Fans Are Keen On U.S. Pro League Games In Britain

British fans have a strong interest in American football, basketball and baseball taking place in the UK with over 40% saying they are likely to attend NFL games in the next five and more than 20% saying the same about MLB and NBA events. Check out the results of leading CRM agency Goodform’s authoritative research on iSportconnect TV.

The popularity of US sports in the UK is continuing to grow with no signs of slowing down, according to recent research from Goodform’s Sports Fan Panel.

The trend to take domestic league games to foreign soil is a reflection not only of sports entities’ desire to grow their global footprint, but of the ever-increasing way in which sport fandom crosses borders. The digital age has rendered more content available to more people more of the time – and as a result the truly global fan base is no longer the stuff of dreams but a tangible reality for many of sport’s largest rights holders.

Looking to capitalise on and accelerate international audience growth, the NFL first hosted regular season games outside of the United States in 2007. Regularly drawing sell-out crowds of 80,000+ at each fixture hosted in London since, the success looks set to continue: 2019 will see not only two games at Wembley but also two at the newly opened Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Unsurprisingly given its track record in London, the NFL remains ahead of the NBA and MLB in terms both of awareness of its UK fixtures and the level of interest in attending, with almost half of Sports Fan Panel members (43%) who stated that they were interested in the NFL saying they’re likely to attend the NFL in London in the next few years.

2019 will also see the inauguration of the MLB London Series, with two games held at the London Stadium in July representing the first time an MLB game is played in Europe. The fixtures sold out more than six months in advance despite hefty ticket prices, with top-priced seats setting fans back up to £385.

The Sports Fan Panel research highlighted that the price of attending these fixtures is a barrier to many, with the cost of the ticket being the most commonly cited barrier to attending US sports fixtures in the UK (surpassing a lack of interest in the event, and the location of the fixture). A desire to experience the atmosphere, however, is the strongest driver for fans to attend.
Reflective of the growing popularity of US sports in the UK is the clear appetite for fixtures to be held elsewhere in the UK as well as in London – with almost half saying they would be encouraged to attend NFL, and a third for each of MLB and NBA, if there were matches held outside of London.

The overall consensus also seems to be that holding US sports in London is a positive – for the sport, for fans, and for London – with two thirds acknowledging that it attracts a different fanbase to the sport, and 56% agreeing that holding fixtures in the UK is good for London.

It doesn’t just stop at the big three, as well – almost half of those surveyed said they’d be interested in seeing NHL played in the UK, and 29% would be interested in seeing MLS too. Based on the success of the NFL and MLB’s exported games, it may not be too long before we see other franchises following suit to make the most of the UK’s appetite for live sporting events.

It seems, however, that the Brits are less generous when it comes to exporting their own sporting leagues – when the Sports Fan Panel was asked about our treasured Premier League going abroad for a 39th game, there was less enthusiasm on show – only 19% said that they felt positive about this idea!

For more information on the Sports Fan Panel, please contact Alexandra Kyrke-Smith: Alexandra.kyrke-smith@goodformgroup.co.uk

Team Owner (And NBA Legend) Tony Parker: “A New Arena Is In Our Plans”

French basketball legend and NBA star Tony Parker announced his retirement Monday at age 37 after 18 seasons in the NBA. On top of his outstanding career as a player, Parker is also the President and Owner of French team LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. In this new video blog on iSportconnect TV, he talks about his commitment to ownership and his ambitions for the Lyon-based club

A six-time All-Star, he won four NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs and was the Finals MVP in 2007, the first European to receive the award.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has a two-season wildcard to participate in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in 2019-20 and 2020-21,

The team will represent France after three seasons when no French team participated in the competition due to the format change in 2016-17.

In his vlog he talks about his current business role, the importance of being in the EuroLeague and the future of the franchise, as well as parallel projects like the new academy he is developing.

Chelsea FC, Panasonic and World Sailing To Speak At iSportconnect’s 2019 Digital Masterclass

iSportconnect is delighted to announce that Adam Field of Chelsea FC, Anand Narayanan of Panasonic UK and Daniel Smith of World Sailing will be speaking at our 2019 Digital Masterclass, which will be held on Wednesday 26th June in London.

The Masterclass will look at the world of digital to reach and engage with fans throughout the event lifecycle, hearing from expert speakers sharing their experiences of communicating with their target audiences. With the actual field of play action making up such a small window of fan engagement, how do you keep the conversation with fans going outside of the live event experience? Given the rapid development of new technologies and channels available to speak to fans, how do brands keep up? Are your strategies to keep up with the changes robust and nimble enough while staying effective and relevant in an ‘always-on’ and competitive fan environment?

The Masterclass will also look at how the individuals within the sports universe are taking the power of social media and digital channels to speak about causes and issues affecting the world of sport, and for the very first time, we have Olympic medalists sharing their experiences and insights on their abilities to influence the very core of sport through digital.

The latest speaker lineup includes the following:

  • Callum Skinner, Olympic Champion, Lead Athlete for Global Athlete, and Sports Governance Reform Campaigner
  • Rob Woodhouse, General Manager Talent – UK, TLA Worldwide
  • Richard Berry, Commercial Director, Williams Racing
  • Robert Alberino, Vice President & Executive Producer, San Francisco 49ers
  • Steve Wilson, Communications Adviser / Writer
  • Adam Field, Head of Global Fan Engagement, Chelsea FC
  • Anand Narayanan, Head of Digital Marketing and Innovations, Panasonic UK
  • Daniel Smith, Director of Communications and Digital, World Sailing

 

Adam is a driven, highly ambitious marketing leader who brings with him over 13 years’ experience working across some of the most innovative and category defining global brands (including Facebook, Havas & PokerStars) most recently building a new Fan Engagement Marketing team at Chelsea Football Club to drive global brand growth. Adam’s work has already picked up multiple awards for the partnership with Joe Wicks, The Body Coach (Hiit On The Pitch) and has led on the marketing strategy for growth in China, Asia and the US. Prior to this, Adam spent four years at Nike at their European HQ, initially leading the Social Media team across EMEA and then spent three years as Director of Digital Marketing for Nike Football, working across some of their most iconic football campaigns and product launches, including the Nike Academy and key projects for the World Cup and Euro 2016.

Starting out at a boutique agency, working for multinational brands, working as a freelancer and writing about sport! Anand has had wide experience across different facets of branding, content and marketing. Anand started his career in India in the growing media industry with a creative agency as a copywriter working on FMCG and sports clients, before moving client side with Time Warner. He was the first digital hire for Time Warner in India and helped build up their portfolio of online properties across Cartoon Network, Warner Bros and regional TV channels. He then transitioned to a 360 degree marketing role internally working on launching the Warner Bros movie channel in the country. After 3.5 yrs at Time Warner, he then moved to the UK to pursue his passion for sport with an MBA in Football Industries at the Uni of Liverpool, following which he joined Panasonic in the UK.

7 yrs since, Anand is now Head of Digital Brand Marketing, Comms and Innovations at Panasonic UK where he leads their activations with the IOC and Team GB as part of the Worldwide Olympic Sponsorship – both during and outside Games time. As a brand that’s not traditionally a “sports brand”, and as a massive sports fan himself, he is constantly looking for ways to engage with the fan organically and connect with them on an emotional level with brand marketing activities.

Daniel is the Director of Communications and Digital at World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport. Daniel has worked for World Sailing for more than eight years, growing the image and profile of the sport internationally. He is responsible for World Sailing’s digital properties, broadcast strategy, social media and media output. Most recently he delivered a record-breaking media programme at the Sailing World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, breaking all previous broadcasting and viewership records for the event.

Before joining World Sailing, he worked for Surrey County Cricket Club as the first team multimedia journalist. He has also worked for EA Sports, delivered world class media output at the BT Paralympic World Cup, Henley Royal Regatta and European Badminton Championships and sat on news desks at multiple British regional and national newspapers.

Hosted by leading Global Sports Communications expert, Ben Nichols (of Ben Nichols Communications), the Masterclass will feature 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 Digital Masterclass, please contact Chloe McCombie at info@isportconnect.com

Invitation Policy: The Digital 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 Hugo Millns at info@isportconnect.com

GANT Championships Partners AFEX and Integro

After a successful revival last year, the GANT Championships, at London’s Roehampton Club, is partnering with AFEX (a leading global payment and risk management solutions provider) and Integro (a leading global insurance brokerage, who specialise in sport and entertainment).

“We’re proud to sponsor this intimate pre-Wimbledon international tennis event and to be their official Foreign Exchange Partner,” said Wayne Mitchell, General Manager EMEA at AFEX. “The GANT Championships attracts the world’s leading tennis stars of today and tomorrow, who are in the pursuit of excellence. This reflects one of the values we have at AFEX and we’re looking forward to the upcoming championships.”

With a client base of over 35,000 customers worldwide, and a heritage that dates back to 1979, AFEX is strengthening its presence within tennis and the wider sporting industry through partnering with the GANT Championships.

Integro Entertainment & Sport is unrivalled in its experience of working with high profile sporting events and some of the biggest names in global sport. It’s partnership with AFEX and the GANT Championships shows its commitment to working with the sport at all levels and supporting up and coming talent.

“We are very proud to support The GANT Championships and its approach to working with the stars of today and tomorrow,” said Tim Nagle, Head of Sport at Integro Entertainment & Sport. “As the insurance broker and risk management partner we share their approach of providing support and opportunities to established stars, and those of the future.”

According to Clifford Bloxham, GANT Championships Co-Event Director, the partnership with AFEX and Integro is an acknowledgement of ‘the growing status of the GANT Championships. The valuable expertise and experience both AFEX and Integro bring to the GANT Championships is a contribution to the long-term development of the event and we are delighted to have them on board’.

The photo above shows Tim Nagel of Integro, Marc Newey of Roehampton Club, and Emma Gowdie of AFEX with the GANT Championships trophy.

State Farm Arena: “Transforming A Venue Into A Destination”

It’s not an understatement to say that HOK’s renovation of State Farm Arena in Atlanta, home of the city’s NBA Hawks, has transformed the 17,000-seat venue, as executives of the team explain in this feature on iSportconnect TV.

“It used to be where we played, a rental space for concerts,” says Hawks CEO Steve Noonin. “Now it’s a destination, a place of origin, a place of belonging.”

HOK’s design honours the city’s culture, embraces Southern hospitality and elevates the venue experience in one of the most-programmed arenas in United States, hosting approximately 170 events each year.

State Farm Arena opened its doors in October 2018 following the approximately $200 million overhaul.

The next-generation venue features the NBA’s third-largest centre-hung scoreboard and an immersive video experience, fan-friendly food pricing and premium restaurant options, Topgolf Swing Suites and celebrity-inspired spaces accessible to every fan.

“HOK blew us away with an initial pitch full of original ideas about seating and socializing. Less than 30 months later, we opened the doors to a renovated arena that exemplifies renovation as innovation,” said Thad Sheely, Chief Operating Officer of the Hawks and State Farm Arena.

 

Sodexo Wins Long-Term Swansea City Contract

Leading global services company Sodexo has won the exclusive catering contract at the Liberty Stadium for Swansea City and The Ospreys.

The eight-year contract starts in June 2019 and will see Sodexo providing catering on event days throughout the stadium in all Lounges and general admission areas.

Sodexo will invest in new digital screens and a stadium wide EPOS system to support speed of service in the public areas alongside improved audio-visual facilities in the lounges and new local food offers.

A new hospitality experience will be launched in 2020 alongside enhanced general admission offers and a further facility investment in a new bar area.

Sodexo has also won the contract for non-match day sales to help drive additional revenue for the stadium, drawing on its expertise in the sports and leisure sector.

Chris Bray, CEO Sports & Leisure Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “This new partnership with Swansea City Football Club will see Sodexo bring its world-leading expertise in catering and  venue and event management to South Wales. Working with Swansea City gives us a great opportunity to deliver a fantastic experience for spectators and host a wide range of conferences and events on non-matchdays.”

“At our other stadiums we have strong relationships with the local community, and the Liberty Stadium will be no exception. We look forward to bringing fresh, innovative, responsibly-sourced local produce to stadium visitors.”

Chris Pearlman, Swansea City’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We chose to partner with Sodexo for the next eight years because of their proven ability and reputation to deliver first class food, service and hospitality. We will work in partnership with Sodexo to deliver an enhanced fan experience supported by smart technology.”

LaLiga Clubs Work Together To Improve Fan Experience

While they compete against each other on the pitch, Spanish clubs are joining forces when it comes to commercial best practice. Particularly when it comes to making the fan experience across Spain’s stadiums even better.

Under the banner of LaLiga, clubs from across LaLiga Santander and LaLiga 1l2l3 have begun regular meetings to share ideas and initiatives relating to ticketing and stadium organisation.

As part of the LaLiga Ticketing Strategy, three working groups (the Quality Standards Committee, the Digital Transformation Committee and the Regulatory Committee) have been set up by the league in order to introduce clubs to some of the world’s best sporting innovation and to learn from each other. Some of these clubs are now partnering with these working groups by participating in regular video conferences, in-market meetings and period exchanges.

“It’s exciting to see the clubs of LaLiga working together to help the league as a whole improve the fan experience,” said José Guerra, Director of Corporate Operations at LaLiga. “Through collaboration we can continue to make matchdays at the stadiums of Spain more accessible, more comfortable and more enjoyable for every kind of football fan.”

Read the full story here in Global Fútbol.

Chris Brindley Is New Rugby League World Cup Chair

Rugby League World Cup 2021 has confirmed the appointment of Chris Brindley MBE as the tournament’s newly appointed Chair of the Board, replacing Brian Barwick.

A member of the RLWC2021 Board since 2018, he has held senior executive roles with NatWest, British Gas and Metro Bank, as well as non-exec positions in the sports industry with the likes of the Rugby Football League and the Manchester Football Association.

He has been Business Mentor at the Premier League Elite Academy Manager Programme and Chair of the Sporting House Group and Chair of the County Sports Partnership, GreaterSport (from 2007-2018).

In June 2018, he was awarded an MBE for his services to sport.

His accolades include Britain’s Best Boss, Sales & Marketing Director of the Year for three consecutive years and Sales Leader of the Year at the National Sales Awards. In 2017, he was awarded United Kingdom Non-Executive Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors.

Speaking on his appointment, he said: “I am extremely proud to have been appointed to  the position of Chair of the Board at RLWC2021. Already occupying a position on the board, I know that the team has enjoyed a fantastic start on the project and have gained some real momentum.

“It is important to keep this impetus going, and in my new role as Chair of the Board, we will ensure that we work together to ensure key objectives are met, and the team can deliver the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup ever.”

RLWC2021 Chief Executive Jon Dutton added: “Chris’ CV speaks for itself. He has a fantastic breadth of knowledge, both from a sporting and a business perspective, which will help us in pursuit of our ambitious goals.

“Moreover, Chris offers a unique set of experiences, which include working with Elite athletes and using sport as the inspirational learning model to inspire success within business. His previous successes at GreaterSport will really support our ambitious legacy programme. This epitomises the work which is at the core of RLWC2021’s ethos, and as an already valuable member of our board, his promotion to Chair of the Board is well deserved.”

Arsenal’s Vinai Venkatesham & Raul Sanllehi Sum Up “A Season Of Change”

Arsenal FC Managing Director Vinai Venkatesham and the club’s Head of Football, Raul Sanllehi, cover a wide range of subjects in this discussion about their first season at the helm of the London club. The in-depth interview is made available courtesy of Arsenal Media. Watch it here on iSportconnect TV.

Vinai has been MD since October 2018, having served previously as the club’s Chief Commercial Officer and Marketing & Sales Director.

A sports marketing business veteran, Raul joined Arsenal at the start of 2018 after holding a similar position at FC Barcelona. He was at Nike before that.

The interviewer is Laura Woods.

 

FIFA’s João Fonseca: “Our Main Goal Is To Unleash The Potential Of The Football Community As A Whole”

In today’s world, data is the new currency, present in everything an organisation does, and football is fighting for attention against huge data-driven companies like Facebook and Netflix, according to FIFA Business Analysis Manager João Fonseca. To compete successfully, he says, football needs to get closer to the fans in order to understand them. Enjoy the interview on iSportconnect TV.