How To Bring Your Sports Travel Programme And Sustainability Efforts Together

In the week the COP26 Summit kicks off and many of the world’s major nations look at how they can come together in order to make the world a much more sustainable place, our friends at ATPI look at how to replicate this with your sports travel.

Prior to 2020 we saw a collective conscience raised in regards to caring for the environment and limiting our impact on it – an approach that even extended to sports travel and events.

Although the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic took priority last year, we are now seeing more organisations turn their attention back to the implementation of sustainability policies and ESG initiatives.

The good news for travel managers is that travel doesn’t have to be at odds with your team’s wider sustainability targets. There is a way to achieve a travel strategy that delivers what your organisation needs while also limiting its impact on the environment.

“Although offsetting your carbon footprint remains a quick fix rather than offering a long term solution, it’s still an important part of limiting our impact on the planet.”

Before doing anything, it’s important to talk to those closest to your travel programme – your travel managers, bookers and team. Gathering their opinions on what kind of changes would make the biggest impact, and importantly be the most achievable, is essential in creating a sustainability strategy that is realistic for your team – one that will produce results and fit your culture.

Carbon offsetting

Although offsetting your carbon footprint remains a quick fix rather than offering a long term solution, it’s still an important part of limiting our impact on the planet. Over 30 IATA member airlines have pledged to invest in carbon reduction projects by developing carbon offset programmes to neutralise their emissions. If it’s possible to travel for business using these airlines then teams can rest assured that they are making serious conservation efforts.

Further details of which airlines are involved in carbon offsetting can be found here. Your TMC should also be able to advise you in regards to adding C02 reporting to your current travel data, which will enable you to make more informed decisions when it comes to travel.

Questions to ask a prospective TMC about their sustainability efforts:

  • Can you negotiate with hotel suppliers and airlines, selected due to their sustainability efforts, to secure corporate rates and offers?
     
  • Do you have extensive and up-to-date knowledge of sustainability programmes implemented by travel suppliers and airlines currently?
     
  • How do you share updates on suppliers’ sustainability efforts?
     
  • Are you able to provide carbon reporting as part of travel data reports?
     
  • Are you able to provide bespoke reports? Is there a limit to how many reports can be provided per month/year?
  • Can travel data be presented in a dashboard format? Is it possible to customise this dashboard for our organisation?
     
  • Will you provide analytics showing our key travel trends? And advise on how we can use this to develop a more sustainable travel programme?
     
  • Can you provide advice regarding the sustainability efforts of our industry peers?
     
  • Are you able to offer us choice when it comes to how we offset our carbon emissions? 

What to look out for in your travel technology if achieving a more sustainable approach to travel is a priority for your organisation:

If your organisation is sending sustainability to the top of its travel agenda then it’s vital that your travel booking tool can help guide bookers into making more environmentally-friendly travel choices. Booking tools that clearly show carbon emissions, indicate which options fall within your organisation’s travel policy or offer more sustainable travel alternatives will be important as your organisation takes steps to become greener.


 

Sustainability And Sponsoring: Alibi? Fashion? Trend? Big Change?

Bernhard Spahni of MARTI-SPAHNI Management & Consulting Ltd shares his experience on how the priority of sustainability within sponsorship has been changing over recent times.

Sponsorship is changing. Characterized by changed values ​​among the target groups and, above all, among the companies. Corporate social responsibility and sustainability are no longer just an alibi or part of good manners. No, these topics are high on the priority list of stakeholders (investors, customers, suppliers, opinion leaders and employees).

“It wasn’t long ago that the partly artificial or better sought-after integration of a charity component was enough to give a project the desired touch of “social responsibility”.”

It wasn’t long ago that the partly artificial or better sought-after integration of a charity component was enough to give a project the desired touch of “social responsibility”. A generous donation to a charity was the greatest feeling. It was considered as exemplary and even received the status of a “charitable event”, which, for example, in the USA suspended certain corporate governance rulings. Thanks to generous donations, it was even possible to invite customers to golf tournaments.

Then came the phase of in-house projects in the social or funding area. As a further dimension of an event or an organization, additional projects were launched. Young talent projects, own foundations, projects with disadvantaged groups were created, actively promoted and staged in the media. Intensive and real, but still a side-project.

And today? The companies place high priority on the sustainability of sponsorship projects.

“The fact that a sports event that takes place every three years has become a 3-year project provides additional benefits and brings real added value to the sponsors and partners.”

For many companies, the first question we are asked when dealing with clients is: “How can we make our commitments more sustainable”. The sustainability message moves into focus, the sponsored athlete, artist, or influencer becomes a platform or messenger for these messages. The attractiveness and media presence of top events and projects are used to convey sustainable topics in a credible manner.

A good example of this is “The Ocean Race” in sailing. Their focus is on the sustainability of the world’s oceans. The organizer is committed at all levels and creates real added value, giving the basic project “circumnavigating the world” a contemporary image and attention. The fact that a sports event that takes place every three years has become a 3-year project provides additional benefits and brings real added value to the sponsors and partners. For me it is a perfect example.

So, the answer to the question in the title is clear to me: a big change is underway. The topic of “sustainability and social commitment” is moving into the center and is becoming a differentiating factor.

About Marti-Spahni:

MARTI-SPAHNI Management & Consulting Ltd is a partner-run marketing agency based in Baar, Switzerland and specializes in sponsoring, sports and event marketing. The partners have a wide range of know-how and a impressive global network in the fields of sport and culture from their global roles. Christof Marti headed up the Global Sponsorship and Events Dept. at UBS and Bernhard Spahni disrupted the sports events landscape as Global Head of Sport Event Marketing at Red Bull. 

Marti-Spahni is characterized by individual, creative and innovative as well as classic solutions for its clients. For more information, please check our website: www.marti-spahni.ch

iSportConnect Welcome InCrowd As The Latest Member Of Our Consultancy Division

London, November 2021 – iSportConnect, the world’s largest private sport business network, are incredibly excited to be able to reveal data and sports marketing company InCrowd as the latest organisation to join our roster of consultancy clients.

At InCrowd’s core is their Customer Data and Experience Platform (CDXP) which powers a suite of digital and data tools that enable sports organisations, venues and media to capture, maintain and monetise audience attention through interactive and personalised fan experiences, growing databases and driving significant ROI for the organisation and commercial partners.  

With supporting professional content, data and strategic consultancy services, InCrowd are uniquely positioned in the industry to provide a full, yet flexible, end-to-end solution to lead digital transformations.

InCrowd works with UEFA, FIFA, EFL, Sky Sports, Premiership Rugby, URC, Rugby Football League, Formula 1, ECB, ICC, Indian Premier League and multiple clubs across the Premier League and Championship, helping them deeply connect with their fans converting fan interaction into ROI & advocacy.

“There is a significant value gap between how sport is delivering content and how fans are consuming content and also between how brands are buying campaigns and how sport is packaging its sponsorships and partnerships. This means that the most effective way to drive value for organisations is to transform how they engage and communicate with their audience, utilising fan data to create personalised content and digital experiences across high-quality fan facing platforms.” said InCrowd CEO, Aidan Cooney. “We are excited to work with iSportConnect in cultivating relationships with organisations that share our vision and that continue to be bold in their digital and data transformation journeys”.

“I’ve known many of the InCrowd team for a few years and have watched their business develop and grow as they have created their own proprietary offering. It’s a team of really smart and impressive people. As we all know, if you’re not using data to take your business forward in 2021 then you are being left behind,” said iSportConnect Chief Strategy Officer Sandy Case.

“Personalisation and understanding your fan has become incredibly vital to getting the most out of these relationships. InCrowd can provide valuable knowledge and expertise to help improve your business and we are looking forward to getting to work alongside them and helping them grow.”

iSportConnect Consultancy

iSportConnect’s consultancy division works to help our clients with commercial development, marketing and communications and global sports market entry and business strategy. Our consultancy clients include the likes of Vindicia, Tata Communications and Infront X, among others.

About iSportConnect

iSportConnect was launched in 2010 with the aim of bringing together sports business professionals around the world in a networking community enabling them to meet one another, find information and obtain access to a wide range of relevant services. The platform is now the largest global private network of sport business executives, where membership is exclusive and follows a strict door policy.

FIFA Clearing House Rollout Highlights Capability Gap At Many FIFA Member Associations

Jason Anderson and David Fowler look at how a new initiative being launched by FIFA is showing just how much work there is to be done at many member associations in order to catch up on their data processes.

In June 2018, FIFA first proposed to license and operate a new “Clearing House” to centrally manage transfer payments. Some in the football world thought it would never happen.

The FIFA Clearing House was borne out of FIFA’s own research which showed that an increasing number of clubs were not fulfilling their payment obligations in relation to training compensation and solidarity contributions — collectively referred to as “training rewards”. First introduced in FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) in 2001, these payments are supposed to be triggered when a player signs his* first professional contract or transfers internationally. The intent is to reward the player’s training club(s) for their contribution to his development. Historically, less than 10% of these payments are paid.

“To power this new global transfer payment system, FIFA requires each of its 211 member associations to implement electronic player registration systems that provide registration information for all players.”

On 25 September 2018, FIFA’s plans to address this went public as the Football Stakeholders Committee gave their stamp of approval to the Clearing House. Centralising the payment of solidarity and training compensation, agents’ commissions and transfer fees will have a profound effect on the business of amateur football, but are FIFA’s Member Associations equipped to deliver on FIFA’s promises?

To power this new global transfer payment system, FIFA requires each of its 211 member associations to implement electronic player registration systems that provide registration information for all players — amateur and professional — from the age of 12, via the FIFA Connect Service. To remove any doubt, the latest FIFA RSTP states emphatically that, “only electronically registered players identified with a FIFA ID are eligible to participate in organised football.” 

FIFA’s Member Associations are now waking up to the realisation that FIFA is serious about enforcing compliance with their digital reforms. Despite multiple delays, the FIFA Clearing House is expected to launch in early 2022 and FIFA has been busy emailing its member associations to inform them of the penalty for non-compliance. The member association — not the signing club — will be responsible to pay training compensation claims in cases where the member association’s systems or data are found to be non-compliant. 

“What is becoming increasingly clear is that many member associations are simply not equipped to manage technology projects of such complexity.”

What is becoming increasingly clear is that many member associations are simply not equipped to manage technology projects of such complexity. Building bespoke, mission-critical solutions without an experienced technology lead and support team is a recipe for financial and compliance disaster. Off the shelf, SaaS registration and competition systems can be part of a solution but not all are created equally and a subscription does not equal compliance. 

Our advice to member associations is that boots on the ground with an understanding of your unique requirements — as well as FIFAs — are essential. In essence, FIFA have created a new industry, but with few experts and no one-size-fits-all solutions.

The good news is that FIFA’s reforms are creating commercial opportunities for member associations that can manage the inherent complexity. Done properly, electronic player registration and competition management solutions should form a foundation to engage with players, parents & fans while creating value for sponsors and generating significant ROI for the member association.

About The Authors

Jason Anderson is COO and co-founder of Inqaku FC, developers of South Africa’s only FIFA-integrated digital player registration platform, MYSAFA. With over 400K players and 8,000 clubs registered and assigned FIFA IDs to date, MYSAFA is by far the most successful sports registration and competition management system in Africa.

David Fowler is a Co-Founder of SportsTech Match (and Digital & Data Consultant at iSportConnect). SportsTech Match was founded in 2020 and aims to simplify the procurement of sports technology solutions. Sports federations, leagues and teams at all levels can submit anonymous Requests For Information via SportsTech Match and be matched with the vendors best placed to deliver on their unique requirements.

Contact Jason or David to discuss how they can help you define your requirements, connect you with the right solutions and ensure that you approach FIFA’s RSTP reforms as an opportunity for growth rather than a never ending exercise in compliance and spiraling costs.

*To date, training rewards are only applicable to men’s football.

NAGRA And International Bowling Federation Launch StrikeCloud, A Digital Transformation Initiative

The International Bowling Federation (IBF), the world’s governing body for the sport of bowling, and NAGRA, a Kudelski Group company and the world’s leading independent provider of content protection and multiscreen video solutions have announced the launch of StrikeCloud, a digital transformation initiative taking a disruptive and innovative approach to unleash the potential of one of the largest participated sports in the world.

Delivered through a gamified, content-rich loyalty app, fans and players will have one global access point to experience every aspect of the sport of bowling made possible through three fully gamified pillars – Watch, Play and Train.

StrikeCloud is the realization of a major expansion for IBF, with new leadership and significant digital transformation ambitions to change the way players, fans, proprietors, bowling infrastructure and merchandising manufacturers and sponsors engage with the sport. Its inclusive design is purpose-built to ensure foundations have been built to serve all personas involved in the game, from professional athletes to aspiring players, grassroot participants, and recreational bowlers, all have access to everything they need through a seamless and user-friendly experience.

“With StrikeCloud we have started an ambitious program that will enhance what is truly a dynamic sport for the 20-million fans of elite bowling and 225-million bowlers who regularly enjoy the sport at the 12,800 bowling centers across the globe,” said Andrew Oram, IBF CEO. “By working with NAGRA, we’re merging a broad spectrum of technologies and services with our wider global business vision to change the nature of the sport for all participants. This is the start of a major business transformation that will energize everyone involved in the sport of bowling and expand the sport to new levels.”

StrikeCloud’s comprehensive approach includes a host of smart technologies to deliver the ultimate bowling experience built around content. The video capture is powered by SPORFIE – a venture of NAGRA – which provides a fully automated and cost-effective video production platform including multi angle live streaming, using mounted or mobile cameras and, for the first time in the world of bowling, real-time automated highlight clips that can be triggered per Player, per Strike/Score or for every throw. While leveraging the power of content, StrikeCloud introduces a set of technologies creating an enriched experience under the Watch, Play and Train pillars.

Every match at fingertips: With access to thousands of competitions, users can watch, follow and interact with their favorite tournament, leagues, clubs and players.

World’s first immersive coaching program: StrikeCloud will deliver a fully automated, personalized video and data capture that allows bowlers at any level to instantly watch replays of throws, clip segments, analyze techniques and share with coaches, family, friends and all social media channels.

Interactive player immersion: Game, score and pin prediction enable users to play along virtually, while watching and assessing players and techniques.

Gamification for fan engagement: Quizzes, polls and arcade games can be accessed to provoke friendly competition.

Live and virtual training: StrikeCloud players and aspiring athletes can train live or virtually either independently or with coaches and other professional players who are connected via StrikeCloud.

Integrated rewards program: The Watch, Train and Play pillars are linked to a full package of achievement rewards linked to a user’s profile that will be available for redemption via a multitude of partnerships and further encourage motivation between users.

“With IBF we are delivering an amazing digital and business transformation journey that exceeds industry expectations,” said Nancy Goldberg, CMO & EVP Kudelski Group. “Together, we are building a new level of loyalty, engagement and sport gamification for bowling with a bright business future for all stakeholders, that transcends the technology.”

Chelsea And DreamSetGo Unveil New Partnership For Indian Fans

Chelsea Football Club have joined forces with DreamSetGo who become our first-ever Official Indian Fan Experience Partner, helping to bring Blues supporters in India closer to the club than ever before.

DreamSetGo are India’s first premium bespoke sports travel and experiences platform and will now use our partnership to offer a range of unique experiences for Chelsea’s fans in the country.

The partnership will provide Indian Blues supporters with increased access to VIP matchday hospitality at Stamford Bridge, private meet-and-greet sessions with club legends, VIP stadium tours, signed merchandise and exclusive chances to attend first-team training.

DreamSetGo will also be offering an amazing experience specifically for younger Chelsea fans in India, with the chance to travel to our training ground in Cobham and take part in their own training sessions, led by experienced Chelsea Foundation coaches.

Meanwhile, companies in India will be able to make use of unique incentive trips and bespoke board meeting experiences at the home of the Blues, Stamford Bridge.

‘We are proud to partner with DreamSetGo and bring Indian fans closer to the club through truly unique experiences,’ said Chelsea chief executive Guy Laurence.

‘India is home to millions of Chelsea fans and we aim to leverage DreamSetGo’s expertise to devise bespoke tours for the ever-growing fanbase in the region.’

Founded in 2019, DreamSetGo curates premium, end-to-end, authentic sports travel packages across football, cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf, among other sports, and is part of India’s leading sports technology company Dream Sports.

Monish Shah, co-founder and chief business officer at DreamSetGo, added: ‘We are thrilled to be the Official Indian Fan Experience Partner of Chelsea FC, one of the world’s most famous football clubs.

‘This partnership marks our first with an English football club and we look forward to curating unforgettable experiences taking fans and travellers through the fascinating stories of the club.’

Greg Norman Named CEO Of LIV Golf Investments, Group Launches Ten New Asian Tour Events

Former world #1 and World Golf Hall of Fame member, Greg Norman, has today been announced as CEO of a newly formed company, LIV Golf Investments, a move which will set in motion a number of momentous developments for professional golf worldwide.

Norman’s first order of business is the announcement of a ground-breaking series of 10 new marquee events to be staged annually on the Asian Tour over the next 10 years, representing a total commitment of over $200m to support playing opportunities and prize funds. The move represents one of the single biggest investments in the history of professional golf.

The series will be added to the Asian Tour schedule from 2022 onwards, with new events across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. It has been designed to drive greater engagement amongst fans, attract new commercial interest and to help stabilize professional golf following a sustained period of worldwide disruption and uncertainty.

“This is only the beginning,” commented Norman. “LIV Golf Investments has secured a major capital commitment that will be used to create additive new opportunities across worldwide professional golf. We will be a cooperative and respectful supporter of the game at every level, and today’s announcement alongside the Asian Tour is the first example of that.

“I have been a staunch supporter and believer in playing and developing golf in Asia for more than four decades. The Asian Tour is a sleeping giant and we share ambition to grow the series and unlock what we believe is significant untapped potential. We see our promotion of these new events as a vital first step in supporting emerging markets, creating a new platform, rich with playing opportunities that create valuable player pathways.”

LIV Golf Investments has been established with group companies in the USA, UK, with Asian offices to follow. Several high-profile C-Suite executives have already been appointed, with further announcements to follow in due course. PIF, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds with a diverse international investment portfolio, is the majority shareholder in the new company. Plans are in place to introduce further investment partners, who share the passion and belief in how new opportunities in professional golf can create widespread benefit for fans and players.

“This is the single biggest development in the history of the Asian Tour and a major milestone for professional golf,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Asian Tour. “The opportunity will secure unprecedented new playing opportunities, establish new player pathways, allow us to compete commercially with other sports, and enhance our social agenda.

“We are particularly excited at the prospect today’s landmark announcement brings to the amateur game, providing new inspiration to aspiring players through a new level of top-flight professional competition in the region.”

The series will add to the Asian Tour’s backbone of established events to comprise a 25-event season, expected to represent a record-breaking combined prize-fund in 2022. Each of the 10 new events will be broadcast live across the globe, with plans to attract an international field of headline talent through an open eligibility category regardless of Tour affiliation so opportunities are available to the broadest cross section of players.

Today’s announcement closely follows the striking of a new 10-year partnership between the Asian Tour and Golf Saudi, the organisers of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, which will see the event become the flagship tournament on the Asian Tour, featuring an impressive increased prize fund of $5m. The Saudi International will not be one of the 10 new events to feature as part of the new series but will itself provide enhanced exemption requirements. 

Further signals of increased prosperity for the Asian Tour also came recently with the announcement that competitive play will soon recommence following a postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its suspended 2020/21 season will draw to a close with the staging of two new tournaments in Thailand in November and December 2021, and two further tournaments planned for Singapore in January 2022.

The new series of 10 events will take place throughout 2022, with all full-field events contributing towards the Order of Merit ranking. 

Further details on the new series, including a reveal of the brand and series name, will follow in the near future. 

About The Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of professional golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. The Tour is officially recognised by the Official World Golf Ranking and provides its events with valuable ranking points for participants to be recognised on the world stage. It is also an affiliate of The R&A. Tour Partners include Rolex (Timekeeper), Habitat for Humanity (Sustainable Development Partner), Titleist (Web Partner) and FootJoy (Tour Supplier). The corporate headquarters of the Asian Tour is based in Sentosa, which is the home of Asian Golf while Sentosa Golf Club is part of an exclusive network of properties under the Asian Tour Destinations. The Tour also has an office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

About LIV Golf Investments
LIV Golf Investments is a newly formed company, with group companies in the USA and UK, with Asian offices to follow. Its remit is to holistically improve the health of professional golf on a truly global scale and support existing stakeholders to help unlock the sports’ untapped potential. Greg Norman is the first and founding CEO of LIV Golf Investments. PIF, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds with a diverse international investment portfolio, is the majority shareholder in LIV Golf Investments.

Australian Open And WOWOW To Expand Coverage In Japan

Tennis Australia and Japanese broadcaster WOWOW have announced a significant extension and expansion to their long-term broadcast relationship, and in January 2022 will bring all the fun and excitement of the Australian Open to more viewers in Japan than ever before.

As Australian Open 2022 marks 30 years of broadcasting the tournament, WOWOW is expanding their AO coverage to more than 14 hours a day on its linear sports channels, and for the first time, will live stream matches from all 16 broadcast courts. AO lead-in events will also be included.

“We are delighted to extend our agreement with WOWOW, one of our most long-standing broadcasters, as we celebrate 30 years of partnership,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.

“Our fans in Japan treat the Australian Open as their ‘home’ slam, and with WOWOW’s innovation and commitment to their most comprehensive coverage ever of the AO, our Japanese fans will be able to follow the action from every court in January.”“Our fans in Japan treat the Australian Open as their ‘home’ slam, and … (they) will be able to follow the action from every court in January.” – Craig Tiley, discussing WOWOW’s innovation and commitment to broadcasting the Australian Open in Japan.

Added WOWOW Inc President and CEO Akira Tanaka: “It is my great pleasure to celebrate the 30th anniversary of partnership with Tennis Australia and our broadcast of the Australian Open Tennis Tournament, one of the four Grand Slams, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Tennis Australia for this long-term, wonderful relationship.

“In the past, we have broadcast many historic moments from the AO that brought huge excitement to Japanese tennis fans.

“In 1994, Kimiko Date, who is currently working with us as a WOWOW Tennis Ambassador, reached the women’s singles semifinals, and in 2012, Kei Nishikori proceeded to the quarterfinals as the first Japanese men’s singles player in 80 years. The amazing result of Naomi Osaka is still a fresh memory, becoming the AO Grand Slam champion in 2019 and 2021. 

“This year, we launched a new service called WOWOW Tennis World from AO 2021 to offer more fun to the fans, and we are pleased the content and services were well received, including the live streaming of practice courts and press conferences.   

“In 2022, the Australian Open will be the first Grand Slam we have broadcast all matches live via WOWOW On Demand and WOWOW Tennis World. We will continue to provide services to convey the fascination, excitement and emotion the players create, through our new initiatives, and with the support of Tennis Australia, that should help raise the level of tennis culture in Japan.”

Linear To Digital To D2C

iSportConnect’s Commercial Director Brandon Garcia says we should all be embracing the tech revolutions around sport as they fly into our world.

Imagine being able to immerse yourself in the play right from your home, to the left point toward your favourite player’s stats, your preferred replay angle, to right away purchasing the team’s t-shirt, a burger offer, an NFT collectible from Ronaldo’s hat trick.

It’s all possible and coming faster than we could ever have imagined – it’s time for us all to embrace it.

NFT deals are happening with extreme regularity, but this is just the beginning, eventually they will be everywhere. While it may seem like there have been a huge amount of deals done within the NFT space in recent times, there is still so much of the industry that is not covered, particularly outside of the major sports.

Let us think of Direct-to Consumer (D2C) as the most transformative shift in broadcasting for this generation.

The industry has now all the tools, OTT is now becoming cheap with many platforms offering a plethora of rights, high performing cloud solutions to have content ready before you blink, and 5G connectivity to feel the experience better than on a sunny day at the Wimbledon, we have virtual merchandising and the digital art collections – we have it all.

It is now, however, becoming a much greater challenge for those who are not in the mainstream of sport to get coverage and yet, at the same time, through all of this technology they are more accessible than ever before.

The majority of TV deals are covered by the major leagues but through the advancements technologically it is now much easier for smaller sports to be able to broadcast themselves in order to keep their fans engaged.

Before now, unless you were in attendance at these matches there would little to no ways of seeing them, maybe somebody with a camera would have recorded a couple of clips or taken some pictures, now you can often get live updates from most games.

Social media’s part in this cannot be ignored as well when we talk about D2C, it has allowed the communication channels between clubs, leagues and organisations to the fan to be so much more direct.

As we have seen very clearly it has maximised this with players and fans too, for the better most would say but this is not without its issues.

But back to rights and the curiosity still remains, how will premium rightsholders take this opportunity and become a media business in their own right, the Premier League have already mentioned potentially creating their own OTT channel, who will be bold enough to take this huge step and move away from the major broadcasters.

And does this all translate into a mega opportunity for the federations who have never produced content to engage and grow a new fanbase?

Not too long a wait to see.

PUBG Mobile Announces Liverpool FC Collaboration

Today, PUBG MOBILE has announced a collaboration with the world-famous Liverpool Football Club, which will add branded outfits and items for players to unlock. This relationship is the first time PUBG MOBILE has collaborated directly with a football club. Players will have the opportunity to earn the free and exclusive in-game Liverpool FC gear through participating in and completing a series of classic mode games.

Champions of the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup and 2018–19 UEFA Champions League, Liverpool FC is recognized as one of the very best football clubs of the Premier League and have earned themselves a reputation as a true team player. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” has been the club’s anthem since 1968, expressing the team spirit and unity that is at the very core of the club. The values that Liverpool FC embody and instill are an inspiration to many among the PUBG MOBILE community and through this collaboration, players will now be able to don official Liverpool FC gear and show their support for the team.

Drew Crisp, Senior Vice President, Digital, Liverpool FC, said: “In an increasingly digital world, we pride ourselves on being able to innovate and engage with our fans on the vast array of digital platforms they favour. With the realm of online gaming growing and evolving amongst our fans, PUBG MOBILE is the perfect platform to connect with them in a different but very relevant context – intertwining the world of online gaming and football through the power of games and play. This is a great opportunity for supporters to embrace their love of the club and interact with LFC on one of their favourite platforms, bringing together the physical interactive nature of football into the digital interactive world of gaming.”

“In PUBG MOBILE, teamwork is a core principle to those who seek to win. In collaborating with Liverpool Football Club, a team renowned for their courageous camaraderie, we have found a perfect partner,” said Vincent Wang, Head of PUBG MOBILE Publishing, Tencent Games. “As we continue to strengthen our current bonds and develop prominent partnerships with iconic industry leaders, we look forward to further integrating the world of football into PUBG MOBILE.”

The agency responsible for introducing these two top organization’s was EMW Global, Michael Rocha-Keys CEO at the agency said: “PUBG MOBILE and Liverpool Football Club are two of the most exciting and successful brands in the world at present, and the innovative partnership they’ve formed together will be a landmark moment for the sports and mobile gaming industries.”

The collaboration between PUBG MOBILE and Liverpool FC is part of the new Version 1.6 update, bringing new content, game modes, and several exciting collaborations to the game.