixed tournaments in Thailand.

Trust Golf, part of the TCT Corporation, will host the Asian Mixed Cup and the Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge as part of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Series. The tournaments will see the leading stars on the LET and Asian Tour compete for US $1.5 million in the space of a fortnight.

The innovative events will be played back-to-back on the Waterside Course at Siam Country Club near Pattaya – one of Asia’s finest golf clubs which has hosted numerous prestigious international championships and is the home of the Honda LPGA Thailand – on 7-10 April and on 13-16 April, 2022.

Both events will feature 60 LET players and 60 Asian Tour players, along with 24 sponsor invitations, playing for the same prize fund and trophy. Each tournament will offer a prize fund of US$750,000, along with Official World Golf Ranking points. Race to Costa del Sol and Order of Merit points will be awarded to players from both Tours respectively.

The support of Trust Golf as title sponsor is a huge boost for the ground-breaking co-sanctioned events. Dr. Prin Singhanart, founder of the Thai-based technology enterprise and the Trust Golf Tour, is passionate about innovative golf formats. With the Thailand Mixed, which will be played in late March, followed by the Asian Mixed in April, Dr Prin hopes to drive towards a World Mixed Championship one day.  

Trust Golf founder, Dr Prin Singhanart commented: “I’m always extremely keen on mixed formats as golf is the only sport allowing people of all ages and genders to play together. I would like to provide a pathway for Thai talents both male and female. If a female golfer wins outright, they will earn membership to the LET, and if a male golfer wins outright, they will earn membership to the Asian Tour. With the Trust Golf Tour affiliated membership programme, it will allow the players to be ranked on both order of merits.

“I believe that sport has always been a soft power diplomacy approach to international relations. Through the attraction of its unique culture, Thailand has such potential to boost that in sports, especially with our strength in Thai Boxing and golf. This can contribute to future trade and investment by strengthening trust and awareness of our country’s capabilities.”

Alexandra Armas, CEO of the LET, said: “We look forward to collaborating with Dr Prin and her vision to nurture the next generation of Thai talent. These new tournaments are important steps in the continued growth of the LET as we offer 33 playing opportunities to our members in 2022 and we look forward to working together with Trust Golf and the Asian Tour at Siam Country Club in April.”

Cho Minn Thant, CEO of the Asian Tour, said: “The Asian Tour is extremely excited to add a new format of play to our tournament schedule. We thank Trust Golf for making it possible for the Asian Tour to stage its first mixed events, which will resonate strongly with golf fans in the region. It is also an exciting opportunity to collaborate with the Ladies European Tour for the first time and pay our maiden visit to the highly-regarded Siam Country Club.”

Vodafone Teams Up With Emma Raducanu To Inspire The Next Generation Of Players

Vodafone has today announced a new partnership with nineteen-year-old sensation Emma Raducanu as its grassroots tennis ambassador. Emma will work with the brand to inspire the next generation of players and help grow grassroots tennis in the UK.

As part of her role, Emma will become the face of Vodafone’s grassroots tennis initiatives, with plans to use Vodafone connectivity to expand access to tennis for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. This includes the relaunched and expanded mass participation competition Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, formerly known as the Road to Wimbledon, which will be delivered in partnership by the LTA, the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, and Vodafone.

With entries now open, thousands of 14&U and 18&U players are set to take part in the initial stages held in clubs, parks and schools leading to county and regional finals in June and July. The winners of these stages will progress to the national finals, taking place on Wimbledon’s Aorangi Courts in August. They will also have the chance to immerse themselves in the true Wimbledon experience, competing in whites and touring the historic Grounds and Museum.

From 2023, the LTA and the All England Club are planning for the competition to expand further, including through the introduction of additional age groups and disability categories, which Vodafone is proud to support.

There has already been good news for grassroots tennis in the UK, with the three months after Emma’s grand slam win seeing more adults pick up a racquet regularly than for the same period in any of the past five years. Vodafone will work with Emma, the All England Club and the LTA to build on this ‘Raducanu Effect’ and help get more children and adults playing and enjoying tennis as they take part in the competition.

Off the court, Vodafone will use its network and superfast 5G to help Emma keep in touch with her family, friends and fans as she tours. As a global citizen with a diverse heritage and fanbase, Emma has relationships all across the world and Vodafone’s technology will allow her to stay in touch with family, friends and fans as she travels.

Max Taylor, Vodafone Consumer Director said:

“Emma has captivated the nation over the last eighteen months, delivering one of the most iconic British sporting moments in recent memory and inspiring a huge number of new players to pick up a racket for the first time. As the face of modern British tennis and a graduate of the LTA’s grassroots programme – which we are proud to now be supporting – Emma is the perfect person to champion the relaunch and expansion of Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone and our ambition to democratise the sport and connect a new generation of fans and players.”

Emma Raducanu said:

“I’m so excited to be working with Vodafone to inspire the next generation of tennis players in the UK. The support I received at a grassroots level has been key to my development as a player, and I’m looking forward to helping make these initiatives even bigger, better and more accessible.”

Gus Henderson, Commercial Director at the All England Club, said:

“We are delighted to work with the LTA and Vodafone to build on the strong heritage of the Road to Wimbledon, relaunching and expanding it to become the UK’s biggest individual mass participation competition. We hope that Play Your Way to Wimbledon helps to encourage more children to try tennis and develop a love of the game, with the chance to play on the grass courts at Wimbledon as a compelling inspiration factor.”

Oliver Scadgell, Participation Director at the LTA said:

“By working with Vodafone and the All England Club on this competition, we’re continuing our vision to open up tennis and grow the sport at a grass roots level. The introduction of broader age groups and disability categories from 2023 is key to this objective and it’s hugely beneficial to have Emma’s support in encouraging participation.”

To mark the announcement, Vodafone used a time-slice rig and a bespoke racket threaded with electroluminescent (EL) wire to create a unique 360 degree ‘digital sculpture’ of Emma alongside grassroots player Katie Randall. Popularised by the Matrix, and still used by national and international broadcasters as the cutting-edge of 360 filming, time-slice rigs use 120 different cameras and cutting-edge software, an example of Vodafone’s commitment to using the latest technology to support the next generation of tennis players.

The 360 sculptures of Emma are available to download here, alongside further imagery here and a short launch film featuring Emma and Katie, downloadable here and on YouTube here

The announcement follows Vodafone’s recent multi-year deal with Wimbledon and the All England Club as Official Connectivity Partner of The Championships. Working alongside Wimbledon and Emma, Vodafone will use its world-leading connectivity, superfast 5G network and cutting-edge AR, VR and haptic technology to help bring the sport to more people and enhance the viewing and playing experience.