Eurosport agrees new multi-year deal to screen biathlon events

Eurosport has announced a new agreement with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to broadcast biathlon events for another four years from the 2018/19 season.

The pan-European deal includes biathlon’s blue-riband events such as all IBU Biathlon World Cups from next season until the 2021/22 season as well as the next three IBU World Championships in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Fans will be able to watch every event on Eurosport and via the Eurosport Player, the broadcaster’s OTT platform.

As part of the new deal, Eurosport has secured exclusive rights to all key biathlon events in 27 countries and territories including the United Kingdom.

Ingolfur Hannesson, Head of Sports Rights – Winter Sports, EBU Sport, said: “We are really pleased to have extended our long-term partnership with Eurosport, which secures extensive coverage on various platforms across the European territory.

“Eurosport continues to be one of the key players in the amazing onwards and upwards development of biathlon.”

Eurosport CEO, Peter Hutton, added: “Europe is undoubtedly the epicentre of biathlon. Testament to that fact is that we regularly have up to a million people across Europe watching the sport on our channels.

“Over the next four years we will continue to find new ways to innovate, whether that be through programming or short-form content that complements our programming.”

Peter Hutton is part of the speaker lineup at iSportconnect’s upcoming Broadcast Masterclass. Discussion topics will include the rise of OTT, current competition within the rights market landscape and how to deepen audience engagement.

Click here to register your interest now.

iSportconnect expands UK team with new Head of Events

iSportconnect, the largest global private network of Sport Business Executives, is delighted to announce that Abigail Kalikwani has been appointed Head of Events (UK).

Abigail will be responsible for producing and strategically planning iSportconnect’s exclusive, high-end business networking events.

With significant experience in logistics, organisation and audience engagement, Abigail will help to expand and strengthen iSportconnect’s UK operations.

Sree Varma, iSportconnect Founder and CEO, said: “We have big plans in place for 2018, with our range of UK events set to be bigger and better than ever before.

“Abigail is a key addition to the team and her appointment will ensure we are able to continue to develop our market-leading Masterclasses, Directors’ Clubs and Regatta.”

Abigail added: ”I am excited to be joining such a passionate team. I cannot wait to get started and work with the team to take iSportconnect’s UK offerings to the next level.”

Dallas Mavericks announce new official name for Chinese market

National Football League (NFL) team the Dallas Mavericks have announced a new official name to be used in Chinese-speaking regions.

The franchise will be referred to as 独行侠 (DúXíngXiá), which translates roughly in English to ‘Lone Ranger Heroes’.

The new moniker was decided after a total of 100,000 votes were cast by Chinese fans, allowing supporters to directly decide the outcome.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, said: “This is the beginning of a new chapter in the Mavericks’ long legacy in China.

“With this Chinese name change, we’ve made history by giving our Chinese-speaking fans the opportunity to redefine our identity. I think that fans will be proud of this new name.”

Chinese-speaking regions represent a key market for the North American league and the Mavericks are among the most active NBA teams in China, engaging Chinese fans through localised social media, content and events.

All official Mavericks Chinese-language social media bears the new name, which will also soon be adopted throughout Greater China’s digital, print and broadcast media.

Chinese Basketball announces global data partnership with Beitai Digital

The Chinese Basketball Association League (CBA) has set out its ambitious stall for 2018 by calling on Shanghai Beitai Digital Information Technology (Beitai Digital) to become its official and exclusive data service provider across the CBA’s league matches.

Beitai Digital is utilizing its market-leading data collection and analysis technologies to provide high-quality data solutions to the league, while developing data products and services for Chinese basketball fans both in China and across the globe.

Beitai Digital already has an exclusive partnership with Sportradar, who will be working with the Chinese company to ensure that all the data-driven opportunities inside and outside China can be realized.

The current 2017-18 season is the first under the independent operation of the CBA, which marks a critical milestone in Chinese basketball’s reforms. Since the start of this season, substantial developments have been made across various aspects of the sport, including competition structure, league influence, and business values to name a few.

The partnership between CBA and Beitai Digital is therefore an important pillar of these reforms, as it marks a significant upgrade in the reliability of the CBA league’s statistics from here on in.

Beitai Digital, as a leader in sports data technologies in China, has already put in place significant upgrades, adding 40% more data points per game, and also delivering advanced data sets such as EFG%, REB%, PER.

Furthermore, Beitai’s robust data output stability protocols, when coupled with back up collection and real-time reviews by both CBA and Beitai Digital, go much further in ensuring the data speed, accuracy and quality.

Beitai Digital is making this data available to TV broadcasters such as CCTV-5, the CBA’s official website, highly respected digital media such as Tencent, Sina and Sohu for the purposes of pre-game analysis reports and data visualization tools, as well as to individual CBA teams for their performance evaluation purposes.

As part of the partnership, Beitai Digital will also be combing through the last 22 seasons in order to deliver peerless historical data for its clients to filter and use across products and services.

Andy Xue, CEO of Beitai Digital, said: “For us, this deal is a proud culmination of all the hard work and research we have put in to our data-related expertise, systems and ambitions. Collecting stable and accurate data statistics for the CBA is just the first phase of this partnership.

“We will be developing a whole host of applications based on live and historic data that will significantly enrich the experience for fans of this exhilarating league, whether they engage with it on TV, on computers, on mobiles or via social media.

“Then, when we add Sportradar’s international capabilities and experience into the mix, the proposition to CBA fans everywhere should be mouth-watering.”

iSportconnect adds ATP Media to Broadcast Masterclass speaker lineup

iSportconnect is delighted to confirm that Shane Warden – Director of Broadcast & Technology at ATP Media – has been added to the speaker lineup for the Broadcast Masterclass on February 28, 2018.

Warden is set to bring extensive insight to the day’s content programme, courtesy of 28 years’ experience in Technical and Operational Management covering all aspects of sports media, data, broadcasting technology and operations.

Staying ahead of the broadcast curve has never been more difficult, with new opportunities coming online every single day, and the Masterclass will offer a unique opportunity for leading executives to learn more about an integral – and ever-changing – sector of the sports industry.

Panel discussions and debates are set to focus on key topics such as the rise of OTT, digital tools and current competition within the sports rights market landscape. A series of networking sessions will ensure those in attendance are able to share opinions, experiences and best practices in a relaxed environment.

No agencies or press will be in attendance and, as we follow Chatham House Rules, all panel discussions will remain confidential, promoting a free exchange of ideas between delegates.

The all-day event will be held at K&L Gates’ London office, which is located in the modern iconic premises of One New Change.

Want to attend? See our invitation policy below:

  • There is no fee to attend this event. However, the Broadcast Masterclass is open exclusively to senior sports business executives from broadcasters, rights holders and sponsorship brands only.
  • No agencies or press can attend and, as we follow Chatham House Rules, all discussions will remain confidential.
  • Capacity is capped at 150 delegates allowing intimate access to key decision makers in the sports industry.

A full speaker lineup for the event will be confirmed in due course. Please contact Chris Edbrook (chris@isportconnect.com) to register your interest in attending.

Confirmed speaker lineup:

Peter Hutton, CEO of Eurosport

Jonathan Licht, Director of Strategy at Sky Sports

Aarti Dabas, Head of Media Rights, Broadcast & Digital at the International Cricket Council

Ian Holmes, Director of Media Rights at Formula 1

Shane Warden, Director of Broadcast & Technology at ATP Media

Dragon Racing Team and InstaForex extend Formula E partnership

InstaForex and the Dragon Racing Team have announced an extension to their sponsorship contract for the FIA Formula E Championship.

The pair’s partnership began in 2015 when the InstaForex logo was placed on the Dragon Racing car at the first Formula E race in Moscow and will continue throughout Season Four.

Pavel Shkapenko, Development Director at InstaForex, said: “The extension of the official sponsorship contract implies not only image-building, which includes branding cars and the drivers helmets with the broker’s logo.

“InstaForex shares the desire of Formula E and Dragon Racing to develop and promote new technologies while taking care of the environment. We wish Dragon Racing all the best for a fantastic season.”

Jay Penske, the Principal and Owner of Dragon Racing, added: “Dragon Racing is delighted to welcome Instaforex back for a 4th consecutive season. Their continued support and shared values make for a great partnership that I am sure will continue for many years to come.”

UEFA secures court injunction aimed at clamping down on illegal streams

UEFA has secured a High Court injunction aimed at clamping down on illegal streaming of its showpiece matches.

A judge in London passed an order applied for by European football’s governing body against the UK’s major internet service providers (ISPs).

UEFA’s claim was for an injunction “requiring” the service providers “to take measures to block, or at least impede, access by their customers to streaming servers which deliver infringing live streams of UEFA competition matches to UK consumers”.

The order is set to run from mid-February to late May – covering the crucial knock-out stages of both the Champions League and Europa League tournaments.

The Premier League has a similar injunction in place for the current campaign designed to stop fans from accessing content illegally.

Stay ahead of the broadcast curve and sign up to our Masterclass now

WSF launches new partnership with German footwear brand Teuton

The World Squash Federation (WSF)has today announced a new three-year agreement with footwear brand Teuton Sports, which will see the German brand become the WSF’s official shoe partner from 2018 onwards.

The German indoor shoe specialists will feature on the WSF’s media platforms, while a range of official merchandise will become available to purchase via the WSF’s website in the future.

WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Teuton as a new WSF partner.

“Teuton is a specialist squash brand which is known for their strong emphasis on design and high-quality products, and we look forward to working closely with them to build a strong partnership.”

Javier Rodriguez Cepeda, Managing Director of Teuton Sports, added: “Squash is our passion. We work aligned with the WSF goals looking forward to seeing our sport securing a place in the Olympic Games.

“Through our sponsoring programs for players, clubs, academies such as regional and national federations, we want to contribute to growing the squash participation level around the world.”

Wilson becomes global series partner of Tie Break Tens

Wilson Sporting Goods Co has agreed a deal to become an official sponsor of the Tie Break Tens 2018 series.

As part of the agreement, the global brand will provide branded tennis balls, apparel and merchandise throughout 2018, with the inaugural Tie Break Tens Melbourne Event set to start in mid January.

The super tie break format is fast paced and action packed, while a huge ‘Winner Takes All’ prize of $250,000 is at stake.

The new partnership will see Wilson grow its global presence in tennis as the brand is currently the official ball supplier of the US Open, Australian Open, Laver Cup and also sponsors other large tennis events.

Hans-Martin Reh, the General Manager of Wilson Tennis, said of the deal: “At Wilson, we are constantly focused on ways to share our passion for the sport and get more people excited about the game in new ways.

“Tie Break Tens is changing the game and we share their mission for creating a fun and dynamic experience. We loved watching Wilson ambassadors Grigor Dimitrov and Simona Halep take home the title in Madrid in 2017 and are proud to be joining the events in 2018.”

Felicity Barnard, CEO Tie Break Tens added; “The Tie Break Tens format breaks the conventional rules of tennis. It is fast paced and action packed, giving fans and viewers a full evening of entertainment whilst showcasing exceptional tennis.

“The partnership with Wilson ensures our players have the very best equipment, which is crucial in this format where every point counts.”

Race Of Champions confirm Richard Mille as official watch partner

Richard Mille will serve as official watch partner at the next Race Of Champions, which is set to be held in February 2018 at Riyadh’s King Fahad International Stadium, Saudi Arabia.

The two companies were previously in partnership at the 2009 Race Of Champions at Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ Olympic Stadium. As part of the new agreement, the winner of the individual Race Of Champions in Riyadh will receive one of Richard Mille’s sublime watches.

Richard Mille said: “Through my passion for motorsports, it is a real pleasure to be able to support the Race Of Champions during their Saudi Arabian debut.

“This event is unique in the way it unites a large variety of racing disciplines with high-powered sportsmanship, motivated by the incredible talent of all the drivers who participate. It is a real pleasure to be a partner once again of this fantastic event.”

ROC President, Fredrik Johnsson, added: “We are delighted to have such a prestigious brand as Richard Mille back as the ROC’s official watch partner. The fit is perfect with their motto: A Racing Machine on the Wrist.”