Community, Author at iSportConnect

World Bowling and QubicaAMF Form New Partnership

World Bowling, the international governing body for tenpin, ninepin and ParaBowling, and QubicaAMF Worldwide, the largest bowling products company in the world, are excited to announce they have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to form a new partnership where QubicaAMF will become the exclusive bowling equipment, lane maintenance and technology innovation partner for World Bowling and all World Bowling Championships, World Bowling Tour Finals and WBX.

Andrew Oram, CEO of World Bowling comments, “This is momentous for World Bowling. To engage with QubicaAMF, the leader and innovator in the bowling industry, who share a similar philosophy and passion for the sport, will help to bring a greater alignment and awareness of the needs of bowling proprietors from around the world to increase the levels of participation globally.”

As part of the agreement, World Bowling will host all World Championships within QubicaAMF equipped centers and use QubicaAMF equipment for all World Level events, including continental zone championships. World Bowling’s new commercial and strategic plan will allow for direct invitation to bowling center proprietors to host events in preference to the historic method of a response to a bidding process. Events will be spread across all five World Bowling Zones with a focus on expanding relationships with its 114 Member Federations and Bowling proprietors.

“We are honored and thrilled at the opportunity of being the exclusive bowling equipment, maintenance and innovation provider for World Bowling,” said Emanuele Govoni, CEO of QubicaAMF. “We are particularly excited to introduce new technologies to World Bowling events that support their strategic initiatives, expand the reach of their events and continue to grow the sport globally.”

In addition, World Bowling and QubicaAMF will merge the existing QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup and the World Bowling Singles World Championships into one annual event that will continue to be called QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup.

This new event will also include the inaugural ParaBowling World Cup (“PWC”) recognised via the International Paralympic Committee (“IPC”) following the recognition of World Bowling as the international body for ParaBowling in 2019. The PWC will run as a standalone event though in direct relationship to the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup and in the same location each year. In 2020 both events will be hosted in Kuwait City from November 8th to 21st.

“QubicaAMF is committed to the sport of bowling-from developing the most innovative products for leagues and tournaments to organizing the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup, the largest annual sporting event in terms of number of participating countries. Celebrating the 56th anniversary this year in Kuwait will be even more special as we do this in conjunction with the World Bowling Singles Championships and the ParaBowling World Cup,” continues Govoni. “These events together will promote the sport of bowling at all levels around the world like never before.”

“Since the very initial discussions with QubicaAMF, they have shown that they will be an incredible partner as we launch new strategic initiatives to build on the past successes and bring World Bowling events to new locations, new audiences and new fans globally,” Oram continues. “We are blessed with incredible athletes who deserve global visibility in the best events possible. QubicaAMF and its network will help us further in making this possible.”

Longines Agree Multi-Commonwealth Games Partnership With CGF

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has signed a partnership agreement with Longines for the next three editions of the Commonwealth Games, starting with Birmingham 2022. The announcement comes on Commonwealth Day today (9 March), where Birmingham 2022 unveiled a Longines Countdown Clock in the heart of Birmingham’s iconic Centenary Square.

The agreement represents the first ever multi-Commonwealth Games partnership in history with Longines receiving exclusive status as the “Inaugural Partner of the Commonwealth Sport Movement”. Known worldwide for excellence in precision timing, Swiss watchmaker Longines will be the Official Partner and Timekeeper for Birmingham 2022 as well as the 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth Games. This new partnership sees Longines provide all timing and scoring equipment for every single event within the next three Commonwealth Games.

An additional aspect of the partnership means that Longines is also named as ‘Presenting Partner’ of rugby sevens, table tennis, gymnastics and athletics. The historic agreement reinforces the strong ties between Longines and the Commonwealth Games. Longines was originally a partner of the Perth 1962 Commonwealth Games and renewed its partnership for Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.

The announcement comes on Commonwealth Day today (9 March), where the CGF, in partnership with Longines and Birmingham 2022, unveiled a Countdown Clock in Birmingham’s Centenary Square. The striking clock has begun counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the start of the opening ceremony of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, on 27 July 2022.

The Longines Countdown Clock features a fully accessible ramped approach to allow both wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users to move freely under the structure. Manufactured in England, its structure forms the shape of the iconic ‘B’ logo of the Birmingham 2022 Games. This distinctive shape was created by connecting 12 towns and cities across the region, joining together key Games locations, where for the 11 days of the Commonwealth Games, 19 sports, including eight fully integrated para-sports, will take place.

CGF CEO David Grevemberg CBE said: “I am absolutely delighted and privileged to have Longines join with us as the Inaugural Partner of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. It marks an exciting new chapter in the longstanding friendship we have had with Longines that dates back to the Perth 1962 Commonwealth Games.”

“This is a truly historic agreement and having this multi-Commonwealth Games partnership in place showcases real confidence in the future direction of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. The partnership has been made possible because of the new Games delivery model, coordinated by CGF Partnerships, which looks at multi-Games opportunities and efficiencies.”

“It is particularly special to be announcing this on Commonwealth Day, a day of celebration across the Commonwealth, where we are unveiling the Longines Countdown Clock to the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony. With this striking yet elegant structure now taking pride of place in the iconic Centenary Square, the countdown to Birmingham 2022 has really begun.”

Longines Vice President Marketing, Matthieu Baumgartner commented: “On this special day, Longines is very excited to announce its participation in the XXII^nd Commonwealth Games, considered as one of the world’s most important sporting events.”

“With 870 days to go until the start of this great event, our brand is delighted to reveal a historic multi-Commonwealth Games partnership with CGF, covering the 2022, 2026 and 2030 editions.”

“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the Commonwealth Games, which extends all the way back to the 1962 Perth Commonwealth Games and more recently the 2014 Glasgow and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.”

“Timing is crucial when it comes to winning a gold, silver or bronze medal. In this regard, Longines is looking forward to providing its timekeeping expertise in various disciplines, including Athletics (Track & Field), Gymnastics, Rugby Sevens and Table Tennis, the sports we are partnering with during the Commonwealth Games.”

“Our brand has a long history of innovation and precision in sports timekeeping, dating back to the late 19th century already. For the three next Commonwealth Games, starting with Birmingham 2022, Longines is perpetuating this history, together with athletes and sports fans from all over the world.”

John Crabtree, Chair of Birmingham 2022, said: “This marks a hugely significant day for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, as we build momentum and edge ever closer to July 2022.

“Longines has a prestigious history in sports, and great heritage when it comes to Commonwealth Games. To have their continued support for Birmingham in 2022 is very much welcomed and we are proud to have them as a partner.

“The countdown clock will become a key attraction and focal point and will ensure the people of Birmingham have a visual reminder that their city has been chosen to host one of the biggest sports and cultural events in the world. It will count down to an important moment when the eyes of the world will be on Birmingham and the West Midland region.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The Countdown Clock is an exciting contemporary addition to our diverse range of public art in the city.

“Set in the recently revamped Centenary Square and in front of the world-renowned Library of Birmingham, it creates a fantastic Games-related city centre destination for citizens and visitors in the years to come as the excitement builds for everything we do as a council and with our partners on the road to Birmingham 2022.”

The iSportconnect Weekly Deals Update

Le Coq Sportif + Paris 2024

Paris 2024 has awarded Le Coq Sportif the performance and representation packages for the French Olympic and Paralympic team and for Paris 2024.

UCI + Discovery

The UCI and Discovery have launched a new UCI Track Cycling World League set to debut in the 2021-2022 season.

Delta + LA2028

Delta Air Lines and LA28 have committed to an eight-year partnership beginning in 2021, making Delta the inaugural founding partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028 and a supporter of the United States Olympic and Paralympic teams.

PGA Tour + Action Network

The Action Network and the PGA TOUR announced the launch of GolfBet, a first-of-its-kind, golf-focused betting content platform.

MLB + Google Cloud

Google and Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced a powerful multi-year collaboration to upgrade MLB’s business processes and support next-level experiences that inspire fans around the world.

MLS + Facebook Watch

Major League Soccer has announced a partnership with Facebook to create robust recaps of all matches during the 2020 season for Facebook Watch.

Volvo Car UK + British Triathlon

Volvo Car UK is pleased to announce it is to continue as the Official Vehicle Partner of British Triathlon for a further three years. The decision follows a successful first year in its association with the sport’s National Governing Body in 2019.

Formula 1 + 188BET

Formula 1 has officially unveiled 188BET as its first ever Betting Partner. 188BET have been named as ‘Official Asian Sponsor of Formula 1’ with a five-season agreement.

MotoGP + Facebook

Infront + CEV

Infront and the European Volleyball Confederation will continue their partnership for another 12 years after the appointment was ratified by delegates at the Extraordinary General Assembly in Vienna, Austria on Saturday.

Captain Morgan + MLS Canada

Captain Morgan is coming to Canada via the grand stage of Major League Soccer (MLS), joining the league’s teams, players and dynamic match-day atmosphere at stadiums and MLS national broadcast partners.

Other News

LAFC + Ford

Starling Bank + Team GB

Connexi + OCEANS Marketing

Real Madrid + Mahou Cinco Estrellas

NENT + F1

Liverpool + Seatgeek

Oakland Raiders + Rokit

DAZN + MotoGP

EFL + Mind

Pickbox NOW Signs Up To European VOD Coalition

The iSportconnect Weekly Deals Update

Le Coq Sportif + Paris 2024

Paris 2024 has awarded Le Coq Sportif the performance and representation packages for the French Olympic and Paralympic team and for Paris 2024.

UCI + Discovery

The UCI and Discovery have launched a new UCI Track Cycling World League set to debut in the 2021-2022 season.

Delta + LA2028

PGA Tour + Action Network

The Action Network and the PGA TOUR announced the launch of GolfBet, a first-of-its-kind, golf-focused betting content platform.

MLB + Google Cloud

Google and Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced a powerful multi-year collaboration to upgrade MLB’s business processes and support next-level experiences that inspire fans around the world.

MLS + Facebook Watch

Major League Soccer has announced a partnership with Facebook to create robust recaps of all matches during the 2020 season for Facebook Watch.

Volvo Car UK + British Triathlon

Formula 1 + 188BET

Formula 1 has officially unveiled 188BET as its first ever Betting Partner. 188BET have been named as ‘Official Asian Sponsor of Formula 1’ with a five-season agreement.

MotoGP + Facebook

Infront + CEV

Captain Morgan + MLS Canada

Other News

LAFC + Ford

Starling Bank + Team GB

Connexi + OCEANS Marketing

Real Madrid + Mahou Cinco Estrellas

NENT + F1

Liverpool + Seatgeek

Oakland Raiders + Rokit

DAZN + MotoGP

EFL + Mind

Pickbox NOW Signs Up To European VOD Coalition

Connexi Partners With OCEANS Marketing To Expand Asian Market Knowledge

Connexi and Oceans Marketing have announced a partnership which will focus on integrating the rapidly growing Asian sponsorship market through the global, data-driven, sponsorship platform Connexi.

Oceans Marketing are launching their own sponsorship marketplace and by integrating their own platform with Connexi’s will streamline and create wider exposure for Asian sponsorship properties. This will also offer their brand clients a solution to engage with commercially relevant global assets.

The direct connection between Oceans Marketing’s users and Connexi’s network allows both a global and local solution for brands to find relevant sponsorship assets. It will also allow rights holders a more commercially relevant solution to find new brands.

Rory Stewart-Richardson, Founder of Connexi: “We are really excited about the launch of Oceans Marketing’s platform in April. Over the last 18 months we have worked hard to provide a data driven solution to Brands and Rights holders whilst ensuring they still remain in control and, by integrating the two databases and technology together, it opens up a huge opportunity for Connexi to expand into the Asian market with expert partners”

Shoto Zhu, Founder and President, OCEANS Marketing: “We believe that the value of the platform we are building is not only limited to the unprecedented level of the aggregations of global sponsorship opportunities in our cloud, but will also be defined through the tools we are providing, including 3rd party statistics, sponsorship recommendation analysis powered by AI Learning and social media monitoring. We look forward to cultivating the market together with our partner Connexi.”

Oceans Marketing are set to launch their platform in April, which has been closely modelled on what Connexi has built to date.

Le Coq Sportif Chosen As French Olympic And Paralympic Teams Apparel Supplier For Paris 2024

Paris 2024 has awarded Le Coq Sportif the performance and representation packages for the French Olympic and Paralympic team and for Paris 2024.

Le Coq Sportif has been chosen following an endeavour between Paris 2024, the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) and the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF), highlighting the image of a united French team and the brand’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive sport, fully aligned with the ambitions and values of Paris 2024.

This partnership recognises the technical know-how and expertise of this company, a longstanding partner of French sport for over 100 years. After supplying apparel for France’s Olympic team between 1912 and 1972, and particularly the Paris 2024 Games, Le Coq Sportif will be kitting out the French team once again for the Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024 Games.

Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President: “With Le Coq Sportif, we have chosen a longstanding partner of French sport. Le Coq Sportif is a brand that has been supporting our major sporting events for over 100 years and shares a beautiful history with our Olympic values. Back in 1924, for the Paris Games, Le Coq Sportif was already the equipment supplier for the French delegation!

We are particularly delighted to be able to work alongside Le Coq Sportif for the next four years. In line with Paris 2024, it is a brand with strong commitments to sustainable and inclusive sport, it has chosen to have deep local roots in France, and it contributes to a strong industrial and social legacy”.

The awarding of this contract to Le Coq Sportif will also support a strong industrial and social legacy. This French company’s project stands out in particular through its deep local roots, helping to create jobs on that scale. Today, 80% of the brand’s products are designed, produced and dyed within 40km of Romillysur-Seine, the brand’s historic birthplace, in France’s Aube region.

Le Coq Sportif will become an Official Partner of Paris 2024 upon the signing of the contract By winning the “Performance” package, Le Coq Sportif has acquired the right to provide the kits for France’s 32 Olympic federations (28 already confirmed along with four potential additional sports) and 22 Paralympic federations for competitions at the Paris 2024 Games.

Paris 2024 has also awarded the “Representation” package to Le Coq Sportif. This package includes all the apparel worn by the French Olympic and Paralympic team in the Athletes’ Village and during the official and medal ceremonies. It covers the period from 2021 to 2024 (inclusive) for all the events organised under the patronage of the IOC and IPC, such as the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games or the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games. This package also includes apparel for Paris 2024 staff for 2020-2024 (inclusive) and officials for the Paris 2024 Games.

Starling Bank Joins Up With Team GB For Tokyo 2020

Leading digital bank Starling has today been confirmed as the official banking partner of Team GB for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

As part of their involvement, Starling Bank will also be offering each athlete a Starling retail account with £100 deposited to help them achieve their next financial goal.

Team GB is entirely independently funded and commercial partnerships such as the one with Starling Bank allows the organisation to fund its objective of taking athletes and sports to the summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games.

British Olympic Association CEO, Andy Anson, said: “In an extremely competitive sector, we are excited and proud to be partnering with Starling Bank ahead of Tokyo 2020. As a market leader in digital innovation and with a strong focus on customer experience, they have rightfully been recognised as best British bank on two occasions.

“We share many of the same values and we look forward to welcoming them to the team as we go into this vital five-month period ahead of the Games commencing.”

Anne Boden, CEO and Founder of Starling Bank, said: “We feel extremely privileged to be the official Bank of Team GB and will be sharing our excitement with customers in a number of creative ways over the next few months, which we hope will add to the feeling of community that the Olympic Games inspires.

“At Starling Bank, we are determined to change the banking landscape in Britain and so far, our efforts have helped us to win Best British Bank for the last two years. This winning mentality will make for a perfect partnership with Team GB at the Olympic Games.”

Helen Bierton, Chief Banking Officer at Starling Bank and former British Olympic archer added: “My own experience with Team GB taught me just how important the support of sponsors is when you’re trying to prepare for the Games in the right way, perform to the best of your ability and win medals.

“I feel very proud to now sit on the other side of the table and it’s great to be part of the Olympic Games once again.”

MotoGP Signs Digital Partnership With Facebook Watch

Dorna Sports is proud to announce a new digital partnership in 2020 as MotoGP™️ joins forces with Facebook. Original and exclusive MotoGP™️ content will now be available on Facebook Watch, available worldwide. MotoGP™️ videos will be between three and seven minutes in length, giving fans of the sport another way to enjoy some incredible – and exclusive – content.

The first videos from this new wealth of content will be available soon as the MotoGP™️ World Championship gets in gear this weekend at Losail International Circuit in Qatar, and will be produced by MotoGP™️ with riders and teams from across all four classes. The key focus is getting fans behind-the-scenes like never before, as well as taking them closer to the action with videos dedicated to what’s happening on track and off.

MotoGP™️ has an impressive and ever-growing presence across social media, with Facebook a key platform for the sport’s global fanbase. Last season MotoGP™️ gained 355,000 new fans on Facebook, taking the total to over 13 million, and the Championship boasts almost nine million Instagram followers – making it the biggest motorsport on Facebook-owned platforms. In addition, 2019 saw Facebook video views increase by nearly 50% to over a billion and engagement go up by nearly seven percent compared to the previous year.

Manel Arroyo, Managing Director of Dorna Sports: “We are very happy to announce this new partnership with Facebook. MotoGP is committed to connecting to and engaging with our fans and giving them new ways to enjoy and interact with our content, making Facebook a perfect partner for our sport. It’s also a fantastic way to connect with new audiences, showing them the best of MotoGP with exclusive, showstopping content.”

The goal of this new partnership with Facebook Watch is to maintain and increase those numbers once again, rewarding fans for their incredible commitment by producing some truly innovative and thrilling content as Facebook Watch will be a new, meaningful way for fans to enjoy and engage with MotoGP™️ in the digital sphere.

Riders and teams will also be able to crosspost – increasing reach throughout the paddock and fanbase – and some clips will be also available on Instagram, ensuring the biggest audience for this innovative new wealth of digital content as MotoGP™️ once again proves a world leader in motorsport social media.

Croatian Subscription TV Service Pickbox NOW Signs Up To European VOD Coalition

Pickbox NOW, the Croatian Subscription Video on Demand platform has opted to join the European VOD Coalition.

The European VOD Coalition strives to defend and promote cultural diversity and the use of Video on Demand as a legal channel for the distribution of audiovisual content.

It has almost 30 members from across Europe and tries to facilitate a collaborative management between VoD platforms through the exchange of know-how and expertise

Owner of Pickbox, Sanja Bozic-Ljubicic, stated: “We are proud that Pickbox is in the company of leading VOD services whose common goals it shares. Along with developing European audiovisual and digital leadership, and encouraging innovation and creativity, market regulation is most definitely one of the priorities.

“The industry is undergoing a significant transformation, and we are proud to represent the Adria region within the coalition,” she added.

Maximising the Potential of Women’s Sport, Goodform Reveal Findings Ahead Of International Women’s Day

When it comes to gender equality in sport, new research released by Goodform to mark International Women’s Day in 2020 highlights there remains much more progress to be made.

We know that women’s sport is on an upwards trajectory – there are new initiatives, new funding streams, new competitions and an unprecedented volume of media coverage. We also know that men’s sport remains the dominant player – in participation, in attendance numbers, in column inches, in commercial clout.

In Goodform’s latest Sports Fan Panel survey amongst almost 1500 sports fans, interest in the men’s game outstrips interest in the women’s across 8 major sports, with only tennis and athletics boasting near-parity in terms of interest. This is also reflected in attendance patterns – 30% of those surveyed have never attended either a women’s or mixed gender sporting event, a staggering 10 times more than the 3% who have never attended men’s sport. This is in spite of half of the sports fans surveyed believing that women’s sport is both more affordable and more family friendly than the men’s game.

There have been some high-profile successes in the growth of women’s sport in the last few years – most notably the ICC Women’s World Cup Final selling out at Lord’s in 2017 – but sports fans perceive this progress to be stalling: 40% of men and only 26% of women surveyed stated that they believe the gender gap in sport has diminished in the last 12 months.

This week, Sky Sports committed to investing in a 360° approach to covering women’s sport, with plans to utilise its YouTube channel to make events including the Women’s Six Nations, the WNBA, Vitality Netball Superleague and women’s cricket available to a wider audience. The potential positive impact of this move is highlighted by Goodform’s findings: availability of women’s sport on free to air TV is seen to be more important than the success of national teams in driving increased engagement with women’s sport – and 47% of those surveyed stated that they would watch more women’s sport if it were more readily available.

When it comes to funding the growth of women’s sport, it’s complicated. 77% of women and 63% of men believe that profits from the men’s game should fund the women’s game until parity is achieved – with the remainder believing that women’s sport should be commercially sustainable in its own right. For a third of those surveyed, this funding should only be on the basis that the men’s game is not affected in any way – a balance that we see many organisations trying to navigate. For example, the recent announcement that the prize money for The Hundred will be equally split between the men’s and women’s teams makes for a great headline – but masks the huge disparity in wages that remains (the average contract for female players is £8,000 compared to £66,600 for the men). In a world of limited funding and an increasingly competitive sponsorship environment, there are no easy answers.

What’s clear, though, is that the opportunity for women’s sport to grow remains huge. Its appeal continues to grow – and with a higher proportion of men than women interested in the women’s game for half of the sports included in the survey, it’s clear that women’s sport has the potential to compete for everyone’s interest, time and loyalties – not just women’s.
For more information about this research or Goodform’s Sports Fan Panel, please contact Alexandra Kyrke-Smith, Strategy Director – Alexandra.kyrke-smith@goodformgroup.co.uk