Hyperice Becomes The Official Recovery Technology Of The Global IRONMAN Triathlon Series

IRONMAN today announced that Hyperice, a global high-performance wellness brand, have entered into a new long-term, global partnership making Hyperice the Official Recovery Technology of the Global IRONMAN Triathlon Series. After a near 10-year successful relationship across the U.S. region between IRONMAN and Normatec, which Hyperice acquired in March 2020, Hyperice is expanding its partnership with IRONMAN to cover all global IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events and will focus on integrating Hyperice’s full suite of technology-driven recovery products.

“Recovery is a critical piece of the athlete journey. We are thrilled to partner with Hyperice, which will give our community access to industry-leading technology that will be paramount in ensuring our athletes achieve their goals,” said Matt Wikstrom, Chief Partnerships Officer for The IRONMAN Group.

https://twitter.com/IRONMANtri/status/1486021051238662145?s=20

Beginning this year, Hyperice will have a presence at IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events beyond the finish line with ‘Official Hyperice Recovery Zones’ to help athletes recover immediately post-race. Further, Hyperice products will be available within the official IRONMAN Merchandise stores on-site, offering athletes and spectators the opportunity to demo and purchase products.

“Competing in an IRONMAN race is a marker of success for every endurance athlete,” says Jim Huether, CEO of Hyperice. “We have a long-time relationship with IRONMAN beginning with Normatec and now is inclusive of our full-suite of wellness products. Together we have a shared mission to help athletes compete at the highest levels.”

Since its inception, Hyperice has worked closely with athletes and sports organizations in its product and technology development and has existing partnerships with major professional sports organizations and teams including the NBA, NFL, MLB, PGA TOUR, UFC, and U.S. Soccer Federation. The partnership with IRONMAN marks an important step for the brand into the endurance sports space. Together, IRONMAN and Hyperice seek to demonstrate the importance of recovery for athletes of all levels from professionals to recreational athletes, through the benefits of Hyperice’s extensive product portfolio.

Brazilian Football’s Paulista Teams Up With Stats Perform

The Paulista Football Federation (FPF) has now appointed an official betting and data rights partner for the Paulistão Championship and all other FPF competitions.

Stats Perform, the global sports tech leader in data and AI Technology, has secured exclusive rights to distribute audio-visual streaming and data rights to sports betting companies and betting shops worldwide outside of Brazil. The deal was led by LiveMode, the FPF’s commercial partner for all broadcasting and sponsorship rights and brokered by Zeus Sports Marketing (ZSM), an experienced London and Singapore based international media agency who is one of Stats Perform’s trusted commercial partners.  Stats Perform and ZSM already have a deep involvement in Brazilian Football as the official betting and data rights partners with the CBF for the Brasileirão Serié A and Serié B football leagues.

“We are delighted to make this amazing partnership in an area still very little explored in Brazil,” Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos, PFF president, said in a statement. “We keep working hard to bring more and more innovation and technology to all our competitions,” he continued.

The agreement, unprecedented in Brazil, will last for four years and follows the trend already developed by some of the most important leagues in the world, such as the NFL, NBA and other major soccer leagues worldwide. The Federation and LiveMode studied the best practices of these leagues and, together with Stats Perform, will implement the same steadfast measures in FPF competitions, such as enhanced stadium access control.

“Like many of the other major sports properties in the world, we believe that game data is a vital intellectual property of clubs and championships,” said Mauricio Portela, LiveMode Senior Partner.” This agreement will allow the exploitation of the full potential that these data have.”  The agreement kicks in with the start of Paulistão Sicredi 2022.

Commenting on the new agreement, Alex Rice, Chief Rights Officer of Stats Perform, said, “This latest partnership is a testament to the exceptional portfolio of football rights held by our company. Stats Perform is extremely proud to deliver such an outstanding collection of Brazilian football betting and data rights to sit alongside its existing long-term relationship with CBF/ Brasileirão.”

Having brokered this commercial arrangement, ZSM’s Co-Founder and Managing Director, Josh Burack, added, “ZSM has developed excellent relationships in the betting and data sector, with this latest set of rights in Brazil adding to our strong mix. We are delighted to have further strengthened our agency’s growing presence in such an important segment of the marketplace while adding value to FPF, partner agency LiveMode and our long-term client Stats Perform.”

Binance Sign Five-Year Deal With Argentine Football Association

Cryptocurrency platform Binance has unveiled a new deal with the Argentine Football Association that will see them become a five-year sponsor of the national teams.

“Soccer and cryptocurrencies are life in Argentina, so it makes sense for Binance to partner with the Argentine Football Association,” said He Yi, Co-Founder and CMO of Binance.

“Through this agreement, we hope to support Argentine soccer at all levels and introduce Binance, the crypto world and the blockchain to soccer fans across the country and the world.”

Claudio Tapia, AFA President, stated: “Binance meets all the conditions we are looking for. A leading global brand in its field, innovative and with a vision of creating new digital assets,”

“We are very happy to incorporate Binance as a commercial partner of the AFA. An alliance that, without a doubt, will generate excellent results for both parties.”

However, there is some controversy around the deal, as Socios.com claim that via their Chiliz cryptocurrency, which last year signed a deal with Argentine football’s top division and has stated it will be contesting the deal as it is in breach of their deal.

WTT Signs Shuijingfang as a Global Premier Partner

World Table Tennis announced today that it has agreed terms with Shuijingfang as a Global Premier Partner.  

WTT heralds a new era for table tennis events, merging sport and entertainment. Shuijingfang, as one of China’s top baijiu (Chinese rice wine) brands, will support WTT’s efforts to offer fans and spectators a unique experience, and to reach new audiences with the finest hospitality services. Shuijingfang will be the exclusive provider of baijiu at all WTT events. 

The publicly listed company has kept traditional brewing techniques dating back to 14th century and operates the oldest continuous operating drinks plant in China. This 600-year-old distillery is open as a museum and is one of the top things to do as visitors to Chengdu. The ninth generation of baijiu masters continuously strive to perfect winemaking while drawing on the brand’s excellence for innovative breakthroughs to refine a historical legacy.

“I’m delighted to welcome Shuijingfang as WTT’s Global Premier Partner, a partnership that is sure to be filled with anticipation and pleasant surprises,” said Matt Pound, WTT Managing Director. “Shuijingfang will work closely with WTT and our table tennis fans to further develop the sport, conveying China’s table tennis culture and sportsmanship to the world. At WTT events, spectators will catch the world’s best players in action, but also enjoy a premium hospitality experience.”

The Global Premier Partner is WTT’s highest level of partnership and will get premium visibility at all WTT events around the world.

Zhu Zhenhao, Shuijingfang CEO, said, “Shuijingfang has long had an affinity with sports, and it is a great honour to partner with WTT on this journey. With Shuijingfang’s creed of ‘Champion by Quality’, we will pay tribute to the Chinese Table Tennis Team who has bagged countless brilliant achievements over the years, as well as to the players who demonstrate what it is to be ‘Champions in Spirit’ on the field. We look forward to working with WTT and driving global table tennis to brand new heights.”

WTT is part of the ITTF Group, the umbrella organisation of table tennis, along with the sport governing body known as the ITTF, and the ITTF Foundation as the social responsibility arm. The three entities propel the ITTF Group to inspire sustainable Table Tennis growth worldwide, through engagement, innovation and passion.

Fortescue, Global Green Renewable And Resources Company, To Acquire Williams Advanced Engineering

  • Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) to acquire Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) in race to net zero
  • Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) – a wholly owned subsidiary of FMG – and WAE will be setting the pace for ground breaking innovation in the green energy space
  • This brings together leading thinkers and engineers under one umbrella to drive progress and combat climate change

Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) are setting the pace for ground-breaking innovation in the green energy space, as Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) enters into an agreement to acquire the UK-based WAE.

WAE, an offshoot from the Williams F1 team founded by the revered, late Sir Frank Williams, is a world-leading technology and engineering business renowned for its ground-breaking projects in high performance battery systems and electrification.

This acquisition brings together leading thinkers and engineers into one organisation  to drive progress and combat climate change, enabling Fortescue to become a major player in the growing global market for green industrial transport equipment.

WAE will bring its race bred critical battery technology to FFI, which will in turn enable Fortescue, one of the largest iron ore producers in the world and a heavy carbon emitter, to realise its industry leading 2030 net-zero target. This will be achieved by working together to help bring green energy to life in programmes such as Fortescue’s 3km long freight trains, 400 tonne haul trucks and industrial heavy mobile equipment.

The heavy industrial sector accounts for more than 20 per cent of global carbon emissions. Today’s £164 million investment means Fortescue and FFI will acquire critical capabilities needed to help decarbonise this industry world-wide utilising FFI’s green electricity, green hydrogen and ammonia which contains zero carbon.

Fortescue Founder and Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest AO said, “This is the race of our lifetimes – the race to save the planet from cooking. The speed at which we move matters. Together FFI and WAE will work to decarbonise Fortescue – with the aim of achieving that faster and more effectively than anyone else in the world”.

“This is an historic moment in the future of our company as we welcome the WAE family into the Fortescue family to work together to de carbonise heavy industry and hard to abate sectors for the good of our planet, and the benefit of our shareholders”

“This announcement is the key to unlocking the formula for removing fossil fuel powered machinery and replacing it with zero carbon emission technology, powered by FFI green electricity, green hydrogen and green ammonia,” Dr Forrest said.

“For decades, Sir Frank Williams’ F1 racing business was at the forefront of innovation in engineering and I thank him for his pioneering vision in founding WAE over a decade ago. I was sorry to hear of his passing last year and I pay tribute to him. I have huge respect for him, his family and the Williams’ business,” Dr Forrest said.

Former deputy team principal of the Williams F1 Racing Team, Claire Williams OBE, welcomed today’s announcement.

“Since the team sold a majority shareholding in WAE to EMK Capital a couple of years ago, EMK and the Management Team have done a fantastic job in taking the business forward. We are delighted that Fortescue are now taking over that mantle and see the value in the company and its people in tackling some of the biggest issues facing our world today. I am sure that they will continue to drive considerable success through the business and achieve further results in decarbonising heavy industry and tackling the issue of global warming.”

Craig Wilson, Chief Executive Officer WAE said, “High performance battery and electrification systems are at the core of what we do at WAE, and this acquisition and investment will enable the company’s further growth to support the delivery of zero emission products and services across existing sectors – such as automotive, motorsport and off-highway – and new sectors too. This will benefit all of our stakeholders along with current and future customers who are very important to us. My thanks also to EMK Capital for their support during the past two years that has enabled us to accelerate the successful progress of WAE and development of technologies to help tackle climate change”.

“We are delighted to play a key role in Fortescue’s decarbonisation strategy, contributing to the delivery of their emissions reduction targets through high performance battery systems, green hydrogen and related technologies. We will also be focusing on addressing the sector-wide challenges in the off-highway sector. Both companies have a shared culture of innovation, setting and achieving challenging objectives and a genuine commitment to creating a sustainable future.”

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines said, “Fortescue and WAE share strong cultural alignment with a focus on technology and innovation to support carbon neutrality, both companies being leaders in their respective industries”.

“We look forward to working together to apply this technology-first strategy to our emissions reduction pathway while also empowering the highly capable WAE team to achieve growth opportunities in new products, services and markets.”

“We have been working with WAE since early 2021, with WAE designing and building a battery system to power an electric mining haul truck; an important first step in the decarbonisation of Fortescue’s mining haul fleet. WAE’s expertise in battery systems and electrification further complements FFI’s green hydrogen projects for haul trucks and mobile fleet to further underpin our technical leadership,”

FFI Chief Executive Officer, Julie Shuttleworth AM said, “The acquisition of WAE adds cutting edge technology, intellectual property and engineering capabilities to support and accelerate FFI’s Green Fleet technology pathway. Under Fortescue’s ownership, WAE will continue to service its customers while rapidly expanding its battery and electrification technologies, engineering and manufacturing offerings”.

“Rapid growth of WAE’s world-leading technology and engineering business and an expansion of its manufacturing footprint further enhances FFI’s position to become a major player in the global market for decarbonisation of the global heavy industry sector”

“Joining the Fortescue Family will also allow WAE to invest in new technologies and to further commercialise world leading electrification products in new markets. It is also an opportunity to continue to grow the Williams’ family vision of creating cutting edge technology operating at the forefront of innovation in engineering and business”.

Together FFI and WAE will work together to help achieve the goal to make zero emissions energy available at an industrial, global scale as we become the world’s best, fully renewable energy and green products company.

NBCUniversal Signs Deal With TikTok For Beijing 2022

NBCUniversal has signed a deal with TikTok which will see the broadcaster utilising the social media platform in order to further promote next month’s 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.

“Looking back at insights from the Tokyo 2020 Games, it was fascinating to see how much audience interest there was in perhaps ‘non-traditional’ Olympics content,” said Harish Sarma, TikTok’s global head of content business development.

As part of the deal there will be a livestream numerous times per day featuring a TikTok creator, as well as many posts that will be featured on the platform in order to increase overall viewership.

“We are collaborating closely to identify which TikTok creator will host the program, and we’re excited for audiences to tune in and see the show,” said Krishan Bhatia, president and chief business officer, advertising and partnerships, NBCU. 

This is latest deal for TikTok following last week’s announcement from cricket’s Pakistan Super League that they will also be joining forces with the Chinese social media brand.

WBSC Enters Into Agreement With Sportradar To Help Safeguard The Integrity Of The Game

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has entered into a two-year partnership with Sportradar Integrity Services, a global supplier of sport integrity solutions and partner to over 100 sports federations and leagues.

Sportradar will provide the baseball-softball world governing body with its Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) for each WBSC international competition for the duration of the agreement.

The UFDS is an advanced and proven bet monitoring system that has been independently assessed and verified by recognized experts in the field of sports betting and integrity. Betting patterns are analysed for abnormalities by a global team of qualified integrity experts, and any suspicious games are subsequently reported to partners, allowing critical visibility into worldwide match-fixing. Sportradar Integrity Services have detected over 6,900 suspicious games across different sports during the past 17 years with 900 of these taking place in 2021 alone.

“We’re looking forward to benefiting from Sportradar’s expertise in providing bet monitoring and intelligence solutions for appropriate detection and investigation of threats to sport integrity, maintaining baseball and softball’s game unpredictability and safeguarding the international game from manipulation,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “Following the IOC’s and specifically the OM Unit PMC’s (Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competition) leadership in the prevention of competition manipulation, we are working towards enhancing the protection of clean baseball and softball athletes with this new agreement.”

As part of its continued upskilling of athletes, officials and staff about the latest trends and topics surrounding international sport, the WBSC Integrity Unit recently organised, in collaboration with the IOC Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competition, a two-part series of webinars about competition manipulation.

SPOTV Launches In Indonesia Partnering MNC Networks And Telkom Indonesia

Eclat Media Group has announced its distribution deal for SPOTV into Indonesia with broadcast partners, MNC Vision Networks and Telkom Indonesia.

MNC Vision Networks platforms include MNC Vision and K-Vision as well as MNC Play (IPTV) and Vision+ (OTT). Additionally, BWF World Tour & Major Events will be on its free to air channels, MNCTV and iNews.

With Telkom Indonesia, SPOTV is carried on IndieHome’s UseeTV (IPTV) and Telkomsel’s MAXStream (OTT) platforms.

Both channels, SPOTV and SPOTV 2, launched on 10 January 2022, kicked off on both broadcasters’ platforms with the Yonex Sunrise India Open that is part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500.

Sports fans in Indonesia 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, 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), as well as V.League from Japan.

“Our broadcasting partners in Indonesia are leaders in media and technology, delivering quality content to a captive local audience. We will continue to focus on localising our content in key markets such as Indonesia and are confident that SPOTV and SPOTV2 will add tremendous value to both our partners and sports fans in Indonesia, and the rest of Asia.” said Lee Choong Khay (CK), CEO of SPOTV.

This launch in Indonesia 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.

Savvy Gaming Group Purchases ESL Gaming For $1.05 Billion

Modern Times Group MTG AB has announced the sale of ESL Gaming, the world’s largest independent esports company, to Savvy Gaming Group in an all-cash transaction valuing ESL Gaming at an enterprise value of USD 1,050 million.

MTG owns 91.46% of ESL Gaming, which corresponds to USD 960 million (equaling SEK 8,890 million) of the total enterprise value and represents a total return on investment of 2.5 times. SGG is simultaneously acquiring FACEIT and will merge the two companies to create the leading global platform for competitive gaming – ESL FACEIT Group. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals which will include anti-trust and foreign investment screening.

  • Savvy Gaming Group acquires and merges ESL Gaming and FACEIT to create a new global leader in competitive gaming – the ESL FACEIT Group
     
  • MTG owns 91.46% of ESL Gaming, which corresponds to USD 960 million of the total enterprise value, representing a total return on investment of 2.5 times invested capital. Net proceeds are expected to be approximately USD 875 million, including transaction related costs and fees. The sale of the shares will be exempt from tax
     
  • Following the transaction, MTG will focus fully on accelerating growth in its pure-play gaming business. MTG intends to return at least 40 percent of the net proceeds to its shareholders, while the rest of the proceeds will be used to strengthen MTG’s position in the global gaming market and continued execution of its buy and build strategy
     
  • Under MTG’s ownership ESL Gaming has achieved significant scale and increased revenue to become the largest independent esports company globally
     
  • The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2022

The merger with FACEIT and the transaction with SGG reflects MTG’s realization of its long-term strategy for the esports vertical: to expand ESL Gaming’s presence throughout the whole value chain, including B2C services and to drive long term growth. As part of this ambition, MTG initiated discussions with FACEIT to arrange and structure the merger. The transaction ideally positions the new company to pursue accelerated growth on the back of an integrated B2B and B2C product, while remaining closely aligned with the global gaming community and its values.

The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2022. Net2 proceeds to MTG are expected to be approximately USD 875 million (equaling SEK 8,103 million1) and the sale of the shares will be exempt from tax. MTG intends to return at least 40 percent of the proceeds to shareholders. The remaining proceeds will be used to strengthen MTG’s position in the global gaming market and continued execution of its buy and build strategy.

A milestone for MTG and ESL Gaming

Maria Redin, CEO of MTG, says:

“MTG has a long history of identifying successful companies and leveraging talented teams to create shareholder value, including backing them with additional capital. We were in advanced discussions with FACEIT to merge the two businesses and received approaches from parties who shared our vision and who were interested in acquiring or investing in both companies. In response, we embarked on a process to review our options and the transaction announced today is the culmination of that process and represents an exceptional crystallization of value for MTG’s shareholders. The merger with FACEIT will also enable the new company to bring gamers a wide range of new services and products. We are convinced that Savvy is the right owner who will continue to invest in the development of ESL FACEIT Group to nurture and entertain players and fans globally.”

Return to shareholders, and acceleration of pure play gaming from a strong position

Based on the envisaged transaction timetable, MTG’s Board of Directors expects to propose the return of funds to its shareholders in connection with the Annual General Meeting on 24th May 2022. After the return of funds to shareholders, MTG will have a net cash position, after taking account of committed earnouts due to be paid in cash, providing the Group with a strong financial position to significantly accelerate its growth strategy as a pure play gaming company.

MTG has a well-established position in gaming, with some of the industry’s most popular games and brands. Across the last 12 months, MTG has successfully acquired and integrated the dynamic and fast-growing gaming companies Hutch Games Ltd, Ninja Kiwi and PlaySimple. The gaming vertical generated pro forma YTD revenues of SEK 3,520 million and adjusted EBITDA of SEK 1,098 million in Q3 2021, with an organic net sales growth of 12 percent. MTG sees significant growth and future potential in gaming going forward and will share an update on its vision, strategy, and future in this area in connection with a Capital Markets Day which is expected to take place in Q2 2022, following the close of the announced transaction.

Maria Redin comments:

“For MTG, the transaction represents an opportunity to crystallize the value created in the esports vertical, share proceeds with shareholders who have supported us on our journey and to emerge perfectly positioned for further growth. Our gaming vertical has already been immensely successful and will now become the core of our business. Our ‘Swedish family’ model attracts gaming entrepreneurs from around the globe, and helps founders share knowledge and learn from each other in MTG’s ecosystem. We will continue to support, nurture and grow our communities and be the best port of call for entrepreneurs who want to accelerate their growth.”

Significant value creation with MTG as an active owner

MTG’s experience as an active and engaged owner with a deeply established culture of entrepreneurship provides founders with the right environment to grow their businesses over time. MTG acquired ESL and DreamHack in 2015, and later merged the companies under the name ESL Gaming. Under MTG’s ownership the company has achieved significant scale and increased its revenue base. MTG has supported the internationalization of ESL Gaming’s global operational network in over 100 countries, the establishment of strategic partnerships such as the Louvre agreement and Nielsen Sports, and the introduction of ESL ProTour and Mobile Open, making the esports community’s exciting content even more broadly available. MTG will continue to apply the same active ownership formula when it now turns its attention to creating shareholder value as the preferred home for gaming entrepreneurs.

Next step for ESL Gaming, FACEIT and SGG

The anticipated combination of ESL and FACEIT into the ESL FACEIT Group will establish the leading global platform for competitive gaming. The combined business will offer an end-to-end solution that enables games to build competitive gaming communities and ecosystems with a leading digital platform for players to play and connect. It will also be a key destination for partners looking to reach new audiences.

Brian Ward, CEO of SGG, says:

“Both ESL and FACEIT have consistently delivered outstanding performance over a number of years. ESL has built a very strong track record around developing, broadcasting, and commercializing premium esports ecosystems. FACEIT has similarly developed a world-class reputation for providing digital platforms for competitive gamers.

Savvy has committed to invest heavily in the games and esports industry and to materially strengthen the global games community. And as new owners, we remain fully supportive of ESL’s and FACEIT’s respective strategies and leadership, and to driving their businesses forward to support the continued success of competitive gaming. Our investment will continue to put fans, teams, players, developers, and publishers needs first, whilst realizing our exciting, combined vision.”

9Network Announces Broadcast Of 2022 T20 World Cup And 2023 One-Day World Cup, Alyssa Healy Critical Of Lack Of Women’s FTA Coverage

9Network will broadcast every Australian game plus other big match-ups in both the 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, LIVE and FREE, ensuring fans have the best seat in the house.

The action begins on October 16 with the Men’s T20 World Cup. For Australia, the defending champions, the mission is to claim more glory on home soil after last year’s triumph in Dubai.

Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said: “Any cricket World Cup is a premium event on the international calendar and we’re excited to be the free-to-air home of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia and the 2023 World Cup which will be held in India.

“Nine has a long and proud history with cricket and we look forward to that continuing with all Australian and key matches of these prestigious events being broadcast across Nine’s platforms.”

The decision to broadcast the Men’s tournaments free-to-air has come under criticism from some of Australia’s prominent women’s players following this announcement, as Nine did not pick up the rights to the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

However, following Alyssa Healy’s messages about the preferential treatment afforded to the men’s game, Kayo Sports announced they would show fixtures from the Women’s World Cup for free in Australia to viewers without a subscription.