World Series of Boxing extends deal with equipment supplier

The World Series of Boxing has extended its partnership with official equipment supplier Sting.

The new agreement incorporates the upcoming eighth edition of the series, with Sting set to provide all fight equipment used by competitors across the entire season.

Sting Managing Director, Amir Anis, said: “Sting is delighted to be partnering again with WSB. We are proud to be part of the only team boxing competition in the world and we hope the boxers and the fans will enjoy our new gloves design.”

AIBA Interim President, Franco Falcinelli, added: “We are happy to extend our partnership with STING for Season VIII. The quality of their products, as well as this new design will enhance WSB’s image and will contribute to making Season VIII yet another ground-breaking WSB edition.”

British Athletics confirm three-year sponsorship deal with SPAR

British Athletics have today announced a three-year sponsorship deal with SPAR (UK) Ltd that will see the convenience store group offer wide-ranging support until the end of 2020.

As part of the agreement, SPAR will become the title partner of the British Athletics Indoor Championships for the next three years.

SPAR will also act as events partner to the end of 2020 to include the Müller Anniversary Games and Müller Grand Prix Birmingham as well as the Müller Indoor Grand Prix in Glasgow in 2018 and 2020 and Birmingham in 2019,.

SPAR, whose international arm has a long-standing partnership with European Athletics, will bring a Nutrition Zone to British Athletics events, take athletics to children of all ages through its SPARK initiative and also work with the Female Coaching Network.

Niels de Vos, Chief Executive at British Athletics, said: “We are delighted to welcome back SPAR to the athletics family for the next three years and we look forward to working with them as we aim to build on the success of 2017 both on and off the track.

“As demonstrated throughout 2017, there is huge support and enthusiasm from the British public for athletics and partnerships like this one reflect that and the strong position the sport finds itself in as we build towards Tokyo 2020.”

Debbie Robinson, SPAR (UK) Ltd Managing Director, said: “SPAR has a proud tradition of supporting athletics and we are delighted to reignite our relationship with British Athletics.

“We hope that by working together we can help the current crop of athletics stars on the road to Tokyo, as well as discover future local talent in the communities our stores serve.”

Aviva extends sponsorship of Ireland’s national stadium until 2025

Aviva Ireland has today announced the extension of its naming rights of the Aviva Stadium until 2025.

The company, which has served as a partner of the IRFU and FAI since 2010, also sponsors and supports two successful grassroots programmes.

Since opening in 2010 the arena has staged more than 140 major events, which have been attended by over seven million people.

Mark Wilson, Group CEO of Aviva, said: “The Aviva Stadium is an Irish icon, one of the world’s great stadiums. It is the home of many Irish victories and wonderful sporting drama.

“We are delighted to extend our sponsorship for a further five years and continue our successful association with the FAI and IRFU in support of Irish Football and Rugby.”

IRFU Chief Executive, Philip Browne, added: “Aviva has been a great supporter of Irish Rugby over the past eight years and we look forward to further developing our partnership in the years to come.”

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney, commented: “We can be extremely proud of the Aviva Stadium being considered amongst the best stadia in Europe, which is why UEFA chose it to host the 2011 Europa League final and for four games at Euro 2020.

“We look forward to working with Aviva Ireland, the staff at the Aviva Stadium, and the IRFU over the next five years as we continue to provide the best possible experience for our supporters, stakeholders, and partners.”

University of Birmingham becomes national supplier for 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships

The University of Birmingham has become the latest national supplier for the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018.

The University will support the volunteer programme for the Championships, which is the biggest indoor sports event to be staged in the city for 15 years.

More than 500 volunteers, who’ll be known as ‘Gems’, to highlight the city’s Jewellery Quarter and because they are so valuable to the event, are being recruited to help out during the Championships, and the University will support this programme.

Championships Director, Joan Durose, said: “We are delighted to have the biggest university in the city on board as a supplier. Our volunteers are crucial to the success of the Championships and it is great to have the expertise of the University to call on, to help us provide a first-class training programme for our Gems.”

Zena Wooldridge OBE, University of Birmingham’s Director of Sport, said: “It’s a privilege to be a part of another global sporting event happening in Birmingham. In a university where athletics is part of our heritage, and volunteering is an increasingly important part of our student experience, our support for the Gems programme is a natural synergy.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for our own volunteer team to contribute to the success of the IAAF World Indoor Championships, whilst supporting some of our students to gain a unique and memorable volunteering experience from this event coming to Birmingham.”

The IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018 will be jointly organised by Birmingham City Council and British Athletics on behalf of the IAAF (the International Association of Athletics Federations).

UEFA receives nine declarations of interest to host 2020 Super Cup

UEFA has received declarations of interest from nine member associations to host the UEFA Super Cup in 2020.

The bidding procedure for the selection of the venue to host the UEFA Super Cup in 2020 was launched on 8 December 2017, with a 12 January 2018 deadline set for associations to express their interest.

Associations hosting matches of the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament were not eligible to bid for the Super Cup.

The nine associations that have expressed their interest to host the UEFA Super Cup in 2020 are:

Albania – Tirana – National Arena

Belarus – Minsk – Dinamo Stadium

Finland – Helsinki – Helsinki Olympic Stadium

France – Nice – Grand Stade de Nice

Israel – Haifa – Sami Ofer

Kazakhstan – Almaty – Almaty Central Stadium

Moldova – Chisinau – Zimbru Stadium

Northern Ireland – Belfast – Windsor Park

Portugal – Porto – Dragão Stadium

The UEFA Executive Committee will select the successful host association in May 2018.

Tie Break Tens heads to Madison Square Garden for first-ever US event

Tie Break Tens, the new short-form tennis format, is set to stage its first-ever US event at New York’s Madison Square Garden in March 2018.

Serena and Venus Williams will both compete in the all-women event, which represents the fifth tournament of the Tie Break Tens series.

Felicity Barnard, CEO of Tie Break Tens, said: “We’re thrilled that Serena and Venus are competing in the first Tie Break Tens to be played on US soil, in such an iconic venue.

“Hot on the heels of a sell-out men’s tournament in Melbourne this week, it’s clear that Tie Break Tens is fast becoming a regular fixture in the Tennis calendar.”

The first-ever Tie Break Tens competition was held in 2015 in London’s Royal Albert Hall and the concept has grown in popularity since. Events have also been held in Vienna, Madrid and – most recently – Melbourne.

Venus Williams said of the new tennis concept: “It’s unlike anything we’ve seen in tennis before and it helps bring in new fans to the sport.”

Kindred and Betfilter launch new social responsibility tool for gambling

Kindred Group have teamed up with Betfilter, who provide a tool blocking access to online gambling sites, to help prevent people under the age of 18 from being exposed to gambling advertisements.

Kindred has worked with Betfilter over the past year to help fund the development of the new social responsibility tool called AdBlocker, which will be available across all markets. The new tool can be installed on all devices where the user wants gambling ads to be blocked.

“I am happy that this new social responsibility tool is now ready and available to those who need it. We have always been very clear that our products are only to be used by adults over the age of 18, and therefore see this tool as an important addition to our responsible gambling toolbox.

“This project also follows our commitment to supply a joyful form of entertainment to our customers”, says Maris Bonello, Integrity Analyst Manager at Kindred Group.

“At betfilter.com we are proud to collaborate with Kindred Group on this project. Our company has always strived to help people with gambling problems and also ensure safety for children” says Per Albertsen from Betfilter.

“The new AdBlocker, which is initially available for Windows users, blocks gambling ads, thus preventing vulnerable people from being tempted. We believe this Out of Sight, Out of Mind method to be truly effective in promoting responsible gambling”.

Major League Soccer announces new competitive gaming league ‘eMLS’

Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced the creation of eMLS – a new competitive esports league – for EA SPORTS FIFA 18.

eMLS will pit the best FIFA 18 players from the US and Canada, representing MLS clubs, against each other to determine who will represent the league in the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2018.

“We’re honored to partner with MLS within the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series as we continue to help grow competitive gaming and soccer in North America,” said Todd Sitrin, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Competitive Gaming Division at EA.

“We engage millions of soccer fans daily through FIFA and attract many more who view our competitions around the world. With the eMLS we accelerate our growth as players compete on the road to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2018.”

19 MLS clubs will participate in eMLS with each club set to pursue its own process to select a player from its region to represent it in eMLS competitive play.

Gary Stevenson, President and Managing Director, MLS Business Ventures, added: “This step forward into competitive gaming is a key component in our partnership with EA SPORTS to promote deeper engagement and connections between MLS supporters and the millions of FIFA players around the world.”

At The Races renews deal to broadcast Pegasus World Cup Invitational

At The Races (ATR) has renewed a deal to broadcast exclusive live coverage of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational from Gulfstream Park on Saturday 27th January.

The event has been dubbed the ‘world’s richest race’ courtesy of a record-breaking $16 million purse that reflects a prize-money increase of $4 million.

ATR plans to mix studio coverage with NBC output, presenting the Gulfstream Park undercard prior to the feature Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

Throughout January, ATR will build up to the event with regular news bulletins and previews, in addition to a specially shot feature focusing on Toast Of New York at Jamie Osborne’s Lambourn base. Attheraces.com and ATR app users will have access to exclusive editorial content from respected US pundits and other additional content.

ATR Director of Broadcast, Rob Dakin, said: “We’re delighted to once again secure exclusivity in the UK and Ireland for this coveted race, rubber-stamping our status as the home of top-class US racing.

“The outstanding achievements of horses like California Chrome, Arrogate and more recently Gun Runner have been hugely engaging for racing fans all over the world, so we’re proud to be a destination where these stories are told on broadcast, online and social media channels.”

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Will Chignell joins World Surf League as new CMO

The World Surf League (WSL) has today appointed Will Chignell as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Chignell will oversee global marketing, brand, social media, PR and communications.

Chignell brings with him significant experience, having held executive positions at the America’s Cup, where he served as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, and at The Rugby Football Union.

Chignell said of his appointment: “I can’t wait to join such a talented, passionate team, and a brand and sport that has such enormous potential. There are many landmark events on the horizon, and the WSL, the sport and the athletes have an amazing story to tell.”

Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said: “We’re very fortunate to have Will join the organisation. He’s a proven and respected leader in the Marketing and Communications arena, with broad experience across the world, in many events, in a variety of sports.

“As Chief Marketing Officer, he was instrumental in the success of the compelling, profitable America’s Cup last year, which WSL can learn from as we look forward. The future is bright for WSL and the sport surfing in the coming years.”