European Tour to Launch Golf’s First ‘Esports Tour’

The European Tour, in partnership with esports specialists DreamHack and Topgolf Entertainment Group, has launched golf’s first esports series, the European eTour.

Starting at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA in January, the inaugural season-long eTour will feature six esports contests held at European Tour tournaments around the world.

Players will go head-to-head in the leading online and mobile golf game, World Golf Tour (WGT) by Topgolf, which is currently played by more than 20 million people worldwide. A long-time leader in online golf competitions, WGT by Topgolf offers the most photorealistic golf gaming experience giving players the opportunity to virtually play some of the most famous golf championship courses.  Topgolf is currently developing additional European Tour virtual venues to add to its portfolio of WGT golf courses.

The world’s best golf esports players will attempt to qualify for the live onsite events via an online tournament.  Eight players will then compete onsite at European Tour events in an exciting nine-hole knockout match play format, initially in two round robin groups, before straight knockout semi-finals and final.

The five tournament winners, along with three wildcards qualifiers, will then contest the season-ending finale at the European Tour’s own season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, which takes place at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 19-22, 2020.

DreamHack will bring their extensive esports events and streaming production capabilities to create a premium experience. Fans will be able to enjoy extensive live coverage as well as bespoke ancillary content of all six European eTour events across a multitude of platforms, including broadcast, digital and social media.

The European Tour held its first esports event earlier this year with WGT and DreamHack. The inaugural European eTour Championship took place at the 2019 Made in Denmark, and the success of that tournament led to the development of this series of one-day events across the 2020 calendar.  The exclusivity of the European Tour’s esports experience amplifies the benefit of players participating in this event, and the ability to virtually be part of real world tournaments.

Rufus Hack, the European Tour’s Chief Content Officer, said: “The launch of the European eTour underlines the European Tour’s commitment to innovation and we believe this is an exciting opportunity for us to be leaders in a market that has huge growth potential. The esports industry allows the European Tour to engage with our existing audience in a different way and attract new fans outside of our traditional demographic through our broadcast and digital platforms. Our inaugural event in Denmark earlier this year gave a glimpse into the popularity of esports and we are looking forward to launching golf’s first esports Tour in 2020.”

Peter Nørrelund, CEO of DreamHack Sports Games, said: “We see a great future for sports games in esports. The combination of a good game and a strong Player in traditional sports is a winning recipe. World Golf Tour is a superior golf game and natural platform for golf esports, European Tour is one of the strongest brands in the world of sports and with our ability to create content, media products and build strong communities I am sure, that the European eTour will be a smashing success. I am thrilled with the partnership.”

YuChiang Chen, Topgolf Media President, said: “At Topgolf, we are constantly innovating around how we can connect people in meaningful ways and the competition of esports brings a large, diverse group of people together to share a common experience. WGT was always built to be a realistic simulation of golf; rewarding skill and mirroring the level of strategy, course management and mental toughness required to win in professional golf. The WGT players have been urging us to take this next step and we look forward to partnering with such innovative partners to further enhance the modern competition of golf and launch an unmatched esports tournament experience on WGT.”

The esports industry is one of the fastest growing media sectors with an audience of more than 380 million enthusiasts worldwide which is forecasted to surpass 1.6 billion by 2022. A majority of esports fans are in the 18-34 age demographic.

Historic New Ladies European Tour Event Announced In Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has become renowned at breaking boundaries in sport, a trend which continues with today’s announcement of a fully sanctioned Ladies European Tour (LET) event set to take place in the Kingdom from the 19th to the 22nd March 2020. The tournament, which will carry a USD$1 million prize fund, will be staged in collaboration with Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation.

The event is a watershed moment for the country, and will mark the first time that professional female golfers have played competitively in the country, breaking new ground in its ongoing transformation as part of Vision 2030.

The 72-hole stroke play competition, which will be broadcast domestically and to more than 340 million homes across more than 55 countries worldwide, will inspire a new generation of golfers throughout the Kingdom. A field of 108 LET professionals will contest for one of the richest prizes on the LET Schedule at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, near Jeddah, on the country’s stunning Red Sea coast.

Commenting upon hosting the event for the first time and setting new precedents within the sport, His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, said: “We are delighted to be creating history by hosting the inaugural ladies professional tournament in March. I hope the tournament will inspire many women to take up the great game of golf and awaken their interest in this wonderful sport. We warmly welcome all the players to the Kingdom and wish everyone a rewarding experience in our magical country.”

Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, which is set within King Abdullah Economic City, also plays host to the European Tour’s Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers. At the first staging in 2019, Major champion Dustin Johnson emerged victorious and the former World #1 will return to defend his title against a world-class field that also includes the likes of Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Tony Finau and Henrik Stenson, in January.

“I am incredibly excited by this announcement and it is an honour for the Tour to be part of history in bringing the first-ever professional women’s golf event to Saudi Arabia,” said Ladies European Tour Acting CEO, Alexandra Armas. “Confirmation of adding Saudi Arabia to our schedule for 2020 is an exciting prospect for everyone at the Ladies European Tour and having seen the quality of the event staging for the Saudi International, I am sure this will be a fantastic experience for our players.”

As well as confirming the historic tournament, Golf Saudi today announced it is working with several LET stars in order to promote golf to domestic audiences and to enhance the visibility of Saudi’s golf development programme and its golf tourism offer internationally. The UK’s Carly Booth, Amy Boulden and Rachel Drummond, and Swedish pair Camilla Lennarth and Isabella Deilert will each wear the Golf Saudi logo as ambassadors of the programme.

Looking ahead to the inaugural LET event, three-time Tour winner and Golf Saudi Ambassador, Carly Booth said: “I’m looking forward to being part of history with the other ladies on the tour and of course to competing over the Royal Greens course. I have visited Saudi Arabia on a number of occasions and been lucky enough to spend some time teaching local women and girls how to play; they have been so enthusiastic and I am sure that seeing professional golfers compete in their country will inspire them to take up the game and strive for their dreams.”

The 2020 event will showcase Saudi Arabia’s natural assets, as well as prioritising the country’s drive to increase golf participation significantly in the years to come. The Kingdom already has a strong track record when it comes to staging high-level sporting fixtures, including major football, boxing, motorsport and equestrian events.

New Zealand Join Australian Bid, South Korea And South Africa Withdraw From Race To Host 2023 Women’s World Cup

Australia’s bid has been strengthened by the addition of New Zealand to produce a combined bid between the two nations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

But South Korea have joined South Africa in withdrawing from the race to host the tournament this week.

South Africa withdrew from the race to host the competition earlier this week and have now been joined by the Koreans, who had possibly been hoping to host a combined tournament between themselves and North Korea.

However, with North Korea appearing unlikely to join forces with their southern counterparts, South Korea believe they cannot go forward on their own.

Australia and New Zealand hosted the Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2015 and have had their bid for the women’s FIFA World Cup approved by six Australian states already, with Australian Federal Minister for Youth and Sport, the Hon. Richard Colbeck, saying the Australian Government is committed to the joint bid which is a logical and compelling response to the expanded 32-nation format that will be introduced in 2023.

“Our Bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 strongly aligns with the Australian Government’s commitment to inspire more girls and women to participate in sport and increase their physical activity for better health and wellbeing,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Australia and New Zealand have a successful history of both staging and co-hosting major international sporting events. We have the infrastructure, expertise and enthusiasm to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and I wish FFA and New Zealand Football every success.”

New Zealand Minister for Sport and Recreation, Grant Robertson, said the joint Bid is an unprecedented opportunity for the two countries to showcase their commitment to women’s sport and continue to track records of successfully hosting major sporting events.

“New Zealand and Australia are both countries that champion and celebrate women’s sport, and it has been no surprise to see the football community, stadia, host cities and states across our two countries embrace this bid,” Minister Robertson said.

“We know New Zealand and Australia can work as a team to deliver something unique and world class, while also creating a legacy for women and for football in our countries and across Asia and Oceania.”

 

Inaugural Regional SportAccord Pan America 2019 Praised by Global Sport’s Stakeholders

SportAccord President Raffaele Chiulli led the praise of Regional SportAccord Pan America 2019 as the inaugural event drew to a close yesterday at the Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center in Florida.

Offering his closing remarks at the end of an engaging conference program, Chiulli expressed his thanks to Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sports Foundation, International Sports & Health Associates and MGO, as well as the event’s attendees, speakers and partners.

“This has been a very important occasion to meet, talk and learn,” Chiulli, who is also President of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), said. “Fort Lauderdale is a marvellous place and we have been made to feel very much at home. My main takeaway from this event will be the atmosphere here in Fort Lauderdale. The discussions have been open and constructive and this is how friendships are built and consolidated.”

SportAccord Managing Director Nis Hatt joined Chiulli in thanking José Rodriguez of the Regional SportAccord Pan America 2019 Local Organizing Committee, as well as the event’s Gold Partners: Florida Sports Foundation, Greater Fort Lauderdale and Panam Sports.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed towards this inaugural event,” Hatt said. “I would also like to express my sincere thanks to nearly 550 people, representing 70 nationalities, who have come from across Pan America and also from around the world to help get this event off the ground.”

Leading sports stakeholders, influencers and decision-makers also lined up to hail the impact of the inaugural event, with the conference program focusing on the topic of ‘A United Approach to the International Sport Landscape in the Americas’.

Neven Iván Ilic Álvarez, President of Panam Sports and an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member, said after his conference presentation: “I want to thank the organisers of this wonderful event and we will support the event in the future in any way we can.”

Nadia Comăneci, the legendary five-time Olympic gymnastics gold medal-winner, who also featured as a conference speaker, added: “I believe we have seen here at Regional SportAccord that doors are always open to discuss improvements in sport and I hope this is the start of an amazing opportunity for the future.”

Attention will now turn to the next event on the calendar – the highly anticipated 18th annual SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit from 19-24 April 2020 in Beijing, China.

On The Move: Latest Community Job Updates

Richard Masters will now be the permanent CEO for the Premier League to replace Richard Scudamore after an extended spell in the interim role.

Massimo Calvelli will become CEO of the ATP on the first of January.

Luis Vicente has been appointed as the new CEO of Eleven Sports.

Michel Possau will be the Rugby World Cup 2023 General Manager, as named by World Rugby.

Neal O’Rourke is the new managing director of Sky Österreich.

Ironman Group has announced two new appointments, Chris Marciani as Vice-President of Global Partnerships in North America and Matt Wikstrom as Vice-President of Global Partnerships for Global Business Development.

Stats Perform have announced roles the Hirdt brothers. Steve as Senior Director of Operations and Research and Peter as Senior Director of Content and Broadcast Service.

Cole Gahagan is new President of Content, Revenue and Enterprise Solutions at Learfield IMG College.

Major League Rugby have announced George Killebrew as their new Commissioner.

Keykavous Saeidi is now Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mark McCafferty has become Chairman of Warwickshire CCC.

Markus Haggeney is Acting Secretary General of the FAI.

Erlinda Tabla is now Vice-President, head of legal at Eurosport, and head of legal at Discovery France

Katie Carew is now the New York Giants Director for Corporate Partnerships.

Richard Masters Appointed Premier League Chief Executive

At a special meeting held today, Premier League clubs approved the appointment of Richard Masters as its Chief Executive with immediate effect.

Masters is the third person to have been offered the job, following Susanna Dinnage accepting the role before reneging on her agreement with the league and David Pemsel, who was forced to pull out of the running a fortnight ago following accusations about his private life in the British press.

Bruce Buck, Chairman of Chelsea Football Club and Chairman of the Premier League Nominations Committee, said: “Richard took on the role of Interim Chief Executive a year ago.  Since then, the clubs have seen Richard rise to the occasion, dealing with our various stakeholders and partners with aplomb and skill.

“As Interim Chief Executive, he has faced challenges head-on and has proved himself. The clubs believe that this is the right appointment now in the long-term interests of the Premier League.”

Commenting on his appointment, Richard said: “I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to lead the Premier League in what will be one of the most exciting stages of its development.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the clubs and our partners and other stakeholders over the past year. This is one of the most incredible jobs in the world of sport and I now look forward to leading the League in the many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Richard has worked in the sports industry for more than 25 years. He joined the Premier League as Director of Sales and Marketing in 2006 and was promoted to Managing Director in July 2015.

Prior to joining the Premier League, Richard was Commercial Director at the English Football League and before that he worked for the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The Premier League Nominations Committee will now look to appoint a non-executive Chair promptly in the new year.

Massimo Calvelli Announced As New ATP Chief Executive

The ATP has announced the appointment of Massimo Calvelli as the ATP Chief Executive Officer, beginning 1 January 2020.

Calvelli brings a wide range of tennis and executive experience to the position and was the unanimous choice of the ATP Board of Directors. The 45-year-old Italian has been a highly respected sports executive in global sales, marketing, operations and product development for the past 20 years.

Calvelli will work closely with fellow Italian Andrea Gaudenzi, who becomes the new Chairman of the ATP on 1 January 2020. The two will serve in a new split role at the helm of the ATP, replacing the combined position of ATP Executive Chairman and President, currently held by Chris Kermode through to the end of 2019.

“I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the new CEO of the ATP,” said Calvelli. “I have been involved in professional tennis for most of my life and I look forward to bringing my passion and knowledge of the sport into this role. It’s a very exciting time to be involved with the ATP Tour as we strive to build on the growth of recent years, and I look forward to getting started in January.”

Most recently, Calvelli was employed by Nike where he worked across multiple functions and oversaw all aspects of global tennis sports marketing. During his time at Nike, he has led negotiations with many of the sport’s global icons. Previously, the former professional tennis player was the Global Business Director for Wilson Sporting Goods.

Gaudenzi said: “Together with the ATP Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Massimo as the new CEO of the ATP. We share a great passion for the sport and I’m confident our diverse business experiences will serve the Tour well as we work on the future direction of men’s professional tennis.”

The appointment of Calvelli concludes an extensive leadership recruitment process undertaken over the last eight months by the ATP Board of Directors, with the assistance of global leadership advisory and executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates.

ELEVEN SPORTS Appoints Luis Vicente As CEO

Luis Vicente will join ELEVEN SPORTS as the group’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on 15th January 2020.

Luis is a vastly experienced sports executive, with a 25-year track record of driving innovation, commercial growth and brand engagement for athletes, teams and governing bodies.

He joins ELEVEN SPORTS from FIFA where, as Chief Digital Transformation & Innovation Officer, he worked to champion new technologies, gaming, data and content strategies.

Luis has worked with some of the world’s leading brands in football and motorsports. He held leadership roles with Manchester City and Valencia CF and has offered strategic guidance to Real Madrid, AC Milan, the Premier League, LaLiga, Red Bull, Ferrari, Lotus and A1GP. He began his career in talent management, representing Luis Figo and Ronaldo Nazario among other world class athletes.

Luis takes over as CEO from Marc Watson, who will continue working to lead the ELEVEN SPORTS group forward in his role as ELEVEN’s Executive Chairman and Board Director of parent company Aser Ventures.

Marc Watson, Executive Chairman, ELEVEN SPORTS Group, has welcomed Luis to the group:

“Luis has a passion for innovation and new technologies and a history of helping to grow some of the biggest brands in sport. He is the perfect person to take ELEVEN to the next level. We’re delighted to welcome him to the group.”

Luis Vicente, CEO, ELEVEN SPORTS Group, said:

“ELEVEN has been disrupting the world of sports media since 2015 and has already developed a fantastic offering for millions of fans globally. My mission will be to help ELEVEN continue to grow, to further democratise our offering and give fans everywhere the opportunity to enjoy the best sporting moments with ELEVEN. I am very excited to get started.”

Luis also joins Aser Ventures as Board Member and Chief Digital Officer.

DAZN Takes Champions League Rights In Germany From Sky Deutschland

DAZN has won the bidding rights to the Champions League in Germany for the three seasons beginning from the 2021/22 season.

Sky Germany’s CEO, Carsten Schmidt, told BILD that they have lost the rights through the tender process, saying:

“In the tendering process that has just been completed, we have not been able to agree on a continuation of the cooperation after about 20 years of partnership with Uefa.

“We have an economically clear and responsible view on the value of sports rights, however, even in the interests of our customers, we were not prepared to go beyond the high value that we attach to this right.”

U.S. Reform Could Upset Olympic Status Quo

Changes in the governance of Olympic sports being considered by the U.S. Congress could be in conflict with the principles of the Olympic Charter, according to the chief of the national governing body of a leading sport.

Speaking at the Regional SportAccord in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, Jim Scherr, CEO of World Lacrosse, said that provisions in proposed legislation aimed at protecting athletes, however well intentioned, would contravene the Charter by giving the U.S. government an oversight role of Olympic sport in the country.

Congress is currently weighing an adjustment to the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 (which was last amended in 1998) that would give legislators the power to dissolve the board and/or management of the USOC or any Olympic national governing body.

“The aim of the changes is to protect the welfare of athletes and give them greater voice,” Scherr, a former CEO of the USOC, told iSportconnect in an interview after his conference session. “This is positive of course. However, giving government this sort of political lever would be contrary to the Olympic Charter. The criticism raised by some people that the USOC is hiding behind the IOC is not correct. The Charter does say that governments should not be in such a position.”

The U.S. government, unlike in many other countries, does not get directly involved in funding sport or the Olympic organisations. Support of the USOC comes indirectly through extra protection for Olympic trademarks enabling the USOC to offer partners more value from their association with Olympic sport.

The U.S. government also invests in safeguarding the security of the U.S. team and the Games when they take place in America.

Scherr said a place on the Olympic programme for lacrosse for the Los Angeles Games in 2028 is a possibility.

“Our primary aim is to grow the game,” he said. “I have not met a single athlete or person involved in lacrosse who doesn’t say it would be phenomenal to be part of the Olympics. One day we would like to be in the Games. However, whether or not we are in the Olympics in the future, we will continue to work to develop our sport and work for our athletes.”