ANNOUNCEMENT: Extreme E and AS Monaco Confirmed For Dubai Summit

iSportconnect are happy to reveal the two latest speakers confirmed for our Dubai Summit on the 5th of December.

They will be Ali Russell, Chief Marketing Officer at Extreme E, and Juli Ferré, Commercial and Marketing Director at AS Monaco Football Club.

Already confirmed to speak at our Dubai event is Manu Sawhney, ICC Chief Executive Officer, Brett Gosper, Chief Executive Officer of World Rugby, Alexander Brown, the Commissioner of Major League Lacrosse and Christian Volk, Director of eFootball and Gaming at FIFA.

ALI RUSSELL

Director of New Business, FIA Formula E / Chief Marketing Officer, Extreme E

Ali Russell has been working in the sports industry for over 20 years, with a career spanning across multiple sports, including roles in rugby, football and motorsport. He has worked in several high-profile positions including Chief Operating Officer at Rangers, Managing Director at Queens Park Rangers, and Chief Marketing Officer at FIA Formula E.

Ali is currently setting up Extreme E, a pioneering new series set to revolutionise motorsport. Starting in 2021, Extreme E will see electric SUVs compete in remote environments which have already been damaged or affected by climate and environmental issues. The five-race global voyage, which has so far confirmed Greenland and the Amazon as race locations, will highlight the impact of climate change and human interference, whilst promoting the adoption of electric vehicles to help protect the planet. A sport for purpose, Extreme E will work alongside local NGOs and leading scientists to implement positive legacy initiatives in each location and aims to use sport as a powerful tool for education and action.

JULI FERRÉ

Commercial and Marketing Director

Juli has almost 15 years of experience developing international sponsorship strategies for top entertainment and sports properties. He started his journey with Cirque du Soleil in 2005 in the Netherlands before he switched into the sports industry through Beach Soccer in 2007- the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 in Dubai being his main highlight.

After several years in Switzerland with FIBA, Juli came back to Barcelona in 2013 to lead the international development and global sponsorship for FC Barcelona. In 2017 he joined AS Monaco FC as Commercial and Marketing Director, with the main objective to develop the brand globally and develop the overall business of the club.

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 brandon@isportconnect.com

Sport Event Denmark Extends SportAccord Gold Partnership into 10th Year

SportAccord is to welcome Sport Event Denmark as a Gold Partner for the 10th time ahead of the SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit 2020 in Beijing, China.

Established and supported by the Danish Government, Sport Event Denmark is the country’s national sports event organisation. Since its foundation 12 years ago it has helped to bring a significant number of major events to Denmark through its close links with host cities and national governing bodies.

Lars Lundov, Chief Executive Officer, Sport Event Denmark, said: “Our 10th year of being a Gold Partner is a milestone for us and SportAccord, and it shows the strength of the bond we have formed over more than a decade. SportAccord has always been part of Sport Event Denmark’s strategy as a hosting nation.

“The SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit is one of the most important events on our calendar, and we look forward to re-engaging with friends and partners we have met over the years and establishing new relationships in Beijing.”

 

UEFA Starts Search For Partner To Reduce Match-Fixing

UEFA has begun a search for a company who will help them to reduce match-fixing within their competitions. The organisation has commissioned research to analyse possible structures that will help to combat corruption.

The selected partner will then produce a study best methods to reduce match-fixing, with UEFA saying: “Since 2009, Uefa has established a full-time anti match-fixing unit. Uefa, as football’s European governing body continues to be fully committed to protecting the essence of football’s spirit and is dedicated to combatting the scourge of match-fixing.

“The problem of match-fixing has increased in recent years and, despite the excellent work done, the capacity of Uefa and other sports bodies to fight it has not grown in line with the threat. Sport leaders have repeatedly stated that sport itself does not have the means to effectively counter match-fixing – only state authorities do – which must be done complementarily.”

Red Bee and Spring Media Announce Women’s Football OTT Service

Spring Media and Red Bee have announced the first ever global OTT service dedicated to women’s football. The service will be launched in early 2020 and is set to include 300+ live matches and a multitude of VOD content in 2020.

“Women’s football has reached a turning point when it comes to both viewership and media interest and we believe we’re just at the beginning of a steep growth curve”, says Tobias Osmund, CEO, Spring Media “We are now launching a streaming service with access to some of the world’s best women’s football content and with the Red Bee OTT platform we are sure to deliver the highest quality viewing experience to football fans as they visit the new home of women’s football.”

“We are very excited to be a part of launching Wnited with Spring Media”, says Steve Nylund, CEO, Red Bee. “This is a perfect example of how our managed OTT services can and should be used, reaching global audiences with high quality ultra-low latency live feeds and on-demand content, creating the best possible viewing experiences on any device.”

Gfinity Reports Growth Of 80% For Second Successive Year

Gfinity has reported that their Esports company had 7.9 million pounds of revenue for the year ending 30th June 2019, which represents an 80% growth for a second year in a row.

Garry Cook, Executive Chairman, Gfinity plc, said: “Gfinity has delivered a significantly improved financial performance this year and we are on track to reach our target of adjusted EBITDA breakeven by 2021.  We have refocused the business on a Strategic Client Management model that has enabled us to strengthen our existing strategic partnerships and build a robust pipeline of new commercial opportunities.

“The esports market is growing rapidly and Gfinity is at the epicentre of the ecosystem. We are committed to working closely with our partners to provide them with unique esports solutions and to help them to connect with young gamers around the world.”

ANNOUNCEMENT: Diversity And Inclusion Panel Confirmed For Leadership Masterclass

iSportconnect are excited to announce our Diversity and Inclusion Panel, in association with DIAL Global which will take place at our Leadership Masterclass.

Taking part in the panel will be Colonel Lucy M Giles, President of the Army Officer Selection Board, Chloe Targett-Adams, Global Director of Promoters and Business Relations at Formula 1, and iSportconnect’s own Chief Operating Officer, Ray James.

Chloe Targett-Adams

Chloe Targett-Adams has worked for Formula 1 for more than a decade, now holding the position of Global Director of Promoters and Business Relations, leading and managing the race promotion operations.

She previously held the position of Senior Counsel with the company, working across F1’s business activities on a global level. Chloe went to the University of Leeds prior to graduating from BPP Law School.

Colonel Lucy M Giles

Colonel Lucy Giles was commissioned in 1992 after studying at Exeter University. Early regimental duty in the newly formed Royal Logistic Corps and after gaining her Masters and completing the Advanced Command and Staff Course from 2001-03, she was posted to HQ Northern Ireland.

LaLiga President Javier Tebas and Chief Executive of The European Tour, Keith Pelley, will also be speaking at the event.

She commanded 47 Air Despatch Squadron and also led a training sub-unit prior to her appointment as an instructor at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in 2011. Here she focussed on command, leadership and management, represented the College in military ethics and leadership development gaining her PGCE in 2013.

Appointed Commander of New College RMAS in January 2015, she received an entry into the Debretts’ People of the Day in 2016. She won the ‘Inspirational’ and ‘Woman of the Year’ awards at the inaugural Women in Defence event in October 2016. She is an ambassador for First Women UK, is part of the Girls School Association teachers’ mentoring programme and received an honorary doctorate from Exeter University for services to the military in July 2017. Promoted in 2018, she is now President of the Army Officer Selection Board in Westbury.

Lucy is married to Nick. They have two children; Jess and Alex. She enjoys drama, singing and support to Girl Guiding.  She also coaches, competes and runs orienteering to UK Armed Forces level.

Ray James

Our very own Ray James will also be speaking on the panel about his own personal experiences throughout his career in the world of sports business.

Ray is Chief Operating Officer at iSportconnect and has held major roles at Chelsea Football Club, Sky Sports, City Football Group and Millwall Football Club.

Moderator – Leila McKenzie-Delis

The Panel will be moderated by Leila McKenzie Delis, CEO of DIAL Global. DIAL stands for Diverse, Inclusive, Aspirational, Leaders. The purpose of the organisation is to further develop diversity, inclusion and belonging within business & wider society by giving leaders the knowledge and network to foster sustainable & positive change.

Leila has spoken at “Women in Sustainability” and the Diversity Dividend Conference, She has also hosted events such as “Celebrating Diverse & Inclusive Leadership” and “Women in Leadership” so is a perfect fit to lead the diversity and inclusion panel.

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 Leadership Masterclass, please contact Joe at joe@isportconnect.com

Invitation Policy: The Leadership Masterclass 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@isportconnect.com

iSportconnect Partners With Sports Tech Nation Summit

iSportconnect is proud to announce a new partnership with sports technology group Colosseum Sport in the lead-up to the Sports Tech Nation Summit 2019 taking place from 24-25th of November 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Sports Tech Nation is the international summit of the sports tech industry, gathering the most disruptive technologies and tackling the main investment trends. Among the guests at the summit will be top tech investors, leading clubs, sport organizations, and startups.

Sports Tech Nation 2019 will feature top executives and speakers from 30 countries with over 500 participants and discuss the two major themes of Sports Investment and Sports Tech trends for 2020.

“We are very pleased to begin working with Colosseum and look forward to the Summit in Tel Aviv, “ said iSportconnect CEO Sree Varma. “Innovation is at the core of iSportconnect’s outlook and Sports Tech Nation will offer a unique place to get acquainted with the most exciting ventures and explore business opportunities with the Israeli tech ecosystem.”

Tickets to the event are available now at: https://www.sportstechnation.com/2

About Colosseum

Colosseum Sport provides technology access and know-how to sports organizations, startups and corporates to improve their performance, gain international exposure and be at the forefront of innovation. Its end-to-end solutions help all key players in the sports tech ecosystem learn, grow, and innovate. 

Colosseum Ventures will focus on helping early-stage sports tech startups scale worldwide, thus fuelling the growth of the ecosystem in Israel and abroad. The strategic team is composed of key players of the sports business, investment, and technology industries.

International Esports Federation Look At Moving Headquarters To Dubai

President of the International eSports Federation Colin Webster says the federation would ‘love’ to move their headquarters to Dubai.

There are plans by the federation to bring a number of eSports events to the region, including their annual conference.

Webster said: “I have been to Dubai before and every time I return, I just get blown away by the incredible pace of development here. It is an incredible city, with a great vibe and we would love to shift our global headquarters to Dubai. I believe Dubai can be the global hub of esports.

“We would love to bring our annual IeSF summit here next year, especially since it is the year of Expo 2020 here. We are looking forward to working alongside Dubai Sports Council and the local esports federation to launch new international competitions that will be held here in Dubai. To organise this tournament at a venue like, say, Hamdan Sports Complex would be just amazing.”

iSportconnect: The Weekly Deals Update

Here are some of the big deals from this week in the world of sport:

Tottenham + HSBC

West Ham + Bundled eSports

Jockey Club + Alzheimer’s Society

Eurosport  + Twitter

Formula One + Hard Rock Stadium

Bayern Munich + Stryking

Axe + League of Legends

Vinfast + F1 Vietnam GP 2020

Nike + TraceMe

ERT + Basketball Champions League

Seven League + RWC

City Football Group + Cisco

Scottish Premiership + Infront

Manchester United + Marriott Hotels

Bayern Munich – Vejo