Athlete-Centred Sports Strategies Bolstered By IF Forum

SportAccord and GAISF President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli says best practice strategies discussed at the International Federation (IF) Forum 2019 can act as a launchpad for positioning athletes at the heart of sports development.

Speaking in Lausanne at the conclusion of the three-day gathering, which is organised by SportAccord for International Sport Federations and supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr. Chiulli said that the vital topics discussed at the IF Forum would help to strengthen links between sport’s decision-makers and athletes.

“Working together with our athletes is clearly the most effective way for us to develop our sports all over the world,” Dr. Chiulli said. “This involves working side-by-side with the athletes, listening to them and ensuring that our actions are helpful to them. Whether it is looking at the events calendar, empowering our athlete commissions or improving facilities for our competitors, I believe there is something we can all do.”

He added: “I hope that our discussions will not end here. We will continue to work together for the good of sport worldwide, because we are the united voice of sports. The lessons here can be passed on to National Federations, to ensure alignment throughout sports. Good governance requires us to lead by example.”

How RCD Mallorca Rebounded To LaLiga With NBA Links

Two years ago RCD Mallorca were playing in the third tier of Spanish football, however following back to back promotions they have taken a huge league back up into LaLiga, Spain’s premier division.

The club has last competed in LaLiga in the 2012/13 season, but a new management model from CEO Maheta Molango has turned the club around.

Former NBA superstar Steve Nash, a lifelong football fan, joined up with Robert Sarver and Andy Kohlberg, owners of the Phoenix Suns NBA franchise, to buy Mallorca in 2016 and instigate this turnaround.

“The bridge between the best league in the world in terms of football, which is LaLiga, and the NBA, I think makes us a very special club,” Molango said of the Phoenix Suns connection.

Mallorca have taken the NBA model to create their own fan zones around games, with entertainment outside beforehand, as well as a ‘VIP corner’ in the stadium. This is used in a similar way to courtside seats in the NBA, where fans sit right next the court. At Mallorca, fans can watch the games from special VIP sections next to the pitch, rather than standard hospitality up in the main stand.

“We try to be ahead of the curve, we want to be innovative,” Molango said of these ideas, “We understand that the stadium doesn’t have to just be a place to watch football every two weeks, but it’s a place to hold events and conferences and those sorts of things. We believe that the experience of the stadium should be good and we have implemented some very creative things like the VIP Corner.”

The full story: RCD Mallorca: How the LaLiga island club put itself back on the map

World Sailing Sanctioning Deal Agreed With America’s Cup After CEO Disagreement

Emirates Team New Zealand have stated they have a sanctioning deal in place with World Sailing for the 2021 edition in Auckland.

World Sailing’s CEO Andy Hunt had been accused of “circumventing the process by contacting the New Zealand government” by Emirates Team New Zealand, before Hunt was announced to be leaving World Sailing at the end of this calendar year.

Thanks to this new agreement they will be able to pay World Sailing in order to use their rules and officials, with World Sailing said: “The agreement sees the America’s Cup re-established as a member of World Sailing’s family of special events. World Sailing will continue its role in ensuring the fairness and integrity of the America’s Cup through the appointment of race officials, the approval of the specialist Racing Rules of Sailing (America’s Cup Edition) and management of the anti-doping programme.

“World Sailing, the Defender and Challenger of Record will also work together on implementing sustainability programmes throughout the Cup, Prada Cup Challenger Selection Series and other preliminary events. The organisations will also work closely together on promoting and enhancing the media coverage of the sport globally.”

Kim Andersen, the World Sailing president, commented: “As one of the pinnacle events within the sport, it is vital that World Sailing and the Defender and Challenger of Record work collaboratively to ensure a fair competition on the water.”

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.