ANNOUNCEMENT: Sweden’s TV4 Media Confirmed To Speak At 2020 Broadcast Masterclass

iSportconnect are happy to announce our newest speaker for the upcoming 2020 Broadcast Masterclass.

We can also confirm that the 2020 Broadcast Masterclass will be taking place at The Chelsea Harbour Hotel on Thursday the 19th of March in London.

Johan Cederqvist, Head of Sports Channels and Sports Rights Acquisitions at Swedish company TV4 Media, is the latest speaker to be joining us for the event.

He joins Luis Vicente, Chief Executive Officer at ELEVEN SPORTS, and Paul Stimpson, EVP of Rights at DAZN, who have also been confirmed for the event.

We will be announcing more speakers very shortly, so keep your eyes peeled on iSportconnect.com and iSportconnect’s social media channels.

With a maximum of 150 invite-only delegates, iSportconnect provides a media/agency free opportunity to network with influential senior-level sports business executives. We are famous for our intimate and relaxed environment, encouraging the exchange of ideas and helping to introduce you to the right new connections.

To register your interest in attending the 2020 iSportconnect Broadcast Masterclass, please contact Theresa Muller at theresa@isportconnect.com

Invitation Policy: The Broadcast Masterclass is a complimentary event for iSportconnect members who are from governing bodies, sports teams, brands and broadcasters. There is no fee to become an iSportconnect member. No sports agencies, professional service providers & suppliers are allowed at our Masterclasses.

For limited partnership opportunities, please contact brandon@isportconnect.com

Hublot Becomes Official Partner Of UEFA Women’s EURO 2021

UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 has partnered with Hublot, where the watch brand will serve as one of the European tournament’s official partners, providing the now iconic Hublot electronic referee boards used by fourth officials to indicate additional time and substitutions.

“This is a wonderful time to be involved in women’s football and it is great to have found a like-minded partner in Hublot who share our goals and ambitions,” said UEFA’s head of women’s football, Nadine Kessler.

“With Hublot becoming an official partner and supporter of UEFA women’s football across our competitions and campaigns, including Together #WePlayStrong, we hope that this will help us to take our sport to a wider audience as well as strengthening our existing relationships with those who are already committed to playing football.”

The partnership will support women’s football at all levels. As a result, Hublot will become a main partner of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the UEFA Women’s EURO, the UEFA Women’s Under-19 and Under-17 Championships and the UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO, as well as UEFA’s women’s football marketing platform Together #WePlayStrong, which is aimed at getting more girls and women to play football.

The deal with Hublot follows similarly groundbreaking partnerships with Nike, Visa and Esprit during the last 15 months. In 2017, UEFA undertook the unprecedented decision to unbundle women’s football rights from the men’s game.

“The appeal of women’s football is growing at an impressive rate and we are delighted to have such a prestigious brand as Hublot joining us as a partner, who are committed to promoting the women’s game,” said Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director of UEFA Events SA

“Agreeing partnerships with world famous brands like Hublot is exactly the kind of results we envisaged when we unbundled the rights from the men’s game over two years ago and is proof women’s football can be supported on its own merits.”

This season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final will take place in Vienna on 24 May, while the final of UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 will be held at Wembley Stadium in London on 1 August next year.

“This is a wonderful partnership and we are so excited to extend it to UEFA women’s football, and to be working together with UEFA across its competition profile. Football is the most exciting, most passionate game on the planet and the perfect match for Hublot,” said CEO Ricardo Guadalupe.

“Like UEFA, Hublot is obsessive about quality, has ambitious plans for the future and is proud to know a loyal fan base. It’s a match made in heaven! We couldn’t be more proud to partner UEFA and to be supporting the development of the beautiful game.”

Hublot’s new deal for UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 extends a long-standing partnership with European football’s governing body that started ahead of UEFA EURO 2008. Since then, the Swiss watch brand has been present at every UEFA EURO and will return this summer for UEFA EURO 2020, which will be held across 12 cities.

Canada’s TSN Expands Deal With WTA

TSN has announced it has expanded the network’s live court coverage with the addition of a slate of marquee WTA Tour events, featuring the biggest stars of women’s tennis, beginning with the QATAR OPEN.

“We’re very excited to give TSN subscribers even more access to watch the elite players of women’s tennis, including Canada’s own Bianca Andreescu,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice-President, TSN and Discovery. “With TSN’s exclusive coverage of all four Grand Slams, a comprehensive schedule of ATP events, and this addition of marquee tournaments throughout the WTA season, tennis fans now have the opportunity to watch their favourite players more than ever before.”

“This is great news for tennis fans in Canada as tennis coverage across the country is continuing to grow,” stated Michael Downey, President and CEO of Tennis Canada. “It is essential for women’s tennis to take a more prominent place in the dissemination of tennis in Canada and this will be achieved with this new agreement between the WTA and TSN.”

TSN’s WTA Tour schedule features a multitude of the most highly anticipated events in women’s tennis, culminating with the WTA FINALS in November. The addition of marquee WTA Tour events complements TSN’s exclusive live coverage of the biggest events in tennis, including all four Grand Slams – the AUSTRALIAN OPEN, FRENCH OPEN, WIMBLEDON, and US OPEN – as well as comprehensive coverage of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and ATP World Tour 500 events. TSN’s schedule of live WTA Tour coverage in the 2020 season includes the following tournaments:

  • QATAR TOTAL OPEN (Doha): Feb. 23-29
  • BNP PARIBAS OPEN (Indian Wells): Mar. 11-22
  • MIAMI OPEN: Mar. 24 – Apr. 4
  • MUTUA MADRID OPEN: May 2 – 9
  • INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA (Rome): May 11 – 17
  • WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN (Cincinnati): Aug. 17-23
  • WUHAN OPEN: Sept. 27 – Oct. 3
  • CHINA OPEN (Beijing): Oct. 3-11
  • SHISEIDO WTA FINALS SHENZHEN: Nov. 1-8

“We’re very excited to give TSN subscribers even more access to watch the elite players of women’s tennis, including Canada’s own Bianca Andreescu,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice-President, TSN and Discovery. “With TSN’s exclusive coverage of all four Grand Slams, a comprehensive schedule of ATP events, and this addition of marquee tournaments throughout the WTA season, tennis fans now have the opportunity to watch their favourite players more than ever before.”

“This is great news for tennis fans in Canada as tennis coverage across the country is continuing to grow,” stated Michael Downey, President and CEO of Tennis Canada. “It is essential for women’s tennis to take a more prominent place in the dissemination of tennis in Canada and this will be achieved with this new agreement between the WTA and TSN.”

Mondelez International Become Latest Global Partner Of Manchester United

Manchester United has entered into a global partnership with Mondelez International, whose world renowned brands include Cadbury, Oreo, Toblerone, Milka and belVita.

As part of the agreement, the two organisations will create dual-branded products as well as interactive and engaging campaigns.

Manchester United’s Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold commented: “Whether it’s Cadbury, Ritz, Oreo, or one of its many other brands, Mondelez’s products are renowned around the world.

This global partnership will assist Mondelez with its expansion into key markets whilst deepening the affinity their customers have for their products. For Manchester United, the partnership enables us to bring Mondelez’s popular products to our fans and enhances our ability to continue investing on the pitch.”

Colin O’Toole, Associate Marketing Director at Mondelez said: “We’re extremely proud to announce Mondelez’s partnership with Manchester United.

“As a global company with a presence in many different markets our alliance with one of the most recognisable sports teams in the world will give us the ability to differentiate us from competitors by offering our consumers added value through engaging products and experiences.”

The partnership commenced around United’s game against Watford this past weekend, with activity to support Cadbury’s ‘Donate Your Words’ campaign. ‘Donate Your Words’ is a UK initiative to highlight the issue of loneliness amongst the older generation.

2022 Commonwealth Archery And Shooting Championships Set To Take Place In India

A Commonwealth Archery and Shooting Championships is set to take place in India in 2022 after a proposal to stage the event was approved by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Executive Board.

The event will be held in Chandigarh, the capital of the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, and is scheduled to be staged in January 2022.

It adds to a hugely exciting year for Commonwealth Sport, with Birmingham set to stage the 2022 Commonwealth Games from 27 July – 7 August 2022.

The decision confirmed that Chandigarh 2022 and Birmingham 2022 will be two separately organised and funded Commonwealth Sport events.

One week following the Closing Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the CGF shall issue a medal table that includes results from the Chandigarh 2022Commonwealth Archery and Shooting Championships, as a further and final legitimate ranking of competing nations and territories from the respective competitions.

The CGF Executive Board approved the proposal at their meeting in London which took place on February 21-23; and highlighted the opportunity for this innovative model to promote and encourage the development and hosting of sport throughout the Commonwealth.

The proposal from Commonwealth Games India (CGI), which was supported by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Government of India, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and World Archery, was also considered and discussed with Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Partners prior to the CGF Executive Board decision.

CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “I am delighted that we have approved India’s ambitious proposal to host a Commonwealth Archery and Shooting Championships in Chandigarh during 2022.

“Commonwealth archery and Shooting athletes now have an unprecedented opportunity to compete in an elite event that will showcase the very best of Commonwealth Sport and add value to the Commonwealth Sports Movement.

“The CGF would like to thank the CGI, the NRAI, the Government of India and the entire sporting community of India on the significant efforts they have taken to submit an innovative proposal with the ambition of strengthening Commonwealth Sport.

“I would like to give particular thanks to CGI President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport Kiren Rijiju and NRAI President Raninder Singh for their leadership across this proposal.”

The CGF Executive Board also saw key updates on the Trinbago 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

There were further updates on the 2026 Commonwealth Games Bid Process, with a Host City set to be announced later this year.

The next CGF Board meeting is scheduled to take place in June 2020 in Birmingham.

Lausanne To Host SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2020

SportAccord has confirmed that Lausanne, the Olympic Capital will host the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2020. Returning to the Canton of Vaud and the Home of International Sport, SportAccord will take place from 19-24 April 2020 at the Swiss Tech Convention Centre.

Now in its 18th edition, SportAccord President Raffaele Chiulli remarked: “We are delighted that Lausanne will be hosting SportAccord once again, as a major event in the international sporting calendar, Lausanne provides a favourable location for sport and business leaders to meet, given its strong commitment to sport and industry. 

When SportAccord was last in the Olympic Capital and Home of International Sport in 2016, visitors and delegates were welcomed with open arms and we are already feeling this again. We truly look forward to delivering another successful SportAccord in this dynamic city and within this short period of time.”

On becoming Host City to the next SportAccord, Mayor of Lausanne, Grégoire Junod commented: “As the Olympic Capital, Lausanne is proud to be hosting the 2020 SportAccord and looks forward to supporting the organisers in making this major event successful. Once again, it is with great pleasure that we open our doors to the international sports family.”

With State Councilor, Department of Economy, Innovation & Sport, Philippe Leuba commenting that: “After the Lausanne2020 Youth Olympic Games and before the World Hockey, Petanque and Road Cycling Championships, the Canton of Vaud is pleased to welcome, still in 2020, the largest sports convention in the world.”

Attending SportAccord enables delegates to network with sporting leaders at the highest levels, access an extensive conference programme, and experience the many opportunities on offer in one location, at the world’s leading global sports business event.

The conference programme will feature five streams – CityAccord, HealthAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord, and the SportAccord Summit – with numerous influential speakers already lined up to offer unmissable insights into a variety of vital areas in sport.

Partners, exhibitors and delegates who have registered to attend the event in Beijing will be contacted shortly with registration re-opening for SportAccord 2020 in Lausanne as of Monday, 24 February. For general enquiries, please email info@sportaccord.sport.

Follow developments and updates via Twitter @sportaccord or keep up to date via LinkedIn and Facebook.

Bellator MMA Announces New Partnership With William Hill

Bellator MMA has today announced a new partnership with William Hill, as the bookmaker becomes the exclusive gambling partner for all of Bellator’s European Series events throughout 2020.

This is the first major sponsorship deal for the MMA promotion specifically focused on their European Fight Series and comes as Bellator enter the second year of their broadcast relationship with Channel 5.

Starting with Bellator Dublin: McCourt vs Ruis, which is taking place this Saturday, 22nd February, William Hill will be sponsoring the Channel 5 broadcast of the event and their logo will be visible on the canvas in the cage.

Bellator Dublin: McCourt vs. Ruis will air live on Channel 5 in the UK from 10 p.m. GMT on Saturday night and will feature a women’s featherweight matchup between Northern Ireland star Leah McCourt and Germany’s Judith Ruis as the main event.

David Green, Head of Bellator Europe, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with one of the biggest betting companies in the world as we continue to grow our brand and the sport of MMA in the UK and across Europe.”

He added: “We are making history tomorrow night when Leah McCourt and Judith Ruis become the first female fighters to headline a Bellator European Series card, and we look forward to an action packed year as we take Bellator events to new cities and new countries, and reach an ever growing number of fans both at our live shows and via our broadcasts.”

Liam McKee, Global Head of Media & Sponsorship at William Hill, said; “MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and so a partnership with a major promotion like Bellator made perfect sense to us. The viewing figures for Bellator’s European Series on Channel 5 and the audience share they are achieving is incredibly strong and so we are delighted to be partnering with them across all of their European shows this year.”

In 2019, Bellator MMA hosted six European Fight Series events including in London, Dublin, Newcastle, Birmingham and Milan, with an increased number of events planned for this year. Earlier this week, the promotion announced they will be returning to London with an event on May 16 at The SSE Arena, Wembley, where former England Rugby international James Haskell is confirmed to be making his hotly anticipated MMA debut.

On The Move: The Latest Sports Business Community Jobs Update

Joanna Adams will move to UK Athletics as CEO, while Nic Coward will take the role of Chairman.

At Premiership Rugby, Zoë Clapp has been appointed to the post of Chief Marketing Officer, while Mark Brittain takes up the role of Chief Commercial Officer.

Anthony Bannerjee has become Head of Strategic Marketing Development at Manchester United.

Richard Craig-Mcfeely is now Industry Lead, Media and Entertainment for Amazon Web Services.

Lawrence McNeight has been appointed Financial Controller for Manchester City FC.

Adam Zussman is the new President of Epic Games.

Tony Davison has joined Northampton Saints as Commercial Director.

AS Monaco have named Markus Breglec as their new Chief Marketing Officer and Tyson Henly as Chief Commercial Officer.

Matt Strachan was named as Commercial Director for AlphaTauri F1 Team.

Adrian Staiti will become Managing Director, APAC at Lagadère Sports.

Cindy Parlow-Cone has been re-elected as US Soccer’s Vice President.

Alexey Morozov is new President of Kontinental Hockey League.

George McGeeney is the new COO for US Lacrosse.

Alex Slade was appointed General Counsel for Arena Racing Company.

Mehul Kapadia will become COO of Motorsport Network.

Claude Ruibal is a new Board Member for Horse and Country TV.

V-ZUG Revealed As Official Sponsor of 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

V-ZUG, the Swiss household appliance manufacturer, will be an Official Sponsor at the 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in an agreement brokered by Infront, the International Ice Hockey Federation‘s (IIHF) exclusive media and marketing partner.

The sponsorship includes V-ZUG’s presence on rink-boards, press conference backdrops and a wide range of advertising assets at the venues in Zurich and Lausanne. The manufacturer will also have the right to use the official logo and mascot for promotional purposes as well as organising fan activities at both arenas.

Christoph Mauer, Infront Senior Director Winter Sports said: “This agreement with V-ZUG means we can add another big Swiss brand to the sponsorship portfolio of this year’s IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. The brand stands for quality and precision, aligning perfectly with the tournament’s values as well as what we want to achieve at the event.”

Attila Castiglioni, V-ZUG Director Service and Marketing Department said: “As a Swiss company with a long tradition we are proud to support the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Switzerland. Ice hockey represents the same values that are important to us as a company as well: discipline, commitment, passion for detail and precision.”