How Sports Clubs And Organisations Can Counteract Modern Content Challenges

How do you approach the modern expectation of constant content across multiple platforms with a limited team and resources? Infront X believe they have the solution.

The world of content is becoming more and more challenging for all involved in it. There is now an expectation for most sports organisations to push out a tremendous amount of content on a daily or weekly basis.

With that expectation comes the challenge of resources, a pain point highlighted by Damian Browarnik, Chief Innovation Officer of Infront X and Managing Director of Infront X Lab,  during our Content & Distribution eMasterclass in August.

“There is the need to create high quality, engaging content. That’s costly and time-consuming, many teams don’t have the necessary funds and time to do this.”

A couple of years ago, Infront Sports and Media launched iX, which was recently integrated with the company’s innovation branch, Infront Lab, to create Infront X, a full service, digital media solutions, business and sports tech research and development unit.

“Creating content in today’s sporting environment and for today’s fans is a hard task,” Browarnik explained. “You need to cater to different languages, age groups, preferences and so on. But before content teams can even think about tailoring content, they have the issue of resources.

“There is the need to create high-quality, engaging content. That’s costly and time-consuming, many teams don’t have the necessary funds and time to do this. But there’s also the issue of how many platforms there are that fans expect content from, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and others…

“This also leads to the issues of workflows and analytics, teams want a better view of this but do not have proper platforms. You need to plan properly and then replan according to the performance, which is a tedious and repetitive process.”

So when all of this is clicking, how does it benefit the organisation overall?

“The goal here is to reach what we call content maturity,” he explains. “Having a high level of content maturity means that you can create consistent content where you can leverage the technology to improve your workflows. You can then share your content across all platforms to fit your fans, and then you can provide sponsors with the content to enable monetisation.”

Over the past eighteen months, particularly during the main Covid period across the summer of 2020, creating content for all sporting teams and organisations was even more vital than ever, and the ease at which they had the ability to do so was critical for the business.

“Content X automatically generates content plans and campaigns. It’s then able to produce relevant highlights, including graphics, and even writes the copy for them.”

To try and provide a resolution to this content issue, which affects many around the sports industry, Infront X Lab developed Content X, a new product which eases the content production workflow. 

“Content X automatically generates content plans and campaigns. It’s then able to produce relevant highlights, including graphics, and even writes the copy for them. So you have everything in one place and then all the content team has to do is to review the post and approve it. If they want to tweak it a bit they can, but automating this process will save several hours a day.”

The modern day, worldwide nature of sport also plays into this. Teams and leagues now have access to not just their existing, local fans, but potential new ones from all around the world as well. There is only one drawback: it means operating in different languages and spending additional time or monetary resources to hire a person or team to create content for those markets.

Browarnik noted that the platform is able to not only facilitate the creation of content in different languages, but organisations can use key players or influencers from those countries as advocates who share the content to create better engagement. The ease at which both the organisation itself and partners can share content from the system simplifies this process even more.

“This is a tool that allows you as the content owner to share the content with your partners. It could be with broadcasters, with players, sponsors that have the rights to share or even influencers,” Browarnik added.

Of course, once this has occurred, another key part of content and social media that is extremely valuable for organisations is analytics, with sponsorship deals being monitored to ensure they are producing the greatest value possible for brands.

The difficulty within this comes from the fact that there are many numbers and figures across  numerous platforms to monitor, which is yet another aspect that takes up a great deal of time. Brownarik noted that Content X is able to provide a solution to this issue.

“This analytics area is key. You can determine how effective each post is based on the channels and discover the true media value behind the content.”

“Once you share your post you’re able to track the content that was shared by your partners and then check the performance to see whether the value is there. There are additional tools within the platform that will allow the content owner to really see what’s going on and they can even reply directly [to fans] from our platform.

“This analytics area is key, you have the holistic view of the performance and you can track all the content, whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and so on. You can determine how effective each post is based on the channels and discover the true media value behind the content.”

Steve Elworthy Appointed Chief Executive Of Surrey County Cricket Club

Elworthy joins the Club from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), where he was Managing Director: Events and Special Projects, a role he took on after concluding his appointment as Managing Director of the ICC World Cup 2019. In 2018, he was awarded an MBE for services to cricket.

Prior to this, Elworthy had delivered seven ICC World Events across two countries, served three years as the ECB Director of Marketing and Communications and was the Commercial Director for Cricket South Africa.

Before entering cricket administration, Elworthy was a professional cricketer for fourteen years, representing provincial teams in South Africa, as well as both Lancashire and Northamptonshire in county cricket. Between 1998 and 2002, he won four Test and 39 One Day International caps for South Africa, before retiring from the game in 2003.

In addition to his work at the ECB, Elworthy has also held a number of non-executive positions including serving on the boards of GB Basketball and the Netball World Cup and as Chair of the World Netball Bid Committee for the 2025 and 2027 World Cups. He is the current Chair of the Netball Super League and the UK Sport Representative on the Cycling World Championships Glasgow 2023 Board.

Speaking today, Steve Elworthy said: “I have been incredibly lucky to have worked closely with Surrey CCC over the years, especially when hosting major global cricket tournaments. Surrey is the biggest club in the country and to be offered the opportunity to work with Richard Thompson and the Board, the Surrey team and players is a huge honour.

“The club is steeped in history and has deep-seated roots in the community, and I look forward to taking over the fantastic work already put in place, driven by my predecessor Richard Gould and brilliantly supported by Charlie Hodgson, in the interim.

“The Kia Oval is one of the biggest grounds in the country, one of the world’s greatest sporting venues and has hosted some of the most iconic matches ever seen. The location in Lambeth, SE11, and the outstanding facilities support the already well-established destination of choice.

“The Galadari Stand is a significant addition to the club and ground which provides brand new Members’ facilities and enhances the Club’s conferencing and events business.

“Having played at The Oval when representing South Africa in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, I am looking forward to getting back to cricket and working with the women’s and men’s teams. Cricket, on and off the field, has been part of my life since I can remember, and its values and comradery have helped shape my drive to keep this amazing sport healthy and vibrant – I am truly excited about the opportunities ahead.”

Richard Thompson, Chair of Surrey County Cricket Club, said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Steve Elworthy to the Surrey family. His reputation and achievements in cricket go before him and I have no doubt of the positive impact and difference he will make for Surrey County Cricket Club and The Kia Oval.

“The Club has only had two Chief Executives in the past 25 years and continuity has been a huge part of our success. This year we have produced more England players than we have for a generation, attracted a record number of Members, opened the incredible new Galadari Stand and continued to develop a hotel adjacent to the ground.

“Surrey CCC is in great shape and remains very ambitious for future success – on and off the field. I have no doubt Steve is well very equipped to help the club fulfil its full potential.”

Thompson added: “I would also like to play tribute to our Interim Chief Executive, Charlie Hodgson. He has done an outstanding job over one of the most challenging seasons I can ever remember. The club owes a debt to Charlie’s commitment and hard work for the club I know he loves dearly.”

Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said:

“Steve has done so much in his time at the ECB, we’ll miss him hugely. He has played a huge part in the development of cricket in England and Wales over so many years, including the success of major events like the ICC Women’s and Men’s Cricket World Cups in 2017 and 2019 and The Hundred this year.

“Over the past 18 months his work has been crucial in enabling us to play cricket through the Pandemic. He has a vast knowledge and understanding of cricket in this country and internationally, and is a man of great integrity who cares passionately about the game.

“Steve has been a good and trusted friend and while I am very sad he will be leaving, I am delighted for him personally. Surrey is a great club, they deserve the very best and in Steve they have it.”

UEFA Release Statement On FIFA’s Proposals For Biennial World Cup

UEFA have a released the following statement in response to FIFA’s continued push for a FIFA World Cup every two years, enforcing their view that ‘Proper consultation, rather than media announcements’ is needed to assess the ‘impact and consequences of potential radical move’.

In May 2021, the FIFA Congress mandated the FIFA administration to conduct a study into the feasibility of a Men’s and Women’s World Cup every two years.

UEFA assumes that the word ‘feasibility’ encompasses all effects and consequences and includes all issues relating to:

  • the calendar, formats and access of the final and preliminary competitions;
  • the impact on existing club and national team competitions, their sporting and commercial opportunities;
  • the impact on players’ physical and mental health;
  • the impact on fans, their desire to see more frequent tournaments of this standing, the sustainability for them of more frequent travelling;
  • the impact on the broad football eco-system, by which we mean assessing the balance of opportunities that national teams from all 211 FIFA member associations would have to develop in such a radically changed scenario;
  • the impact of more frequent World Cup final tournaments on the value and appeal of the event and its brand;
  • the impact on other vital parts of football, such as women’s competitions that are in a phase of rapid expansion which requires enhanced visibility and exclusivity spaces;
  • the impact on youth tournaments, which have minimal commercial implications but have everything to do with the development of young talents;
  • the impact on the global sports system and respect that football, as the most followed sport worldwide, must show to consolidated spaces of exposure and exploitation used by other sports.

While waiting to learn the detailed results of the study commissioned by the FIFA Congress that will cover all the mentioned areas, UEFA acknowledges that FIFA has presented a proposal entailing a doubling of World Cup final tournaments as of 2028 as well as Confederations’ final tournaments as of 2025, combined with massive restructuring of the dates reserved by the International Match Calendar for the matches regularly played by all 211 FIFA member associations.

We are grateful for the attention reserved to the UEFA European Championship, with the proposed double frequency of its final event, but we prefer to address such a sensitive matter with a comprehensive rather than speculative approach.

UEFA is disappointed with the methodology adopted, which has so far led to radical reform projects being communicated and openly promoted before having been given, together with other stakeholders, the chance to participate in any consultation meeting.

There are real dangers associated with this plan:

  • the dilution of the value of the No.1 world football event, whose quadrennial occurrence gives it a mystique that generations of fans have grown up with;
  • the erosion of sporting opportunities for the weaker national teams by replacing regular matches with final tournaments;
  • the risk to sustainability for players, forced to engage in summer high intensity competitions every year instead of longer recuperation breaks in alternate years;
  • the risk for the future of women’s tournaments, deprived of exclusive slots and overshadowed by the proximity of top men’s events.

These are just some of the serious concerns that the FIFA proposal provokes at first glance and they cannot be dispelled simply with unsubstantiated promotional slogans on the supposed benefits of a thicker calendar for final tournaments.

UEFA is of the opinion that the future of the international calendar should be the subject of genuine consultation and exchange between FIFA, the confederations and key stakeholders of competitions, kicking off with an open discussion on perceived problems and considering a range of solutions that will be identified in the course of the debate, taking into account the interest of the game and the legitimate point of view of the different parties.

In this phase, the respect for a consultation process with the stakeholders – which should be unbiased – would suggest abstaining from promotional campaigns of unilaterally pre-determined concepts that nobody has been given the possibility to see in detail and which have wide-ranging, often unexpected, effects.

On 14 September, UEFA and its 55 member associations asked FIFA to organise a special meeting with them to be able to voice their concerns on the impact of such plans. UEFA and its 55 member associations have to-date not yet received a reply from FIFA on this request.

DAZN And Common Goal Unite In Multi-Year Global Partnership

Sports streaming platform DAZN and pledge-based social impact football movement Common Goal have united in a global partnership to jointly tackle some of the most vital issues of our times. The partnership stems from a shared belief that sport can be a catalyst for social change as well as a deep-rooted “common goal” – a mission to drive long-term, solution-oriented change around critical issues at the intersection of sport and society.

DAZN is making a multi-million dollar pledge to Common Goal alongside a 1% global employee time and resource commitment in a long-term partnership that will collectively focus on three fundamental and deep-rooted issues, within and beyond football: gender equity, racial justice, and cultural diversity.

DAZN will foster open and meaningful dialogue around these three issues by leveraging the power of content and storytelling across its ecosystem of platforms, channels, and partners. The platform will also contribute towards action-oriented change via Common Goal’s own social impact initiatives and local community partners around the world, all with the goal of tangibly contributing towards levelling the playing field. Over the next two years, this partnership will strategically and meaningfully utilize the resources and networks of both organizations to maximize impact beyond any individual effort.

“The Common Goal movement has shown that football can only fulfil its true potential as a force for positive change for people and planet when we work together. This groundbreaking partnership with DAZN is a celebration of a shared commitment to taking action right now,” said Jürgen Griesbeck, CEO and co-founder of Common Goal. “We look forward to getting to work on bringing the partnership to life and in doing so empowering girls, boys and young people around the world to fulfil their potential. We hope that DAZN’s leadership inspires other industry stakeholders to join the Common Goal movement.”

“It is brilliant to see the Common Goal movement, with now over 200 player and manager members, being embraced by DAZN, an important and innovative force in global sport,” said Manchester United player Juan Mata, who co-founded Common Goal in 2017. “Through this long-term partnership, DAZN is demonstrating its commitment to racial justice, gender equity and cultural diversity in a tangible and powerful way that will enable us to tell the stories of many player activists and young people around the world who are positively impacted by Common Goal.”

“As a global broadcaster, media company, and industry disruptor, DAZN was not only born out of the desire to make sports accessible for all, we have also quickly grown to understand it is our responsibility to take action,” said James Rushton, Co-CEO of DAZN. “Common Goal exists to unite the global football industry and tackle the greatest social challenges of our time, and we are committed to working hand in hand with them to change the game together.”

“At DAZN, we believe we can, and so, we must be a part of the ongoing solution. Together with Common Goal, we’ll collectively tackle the critical barriers of sports inequality in a way that aims to galvanize the football world and create lasting, equitable impact,” said Nancy Elder, Chief Communications Officer at DAZN whose role includes overseeing the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. “Building on the work done before us, and as we embark on what’s hopefully a long journey ahead, we are committed to using our global platform to drive positive social change in our communities and throughout the industry.”

As part of its pledge, DAZN has committed to leveraging its storytelling and creative expertise to examine the defined issues as they relate to sport, while showcasing solution-oriented goals and actions via co-branded and co-produced content with Common Goal. This content will leverage both partners’ global ecosystem of diverse and powerful voices in football, the wider sports community, and beyond.

“This partnership between Common Goal and DAZN will really help accelerate the positive change we want to see in football and society,” said Chelsea FC star Pernille Harder. “We know that we can only achieve all that we strive for by working as a team and DAZN’s partnership with Common Goal will enable the movement to scale its work driving LGBTQ+ inclusion, racial equity, and female empowerment.”

In addition, DAZN has also pledged to directly support several dedicated Common Goal initiatives around the issues of gender equity, racial justice, and cultural diversity via a network of high-impact grassroots community organizations across the world, including a particular focus on those with presence in key DAZN markets. These initiatives will directly reach tens of thousands of individuals – all laddering up to Common Goal’s long-term goal of positively impacting 100 million young people by 2030 – and include:

  • Common Ground: Reaching young people most affected by the pandemic in Germany by using street football to develop core life skills and abilities, with an approach that leaves no child behind – regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, ability or sexual orientation.
  • Global Goal 5 Accelerator: Aimed at driving gender equity through football by growing girls’ participation in football programs on the field, increasing the proportion of female coaches on the sidelines, and arming key organizations with an applicable, expert-designed curriculum around gender equity in football.
    • This initiative ties directly to DAZN’s long-term mission of inspiring the next generation of players as part of its new global broadcasting deal with the UEFA Women’s Champions League, another multi-year partnership that will make the competition available on DAZN and free for the world to see on YouTube starting this season – giving the competition and players (dozens of whom are Common Goal members themselves) more visibility than ever before, marking a groundbreaking move to grow the sport.
  • Anti-Racist Project: Action-focused program to end racism in football by addressing systemic issues at their core though comprehensive anti-racism training for decision-makers (inc. owners, executives, and presidents), coaches (both professional and grassroots), players at all levels, and fans.
  • Play Proud: Coach-centered exchange program working to make grassroots sports more inclusive for LGBTQ+ children and young people, especially those previously excluded, by educating and upskilling coaches around youth inclusivity, safe spaces, and marginalized recruitment and retainment.

Whether you’re a fellow broadcaster, media channel, federation, team, player, or fan, we welcome and invite you to visit www.common-goal.org and www.DAZNgroup.com to learn more, get in touch, and join the movement.

Philadelphia 76ers Announce Crypto.com As Team’s Official Jersey Patch Partner

TEAM TO LAUNCH FIRST-EVER NFT WITH CRYPTO.COM, AND TOGETHER UNVEIL PLANS FOR NFT SERIES TO HIT MARKETPLACE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today a new partnership with Crypto.com, the fastest-growing crypto platform with more than 10 million users worldwide, designating the crypto company as the team’s official jersey patch partner. The partnership is also Crypto.com’s first in the NBA. To tip off the partnership, the 76ers will be launching their first-ever non-fungible token (NFT), available for fans to purchase through Crypto.com NFT.

“We are thrilled to launch a long-term partnership with such a progressive team at Crypto.com, a company that shares our drive for greatness,” said Chris Heck, 76ers President of Business Operations. “Crypto.com will be woven into the fabric of our identity, and together, we will change the landscape for how crypto is integrated in sports. We will also leverage Crypto.com’s forward-thinking, global expertise to unveil our first-ever NFT program. These are the types of creative, innovative partnerships that we crave, and we’re thrilled to share this with our fans in Philadelphia and around the world for years to come.”

Crypto.com has partnered with world-class organizations and brands including Formula 1, UFC, Paris Saint-Germain, and the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens among others. Crypto.com recently launched Crypto.com NFT, the premier platform for collecting and trading NFTs, carefully curated from the worlds of art, design, entertainment, and sports.

“We’re extremely excited to announce our partnership with the 76ers, becoming the first global crypto platform with an official jersey patch partnership in the NBA,” said Kris Marszalek, co-founder & CEO of Crypto.com. “The NBA is one of the most popular leagues in the world, and the 76ers were an obvious choice. Together we’re going to create integrated experiences for fans everywhere; our patch and court integrations are just the beginning.”

All four versions of the 76ers uniform this upcoming season will feature the Crypto.com patch on the left shoulder of the jersey. Jerseys featuring the new Crypto.com patch will be available for purchase via SixersShop.com at the Official Team Store at the Center in Philadelphia.

All four versions of the 76ers uniform this upcoming season will feature the Crypto.com patch on the left shoulder of the jersey. The patch will also be placed on all 76ers authentic jerseys sold across NBA retailers. The patch will make its official team uniform debut for the regular season when the 76ers face the New Orleans Pelicans on October 20.

As part of the jersey patch partnership, the 76ers will be unveiling their new City Edition uniform in November that commemorates an iconic time in 76ers history. This launch will also inspire another series of unique NFTs that will be available for 76ers fans to purchase throughout the year.

Crypto.com will also appear in-arena on the baseline apron and courtside LED screens, be present within the 76ers Fan Hub, sponsor rewards for fans and present a Crypto.com school to educate fans on cryptocurrency. In addition, the deal includes a substantial presence across all platforms including regional, national and global television broadcasts, digital channels such as Sixers.com, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, player branding (uniforms) across digital, print and out-of-home advertising, team and league websites, team collateral and all team publications and photos. Crypto.com will also have rights to the 76ers’ name and marks in marketing and advertising as well as be an official international marketing partner of the team.

The 76ers hired Excel Sports Management’s Properties division to oversee the search for a new patch partner, and Mayflower Entertainment represented Crypto.com.

Manchester Announced As Hosts Of The European Taekwondo Championships 2022

The European Taekwondo Championships 2022 will take place in Manchester, Great Britain from 19-22 May 2022, European Taekwondo Union and GB Taekwondo announced today (22 September 2021).

Taking place at the Manchester Regional Arena, home of the British Taekwondo, the event is being hosted in partnership with UK Sport, Manchester City Council and British Taekwondo.

Manchester 2022 will be the second time the city has hosted this world-class competition, having hosted at the same venue in 2012.

Around 400 athletes from over 40 European nations are expected to compete over four exhilarating days of action.

The announcement comes off the back of Tokyo 2020 and the fantastic performances by our British athletes which saw Olympic Silver medal wins for Lauren Williams and Bradly Sinden, and Paralympic Silver for Beth Munro, with bronze medals secured by Bianca Walkden and Amy Truesdale.

The European Taekwondo Championships Manchester 2022 will be the first major competition since Tokyo and is an important qualifying event for the next Olympics in Paris in 2024.

Esther Britten, Head of Major Events at UK Sport, said: “Funded by The National Lottery, we have a dedicated programme of major events that help GB athletes qualify and prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As we begin the journey towards Paris 2024, hosting this European Championships in Manchester provides an exciting, competitive opportunity for athletes, right here on home soil.”

Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, added: “It is fantastic news that Manchester has been chosen to host the Championships. We’re proud to be working with the European Taekwondo Union, GB Taekwondo and UK Sport to welcome some of the Europe’s elite Taekwondo athletes to our city. Manchester is a global leader when it comes to hosting sporting events and our innovative approach to staging competitions combined with our passionate fans will ensure this is a fantastic edition of the European Championships.”

Matt Archibald, Chief Executive of GB Taekwondo, the high-performance arm of the sport said: “I’m delighted that the UK once again can host the Championships and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Manchester, the British home of the sport we all love. I’m particularly pleased we have been able to integrate the Paralympic and Olympic disciplines into this single event and see this as the future for all competitions. I know that everybody involved will work tirelessly to ensure we deliver a spectacular event for athletes and fans alike.”

ETU President, Sakis Pragalos was very pleased to see that UK will host the G4 European Championships. He said: “After the wonderful World Championships in 2019, ETU is very happy to travel to Manchester again. The athletes will have once more a magnificent experience as the events organized by GB and British Taekwondo are always some of the best we see!”

Ian Leafe, Chief Executive of British Taekwondo, the national governing body responsible for grassroots and development, added: “This promises to be a thoroughly entertaining event for all ages and we hope the sporting performances of the GB athletes on the court matched with their inspirational stories will inspire people of all ages to seek out and try Taekwondo for themselves.”

Sony Pictures Networks India Signs Exclusive Non-Binding Term Sheet With Zee Entertainment

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) today announced that they have entered into an exclusive, non-binding Term Sheet to combine both companies’ linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries. The non-binding Term Sheet provides an exclusive negotiation period of 90 days during which ZEEL and SPNI will conduct mutual diligence and negotiate definitive, binding agreements. The combined company would be a publicly listed company in India and be better positioned to lead the consumer transition from traditional pay TV into the digital future.

The merger of ZEEL and SPNI would bring together two leading Indian media network businesses, benefitting consumers throughout India across content genres, from film to sports. The combined company is expected to benefit all stakeholders given strong synergies between ZEEL and SPNI.

Under the terms of the non-binding Term Sheet, Sony Pictures Entertainment, the parent company of SPNI, would invest growth capital so that SPNI has a cash balance of approximately USD $1.575 billion at closing for use to enhance the combined company’s digital platforms across technology and content, ability to bid for broadcasting rights in the fast-growing sports landscape and pursue other growth opportunities. Sony Pictures Entertainment would hold a majority stake in the combined company. Current ZEEL Managing Director & CEO Punit Goenka is to lead the combined company. The combined company’s board of directors would include directors nominated by Sony Group and result in Sony Group having the right to nominate the majority of the board members.

It is anticipated that a final transaction would be subject to completion of customary due diligence, negotiation and execution of definitive binding agreements, and required corporate, regulatory and third party approvals, including ZEEL shareholder vote.

LaLiga Joins Forces With Dapper Labs To Launch An All New Digital Collectible Experience For Football Fans Around The Globe

Dapper Labs and LaLiga, today announced a partnership to introduce Official Football NFT Collectible Highlights at scale. Created by the team behind NBA Top Shot, the new experience will give fans the opportunity to collect and own some of the most talked-about contemporary and iconic in-game Moments from their favorite teams from over 10 seasons of play. Featuring dynamic video-based Moments from all of LaLiga’s clubs, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Sevilla FC, Villarreal CF, Valencia CF, Real Betis, Athletic Club, Real Sociedad, RCD Mallorca and many others, the new experience will be available to fans on Flow blockchain starting June 2022.

As fans enter into the all new experience, they will instantly be immersed in football culture, gaining access to some of the most notable in-game Moments to buy, collect and own. Through a dedicated peer-to-peer marketplace, fans will be able to buy or sell parts of their collections with fellow football enthusiasts. Every purchase can be made via credit card through a Dapper wallet, to ensure that every transaction is as easy as possible.

“The partnership between LaLiga and Dapper Labs will bring us even closer to our fans worldwide through a new and growing medium, and alongside the industry partner that created the NFT video product for NBA” said Javier Tebas, president at LaLiga. “This experience will have soccer fans all over the world at the center, giving them a platform and product to enjoy and express their passion for LaLiga in a unique and different way.”

With access to both current Moments and a rich archive of historical Moments, the new experience will also give fans the ability to relish in the rich historical context and heritage of one of the best leagues in the world. Fans will be able to learn about timeless rivalries between teams, understand the league’s golden past, and dive into the evolution of a team or player by being presented with experiences that bridge the past and present.

While a blockchain-based experience, the product will also give fans a way to be a part of the in-game action. Through a variety of fan activations developed around key tentpole events during the season, fans will be able to enter to win contests that will give them once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, like being flown to Barcelona for the weekend where they will be able to watch ElClasico, the biggest football game in the world, from a VIP Box at Camp Nou.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with LaLiga to launch the ultimate fan-driven highlights collectible experience that is unlike anything in the space before,” said Caty Tedman, Head of Partnerships for Dapper Labs. “With over 3.5 billion football fans around the globe, the experience’s layered environment has the power to revolutionize how fans connect to the sport of football and how they engage with the teams and the players they love, both virtually and in real life. We look forward to working alongside LaLiga, home to some of the best clubs  on the planet to bring this wildly new and dynamic fan-driven experience to football lovers everywhere.”

“As Barcelona’s captain for a decade, I enjoyed some of LaLiga’s greatest moments. I also experienced some of the game’s biggest lows; but in spite of it all, the game would be impossible to play without our fans,” said Carles Puyol, six time LaLiga champion, 3-time UEFA Champions League champion, and captain of FC Barcelona from 2004 to 2014. “Fans give us energy that encourages us not to give up. They help us dig in when we’ve got nothing left and they give us support when we need it. To be able to be a part of an experience that brings players one step closer to their biggest advocates is exciting and meaningful. I look forward to what this relationship holds.”

Like NBA Top Shot, the new experience is built on the Flow blockchain, developed for consumer experiences at scale. Flow allows fans to trace and verify the authenticity and scarcity of their digital collectibles.

This agreement is also part of the efforts of LaLiga North America (joint venture between LaLiga and Relevent Sports), which has an active role searching and looking for new interesting and attractive partners and industries to involve with LaLiga.

For more information on the new experience and how to sign up in advance for experience, please visit laliga.onflow.org.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Becomes Official Sporting Goods Retail Partner Of The WNBA

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced today that DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) has been named an Official Marketing Partner of the league beginning in 2021. Through this new multi-year agreement, DICK’S Sporting Goods will become the Official Sporting Goods Retail Partner of the WNBA — with the alliance built upon the promotion of women’s sports, youth participation and player development.

As part of their commitment to women’s sports, the WNBA and DICK’S Sporting Goods will team up to create initiatives designed to inspire and connect with female athletes of all ages and increase the visibility of WNBA teams and players nationwide.

DICK’S Sporting Goods also will use its retail business to bring consumers closer to the game through storytelling and increased availability of merchandise.

DICK’S Sporting Goods will carry an assortment of authentic WNBA sports apparel and equipment, including the newly debuted Nike jerseys for every WNBA team, Wilson WNBA basketballs, t-shirts and the immensely popular WNBA Logowoman hoodie in select DICK’S Sporting Goods locations throughout the United States, including all 12 WNBA markets, as well as through the company’s website and app. With this collaboration, DICK’S Sporting Goods becomes the largest national retailer for WNBA merchandise.

“This partnership is a significant opportunity for the WNBA as we celebrate our landmark 25th season, with DICK’S Sporting Goods playing a substantial role in driving continued interest and engagement surrounding our league,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “By having a significant presence of WNBA and team merchandise at DICK’S locations in the country, we will now have even more opportunities to connect our fans with their favorite teams. DICK’S commitment to the WNBA is diverse and inclusive leadership in action.”

“The WNBA is a premier example of how sport can define leaders and celebrate the current and next generation of female athletes,” said Lauren Hobart, President and CEO of DICK’S Sporting Goods. “Today marks an important next step in our journey to support female athletes, and we look forward to collaborating with the W to provide opportunities for people of all ages to engage and connect with women’s basketball, the league and its players.”

The European Tour Partners With Legends To Deliver Merchandise Solutions

The European Tour today announced a partnership with Legends, a premium experiences company, to manage its expansive omnichannel retail programme, inclusive of an all-new official global online store and on-site merchandise stores at multiple events.

The partnership will utilise Legends’ global expertise across merchandising, sales, partnerships, planning, technology, and hospitality to manage the European Tour’s merchandise operations.

It will help the Tour to further develop relationships with golf and sports fans across the world, delivering a fully integrated retail experience across all digital and physical merchandise touchpoints.

That includes a new European Tour Official Online Store, which is available now via https://shop.europeantour.com, featuring both premium and exclusive merchandise for fans of all ages.

The new e-commerce platform will feature an exceptional customer-centric user experience and innovative design elements. It will be supported by Legends Global Merchandise’s integrated strategy and digital marketing, which will help drive engagement.

Furthermore, Legends Global Merchandise will also deliver the onsite retail programme for fans attending European Tour events in person, promoting new product launches, capsule collections and exciting collaborations.

Tom Johnson, the European Tour’s Marketing and Consumer Director, said: “Our partnership with Legends will offer a true omnichannel experience, which is a fundamental part of our strategy for supporting the continued growth of the European Tour Brand and driving engagement among a dedicated and passionate following.  

“The aim is to offer a seamless purchase experience at every step of our fans’ journey, whether that’s from the comfort of their home or on-site at an event.”

Victoria Hawksley, Legends’ Vice President of International Retail, said: “The launch of the European Tour e-commerce site is just the beginning of what will be a long and prosperous partnership with the European Tour, and we are extremely excited for what the future holds. Our shared vision brings together a dynamic approach to product, retailing and customer experience where we will deliver a seamless omnichannel journey and European Tour brand experience.”