BWF And HSBC Agree To World Tour Deal Extension

In the spirit of a fantastic first four years in partnership together, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and its Principal Global Partner and title sponsor of the BWF World Tour, HSBC, can confirm they have extended their current commercial relationship by one year.

This announcement aligns with the extension of the current HSBC BWF World Tour hosting cycle until the end of 2022. It also consolidates the reputation of the HSBC BWF World Tour as one of the world’s premiere sporting circuits in a forever changing climate.

The global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic meant it was necessary for the BWF to extend its hosting contracts by one extra year. BWF would like to thank HSBC for their continued commitment to the delivery of the HSBC BWF World Tour and global promotion of badminton.

The HSBC BWF World Tour 2021 season ends with a three-tournament Asian leg in Bali, Indonesia culminating with the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals from 1-5 December 2021.

Both BWF and HSBC will then look forward to a bumper 2022 season where together we aim to elevate the electric HSBC BWF World Tour to new levels as part of the extended partnership deal.

IMG Appoints Jo Ormston As Director Of Business Development

IMG has appointed highly-experienced broadcast professional Jo Ormston to the newly-created position of Director of Business Development for its global production business, one of the largest producers of sports programming in the world.

In this role, Ormston will explore and develop content and programming opportunities for new and existing production clients as a direct report of Stephen Cook, IMG’s SVP, Director of Content. She is based at IMG Studios at Stockley Park, near London’s Heathrow Airport.

Cook said: “Jo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise and understands the business of production from both a broadcaster and federation point of view. With content consumption trends ever-changing, Jo will play an essential role in ensuring we stay connected to the various trends, platforms and key players across the world of sport.”

Ormston set up her own production company OrchestraBlue in 2012 with a roster of clients including UEFA (Euro 2020), Gfinity (Qatar WEGA Esports Global Games), HBS (FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia and FIFA World Cup 2014 Brazil) and EXPO 2020 in Dubai. She was also brought in by BT Sport to plan broadcast operations for the Champions League from 2015-18.

Ormston has also worked with RedBull Media and World Sports Group and on four Olympic Games, winning the IOC Golden Rings Award at the 2012 London Olympics for host broadcast for sailing. Previously, she was with independent production company North One, where she was Head of Production for World Rally Championships from 2001-2011, with additional responsibility for Olympic projects and North One Australia.

Coinbase Becomes Exclusive Cryptocurrency Platform Partner Of The NBA/WNBA/NBA G League/NBA 2K League And USA Basketball

Coinbase Global, Inc. and the National Basketball Association today announced a multiyear partnership that makes Coinbase the exclusive cryptocurrency platform partner of the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball.

The deal, which marks the first cryptocurrency platform partnership for each league, will consist of unique content, innovations, activations and experiences from Coinbase to educate fans on the increasing advancements happening across the cryptoeconomy. Beginning with tonight’s tip off of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary season, Coinbase will have a brand presence featured during nationally televised games.  The company will also become the presenting partner of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup and the USA Basketball men’s and women’s national team exhibition tours, as well as a partner of NBA G League Ignite.

“The freedom to participate and benefit from the things you believe in is at the heart of Coinbase’s mission.  Nobody believes this more than NBA and WNBA fans. We’re proud to become the Leagues’ official cryptocurrency partner,” said Kate Rouch, Chief Marketing Officer of Coinbase. “As part of the partnership, we will create interactive experiences to engage with the NBA and WNBA’s incredible community and athletes around the world.”

“As a trusted cryptocurrency platform used by millions, Coinbase is a natural fit as the NBA’s first-ever partner in this thriving category,” said Kerry Tatlock, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing Partnerships and Media, NBA.  “We look forward to collaborating with Coinbase to provide fans with new ways to engage with the league and each other, while also enhancing the experience for fans who are already Coinbase users.”

“Our partnership with Coinbase is representative of the WNBA’s emphasis on innovation as we continue to find opportunities to meet our fans where they are,” said Phil Cook, WNBA Chief Marketing Officer.  “As we build off the success of the WNBA’s first 25 seasons, innovating alongside Coinbase will help us explore the future of fan engagement.”

CEV Selects Genius Sports As Its Official Technology Partner To Drive The Digital Transformation Of European Volleyball

The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) and Genius Sports Limited (NYSE: GENI) (“Genius Sports”), the official data, technology and commercial partner that powers the ecosystem connecting sports, betting and media, have agreed on a long-term technology and integrity partnership.

As part of the new agreement, all major men’s and women’s CEV competitions across indoor, beach and snow volleyball will be powered by Genius Sports’ leading suite of scoring, coaching and competition management solutions to drive the sport’s digital transformation.

e-Scoresheet, the preeminent live scoring solution in world volleyball for over a decade, has now been specifically developed for beach and snow, providing CEV with consistent and official match scoresheets across dozens of competitions such as CEV EuroBeachVolley, the CEV Beach Volleyball Continental Tour, and the CEV Snow Volleyball European Tour.

CEV fans, statisticians, coaches, administrators, and members will benefit from Genius Sports’ leading data-driven solutions, streamlining key processes such as delivering real-time statistics to fans, digitally managing competitions, and allocating referees to matches. 

As the trusted integrity partner to the National Football League, English Premier League and Euroleague Basketball, Genius Sports will also help to preserve the transparency and fairness of European Volleyball from betting-related corruption. Its Bet Monitoring System will analyse 24/7 betting activity on all CEV competitions, cross-referencing real-time odds movements with predictive algorithms to automatically flag any potentially suspicious activity.

Aleksandar Boričić, CEV President, said: “The partnership with Genius Sports is a pivotal piece of our long-term vision to modernise Volleyball and its governance. We wish to innovate at all levels and the latest solutions provided by Genius Sports will be playing a key role in supporting our efforts to engage with our passionate fans even further and to provide a standardised, high-quality digital experience across all of our competitions.”

Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports, said: “Providing sports with cutting-edge solutions to maximise the value of their live data and streamline the running of their competitions has been a central part of our business for more than 20 years. This approach is more important than ever for us and our partners and we are proud that our partnership with CEV will drive the growth and digital transformation of European Volleyball across indoor, beach and snow.” 

Sports Technology Appointed “Official Provider” To Birmingham 2022

Sports Technology (ST) has been appointed Official Provider of Large Video Screens and Audio Services for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Alongside LED and PA systems in the majority of the venues, ST will provide a broad range of audio-visual services including an innovative and highly flexible signal distribution network in every venue, providing a fully integrated IP based solution for all non-broadcast audio, video and data distribution. The avIP network will be an evolution of ST parent company NEP’s acclaimed proprietary TFC system developed to manage global remote production and IP based broadcast solutions.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will see around 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories compete in 19 sports across 14 competition venues from 28 July until 8 August 2022. As the biggest event ever to be held in the West Midlands, it is expected to attract more than one million spectators to the city and have a global TV audience of 1.5 billion. 

A key element of ST’s winning proposal was their social engagement plan which includes a partnership with West Midlands based Resonance College and a measurable commitment to engage local businesses and contractors across all aspects of the 2022 delivery.

ST and UK sister company Creative Technology are entering into a long-term relationship with the college which will include support with training, technology and an ambitious work placement and internship programme both for Games time workforce and the longer term, bringing real opportunity to young people in the technical disciplines of the performing arts in the West Midlands.

Damian Rowe, Managing Director of Sports Technology, commented from Tokyo: “This will be our third consecutive full-service AV delivery at a Commonwealth Games and third consecutive Games as an ‘Official Provider’. Over the last 12 years we have expanded our social engagement model around these Games and are excited to be able to provide solid and tangible opportunities to aspiring youngsters from the West Midlands. We already have a full-time project manager embedded in the technology department at Birmingham 2022 and look forward to building a team of around 125 people over the next nine to ten months including experienced project and technical specialists supported by local contractors and workforce wherever possible.”

Sports Technology CEO Dave Crump added: “As a global event technology supplier with our roots firmly in the UK we are excited to be continuing our journey with the Commonwealth Games which started 36 years ago in Edinburgh. As an organisation we value our long-term relationship 

with the Games and are looking forward to providing further technical innovation whilst bringing real opportunity to young people in Birmingham.”

Laurence Smith, Head of Venue Technology for Birmingham 2022 said: “It’s great to have Sports Technology on board as they join us as our Official Provider of Large Video Screens and Audio Services for Birmingham 2022. Sports Technology are globally renowned for their successful delivery of multi-sport event AV, so we are delighted to be working with them to stage the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. They have fully embraced the Birmingham 2022 Social Values Charter, making tangible commitments to involve local AV technicians and students in the delivery of this event, forming relationships and legacies that will last well beyond 2022.”

CGF Executive Director Martin Reynolds said: “We are delighted to welcome Sports Technology back for the third consecutive Commonwealth Games.

As the Birmingham 2022 Official Provider of Large Video Screens and Audio Services, Sports Technology will play a huge role in helping us deliver the Games while their commitment to the region as part of this partnership will help create a lasting legacy for the local community.”

McLaren Racing And Dell Technologies Announce Multi-Year Extension To Their Long-Standing Partnership

McLaren Racing has today announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with Dell Technologies. Together they will continue to drive innovation and push the boundaries of human-machine performance on the track and beyond. Their work together does not stop at technology – they will collaborate on programmes to ensure their societal and environmental impact drives success across the industry and help achieve their 2030 goals, focusing on STEM education, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable practices.

The partnership, which began in 2018, strives to grow technological innovation with Dell Technologies’ hardware and software solutions being seamlessly integrated into McLaren’s day-to-day functions including trackside and base operations, fan engagement and guest experience.

During the coronavirus pandemic, McLaren and Dell joined forces to successfully launch McLaren Substitute Teacher, an award-winning video series designed to bring STEM subjects to life through the lens of Formula 1 for students around the world.

Substitute Teacher provides the opportunity to learn from Dell and McLaren’s best and brightest about the analytics, physics, speed, health, and technology that comes together to make F1 happen. This initiative exemplifies both companies’ commitment to STEM education and digital inclusion, proving the vast range and global impact of this partnership.

Additionally, McLaren and Dell will partner together to expand their deep technical relationship and deliver a step change in High Performance Computing (HPC) capabilities. Dell’s HPC helps McLaren study, test and prototype aerodynamic changes to the car – developing a greater technical performance capacity for this season’s car and beyond.

The Dell Technologies brand will continue to be carried on the McLaren F1 MCL35M race cars, the McLaren F1 driver overalls of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, pit-crew overalls, team shirts, transporters and across the McLaren F1 garage.

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing said: 

“Our partnership with Dell Technologies has enabled innovation across our like-minded organisations and pushes the boundaries with data. The partnership has not only continued to develop from a technical point of view but has seen growth to a wider audience with the successful content series, Dell Substitute Teacher which helps to bring STEM subjects to life for students through Formula 1.

“McLaren and Dell Technologies strive to take important leaps in performance across the board, and as two brands who share the same ethos, the partnership continues to propel us towards furthering this mission.”

Liz Matthews, Senior Vice President of Global Brand & Creative at Dell Technologies said:

“Dell Technologies is honoured to continue growing our partnership with McLaren – working together to show the power of technology in racing and society. How our two companies align beyond the racetrack is truly something special; from our education efforts to better prepare the next generation for the workforce of the future, to creating the fastest Edge device at 220+ MPH, I’m excited to see this partnership flourish for years to come.”

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).