Etisalat And STARZPLAY Partner On Exclusive Rights To Broadcast And Stream The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 In The MENA Region

Etisalat, one of the world’s leading telecom groups in emerging markets, today announced it has won the rights from Star TV Network to broadcast the most anticipated and action-packed ICC Men’s T20 World Cup across the MENA region. It will partner with STARZPLAY, MENA region’s leading subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, to ensure all cricket fans across the region enjoy the full series.

The broadcast rights for the MENA belong exclusively to Etisalat and the partnership with STARZPLAY will give cricket fans access to all 45 matches taking place in the UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14, 2021.

Regional cricket fans eagerly waiting for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 can enjoy all the cricket frenzy and live the game on CricLife Max channel via Etisalat’s eLife TV, Switch TV and the STARZPLAY app in UAE, while subscribers in the rest of the MENA region can enjoy the game exclusively via STARZPLAY. CricLife Max is broadcasting all the matches LIVE along-with highlights, pre-shows and post-match analysis, with full match replays on the other CricLife channels. 

Cricket is already a permanent feature on Switch TV. Now through the deal with Etisalat, STARZPLAY will also be streaming CricLife and CricLife2 channels which have the rights for home matches of various cricket playing nations including India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies as well as the exciting T20 leagues like Pakistan Super League and Caribbean Premier League.

Khaled Elkhouly, Chief Consumer Officer, Etisalat, said: “There is no other provider better placed in the UAE to bring sports fans the complete depth and breadth of sports action. eLife customers have access to an unprecedented line-up to watch live sport from the best providers across the region. Our investment in bringing the very best of cricket action to the UAE and beyond will further solidify our drive. Partnering with STARZPLAY not only for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but for our CricLife channels will mean more fans can watch their teams play in more places than ever before across the GCC.”

Danny Bates, Chief Commercial Officer, STARZPLAY said: “We have been steadily building on our focus to deliver live sporting events to our subscribers, and nothing beats the joy of bringing the action of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to the region. This is prestigious win for us, and we thank our long-standing associates, Etisalat as well as Star TV Network, for their support. With cricket widely followed in the region, we are bridging a gap for our subscribers, who can now effortlessly watch all the live cricket action from this exciting T20 championship. Our aim is to become the ultimate TV entertainment destination and we will continue to explore new and innovative ways to offer the best sporting experience for our subscribers.”

Harry Griffith, (Head of Syndication, Star TV Network)), said, “This is a ground-breaking collaboration which will provide the largest ever reach for an ICC event in the region. We are delighted to associate with Etisalat and STARZPLAY to enhance the coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup across the Middle East. With the event being staged in the UAE and Oman it is crucial the tournament is more accessible than ever before. This is a truly exciting juncture for all cricket fans in the Middle East.”

UEFA, ECA And Numerous Leagues Release Statement On Impact Of A Biennial World Cup On Women’s Football

UEFA have continued their pushback against FIFA’s proposition for a biennial World Cup, yesterday releasing a statement alongside the European Club Association and numerous women’s football leagues about the impact a biennial world cup would have on the women’s game.

The proposed plans by FIFA to stage both the men’s and women’s World Cup tournaments every two years will have profoundly detrimental sporting, economic, societal and many other impacts that will fundamentally alter the course and development of the women’s game. The fast-paced nature of the (so far) very selective consultation process and all-but agreed proposals have not allowed a careful reflection on what is in the best interests of the future development of women’s football or adequately assessed the possible irreversible consequences such a change might entail.

The symbiotic relationship between all parts of world football – allowing professional, amateur and grassroots football across both men’s and women’s clubs and national teams to all thrive in their own right – requires detailed and considered thought ahead of reaching any conclusive decisions on the future of the Men’s and Women’s International Match Calendar (IMC/WIMC). To date this process has yet to have taken place.

To be clear, this is not in any way about Europe defending its position, nor a question of national team versus club football. Our reservations centre on our desire for a balanced and inclusive global development that gives women and girls the best conditions to play the most beloved game at all levels and in every society.  No one has more insight and understanding of this complexity than those who nurture the game on a daily basis – clubs, leagues, players and coaches – in addition to the governing bodies at confederation, national and regional levels.

Our desire is for FIFA to engage in a genuine, joint and open forum with all relevant football bodies and stakeholders, to assess with the required depth and understanding of the specific context and stage of development of the women’s game and its connection to men’s football, all the consequences the proposals will cause. The consequences include but are not limited to:

  • Adding further congestion to an already crowded women’s IMC with more women’s final tournaments.
  • Adding further congestion to the men’s IMC with more men’s final tournaments which will hamper the visibility and growth of women’s youth, club and national team competitions and women’s domestic leagues around the globe.
  • Placing further strain on technical, medical, and administrative resources available to women’s national team football players, as the need for regular year-long provisions of such expertise is removed and resource is focused on men’s competitions.
  • Leading to a greater risk of physical injury and mental health impacts for top players due to more concentrated matches for qualification pathways with limited preparation periods and, the increased burden placed on players during more frequent final tournament conditions.
  • Interrupting the professionalisation process and investment in domestic leagues, and therefore the ambition to create meaningful full-time employment for female players and structures that offer an elite environment. There are still very few full-time professional leagues in the world.
  • Reducing the opportunities for smaller, middle-sized and developing nations across the globe to participate in a FIFA Women’s World Cup, as only those leading nations with strong foundations have the capacity and resource levels to make it viable to compete so regularly. 
  • Compromising confederation-organised qualification campaigns due to fewer windows, leading to fewer regular playing opportunities for all. Particularly, less developed associations may miss out on regular organised football and thus also on playing final tournaments which is fuelling the sporting gap between nations.
  • Limiting the expansion of continental championships at club and national team level.
  • Significantly reducing the regularity and exposure of women’s national team football throughout the season, which will negatively impact the promotion of the game, the creation of role models and the ability to attract new partners.
  • Neglecting the development of youth football and existing competitions, frameworks that are fundamental to the game’s future
  • Lowering investments from sponsors and partners into the women’s game due to a saturation of markets which will undermine the financial viability of women’s football at international and national level, creating further inequality with the men’s game.
  • Disrupting the global and rapidly evolving fan culture for women’s football that is taking off, but risks being impacted through the enhancement of competing established sporting events which will divert fans’ interests and investment in the women’s game.
  • Creating upheaval for other sports and important other major sporting events.

We approach the future of the game’s development with an open and progressive mindset, and we appreciate the stated intent of the idea of a biennial Women’s World Cup is to develop football and provide more playing and hosting opportunities. However, such a far-reaching proposal requires serious scrutiny within the context in which it sits – the women’s football ecosystem. An ecosystem that is growing at pace but has not fully matured. Further development of the game we all love can only truly come about when we discuss together, at the same table, and with all those impacted by such a major decision.  It is a delicate equilibrium which must show respect and responsibility across a spectrum of competitions, players, coaches, fans, nations and culture.

Such cooperation and openness between football stakeholders is the only real solution to find the best way to develop women’s football on a truly global basis and for the benefit of all.

Kvindeliga (Danish Football Association)

The FA Women’s Super League (English Football Association)

The FA Women’s Championship (English Football Association)

Frauen-Bundesliga (German Football Association)

Kansallinen Liiga (Football Association of Finland)

Serie A Femminile (Italian Football Association)

Eredivisie Vrouwen (Royal Netherlands Football Association)

Liga 1 Feminin (Romanian Football Federation)

Elitfotboll Dam, Sweden

Women’s Super League (Swiss Football Association)

European Club Association

UEFA

Bosch Extends ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Partnership

Formula E and Bosch have today agreed a new, multi-year partnership to continue showcasing the German manufacturer’s sustainable mobility solutions.

Having worked closely with Formula E since first announcing their partnership in Season 4, Bosch has committed to sharing its expertise as an Official Partner of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship through Season 10. With a common goal to drive forward electromobility, Bosch and Formula E make natural partners in progressing innovation in electromobility and race-to-road EV technology.

With Formula E entering the Gen3 era from Season 9, Bosch will work with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship as its more powerful and lighter cars race on city streets around the world, increasing the highly competitive, dramatic racing that fans associate with Formula E.

Bosch’s industry-leading software and hardware promotes innovation in all forms of e-mobility, in particular through a tailor-made vehicle management system as demonstrated in their relationship with DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT. The combined focus on technology and delivering sustainable mobility makes the partnership between Formula E and Bosch the kind of authentic, integrated collaboration the Championship prides itself on.

Jamie Reigle, Chief Executive Officer, Formula E, said: “Each of our partners has a true, integrated alignment to our common mission and Bosch’s leading role in accelerating the global electromobility agenda makes them the perfect partner for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Bosch has committed to advancing electromobility through integrated technology and marketing initiatives and we are delighted they will continue to showcase their innovations in cities around the world in partnership with Formula E.”

Dr. Markus Heyn, Member of Bosch’s Board of Management, said: “Electromobility is establishing itself as a core area of business for Bosch. Electric cars with our components can by now be found on roads around the world. By continuing in our role as official sponsor of Formula E and supplier of tried-and-tested motor racing technology to the first purely electric racing series, we’re demonstrating that we’re the number-one partner for electric driving.”

The championship has also announced their growth results from season seven, with its live television audience growing globally through Season 7 to record-breaking levels, recovering strongly from the pandemic-hit previous season.

By the dramatic conclusion of Formula E’s first-ever World Championship season which was won by Mercedes-EQ’s Nyck de Vries in the final E-Prix of Season 7 on August 15 in Berlin, the live television audience made up the majority of Formula E TV viewers (62%) for the first time in the Championship’s history.

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship increased its cumulative audience to 316m – a 32% year-on-year growth – driven by new distribution agreements with free-to-air (FTA) channels in key markets, which also lifted Season 7’s live audience above pre-pandemic levels underscoring the organic growth in fan interest in electric open wheel racing. This was achieved despite a shorter calendar and a lack of races in Asia.

After Season 6 was cut short due to COVID-19 and wrapped up via six races in nine days in Berlin, Season 7 saw the Championship return to iconic global cities including Rome, New York and London with 15 races in eight locations. A combination of improved broadcast content and alignment on start times with broadcasters to optimise live audience and channel share contributed to +26% increase in the average viewing duration per live race.

Overall, Formula E’s positive Season 7 performance was driven by new media deals struck in key markets of Germany, Italy, Brazil, UK, France, USA and Indonesia which all demonstrated spectacular growth above the global average.

– Germany’s audience saw the biggest increase of +338% against Season 6 with races airing consistently on FTA broadcaster Sat.1.

– Brazilian audiences increased +286% YOY on FTA channel TV Cultura and Globo’s SporTV pay channels.

– UK live audiences grew 156% on Season 6, driven by two London races airing live on Channel 4, two on BBC2 which delivered the highest-ever Formula E audience in the UK; plus four races on Discovery’s FTA channel, Quest.

– Italy’s viewing audience grew +128% compared to Season 6 with five races on Mediaset’s main channel, Italia Uno, and 13 races on new partner Sky Italia.

– France increased +123% YOY driven by a positive new partnership with L’Equipe.

– USA’s cumulative audience growth of +25% YOY was positively impacted by two races, including the New York E-Prix, airing on the main CBS network.

– Indonesia’s Formula E audience exploded with a 147% increase on Season 6 on its free-to-air TVRI channel. 

These numbers were also reflected in the percentage of viewers watching race programming live rather than highlights or repeats. Fans in Germany (730% increase), Italy (+234%), France (+232%), UK (+164%) and Indonesia (+92%) were all far more likely to tune in to watch the 24-driver grid compete live.

Reigle said: “This was a record-breaking year for Formula E as we worked with our teams, media partners and sponsors to deliver a fan-first strategy emphasising live race audience development and direct engagement on our digital platforms. It’s clear there is strong fan interest in Formula E’s electric racing in cities and we are delighted to see our strategy of partnering with broadcasters committed to localised, engaging and accessible free-to-air coverage paying off. We are set for a fantastic Season 8 as we welcome back fans at our races in some of the most iconic city locations in the world. We are focused on strengthening our broadcaster footprint and relationships, increasing our global audiences and delivering an integrated media platform to serve our fans and support our continued growth.”

Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will begin on January 28, 2022 for its biggest season ever with 16 races in 12 world locations.

Investigation Launched NWSL After Allegations Of Misconduct Within Franchise, Probe Commenced By FIFA And US Soccer

National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Lisa Baird has resigned following a string of abuse allegations against Paul Riley, who has been fired as of coach of the North Carolina Courage.

Both FIFA and US Soccer have subsequently opened a probe into the league since the reveltions were broken by The Athletic and announcements made which saw the sacking of Riley.

When the allegations first broke on Thursday, September 30th, Baird issued a statement from the league, saying:

“I was shocked and disgusted to read the new allegations reported in the Athletic this morning. The league, in concert with the North Carolina Courage, has reacted swiftly in response to these new allegations, and former head coach Paul Riley has been terminated. Concurrently, we are reporting these new allegations to the US Center for SafeSport for investigation. A safe and secure work environment is a top priority for the league and its collective ownership.

“The league has in place a comprehensive anti-harassment/anti-discrimination policy. In addition, the league has mandated that league and team staff who regularly interact with players participate in training conducted by the US Center for SafeSport, and is further mandating background checks and additional screening for those same individuals.

“We are implementing a new anonymous reporting process, whereby players, team and league staff may text concerns to the league, which will be promptly investigated. We ask our players and all associated with the league to raise their concerns to us, as we continue to make our league a safe, positive, and respectful environment for our players, clubs, staff, and fans.”

However, the uproar continued ahead of the weekend and the league ultimately decided to postpone all of the fixtures that were meant to be taking place to be rescheduled at a later date.

The league then released a new statement on Sunday, October 3, stating:

The National Women’s Soccer League’s board of governors today announced the formation of an executive committee to manage oversight of the league’s front office operations, following the resignation of its commissioner. The committee includes Amanda Duffy (Orlando Pride), Angie Long (Kansas City NWSL), and Sophie Sauvage (OL Reign). A global search for a permanent commissioner is underway.

“On behalf of the entire league, we are heartbroken for what far too many players have had to endure in order to simply play the game they love, and we are so incredibly sorry,” said the three executive committee members. “We understand that we must undertake a significant systemic and cultural transformation to address the issues required to become the type of league that NWSL players and their fans deserve and regain the trust of both. We’re committed to doing just that and recognize that this won’t happen overnight, but only through vigilance over time.”

The league is immediately launching several critical investigative and reform initiatives to protect players and staff, and the environments in which athletes live, train, and compete to give athletes the agency and ability to safely report misconduct of any form.

The league has retained Covington & Burling to oversee these investigations and make recommendations for reforms. Amanda Kramer, former Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, will lead the firm’s team and will report directly to the NWSL board’s newly-formed executive committee (described above).

Those initiatives include:

  • An independent review of practices and policies at the league and club levels — including workplace policies for each club in the league, league-mandated anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy, and processes for identifying, investigating, and enforcing violations of those policies — to identify and reform deficiencies. The league will work with the players association to ensure that the results of these team and league reviews will serve as a road map to ensure safe environments for players and staff.
  • Comprehensive policies and procedures created for the league and all member clubs to ensure moving forward that there is a systematic, transparent, and effective execution of any harassment or workplace conduct issues.
  • A reopening of the 2015 investigation regarding former NWSL coach Paul Riley, including a review of the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Portland Thorns FC, and his subsequent hiring by Western New York Flash and the North Carolina Courage.
  • A review of the available investigative reports related to all historical complaints of discrimination, harassment, or abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) in the NWSL, and where necessary, a reopening of the respective investigation, or the initiation of a new adjudication process.
  • The continuation of ongoing investigations initiated under the NWSL’s current anti-harassment policy, and the recommendation of sanctions where appropriate.

In addition to the above-mentioned initiatives, and the NWSL’s current reporting avenues outlined in the league’s anti-harassment policy and detailed HERE, the league has partnered with RealResponse, the leading secure and anonymous reporting platform for sports teams and organizations. Players, former players, staff, former staff, and anyone with direct knowledge of, or witness to, misconduct in any form within the NWSL, will have the ability to anonymously report all issues in regard to their health and safety. The contact information will be made available to current players and staff.

PGA TOUR And PointsBet Extend Official Betting Operator Relationship

The PGA TOUR and PointsBet, a premier global online gaming operator, announced a three-year extension of their multi-year content and marketing relationship designating PointsBet an Official Betting Operator of the PGA TOUR. 

As part of the expanded relationship, PointsBet’s live betting odds integrations will be featured on PGA TOUR linear and streaming broadcasts on GOLF Channel and Peacock with plans to include on the NBC broadcast in the future. PointsBet is the official sports betting partner of NBC Sports.

Several PointsBet integrations, including odds for the lowest score by group, total leaderboard odds, and hole-by-hole odds, were highlighted during GOLF Channel’s recent broadcast of the Fortinet Championship and will continue to be featured during GOLF Channel’s coverage of the 2021-22 FedExCup Regular Season.

The agreement also positions PointsBet as the “Official Free-to-Play” provider of the PGA TOUR. The soon-to-be-released free-to-play game, developed by Low6, exclusively presented by PointsBet in the U.S., is designed to enhance fan engagement with live in-play games with weekly prizes. Fans will be able to enter the game at nearly any point during a tournament week with the points system directly tied to live odds featuring games such as outright winner, top-10 and top-30. The free-to-play game features a guaranteed weekly cash prize of up to $5,000. More information and images will be provided prior to the game’s release in January 2022.

“We’re excited to continue working with PointsBet to create innovative sports betting and free-to-play products for PGA TOUR fans,” said Norb Gambuzza, PGA TOUR Senior Vice President, Media and Gaming. “PointsBet’s golf products continue to experience tremendous growth, and its support of our free-to-play game with Low6 will provide our fans the option to experience exciting in-play games in a free-to-play environment.”

As part of the agreement, PointsBet will continue to have access to the PGA TOUR’s library of archival and b-roll footage for use within pre-tournament and post-game betting content preview shows, betting-specific videos, and distribution of highlights to PointsBet users.

“Expanding our relationship with the PGA TOUR is a key step in providing fans and viewers with the odds integrations and content that PointsBet users have been asking for,” said Johnny Aitken, PointsBet USA CEO. “Together, with our partners at NBC Sports, we are at the intersection of golf broadcast and odds integration, an exciting time for bettors and viewers.”

As an Official Sports Betting Operator of the PGA TOUR, PointsBet also gains rights to advertise within TOUR broadcasts, OTT, and TOUR media platforms, as well as the use of PGA TOUR content and other IP to promote betting on PGA TOUR events.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the TOUR instituted a robust integrity program in collaboration with Genius Sports and later that year announced a global partnership with IMG ARENA to license its official, live scoring data to betting operators around the world. The TOUR is a platinum member of the National Council on Problem Gambling and is aligned with the American Gaming Association (AGA) as a Have A Game Plan®. Bet Responsibly public service campaign partner to educate golf fans on responsible sports betting.

Saracens Announce Sale Of Controlling Stake To New Ownership Group

SARACENS IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT A CONSORTIUM OF INVESTORS HAS AGREED TERMS TO ACQUIRE A MAJORITY CONTROLLING STAKE AND THAT THE CLUB’S SHAREHOLDERS WILL INVEST SIGNIFICANT NEW FUNDS BY MEANS OF A CAPITAL RAISE.

The consortium comprises Dominic Silvester, Chief Executive Office of Enstar Group, a global insurance group; Neil Golding, the club’s chairman and a partner at Freshfields; Paul O’Shea, a director at Enstar; Francois Pienaar, a World Cup winning Captain and former Saracens player; Nick Leslau, Chairman and Chief Executive of Prestbury Investment Holdings; and Marco V. Masotti, a partner at Paul Weiss and an owner of South Africa’s Sharks rugby team.

The capital raise results in a total investment of GBP 32 million of new funds into the club. Aside from maintaining the club’s position at the top of the men’s game, the new funds will be used for a variety of other purposes, including completing the redevelopment of the West Stand; further investment in women’s sport; and the establishment of a high performance training centre.

The consortium will form a new non-executive board to enhance the existing board. It will continue to be chaired by Neil Golding with Lucy Wray remaining as chief executive.

Neil Golding said: “We move on from the recent challenges with hard lessons learned and with robust new governance procedures in place. We wish to thank the incredible fans and sponsors of Saracens for their continued support and we cannot wait to welcome the Saracens family back to the StoneX in the near future for our return to the Premiership. Dominic, Nick and Francois all have a long association with the club and we are delighted that they are committed to its future.”

Nigel Wray said: “I have given my heart and soul to the club for more than two decades, having chaired Saracens since the first days of professionalism. Sadly, I’m not getting any younger and I have always wanted to make sure that Saracens is in very safe hands for many future generations. To show our continued enthusiasm for the future of Saracens I will be retaining a significant minority shareholding albeit a passive one.”

He added: “I am thrilled to hand over control to the consortium which comprises people who I know well and who understand the culture we’ve been able to create over more than 20 years both on and off the field, particularly within the community through the Saracens Foundation and the Saracens Multi-Academy Trust. I am looking forward to becoming just a fan again and supporting the club I love whilst focusing more of my time on the pioneering work of our amazing Foundation and supporting the build out of the Saracens school programme.”

Dominic Silvester said: “The consortium members are making a long-term commitment to Saracens, with the new funds used to maintain the club’s position at the top of the game for the future. We also have an exciting longer-term vision to make the club a global market leader both on and off the field and we are well placed to deliver on this with our wide-ranging international experience.

We want to also personally thank Nigel for all he has done for modern rugby and player welfare, more than perhaps any other single person. It is our privilege to take Saracens onto a new chapter and we intend to be every bit as ambitious and pioneering as Nigel has been.

Finally, the consortium will maintain the club’s deep commitment to diversity, community, and sustainability.

We are delighted that Lucy will remain as CEO and board member and that Maggie Alphonsi, former Saracens and England women’s rugby player, has also agreed to join the board.

We are also delighted that Michael Yormark, President of Roc Nation Sports International, has been appointed as a special adviser to the club.

Furthermore, we will continue to maximise Saracens’ socio-economic impact, caring for our people and community, as well as maintain the stadium’s sector leading environmental standards.”

The transaction is subject to closing conditions including regulatory approval.

ImagineAR (IPNFF) Releases New Mobile APP SDK Including Global AR Scavenger Hunts, Rewards & Clues

ImagineAR Cloud 1.3, ‘Metaverse’ Newly Released with Enhanced Self-Publishing Dashboard & Analytics

Imagine AR Inc. (IP:CSE) (IPNFF:OTCQB) (“ImagineAR” or “Company”) an Augmented Reality Company that enables businesses, sports teams and organizations to create instant global AR mobile phone campaigns without a technical background, has released both the new ImagineAR SDK 1.4 and ImagineAR Cloud 1.3.  These two new major company product platforms include significant enhancements and improvements to deliver optimal fan and consumer experiential engagements around the world.

The ImagineAR SDK Version 1.4 can integrate natively with both IOS and Android mobile apps.  The newly released AR Scavenger Hunt Feature includes player progress bars during hunts, improved player reward functions, and new unique Clue Cards for each client Scavenger Hunt game.  Sports teams and businesses can create as many of their own Scavenger Hunts globally with prizes and rewards unique to each geographic region.

The ImagineAR Cloud Version 1.3 (“metaverse”) has enhanced self-publishing CMS (content management system) functions and real-time analytics that manage and measure global as well as localized AR campaigns.  Non-technical users can create instant campaigns without any technical knowledge or background with an improved easier user-interface.  This new Cloud Version fully supports GDPR compliance for European countries too.

“This seventh granted US patent, in addition to our existing portfolio of six published patents, truly demonstrates the advanced technology and market leadership of ImagineAR in the North American Mobile Device Augmented Reality marketplace,” says Alen Paul Silverrstieen, ImagineAR CEO.

Stefan-Eric Wildemann Appointed New Head Of Football At Eurovision Sport

Eurovision Sport is delighted to announce the appointment of Stefan-Eric Wildemann, a German national, as its new Head of Football.

Stefan-Eric joins from Deltatre, the Turin-based leading sports and entertainment technology provider, where he served as Senior Director of Business Development based at Deltatre’s Video Experiences Unit in Eysins, Switzerland.

The appointment is the latest in a series of moves by Eurovision Sport as it seeks to build on recent important sports rights acquisitions and to deliver on its future strategy for ensuring that top sporting events can continue to be seen free-to-air across Europe and beyond, including digitally.

Reporting to Adrian Fikentscher Eurovision Sport’s recently-appointed Director of Acquisitions, Stefan-Eric will take charge of the exploitation and development of a portfolio of football rights that presently includes, in particular, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in England (postponed from 2021).

Before joining Deltatre, Stefan-Eric was for three years Head of Sales & Distribution at FIFA, with responsibility for global placement of FIFA’s media rights and the management of the FIFA TV Sales & Distribution Department, having previously served in a variety of roles at football’s world governing body.

With a Bachelor in International Business with Distinction from Universiteit Maastricht, Netherlands, Stefan-Eric began his career at Ernst & Young in Germany, before taking a FIFA International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport cum Laude.

Stefan-Eric speaks four languages fluently: German, English, Spanish and Italian.

Adrian Fikentscher, Director of Acquisitions, welcomed the appointment, saying: “Football is key for public service media and for EBU and its Members. With his background, his great knowledge of the relevant markets, as well as his excellent management skills, Stefan-Eric will help us to ensure that top football events can continue to be seen free-to-air across Europe and beyond, including digitally.”

Stefan-Eric Wildemann said: “I feel privileged to join Eurovision Sport in such an exciting role that will help the organisation to further build on its strong football rights portfolio and support the EBU Members in the acquisition and exploitation of the biggest football properties for public service media.”

Stefan-Eric’s appointment follows the promotion of Pascal Fratellia from Head of Football Rights to Commercial Director in July.

Eredivisie Appoints Two Circles To Drive D2C Growth

The Eredivisie, Dutch football’s top-tier domestic league, has announced a long-term partnership with Two Circles to develop direct relationships with its fanbase.

Using its strategic consultancy, marketing services and digital product development expertise, Two Circles will help the Eredivisie launch new digital content and communications platforms that will grow a direct and highly-engaged audience.

Two Circles will also deliver data-driven insight around fan behaviours and attitudes to help clubs direct their own commercial and fan engagement strategies, and new measurable and targeted digital sponsorship activations for brand partners.

The partnership was launched internally at the end of September at FC Utrecht’s Stadium Galgenwaard at an event attended by representatives of all 18 Eredivisie teams.

Saoed Habieb, Eredivisie Database Manager, said: “Our new data strategy is one of the pillars of our league’s new overall marketing strategy. We are very proud of the initiatives we’ve developed, with Two Circles, for the short and long term. We believe that the project will create added value to the propositions of the Eredivisie, our clubs and our partners.”

Niels Rudolphus, Lead Consultant at Two Circles, added: “As connectivity continues to grow globally and the channels sports properties use to reach their audiences are rewired, direct relationships with fans have become a valuable currency. The Eredivisie has huge potential to grow stronger engagement with fans, increase its understanding of Dutch football’s fanbase, and deliver greater value for clubs across a range of business lines.”

Sports marketing and data technology company Two Circles is the three-time Sport Industry Agency of the Year and celebrated its 10th anniversary this month. The company uses data to grow direct relationships between sports and fans, driving business growth for the world’s leading sports rights-owners including the NFL, Premier League, UEFA, F1 and Wimbledon.

How The UK’s Gambling Review And A Potential Sponsorship Ban Will Affect Sport In The UK

Ray James, iSportConnect’s Chief Relationship Officer, looks at whether gambling’s time in the UK market is finally up, the financial hole it may leave behind and what could take its place.

As we come out of lockdown I’ve been keeping an eye on betting category sectors, we all know that gambling sponsors, particularly in the UK, have provided a huge amount of revenue for many football clubs, as well as other sports.

But an issue has risen as there appears to be the likelihood of an imminent announcement from the UK government’s gambling review that has been ongoing, which looks set to ban all forms of gambling advertising around sport.

How will clubs react to fill the financial shortfall that could be triggered by this decision, which could potentially lead to no betting sponsors being showcased on shirts, LED signage at the edge of the pitch or around the stadiums.

“My view is that the betting sponsorship market had always over-valued sponsorships of clubs.”

This agenda was set by the Spanish movement to ban betting sponsors from the start of the 2021/22 season, which was put into force after a new law implemented by the league which led to six teams starting the season without a shirt sponsor.

Rick Parry, Chairman of the EFL, has suggested that gambling contributes to over 40 million pounds in revenue for EFL clubs each season.

So what happens next?

My view is that the betting sponsorship market had always over-valued sponsorships of clubs, thanks in large part to the Asian bookmakers who wanted to associate themselves with the Premier League and other areas of English football.

“Without these sponsors taking up these potential deals, this will provide an opportunity and an opening for more non-betting brands to get involved in sponsorship, brands who had previously felt it was too expensive to do so.”

Without these sponsors taking up these potential deals, this will provide an opportunity and an opening for more non-betting brands to get involved in sponsorship, brands who had previously felt it was too expensive to do so.

Everton and Aston Villa through their partnerships with Cazoo are a shining example of no taking the ‘betting dollar’ and instead working with a brand that has a more authentic fit with their fanbase.

There will still be an opportunity for betting brands to utilise the broadcasts of Premier League via virtual advertising that can continue to bring in additional revenue for both sides.

I have already mentioned Spain but Italy are another major player who are starting to restrict sponsorship of this nature and there will likely be more in time.

It is therefore ironic that as we are seeing the greater restrictions on gambling coming into force within the UK and other countries around Europe, the burgeoning market within the US is exploding and growing at a tremendous rate.

“It will be very interesting to see how long it is until greater regulations also impact that market.”

The rate of growth within the US will likely show no signs of slowing down within the next few years, but once gambling has been legalised across every state in America, which seems increasingly likely by the day, it will be very interesting to see how long it is until greater regulations also impact that market.

Just last week the NHL’s allowance of jersey sponsors from the 2022/23 season was kicked off by the Washington Capitals announcing a deal with Caesars Entertainment to host their sportsbook logo.

But for now, sponsorship is always evolving and we have seen sectors come and go over time. There has been financial services, telecoms and automotive all enter and then slowly fade over time, gambling may be forced to but there will be others who step up to the plate.

There has been a large drive in cryptocurrency sponsorships in some markets, will fintech and blockchain plug the financial hole left behind by gambling? Only time will tell…