FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships Postponed To 2021

Given the uncertainty related with the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, the safeguard of the athletes’ health and safety, and in accordance with the request of the UAE authorities, FINA has decided to re-schedule the upcoming edition of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), initially programmed to take place in December 2020 in Abu Dhabi.

The new dates of this competition are December 13-18, 2021, with the FINA World Aquatics Convention taking place also in Abu Dhabi, from December 10-12, 2021.

It will be the second time in the history that these Championships are held in the UAE, after a successful edition organised in 2010 in Dubai.

“We have worked in close co-operation during the last weeks with the UAE authorities on this matter and we believe this is the most suitable solution for all those taking part in this competition. The Abu Dhabi rendezvous in December 2021 will be a great achievement and will once more be a strong inspiration for the development of Swimming and Aquatics in the region”, considered FINA President Dr Julio C. Maglione.

Moreover, FINA is pleased to announce that its General Congress, where the FINA Bureau for the period 2021-2025 is to be elected, will take place on June 5, 2021 in Doha (QAT). The new members of the FINA Bureau 2021-2025 will initiate their term immediately after the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympic Games, to be staged from July 23-August 8, 2021.

BUNDESLIGA And SKYPERFECTV! Extend Partnership For Another 5 Years

SkyPerfecTV! (SPTV) will continue to be the home of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 in Japan after a new five-year deal was agreed between the broadcaster, the league and IMG. The deal, which begins at the start of the 2020/21 season, ensures that SPTV will exclusively show live, delayed and replay coverage of more than 200 matches per season. In addition, the long-term agreement includes live coverage and streaming of the highly-anticipated DFL Supercup to kick off the season, as well as crucial promotion/relegation play-off matches.

With more localised social media content developed for the passionate Japanese fanbase, the Bundesliga will be closer than ever before. The new broadcast deal was negotiated by IMG, who hold the Bundesliga media rights for Japan.

Speaking about the new agreement, Bundesliga International CEO Robert Klein said: “SPTV has been integral on our journey to connecting with Japanese fans. The Bundesliga continues to be a fantastic platform for Japanese national team players to become stars known around the world, and we particularly value our relationship with the Japanese fanbase. Not only do we want to continue bringing them exciting action on the pitch, but also to grow the Bundesliga community through active participation events and engagement with local fans.”

Eiichi Yonekura, Representative Director and President of SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, said: “Since our exclusive broadcasting rights deal began in 2017, the Bundesliga has been a valuable partner in delivering the highest quality football to the Japanese football fans. With this renewed partnership, we look forward to bringing the fast and modern football that defines the Bundesliga home to Japan.”

Historically, the Bundesliga has featured many Japanese players, most notably legends such as Yasuhiko Okudera and Shinji Kawaga. Currently, three Japanese players call Bundesliga clubs home, including former national team captain, Makoto Hasebe (Eintracht Frankfurt), Japan’s star striker, Yuya Osako (Werder Bremen), and rising star, Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt).

Online Exhibition Sales Process Launches For SportAccord 2021 In Ekaterinburg

SportAccord has launched the process for organisations involved in the business of sport to book exhibition space at the highly anticipated SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2021 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

The movement’s most influential global gathering will reunite the international sporting community with an unmissable event from 23-28 May 2021. 

As the only global sports industry event attended by all International Sport Federations and their stakeholders, SportAccord will also bring together organising committees, hosting cities and regions, governments and administrations, rights-holders, agencies and athletes, as well as top-level experts and organisations from the sports media, technology, investment, medical and legal sectors.

With 2,000 of the sporting world’s most influential decision-makers set to congregate in a stunning city that bridges Europe to the west and Asia to the east, SportAccord 2021 will offer a unique and exclusive networking environment for exhibitors who are seeking to make new connections and strengthen relationships.

A range of stand options, ranging from 9m² to 27m², are available within the engaging exhibition hall at the state-of-the-art IEC Ekaterinburg-Expo convention centre, flanked by SportAccord Stakeholder offices and meeting rooms situated on the mezzanine just a short distance away. Visit the website to view the SportAccord exhibition interactive floor plan or click on the following to view a 3-D flyover of the SportAccord 2021 exhibition space. 

The hall itself will be a natural hub of activity at the heart of the event, and the vast majority of organisations that had planned to exhibit at SportAccord this year have already confirmed that they are committed to having a presence at the event in Ekaterinburg.

The exhibition space will feature a significantly larger SportAccord Café than in previous years, as well as a Network Zone (Including speakers’ corner), Meet & Greet Zone, Recharge Zone and a Media Zone, enabling even better networking opportunities. 

Ekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city by population and GMP (Gross Metropolitan Product), is home to numerous professional teams across a wide range of sports and will host games during the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship before staging the 2023 FISU Summer Universiade, having previously hosted 2018 FIFA World Cup matches and the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships.

With more than 40% of exhibitors at recent editions of SportAccord being cities and regions interested in hosting sporting events though, numerous cities – inside and outside Russia – will have a highly visible presence in the exhibition hall.

“With the sporting world looking forward to coming together again in a stunning setting, we are anticipating strong interest in exhibiting at this hugely significant edition of SportAccord in 2021,” SportAccord Business Development Manager Malcolm Hardman said.

“We have a range of stand options available and, as there has been a very positive response since the delegate registration process opened for SportAccord 2021 last month, we would advise those interested in benefiting from such tremendous exposure in the exhibition hall to get in touch soon.”

Head of Directorate of the Local Organising Committee Dmitry Putilin said: “SportAccord 2021 represents an outstanding opportunity for cities that are seeking to boost their event-hosting portfolios to enjoy unparalleled access to International Sport Federations and the global sports industry’s most important figures and organisations.”

Gfinity Signs Multi-Year Agreement With Formula 1 To Deliver F1 Esports Series

Gfinity, a world-leading esports and gaming solutions provider, announces that it has extended its relationship with F1 and been appointed to deliver the main elements of the F1 Esports Series in 2020 and 2021, and the 2022 qualifying events.  In addition, the previously announced F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series has been extended to June of this year.

As part of the agreement for the F1 Esports Series, in 2020 Gfinity will deliver the Pro Draft Reveal Show and the Pro Series; in 2021 Gfinity will deliver the Challenger Series qualifying events, Pro Draft live show and Pro Series; and in 2022, Gfinity will deliver the qualifying events.  Full details of the 2020 season format will be announced in due course.

Under the terms of the contract, Gfinity will deliver a dedicated account management team responsible for the delivery of all elements of the programme; a full league operations team responsible for writing all rules and governing the drivers participating in the tournament; and provide the use of ‘Race Control’, Gfinity’s proprietary in-race adjudication system. The Gfinity Arena in London will also be the main venue for live broadcasts.

Gfinity has been working with Formula 1 and Codemasters (CDM.L), a leading UK publisher of racing games, to design, develop and deliver the main elements of the F1 Esports Series since 2017.

In addition, further to the announcement on 23 March 2020 that Gfinity had been selected to deliver the new F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series, the Series has now been extended until June.  The Virtual Grand Prix Series will replace each live F1 Grand Prix that has been postponed due to the coronavirus.  Gfinity worked closely with Formula 1 on the conception of the series and oversees the delivery of the tournament, tournament operations and broadcast production.  The first race, the Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix took place on Sunday 22 March 2020. Since then there have been four additional Virtual Grand Prix in Vietnam, China, the Netherlands and Spain, and three F1 Esports Challenge Driver events.

John Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, Gfinity said: “The F1 Esports Series is one of the most exciting esports tournaments in the world and we are delighted to be working with F1 for a further two years. Signing a multi-year agreement highlights our ability to leverage our unique position at the centre of the esports ecosystem to design and develop esports solutions for our clients.  The Virtual Grand Prix Series has also caught the imagination of race fans as, shown by the amazing viewing numbers, and we are excited that a new, younger global audience is experiencing the F1 brand in a totally different way.”

Dr. Julian Tan – Head of Digital Business Initiatives and Esports, Formula 1 said: “We are delighted to extend our agreement with esports leaders Gfinity for another two years. Since 2017, we have seen the rapid growth of the F1 Esports Series and Gfinity have played a core part in that through their continued support in developing and delivering the series. We are excited to build on this foundation to bring further excitement to F1 Esports fans across the globe in the coming couple of years.”

Everton Agree Club-Record Kit Deal With Hummel

Everton Football Club has agreed a Club-record technical partnership with iconic sportswear brand hummel.

The three-year agreement will see hummel manufacture and supply Everton with bespoke playing, training and travel wear ahead of the 2020/21 season.

As technical partner, hummel will kit out the Men’s, Women’s and Academy squads as well as the Club’s coaching and Everton in the Community staff.

Founded in 1923, Danish sportswear brand hummel are one of the oldest team sport brands in the world with an incredible footballing heritage. The deal will see the Blues become hummel’s global flagship club partner.

Everton Chief Executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale said: “This announcement marks the start of an exciting new commercial relationship as we welcome hummel to Everton.

“It is really important that we drive maximum value from our commercial deals and this is a Club-record deal for a technical partnership for Everton. It is also important we work with brands that share our ambition and we have all been impressed with hummel’s originality, commitment to quality and vision to challenge expectations. We look forward to working with them to deliver our players and supporters an exciting range of products over the coming years.”

Umbro has been Everton’s technical partner since 2014 and will continue the partnership until the end of the 2019/20 season.

hummel CEO Allan Vad Nielsen said: “hummel is excited and honoured to partner with Everton.”

“Entry into the Premier League is integral to our ambitious growth plans, international expansion and focus on sport. Timing is also perfect as it is the 50th anniversary of Club legend Alan Ball introducing hummel to the UK market with his legendary white boots. Everton enjoys a massive following both domestically and globally, providing a fantastic engagement platform and positive outlook going forward.”

“We have great faith in Everton’s future plans, the Club’s impressive history and its many passionate fans – all providing a perfect fit for the hummel brand. We look forward to playing an active role in helping write the next chapter of the Club’s illustrious history.”

Sasha Ryazantsev, Everton’s Chief Finance and Commercial Officer, added: “hummel is a well-established and respected brand in the world of football that puts fans at the heart of the product. Throughout our discussions, their commitment and passion for our Club and our values was very impressive. This is an exciting partnership because of the shared vision we have for the future of the Club.”

hummel will join the Club and its official retail partner, Fanatics, in helping deliver official products to Everton fans, wherever they are in the world. Fanatics, the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, currently operate the Club’s Everton One and Everton Two retail stores as well as evertondirect.com, the Club’s official online store.

Commenting on the announcement, Fanatics UK General Manager, Danny Downs, said: “We have a fantastic long-term relationship with Everton and we are delighted that an iconic brand like hummel has joined the partnership.  We are looking forward to working with hummel, who have a proud heritage in European football and who I am certain will produce a fantastic range of merchandise and kits that Everton fans will love throughout the coming years.”

hummel is represented by its exclusive licensee Elite Group, specifically for its ‘Sport’ category, in the UK and Ireland.

An update on when Everton’s new 2020/21 playing, training, travel and leisure wear will be available to purchase will made in the coming weeks.

NASCAR And IMG ARENA Announce Global Sports Betting Initiatives

NASCAR® and IMG ARENA, a leading sports betting service and content hub, announced today that IMG ARENA has licensed official assets to create a virtual sports betting game that replicates some of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks, including Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Watkins Glen International. The virtual product, created by Leap Gaming*, will be offered to sports betting operators around the world. This deal expands IMG ARENA’s growing portfolio of virtual sports betting products, which now includes tennis, football, cycling, horse racing, speedway racing and greyhound racing.

Additionally, NASCAR and IMG ARENA have formed a long-term partnership that will provide international sports betting operators the ability to live-stream NASCAR Cup Series races for the first time. Cars returned to the track on May 17 at Darlington Raceway, and the remaining 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season will be available to betting operators outside of the U.S. and Canada.

“IMG ARENA is the leading partner for global sports and entertainment media. We are excited to work together to provide a global audience the ability to engage with our sport virtually and in real-time,” said Scott Warfield, Managing Director of Gaming, NASCAR. “The international sports gaming landscape is mature and vibrant, and this partnership allows us to offer compelling products that further enhance our international footprint.”

“Adding NASCAR to our client roster is a proud achievement. The brand is renowned in sport and entertainment with the high-octane race series providing must-watch, appointment-viewing content for more than 70 years,” said Freddie Longe, Executive Vice President and Managing Director at IMG ARENA. “The partnership significantly bolsters our streaming and official virtual sports offering with a product that we expect to be popular in a number of different markets.”

This partnership comes on the heels of an announcement made earlier this year introducing Penn National Gaming as NASCAR’s first authorized gaming operator in the United States. The partnership centered around a free-to-play, mobile game named NASCAR Finish Line, which offers users the chance to win a $25,000 jackpot every race.

Headquartered in London, IMG ARENA works with more than 460 leading sportsbook operators worldwide, providing always-on services including 24/7 live streaming and on-demand virtual sports products designed to evolve and inspire engagement by placing fans at the heart of the action. Its ground-breaking data collection system ensures that the fastest and most accurate sources of data are delivered live from the action to the end user in less than a second.

In the past year, NASCAR announced a series of agreements to prepare the industry and its fans for the rapidly growing sports betting landscape in the U.S., including its first authorized gaming operator, an exclusive data partnership, an integrity partner to safeguard and protect the sport, and unique content deals. Furthermore, the sanctioning body granted all teams and tracks the ability to sell marketing sponsorships to sports betting companies and licensed sportsbooks.

*IMG ARENA has been an investor in Leap Gaming since 2018. The two companies have a shared vision of developing official virtual content for federations such as NASCAR.

British & Irish Lions Make Two Key Appointments, Six Nations Appoints New CFO

The British & Irish Lions has announced two key appointments to its Executive Team; Thelma O’Driscoll joins as Chief Financial Officer and Shane Whelan as Director of Digital, Marketing & Communications. Both join with immediate effect and will report to Managing Director Ben Calveley. 

The new appointments come as the Lions step up their preparations ahead of their eagerly-anticipated Tour to South Africa in 2021 to face the newly-crowned World Champions.    

Whelan, who has worked in a digital capacity on the last two Lions Tours to New Zealand and Australia, moves from the Guinness Six Nations where he was Director of Digital Communications & Marketing. His new role will see him oversee the Lions’ marketing communications and brand strategy, as well as being responsible for all digital output including platform development, social media and content. 

O’Driscoll also moves from the Six Nations where she has worked as the organisation’s Chief Financial Officer for the last four years. She has previously held senior finance positions at Outsource, Dell and Global Crossing. Her remit will include responsibility for the Lions’ financial planning and strategy, together with managing all aspects of the finance and accounting functions.   

“With just 14 months to go until the Lions Tour departs for South Africa, I am delighted to officially welcome Shane and Thelma to the Executive team,” said Calveley. 

“Both are outstanding talents with proven track records and their broad experience and knowledge within the digital and financial sectors will be invaluable to the Lions.”   

Whelan and O’Driscoll join recent recruits Tom Halsey (Commercial Director) and Alan Phillips (Operations Director) in the Lions Executive Team who started in December last year.  

Six Nations Appoints Ed Hepworth CFO

Six Nations is delighted to announce the appointment of Ed Hepworth as its new CFO.

Ed brings over 20 years’ experience in financial leadership roles, many of them in a sports environment. He comes to us from his role as Finance & Operations Director for Engage Digital Partners, a digital agency specialising in sports whose clients include World Rugby, Sony Gran Turismo, Real Madrid, Chelsea FC and MLB. He is also a Board Trustee for Active Communities Network, a charity focused on sport for development.

Ed previously worked for 8 years at the NBA, in both New York and London, in various senior Finance, Strategy and Operational roles. Before the NBA he worked as a management consultant/Finance Director in various companies including Reuters, Sainsburys, PwC and British Airways.

Ed will replace current CFO, Thelma O’Driscoll who is joining the British & Irish Lions on a full-time basis.

Ben Morel, CEO of Six Nations commented on the appointment: “I am delighted to welcome someone of Ed’s calibre to the Six Nations team and am looking forward to working with him again. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Thelma for her outstanding contribution over the last number of years at the Six Nations. We wish her every success with the British & Irish Lions.”

Ed Hepworth said: “I am thrilled to be offered this opportunity with the Six Nations, an organisation I have always admired and respected. It’s an exciting time to be working in rugby and I look forward to joining the team soon.”

Aser Ventures Appoints Graham Wallace As Chief Corporate & Finance Officer

Graham Wallace will join the Aser Ventures group as Chief Corporate & Finance Officer.

Graham has a long track-record of driving strategic, operational and financial excellence with leading media and sports organisations.

Graham joins Aser from Gfinity, where he oversaw the rapid growth of the esports solutions provider. His previous roles include CFO for MTV Europe and CFO for IMG Media, where he was responsible for the financial performance of the group’s global media operations. In addition to his extensive media industry experience, Graham has held leadership roles in football as Manchester City COO and most recently as Glasgow Rangers CEO.

Graham will head up corporate and financial operations for the investment platform Aser Ventures and for its portfolio companies including the global sports provider ELEVEN SPORTS.

Andrea Radrizzani, Founder and Executive Chairman, Aser Ventures, has welcomed Graham to the group:

“At Aser Ventures we want to continue to be bold and grow, to come through this challenging period in a stronger position than ever. Graham’s vast experience and passion for driving innovation and operational excellence make him a perfect addition to our already world class management team. Graham will now play a key role in leading the strategic direction of our business as we work to deliver maximum value for our portfolio companies and partners.”

Graham Wallace, Chief Corporate & Finance Officer, Aser Ventures, added:

“The Aser Ventures group has built up an exceptional ecosystem of sports and media properties over the past five years and they are ambitious to continue to disrupt and grow, under the leadership of Andrea Radrizzani. I’m excited to help deliver on this vision alongside Andrea and the Aser management team.”

Based in the group’s London office, Graham will be a Board Member for both Aser Ventures and ELEVEN SPORTS.

Warwickshire CCC Announce Stuart Cain As New Chief Executive Officer

Warwickshire County Cricket Club has appointed Stuart Cain as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to replace Neil Snowball.

Cain is a well-known figure in the West Midlands’ business community and the broader sports and entertainment sector, of which he has amassed more than 20 years’ experience.

He joins the Bears after three years at Wasps Holdings Limited where he held a number of positions, most recently CEO, and helped establish Wasps rugby and netball teams at the Ricoh Arena after the move from London. In that time, he has also developed the Ricoh Arena’s conference, exhibition and concert business, as well as their wider estate masterplan, including the development of additional hotel, retail and leisure space.

Prior to joining Wasps, Cain spent more than seven years with the NEC Group as Managing Director of Commercial Marketing. His career has also included commercial and marketing leadership roles in football with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Glasgow Rangers as well as leading the sports practice of global media agency WPP, which involved working with FIFA on the World Cup in South Africa and initiatives in Asia and the USA.   Before working in sport he was Marketing Services Director at Molson Coors in Burton-on-Trent, masterminding Carling’s sponsorship of the Premier League.

Mark McCafferty, Chairman of Warwickshire CCC, said: “We’re delighted that Stuart will be joining us at the Bears. His experience and achievements in sport, events and venue development will complement very well the existing leadership strengths at the Club and help ensure the delivery of our new five-year plan.

“These are difficult times for everyone to navigate but we appreciate more than ever the huge role that the Club plays in the community and the enjoyment that we can bring to so many when we return.

“It’s very clear that we shall now need to adapt and enhance our engagement with Members, fans, commercial partners and cricket communities locally and overseas. Stuart’s experience will be central to that growth and we look forward to welcoming him to the Bears.

“On behalf of everyone at the Club, I’d like to express our thanks and appreciation to Neil for everything he has achieved over the last few years and for the platform he and the team have put in place for the next stage of our development. We shall look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role at the ECB and wish him every success.”

Cain is expected to join Warwickshire CCC in August following the departure of Snowball, who will leave Edgbaston after four and a half years as CEO to take up a position as Managing Director of County Cricket with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

“I’m very excited at the prospect of working with the management team and Board to deliver a new era of sporting success on the field, while working with the wider team to build new levels of community involvement and deliver the next phase of Edgbaston’s development,” said Stuart Cain. “Neil has really moved Warwickshire CCC forward and I’m relishing the opportunity to build on his legacy.

“I’ve been a regular visitor to Edgbaston over the years and witnessed some great games. By a quirk of fate, I have also played cricket at the Edgbaston Community Sports Ground, when I worked in the beer trade, and so I’m looking forward to going back again.

“The Club has very proud traditions and its men’s and women’s teams have achieved great success across all formats of the game.  We need to continue this into the future.

“In Edgbaston, we have one of the world’s great sporting venues, which consistently stages the biggest fixtures in the game and offers outstanding facilities that can be utilised all year round.  Part of my role will be to develop this multi-use philosophy further.

“With the second phase of the masterplan due to get underway soon and a third phase due to be launched in the near future, I’m looking forward to working with the team at Edgbaston and with our major local and national stakeholders to support the development of cricket in Birmingham, Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands.

“Fate is a wonderful thing; little did I know when organising the Neil Abberley Memorial Trophy between Wasps and the Bears at Knowle & Dorridge CC in 2018 that I would end up swapping sides and working for Warwickshire CCC.  I can’t wait.”

DreamHack And Betway Announce Partnership For DreamHack Masters Spring

DreamHack, the premier gaming lifestyle festival, and Betway, one of the leading online bookmakers, today announced a partnership for the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) tournament DreamHack Masters Spring. The upcoming, online tournament will feature 16 of the best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) teams in the world competing for a share of the $300,000 prize pool.

DreamHack Masters Spring  online will span four weeks across four regional tournaments in Europe, North America, Oceania and Asia beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19, and continuing through Sunday,  June 14, 2020.  The tournament was originally scheduled to be held during DreamHack Summer in Jönköping, Sweden.

“We are excited to expand our list of strong partners for DreamHack Masters Spring by entering into a partnership with Betway,” said DreamHack Co-CEO Roger Lodewick. “This is a strong commitment not only to DreamHack, but also to the CS:GO community during these challenging times in our world.”

“At Betway we are thrilled to be adding DreamHack Masters Spring to our portfolio of top tier esports events. It reinforces our strong commitment to the scene and we look forward to being part of such a legendary tournament,” said Betway Head of Esports Adam Savinson.

DreamHack Masters Spring is a part of the ESL Pro Tour, and the last tournament awarding points towards the next Masters Championship, ESL One Cologne.