NFL Sets 2019 London Kick-Off Dates

The NFL’s 2019 London Games will kick off at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium with a meeting of two of the league’s most renowned  teams, the Chicago Bears and the Oakland Raiders.

The league announced the dates for the five-game international schedule yesterday.

London Games:

  • Chicago Bears vs. Oakland Raiders, Sunday, October 6, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
  • Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, October 13, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
  • Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, October 27, at Wembley Stadium
  • Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m. ET at Wembley Stadium

The Mexico Game at the Estadio Azteca in the capital city will pit the Kansas City Chief against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, November 18.

The Mexico game was infamously cancelled last season for player safety concerns due to field conditions.

ESPN Will Carry Women’s Pro Lacrosse

For the first time ever, the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL) will be shown across ESPN networks in the U.S. this season.

The 10-game regular season, which kicks off Sunday, June 2, will air on ESPN3 and the ESPN App. Postseason play will include the semifinals on ESPN3, with the championship game on Sunday, July 28, on ESPNU.

This season, the WPLL will travel to five states and play at five of top lacrosse venues in the United States.

“ESPN has always been a strong proponent of women’s athletics and this agreement will help us showcase the best female lacrosse players across ESPN platforms”, said Michele DeJuliis, WPLL Founder and CEO.

“ESPN’s commitment and coverage of women’s sports is unprecedented, with more than 240 lacrosse matchups this season alone,” said Dan Margulis, ESPN Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions. “We are thrilled to be able to showcase the WPLL this season across ESPNU, ESPN3 and the ESPN App.”

Founded in 2017, the WPLL is a professional league made up of 125 of the top post-collegiate female lacrosse players in the world and a youth development league connecting with the top high school players in the country.

Wimbledon Launches “Time Capsule” Experience

Wimbledon is launching an innovative “time capsule” experience that will enable fans to travel back to the 1980 Wimbledon Championships.

The innovative project combining sport, theatre and cinema is a collaboration between The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and Rematch, a new company headed by Richard Ayers, founder and CEO of digital consultancy Seven League.

The virtual time capsule will be based around evocative moments from the 1980 Fortnight, such as Björn Borg’s titanic battle with John McEnroe, Evonne Goolagong’s surprise win over Chris Evert Lloyd, and intricate details such as the debut of ‘Cyclops’, the grandfather of electronic line-calling.

Arranged across five exclusive sessions from June 28-30 at the newly opened Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, tennis fans and non-sport fans alike will be able to enjoy the experience on the eve of the 2019 edition of The Championships.

Mick Desmond, Commercial & Media Director, AELTC, said: “We’re immensely proud and excited to be leading the way for sport with this innovative project, where guests can experience the cherished nostalgia of the 80s and Wimbledon’s place within that epic summer in a way never before imagined.”

Rematch CEO Ayers said: “This is a ground-breaking new development in the live experience of sport. To be launching the concept with such an iconic partner as Wimbledon is an honour for Rematch. Together we will bring to life The Championships 1980 in a phenomenal new way that explores the moment as never before.”

“Every aspect is driven by meticulous attention to detail and innovative production techniques. With highly creative programming and multifaceted elements to surprise and delight our guests, we believe this is going to be one of the hottest tickets this summer.”

World Karate Hits A Million Followers

The World Karate Federation now has over one million followers on social media.

The official social media channels of the WKF hit the one million mark across its four platforms – Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter – after registering a growth rate of 588% in only five years.

Since October 2013, the four platforms have maintained steady progress with an average increase of 117% per year as a result of the WKF’s intention to make Karate international events accessible to fans all around the world.

WKF President Antonio Espinós said: “Social media represents the main component of our communication strategy. We have reached this milestone by creating engaging content. Also, we have made an effort to offer fans the possibility of following the Karate events to the minute while highlighting the great achievements of our top athletes.”

The growing popularity of WKF’s social media channels was recognised on the 2018 Olympic sports social media ranking presented by Burson Cohn & Wolfe. According to this report, the WKF was ranked the third-most effective Olympic sports federation on YouTube. The WKF is also classified as the eighth most subscribed Olympic sports federation on YouTube.

On Facebook, the WKF is the Olympic sports federation with the best ratio of users’ review and rates scoring 4.8 out 5 with nearly 2000 reviews.

Two posts of the WKF on Instagram were among the top-20 most-watched videos of all the Olympic sports federations in this platform.

Xbox Joins Turner To Produce ELEAGUE Programmes

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios will partner with Turner Sports’ ELEAGUE to produce a documentary series about “Gears of War” players in conjunction with a new version of the video game launching later this year.

Reuters reports:

The series will feature six hour-long programs focusing on the new game, called Gears 5, and the lives of its star players from around the globe. It will debut June 14 on Turner’s TBS network.

ELEAGUE produces content about esports and live tournaments. It is a partnership between Turner Sports, a unit of AT&T Inc’s WarnerMedia, and entertainment talent agency IMG.

Esports fans watch live video game tournaments online as well as in packed stadiums.

In July, ELEAGUE will also host the first-ever Gears 5 esports tournament and reveal its first multiplayer mode in action, with coverage streamed on Twitch and Bleacher Report Live. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

For Turner, the partnership is another opportunity to serve its sports and entertainment audience while also reaching new segments of the ballooning gaming viewership.

“The audience is the most coveted demographic in the media landscape,” said Craig Barry, Chief Content officer for Turner Sports. “We know they’re out there, we know they’re engaged. No one’s really cracked the code yet.”

Esports fans are younger, more interactive and often more affluent than other sports audiences.

Global esports revenues will grow nearly 27% to $1.1 billion this year, according to Newzoo research.

Those numbers include all aspects of the industry, so ELEAGUE is targeting a smaller slice with Gears.

Gears – developed by The Coalition, a studio within Microsoft’s gaming business – has particularly impassioned fans, said Rose Gunson, Program Manager for Gears of War at Microsoft.

“Our players are very engaging, they have huge personalities. They are very interesting to watch,” she said.

Italian Open Tennis Event Eyes Record Gate Revenue

The Italian Open (Internazionali BNL d’Italia), a major fixture on both the ATP 1000 and WTA Premier calendars, is expecting to set a new attendance record for this year’s event in Rome from May 6-19, topping the 220,000 paying attendees in 2017.

The week-long tournament at the Foro Italico, in its 76th edition, will generate revenues of over €33 million, according to Italian Tennis Federation President Angelo Binaghi.

That makes it the biggest annual sports event in the country, he said.

“The total revenue depends heavily on ticket sales of about €12 million,” he said. “Our final takes in €2 million in a venue four times smaller than Juventus’ stadium. The total economic value of the Open is over €100 million.”

Plans to build a roof over the centre court (expanded to 10,400 capacity in 2010) are on the drawing board with reports of the project getting underway as early as next year.

Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi said of this year’s Open: “This event plays a fundamental role for the entire city. Soon there will be a roof or the centre court to allow the venue to be used all year around. Having a new arena that can also host other sports will boost sports activity in the capital.”

Ban Ki-moon Will Open SportAccord Summit

SportAccord announced today that H.E. Ban Ki-moon will deliver the Opening Welcome Address at the SportAccord Summit on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in Gold Coast, Australia, and he will also take part in the United Through Sports Youth Conference.

The former United Nations Secretary General and former South Korean Foreign Minister championed the world’s vulnerable by putting sustainable development, climate change, and gender equality at the top of the UN agenda.

He said: “I, as an Honorary president of 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships, a Chairperson of IOC Ethics Commission and the 8th Secretary General of the United Nations, am very pleased to participate in 2019 SportAccord in Gold Coast.”

“The SportAccord Summit will be an important stage to share the knowledge and information on the topic of ‘The Future of Big Data and Analytics’ among leaders in the sporting world. I hope all participants and colleagues of 2019 SportAccord endeavor to promote sport for development and peace in the world through the SportAccord Summit.”

Sporting leaders and delegates represented at the highest levels will gather at the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit in Gold Coast for a week of networking and key meetings, and hear the latest from around 100 subject matter experts involved in this year’s conference programme.

Commenting on the participation of H. E. Ban Ki-moon, Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord, said: “It is an absolute pleasure and honour to be welcoming His Excellency Mr Ban Ki-moon to the SportAccord Summit 2019. His vision, leadership and accomplishments over the years have made a significant impact around the world.”

“His leadership continues to inspire as one of the world’s top global thinkers. We look forward with anticipation to hear what His Excellency will impart to the international sports community during his Welcome Address at this year’s SportAccord Summit in Gold Coast.”

Delegates can register and hear first-hand from a stellar line-up of Summit speakers and panellists, as well as take part in the newly formed interactive Summit Hub sessions planned for Day 2 of the SportAccord Summit. Each hub (5 in total) will be led by a Summit speaker, where attendees will be able to discuss the Summit conference sessions from Day 1 in more detail with peers.

H.E. Ban Ki-moon will also speak at this year’s United Through Youth Opening Conference taking place 7 May 2019 during SportAccord and forms part of the Sports Festival hosted by United Through Sports.

The events embrace a number of key drivers which have become part of the DNA for United Through Sports. These comprise: inclusivity; unity in diversity; the future, our youth; non-discrimination; gender quality; providing opportunities for the youth via sport; building alliances to give back.

The Sports Festival was formed to make a real difference to the lives of countless children, giving them a chance to showcase their talents regardless of ability or life circumstances. This year’s Sports Festival is under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

With the full support of the IOC and the Queensland government, around 5,000 children from 170 schools are set to take part in the Sports Festival (7 – 10 May 2019). Children will have the opportunity to try as many sports as they wish (around 60 sports federations are involved including well-known athletes and celebrities).

Morning programmes, a mix of promoting an active lifestyle and education, will be exclusively for the youth of Australia, and doors will be opened to the general public for the afternoon and evening sessions.

The Festival Opening Ceremony involves over 200 youth with a history-making performance planned. The ceremony promises to be an eye-opening, educational and action-packed extravaganza with many exclusives and ‘firsts’ being revealed from the moment the Sports Festival begins with the entire Opening Ceremony also performed in ‘sign’.

To benefit from these exclusive opportunities, organisations can register for SportAccord and take advantage of the full conference programme and all that the Sports Festival has to offer.

To become an Exhibitor or Partner contact the sales team: sales@sportaccord.com or phone +41 21 612 3070. To register as a delegate and watch past SportAccord footage visit www.sportaccord.sport.

Real Madrid and Formula 1 Are First To Join iSportconnect’s 2019 Madrid Summit

iSportconnect is pleased to announce the first of many speakers who will be joining us at our 2019 Madrid Summit. Held on Friday 31st May, the day prior to the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League Final hosted at Atlético Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano, this event will kick off iSportconnect’s Global Event Series. 

In partnership with LaLiga, iSportconnect has assembled a content programme that will bring together thought leaders from premier rights owners and brands to discuss and debate strategic issues impacting the future of the global sports business, including digital content strategies, sponsorship and partnership issues, hosting major events and the future of sporting facilities.

The speaker lineup will feature:

  • Ellie Norman, Director of Marketing and Communications, Formula 1
  • David Hopkinson, Global Head of Partnerships, Real Madrid CF

Ellie is a marketing professional with an extensive Automotive and Media background who has spent several years in both agency and client-side roles in global, regional and local functions. In 2004, Ellie was headhunted to join Honda Motor Europe as Communications Manager from agency-side where she received several accolades. In 2012, Ellie later joined Virgin Media as Head of Advertising where she led the evolvement of all brand campaigns. Following the recent change in ownership at F1, Ellie was asked to join the management team as the company’s first ever Director of Marketing. The role’s main purpose is to lead the sport and grow its existing fan base whilst attracting a younger audience. Ellie’s current position also encompasses F1 Customer Service and Communications.

David joined Real Madrid, one of the world’s largest and most successful sporting organisations, in August 2018 and brings his 25 years of professional sports sales, marketing and leadership experience to drive Real Madrid’s world-leading Global Partnerships program to even greater heights. The club currently leads the Deloitte Money League as the top revenue-generating club in global football. David began his career in professional sports in Toronto, Canada where he ascended from an entry-level Day One employee with the NBA’s Toronto Raptors through to Chief Commercial Officer of MLSE; owners of the Raptors as well as the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, MLS’s Toronto FC, the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and the NBA2K league’s Raptors Uprising esports team.

David maintains ties to Canada, serving on the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for McGill University in Montreal. In 2012 David was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contributions to Canada. 

Sree Varma, Founder & CEO of iSportconnect said: “I am absolutely thrilled to announce the Madrid Summit in partnership with our great friends at LaLiga. Our summits have had attendees from the sports industry around the globe and we are excited to bring this exclusive event to Spain again. It will be the first of our summits this year as we continue to connect with our global members.”

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 Madrid Summit, please contact Chloe McCombie at info@isportconnect.com

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

 

Champions League Scores For Sky In Italy

The UEFA Champions League game between Juventus and Ajax last night gave Sky Italia one of the biggest audiences on Italian television, matching up pay-TV successfully versus the free-to-air networks.

The 2-1 away win for the Dutch team drew 1.744 million viewrs on Sky Sports 1, the third largest audience for prime-time entertainment. The match had a viewing share of 6.8%.

In Holland, the same match shown on Veronica was number one of the day with 3.712 million viewers and a big share of 57.8%$

Tiger’s Success Is A Boon For Golf Business

Tiger Woods’ victory at the Masters golf tournament on Sunday, his first major victory since 2008, is expected to lift sales for sponsors, broadcasters and golf courses lucky enough to host a tournament with Woods playing.

Reuters reports:

“Tiger sells golf,” says Eric Smallwood, president of Apex Marketing Group, Inc., a Michigan analytics firm. Apex found that Nike earned $22.5 million worth of brand exposure just from Woods’ final round, with Nike’s “Swoosh” logo splashed on his hat, shirt, pants and shoes. Nike stock was up about one percent on Monday.

Tournament broadcaster CBS Corp saw a ratings bump. Based on preliminary data, the final round of Sunday’s tournament was the highest-rated morning golf broadcast since 1986, when CBS started collecting that data. The tournament, which is usually broadcast in the afternoon, was rescheduled to the morning because of weather.

CBS has the rights to the PGA Championship in May and expects prices for advertising time that is still available to rise as a result of Woods’ Masters victory, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The golf demographic is wealthier and better-educated than other sports fans, so TV ratings are valued more highly because they’re more apt to turn into sales, even of big-ticket items, said Neal Pilson, president of Pilson Communications and former president of CBS Sports.

“Historically, events where Tiger Woods is on leaderboards on Sunday generated 30 to 40 percent higher ratings in the United States for those tournaments,” Pilson said.

Woods was a 20-year-old prodigy when he turned pro in 1996. Less than a year later he was ranked No. 1 in the world. He struck lucrative endorsement deals – including a five-year, $40 million deal with Nike – and golf experienced a surge in popularity.

Then Woods’ personal life collapsed and with it, his brand. In 2009, after the news of multiple infidelities, he lost endorsement deals with companies like AT&T Inc and Accenture Plc. Other sponsors, such as Procter & Gamble Co’s Gillette and Berkshire Hathaway Inc’s NetJets, kept their contracts with Woods but stopped using him in marketing.

Four back surgeries later, Woods continued to suffer professionally and in the public eye. In 2017 police arrested him for driving under the influence; he pleaded guilty to reckless driving and entered a program for first-time offenders.

In 2018 Woods began a professional comeback that culminated at Sunday’s Masters. After his victory, Nike, which stood behind Woods throughout his darker years, posted an ad on its website titled “Tiger Woods: Same Dream.”

“In sports you have heroes, villains and underdogs,” said Benjamin Hordell, founder of digital marketing and advertising firm DXagency. “Tiger has lived all of it. That’s amazing from a storytelling perspective. People will root against him, but they’re watching.”