Honda To Remain NHL Partner Through 2021-22

Honda and the National Hockey League today announced a multiyear renewal of their partnership, which keeps Honda as the NHL’s Official Automotive Partner in the United States and Canada through the 2021-22 season.

The collaborative partnership between the NHL and Honda began in the U.S. at the start of the 2007-08 season, with the relationship expanding to include Canada during the 2014-15 season.

Honda will continue its presence at NHL tentpole events throughout each season, including title sponsorship of Honda NHL All-Star Weekend and as one of the League’s in-ice presenting partners of the NHL Winter Classic, NHL Stadium Series and NHL Heritage Classic.

As sponsor of the NHL All-Star Weekend, Honda will again be featured in the NHL All-Star Game event logo, including integration in the center ice emblem of the host venue, and included in NHL promotional materials leading up to NHL All-Star Game across linear TV, and digital and social media.

“Honda, a longtime, valued NHL partner demonstrates its strong commitment to our sport through engaging fan-focused activations,” said Kyle McMann, NHL Group Vice President, Business Development. “We’re excited to extend our partnership with Honda, and with it, a long-term title sponsorship of our mid-season jewel, the Honda NHL All-Star Game while also delighting fans with activations across our media platforms and season-long NHL events.”

Jay Joseph, Vice President of Marketing for Honda, added: “The National Hockey League has been a valuable partner with the Honda brand for the past 12 years. Our partnership with the NHL has helped Honda reach new audiences as we work together to create engaging experiences for fans who share our love for hockey. We look forward to creating truly memorable moments for hockey fans for years to come.”

Extreme E Heading To The Himalayas

The fourth location on Extreme E’s five-event calendar – its Mountain round – has today been confirmed, with the pioneering electric SUV off-road racing series set for Nepal’s Mustang District in the Himalayas.

Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, made the announcement alongside Yogesh Battharai, Nepal’s Minister for Tourism, at the race site (they are seen in photo above). Agag said: “Today we are here in the heart of the Himalayas, in the Mustang District, to announce that Extreme E will be the first race to ever be staged in the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas.

“The Himalayan region is a spectacular, unique environment with incredible terrain for off-road racing, which will provide the sternest of tests to the world’s leading drivers, engineers and teams. We are literally in the heart of the mountains here, it is a beautiful place.

“We’re going to bring this fantastic show, this great race, to a place where there’s never been a race. We will leave a positive legacy behind, working with the government and authorities that will help locals here and provide solutions for the region to make it more sustainable. This is a big step with big meaning – not only for the race, but in everything we will leave in place for the communities here.”

The championship will head to the Kali Gandaki valley – site of the deepest gorge in the world – 25 kilometres south of Jomsom, amid the stunning Annapurna region of Nepal, with the mountain range bearing the same name looming over the arena.

This Mustang District, approximately 400 kilometres from Kathmandu, hangs 2,750 metres above sea level. Drivers and teams will have to contend not just with the altitude but also elevation changes, coarse gravel, deep ruts and rocky obstacles, as well as the Gandaki river – one of the major tributaries feeding the Ganges.

Yogesh Battharai, Nepal’s Minister for Tourism, said: “We are extremely excited to welcome Extreme E to Nepal. The country has a unique natural and cultural diversity and harbours a number of instantly recognisable world landmarks such as Mount Everest – the tallest peak on Earth – and Lumbni – the birthplace of Buddha. We are confident that hosting this international series will serve to further our global appeal whilst being able to also shine an important spotlight on the climate issues which face our region and their solutions.

“Nepal is an exotic destination full of national treasures. Driving through our magnificent scenery with Extreme E’s pioneering electric SUVs will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the competitors, adventure enthusiasts and the fans watching on. The message is inspiring and it will be some spectacle!”

According to the UN, whilst Nepal itself sits well down the list of contributors to the climate crisis it ranks fourth in terms of its vulnerability to climate change. The Himalaya has the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar caps, and some 66 percent of its ice – the lifeline of river basins and ecosystems across Asia – could be lost as a result of climate variability, directly affecting the water supply of hundreds of millions of people.

Extreme E is working with local experts and groups in each of its locations to implement positive legacy initiatives dependent on local needs. In Nepal, it has already begun consulting with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) on ways to support regional programmes and institutional partnerships.

ICIMOD, based in Kathmandu, is an intergovernmental knowledge sharing centre serving the eight member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH): Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar and Pakistan. More than 240 million people depend directly on the HKH, with a further 1.9 billion relying on the zone for food, water and energy. Indirectly, more than 35 percent of the world’s population benefits directly from HKH resources and its ecosystem.

The region is undergoing rapid change, driven by forces such as climate change, natural disasters, economic growth, infrastructure development, globalisation, land-use change, migration and urbanisation. Each has major consequences on the HKH and its people.
A recent ICIMOD report, assessing the pressures on the HKH cited the need for immediate action at national, regional and international levels with a focus on further investment and co-operation – as well as concerted action to limit global warming to less than 1.5 celsius by 2100.

The report collated nine Mountain Priorities, in-line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals:

1. End poverty in all forms everywhere in the mountains
2. Promote sustainable production systems to assure food security and income for mountain peoples
3. Achieve gender and social equity
4. Ensure year-round water supply
5. Ensure universal access to clean energy
6. Halt biodiversity loss and land degredation and manage ecosystems sustainably
7. Ensure integration between adaption to climate change, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development
8. Build resilient, equitable and inclusive mountain communities
9. Promote amountain-specific agenda for achieving the SDGs through increased regional co-operation

Policy messages defined in the report outlined a need for improved long-term hydrometeorological monitoring for more robust climate change analysis, more reliable projections for warming to discern cryosphere (ice) dynamics across the HKH and planning focussed on disaster warning systems, management and mitigation to combat extreme weather.

ICIMOD aims to further understanding of the impacts of human influence and climate change on the stability of mountain ecosystems and the livelihoods of mountain people, helping locals to adapt.

Dr David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD, said: “With its fantastic mountains, culture, biodiversity, and water resources, the Hindu Kush Himalaya is the pulse of the planet. When the pulse is fine, we know that humanity is taking care of the environment. Today we find that this pulse is under threat from climate and environmental change. We need to do all we can as a global society to raise awareness globally on these issues, and that is why it is important that Extreme E does draw attention to this region. We also appreciate that Extreme E’s legacy project will help us to protect the pulse.”

Extreme E’s purpose is to shine a spotlight on the environments in which it is set to race – each damaged by the effects of human interference and climate change – while promoting the adoption of electric vehicles in the fight to help preserve the environment and protect the planet.

Nepal is the fourth location to be announced for Extreme E’s inaugural 2021 campaign. It joins the Amazon Rainforest in Para, Brazil; Kangerlussuaq in Greenland; and Saudi Arabia, where the location is to be confirmed. The final location, which will be a coastal event is still to be revealed.

Further announcements on teams, partners, locations and drivers will be made over the coming weeks, with Season 1 to get underway in February 2021.

Saudi Arabia To Host Spanish Super Cup Until 2022

The Spanish Football Federation have agreed a deal which will see the Spanish Super Cup held in Saudi Arabia for the next three years.

Spain’s Super Cup has been revamped this year to include four teams playing a semi-final and final, with the 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions all now to be held in the middle-east.

It is reported that the cost the Spanish Football Federation will receive for holding this event in the country will be in the region of €120 million.

Four teams will now contest the Super Cup, rather than the current format which had seen the winners of the league face off against the Copa Del Rey victor over two legs. In this edition they will play a semi-final and final between the four competing sides.

The deal could be seen as a slight surprise given the opposition previously shown from some in Spain, including LaLiga president Javier Tebas, to holding fixtures in a country with some controversial human rights laws.

Sportradar And DraftKings Announce Partnership Extension

DraftKings and Sportradar have announced a new long-term extension to their current partnership which will see the sports data provider continue to be DraftKings’ supplier for data feeds and bet stimulation content.

As part of the extension, Sportradar will provide DraftKings with access to a variety of official sports data feeds, including the NFL, MLB, and the NBA for sports betting and daily fantasy sports

Neale Deeley, Vice President of US Sales and Gaming, Sportradar, said: “We are proud to extend our partnership with DraftKings, one of the most respected gaming companies in the US.

“DraftKings’ journey into sports betting has been a fantastic success, and we have been honored to be on that journey with them. We look forward to continuing that success for many years to come.”

Ezra Kucharz, chief business officer, DraftKings, added: “DraftKings’ goal is to build the best, most trusted and most customer-centric destination for sports fans and our expanded partnership with Sportradar provides us with superior support.

“This partnership will enhance customer experience by allowing us to provide faster turnaround time on our products and give us the opportunity to develop new, innovative offerings for our players.”

Formula 1 To Produce A Net Of Zero Carbon Emissions By 2030

Formula 1 have announced a new sustainability plan to be carbon neutral by 2030.

This initiative will cover the Formula 1 cars and on-track activity and the rest of the operations as a sport, aiming to eliminate the carbon footprint of the car.

The plan comes after twelve months of intense work with the FIA, sustainability experts, Formula 1 teams, promoters, and partners, resulting in an ambitious, yet achievable delivery plan.

Formula 1 also say carbon reduction projects will begin immediately to start the journey of becoming a more sustainable sport.

By 2025 F1 will also ensure all events are sustainable. This will mean the use of sustainable materials at all events with single-use plastics being eliminated and all waste reused, recycled or composted.

Additionally, F1 will provide incentives and tools to offer every fan a greener way to reach the race and ensure circuits and facilities enhance fan wellbeing and nature as well as providing opportunities for local people, businesses and causes to get more involved in the action during a Formula 1 race weekend.

Chase Carey, Chairman, and CEO of Formula 1, said: “Few people know that the current F1 hybrid power unit is the most efficient in the world, delivering more power using less fuel, and hence CO2, than any other car. We believe F1 can continue to be a leader for the auto industry and work with the energy and automotive sector to deliver the world’s first net zero carbon hybrid internal combustion engine that hugely reduces carbon emissions around the world.

“In launching F1’s first-ever sustainability strategy, we recognise the critical role that all organisations must play in tackling this global issue. By leveraging the immense talent, passion and drive for innovation held by all members of the F1 community, we hope to make a significant positive impact on the environment and communities in which we operate. The actions we are putting in place from today will reduce our carbon footprint and ensure we are net zero carbon by 2030.”

Jean Todt, President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) said: “Our commitment to global environmental protection is crucial. The FIA welcomes this Formula 1 initiative. It is not only very encouraging for the future of motorsport, but it could also have strong benefits for society as a whole.

“This strategy is in line with initiatives started some years ago by the FIA with the creation of the Environmental Accreditation Programme, more recently with the FIA Environment and Sustainability Commission, and researches on renewable racing fuel. With the involvement of the teams, drivers, F1’s numerous stakeholders, and crucially the millions of fans around the world, the FIA and Formula 1 are committed to driving development and ensuring motorsport grows as a laboratory for environmentally beneficial innovations.”

Munich To Host 2022 European Championships

Munich has been announced as the host of the 2022 European Championships event.

This will be the second time the competition has been hosted, after the first iteration took place in a combination of Berlin and Glasgow in 2018.

The European Championship 2022 board unanimously decided on the host city, with the dates the event will take place announced as the 11th to the 21st of August 2022.

Athletics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon have already confirmed that they will be a part of the next edition. However, aquatics is currently off the list.

European Championships 2022 Board Chair and European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen said: “I speak for all the participating sports in saying how delighted we are to be going to the wonderful city of Munich in 2022, and for athletics we are especially happy to be heading back to Germany, after the success of Berlin 2018, where we know there are so many passionate sports fans.

“It is testament to the fantastic legacy of the Munich Olympic Park that we will bring our individual European Championships together again there, on the 50th anniversary of the Olympic Games, and use many of its iconic venues. We are very pleased to partner again with Eurovision Sport, meaning that millions of sports fans will be able to experience the unique excitement of the European Championships 2022, via free-to-air broadcasters.”

Dubai Summit Speaker Spotlight: Christian Volk

Our latest Dubai Summit Speaker Spotlight looks at Christian Volk, Director of eFotball Gaming at FIFA.

iSportconnect’s Dubai Summit is taking place at the Dubai Sports Council on the 5th of December. We have a number of fantastic speakers lined up for the day’s events, including Brett Gosper, CEO of World Rugby, Manu Sawhney, CEO of the ICC and Alexander Brown, Commissioner of Major League Lacrosse.

Bio

Christian Volk has been working at FIFA for seven years, carrying out a variety of roles throughout this period. Prior to becoming Director of eFootball and Gaming he held roles of Strategic Projects Manager, Head of/Group Leader Strategic Development and Head of Digital Marketing. Christian previously spent three years working for the German Football Association, where his position was Adviser, International Relations.

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

LaLiga Publish ‘Football Dictionary’ In China

LaLiga and the Instituto Cervantes in China have presented the first Diccionario del fútbol (‘Football dictionary’) at the Biblioteca Miguel Cervantes in the Chinese city of Shanghai.

This is a response to the growing demand for Spanish football and the Castilian language in the Asian country.

The aim of this dictionary is to generate initial contact with the Spanish language through the world of football, as well as to offer a simple, practical and useful access point for fans who wish to get more of a flavour for the Spanish game.

The dictionary provides a useful, practical glossary in pocket format, with vignettes by Spanish illustrator Jorge Alvarez and the design of Victor Moreno. It is easy to assimilate and provides information of interest to fans of the sport, in particular those who have no knowledge of Spanish. Many readers may have never considered learning Spanish and so the publication of the dictionary is an opportunity to encourage them to do so from a football perspective.

“Part of the Spanish cultural identity is entrenched in the expressions and vocabulary used in football. That’s why we are able not only to bring Chinese fans closer to our language, but also cultural aspects of Spain as a whole through their passion for the game. At LaLiga, we are fully committed to helping Chinese football develop and at the same time, we want to become ambassadors for our country through these types of initiatives with Spanish institutions,” said Sergi Torrents, LaLiga’s country manager for China.

Spain is a historic footballing country that has contributed to major new types of collaboration with China. Since 2015, dozens of schools have run programmes to teach children about football and many clubs have opened football schools in China through LaLiga.

Formula One Adds Expo 2020 Dubai Sponsorship

Expo 2020 Dubai, the next World Expo, will be a 14-month sponsor of Formula One until the end of the next season’s race calendar.

The sponsorship will begin at the end of this F1 season and help promote Expo 2020, which takes place from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021. It will be the largest event ever staged in the Arab World and is set to welcome 192 participating countries and host 25 million visits from across the globe over 173 days.

Its F1 sponsorship will involve activations to raise awareness of Expo 2020 and will include trackside and digital advertising at seven Grands Prix in 2020. To kick-start the association, the first trackside advertising will be seen at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019.

Murray Barnett, Director of Sponsorships and Commercial Partnerships, Formula 1 said: “We are excited to be working with Expo 2020 Dubai – the largest coming-together of nations, multilateral organisations, corporations in the history of the region. One of the defining features of Formula 1 is that our events help celebrate the countries we race in. Expo 2020 does the same for 192 countries in one incredible destination.

“Just like the World Expo, Formula 1 celebrates culture collaboration and innovation. We are very proud to be promoting Expo 2020 in the lead-up to the event across some of our landmark Grands Prix in 2019 and 2020.”

Vice President of Marketing, Expo 2020 Dubai, Anthony Ward said: “Expo 2020 Dubai will be an unmissable global celebration that will showcase human ingenuity, international collaboration and futuristic, breakthrough innovations – all of which we see in Formula 1 action throughout the season.

“With F1‘s like-minded audience, we look forward to building global awareness ahead of Expo 2020’s opening next October through this exciting collaboration with one of the world’s most popular global sports,” he added.