Nftie Announce Indian Cricket Legend Sunil Gavaskar’s NFT Collection

Sunil Gavaskar, the Indian cricket legend and one of the finest to play the game, will shortly become the first Indian cricketer to release an official collection of NFTs, based on his career highlights.

The ‘Always First’ Official NFT collection from Sunil Gavaskar celebrates many of the career firsts and key moments from the former Indian captain’s stellar career, in which he:

  • Became the first player to score over 10,000 runs in Test cricket
  • Scored the highest number of runs (774) in a single series by any Indian batsman
  • Held the record for the most Test centuries (34) for many years
  • Is one of only three players to score centuries in both innings of a Test match on three occasions
  • Was the first Indian cricketer to carry his bat in Test cricket, scoring 127 in 1983

In addition to owning the digital rights to some of Sunil Gavaskar’s finest moments, collectors will also enjoy interactive and exclusive content, plus the chance to win signed merchandise, attend real-world events and even meet the man himself. 

Access to the main NFT collection begins through a virtual Hall of Fame – a unique and immersive experience in which fans can explore, enjoy and interact with the key moments from Gavaskar’s career, plus the opportunity to join live video calls with Sunil. 

Hall of Fame tickets are being sold as NFTs (via a debit and credit card or crypto transaction) at a range of affordable price points, giving fans and collectors a simple way to access the world of NFTs while also enjoying a unique cricket experience. 

The Sunil Gavaskar NFT collection and Hall of Fame has been designed and curated by nftie, a London-based business specialising in using NFTs to create engaging experiences and events and is the first of three major sports projects that nftie will be releasing in the coming months.

Rob Morrison, Director of nftie, said:

“Cricket has a huge global fan base and Sunil is a genuine legend of the game, so we are really excited to have created this unique collection. Our ethos is all about using NFTs to give collectors exciting, interactive experiences to bring them closer to their icons, and that’s exactly what the Always First Collection delivers.”

Commenting on the upcoming launch of his NFT collection, Sunil Gavaskar said:

“I’m really excited about this opportunity to share some of my career highlights with fans and collectors, using NFT technology. This is a fantastic new way to provide interactive experiences and content to fans, along with the chance for them to own some of these great moments from cricketing history.” 

The Sunil Gavaskar Always First NFT collection will be sold on a first-come first-served basis, with sales starting 14 November 2021 followed by the opening of the Hall of Fame in December. Collectors and investors can ensure they don’t miss out by registering their interest at https://alwaysfirst.io/

Picture credit: Coloursport

Overtime Elite Announces Gatorade As League’s First Brand Partner

Transformative new sports league OTE (Overtime Elite) announced its first brand partnership today with Gatorade. This deal brings together the leading sports fuel brand and the newest, most innovative basketball league – a partnership centered around supporting athletes in their path to success.

“Gatorade has been the standard bearer in the sports fuel space for decades and to have them be our first brand partner is monumental for Overtime Elite,” said Aaron Ryan, OTE Commissioner and President. “There is perfect alignment between the two brands where the athlete is at the center of our mission and together we’ll support them on their journey by focusing on their needs, their health, and their progress on and off the court.”

As the official sports drink of OTE, Gatorade will have a presence both on and off the sidelines to drive athletic performance. Along with providing products from across the brand’s portfolio, the partnership will offer the league access to leading hydration and nutrition expertise from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. Gatorade will also have a significant presence at OTE’s new facility, including a state-of-the-art Gatorade Fuel Bar in the building’s performance space, which will give athletes the opportunity to personalize their fueling. Additionally, using Overtime and Overtime Elite’s digital reach, the brands plan to integrate Gatorade products and services into storytelling for the athletes across all platforms.

“As a brand rooted in sport, we’ve spent more than 55 years working directly with athletes, so we know firsthand there’s no singular path to an athletic journey,” said Jeff Kearney, global head of sports marketing at Gatorade. “Overtime Elite represents a unique connectivity with our audience, which allows us to engage directly with athletes during and beyond the moment of sweat.”

For more information and updates on Overtime Elite, visit overtimeelite.com.

Andrea Marini To Succeed Retiring Giampiero Rinaudo As Deltatre CEO

Deltatre, the award-winning international technology company, has today announced that CEO Giampiero Rinaudo will soon retire after more than 35 years with the business. Existing Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer, Andrea Marini, will succeed him at the end of October. 

Rinaudo, one of three company founders in 1986, will step down to assume a new role as Non-executive Chairman and Board Member. He is making this transition on the back of successfully leading the company through decades of continued expansion and the development of crucial technologies that serve many of the world’s most influential sports and media properties. He will remain a substantial shareholder in the business. 

Marini has held the role of Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer since mid-2019. He is well-equipped to lead Deltatre’s expert management teams across hubs in 18 key cities worldwide, with record year-on-year financial growth and successful expansions into North America and Asia under his belt. Marini will also maintain his seat on the Board, representing the interest of his family shareholding in the company. 

Rinaudo said: “It is a testament to our incredibly talented and dedicated staff to see how the company has adapted, evolved and grown since we first opened our doors so many years ago. Together, we have established Deltatre as an essential partner to more than 130 of the most significant sports leagues, federations, and media companies across the globe.

“Andrea is exceptionally talented, cares deeply about the organization, and understands what makes Deltatre so unique. There is no person better equipped to lead the company as it enters the next chapter in its growth. Of course, I must also thank George Pyne. Not only is he a great business partner, but he is also a great friend.”

Looking ahead to his appointment, Marini said: “I am honored to take on this new role for Deltatre. It holds special significance for me as I am particularly proud to continue the legacy of my father, Luca, who co-founded Deltatre and served alongside Giampiero as co-CEO for many years. Giampiero has been a fantastic mentor throughout my career, especially during my tenure as Deputy CEO. His industry knowledge, business acumen, and leadership qualities are rare. 

“I am particularly excited to continue our strong partnership with George Pyne and the Bruin team. Together we are redefining the sport and media sector, and I am humbled at the trust they have placed in me to guide Deltatre across the next phase of our evolution.” 

George Pyne, Bruin Capital Founder and CEO, the majority owner of Deltatre, said: “Giampiero is a giant. Under his leadership, Deltatre has become an industry leader, pioneering technology that powers some of the most-watched and consumed sports events of all time. He is a fantastic partner and is a great friend. I want to thank him for everything he has done for us and with us as CEO. After accomplishing so much, I am thrilled that he can spend more time with his growing family, and I’m also pleased that he will still be close by as a shareholder, Non-executive Chairman, and Member of the Board. 

Pyne continued: “I am also very excited that Andrea will be Deltatre’s new Chief Executive. He has demonstrated all the essential qualities to run a global company in this era of disruption and transformation. He has the industry’s respect and valuable relationships across sports, media, and technology. He also has an acute understanding of Deltatre’s value proposition. We are confident he can build on its momentum and take its customers and employee community to new levels. I look forward to collaborating with him, and he will have the full extent of our resources and support.”

Google And The NBA Announce Multiyear Marketing And Technology Partnership

Google and the National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a multiyear marketing and technology partnership that will see Google Pixel become the Official Fan Phone of the NBA, NBA G League and NBA 2K League.

As part of the deal, Google Pixel will become the first-ever presenting partner of the NBA Playoffs with integration into the league’s full slate of nationally televised playoff games on ESPN and TNT, joining YouTube TV, which is the presenting partner of the NBA Finals.  Google Pixel will also serve as the presenting partner of the NBA G League Playoffs and the NBA 2K League All-Star Game.

As the Official Search Trends and Fan Insights Partner and Official Search Engine, Google will work with the NBA, NBA G League and NBA 2K League to utilize Google Trends throughout the season to share real-time search data around the three leagues and their most exciting moments.  Google and the NBA will also develop innovative experiences for fans across Google apps and Pixel, accessing Google’s latest 3D and AR technology.

Earlier this year, Google was named a WNBA Changemaker and presenting partner of the WNBA Playoffs.  Google and the WNBA showcased Search trends and insights throughout the season, during the WNBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals, including in live broadcasts of games and across Google and WNBA digital and social channels.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the NBA to bring the best of Google to fans and help them get closer to the game,” said Lorraine Twohill, Chief Marketing Officer, Google.  “As the NBA’s Official Search Trends and Fan Insights Partner, our goal is to help everyone become more engaged, knowledgeable and informed sports fans.  And we’re proud that with Pixel as the league’s Official Fan Phone, fans will also get exciting immersive experiences and more.”

“Expanding our relationship with Google will enable fans to deepen their engagement with the game and their favorite teams during our landmark 75thAnniversary season and beyond,” said Kerry Tatlock, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing Partnerships and Media, NBA.  “We look forward to building on Google’s already successful WNBA partnership and integrating Google Pixel as the NBA’s Official Fan Phone as well as Google Search trends to enhance the experience for NBA, NBA G League and NBA 2K League fans.”

Google’s Pixel Fall Launch event will be held on Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. PT.  The NBA’s 75th Anniversary season tips off later that evening with a doubleheader on TNT as the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks host the Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m. ET) and the Golden State Warriors visit the Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET).

McLaren Racing Announces New Partnership With EasyPost

McLaren Racing has today announced a new partnership with EasyPost, a technology leader that builds shipping solutions for ecommerce brands, fulfilment providers, and online marketplaces, that will see the company support the McLaren Formula 1 team from the US Grand Prix.

EasyPost helps thousands of companies, ranging in size from multinational Fortune 100 companies to small neighbourhood stores, ship billions of packages around the world. Like McLaren Racing, EasyPost prides themselves on being fast, flexible, reliable, and a true innovator in building smart solutions.

As part of the partnership, the EasyPost branding will be represented on the McLaren F1 team pit crew helmets and the rear wing of the McLaren MCL35M race cars. From the 2022 season, the branding will be displayed on the suspension arms of the McLaren race cars and the McLaren F1 team pit crew helmets. 

Matt Dennington, Director of Partnerships, McLaren Racing said:

“We are delighted to have EasyPost join McLaren Racing as another valuable addition to our brilliant partner network. Easypost helps us discover innovative logistics solutions that keep our team assets travelling round the world successfully. We look forward to the start of our partnership at this weekend’s US Grand Prix.”

Jarrett Streebin, Founder and CEO, EasyPost said:

“As the leading logistics technology company, we’re proud to partner with McLaren Racing and its F1 team. It is our belief that McLaren’s design and R&D expertise will provide not only inspiration, but motivation toward technical excellence. We look forward to a fruitful partnership and the fastest racing season.”

Skateboard GB Launch 12-Year Strategy Plan

Skateboard GB are happy to announce the launch of a twelve year strategy, which outlines the role they want to play to support the growth of skateboarding across all levels, from skateboarding in local communities up to the Olympics.

Skateboard GB’s purpose is to provide skateboarders the opportunity to “Skate More, Skate Better” ensuring they are skater-focused in everything that they do as they aim to lead, support, empower and facilitate. It’s the role of Skateboard GB to add value to the skateboarding community so that skateboarding continues to grow and thrive, with better and more spaces to skate, whilst providing best practice support so that skateboarding can take place in a fun and safe environment.

The Strategic Plan is based on four key pillars which focus on three distinct phases – Building, Refining and Transforming. The first phase (to 2025) will look at creating the appropriate system, programmes, people and culture in order to help transform skateboarding through grass roots to world class performance. In this period it will build purpose & capacity which adds value, supports growth & helps create community so that skateboarding continues to flourish.

James Hope-Gill, CEO of Skateboard GB said ‘It’s an amazing milestone for Skateboard GB to launch our first twelve year strategy and we are hugely excited about the potential growth of skateboarding in the UK. This strategic plan is really important as we look to attract investment into skateboarding to help us support the community to ensure that the sport flourishes, at both a local and national level.”.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England said “The publication of the strategic plan for Skateboard GB is an important step towards helping skateboarding grow and become more sustainable. The sport holds a distinct position with its emphasis on taking part, having fun and having recently made its debut in the Olympic Games. We look forward to continue working with Skateboard GB to realise their plans and use the power of skateboarding to help tackle inequalities across the country.”

Sally Munday, CEO at UK Sport, said: “It was fantastic to witness skateboarding enjoy such a successful Olympic debut in Tokyo this summer and we welcome the publication of Skateboard GB’s 12-year strategy as they look to support the growth of the sport at all levels. As a newer member of our high-performance community, skateboarding has made a significant impact and we look forward to working together with Skateboard GB to capitalise on their successes as we build towards Paris and beyond.”

Skateboard GB (SBGB) is the UK-wide governing body for skateboarding with responsibility for Olympic and the world class performance program (WCP), in addition to grassroots skateboarding and talent within England. 

SBGB was formed by the Home Nation governing bodies at the end of 2017 and in December 2020 restructured to include Skateboard England within its constitution. Skateboard Scotland, Skateboard:NI and a soon to be set-up Skateboard Wales are responsible for grassroots skateboarding in the home countries. 

Beijing’s Kuntai Group Named As World Wheelchair Curling Championship Title Sponsor

Beijing’s Kuntai Group has been named as the title sponsor of the World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2021 being hosted in the National Aquatic Centre from 23–30 October. The National Aquatic Centre will also be the curling venue for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and is known as the Ice Cube.

Established in 1992, the Kuntai Group is a state owned real estate and property management enterprise committed to urban space development and operation in the Chaoyang District of Beijing.

The Kuntai Group has been an active supporter of sport in the region, with the Group’s Kuntai Jiahua Hotel and Kuntai Hotel providing services for many international sporting events including the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, while the Kuntai Jiahe Hotel will serve the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Kuntai Group is committed to its development in the cultural and sports sectors to better serve and give back to society, while it’s Wenyu River Park is known for the construction of ecological civilisation and being the largest “green lung” in Beijing.

World Curling Federation President, Kate Caithness, said, “We are delighted to welcome the Kuntai Group to be a title sponsor of our World Wheelchair Championship. This event is our only test event ahead of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and as it is also the last championship where Paralympic Qualification points can be earned, it is a vitally important event in our 2021–2022 calendar.

“The Kuntai Group have a long history of involvement in sporting events and we are excited to welcome them into the curling family to help us showcase our wonderful wheelchair curling athletes on their journey qualify for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

Kuntai Group Chairman, Wei Ping, said, “It is a great honour to be named as the title sponsor of the World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2021, which is one of the most important international events before the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

“Twelve teams of excellent athletes will participate in this event. As a state-owned enterprise in Chaoyang District, the Kuntai group has always been committed to making positive contributions to the high-quality development of regional economy and society. Now the company is striving to transform into the culture and sports industry to better serve and give back to society.

“We hope that the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games can be held successfully and we are willing to make more contributions to promote international sports exchanges and national sports development. We wish the KUNTAI World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2021 achieves full success and all the athletes achieve excellent performance.”

The KUNTAI World Wheelchair Championship 2021 is the final event where Paralympic Qualification points can be earned for Beijing 2022 and will see 12 teams compete for their place in the Games and the 2021 world title.

The Association Of National Olympic Committees Of Africa And SPORTFIVE Agree Exclusive Marketing And Media Rights Partnership

ANOCA, the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, and the global sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE have signed a long-term commercial cooperation. As exclusive media and marketing rights partner, SPORTFIVE will be responsible for the exclusive distribution of all global media rights (excl. domestic FTA) and marketing rights (incl. domestic) of the African Games in 2023 and 2027. This partnership has been approved by the Executive Committee of the ANOCA at its 56th ordinary session held on 29-30 September 2021 in Abuja.

Joint target of the partnership is to drive the commercial and sporting value of the African Olympic movement. SPORTFIVE will act as a holistic partner providing ANOCA with its vast service portfolio alongside distribution, production and commercialization. In addition, SPORTFIVE will support the technical delivery of the African Games by providing strategic guidance, event planning, production services and operational expertise.

The African Games are a continental multi-sport event held every four years and sees more than 7,000 athletes and coaches from 50 nations competing in more than 20 sports. The sports programme includes main sports such as athletics, cycling, gymnastics and swimming as well as boat sports (i.e. rowing and sailing), team sports (i.e. basketball, football, handball), combat sports (i.e. boxing, fencing, karate), racquet sports such as tennis and squash and other sports (triathlon, equestrian).

Idriss Akki, Managing Director at SPORTFIVE Middle East & Africa, explains: “SPORTFIVE has long-term experience and proven track record in marketing African sports events. We are more than proud to work closely together with ANOCA and help take the African Olympic movement to the next level; and we are convinced that we will justify this shown trust in us by taking the African Olympic movement to the next level.”

Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, adds: “We have helped to stage some of the world’s largest, most successful sporting events and have been involved in just about every Games cycle since Sydney 2000.  We know from our own experience that every major sport event brings unique challenges and opportunities and are more than happy to support the African Olympic Movement with the technical implementation.”

On ANOCA’s side, Mr. Kamal Lahlou, ANOCA Vice-President and Chairman of the ANOCA Marketing Commission signed the contract with SPORTFIVE.

ANOCA President, Mustapha Berraf said he was deeply satisfied with this partnership agreement with SPORTFIVE which has been approved by the Executive Committee of the ANOCA at its 56th ordinary session held on 29-30 September 2021 in Abuja and opens up new horizons for the development of African sport and for our athletes.

World Rowing Appoints Vincent Gaillard As Executive Director

World Rowing, the international governing body for the sport of rowing, is pleased to announce the appointment of Vincent Gaillard (SUI) as its new Executive Director effective January 2022, replacing Matt Smith. Smith announced last year that he wished to step down by the end of 2021 after more than 25 years in the role, prompting the launch of an international recruitment process which has now been completed.

Matt Smith joined FISA as Development Director in 1992, before taking up his current position in 1995.  During his tenure, under the successive presidencies of Denis Oswald and Jean-Christophe Rolland, he has overseen an unprecedented development of the sport of rowing, as well as the development of World Rowing which now counts 156 member countries worldwide.

Matt Smith (left), World Rowing’s Executive Director, will step down from his position at the end of 2021 and will be replaced by Vincent Gaillard (right).

With international experience that includes the NBA, Coca-Cola’s Olympic and FIFA projects, and successively as CEO of GAISF and EPCR, Vincent will work alongside World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland and Council to develop the organisation’s current and future strategic plans, and will lead the staff from the headquarters in the Olympic capital of Lausanne. His priorities will notably include the global development of all rowing disciplines (including coastal and indoor rowing), the commercial promotion of rowing around the world and the acceleration of the organisation’s ongoing governance and sustainability efforts.

On Matt’s departure and Vincent’s appointment, Jean-Christophe said: “On behalf of all of us at World Rowing, I would like to warmly thank Matt for his immense contribution and dedication over almost three decades, which has not only allowed our sport to grow but also our organisation to become more professional. The arrival of Vincent starts a new chapter for World Rowing and his experience, including the development of commercial and sustainability strategies, is particularly well suited to the challenges that our organisation now faces.”

Gaillard added: “I am particularly honoured by the confidence placed in me by World Rowing and looking forward to contributing to the development of rowing around the world in the years to come, building on the outstanding work done by Matt. I am optimistic about the potential for growth in the various rowing disciplines, as well as with the organisation itself and I look forward to working with the entire World Rowing team to achieve it.”

Karamarinov Elected Sixth European Athletics President

Dobromir Karamarinov has been elected unopposed as European Athletics President at the 27th European Athletics Congress, a Special Election Congress, which was held at the Hotel Royal Savoy in Lausanne, Switzerland on Thursday morning.

Karamarinov becomes the sixth European Athletics President after Adriaan Paulen (1970-1976), Arthur Gold (1976-1987), Carl-Olaf Homen (1987-1999), Hansjorg Wirz (1999-2015) and Svein Arne Hansen (2015-2020). Karamarinov has served as Interim President since March 2020 after Hansen, who died in June 2020, was unable to fulfil his duties following a stroke. 

“Thank you, once again, for your support and for putting your trust in me. Though I was unopposed in today’s election, I do not take that support and trust for granted. To me, it is a huge honour to be elected as President, and to continue to serve European Athletics. I aim to do my very best to repay your support and trust,” said Karamarinov in his acceptance speech. 

Born in Bulgaria in 1958, Karamarinov was first elected to the European Athletics Council in 2007. After serving two terms as a Council Member he was elected as First Vice President in 2015 before serving as Interim President from March 2020.

Karamarinov was formerly an athletics coach and has a postgraduate degree in sports management. He is also the President of the Bulgarian Athletic Federation as well as the Association of the Balkan Athletic Federations.

In addition to Karamarinov’s election as European Athletics President, Jean Gracia (FRA) was elected Vice President ahead of Erich Teigamagi (EST) with 30 votes to 19 votes. He will serve alongside Cherry Alexander (GBR) and Libor Varhanik (CZE), both of whom were elected to serve full four year terms at the 2019 European Athletics Congress in Prague.

The two vacant positions on the European Athletics Council were filled by Juergen Kessing (GER) and Henryk Olszewski (POL) who received 42 and 28 votes respectively ahead of Frank Carreras (GIB) and Luis Figueiredo (POR) with 18 and 10 votes respectively.

There was a moment of silence at the start of the European Athletics Congress to remember some of the influential figures in the sport who have died since the European Athletics family last met in 2019, including former European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen (NOR).

Hansen was posthumously named Honorary President along with Adriaan Paulen (NED), the inaugural European Athletics President. 

27th European Athletics Congress

One of the seats on the Council was vacated by Frank Hensel (GER) who died in December 2020. Hensel, who served three-and-a-half terms on the European Athletics Council between 2007 and 2020, was given Honorary Membership of the Council. 

Plaques of Merits were awarded to Ants Nurmekivi (EST), Vincenzo Parrinello (ITA), Liam Hennessy (IRL) and Hans Mueller (SUI) and Golden Pins were awarded to Roland Gusenbauer (AUT), Olavi Sikka (EST), Annie Laurent (FRA), Roberto Fabbricini (ITA) and Karen Torneklint (SWE).

More information on European Athletics Honours can be found here.

The Golden Tracks award ceremony which takes place at the SwissTech Convention Center will be streamed live on European Athletics’ YouTube channel from 8.30pm CET.

The 2022 European Athletics Convention will be held in Estonia, Tallinn on 20-22 October and it was also decided today the 2023 European Athletics Congress will be held in Belgrade, Serbia on 21-23 April.