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.

Tencent Block NBA Game Due To Taiwan Flag

Tencent stopped broadcasting Saturday’s NBA fixture between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers due to a visible Taiwan flag.

A supporter in the crowd was wearing a shirt with the flag of Taiwan supposedly shown clearly during the broadcast, which led to Tencent ceasing their coverage of the game.

The broadcaster then switched to the Brookyln Nets – Portland Trail Blazers game instead, before only showing the highlights from one end, excluding the end of the court where the shirt was being worn.

This is just the latest controversy between China and the NBA after the recent Hong Kong crisis triggered by Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey’s tweet.

NBA’s Financial Losses From China ‘Substantial’ Says Adam Silver

 

Adidas Extends Kit Deal With Spanish National Team

The Royal Spanish Football Federation have agreed to further their deal with Adidas for another four years.

The German brand will now remain as the national team’s kit supplier until 2030, after the original agreement had been set to run until 2026.

However, earlier this year the federation had wanted to cancel the contract believing they had been undervalued, therefore the sudden turnaround to signing a new deal is a surprising development.

They also used the announcement as the opportunity to reveal Spain’s latest kit design for the upcoming Euros next summer.

 

 

LaLiga Launch Reality TV Show To Find The Next Brazilian Superstar

LaLiga, Grupo LX and Tero have combined to launch a new reality show named Bravo! to discover the future stars of Brazilian football.

It will be open to any players between the ages of 16 and 19, who will be able to apply online and sumbit video clips from playing which illustrate their talent.

900 players will then be selected for trials at a training center in Sorocaba, São Paulo. Of these, 78 will be chosen to form six teams that will compete in a knockout system, with players from the winning team travelling to Spain to participate in training and tournaments with LaLiga academy sides.

Dayyán Morandi, president of the LX Group, said: “When Grupo LX and LaLiga designed the project, it was to demonstrate to the Brazilian soccer industry the importance of professionalising grassroots football. We need to attract investment, train professionals and develop new management methods to help access to professional football across all categories.

“Bravo! Will be a platform for the development of new stars and also an opportunity for young people to show their full potential while making sure they are being trained for excellence.”

LaLiga’s representative in Brazil, Albert Castelló, added: “LaLiga is a competition where Brazilian talent shines. Big names have marked the competition and there are others writing their own story today. With Bravo! we want to contribute to the development of sport and promote entertainment for all.”

How the competition works

Registration for Bravo! is open until December 1st. To enter, the player will have to take a short quiz and upload their videos. The first phase of recruitment will select 900 athletes, taking into account their experience and tactical understanding of the game.

Bruno Pessoa, co-founder of Tero, which has been responsible for developing the platform that will make this initial selection, said. “We have created a democratic evaluation method that enables the participation of young people from all over Brazil, because we want to reach the best talent available. We will be able to do this on a more agile scale, providing real opportunities for all subscribers.”