LaLiga ‘Players Pack’ Aims To Bring Sponsors And Players Closer

LaLiga has begun distribution of a ‘Players Pack’, a brand new initiative to bring LaLiga’s sponsors closer to players, coaching staff and boards of clubs.

The ‘Players Pack’ contains exclusive offers from LaLiga through sponsors Banco Santander, Movistar, Samsung and EA Sports. The initiative has been developed by the LaLiga Players’ Office and is designed to be repeated over the coming seasons.

Special products and offers by Banco Santander, Movistar+ and Samsung are included in the pack. Also included is a gift from EA Sports that contains the case for FIFA 20 with the name and squad number of every LaLiga player. Such initiatives are extending the reach of the sponsors through the networks of LaLiga players and clubs.

Oscar Mayo, LaLiga’s Director of International Development, highlighted the importance of this type of project for everyone at LaLiga: “We’re thrilled with the initial distribution of the Players Pack. This is a clear example of how LaLiga is developing its relationships not only with the biggest stars of our competitions, the players, but also our sponsors by offering them innovative assets,” he said.

On The Move: Latest Job Changes Within The Sports Industry This Week

Nike have announced John Donahoe will take over as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer on January the 13th, 2020. He replaces Mark Parker who will become Executive Chairman.

Patrik Frisk will become Under Armour’s Chief Executive Officer on the 1st of January, 2020, taking over from Kevin Plank, who founded the organisation in 1996. Plank becomes will become Executive Chairman & Brand Chief.

Andrea Gaudenzi has been appointed as ATP Chairman, to replace the outgoing Chris Kermode on the 1st of January, 2020.

Michael Dowse will become Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the United States Tennis Association, also commencing on the 1st of January, 2020.

Other Job Updates

Charlie McEwen has been named CEO, Rugby and Special Projects at CSM.

Emre Omer is to become Chief Financial Officer at the International Olympic Council.

Helen Phillips will be the first female President of British Gymnastics.

Ian Baynes is the new Commercial Director at SIS.

Twitch has appointed Doug Scott as Chief Marketing Officer.

Werner Becher was appointed SportRadar Managing Director of U.S. Betting.

Richard Bryan will be the new Player Welfare Director at the Rugby Players Association.

Matthew Bailey is now Senior Director of Sponsorship, Sales and Services at Misfits Gaming.

If you are changing jobs and want yours featured, please email ben@isportconnect.com 

Manchester City Announce New Partnership With Nestlé

Manchester City and Nestlé have announced a new multi-year partnership to become the Official Coffee, Vegan and Vegetarian Partner of the club.

This new collaboration means that Nestlé will now have their new plant-based Garden Gourmet burger, Nescafé Azera coffee and YES! nut, fruit and vegetable bars added to the matchday food and beverage offering at the Etihad and Academy Stadiums.

Damian Willoughby, Senior Vice President of Partnership at City Football Group, said: “Manchester City prides itself on partnering with some of the world’s leading organisations, so we are thrilled to be announcing this exciting new partnership with Nestlé Professional®. By enhancing the vegan options throughout our stadiums, we are offering fans an even wider selection of high-quality food and beverage options.

Katya Simmons, Managing Director at Nestlé Professional®, added: “The partnership with Manchester City, the Premier League champions, will help further boost the value we offer as a leading food and beverage company. This strategic collaboration aligns to Nestlé Professional® and City’s shared values to create new opportunities to nurture talent, make more possible and help communities”.

Juventus Increase Jeep Sponsorship Value Due To High Performance

Juventus and Jeep have revealed that the car company will pay an extra €25 million for their sponsorship of the club for the rest of the current 2019-20 season and the upcoming year in 2020-21.

This has come about following Juventus’ high performance over the past couple of years, which has increased the Juventus brand awareness at a worldwide level.

The club and Jeep have also agreed to start contract renegotiations already.

 

Formula 1 To Stream Mexico Grand Prix On Twitch In Six Countries

For the first time Formula 1 will stream an entire race weekend via streaming service Twitch, to be available in six European countries.

All sessions of the race weekend in Mexico will be live-streamed for free via the Twitch website in Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

As part of the deal, interactivity and gaming elements will be added to the broadcast to really drive engagement from the community. F1 will also include a data extension alongside the broadcast that allows users to predict the performance of drivers during 10-minute segments of the Grand Prix. The predictions will then be ranked and displayed according to their accuracy, providing an interactive gaming element to the broadcast.

Frank Arthofer, Director of Digital and Licensing, said: “We are really excited to be partnering with Twitch to live stream content from the Mexican Grand Prix. Audiences in Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden will be able to visit Twitch’s website and app and tune in to all the action from practice, qualifying and the race itself. Twitch has incredible reach, a unique creative spin on sports media coverage and an engaged digital audience; they are a perfect partner for us to be working with on this project.”

Full information: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula-1-to-stream-2019-mexican-grand-prix-weekend-via-twitch.6i0f7OseQL0KfDMgKDJsu1.html

Chinese State Broadcaster Refuses To Show NBA Opening Night Fixtures

China’s State Broadcaster has continued it’s blanking of the NBA since Daryl Morey’s tweet in defence of Hong Kong, by not showing Tuesday’s opening night fixtures.

However, despite Chinese State TV holding the exclusive television rights in the country, Tencent, the NBA’s digital partner in China, with a deal worth a reported $1.5billion, did show the LA Lakers vs the LA Clippers.

The NBA’s issue with China and, more importantly, their business within the country, still appears to be up in the air as we enter this new season.

Sky Sports Racing Agrees Deal With New York Racing Association

Sky Sports Racing has agreed to a multi-year rights partnership deal with the New York Racing Association.

The new agreement means Sky Sports will have exclusive UK and Ireland broadcast rights for all races from Woodbine, Saratoga, Aqueduct and Belmont Park Racecourses.

Matthew Imi, Chief Executive, At The Races said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with two racing organisations as forward-thinking and respected as NYRA and Woodbine. Their venues host high quality racing and their East coast locations are increasingly attracting British and Irish trained horses. This complements our offering of the world’s best international racing, and we’re excited about promoting and showcasing NYRA and Woodbine racing in the UK and Ireland.”

Tony Allevato, Chief Revenue Officer, NYRA said: “Partnering with Sky Sports will expand the reach of NYRA’s acclaimed television simulcast program and provide viewers in the UK with high quality daily coverage of Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. To be featured prominently on Sky Sports Racing and its digital At The Races channels will benefit New York’s horsemen and grow the sport.”

Werner Becher Appointed SportRadar Managing Director Of U.S. Betting

Sportradar has announced the appointment of Werner Becher as its new Managing Director of U.S. Betting.

Becher most recently served as CEO of Interwetten, where he was responsible for the global strategic positioning of the sports betting operator. In his new role at Sportradar, Becher will be focused on the growth, development and execution of the company’s betting strategy.

Werner Becher, MD of U.S. Betting, Sportradar, said: “I am thrilled to have joined Sportradar during such an exciting period. I look forward to working closely with Carsten, Tony and management to grow our market share and ensure the future success of the organisation.”

“We are delighted to welcome Werner as our Managing Director of U.S. Betting,” said Carsten Koerl, Chief Executive Officer, Sportradar. “Since we first opened for business in the U.S. several years ago, we have experienced the rapid growth of sports betting in the region and fully expect this to continue for many more years as new states regulate. I am confident that Werner’s deep expertise will help us to both maximise the tremendous opportunity we have to grow our market share and further enable the expansion of this key market.”

 Sportradar recently acquired betting and gaming platform Optima.

Nike And Under Armour Announce Hiring Of New CEOs

Nike

Nike have announced that John Donahoe (pictured right) will be appointed as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Jan. 13, 2020.

Donahoe will replace Mark Parker (pictured left), who had held the role of CEO since 2006, who will become Executive Chairman and continue to lead the Board of Directors.

“It is an honor to become President and CEO of this amazing, innovative company, and to join the more than 76,000 talented and passionate employees dedicated to serving athletes,” said Donahoe. “Over the last five years, I’ve been proud to be connected to Nike through my role on the Board and now look forward to being a full-time member of the team, working even more closely with Mark, building on Nike’s success and seizing the opportunities ahead.”

Parker said: “This is an exciting time for Nike where we see brand strength and momentum throughout the world and great opportunity for future growth. I look forward to continuing to lead the Board as Executive Chairman, as well as partnering closely with John and the management team to help him transition to his new role.”

Under Armour

Meanwhile, Under Armour have announced that Patrik Frisk will become the company’s Chief Executive Officer on the 1st of January, 2020, taking over from Kevin Plank, who founded the organisation in 1996.

Plank said: “Our multi-year, transition approach has ensured purposeful leadership continuity. Patrik is the right person to serve as Under Armour’s next CEO. As my partner during the most transformative chapter in our history, he has been exceptional in his ability to translate our brand’s vision into world-class execution by focusing on our long-term strategy and re-engineering our ecosystem through a strategic, operational and cultural transformation.”

Under Armour President & COO Patrik Frisk added, “I joined Under Armour to be part of an iconic brand that demonstrated the power of sport and premium experience, when properly harnessed, is capable of unlimited possibilities. Today, I am even more resolute in this conviction. The opportunity that lies ahead of us is incredible. As our entire global team continues to lean hard into our transformation, I am honoured to lead this great brand toward the realization of its full potential.”

LaLiga Opens South Africa Office As Growth Continues

LaLiga has opened a new office in Johannesburg due to the success the league is having throughout South Africa.

Just four years ago LaLiga created their first permanent presence within the country and they have since created a number of partnerships with sponsors, broadcasters and the South African Football Association within the country.

Today, LaLiga is the second most popular foreign league in South Africa, when sx years ago it was not even possible to watch the league in the country, highlighting the massive growth.

“LaLiga has evolved from being an unknown brand for South Africans to being the second-most important foreign league in the country,” explained Marcos Pelegrin, recently appointed as Managing Director for LaLiga South Africa. “This is a huge achievement, as the English league has a historical relationship with the territory. It shows how much attention LaLiga, its teams and its players generate in the country.”