The European Tour To Be Renamed DP World Tour From 2022 In New Title Sponsorship

The European Tour group and DP World today jointly announced a ground-breaking evolution to their long-term partnership, with DP World becoming the new title sponsor of the group’s main tour from the start of the 2022 season.

The agreement heralds a new era in the history of the European Tour group, which, along with DP World, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022, the first season of the newly named DP World Tour.

Today’s announcement represents a significant deal in terms of global sports partnerships, with DP World’s substantial commitment dedicated to three key areas: elevating the Tour in every way, growing the game of golf globally, and driving positive community impact.

The new look DP World Tour will see total prize money break through the $200 million mark for the first time, with a new minimum prize fund of $2 million for all tournaments solely sanctioned by the DP World Tour.

In 2022, the DP World Tour will represent a truly global tour through an international schedule, that will feature a minimum of 47 tournaments in 27 different countries, including new tournaments in the UAE, Japan, South Africa and Belgium and an expanded Rolex Series comprising five events: the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, the Genesis Scottish Open, the BMW PGA Championship and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

For the first time, it will also feature three tournaments co-sanctioned with the PGA TOUR – the aforementioned Genesis Scottish Open, as well as the Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship taking place in the United States – as a result of the Strategic Alliance between male professional golf’s two leading Tours. To view the full 2022 schedule, please click here.

The European Tour and DP World were both established in 1972 and have since developed into global enterprises with DP World, which is headquartered in Dubai, evolving into the leading provider of global smart end-to-end supply chain and logistics solutions.

DP World’s association with the European Tour spans more than a decade, first becoming a presenting partner of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates in its inaugural year in 2009, before the Rolex Series event was renamed the DP World Tour Championship in 2012. It was in this year that DP World became the tournament’s title partner.

DP World then became an Official Partner of the European Tour in 2015, and they will now become the Official Title Partner of the Tour from the start of the 2022 season, which begins with the Joburg Open in South Africa, from November 22-25.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour group, said: “Today’s announcement is undoubtedly a momentous one in the proud history of our Tour. The launch of the DP World Tour in 2022, coinciding with both of our 50th anniversaries, will herald a new era in global golf, and crucially it will benefit everybody involved – all our players, caddies, fans and partners – as well as making an important contribution to wider society.

“The entire ecosystem of our Tour will be strengthened because of this hugely significant deal, and that was essential to us and to DP World, who have been an incredible supporter of our Tour as well as golf more widely, from grassroots through to the elite professional game.

“The DP World Tour is, therefore, a natural evolution of our decade-long partnership, and the presence of ‘World’ in our new title better reflects our global reach.”

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “DP World has been a partner of the European Tour for over a decade. Our long-standing partnership has provided an excellent platform to engage with customers, prospects, and stakeholders, and build our brand. We have relished the opportunity to support the Tour in growing the game of golf and improving access to the sport at all levels. The key to this success has been and will continue to be the shared vision and values that underpin the partnership.

“We both have a global mindset, are committed to inclusivity, and invest in new technologies to stay competitive – attributes which today become the fundamental principles of the DP World Tour. As the leading provider of smart logistics solutions worldwide, we will use our people, assets, and connectivity to help grow the Tour further and change what’s possible in golf.”

Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR and Board Member of the European Tour, added; “Thanks to the support of long-standing partner DP World, today’s announcement significantly elevates the European Tour on a global basis. We are excited for the continued growth and evolution of the European Tour, as well as the momentum this provides toward our Strategic Alliance. I’ve said before that our respective Tours are positioned to grow – together – over the next 10 years faster than we ever have at any point in our existence, and today’s announcement is another point of proof in those efforts.”

XFL Announces Leadership Team, Names Russ Brandon As President, League & Football Operations

The XFL and its ownership group, consisting of Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson and RedBird Capital Partners, are excited to announce the addition of nine executive hires as the league prepares for its highly anticipated return to the field in 2023. Joining and returning to the league are:

  • Russ Brandon, President, League and Football Operations
  • Rob Gerbe, Chief Financial Officer
  • Jordan Schlachter, Chief Business Officer
  • Janet Duch, Chief Marketing and Content Officer
  • Marc Ross, Executive Vice President, Football Operations
  • Doug Whaley, Senior Vice President, Player Personnel
  • Scott Harniman, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Technology
  • Jay Rothman, Senior Vice President, Broadcast Operations
  • Cindy Wagner, Senior Vice President, People Operations

“These exceptional and talented executives encompass a deep skill set that aligns with our commitment to delivering an exceptional football universe experience, as well as our shared passion for bringing the XFL back stronger than before,” said Dany Garcia, XFL Chairwoman and Co-Owner. “Our team’s experience across varying professional sports leagues and brands will enable us to deliver an experience for our fans, athletes and partners that represents today’s evolution of ‘best-in-class’. A tremendous amount of work has already been done with more exciting news to come as we prepare for 2023.”

Brief bios of the executives can be found below:

Russ Brandon is a longtime NFL veteran, holding various positions within the Bills organization for over 20 years. Before joining the XFL, Russ worked as an executive advisor to RedBird Capital Partners for its investment in the XFL. Prior to that, Russ was most recently Managing Partner and President of the Buffalo Bills, President and Alternate Governor on the Sabres and COO of Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE), managing all aspects of the day-to-day business and administrative operations of the three entities. In his new role as President, Russ will manage day-to-day operations of the league while directing strategic planning for business and football operations on both the league and team levels.

Rob Gerbe joins the XFL as Chief Financial Officer, where he will oversee financial operations of the league and its teams to provide strategic financial insights on all facets of the business. Rob will lead all financial and accounting matters, including reporting, planning and forecasting, to drive analytical decision making, support revenue growth, cost management and profitability metrics. Rob joins the XFL most recently from the NBA, where he served as Senior Vice President, Team & Labor Finance. Rob will report to Russ Brandon.

Jordan Schlachter is returning to the XFL as Chief Business Officer, overseeing business partnerships, sponsorship revenue and relationships, licensing, merchandising distribution, and media partner business and sales. Schlachter joined the XFL in April 2019, where he served as the Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer. In this role, he managed nearly all revenue sources (non-ticketing), marketing functions and communications for the league and its eight teams. He negotiated the league’s most significant partnerships, including those with Bud Light Seltzer and Progressive Insurance, created the first-ever football helmet sticker sponsor program.  Jordan will report to Russ Brandon.

Janet Duch returns to the XFL as the league’s Chief Marketing and Content Officer where she will lead marketing, digital and business intelligence functions. She is responsible for the development of campaigns, content and experiences across all platforms and the data insights used to enhance fan engagement and maximize opportunities for business growth. Additionally, Duch oversees the XFL’s ticketing strategy and gameday operations across each team market, while also building out the league’s team services function. Janet joined the XFL in 2019 as the President of the New York Guardians, while also overseeing performance marketing for the league and its 8 teams. Janet will report to Russ Brandon.

Marc Ross joins the XFL as Executive Vice President of Football Operations, where he is responsible for all aspects of football operations, including rules and gameplay, logistics and league planning, as well as innovation, data and analytics. Marc has over 20 years of professional football experience working across both league and team levels within the NFL. He is also a current analyst on NFL Network. Marc will report to Russ Brandon.

Doug Whaley returns to the XFL as Senior Vice President of Player Personnel, where he will oversee player scouting, recruiting, compensation, growth and career development. Doug first joined the XFL in 2018 as Senior Vice President of Football Operations, where he assisted in the all aspects of creating of the eight-team spring football league and rules innovation.  Doug brings over 20 years of NFL player personnel and football executive experience. Doug will report to Marc Ross.

Scott Harniman returns to the XFL as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Technology and is responsible for all functions of Information Technology and overseeing the XFL’s technology strategy, infrastructure buildout and delivering best-in-class systems to support the entire league. In addition, Scott will shape the football technology program by promoting innovation across emerging platforms. Scott will report to Russ Brandon.

Jay Rothman joins the XFL as Senior Vice President, Broadcast Operations where he will oversee all broadcast operations with our partners, administration and game productions including, original programming, studio production and event coverage. He brings over 30 years of live event and studio production experience to the league, most recently working at ESPN as Vice President of Production. Jay will report to Russ Brandon.

Cindy Wagner returns to the XFL as Senior Vice President, People Operations where she is responsible for establishing Human Resources and administrative functions while also providing strategic leadership to develop a world-class organization that promotes a culture of inclusivity, growth and innovation. She first joined the league in 2019 as Senior Director of People and Culture, Cindy will report to Russ Brandon.

UFC Names The Memento Group (TMG) Official Global Memorabilia Partner

UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and The Memento Group (TMG), a global leader in sports memorabilia and licensed products, today announced a multi-year partnership in which TMG will become the global distributor of officially licensed UFC memorabilia.  The agreement was brokered by UFC’s licensing agency IMG. 

Under the terms of the agreement, TMG will offer fans access to exclusive, limited edition and rare pieces of UFC event memorabilia, from fight-worn gloves and fight kits, to fight night posters and photographs signed by their favorite UFC athletes.  Items will be hologramed, registered digitally, and accompanied with a certificate of authenticity as confirmation of their source.  All products will be contained within premium packaging for the ultimate customer experience.

“We are thrilled to welcome The Memento Group as our new global memorabilia partner,” said Tracey Bleczinski, Senior Vice President, UFC Global Consumer Products.  “The memorabilia business is a priority because these products are such authentic touch points for fans to stay connected to UFC and truly own the moment. With TMG’s expertise in this space, we are confident fans will appreciate the quality, authenticity and value of each piece of UFC memorabilia that TMG offers.” 

Philip Danglidis, Commercial Director of The Memento Group, commented: “UFC is a truly global sporting phenomenon, and we are delighted to be embarking with them on this exciting new journey – one that will bring fans even closer to the sport they love via the opportunity to own certified and authenticated memorabilia. Our proven track record not only assures customers that they are getting the genuine article, but with our guaranteed methods of authentication, we also help to protect their investment.

“UFC has a worldwide fanbase estimated at more than 625 million people, and it’s now clearly one of the Big Four in terms of popularity in the U.S. The appeal of UFC is growing year on year. As such, the potential for this partnership is colossal. This announcement is only the beginning of what’s to come, and we look forward to revealing more in 2022 and beyond.”

On January 1, 2022, UFC and TMG will launch an online store that will serve as a dedicated marketplace for UFC fans to shop hundreds of ready-to-buy items or trade unique UFC-licensed products, providing a secure, trustworthy platform for buyers.  The website will also allow fans to bid for UFC memorabilia by auction.  The website, which will be built and managed by TMG, will provide a single point solution for all UFC official memorabilia.

Women’s Super League To Be Broadcast On CBS Sports Network And Paramount+ In The USA From 2022

CBS Sports will be the official U.S. home of Barclays FA Women’s Super League. CBS Sports and the English Football Association announced a multiyear deal for CBS Sports to become the exclusive U.S. English-language rights holder of the FAWSL. Matches will appear across Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network, with coverage during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 WSL seasons beginning in the summer of 2022.

Fans will be able to watch 57 WSL matches during both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. CBS Sports Network will air a select number of those matches exclusively, with the majority streaming on Paramount+.

“The Barclays FA Women’s Super League features some of the most recognizable soccer brands in the world and is an excellent addition to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “We look forward to bringing the exciting action of the BFAWSL to fans across Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network. With our wide array of soccer properties and robust year-round match coverage, we are a must-have for soccer fans.”

The Barclays FA Women’s Super League was launched in 2011 as an eight team, semi-professional competition. Over the past decade the league has become fully professional and is now home to 12 clubs, and features stars from across the globe.

U.S. Women’s National midfielder Tobin Heath currently plays with Arsenal, and Australian star forward Sam Kerr, the all-time leading scorer in NWSL history, is playing with Chelsea. The WSL campaign runs from September through May, with Chelsea the current league title holders. Within the ten previous seasons, Chelsea have won the league title four times, Arsenal three times, Liverpool twice and Manchester City once. 

 “We are delighted to be partnering with CBS Sports for the next two seasons and are looking forward to the coverage they beam to households across the United States,” said James Ralley, The Football Association’s Head of Broadcast and Media Rights. “Their delivery of soccer, whether men’s or women’s, is of the highest quality and their reputation within the industry is one that is growing rapidly. We look forward to working with them over the next few years.”

Also home to the National Women’s Soccer League, the Barclays FA Women’s Super League is just the latest edition to women’s soccer programming available on CBS Sports platforms. CBS audiences and subscribers can access UEFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying, NWSL, The Women’s Cup, Concacaf women’s World Cup Qualifiers and women’s Nations League, and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup — which also serves as qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup.

The Subscription “Supply Chain” – A Modern Metaphor

Vindicia’s Chief Revenue Officer Jack Bullock provides a look into how subscriptions can be compared to a supply chain.

A supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When there are multiple weak links, the consequences are dire. Just take a look at the global supply chain today.

A supply chain is hugely complex, involving numerous players, with many parts moving finely in sync. When the supply chain is well oiled and smooth, the consumer doesn’t have to think about everything that went on behind the scenes to ensure the product is right there on the shelf, when they want it. But when the supply chain is under stress, empty shelves are an undeniable, uncomfortable fact of life.

“Much like a supply chain that flows from point A to point Z, the new subscription is horizontal, made up of the many organic moments the user experiences with the brand.”

Similarly, a subscription service is its own kind of “supply chain.” From brand to consumer, a satisfying subscription experience relies on smooth, uninterrupted, and reliable processes that ensure the product or service is there, always ready on the “shelf” so to speak, when the user wants and expects it. Any disruptions? The subscription is much less than it could be, the consumer is disappointed and may even churn. And revenue? We all know the answer to that.

Subscriptions: a horizontal journey

Much like a supply chain that flows from point A to point Z, the new subscription is horizontal, made up of the many organic moments the user experiences with the brand.

The subscription tech that supports the horizontal flow is comprised of many parts too, from bundling that promotes user engagement, to personalized user journeys based on individual interests and preferences, and churn prevention tools that ensure efficient, frictionless payments on a recurring basis – and all this underscored by subscription intelligence, Vindicia’s 18+ years of subscription data, prepped to support smarter horizontal subscription “supply chains.”

Consumers: creatures of habit

Humans are creatures of habit, and no less when it comes to our consumer habits. These habits change over time, adapting to different circumstances. Sometimes the changes are fast and radical, like the stark shift to digital during the COVID pandemic. Other times, habits change slowly and surely, such as media subscription services, now growing at a rate 5-8 times faster than traditional businesses.

“The most important thing is to identify the gaps and the weak links and develop the stop gaps and reinforcements you need to restore the smooth flow of horizontal experiences.”

Feeding habits is one of the reasons why subscriptions are so popular. Consumers get what they want, when they want it, filling their need with minimal effort or forethought. But there’s a downside to that – when there is a disruption, the user’s habitual behavior is broken, and that can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and even painful. Not a good look for a brand serious about satisfying its subscribers.

Subscription disrupted: learning in a crisis

Every crisis is also a learning experience, though, and should be viewed as such. Whether caught in the maelstrom of the 2021 supply chain crisis, or facing a delay or disruption in subscription operations, the most important thing is to identify the gaps and the weak links and develop the stop gaps and reinforcements you need to restore the smooth flow of horizontal experiences.

This is what we do at Vindicia. We know that it’s the small offerings that link together to create a full subscription experience. When each part of the subscription is data driven and optimized, the sum of the parts will ensure a much more satisfying whole, and that is what drives recurring customers and the revenue stream every CRO dreams about.

About The Author

Jack Bullock

Jack Bullock

Jack brings 25 years of sales and sales management experience to Vindicia. Prior to joining Vindicia, he was senior vice president of digital commerce sales for Pitney Bowes, where his responsibilities included overall management of the global sales organization. Jack has extensive experience in enterprise software, including senior management positions with Infor and Vitria. Jack began his career at Oracle and has also held sales and sales management positions at Forte Software. Jack holds a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Colorado and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Missouri State University.

UK Sponsorship Awards 2022 – Early Bird Tickets Available Now

The UK Sponsorship Awards, the annual showcase for the sponsorship sector, are going to be taking place on the 29th of March 2022.

The UK Sponsorship Awards (UKSA) organising team is delighted to announce the official launch of its 2022 edition. Brands, agencies, rights holders, charities and other sponsorship stakeholders are now able to enter the Awards via the UKSA website. At time of writing, the firm plan is to revert to a physical edition of the industry-leading gala event, to be held in March 2022.

“While Covid-19 continues to be a concern for many in sponsorship, March 2022 currently looks like an opportune time to hold a bricks and mortar event,” said UKSA CEO Rosie Sarginson. “Sponsorship is a people business which thrives on face to face interaction. So we are looking forward to hosting a live celebration that can bring so many of our friends and colleagues back together under one roof.”

Many of the usual categories are available for entry – across arts, sport, media and digital. But as usual UKSA 2022 is leading the way with its category innovations. “We have already set out our stall on sustainability,” said Sarginson, “but in addition there will be special categories for Olympics/Paralympics sponsors and arts sponsors. The arts sector has done a magnificent job of reinventing itself over the last decade so we will acknowledge that fact through a one-off Award for the Best Arts Sponsorship since 2010. 2022 will also see the reboot of the Spotlight Award, targeted this year at financial services firms.”

Company and People Awards are an important component of the UKSA line-up – and this year is no exception. Rights holders and consultancies will have their own categories, and there will be new additions to our Champions of Sponsorship Hall of Fame. Not to be overlooked is the Barrie Gill Award for Most Promising Young Sponsorship Executive – a signpost towards the sector’s bright future.

While most industry sectors are now finding solutions to the Covid-19 challenge, there’s no question it continues to impact people-facing business like sponsorship. For this reason, there will be a Rising To The Covid Challenge Award – rewarding companies that have found creative and effective strategies and activations to combat the pandemic. “Hopefully,” said Sarginson, “entries in this category can provide best practice insights and ideas about how to bounce back.”

2022 will also see the return of the 20/20 Vision Award, a celebration of craft and creativity. Like last year, judges will be on the hunt for outstanding executions where sublime craft has brought an exceptional creative idea to life. The category is open to every area of the sponsorship sector and will focus on areas such as design, craft, artistry, technique, expertise, talent, vision and iconic imagery. It runs alongside UKSA’s innovation award, which is concentrated more on the use of future-facing, game-changing or unorthodox technology.

“More details will be provided on this year’s categories and criteria in the run up to our early bird deadline of December 1 2021,” said Sarginson, “At UKSA, we’re looking forward to showcasing the industry’s creativity, innovation and effectiveness when we meet on March 29 2022.”

For more details on categories, criteria, entering and UKSA’s renewed commitment to sustainability, please explore their site.  And keep your eyes open for new editorial insights over the coming weeks.

Binance Partners With FC Porto, Famed Portuguese Football Club, To Launch PORTO Fan Tokens

Binance is proud to announce a multi-year partnership with renowned football club, FC Porto. Binance will become the Official Fan Token Partner for FC Porto – also known as Dragões. The agreement will also see Binance appearing as a back of shirt sponsor for FC Porto in the first season and sleeve sponsor in the following seasons.

By partnering with Binance, PORTO Fan Token will be issued via the Binance Launchpad to take the club’s brand to the next level, and to create a more meaningful fan engagement experience for the club’s supporters-through unique and engagement-based rewards, interactivity, gamification, and more.

FC Porto, the famous Azuis e brancos, was founded in 1893 and is one of the biggest football clubs in Portugal, having won 79 major trophies, including 29 Primeira Liga titles. FC Porto is also the most decorated Portuguese club on the international competition stage. They won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League in 1987 and 2004, the UEFA Super Cup in 1987, and both the UEFA Cup/Europa League and the Intercontinental Cup twice, respectively. Over the years, the club has featured many world-famous players, including Vitor Baía, James Rodriguez, Ricardo Quaresma, Radamel Falcao, Hulk, and Deco. The club is managed by Sérgio Conceição and includes prolific international players such as Pepe, Luis Díaz, Otávio, Mehdi Taremi and Matheus Uribe. FC Porto currently boasts more than 8.2 million followers across its social networks.

Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, President of FC Porto, is responsible for a remarkable turn of the page in the history of the club, catapulting it to Europe, making it, today, the most internationally titled Portuguese club, while becoming the most titled President in the history of world soccer. He commented: “It’s another established partnership that helps us keep up with the evolution of today’s world, to leverage digital assets, and, above all, to be closer to our fans and their interests. This is an agreement that values FC Porto and the partner, which is something we seek in every partnership we establish and also in our day-to-day work. Those who join FC Porto know that they are associating with a club that wants to be first in everything.”

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, CEO and co-founder of Binance, commented: “Binance Fan Tokens are a new and exciting way for supporters to engage with their favorite teams. FC Porto is not only one of the most established football clubs in Europe, but it is also one of the most innovative. With the FC Porto Fan Token, fans can collect rare NFTs, participate in exclusive polls, and unlock one-of-a-kind Fan Badges and rewards based on their level of engagement. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with FC Porto.”

The official FC Porto Fan Token (PORTO) is a utility token providing fans with revolutionary new ways to engage with their favorite club. PORTO will be available for all Binance users via the Launchpad from today and later via Spot, bank card purchases and P2P.

For more information on the PORTO Fan Token Launchpad and future team listings, visit the Binance Fan Token Platform.

LDN UTD Partners With The Mayor of London And Samsung KX To Promote Health And Wellbeing

The Mayor of London is again teaming up with London-based social action esports organisation, LDN UTD, and technology pioneer Samsung KX to promote health and wellbeing across the UK, via grassroots gaming.

LDN UTD will be hosting a FIFA 22 and F1 community stream on November 13th at the 20,000-square-foot brand showcase Samsung KX in King’s Cross, London.

Gaming fans are invited to attend All Access Gaming, by registering at the Samsung KX website. At the event gamers will have access to LDN UTD talent, expert health and wellbeing advice and meet special guests. Samsung KX host Chelcee Grimes, the Vamps’ Connor Ball, hip hop/R&B artist Jords, and gaming creators Ria Bish, Sunpi, ItsHaber, Itani, and Kirbz will all be in attendance, alongside LDN UTD’s creators including Merl and Gillytho. More guests will be announced in due course.

For those unable to attend, the event will be broadcast live on LDN UTD’s Twitch page, with viewers able to interactively participate, and win prizes courtesy of Green Man Gaming and Noble Chairs.

CEO of LDN UTD Oliver Weingarten says: 

“This event will showcase both the beneficial aspects of mental and physical activity in esports, and the role tech can play in supporting this. I can think of no better partners than the Mayor of London, Samsung KX and the inspirational talent who’ll be attending, to help us get this crucial message out.”

Connor Ball says, 

“It is fantastic to be involved in LDN UTD’s event that is combining health and wellbeing with my passion for gaming. I’m excited to attend Samsung KX and showcase my skills, as well as talk about my personal journey.”

Ashrita Seshadri, Head of Marketing, Samsung KX says:

“We’re really excited to be supporting All Access Gaming in partnership with LDN UTD and the Mayor of London at Samsung KX. As a hub for innovation, we showcase how to use technology as a force for good and we’re proud to bring together a gaming community of like-minded people to showcase and educate the benefits of health and wellbeing within esports. This is another one of our great skill-sharing events to help Londoners and beyond improve their skills and nurture their passions.”

BT Sport To Remain Home Of Australia International Cricket In The UK, Will Broadcast 2021/22 Men’s And Women’s Ashes

BT Sport has renewed its UK rights deal to broadcast Australian men’s and women’s home cricket internationals until 2025, including the exclusive broadcast of four England tours over the next four years. 

Cricket fans will be able to catch England in action as they look to recapture the Ashes later this year, as well as the Dettol ODI and T20 tours scheduled for 2022.   

All four series between cricket’s biggest rivals will only be available live on BT Sport.

In addition, BT Sport will also show live coverage of all international tours of Australia. After this year’s Ashes, Australia will take on New Zealand and Sri Lanka in a white ball series.

The renewed deal with Cricket Australia builds on BT Sport’s portfolio of cricket that includes exclusive broadcast rights of West Indies men’s and women’s domestic and international cricket in the Caribbean, and New Zealand’s men’s and women’s home internationals.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said “We loved bringing the highs, lows and controversy of the Ashes to our viewers in 2017/18 and relish the opportunity to bring our viewers all the action from both a men’s and women’s Ashes in 2021/22.  BT Sport’s cricket content has continued to grow since we signed our first rights deal with Cricket Australia, and we are delighted to be bringing more world class men’s and women’s cricket from Australia to fans across the UK.”

beIN Sports Continues To Expand Women’s Sports Portfolio Globally With CAF Women’s Champions League Latest beINSPIRED Acquisition

beIN MEDIA GROUP (beIN) has continued the expansion of its women’s sports rights portfolio globally with the acquisition of exclusive rights to the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League across 37territories spanning the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), Asia-Pacific and North America. beIN’s flagship sports network, beIN SPORTS, will broadcast the women’s competition across four continents around the world, giving amazing exposure and profile to the women’s game on the leading international sports network.

The eight-team CAF tournament, which got underway on Friday, will showcase the best women’s football in Africa, with the final due to take place in Egypt on November 19th. The rights are the latest addition to beIN’s burgeoning beINSPIRED portfolio. beIN SPORTS will broadcast the tournament across the 24 countries in the MENA region, as well as Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and the US & Canada.

beIN SPORTS launched its beINSPIRED initiative in 2019, aiming to give a greater platform to under-represented sports and talent, with a particular focus on women’s sport. This was followed by beIN SPORTS’ broadcast of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ in 31 territories globally, more than any other broadcaster worldwide. beIN now holds a range of women’s sports rights across multiple territories.

In addition to the newly announced CAF Women’s Champions League, beIN is also the official broadcaster of: the UEFA Women’s Champions League; the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022; the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Paris 2024 Summer Olympics; every women’s tennis Grand Slam (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon & the US Open) and the WTA Tour all across MENA; the Billie Jean King Cup 2021 – the World Cup of Women’s Tennis – in Australia, France and MENA; the W Series in the US, Canada and MENA, a range of Paris Saint-Germain Féminine games in various markets; as well as key women’s events from handball, basketball and swimming, to name just a few.

Mohammad Al-Subaie, CEO of beIN MENA said: “We are pleased to have secured the rights to broadcast the CAF Women’s Champions League across 37 countries worldwide. 2021 has been a successful year for beINSPIRED, where we’ve broadcast the UEFA Women’s Champions League; the 2020 Tokyo Olympic; the best of women’s tennis – including the WTA Tour, all Grand Slams and the BJK Cup; W Series; and much more to millions of fans around the world. beINSPIRED is a core part of our Group’s efforts to shine a light on under-represented sports and inspire the next generation of athletes and fans – regardless of gender, race or background. We are proud that this initiative continues to grow.”