Caesars Entertainment and William Hill Become Betting Partner Of The NFL’s Indianapolis Colts

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. and its exclusive sports betting partner, William Hill US, today announced their first NFL team sponsorship together, becoming a sports betting partner of the Indianapolis Colts. The partnership highlights a new integrated way for the Colts, Caesars Entertainment and William Hill to engage with sports fans throughout the 2020 football season in Indiana.

“In the digital age, and particularly this virtual world in which we find ourselves now, finding new ways to engage with our fans, partners and community is one of our top priorities,” said Roger VanDerSnick, Colts Chief Sales & Marketing Officer. “This partnership with Caesars Entertainment and William Hill will help us better connect with Colts fans everywhere as we navigate this very unique season in 2020 and offer a greater fan experience well into the future.”

As part of the agreement, Caesars Rewards, the largest customer loyalty program in the industry, will sponsor a free-to-play “Pick 6 Predictor” game on the Colts Mobile App. The Pick 6 Predictor generates a series of questions, that fans predict the outcome of, before the upcoming games. Correct picks are rewarded with weekly prizes, and all participants are entered into a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas to stay at a Caesars Entertainment property.

“Our company has deep roots in Indiana,” said Chris Holdren, Co-President of Sports and Online Gaming for Caesars Entertainment. “This expanded partnership with William Hill and our long relationship with the Indianapolis Colts deepens our strong ties within the community. Combined, both will provide an exciting entertainment experience – on gamedays and beyond.” 

Pending regulatory approval, the Caesars Indiana mobile sports betting app “Caesars Sports Book by William Hill” will integrate into the franchise’s media and marketing efforts, bringing exclusive offers and promotions directly to fans through the newly branded sports betting app.

“William Hill Sports Book entered the Indiana market last year and has seen tremendous success. This latest partnership between William Hill, Caesars Entertainment and the Indianapolis Colts brings together three industry-leaders that are reshaping the way fans engage with sports during unprecedented times,” said Sharon Otterman, Chief Marketing Officer of William Hill. “We’re excited to be revolutionizing the way fans connect with their hometown team in Indianapolis and look forward to all that’s in store for this football season.”

“The Sports Industry Needs To Come Up With New Ideas On How To Sustain Fan Engagement”

Get to know iSPORTCONNECT Chief Relationship Officer Ray James better in our latest community piece.

How did you get into sport and why did you want to work in sport?

Well I always enjoyed sport, even though I was terrible at football, but I really enjoyed the business side of sports, which I always wanted to get into. I went the media route, working for the likes of EMAP and a small ad agency who looked after Panini stickers. 

That opened the door for me to get to the sports world, where I started at Chelsea Football Club as an advertising/sponsorship manager.

I went for my interview where Colin Hutchison and Ken Bates were the interviewees. The first thing they asked me was which team do I support, I said Crystal Palace and apparently that was the right answer. They didn’t want anybody working there who supported the club.

It was an intense interview then Ken Bates decided to leave the room, he said ‘I’ll be back in a minute’. I must have waited there for at least an hour and a half. We’re talking about the owner of the club here, I didn’t know if he was playing a game with me.

Eventually he comes back and notifies me that he’d just sacked Ruud Gullit, that was my introduction to the football world!

What would you say is the most challenging thing about the sports industry?

Creativity, innovation and revenue generation. The sports industry needs to come up with new ideas on how to sustain fan engagement whether at the live game or at home, and need to keep their fans involved and engaged.

This means extending their content through various sources of media and providing fans more ways to interact with their brand to engage with fans, supporters and customers. Naturally digital will play a massive part.

What about inclusion and diversity within sport?

There’s been lots of conversation around Black Lives Matter and various organisations, and rightly so, but we’ve had all the talking now, it’ll be interesting to see what sport will do in the next 6-12 months to deliver real social change from the boardroom to the pitch.

What’s the best sports product in the World?

I think it has to be the Olympics. The games bring so much attention to smaller sports that wouldn’t otherwise have a following. When else is archery going to have international broadcast coverage? These incredible athletes devote their lives to sports and finally get the recognition and respect they deserve.

The best sports event you’ve ever attended?

Very good question. It’s got to be a World Cup, if I had to pick one Germany 2006.

What’s your favourite moment in sport?

It might sound sad but one of my favourite table tennis players is a guy called Jan-Ove Waldner, watching him win the 1992 Olympic Games. Because China and Asia have always dominated, but he transcended that sport and for me he’s probably one of my all-time heroes as well as Desmond Douglas.

Your favourite city in the world?

Georgetown, St Vincent.

Favourite film ever?

Shawshank Redemption 

What would be your final meal on earth?

Caribbean soul food, chicken rice and peas.

And finally, where will Crystal Palace finish in the 2020-21 Premier League?

In the top 6 European places and above Brighton.

Ball Corporation And Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Sign Global Partnership, Including Denver Arena Naming Rights

Ball Corporation and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment today established a first-of-its kind global partnership across three marquee venues in Denver, Los Angeles and London. The partnership was founded on a shared vision to advance sustainability in sports and entertainment by strengthening in-venue aluminum recycling, providing fans with a more environmentally friendly fan experience and showcasing aluminum beverage packaging as the most sustainable choice.

The partnership includes naming rights for Ball and KSE’s hometown arena in Denver, Colorado, home to the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and NLL’s Colorado Mammoth, and also home to family entertainment and concerts. The partnership is a demonstration of both companies’ steadfast commitment to a sustainable future and builds on their long history of working together to support the Denver community.  

Ball and KSE will also partner with the Premier League’s Arsenal F.C., which plays in London’s Emirates Stadium, and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and their home stadium, SoFi Stadium. In each location, in addition to in-venue aluminum beverage packaging solutions, Ball and KSE will enhance local community programs and increase awareness of the importance of aluminum recycling.  

“This is an important moment in sports and entertainment, and we are proud to partner with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to advance sustainability in venues by implementing real-world solutions to the packaging waste crisis,” said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ball Corporation. “We are committed to making recycling an easy, everyday choice for consumers by providing them with infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, bottles and cups that can be used and back on a store shelf in just 60 days, and enhancing recycling infrastructure in venues. We look forward to continuing to work with KSE to bring about positive change for years to come.”

The partnership marks a new era for both companies’ hometown multi-purpose Denver arena, the site of iconic athletic, entertainment and cultural moments throughout the past 30 years.

“It is with great pride that we introduce Ball Arena as the new home of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Mammoth,” said KSE Founder and Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. “Our goal in selecting a long-term international venues partner was to find a Colorado-based company with global renown to grow side-by-side with our talented young teams. Ball Corporation is an ideal fit for that vision, an innovative leader that shares our commitment to our local community, to environmental sustainability and creating quality jobs in Colorado. We look forward to unveiling Ball Arena and welcoming our fans back home when it is time once again to celebrate live sports and entertainment events responsibly. We ask everyone to continue to stay safe and look after each other so that we can soon enjoy countless amazing memories at Ball Arena.”

The partnership also takes Ball and KSE’s growing relationship to the next level, reflecting a shared vision for the future of the global sports and entertainment industry.

“This announcement is an extension of a relationship that began between Ball Corporation and KSE a year ago with the introduction of their infinitely recyclable Ball Aluminum Cup™.  That opened the door to this incredible opportunity, that builds on the importance of aluminum packaging and recycling,” said Michael Ceilley, KSE Senior Vice President, Partnership Marketing & Media Sales.  “Working together, we believe this partnership will be transformative and help redefine the way arenas and stadiums operate globally. We are also grateful for PepsiCo’s dedication to elevating the fan experience at our arena for over 21 years, and through ongoing official beverage partnerships with the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth and Ball Arena.” 

These iconic venues will make the event and fan experience more sustainable by making infinitely recyclable beverage packaging more accessible and ensuring fans have confidence their beverage containers are being recycled and returned to the shelves. At all three locations, this partnership enables KSE to provide guests with real solutions that address the packaging waste crisis, including cold beverages in the infinitely recyclable Ball Aluminum Cup™  and in aluminum cans and bottles, with improved fan-facing recycling programs available on-site.

  • At Ball Arena in Denver, Ball will be KSE’s Official and Exclusive Sustainability Partner, working with KSE to transition to aluminum beverage packaging – cans, bottles and cups – for 100 percent of the venue’s concessions, with the goal of implementing a closed loop system by 2022. The partnership will include a comprehensive recycling and sustainability plan designed to strengthen the venue’s collection, processing and reclamation, as well as investments in community education focused on aluminum recycling.
  • In London, Ball will partner with Arsenal – one of the most watched soccer teams in the world – as its official sustainable aluminum beverage packaging partner. The partnership will explore ways in which Ball can support the club in reducing its impact on the environment and assist with educational initiatives for its global fanbase about the importance of recycling and other green practices. Ball’s partnership with Arsenal builds on both parties’ long history of working to support their community and signals a long-term commitment to a sustainable future.
  • In Los Angeles, Ball will become the official Infinitely Recyclable Aluminum Packaging Partner of SoFi Stadium and the Los Angeles Rams. SoFi Stadium – the new, 70,000-seat home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers – will feature the company’s infinitely recyclable aluminum cups for draft beer and cocktails. The Rams will use the cups at team training facilities, camps and on game days. Additionally, the partnership will allow Ball to create local sustainability awareness events, targeted community recycling improvements and educational programming.

Ball, a leader in cutting-edge aluminum beverage packaging, as well as climate monitoring and weather forecasting technologies through the Ball Aerospace business, has made sustainability foundational to its business, operations and products. This partnership builds on Ball’s success in developing and piloting the lightweight Ball Aluminum Cup™ in sports and entertainment venues. The cup, a direct response to growing consumer preference for more sustainable products, debuted in 2019 at the former Pepsi Center, now Ball Arena. It is also available at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Folsom Field and at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, among other major venues. KSE is a natural partner as Ball seeks to expand the cups’ reach and provide an infinitely recyclable solution to sports fans, concert-goers and consumers around the globe.

Throughout the life of the partnership, Ball and KSE will develop and implement fan-facing activities in all three venues, and focus on educational and recycling infrastructure programs for the surrounding local communities to celebrate and encourage aluminum recycling – an everyday sustainable choice for consumers and a cornerstone of making a circular economy a reality.

Nubia Technology To Become BLAST Premier’s First Ever Mobile Phone Partner

BLAST Premier and Nubia Technology have announced a partnership with the global mobile company set to sponsor the leading esports tournament organiser’s Counter Strike Fall Series. 

The partnership will see in-game branding featuring Nubia’s RedMagic 5S phone appear across the BLAST Premier’s Fall Series where the world’s top CS:GO teams go head-to-head.

As part of the deal, Nubia will be giving fans opportunities to win the brand new phone and  behind-the-scenes access during the tournament as part of various giveaways while all on-screen talent will be given the gaming phone to try for themselves. 

The global mobile technology company was founded in October 2012 and aims to bring high-end innovative gaming smartphones to the wider esports community via their RedMagic 5S model. 

The RedMagic 5S provides unrivalled gaming experiences while enabling gamers to play without the limitations standard mobile phones have. The end result is a device that strikes the balance between premium and sleek hardware and fully optimised software. 

Leo Matlock, Commercial Director at BLAST, said: “We are excited to showcase Nubia’s impressive RedMagic 5S gaming phone to the esports ecosystem via our global audience. This partnership is a strong fit with both brands sharing a major focus on innovation, technology and gaming – and with more and more people gaming and watching BLAST Premier on their phones every day – their product should be something that naturally resonates with our fans.”

Ni Fei, CEO of Nubia, said: “We love nothing more than offering gaming enthusiasts the latest advanced technology and a user experience that will take mobile gaming to a whole new level. We’re excited to build on the successful RedMagic range of models which has become one of the highly-rated gaming smartphones since its launch. We’ve worked hard to improve every last detail.

“We are confident about the RedMagic 5S. It will give gaming enthusiasts in the region the opportunity to enjoy the smoothest gaming experience so they can stay ahead of the competition whatever game they are playing.

RLWC2021 Add Sophie Pontifex To Commercial Team

Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) has today added to its commercial team with the appointment of Sophie Pontifex as Sponsorship Lead.

Sophie’s new role will see her taking responsibility for the management, activation and delivery of RLWC2021 sponsorships in the build-up and during tournament time in October and November next year. 

As Sponsorship lead, she will work with all functions across the business to coordinate and deliver all contractual rights and activity for official sponsors of the tournament, which currently include Eversheds Sutherland, Deloitte, Manchester Metropolitan University, Kappa and Kuehne + Nagel.

Previously Sophie was a Senior Account Manager at Octagon Worldwide leading sponsorship partnerships such as Stella Artois and Wimbledon, AIG and the All Blacks, and Mastercard and the UEFA Champions League.

Sophie said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the RLWC2021 team to help deliver not only a world class event, but also the biggest, best and most inclusive Rugby League World Cup to date.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to work with brands to deliver unique and truly collaborative partnerships, by providing exceptional assets and experiences, with partners that share our ambitious, innovative and inclusive values.”

Jonathan Neill, Commercial Director at RLWC2021, added: “Sophie’s experience and skill set will ensure that all our partners have the best possible experience with RLWC2021, and enable them to achieve their brand and business objectives.

“Sophie will play a critical role as we continue to grow our sponsorship programme over the next 12 months and deliver world class sponsorship management and activation.”

UEFA Launches UEFA eEURO 2021 Tournament

Following the success of this year’s first ever UEFA eEURO, European football’s governing body has announced the competition will return for a second edition, with the final tournament planned to take place next summer in London.

UEFA eEuro 2021 will see participating players compete in the largest national team efootball event – and it will be played exclusively on KONAMI’s eFootball PES 2021 SEASON UPDATE. The competition will feature all 55 of UEFA’s member associations, who in November will start selecting their teams to take part in the qualifiers in early 2021.

The aim for all contestant countries will be to qualify for the final tournament in London from 9–10 July, scheduled just before the final of the real-world UEFA EURO 2020 at Wembley Stadium on 11 July.

“The UEFA eEURO has given efootball enthusiasts the chance to dream of representing their country on the biggest stage and all competing teams will be looking to emulate Italy who were victorious earlier this year,” said UEFA Events SA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein.

“The inaugural UEFA eEURO was an undoubted success, with over 15 million people having watched competition footage across UEFA’s platforms. We have seen a massive growth in the popularity of efootball over the past few years and eEURO 2021 will continue to give us the opportunity to connect with new and existing fans of national team football.”

Reigning champions

Represented by a team of four gamers – AlonsoGrayfox, Naples17x, Nicaldan and Genoa_Npk02 – Italy were consistently impressive during the inaugural virtual final tournament. Beaten just once in qualifying, the Azzurri dispatched Israel in the quarter-finals and France in the last four to set up their showdown with Serbia, whom they defeated with a last-minute goal in the best-of-five final series.

“It was a great emotion,” said AlonsoGrayfox after the May 2020 final. “It was incredible to get to this point and now that we have won it, I cannot express my feelings in words. The decisive game was the one against France in the semi-finals. That victory gave us self-confidence. I’m proud to be Italian, I’m proud to be Sardinian. It’s incredible, I still cannot believe we did it – it’s a dream.”

How will the competition unfold?

As with its successful predecessor, UEFA eEURO 2021 will have a specific team focus. Each participating national association will compete with a national efootball team comprising between two and four players, who will represent their country in the pan-European event.

The format will be similar to the real-life UEFA EURO 2020, entailing a qualification phase and a final tournament, in which the players will face off in London. Between November and December 2020, each association will nominate their team, with participants being chosen through a domestic online or ‘physical’ tournament – unless a national efootball team already exists.

An official draw will then be made to divide the competing countries into groups for the online qualification stage; in this phase, every team will play two matches against the other sides in their group, with the team with the highest overall aggregate score being determined the winner. The winner of each group and the best six runners-up will qualify for the final tournament in London.

“Our teams have pulled out all the stops to secure the biggest and best licences possible for eFootball PES 2021 SEASON UPDATE; quality licences that match the level we set each year when it comes to game play,” said Naoki Morita, President at Konami Digital Entertainment B.V.

“The partnership with UEFA and the EURO 2020 tournament is a big win for our community and new users who look for fresh content throughout the year.”

Former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg Creates Extreme E Team

Extreme E, the new electric off-road racing series, is delighted to welcome Nico Rosberg to the championship through the formation of his own team – Rosberg Xtreme Racing (RXR) – which will make its racing debut in 2021.

Led by 2016 Formula One™ World Champion and sustainability entrepreneur Nico Rosberg, the team is an evolution of Team Rosberg, founded in 1994 by Nico’s father and 1982 F1 World Champion, Keke Rosberg. RXR builds on the team’s success in the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) as well as Nico Rosberg’s post-F1 career as an entrepreneur in the field of sustainable mobility. 

Since retiring from Formula One, Rosberg has invested in numerous successful sustainability start-ups and is also an early investor and shareholder of the all-electric racing series Formula E. With his entrepreneurial commitment, Rosberg supports businesses that offer disruptive solutions in the transition to a sustainable society. In 2019, Rosberg founded the GREENTECH FESTIVAL, a global platform to showcase pioneering green technologies.

RXR and Extreme E share a commitment to educate and inspire the series’ audience to take action in the fight against climate change both internationally and locally across the five-race calendar which spans four continents. The team’s commitment extends to off-track activities and projects with high-level institutions and initiatives that generate measurable social and environmental impact in the remote locations which Extreme E is set to visit. One of the first projects that RXR will support in its opening season is an initiative by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which works with rural communities in Senegal to monitor available water resources and the status of vegetation.

Commenting on the team’s unveiling, Rosberg Xtreme Racing Founder and CEO Nico Rosberg said: “We are thrilled to unveil Rosberg Xtreme Racing as the latest addition to Extreme E. The series represents an amazing opportunity to not only drive awareness but also inspire action in the fight against climate change – the single biggest threat to our planet today. Since retiring from F1 I have dedicated my career to sustainable technologies so to be able to combine these endeavours with my passion for racing is incredibly fulfilling. 

Alejandro Agag, Extreme E Founder and CEO, said: “We are ecstatic to finally announce that Rosberg Xtreme Racing will be joining our line-up for the first season of Extreme E. We have been talking about this project for many months and we are thrilled he has chosen Extreme E for his formal return to motorsport as Founder and CEO of his own racing team. There is clearly a great synergy between Nico’s endeavours in the sustainability field and the aims of Extreme E so his team is a hugely welcomed addition to the series.”

Seven Network To Broadcast 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

The Seven Network today announced at its 2021 Upfront presentation that it is the exclusive Australian media rights holder for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, to be held in Beijing, China from 4 – 20 February 2022.

Seven will offer Australians a comprehensive, multi-platform experience for Beijing 2022, building on the experience set to be delivered during Tokyo 2020, in July 2021.

This announcement builds on Seven’s long-term partnership with the International Olympic Committee and will mark the third Olympic Games in a row hosted in a favourable time zone for Australia, after PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020.

James Warburton, Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re thrilled to announce this continuation of our partnership with the International Olympic Committee, to be the home of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

The Olympic Games are part of our DNA at Seven, so we can’t wait to work with our partners at the IOC to deliver another incredible experience for Australian audiences.”

‘IOC is delighted’

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The IOC is delighted to announce an extension to our agreement with Seven in Australia. We have a partnership that dates back to the Olympic Games in Melbourne 1956 and Australian sports fans will be able to count on Seven’s sports broadcast expertise and passion for at least another edition of the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022.

In addition, as the IOC redistributes over 90 percent of its revenues, the financial support of our long-term commercial partners benefits the athletes, including the Australian Olympic Team for Beijing 2022, and the entire Olympic Movement. This solidarity is more important now than ever.”

Kurt Burnette, Seven West Media Chief Revenue Officer and Director of Olympics, said: “Today’s announcement solidifies Seven as the destination for the biggest events. In the space of seven months, we will be the exclusive broadcaster of Tokyo 2020 and now Beijing 2022.

Both events are set to deliver unparalleled audiences, amplified by Beijing 2022 being the third consecutive Olympic Games we’ve broadcast in a favourable time zone for Australian audiences, just two hours’ difference from Australia’s east coast.

“PyeongChang 2018 broke records on broadcast and digital, and we know Beijing 2022 will set new records again.”

Digital offerings

Seven’s coverage of Beijing 2022 will be comprehensive, building off the extensive multiplatform coverage that will be delivered just seven months prior during Tokyo 2020.

Spanning Seven’s broadcast channels, market-leading BVOD platform 7plus and other digital properties including 7NEWS.com.au, Seven will take audiences closer to the action than ever before.

Lewis Martin, Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Network Head of Sport, said: “In July next year, we’ll bring Australian audiences Tokyo 2020 with a level of coverage never before available for free in Australia for an Olympic Games.

Multiple broadcast channels, dozens of digital streams on 7plus, all available on any device a viewer might choose – it’s going to be an exceptional experience.

“Just seven months later, we’ll build on that coverage with Beijing 2022, giving Australian audiences a new level of coverage for an Olympic Winter Games. We can’t wait.”

Beijing 2022 will also represent an opportunity for brands to connect with audiences at scale, leveraging the massive audiences generated by the Olympic Winter Games to reach niche audiences, at scale.

Huge numbers

During the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, 16 million broadcast viewers were reached across the screens of Seven. Both the Seven Network and Channel 7 were number one in every market and every key demographic for every day of the Games.

And with 103.5 million minutes live-streamed on 7plus and 4.5 million people reached across social media during PyeongChang 2018, digital platforms will deliver huge growth to complement the already massive broadcast audience.

The Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates says Seven’s exceptional Olympic coverage has given Australia’s Olympic winter sports a significant boost: “Seven’s coverage of the 2018 Games in PyeongChang set a new benchmark for winter sport in Australia.

Our athletes are really looking forward to the Beijing Games in February 2022 and the chance to represent their country before a huge television audience back home. Right now, with 15 months to the Beijing Games, we have Australian athletes preparing themselves in Europe and North America, while our freestyle skiers are currently training at our new Olympic Winter Training Centre in Brisbane.”

Mr Burnette added: “With Tokyo 2020 we’re delivering not just massive audiences, but niche audiences at a scale never before achievable.

We’ll do exactly that again just seven months after Tokyo 2020 with Beijing 2022, offering brands a series of opportunities to reach exactly their targets in ways never previously possible. Plus, it’ll enable brands to start their 2022 in a big way with what will be the biggest cultural and sporting event of the year across broadcast and digital. It’s an unbeatable opportunity.”

Hyperice Named Multi-Year Partner Of PGA TOUR And PGA TOUR Champions

The PGA TOUR and Hyperice, the industry leader in recovery technology and pioneer of percussion, vibration, dynamic air compression and thermal technology, announced a new multi-year partnership designating Hyperice as the “Official Recovery Device of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions” and a “Sponsor of PGA TOUR Active.”

As part of the TOUR’s Official Marketing Partner program, Hyperice will activate and create custom content within PGA TOUR Active (www.pgatour.com/active), a new TOUR initiative highlighting health, fitness and lifestyles of professional golfers, where fans get an inside look into the techniques and activities helping the world’s best perform at their peak. The partnership will also introduce Hyperice’s range of products and technologies into the Player Performance Centers, state-of-the-art mobile fitness centers that travel with the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions to provide fitness equipment and care through its recovery technology to players on-site at tournaments throughout the season.     

“As an industry leader in recovery technology, we couldn’t be more pleased to introduce Hyperice to the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions players and trainers,” said Brian Oliver, PGA TOUR Executive Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. “By developing products inspired by professional athletes, and making recovery technology and education accessible to all, Hyperice will help ensure our elite athletes recover effectively to perform at their best each week over a long season.”

Founded in 2010, Hyperice has always centered its product development around the needs of athletes to aid in their pursuit of excellence by optimizing performance and expediting recovery, making innovative handheld percussion massage devices, vibrating foam rollers, heat and vibration wraps and ice compression wraps for training, faster muscle and tissue recovery.

Beyond this new partnership with the TOUR, Hyperice has also been heavily touted by professional athletes, recently welcoming professional golfer Rickie Fowler to join the lineup of influential, high-performing athletes who serve both as investors and ambassadors. The company is set to provide its flagship product, the Hypervolt, to TOUR players at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD as well as every golfer on the PGA TOUR Champions and Korn Ferry Tour.

“Our partnership with the PGA TOUR is truly the first of its kind. In addition to delivering Hyperice recovery technology directly to players during tournaments to optimize performance, we’re able to give fans behind the scenes access to their favorite players’ health, fitness and recovery routines,” said Jim Huether, CEO of Hyperice. “Hyperice is committed to helping athletes worldwide move better and recover faster. Today’s announcement demonstrates the PGA TOUR’s commitment to elevating the sport and performance of its athletes. We’re also excited to have golf superstar Rickie Fowler join Hyperice as an ambassador and investor to help further advance our global health and wellness mission.”

“Hyperice has long been a part of my daily routine, so I’m very excited to have easy access to technology during play,” said Rickie Fowler, PGA TOUR Professional. “With fitness and body maintenance being a huge trend amongst us pros – especially during the time off at home – I love that the PGA TOUR has chosen the best in the business to share the importance of proper recovery to players, trainers and future generations of pros.”

Throughout the partnership, PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions players and trainers will receive the latest products, research and hands-on training from Hyperice to aid their recovery, enhance their performance and improve health and movement. Furthermore, the TPC Network will become a Hyperice retail partner, selling products on-site at its 16 owned and operated TPC courses around the United States.

In addition, this partnership will increase brand awareness for Hyperice’s newly launched App, powered by HyperSmart™ technology, which seamlessly blends physical and digital activity to create an experience entirely customized to the user. With its new Bluetooth® and artificial intelligence platform, it can recommend routines for body maintenance, recovery and performance goals by analyzing users’ wearable data.

BBC Confirmed As UK Broadcaster For Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The BBC has signed up to be the Domestic Broadcast Rights Holder for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

The deal means the corporation will broadcast Birmingham 2022 events on television and radio and provide online coverage for the home nations, offering unparalleled coverage of the UK’s largest sporting event since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The BBC has a long and proud association with the Commonwealth Games which dates back to 1954. With the longstanding history between the BBC and the Games, the organisation will bring an unrivalled experience of covering Birmingham 2022. 

The deal marks a particularly significant moment as 2022 coincides with the BBC’s own centenary celebrations. The partnership also reinforces the BBC’s longstanding connection with Birmingham and the Midlands, as one of the oldest regional arms of the broadcaster. 

The announcement comes on the day that Birmingham 2022 unveiled the Games’ medal event programme, confirming that the competition will be the first major multi-sport event in history to award more medals to women than men.

In addition, Birmingham 2022 will host the largest ever integrated para sport programme, as well as a record number of mixed events including diving, swimming relays and para-athletics relays.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from 28 July until 8 August 2022. 

Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “I am delighted that the BBC has taken up the domestic rights for the Commonwealth Games.

“I believe this deal represents a huge vote of confidence in Birmingham as well as the entire Commonwealth Sport Movement. 

“We anticipate some of the world’s highest profile athletes will compete at Birmingham, which will be an historic event for women’s sport, with more medals for women than men. 

“The BBC has demonstrated a huge commitment to women’s sport and with 2022 marking their centenary, I am delighted they are partnering again with Commonwealth Sport to help us generate huge levels of excitement and anticipation in the lead up to one of the biggest sporting events the UK has ever have hosted.

“I am thrilled that the BBC will once again connect millions of viewers to the drama and excitement of the Commonwealth Games, bringing their world class production and analysis to homes and handsets across the UK.”

Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC, said: “In a year when many major sport events have been postponed, this is welcome news for sports fans. 

We are delighted to be broadcasting the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.”

Birmingham 2022 CEO Ian Reid said: “This is a significant moment for Birmingham 2022 and we are very proud to be working with the BBC as the Domestic Broadcast Rights Holder for the Games. 

The BBC’s record in covering major sports events is truly outstanding and we can’t wait to work with them on our edition of the Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham 2022 is the biggest sporting event to be staged in the UK since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the BBC is the perfect broadcaster to showcase our 19 sports and 8 para sports, the majority of which will be held in venues across Birmingham and the West Midlands, ensuring that the city and the region will be truly centre stage in 2022.”

Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “This is another significant step towards the successful delivery of Birmingham 2022. It will be a fantastic year of culture and national celebration as we enjoy the Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and Festival UK. 

“I am delighted that the BBC will continue its long-standing heritage of broadcasting the Games, and I look forward to watching every moment of the action.”