AC Milan And Emirates Renew Partnership Until End Of 2022/23 Season

AC Milan is delighted to announce the renewal of its sponsorship agreement with world-class airline Emirates until the end of the 2022/23 season. The Emirates logo will remain on the front of shirts for the senior men’s team, youth teams and for the Rossoneri Academy, which has been the case for the previous 10 years.

The AC Milan and Emirates partnership brings together two leading brands with global ambitions, underpinned by shared values that include excellence, innovation, elegance and style.

The announcement of the extension is the latest milestone in a long-standing and successful relationship between the Rossoneri and the Dubai-based airline. At the end of this three-year term, the total duration of the partnership will have reached 17 years. 

Emirates first became a partner of AC Milan in 2007 and in the 2010/11 season the global airline took its place on the front of the club’s shirt, bringing the brand to prominence in the hearts and minds of millions of football fans all over the world. 

Emirates continues as a Principal Partner, the Principal senior men’s team shirt sponsor and Official Airline Partner of AC Milan. The new deal provides AC Milan with the opportunity to welcome new Principle Partners to the club’s growing partnership family, with space on the club’s first team shirt sleeve, training kit and women’s team shirts available independently for the first time.

Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer, AC Milan, said: “We are thrilled to announce a 3-year extension to our relationship with Emirates, one that has truly stood the test of time. This renewal is a testament to the value both parties have brought to the table throughout this long term and collaborative partnership. The partnership of these two brands, with such strong international visibility, is an extremely powerful one.

We are delighted to support Emirates in showcasing the excellence and quality of their experience all over the world. Coming out of a global pandemic, our new deal with Emirates has also allowed the club to redefine its partnership strategy, providing an increased sponsorship inventory and therefore greater potential for further commercial partners moving forwards.”

Flavio Ghiringhelli, Italy County Manager, Emirates, added: “AC Milan has been a great partner for Emirates. With them, we have found a like-minded brand with the same drive and vision for delivering quality experiences, and bringing the world together to celebrate a shared passion. We are delighted to renew our partnership, which demonstrates our long-term commitment to the club, and to fans of the sport in Italy and globally.”

Vodafone Named Lead Partner For British & Irish Lions 2021 Tour Of South Africa

Vodafone is today revealed as Lead Partner of the British & Irish Lions for the 2021 Tour of South Africa. The two brands are united by a shared passion and commitment to connect people to each other and the things they love – in this case, the highly anticipated Lions Tour against the World Champions.

Like no other team in the world of sport, the Lions have a unique ability to unite fans from across the UK & Ireland behind one iconic squad. The power of Vodafone’s network, now more than ever, unites and unlocks potential in us all, making the sponsorship the perfect pairing, bringing the UK and Ireland’s best mobile data network together with the best of the best in rugby.

Lucky Vodafone customers will also be eligible to enter competitions to win much-coveted tour tickets and merchandise giveaways through Vodafone’s VeryMe loyalty programme.

As Lead Partner, Vodafone’s logo will be displayed on the front of the Lions’ jersey, making Vodafone an integral part of the ‘Sea of Red’ that will sweep every ground and city it travels to. The sponsorship also includes the provision of communications equipment to keep everyone involved in the Tour connected and technical support for training and player performance.

Whether fans are enjoying the Tour at home or away, thanks to Vodafone and the Lions, they will be able to immerse themselves in the action through a dedicated app, interactive games, and plenty of exclusive content. Vodafone will be creating innovative fan experiences through experiential activations both at home and in South Africa.

Max Taylor, Commercial Director, Vodafone said: “Nothing in sport unites us quite like the Lions. The team bonds nations that normally compete, unites families and friends and brings generations closer together.

“At a time when connection, unity and community are more important than ever, the Lions 2021 Tour gives us a great opportunity to bring people together in a way that no other sporting event can. The build up to this incredible touring event starts now. It’s time to unite the pride.”

Ben Calveley, Managing Director of the British & Irish Lions, added: “Today’s announcement represents two iconic brands coming together.  Along with supporting Warren and the team, Vodafone will also help to enhance the experience of Lions supporters through the very best technology and innovation.

“The fans are a crucial aspect of any Lions tour and we will need to ensure they feel part of the team, to ignite their incredible support, if we are to overcome the World Champions.

“In Vodafone we have found a partner who shares our passion for connectivity, and we are delighted to have them on board to enhance the experience of the Lions fans across the world.”

Extreme E Confirms Broadcast And Streaming Partnership With Discovery

Extreme E, the innovative electric off-road motor racing series, and Discovery have agreed one of the championship’s most expansive broadcast and streaming partnerships that will see millions of motorsport fans offered the best live and on-demand race coverage across Europe and North America.

The three-year agreement will see Extreme E screened in over 50 European markets on Eurosport, Discovery’s leading multi-sport brand, and in North America via MotorTrend, the number one network for automotive superfans and the only subscription streaming service dedicated entirely to the motoring world. World-class coverage of Extreme E on Eurosport and MotorTrend will feature an exciting range of programming including live race action, highlights shows and on-demand access so viewers can watch wherever and whenever they choose, all delivered in local languages by the best motorsport experts.

Extreme E kick-starts in early 2021 and features five races in the most challenging and remote locations including arctic, desert, rainforest, glacier, and coastal, all of which have been negatively impacted by climate change and human influences. The unique series aims to raise awareness of these issues through world-class, sustainable motorsport action that inspires viewers to consider their own environments impact.

Ali Russell, Chief Marketing Officer at Extreme E, said: “It is fantastic news that Discovery has joined our expanding list of broadcast partners. With its extensive portfolio of channels and direct-to-consumer platforms around dedicated passion verticals, Discovery’s brands are visible all over the world and will be instrumental in bringing Extreme E to a truly global audience.

“We are working really hard to have everything in place for Season 1 and deliver a truly engaging range of programmes, not only from a race perspective but also to highlight our three key pillars: environment, equality and electrification.

“As a sport for purpose, our broadcast partners are vital in helping deliver a message focussing on sustainability, green technology and innovation, bridging the gap between research and development, racing and road. This not only excites fans on the capabilities of electric vehicles, but also challenges some of the best female and male drivers on some of the most extreme environments in the world.

“Extreme E is a future facing broadcast product incorporating virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D, unique data overlays, new camera angles, gamification, fan voting and drone racers filming the action. Gaming meeting reality in the most extreme corners of the earth!”

Trojan Paillot, VP Rights Acquisitions at Eurosport, said: “By partnering with Extreme E, we are harnessing our global portfolio of brands, channels and products across the wider Discovery network to scale a unique and invigorating event to viewers across the world.

“We have a rich history of showcasing the world’s most exciting and sustainable motorsport events including Formula E and Eurosport Events operated PURE ETCR, the world’s first all-electric touring car championship. By building on this knowledge and expertise, we are confident we can bring Extreme E to millions of screens and build passionate communities of fans in key markets around the world.”

The agreement with Eurosport is the latest broadcast partnership to be announced by Extreme E, with the championship also set to partner with BBC (UK), FOX Sports (United States, Canada and the Caribbean), FOX Sports Asia (Southeast Asia), FOX Sports Australia, Mediaset (Italy), Sony India (Indian subcontinent), TVNZ (New Zealand), RTM (Malaysia), Dubai Sports (Middle East), RDS (Canada), China Sports Zhibo.tv (China), RTL 7 (The Netherlands), ORF (Austria), RTS (Senegal) and BTRC (Belarus).

FC Cincinatti Display New Stadium To Supporters Via Virtualisation Technology

Major League Soccer is in the midst of an unstoppable expansion, gathering more and more American supporters and attracting the attention of international spectators, with the latest new franchise, Charlotte FC, confirmed this week.

One of the newest franchises to enter MLS is FC Cincinnati, who entered their debut season in the league in 2019. Upon the approval of the team’s incorporation, ambitious plans were drawn up for the construction of a top MLS stadium. West End Stadium is to be the new home of FC Cincinnati, with a capacity of over 25,500 fans, and a modern and welcoming design. 

Although the opening is scheduled for 2021, it is already possible to see what the final look of the stadium will be like thanks to its 3D representation. The 3D Digital Venue team has been responsible for the virtualisation of West End Stadium, with the goal of providing fans with an accurate view of their new home as well as to start organising the technical aspects of the transition to the new venue.

This is possible thanks to the technology provided by 3DDV, which allows for an accurate interpretation of all aspects of the venue, such as seat positions, colors, textures and materials. The result is a 3D model in the form of a widget that is integrated into the teams ticketing platform, SeatGeek, making the season ticket buying process both visually appealing and simple for all FC Cincinnati fans in their first season at the new stadium. 

In addition, all the VIP spaces have been virtualised to offer future guests a true representation of the premium area amenities. Customers interested in this type of product will be able to see the exact suite or club they are interested in, as well as its decoration and view perspective of the pitch.  

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NEW STADIUM VIRTUALISED HERE

3D Digital Venue  is a technology solutions company that creates 2D and 3D images of stadiums, arenas and other types of live event spaces, offering ticket buyers the opportunity to view the venue, and their view of the performance area, during and after the ticket buying process.

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, 3DDV’s technology currently integrates with over 35 different ticketing platforms in 20 countries, virtualising some of the most iconic venues in the world, including Staples Center in LA, Wembley Stadium in London and Stadio Olimpico in Rome. 3D Digital Venue has been successfully building best in class 360-degree 2D and 3D interactive solutions that excel in delivering greater fan satisfaction, increasing season ticket holder renewal rates and providing special viewing for prospective VIP buyers.

Case Study: “Golf Is Undergoing Something Of A Transformation In Terms Of Broadcasting.”

Tata Communications look at the broadcasting success of their work with the European Tour and the technology behind it with the help of Michael Cole, the European Tour’s Chief Technology Officer.

Michael Cole, Chief Technology Officer Of The PGA European Tour: “Golf is undergoing something of a transformation in terms of broadcasting. The wider perception is that it’s old-fashioned, and fixed in traditional media. But, unlike many other global sports organisations, we are actually in the unique position of having seen our audience increase in recent times.

Now this could be down to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games – it helped golf connect with new audiences who had never watched before. We’re talking more than three billion people worldwide. The knock-on effect is huge. But, also a large part of this can also be attributed to the European Tour’s desire to lead the transformation of the sport by putting content at the centre of our operations.”

iSportconnect CEO Sree Varma Invests In LDN UTD

LONDON, July 20th 2020 – Chief Executive Officer of iSportconnect, Sree Varma, has become a minority investor in grassroots esports organisation, LDN UTD.

LDN UTD innovates by using gaming to draw attention to critical social issues and, in doing so, engages the grassroots gaming community of all backgrounds

Having already amassed 384,000 viewers online across physical and online events, and now with a League of Legends team competing in the UKEL, the company continues to accelerate towards exponential growth velocity. 

Oliver Weingarten, CEO of LDN UTD, said “I am delighted to have Sree on board to support LDN UTD and our values. From the outset of our discussions, it was clear that Sree and I were aligned on how esports can be used as a positive mechanism to address societal issues at the same time as building out and engaging the grassroots gaming community.

“I’ve known Sree and been involved in iSportconnect events for a number of years, and have huge respect for his entrepreneurial skillset. I look forward to working collaboratively with Sree to build out LDN UTD’s investor and partnership roster; and also to see how he fares in a game of FIFA!”

Sree Varma, iSportconnect CEO, added: “By using esports to better the community LDN UTD are crafting a fantastic message that really resonates with the general public.

“I am delighted to become a part of the organisation as I believe there is a definite need for a company such as this, and I see huge potential for growth over the coming years, particularly as esports becomes a more central cog in the sporting world. The management team of Olly and newly appointed Chief Gaming Officer, Jacob Harrison, are poised to deliver on LDN UTD’s values, and I look forward to contributing.”

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Adidas Becomes Official Kit Partner Of Leeds United

Leeds United have announced that adidas will become the team’s official kit partner from the 2020/21 season.

In a record-breaking deal for the club, adidas will produce both playing and training kit for all Leeds United teams over the next five years.

Adidas becomes Leeds’ official kit partner for the first time in our history, in what will mark a new era in the Premier League, following our Sky Bet Championship winning centenary season.

A global leader in football, adidas is the official supplier to tournaments across the world including the FIFA World Cup™, the UEFA EURO 2020™ and the UEFA Champions League and Leeds United joins some of the world’s top clubs, including the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus in partnering with the sports brand.

Along with our official playing and training kit, apparel from adidas will also be available both via our online retail website and at our Elland Road superstore, Leeds/Bradford Airport, Merrion Centre, Trinity Leeds and White Rose Centre stores, along with the adidas website and selected stores.

Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear said: “We are excited adidas has become our official kit partner.”

“We’re looking forward to our return to the Premier League with anticipation next season and partnering with adidas, who are one of the most recognisable names in sport, represents a new beginning for the club.

“At Leeds United we continue to grow on and off the pitch and this record-breaking deal is another important step for the club.”

P&G Announces Extended Olympic Games Partnership

P&G has today announced the extension of our Olympic Games partnership with the International Olympic Committee through Los Angeles 2028, including new global rights with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Paralympic Games. Over the last 10 years, we’ve used the global reach and relevancy of the Olympic platform to build our business, create customized programs with our retail partners and strengthen our brand and corporate equities. We introduced millions of people to P&G through our iconic “Thank You, Mom” Olympic Games advertising and we’ve used our voice as a sponsor to celebrate the journey athletes take on the road to their Olympic dreams and the many people who have supported them along the way.

As we look to the future, we want to build on this strong foundation and leverage our sponsorship to be a Force for Good and a Force for Growth. Recognizing the opportunity and the responsibility to use our sponsorship of the Olympic Games for broader impact, we are committing to a first-of-its-kind, Citizenship-driven partnership with the IOC. Together P&G and the IOC will commit to take action and to make meaningful progress in the areas of equality and inclusion, environmental sustainability, and community impact, using each of the next four Olympic Games to measure progress.

In the spirit of this new partnership, today we are launching The Measure of Greatness, which shines a light on Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls who have demonstrated what it means to inspire, not only with their greatness but with their goodness. While Tokyo 2020 has been postponed for a year, athletes are still committed to both following their dreams and helping make the world a better place. We were inspired by the many athletes who have put their own dreams on hold and their disappointment aside and instead stepped up to a different stage in 2020. In The Measure of Greatness, we tell the stories of some of these exceptional athletes who are leading their communities – not through their athletic performances, but through their compassion, humanity and love.

To mark the one-year-to-go milestone of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, we are also launching the Athletes for Good Fund, a joint initiative between P&G, IOC and IPC that will issue grants to the charitable organizations that Olympic and Paralympic Games hopefuls are supporting to advance important work against shared citizenship values. The Athletes for Good Fund will award a total of 52 grants over the next year—representing one grant for every week leading up the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Athletes who are working with organizations that are building and serving their communities in the areas of community impact (COVID-19 relief), equality and inclusion, and environmental sustainability are eligible to apply.

We are excited to kick off the next chapter of our Olympic Games sponsorship and look forward to driving meaningful change against shared values through our partnership with the IOC. Together we will step up as a force for good and utilize the Olympic platform to continue to be a force for growth for P&G and its brands, now and in the future.

European Tour And CANAL+ Announce Long-Term Partnership Extension

The European Tour and CANAL+ have agreed a long-term partnership extension, ensuring that CANAL+ remains the exclusive home of European Tour golf in France.

The new agreement extends a relationship that stretches back over 20 years and will see tournaments such as the Rolex Series – the premium category of events on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai –  and World Golf Championships broadcast on CANAL+ channels and associated digital platforms.

The majority of live broadcasts will be shown on golf specific channel Golf+, with select coverage available on wider CANAL+ sports channels.

The agreement also includes coverage of golf’s greatest team contest, The Ryder Cup. This will include select free to air coverage following the success of The 2018 Ryder Cup, when Le Golf National in Paris hosted Europe’s stunning 17.5-10.5 victory over the United States.

Rufus Hack, European Tour Co-Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of European Tour Productions, said: “The European tour has enjoyed an outstanding relationship with CANAL+ for more than 20 years and we are delighted to further extend our partnership.

“CANAL+ are a partner who share our passion and vision to create world class golf content and bring that into the homes of our fans not only in France but across the world.

“We were proud to share the huge success of The 2018 Ryder Cup in their home country with CANAL+ and we look forward to moving forward with them as one of our key broadcast partners. It is a measure of the strength of the European Tour product when such important partners want to extend their agreements with us on a long-term basis.”

Thierry Cheleman, CANAL+ Sports Director, said: “CANAL+ is glad to pursue it’s long-running and successful partnership with European Tour. This partnership, which includes The Ryder Cup and World Golf Championships, once again shows the quality of the CANAL+ golf offering.

“We know how faithful golf fans can be and we are dedicated to giving them the best editorial content, thanks to our talented golf journalists and our famous experts such as Thomas Levet and Jean Van de Velde.”

Twitch Launches Sports Category, Collaborates With Four Major European Football Teams

Twitch is where millions of people from around the world come together live every day to chat, interact, and make their own entertainment together and today the company has launched a specific sports category.

Twitch stated: Recently, the company has seen tremendous growth in one of the areas with the most passionate fan bases of them all – sports. So today, we’re excited to introduce “Sports” as its own, standalone category and relaunch the /twitchsports channel to better align with the programming you will now see featured. 

To kick things off, we are collaborating with four of the world’s biggest and most innovative football/soccer [per market] clubs. Real Madrid and Arsenal have recently started broadcasting on their newly-established Twitch channels, and they will soon be followed by Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. Each of the clubs will be producing exclusive, interactive content and experiences to bring their global fanbases closer to these iconic organizations and their athletes. 

These top clubs will join a growing roster of leagues on Twitch including the NBA, NHL, NWSL, RFL, and UFC – which will be your favorite channel to watch? We also have top athletes streaming, whether it’s Los Angeles Charger Austin Ekeler, F1 talent Lando Norris, or WWE Superstars Rusev, Paige, and Cesaro, there’s truly something for every sports fan. 

To celebrate, today we will be showcasing a long block of live and interactive sports related content with the entire Twitch community. Hosted by Major League Soccer star Jimmy Conrad, the NBA, Arsenal, House of Highlights, and the UFC will each use their two-hour time slot to take audiences behind the curtains to make their fans part of the content with live AMAs, polls, trivia and conversation between the hosts and Twitch Chat. So stop on by and tell us what you think! eSports