The iSportconnect Weekly Deals Update

ATP + FedEx

The ATP and FedEx Express announced a sponsorship renewal that will see the shipping giant remain an ATP Platinum partner, while strengthening its sponsorship and becoming the new title sponsor of the ATP Rankings.

NBA + New Balance

The National Basketball Association and New Balance Athletics, Inc. announced a new multiyear agreement that will make the global athletic brand an official marketing partner of the NBA.

Manchester United + Mondelez

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

TSN + 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.

Hublot + 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.

MLS + Second Spectrum

Major League Soccer announced on Wednesday a multi-year partnership with Second Spectrum, which becomes MLS’s first official advanced tracking data provider. Beginning with the 2020 season, Second Spectrum will put its proprietary optical tracking system to work for every MLS match.

European Leagues + Genius Sports, Sportradar And Stats Perform

On behalf of its members, The Association of European Professional Football Leagues and its data partners Genius Sports, Sportradar and Stats Perform are pleased to announce a second multi-league agreement for an additional three seasons ending in 2022, which marks the continuation of an initial cooperation that began in 2017.

Watford + American Airlines

Watford Football Club announced American Airlines as its Official Airline Partner for the 2019/20 season.

Searchlight Cpaital Partners / Forgelight + Univision

Univision Holdings, Inc., a leading media company in the United States, Searchlight Capital Partners, LP, a global private investment firm, and ForgeLight LLC, an operating and investment company focused on the media and consumer technology sectors, today announced a definitive agreement in which Searchlight and ForgeLight will acquire a majority ownership interest in Univision from all stockholders of Univision other than Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. (“Televisa”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

HBA Media + Flo Sports

HBA Media and FloSports, an innovator in live sports streaming and original content, have entered into an exclusive agreement aimed at developing horseracing coverage through OTT platforms.

Leicester Tigers + Samurai

Premiership Rugby Club Leicester Tigers has selected Samurai Sportswear for all its match day, training & leisurewear kit in a three-year deal. Samurai will take over from current supplier Kukri from 1st July 2020. This will see all Leicester Tigers players, coaches and other club staff wearing kit designed and manufactured exclusively for the club by Samurai.

LaLiga North America + Verizon

LaLiga North America announced a multi-year partnership with Verizon, exclusive to the United States.

Bayern Munich + Google

Marseille + Hotels.com

 

ATP And FedEx Extend Global Partnership

The ATP and FedEx Express today announced a sponsorship renewal that will see the shipping giant remain an ATP Platinum partner, while strengthening its sponsorship and becoming the new title sponsor of the ATP Rankings.

As part of the agreement, FedEx will continue to benefit from global promotional rights together with an on-site presence at tournaments throughout the season, while also leveraging opportunities to engage with viewers across mainstream and digital platforms.

Last year the partnership celebrated its 10th year and the new agreement builds on FedEx’s extensive history of global sports sponsorships, including the unique worldwide footprint of the ATP Tour. During the new term FedEx will sponsor 13 tournaments each season, with the Mutua Madrid Open included for the first time.

Massimo Calvelli, ATP CEO, said: “FedEx has been a fantastic partner of the ATP for over ten years now and we’re delighted to announce this extension to our agreement. In addition to multiple tournament partnerships, the title sponsorship of the ATP Rankings provides FedEx with an unparalleled association with an asset that links the whole season together, and we look forward to a continued successful partnership.”

“The ATP Tour perfectly reflects what FedEx stands for: a global footprint, speed, excitement and precision,” said Wouter Roels, SVP Marketing International, FedEx Express. “Since we started our journey as Official Sponsor of the ATP Tour in 2010, we have enjoyed many memorable moments of passion, persistence on court and possibilities for players to inspire and connect with fans. Through our presence at the largest tournaments of the Tour, we will continue to engage with millions of fans all over the world through mainstream and digital media.”

With a focus on activation around the FedEx ATP Rankings, FedEx will also become the presenting sponsor of the ATP World No. 1 trophy ceremonies, presented annually at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals.

LaLiga North America Announces Multi-Year U.S. Partnership With Verizon

LaLiga North America announced today a multi-year partnership with Verizon, exclusive to the United States. This multifaceted partnership will offer Verizon customers, through its loyalty program, Verizon Up, the chance to interact with the best soccer league in the world through experiential events, educational opportunities, youth and coaching programming, clinics and tournaments – all officially launching with ElClásico on Sunday, March 1st. The partnership will also explore how Verizon’s innovative technology can enhance the fan experience.

“This partnership with Verizon further validates North America as a key growth region for soccer and LaLiga, and where leading companies are recognizing the full potential of the sport and the audience it attracts,” said CEO of LaLiga North America, Boris Gartner. “We welcome Verizon to the LaLiga family and look forward to growing soccer and super-serving our fans together.”

“Our partnership with LaLiga gives our customers more access to the game they love with the exclusive opportunities that differentiate,” said John Nitti, Chief Media Officer, Verizon. “We look forward to being a part of LaLiga’s U.S. expansion and cultivating future technology innovations to enhance the game and fan experience.”

This announcement marks LaLiga North America’s latest arrangement to grow the awareness and visibility of the LaLiga brand within the territory and will continue throughout 2024.

Ian Watmore Named Next Chair Of England And Wales Cricket Board

Ian Watmore has been named as the England and Wales Cricket Board’s next Chair to succeed Colin Graves when he leaves the post in November 2020.

Watmore’s appointment as Chair-Elect has been made at this time to enable him to shadow his predecessor and ensure a smooth transition into the role. Watmore, 61, has a distinguished record across business, public life and sport with extensive experience gained from a broad range of senior positions.

He was offered the ECB position following a rigorous search and selection process run by a dedicated Nominations Committee chaired by ECB Non-Executive Director and ex-England cricketer, Lucy Pearson, and former England Captain and current Chair of the ECB Cricket Committee, Sir Andrew Strauss.

The Nominations Committee today made its recommendation to the ECB Board, which unanimously approved the choice. Watmore’s appointment will be ratified by ECB members at the AGM on 13 May. A lifelong cricket fan, Watmore will take over the role on the 1st of December. He said: “I am incredibly proud to be appointed to such a prestigious position and look forward to continuing Colin’s work and making the most of the tremendous momentum that cricket is currently enjoying.

“I feel privileged to be given this opportunity to help a sport that I care passionately about. All my life, I’ve seen the power of sport to unite communities. I look forward to working with the ECB and its stakeholders to grow the international, domestic and recreational game and make a positive difference to society.”

After graduating in maths and management science at Cambridge, Watmore rose to become the youngest ever CEO of Accenture UK. He has since held Permanent Secretary positions in the Civil Service and was appointed by The Queen in 2016 to chair the Board of Civil Service Commission, a post he will hold until 2021. He has reported to five Prime Ministers.

He has also held several senior roles within sport as both an executive director and non-executive director. He has been an independent board member of the England 2015 Rugby World Cup, Group CEO of the Football Association and a member of the board of the English Institute of Sport and the English Football League. While he was at the FA in 2009-10, he was proud to launch the Women’s Super League and the St. George’s Park project.

He also has a strong record of widening participation in grassroots sport including being a national organiser of the All Schools programme as part of the Rugby World Cup in 2015, and running a number of fundraising initiatives for community sports facilities in the south Manchester area, including at his local Lindow Cricket Club where his four sons played.

Lucy Pearson, speaking on behalf of the ECB Board, said: “Ian brings such a wealth of experience from the highest levels of business, sport and the public sector environment. With his broad skillset and deep understanding of all levels of the game, he is perfectly placed to support the ECB in delivering on our ambitions over the next five years.

“Ian has a lifelong passion for the sport and, in an incredibly strong field of candidates, he was the stand-out all-rounder.”

Mr Graves, the current Chair of the ECB, said: ‘’I am delighted that Ian has been appointed to be the next ECB Chair. When I took the post back in 2015, I could not have dreamed that the game would be in the shape it is today. The opportunity to grow cricket and bring more people into the game has never been so significant.”

 

How Technology Will Boost The El Clásico Viewing Experience For Fans

March opens with the most-anticipated fixture in the LaLiga Santander calendar, ElClásico, with Real Madrid CF taking on FC Barcelona on 1 March in Spain’s capital. A global TV spectacle, the match will be broadcast in detail by 33 simulcast 4K HDR-HD production cameras located around the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. 

LaLiga, along with its official producer, MEDIAPRO, will use all of their technological prowess to once again make ElClásico the most spectacular televised football match on the planet, bringing the best football to every corner of the world and allowing the viewer to experience the match atmosphere as if they were sat right there in the stadium. 

Revolutionary technology to broadcast the best football

Matches from LaLiga take on another dimension thanks to being produced in 4K-HDR, which LaLiga uses for its biggest matches in partnership with the competition’s official producer, the MEDIAPRO Group. LaLiga is one of the few sporting events in the world that is broadcast in HDR which allows the viewer to enjoy the atmosphere of the game as if they were in the stadium. 

This is the technology that will be used to bring Real Madrid CF versus FC Barcelona to all corners of the planet:

  • Tracking cameras from MediaCoach, automatically controlled to follow the game and offer a live tactical shot for coaching tems. The signal from this camera can be analysed in real time in the stadiums, as well as via streaming from any location. Additionally, the sound systems from the tracking cameras are able to modify the sound based on the real-time location of the ball, allowing the viewer to get a real feel of what the stars are experiencing.
  • Aerial camera: At 21 metres above the playing field, this is a camera that offers unique images for the viewer, providing a spectacular perspective of the game and stadium. Its height allows more flexibility and speedier movement, giving a unique perspective of the playing field. 

This compact HD camera has a 2/3 wide-angle lens and a 14X zoom that broadcasts images by optical fibre from the playing field to the mobile unit. The camera can cover an area of almost 7,000 m2 during periods without play (pre-match, interval and post-match).

  • 360° Replay Technology: by means of the 38 Ultra High Definition cameras placed throughout the stadium, this allows the creation of the 360° volumetric videoclips that are used in the broadcasts. This technology makes it possible to recreate 3D replays of any move and offers viewers from all over the world a unique perspective from any angle of the field of play. 

Also, ‘Be The Player’ software, which debuted in the first leg of ElClásico in the 2017/18 season, puts the viewer in the same position as the player is located during a play. This angle lets the viewer see the action just as the player sees it on the playing field. 

  • 3D graphics: LaLiga is the only national competition in the world that uses innovative Live 3D technology to create virtual graphics in live broadcasts that complement the match information that the viewer receives, providing a unique and original visual enhancement of the match. 

This tool also allows tactical and positioning changes and a deeper analysis of the moves to be displayed during action replays. Live 3D graphics are made possible both live and in replays thanks to tracking from three cameras.

ElClásico live in 182 countries

One hundred and eighty-two countries around the world will be able to enjoy an immersive experience and high quality football thanks to the technology used in the production and broadcasting of ElClásico, reaching a potential audience of more than 650 million people. 

More than 23 accredited international television channels in territories such as France, MENA, USA, French Africa, Poland, Greece, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Belgium, Portugal, Brazil, India, China, Finland, Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands will witness the most-anticipated match of the season. This is in addition to the 210 broadcasters that will televise the match played between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona. 

On The Move: Latest Community Job Updates

Kelly Campbell has been promoted to President of Hulu from her role as Chief Marketing Officer.

Ben Pincus has joined Formula 1 as Director of Commercial Partnerships, replacing Murray Barnett.

Bob Chapek has replaced Bob Iger as Disney CEO.

Chris Hibbs has joined Legends as President, Global Partnerships.

Jon Cockcroft has become CEO of Bowls England.

Matteo Bozza is new Partnership Business Development & Insights Manager at Inter Milan.

Ivan Modia has been announced as Chief Operating Officer of Kosmos Tennis, with Marc Carrión Puig also named to the position of Senior Marketing & Digital Director.

Rob March has moved to Chester Race Company Ltd in the position of Head of Commercial.

Milly Preston is new Head of Marketing at Excel Esports.

Didier Quillot was named President for the Association for the Protection of Sports Programmes.

Jakob Larsen was appointed Director of Competition and Events for World Athletics.

Marc Hope is Rocket Sports new Director of Rights Marketing.

On The Move: Latest Community Job Updates

Kelly Campbell has been promoted to President of Hulu from her role as Chief Marketing Officer.

Ben Pincus has joined Formula 1 as Director of Commercial Partnerships, replacing Murray Barnett.

Bob Chapek has replaced Bob Iger as Disney CEO.

Chris Hibbs has joined Legends as President, Global Partnerships.

Jon Cockcroft has become CEO of Bowls England.

Matteo Bozza is new Partnership Business Development & Insights Manager at Inter Milan.

Ivan Modia has been announced as Chief Operating Officer of Kosmos Tennis, with Marc Carrión Puig also named to the position of Senior Marketing & Digital Director.

Rob March has moved to Chester Race Company Ltd in the position of Head of Commercial.

Milly Preston is new Head of Marketing at Excel Esports.

Didier Quillot was named President for the Association for the Protection of Sports Programmes.

Jakob Larsen was appointed Director of Competition and Events for World Athletics.

Marc Hope is Rocket Sports new Director of Rights Marketing.

iSportconnect CEO Sree Varma Invests In Connexi

Chief Executive Officer of iSportconnect, Sree Varma, has become a minority investor in sponsorship marketplace, Connexi.

Rory Stewart-Richardson, founder of Connexi, says the business ‘Offers brands, agencies and rights holders a time efficient and data-driven solution to find the most commercially relevant partnerships in the market’.

“It is great to add Sree to our list of investors and I believe his industry expertise will provide invaluable growth opportunities to ensure we continue to create commercially relevant sponsorship deals,” Stewart-Richardson said.

Take a look at a recent deal facilitated by Connexi: https://www.isportconnect.com/connexi-turns-lights-wigan-warriors-utility-alliance-partnership/

Sree Varma said: “Connexi are a company that provides a great service, bringing businesses together with the goal of creating fantastic sponsorship deals for all.

“I see them as a business with terrific potential and I am delighted to become part of the company. What Rory has built is very strong and I can only see them progressing,” he added.

 

Euroleague Basketball Announces 2020 Fan XP Innovation Challenge Winners

The 10 finalists for the Euroleague Basketball 2020 Fan XP Innovation Challenge met in Barcelona on Monday through Wednesday with each of the start-ups eager to impress the jury with their cutting-edge ideas.

The 10 finalists all met the challenge’s stated goals of offering solutions to create the best fan experience possible in one of three fields: broadcast-related fan engagement; in-arena fan engagement and/or smart arena solutions; and fan engagement through digital platforms.

The first day allowed the finalists to receive mentoring sessions with Euroleague Basketball executives to get first-hand insights from the elite sports sector, private networking opportunities to connect with sports/basketball professionals and jury members.

Barcelona’s Roca Gallery hosted the final pitches, which were followed by a pair of panel discussions. The first one was centered on “Disruptive Innovation” in Sports, and the second was focused on “the fan of the future”. Some of the key insights provided by the panel of experts, including Eleven Sports CEO, Luis Vicente, Jordi Farré, CEO of Kamleon and Vice President, Rights Acquisition at DAZN, Laura Louisy, were the importance of every stakeholder in the sports industry knowing their fans through data collection and analysis. Both panels were moderated by N3xt Sports CEO Mounir Zok.

The finalists, who had already been whittled down from 84 applicants, represented seven countries from three continents. Their pitches were watched closely by 150 selected guests who represented a mix of the Barcelona sports and innovation sectors.

iSportconnect Founder & CEO, Sree Varma, was part of the jury which selected the victorious start-ups, with iSportconnect also a partner of the 2020 Fan XP Innovation Challenge.

Each of the 10 finalists made a three-minute pitch to the jury and then fielded questions about their product, their history and their roadmap to profitability. The jury’s deliberation resulted in some close calls with more than half of the companies almost tied in points. In the end, Edisn.ai was the Jury’s Choice winner and SeatServe was celebrated for best pitch.

edisn.ai is an Indian company that created an AI computer vision platform that uses proprietary player recognition technologies to deliver enhanced fan engagement and provide additional monetization opportunities for content owners.

“We are extremely proud and honored to receive the Jury’s Award at the Euroleague Basketball FanXP Challenge,” edisn.ai CEO Ashok Karanth said. “This recognition from such an esteemed jury is a great boost for us in our journey. Euroleague Basketball has been great in providing us an amazing opportunity to interact with senior executives and work with them on pilot projects.”

SeatServe, a New York-based company founded by Israelis, provides a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution for venues, stadiums and arenas. Its easy-to-use platform enables both in-seat delivery and express pickup services, leading to an increase in revenue and customer satisfaction.

Fans can enjoy SeatServe through a web-based app that can also be easily integrated into any team/venue/league app. “We are humbled to be a winner of the Euroleague Basketball’s Fan XP challenge this year,” Seatserve founder Shay Dadush said. “It is incredible to be working with an organization that pushes innovation to new heights and excited to be working together to bring a better fan experience to the basketball world.”

The 10 finalists also participated in different sessions with Euroleague Basketball executives with the aim to design potential future pilot tests to be executed in the future as well as in other ‘coaching’ and ‘networking’ sessions with relevant people in the sports industry, technology and investment.

After the last two editions, Euroleague Basketball has executed numerous pilot tests with many of the former finalists and has nowadays a long-term business relationship with two of them.

Euroleague Basketball wishes to warmly thank jury members Sree Varma, Founder & CEO, iSportconnect & iSportconnect Capital, Didac Lee, Co-Founder Galdana Ventures; Luis Vicente, Eleven Sports CEO, and Stina Lundgren from the Stockholm School of Economics for their time and expertise; partners iSportconnect N3xt sports and LaSalle University and for their support and Roca Gallery for hosting the event.