Chimelong Group Agree Deal With CBA

Chimelong Group, the tourism operator, have signed a new sponsorship deal with the Chinese Basketball Association.

The CBA season begun this week and the league’s branding will now appear around Chimelong’s resorts, which are the Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort and Chimelong International Ocean Resort in Zhuhai, with a third currently being built.

Yao Ming, Chairman of the CBA, told a press conference to promote the new deal that would learn and help each other to create beneficial experiences for fans.

Su Zhigang, chairman of the Chimelong Group, said it represented “Chimelong plus CBA, tourism plus sports, the best parent-child travel platform plus the most popular sport for young people. I believe this cooperation…through the mutual promotion of the travel platform and basketball, will better realise the common mission of Chimelong and the CBA – ‘Let people be healthier and happier’.”

Dubai Summit Speaker Spotlight: Brett Gosper

Brett Gosper, Chief Executive Officer of World Rugby, will be one of the headline speakers at iSportconnect’s Dubai Summit on the 5th of December.

Brett has overseen one of the biggest sporting events in the 2019 calendar, the highly successful Rugby World Cup in Japan, which culminates this Saturday as England face South Africa in the final.

He will be taking part in the summit alongside Manu Sawhney, Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council, and Alexander Brown, Commissioner of Major League Lacrosse, as well as a number of other speakers.

Bio

Brett Gosper is a graduate of Monash University who has been CEO of World Rugby since 2012, overseeing major events such as the current Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Brett is responsible for the strategic and business operations of Rugby’s global governing federation. As the sport continues to reach out, engage and inspire participants in record numbers worldwide, Brett oversees the implementation of World Rugby’s record investment, development and player welfare strategies, the delivery of what is set to be a landmark Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, the growth of the HSBC Sevens World Series and Rugby’s successful participation in Tokyo 2020 after its successful return to the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. A former top flight player for Queensland and Australia Under 21 and the Racing Club in Paris for nearly a decade, Gosper joined World Rugby in 2012. This followed a distinguished career with major international marketing services and media companies including Ogilvy, Havas, Omnicom and most recently as CEO McCann Erickson Europe, Middle East and Africa and CEO of McCann Erickson USA.

Previously he has served as Deputy Managing Director for TBWA Paris, London Chief Executive at Havas, New York Chief Executive at McCann, President of New York Group at TBWA. He spent six more years at McCann between 2005 and 2011, for two years as USA President and EMEA Chief Executive.

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 ideas exchange and helping to introduce you to the right new connections.

To register your interest in attending the 2019 iSportconnect Dubai Summit, please contact Joe Condon at joe@isportconnect.com

Invitation Policy: The Dubai Summit 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.

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

British Wheelchair Basketball Partners With ATPI Sports Events

ATPI Sports Events and British Wheelchair Basketball have combined for a four-year charity partnership.

The world-leading travel provider will now become British Wheelchair Basketball’s first choice for the travel arrangements of its four GB Squads.

Both of Great Britain’s senior squads will be travelling next year after they qualified for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo following great performances at the European Championships this year.

The introduction of ATPI will provide crucial benefits to British Wheelchair Basketball, providing clear and organised travel support to the squads.

British Wheelchair Basketball’s Chief Executive, Lisa Pearce, said: “The GB wheelchair basketball teams are amongst the best in the World; their phenomenal international success sees the squads travel extensively to ensure that they prepare by competing against the world’s elite.

“Undoubtedly our partnership with ATPI Sports Events is crucial to the team’s continued success, allowing the teams to truly focus on competition whilst their travel planning is in the safe hands of ATPI.

“It is charity partnerships such as our relationship with ATPI Sports Events which highlight the collaborative power and influence that our suppliers have on enabling British Wheelchair Basketball to deliver both corporate and performance objectives,” she added.

Speaking on the deal, ATPI Group’s Regional Managing Director, UK, France and Benelux, stated: “We are extremely proud to unveil our four-year partnership with British Wheelchair Basketball today. There is an incredible synergy between our organisations.

“We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver a service which is tailored for our customers’ individual travel needs.  It is absolutely our pleasure to be able to offer our services to British Wheelchair Basketball and its GB teams, and enable the team’s continued drive to bring home medals and realise international success and support the delivery of the Sports new five year strategy.”

World Rugby Retains IMG As Commercial Partner Agency Through 2023

IMG has been confirmed as the exclusive commercial partner agency for World Rugby until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

World Rugby began working with IMG in 1993 and they will now continue to represent the sale of the tournament’s top-tier worldwide partner programme, as well as delivering rights for all sponsorship operations, brand services, licensing and merchandising management.

It will be the eighth tournament cycle with World Rugby and IMG combining.

Brett Gosper, Chief Executive Officer, World Rugby, said: “We are delighted to announce a renewal with IMG to deliver key commercial services for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. Following a comprehensive review, we believe that IMG are perfectly positioned to further enhance and grow our worldwide partner programme, sponsorship delivery, brand services and licensing management.”

Jonathan Kritzinger, SVP of Rugby, IMG, commented: “We are simply delighted to continue working with the team at World Rugby and remain part of this fantastic event. We have built a highly experienced group of execs to service this property, and this agreement represents the unmatched dedication and passion this team has for RWC.”

On The Move: The Latest Sports Industry Job Updates

Laurent Prud’homme has become Senior Vice-President, General Manager at Discovery France. Prud’homme has been working for Eurosport for almost 20 years and his key focus will be on ensuring the channel portfolio continues to develop and expand.

Faisal Galaria, formerly of Spotify and GoCompare, has been named Chief Executive Officer at Blippar.

World Bowling have announced that Andrew Oram is their new Chief Executive Officer.

Rugby League World Cup have made Stephen Brown their Chief Operating Officer.

Matt Young is now EVP, Global Chief Revenue Officer at Motorsport network, joining from Verizon. Motorsport network have also appointed Gary Learner to the role of EVP, Global Chief Technology Officer.

Kenneth Jarrett is the new Independent Director at Wanda Sports Group.

Made By Sport have announced Sophie Mason as Chief Executive.

Nickole Raymond Tara is now Senior VP, Global Portfolio at AEG Global Partnerships.

England Netball have appointed Fran Connolly as Chief Executive Officer.

Jacqueline DiPiazza has become Manager, Fan Engagement at Madison Square Garden Company.

Russell James is new Sales and Marketing Director at the England and Wales Cricket Board

Mat Bell is now Sales Manager at Melbourne Football Club.

LA Lakers And Delta Airlines Extend Deal

Delta Airlines and the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to an extension of their current partnership deal.

The Lakers have been sponsored by Delta since 2011, with this new deal being spearheaded by a brand new service Delta will offer to fans, called ‘Showtime Seat Exchange’.

This new service will allow season ticket holders who are unable to go to games to exchange their unused ticket for a flight with the airline for any of four specific fixtures.

Tim Harris, the Lakers President of Business Operations, said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with Delta on the launch of ‘Showtime Seat Exchange. For almost a decade, Delta has worked together with the team to create unique and innovative programs that give back, and this initiative is yet another example of their continued commitment to Lakers fans and the community.”

Swisscom Joins With Olympic Channel For Lausanne 2020

The Olympic Channel has signed a deal with Swisscom which will see Swisscom TV broadcast the Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne in 2020.

All consumers who own a Swisscom TV UHD Box in Switzerland and Lichtenstein will be able to view the event, which runs from the 9th to the 22nd of January, by gaining access to the Olympic Channel app.

The Winter Youth Olympics will of course be the first major event of 2020 for the IOC, before the upcoming Tokyo Olympics begin in July next year.

Five LaLiga Clubs Set Away Ticket Prices At €25

Five LaLiga clubs in the north of Spain have agreed to a new intiative that will see them set ticket prices at €25 for away fans coming to games.

Athletic Club, Real Sociedad, SD Eibar, Deportivo Alavés and CA Osasuna have agreed to set away ticket prices at €25 for the matches between these teams.

The objective is to make it easier for supporters to travel to away games, developing respect between fanbases, with the initiative already spreading to other clubs across LaLiga Santander.

The main objective of the collaboration isn’t to increase attendances but to encourage a philosophy of union, bringing fans from different regions together to support their teams.

While this agreement has been struck between five neighbouring clubs, similar deals are already being rolled out across Spain. Athletic Club already has a similar arrangement with Celta Vigo, while CA Osasuna has pacts with Real Betis, Levante UD and Villarreal CF.

Athletic Club say: “We want to create a great atmosphere at each one of our derbies, as you could already see when we welcomed Real Sociedad and Alavés. We also want our supporters to be able to go and see their team away from home in a way that isn’t so costly.”

PSG Agree Partnership Deals With Replay And Gaussin

Paris Saint-Germain have signed an agreement with Fashion Box, the parent company of Replay, for the brand to become the club’s official denim partner for the next four seasons.

Replay and Paris Saint-Germain will work hand in hand to develop exclusive premium capsule collections, which will be available from 2020 via the official Paris Saint-Germain sales network and through Replay’s retail and online channels.

Marc Armstrong, Paris Saint-Germain Chief Partnerships Officer, added: “We are delighted to welcome Replay to the Paris Saint-Germain family. Our brands share a common ambition to connect with a young and fashion-conscious audience worldwide while embodying the values of Paris.  In recent years, Paris Saint-Germain has become the epitome of sport and style and we look forward to working closely with Replay to develop creative products and content for our global fan base.”

The club has also joined with Gaussin for the supply of self-driving, 100% electric vehicles for public transport and goods transport.

Jean-Claude Blanc, Chief Operating Officer of Paris Saint-Germain, adds: ” We are very happy to welcome Gaussin to the Paris Saint-Germain family. Like the Club training and training center project, which is scheduled to open in 2022, Paris Saint-Germain aims to make sustainable development one of the pillars of its corporate strategy. and to embody the aspirations of the new generation. Our collaboration with them will enable us to strengthen this commitment.”

Golden State Warriors Create Personal Ticket Exchange Platform For Suites

The Golden State Warriors have created their own ticket exchange platform for supporters to exchange tickets in the suites at their new Chase Center arena.

Suite Exchange, an authentic and verified resale marketplace connecting Chase Center premium suite holders with a broader network of buyers interested in hospitality for Chase Center concerts, events and Warriors games.

Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts: “We think this is a unique and innovative program that will provide a tremendous value add for our suite holders, which is always a primary goal of ours. There was a need for a program of this nature in the premium space and, with the move to Chase Center, the timing is perfect.”