Ligue 1 Teams Up With StadiumGo

LFP, the French professional football league, has agreed a deal with StadiumGo, a carpool app for sporting events.

StadiumGo’s ride-sharing app is intended for fans to be able to use in order to get lifts to games together, both to reduce the amount of cars travelling to games and to get fans interacting with each other.

Romain Lauvergnat, founder of StadiumGo, said: “It is important for us to offer new mobility solutions dedicated to fans, while strengthening the links between them through the experience of carpooling between supporters.

“This agreement makes it possible to show that the world of sport is mobilized in the face of current environmental issues and we are very proud to be able to benefit from the support of the Professional Football League.”

Belgian Pro League Aided By LaLiga With Anti-Piracy Tools

LaLiga are helping out the Belgian First Division as both leagues attempt to tackle one of the biggest problems for sports leagues and broadcasters, illegal streaming.

Piracy is a major problem in sport, with LaLiga utilising a number of different tools to challenge the issue, so they are partnering with the Belgian league to share these offerings in order for both to benefit from the system.

Emilio Fernández, the Head of Content Protection at LaLiga, said: “I am happy with the relationship I have with the likes of Google, Facebook and YouTube. I think they collaborate with us. Maybe they can do more, sure. But I am happy with the way that I can find a video and they remove it more or less immediately. With social media we can find more videos of course, but I am happy. For me, the problem is not social media.”

“Today we have all the tools for blocking, but we don’t have the law,” said Fernández. “I would like to have a law for it to be faster to block IPTV and illegal streaming.”

ONE MONTH TO GO: iSportconnect Leadership Masterclass

There is now just one month until the iSportconnect 2019 Leadership Masterclass in London will take place.

The event, which will be held at Withersworldwide, will cover a number of different topics and be headlined by interviews with Javier Tebas, President of LaLiga, and Keith Pelley, CEO of The European Tour.

Our latest two speakers to be added to the lineup are Luca Ferrari, Global Head of Sport for Withersworldwide, and Steve Martin, the New York Times bestselling author.

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 Condon 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

Coca-Cola Signs Deal With Juventus

Juventus and Coca-Cola have signed a two-year partnership deal that will see the drinks company become the official partner of the club on Italian territory.

Giorgio Ricci, Juventus Chief Revenue Officer, said: “A brand like Coca-Cola fits perfectly into the current development strategy of the Club, also through collaborations with partners of great value and prestige. This agreement will focus on enhancing the Italian market, which is very important for both, through the activities we are going to implement together. The ambition to grow together in the near future remains constant.”

Alex Zigliara, General Director of Coca-Cola Italy, added: “Coca-Cola has always been close to the world of football and invites everyone to get together, spend happy and positive moments while supporting their favorite team. We are excited to share this passion and communicate these values ​​together with an icon of sport like Juventus.”

On-site Betting To Occur On PGA Tour Next Year

Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA Tour, has told AFP there is a plan for on-site betting to be allowed at events from next year.

Monahan said: “You’ll start to see product in the market place next year. It’s all about engagement. When done right, it gives fans the opportunity to engage with your sport over a longer period of time and have more interest in what’s happening across the entire player field.”

The betting markets that will be introduced, however, was not something covered. That will be a key source of intrigue to both supporters and those in the golf world as to what could be offered by the Tour with this product, with corruption always a wary topic in the sports world.

“We’ve done a ton of work to make certain that that’s the position we’re in. I think when we come forward, you’ll see that we’ve taken significant steps to address that. We’re going to participate in a thoughtful way and I’m really comfortable with that,” the commissioner added.

“It’s legalised in a lot of international markets and we’ve put the right systems in place, both in terms of an integrity programme and monitoring activity. As it is becoming legalised by state in the US, you can either participate or not, and we feel smarter to be participating.”

DAZN Strikes Up Boxing Partnership With Snapchat

DAZN has announced a new deal with Snapchat to produce content and two new shows around the company’s major boxing events.

The streaming service has signed a number of high-profile boxing deals, the biggest of which being the $365 million contract with Canelo Alvarez for 11 fights, also having an agreement with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

Jamie Horowitz, EVP Content for DAZN North America, said: “The DAZN Snapchat slate will bring fight fans closer to the action while allowing us to showcase the sport to an entirely new audience.

“These shows were specifically developed to leverage the Snapchat platform and highlight the sport’s most thrilling moments. Viewers can expect everything from quick cut highlights on fight night to exclusive access from a fighter’s locker room moments before a bout.”

Athlete Welfare Key Focus Of 2019 IF Forum

The crucial issue of athlete welfare will be the main focus of the 2019 International Federation Forum in Lausanne.

Representatives of international sports federations, stakeholders, governing bodies, public- and private-sector organisations will offer vital insights as part of a packed agenda from 28-30 October.

The annual event is organised by SportAccord for international sport federations and its stakeholders. The IF Forum is also supported by the International Olympic Committee.

IOC President Thomas Bach will offer welcome remarks alongside Philippe Leuba, State Councillor, Department of Economy & Sport at the Canton of Vaud, before SportAccord and GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli provides the opening address.

A series of speakers, including many with experience of being under the glare of the sporting spotlight, will then provide a series of unmissable perspectives via sessions, keynotes and fireside chats, with topics including safeguarding athletes, financial wellbeing, athlete welfare and mental health, protecting clean athletes and strengthening the athletes’ voice.

Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord, says: “The calibre of speakers underlines the growing importance of this event, and by putting the wellbeing of athletes at the heart of the discussion, the IF Forum 2019 will provide an essential platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas on a hugely important topic.

Liverpool Win Court Case Against New Balance

Nike will be the official kit supplier of Liverpool Football Club from the beginning of the 2020-21 season.

This news comes after Liverpool were victorious in their court case against current kit suppliers New Balance.

New Balance took Liverpool to court after the club had agreed a new deal with Nike to start after the current season. However, New Balance argued they had a clause within the current arrangement that would allow them to match Nike’s offer.

The football club, meanwhile, believed that Nike could offer them far more exposure and create additional revenue in comparison to New Balance due to terms within the new deal.

(From Tuesday) Member Insights: New Balance Vs Liverpool Case ‘To Set A Very Important New Precedent’

Judge Nigel Teare clearly arrived at the same conclusion as he today dismissed New Balance’s claim.

New Balance are likely to appeal this decision.

Discovery France Appoint Laurent Prud’homme As Senior Vice President, General Manager

Discovery Group have announced that Laurent Prud’homme Will Become Senior Vice President, General Manager for 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.

Kasia Kieli, President and CEO of EMEA, said: “Laurent is a recognized leader in the world of sports in France and internationally and I am very happy that he has accepted to take on new challenges by continuing the growth of Discovery France during this period of transformation of the French market. He joins a very strong and talented team in a thriving pay-TV business.”

Eleven Sports Media Partner With Celtic FC

As part of the deal, Eleven Sports will install their fan engagement platforms into Celtic Park and introduce regional brands to the club via Community and Associate partner programmes.

Eleven will deliver their award-winning StatZone content within Celtic Park on StatTV and on the club’s official social media channels via StatTracker.  StatZone content will give Celtic fans a deeper narrative in the build-up to, during and in the aftermath of each Celtic FC game.

Gordon Kaye, Head of Business Development for Celtic FC, said, “We are delighted to team up with Eleven Sports Media. We are sure this will be a very positive relationship with the club and one which will ensure our supporters enjoy an even better matchday experience at Celtic Park.”

Matt Cairns, Eleven Sports Media’s Chief Executive said: “Eleven is a company which is passionate about providing first-class services to the supporters of Britain’s biggest clubs, and to rights holders across sport. Our partnership team is excited to work with Celtic FC, a globally recognised football name, but one which has strong links with their local community.

“Our ethos has always been to create a better matchday, and it will be fantastic to see this at work with Celtic’s fans getting a real upgrade to the Celtic Park matchday experience,” he added.