LaLiga Introduces Augmented Reality Graphics In Real Time For Viewers

LaLiga is introducing integrated data and augmented reality graphics in real time on the pitch to offer viewers an innovative, seamless immersive experience as it continues to evolve with data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning as pillars of its technological approach.

LaLiga has set a benchmark in terms of leveraging technology in competitions globally and the 3D infographics will allow fans to live every game even more intensely and to help them understand the game even better.

All the latest data and stats about the players, the evolution of the game in real time will be available to fans. Revealing patterns in short placements and the yards for success of free kicks and penalties and fans can further watch the game with a virtual audience.

The real-time performance data in the cloud is offered by LaLiga’s Mediacoach. Introduced to Spain in 2010, the tool is now used by the 42 clubs of the competition with over 430 club staff accessing it. The team behind Mediacoach is focused on adding new features that will sharpen the tool and ensure that even more groups, from club trainers to media partners, can benefit from it.

This season, Mediacoach has multiplied the number of cameras in the stadiums to take real-time tracking data to new levels, while opening the tool to more users via the cloud.

“The use of data is a huge differentiator for the global sports industry,” said Ricardo Resta, director of LaLiga’s sports area and the Mediacoach platform. “With Mediacoach we are ensuring that the best information can be accessed by all LaLiga clubs, no matter their size. It’s how we ensure that the league grows as one.”

“In discussion with the clubs, we found that many had coaches or technical staff who wanted to use Mediacoach but could not be physically in the stadium,” Resta explained. “Moving to the cloud helps all teams to follow the match together with the same level of insight, no matter their location.”

With this new feature, all partners and collaborators within a club can study live matches, or recent matches of an upcoming rival, to provide informed feedback. It allows clubs to cover more ground, with different individuals focusing on attack, defence, individual players, or physical conditions. Soon, a chat function within Mediacoach will allow all of these different teams to share their insights within the application, speeding up the decision-making process.

Beyond this, the cloud platform will make it quicker and easier to share the information with broadcast partners or sponsors around the world, allowing them to enhance their programmes and campaigns with new and insightful data.

“Mediacoach will remain transparent and accessible for everyone who wants to understand our competition better,” Resta concluded. “The use cases are multiplying by the day and the possibilities for the future are limitless.”

Gameplan Appoints iSPORTCONNECT As A Strategic Partner

Gameplan is an integrated workforce management software that helps companies manage their internal and casual teams alongside their agencies. It is a centralised, end-to-end workforce solution. Gameplan is an SaaS solution which aims to help these businesses reduce cost and increase revenue by streamlining processes in areas such as assigning work to suppliers, communications, access control, real-time job information, time and attendance, forecasting and analytics.

This partnership comes at a time when the unprecedented challenges created by the Coronavirus pandemic have driven Facilities Management Companies in stadiums around the world to reconsider the structure and digitisation of their workforces. 

From our first conversations with Sree and the team it was clear that they could add value to our business rapidly.

Gameplan estimates that operators are losing millions each year from staff churn, time theft, inaccurate billing, poor time keeping processes and lack of visibility across key analytics.  The ‘future of work’ is a hot topic right now with facilities managers increasingly realising the importance of deploying leading technology solutions in this space. Gameplan is certainly at the forefront of this trend. 

Duncan Mitchell, CEO & Co-Founder of Gameplan said: ” iSPORTCONNECT came highly recommended to us from a number of credible advisors. From our first conversations with Sree and the team it was clear that they could add value to our business rapidly. We are looking forward to working closely together.”

iSPORTCONNECT Founder and CEO Sree Varma said:  “I was introduced to Gameplan through mutual contacts and it was immediately clear that we shared the same entrepreneurial spirit. We immediately understood how their product can benefit those within the industry and where we could help them develop”

iSPORTCONNECT CONSULTANCY

iSPORTCONNECT’s consultancy division assists clients with commercial development, marketing & communication and business strategy surrounding the world of sport. We provide business intelligence, global sports market entry strategy and support. Our clients include the likes of LaLiga, Tata Communications, Hookit and ATPI.

ABOUT Gameplan

Gameplan was founded by two entrepreneurs with extensive experience in successfully building businesses in the ‘gig’ economy – Duncan Mitchell and Tom Nimmo. Duncan previously co-founded Temptribe, a temporary staffing business part acquired by Concerto Group (now CH&Co) in 2009. And Tom who co-founded Hassle.com a marketplace for cleaners acquired in 2015 by European heavyweight Helpling.

ABOUT iSPORTCONNECT

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

Renault To Rebrand As Alpine F1 Team For 2021

Groupe Renault has chosen to put the colours of French excellence at the heart of Formula 1 by naming its team Alpine from the 2021 season. Already recognised for its records and successes in endurance and rallying, the Alpine name naturally finds its place in the high standards, prestige and performance of Formula 1.

The Alpine brand, a symbol of sporting prowess, elegance and agility, will be designated to the chassis and pay tribute to the expertise that gave birth to the A110. For Alpine, this is a key step to accelerate the development and influence of the brand. The team’s engine will continue to benefit from Groupe Renault’s unique expertise in hybrid powertrains and its E-Tech name will be retained.

The signing of the new Concorde agreements, with the capping of budgets and the implementation of new technical regulations from 2022, confirms the Group’s determination to return to the podium and win under its new colours.

Luca De Meo, C.E.O. Groupe Renault: “Alpine is a beautiful brand, powerful and vibrant, that brings a smile to the faces of its followers. By introducing Alpine, a symbol of French excellence, to the most prestigious of the world’s automotive disciplines, we are continuing the adventure of manufacturers in a renewed sport.

“We are bringing a dream brand alongside the biggest names, for spectacular car races made and followed by enthusiasts. Alpine will also bring its values to the F1 paddock: elegance, ingenuity and audacity.”

Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal Renault DP World F1 Team: “This change comes at a key moment in the trajectory of the team and the sport. Alpine brings a new meaning, new values and colours to the paddock with the spirit of competition from other worlds and French creative agility. These will be assets in the preparation of 2022 deadlines.

“The new regulatory and financial framework will establish the conditions for a fairer motor sport in its redistribution of revenues; simpler and progressive in its governance. The implementation of the “budget cap” will put an end to the expense race and will allow the signatory teams to be measured for their sporting value. Alpine has its place in Formula 1 and can challenge for victory.”

Member Insights: How To Grow New Revenue Streams With Gamification Outside The In-Stadium Experience

Sports are not the same without live spectators. Without them you lose the beloved atmosphere for fans, but a lot of revenue as well. The total matchday revenue lost in the Big 5 football Leagues by having to play behind closed doors is estimated to be upwards to $718 million. Many sports leagues across the globe were suspended or even canceled. Analysis suggests that the sports industry will suffer losses of $61.6 billion due to lost revenue.

“Ticket sales are a key source of revenue for the clubs. In addition to that, sponsorship money and income from television rights are threatened because clubs are bound by contracts to play their games.” – Christoph Breuer, professor of sports business and management @Sports College Cologne

Lost matchday revenue forces sports and football clubs to find new revenue sources elsewhere

Losing revenue has been especially demanding for smaller clubs. Between 100 and 200 clubs in Europe in danger of going bankrupt. In the Bundesliga alone the 36 professional teams in the first and second divisions look at potential losses of €750 million.

“While all will be impacted, those clubs from smaller countries typically with a greater dependence on matchday revenues risk being hit the hardest.” – Dan Jones, Head of Sports Business Group @Deloitte

The same goes for other sports. Major League Baseball projects a $4 billion loss due to empty stadium games. The teams in the NFL stand to lose a combined $5.5 billion. Forbes magazine states the loss makes up for around 38% of total NFL revenue. The Dallas Cowboys, for instance, the biggest team in the League, could lose over $950 million in stadium revenue from tickets, food, and merchandise sales.

Fortunately, you can grow new revenue streams outside the in-stadium experience! Here’s all you should know:

  • The opportunity to maximize online merchandise sales in your fanshop
  • Why gamification drives revenue for E-commerce
  • How to use gamification in E-commerce?
  • Examples of gamification in E-commerce
  • Driving referrals with gamification in E-commerce
  • The secret power of a bidding system
  • Pushing next-level loyalty with E-commerce gamification 

iSPORTCONNECT Reveals STADS As Newest Consultancy Client

London, August 3 2020 –  iSPORTCONNECT, The World’s Largest Private Business Sport Network, is delighted to announce our latest consultancy client, advertising solution platform STADS.

STADS is the first and only private marketplace that supports the in-stadium media buying process by linking brands and rights holders through one simple platform that covers the entire process – from buying, to scheduling, to optimisation. With tools and analytics to accurately target audiences by stadium, game and broadcast, slots can be chosen to suit individual needs – narrowed down further by time frame, duration, intensity and price.

The company currently operates across the biggest football leagues in Europe including Italy, Germany, UK, Spain, France and Portugal, working with brands and agencies worldwide.

Speaking on the announcement, STADS Founder and CEO Yoav Shalmor commented: “We’re happy to join forces with the leading sports business network. As an early stage company with ambitions to disrupt the sports industry, we see this partnership as a vital milestone in our quest.”

iSPORTCONNECT CEO Sree Varma added: “Meeting with Yoav was fascinating as STADS are a company that has a great deal of potential moving forwards and it is a great pleasure for me that they have chosen the team at iSPORTCONNECT to help them on their journey.

“We look forward to playing an enabling role in their story as they progress and really happy they are the latest client to become part of our ever-growing iSPORTCONNECT community”

STADS were also recently featured in a Forbes interview with their Advisory Board Member and Investor, legendary former Juventus and Italy footballer, Alessandro Del Piero.

iSPORTCONNECT CONSULTANCY

iSportconnect’s Consultancy division works to help our clients with commercial development, marketing and communications and business strategy surrounding the world of sport. We help to provide business intelligence, global sports market entry strategy and support and are constantly on hand as advisors 24/7 for our clients. Some of our consultancy clients include the likes of LaLiga, Sodexo, Tata Communications, Hookit and ATPI.

ABOUT iSPORTCONNECT

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

Member Insights: Stakes Are High For Cricket Australia As Their ‘Annus Horribilis’ Continues

Australia’s international cricketers will have been overjoyed to finally return to the outfield for the first time since March when they began their six international fixtures against England last Friday night. However, behind the scenes at Cricket Australia, there is a much less pretty picture being painted. Ken Jacobs, former CEO of Cricket Victoria from 1980 to 2007, looks at the issues facing the organisation.

Australian cricket’s winter of discontent continues both on and off the field.

It is bad enough that the Australian team has already lost their first two T20 matches against England, but when one of your major partners describes Cricket Australia as “The most incompetent administration I’ve ever worked with. It’s a train wreck. We are forced to consider all our options including terminating the contract and we have put them on notice” (James Warburton, CEO Seven Media), then clearly things are not much better off the field in the administration side!

Things started to go pear shaped for Cricket Australia in April when a proposal was submitted to its member State Associations to take a reduction in their grants in the vicinity of 45% as a result of the implications of the Covid-19 crisis, but at a time when the crisis had had no real impact on Australian cricket.

Having weeks earlier assured staff at Cricket Australia that all was under control, this turned into advice that there would be major redundancies required at the national cricket body.

All six states rejected this proposal and later that month received a second proposal that would see the states funding reduced by 25% on the basis of Cricket Australia’s revenue falling by 50% in the coming season. This was heavily predicated at the time on the fact India would not tour Australia this summer which it now appears likely they will.

At around this time, although having weeks earlier assured staff at Cricket Australia that all was under control, this turned into advice that there would be major redundancies required at the national cricket body and, within a matter of days, 80% of staff were stood down on just twenty percent of their normal salaries.

So having first got their owners – the State Associations, off side, and then their own staff, Cricket Australia sought to make savings from one of their other major stakeholder groups – their players, only to once again go down like the proverbial lead balloon.

As one of Roberts’ predecessors at Cricket Australia, Malcolm Speed, described it, “Respect and trust are like virginity; once you’ve lost them they’re mighty hard to get back.”

Given the fact Kevin Roberts, CEO at the time, was widely criticised for his role in the bitter pay dispute with the players back in 2017 his relationship and ability to regain their trust and that of the Australian Cricketers Association was always going to be tested. As one of Roberts’ predecessors at Cricket Australia, Malcolm Speed, described it, “Respect and trust are like virginity; once you’ve lost them they’re mighty hard to get back.”

Whether it was a matter of three strikes and you’re out, or simply the perception that he had botched cricket’s response to coronavirus, on June 14th the curtain was bought down on Roberts’ short reign as James Sutherland’s successor as CEO of Cricket Australia.

The winter of discontent continued for Cricket Australia in early August when the ICC announced that the T20 Men’s World Cup that had been scheduled for Australia in October/November had been postponed until 2022 because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Australia’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for later this year, which would have provided a great deal of funds to Australian cricket, has now been pushed back to 2020 due to Covid-19

The impact of the pandemic and some of the organisation’s decisions has seen approximately 200 people previously employed in the State Associations and at Cricket Australia lose their jobs. This includes some very capable and loyal people and a number of senior executives at Cricket Australia who were part of the executive team and close confidants of the now former CEO Kevin Roberts.

So having gone into battle against its owners, the players and their own staff Cricket Australia is now in a high stakes battle with its free-to-air television partner, with James Warburton suggesting Seven could tear up its contract with Cricket Australia because of the governing body’s recently released Big Bash League (BBL) fixtures potentially providing a lesser standard of competition due to international players being unavailable.

Seven Media contribute approximately AUS$82million annually into the coffers of Cricket Australia under a six year deal struck in conjunction with Foxtel in 2018

Seven Media contribute approximately AUS$82million annually into the coffers of Cricket Australia under a six year deal struck in conjunction with Foxtel in 2018, and both parties have not enjoyed the ratings they were hoping for.

A saving grace for Cricket Australia in their relationship with their media partners, if they can pull it off, is a plan to help the BBL teams recruit and pay for some big overseas names outside of the competition salary cap, such as star England all-rounder Ben Stokes and also adding a third international player to the player roster for each franchise.

So as we move from winter to spring the stakes are high for interim Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley and Chairman Earl Eddings as they enter into talks with their media partners about how the coming season will look, given the need to have international players – both Australian and touring sides – secured in hubs around the country due to the ongoing Covid-19 protocols.

LaLigaTV And Premier Sports To Showcase ‘Fútbol Fridays’ In The UK

Premier Sports and LaLiga have partnered to offer fans free-to-air broadcast windows and expanded access to the premium 24/7 channel LaLigaTV.

Starting this Friday at 6pm BST, Premier Sports’ free-to-air channel FreeSports will debut Fútbol Fridays, a four-hour broadcast window offering fans across the United Kingdom expert insights into the top storylines from the upcoming matchday of LaLiga Santander.

Hosted by Semra Hunter and accompanied by top Spanish-football pundits including Guillem Balagué, Pete Jenson, Albert Ferrer, Graham Hunter and Andrea Orlandi, among others, Fútbol Fridays will broadcast live via simulcast from the LaLigaTV studios starting at 6pm BST with two hours of pre-match coverage, followed by weekly Friday night LaLiga fixtures at 8pm BST, beginning with this week’s Granada CF vs. Athletic Club.

Premier Sports CEO Richard Sweeney said: “We’re thrilled to partner with LaLiga to bring Fútbol Fridays on FreeSports to viewers across the UK. We know there’s a strong appetite for free-to-air football in this country and we’re confident that fans will make Fútbol Fridays a consistent part of their weekend viewing habits.”

Additionally, FreeSports will offer UK viewers an extra dose of Spanish football from this weekend, with the inclusion of Saturday 3pm BST broadcasts for two consecutive weekends: SD Eibar vs. RC Celta (Saturday 12th Sept.) followed by Villarreal CF vs. SD Eibar (Saturday 19th Sept.) From Matchday 3 onward, fans will continue to enjoy LIVE LaLiga Santander football at 3pm BST on Saturdays via LaLigaTV, whilst UK blackout restrictions remain suspended due to the current extraordinary circumstances.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas said: “We look forward to fans in Spain, the UK and elsewhere finally returning to stadiums once it is deemed safe to do so. For now, we are pleased to bring UK viewers the very best of Spanish football via our flagship 24/7 channel, LaLigaTV, and our broadcast partnership with Premier Sports. This includes during the traditional kick-off time of 3pm on Saturdays.”

This expanded access to LaLiga Santander also includes Premier Sports’ special offer, announced recently, allowing Sky customers in the United Kingdom to access LaLigaTV for FREE until October 1st by registering their details at premiersports.com. The offer is valid for new and returning LaLigaTV subscribers, without any need to enter a promo code. Non-Sky subscribers in the UK can enjoy FREE access to LaLigaTV as well, by signing up for the Premier Player service via premierplayer.tv.

Launched in January 2020, LaLigaTV is the UK and Ireland’s only 24/7 linear television channel offering ALL available live matches from a top international football competition. With over 25 hours of live studio programming each week, the channel features expert analysis from renowned Spanish-football pundits, including: Gaizka Mendieta, Gus Poyet, Guillem Balagué, Graham Hunter, Sid Lowe, Terry Gibson, Albert Ferrer, Lauren Bisan-Etame, Andrea Orlandi, Quique de Lucas, Semra Hunter, Simon Hanley, Duncan McMath, Phil Kitromilides, Toni Padilla, and many others.

Fulham Football Club Welcomes BetVictor As Main Team Partner

Fulham Football Club is delighted to welcome global gaming brand BetVictor as its new Main Team Partner, until Summer 2022. The two-year deal will see the BetVictor logo displayed on the front of the playing shirts worn by the Club’s Men’s First Team and Women’s Team for the duration of the partnership.

As well as presence on the playing and replica adult shirts, BetVictor branding will feature prominently around Craven Cottage on matchdays, as well as on the Club’s new official website fulhamfc.com and social media platforms.

BetVictor are an online sports and casino gaming company with a proud history stretching back over 70 years. As the creator of award-winning campaigns and products, their proprietary technology enables them to deliver a premium and safe betting service putting customers at the heart of their business.

Fulham Football Club finished last season’s Sky Bet Championship league campaign as Play-Off Final winners at Wembley, securing promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The team is preparing for the start of the new season, which begins at Craven Cottage against Arsenal on Saturday 12th September.

As the Club’s Main Team Partner, the BetVictor brand will receive extensive global exposure with the Premier League watched by a worldwide audience of over 3 billion people annually.

Speaking of the partnership BetVictor CEO, Andreas Meinrad, commented:

“We’re really excited to be teaming up with Fulham FC and confident of a successful season ahead for both of us. The Premier League always provides compelling drama. We know how much football means to our customers and we share their enthusiasm for the beautiful game. It’s all eyes on Craven Cottage for Saturday’s big kick-off.”

Alistair Mackintosh, CEO of Fulham FC, added:

“We welcome BetVictor on board as our Main Team Partner and look forward to working with them this season as we begin our Premier League campaign against Arsenal at Craven Cottage this weekend. BetVictor shares our passion for success and we hope to develop our relationship further throughout the duration of the partnership, in order to achieve and exceed our goals.”

Real Madrid CF And Legends Announce Global Omnichannel Retail Progam

Real Madrid CF today announced an expansive omnichannel retail program, inclusive of an all-new official online store, the relaunch of three official stores in Madrid, and a new Flagship Megastore at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid has partnered with Legends, a premium experiences company with global expertise across merchandising, sales, partnerships, planning, technology, and hospitality, to manage all merchandise operations.

This new partnership between Legends and Real Madrid will further develop relationships with fans and deliver a seamless and integrated experience that truly represents the Real Madrid brand across all online and retail physical touchpoints. It will also play an important role in the commercial growth and brand development strategy of the club, where Legends and Real Madrid share the same vision for delivering a modern omnichannel experience.

As part of the Club’s international growth strategy, the new official online store will include premium and exclusive Real Madrid merchandise for fans of all ages. The e-commerce platform will be available in eight different languages and features innovative design elements, an exceptional user experience, and will serve fans around the world. The new official online store is innovative, leveraging modern technology and infrastructure to allow Real Madrid to integrate e-commerce experiences directly into any of its digital channels.

The official online store is a key pillar in Real Madrid’s digital strategy that puts the fan experience squarely at the center of the business. A true omnichannel experience is a fundamental part of the strategy, and the partnership with Legends takes a major step toward the vision of a comprehensive shopping experience, online and in stores, for all Socios, Madridistas, and fans around the world to find their favorite official products. The comprehensive retail program will promote relevant offers in a seamless purchase experience, whenever and where ever fans go to engage with the team.

The Real Madrid Flagship Megastore will open its doors as part of the ongoing state-of-the-art transformation of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, and will be a revolutionary shopping experience for Socios, Madridistas, local, and international fans visiting the stadium. Later this year, Real Madrid will open an interim Megastore at the stadium, which boasts two floors on the south side of the stadium. With exclusive product assortments, customization stations, and a new range of leisurewear and team products, accessories, and the widest selection of Real Madrid technical product, the Megastore will provide a one-of-a-kind experience for fans. Further details about the interim Real Madrid Megastore will be released in the coming weeks.

FIBA Announces Four-Year TCL Global Partnership Renewal

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and electronics company TCL have signed a new global partnership agreement for a further four years until 2023.

The deal was brokered by FIBA Marketing, the strategic partnership between FIBA and Infront, a Wanda Sports company. It follows a successful first cycle which saw TCL celebrate broad exposure at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 hosted across eight cities last year in China.

Julien Ternisien, Infront Senior Vice President Summer Sports said: “TCL formed a key part of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in terms of exposure but also fan engagement. This new and expanded agreement illustrates that there is high value to be found when brands associate themselves with FIBA and its properties and I have every confidence TCL will once again be an integral cog in the basketball family.”

As outlined in today’s press release from FIBA the agreement grants TCL exclusivity in the categories of home appliances including TVs, refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners and is expanded to provide key commercial rights across all FIBA competitions. This includes the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, FIBA Continental Cups for both Men and Women, FIBA Youth World Cups, the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 and FIBA’s pinnacle event the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023.

Specific rights for these events include having premium brand visibility on the court and being the presenter of the player of the game (“TCL Player of the Game”), while TCL has also been granted the exclusive Presenting Sponsorship rights for the Asian Qualifiers for the Asia Cup 2021 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.