First Directors’ Club of 2018 set for March 7 as RFU’s Steve Brown is confirmed as guest speaker

iSportconnect is delighted to announce that the first Directors’ Club of 2018 will take place in London on March 7.

The premium, invitation-only event will bring together a selection of C-level executives working at sports rights holders, brands and broadcasters in the world’s major cities.

Steve Brown, Chief Executive Officer at the Rugby Football Union, has been confirmed as a guest speaker and will provide those in attendance with a unique insight into one of British sport’s biggest governing bodies.

Having held a wide range of roles during his career, Brown boasts extensive experience in a variety of sectors including technology, finance, legal & governance, international relations, public affairs and stadia.

Event proceedings will incorporate a one-on-one interview style format, plus an International Women’s Day themed panel.

Delegates will have ample networking opportunities with some of the industry’s most influential people, while Chatham House Rules promote a free of exchange of ideas.

A venue and full speaker lineup for the event will be confirmed in due course.

What makes iSportconnect Directors’ Clubs so special?

Events are open exclusively to Director/C-Suite level executives at sports rights holders, sponsorship brands and broadcasters.
Capacity is capped at 150 delegates allowing intimate access to key decision makers in the sports industry.
No agencies or press can attend and, as we follow Chatham House Rules, all discussions will remain confidential.

Please contact Chris Edbrook (chris@isportconnect.com) to register your interest in attending.

ESPN and Dr Pepper agree extension to College Football Playoff sponsorship agreement

Dr Pepper will remain as the title sponsor of the College Football Playoff (CFP) series until 2026 after agreeing a deal with ESPN to extend its support for college football in the US.

The brand will also continue its presenting sponsorship of the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy.

Jim Trebilcock, chief commercial officer for Dr Pepper Snapple Group, said: “Dr Pepper is synonymous with college football. Since signing on as the first sponsor of the College Football Playoff four years ago, we’ve strengthened that connection exponentially, tapping into the extraordinary passions of fans of both football and Dr Pepper.

“We are very proud to be extending our partnership with ESPN and the College Football Playoff for another six seasons, and we’re looking forward to giving our fans more of what they crave in the coming years.”

Formula E announces ABB title sponsorship deal

ABB and Formula E have today announced a new partnership aimed at championing e-mobility for a sustainable future.

Formula E has established itself as the number one all-electric international motor sport in recent years and ABB is set to bring its name and innovation and technology leadership to the series, which will be now known as the ‘ABB FIA Formula E Championship’.

By joining forces, ABB and Formula E will be well positioned to push the boundaries of e-mobility.

ABB CEO, Ulrich Spiesshofer, said: “We are extremely excited to partner with Formula E in writing the future of e-mobility.

“Today, two pioneers are uniting. ABB and Formula E are a natural fit at the forefront of the latest electrification and digital technologies. Together, we will write the next phase of this exciting sports activity and foster high-performance teams. Together, we will write the future – one electrifying race at a time.”

Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of Formula E, added: “This is a historic day for Formula E and I’m honored to welcome the global technology leader ABB as the title partner of Formula E, with its background and expertise in the field of electrification and digital technologies.

“Our two companies are synonymous with pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Together, as partners, we will showcase breakthrough technology on a global scale to fans and consumers who follow the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.”

AC Milan announces Asian betting brand Vwin as first official regional partner

Serie A football club AC Milan has announced an official multi-year partnership with Asian online betting brand Vwin.

Vwin has become the Italian team’s first official regional partner and will work with Milan in Asian countries to launch customised marketing campaigns.

The partnership is set to be developed via multiple strategic tools including the use of Milan’s brand and image to promote Vwin’s services, digital media exposure opportunities and other activities tailored specifically to the Asian market.

VWin’s COO, Mr. Eric, said: “We are excited to collaborate with AC Milan, I am convinced this will be a successful partnership for both sides. We can’t wait to share the future that awaits us”.

AC Milan’s Chief Commercial Officer Lorenzo Giorgetti, added: “We are proud to welcome VWin, leader in the online betting industry in the Asian territory, in AC Milan’s family of partners.

“Vwin is our first Regional Partner in Asia. This agreement represents to our club a first and important step in the development of our commercial strategy on this key market.”

Eleven Sports announces new partnership with NBA G League

The NBA G League and Eleven Sports have today announced a new partnership that will include the exclusive presentation of up to 120 live NBA G League regular season games during the 2017-18 season.

The live NBA G League games will be shown in five of Eleven’s markets – the US, Belgium, Luxembourg, Singapore and Taiwan. As part of Eleven’s strategy to deliver engaging localised content, games will be shown with local language commentary in each market.

Coverage is set to begin on January 10 with the NBA G League Showcase and Danny Menken, Group Managing Director, Eleven Sports is delighted to have strengthened the broadcaster’s basketball offering.

He said: “We are thrilled to build on our strong partnership with the NBA by adding NBA G League to our basketball portfolio, strengthening Eleven Sports’ position as a go-to destination for fans of one of the world’s most popular sports,.

“We know there is a significant hunger for basketball globally and our aim is to meet the demand of these dedicated fans. We are looking forward to working with the NBA in innovative and interactive ways to help grow and promote the NBA G League.”

NBA G League President, Malcolm Turner, added: “Our partnership with Eleven Sports is a monumental one for the NBA G League as we further solidify our position as the NBA’s official minor league and extend our outreach around the world to markets where fans are passionate about basketball

“During this historic year in which a record 26 teams are competing this season, the league will only grow and its popularity will continue to rise through Eleven Sports’ presentation of our games.”

Staying ahead of the broadcast curve has never been more difficult. Stay up-to-date with the latest developments by registering for iSportconnect’s Broadcast Masterclass.

Matchroom Sport and Sky Sports announce new seven-year broadcast deal

Matchroom Sport and Sky Sports have today announced a new seven-year broadcast deal.

The agreement, which is set to run until 2025, means Sky customers will be able to watch a multitude of major events across eight different sports and comes alongside the continuation of Sky Sports’ broadcast agreement with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).

Sky will broadcast live coverage of major fixtures of the annual sporting calendar including pool’s Mosconi Cup, Fish‘O’Mania tenpin bowling’s Weber Cup, the World Cup of Pool, World Pool Masters, PGA EuroPro Tour golf highlights, the World Championship of Ping Pong and others.

Matchroom Sport Chairman, Barry Hearn, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we have been able to extend our relationship with Sky Sports for a further seven years.

“The support of Sky Sports has been fundamental to the success of Matchroom’s biggest events and it is great news for sports fans that coverage of Matchroom Multi Sport events and the PGA EuroPro Tour will continue well into the next decade.”

Broadcasting is dead – and more alive and dynamic than ever before in the digital world. Television and video content is everywhere, with multiple platforms and devices available at billions of fingertips around the globe.

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Orlando Magic confirm Uber as official ridesharing partner

National Basketball Association (NBA) team Orlando Magic has announced an innovative partnership with Uber to enhance fans’ matchday experience at their home stadium.

As part of the agreement, Uber will become the official ridesharing partner of the Magic. The partnership includes a designated pick-up and drop-off lot for supporters using Uber for all pre-season and regular season Magic home games and all other ticketed events taking place at the Amway Center.

The designated pickup area will be available for pickup and drop offs from January 16 when the Magic host the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Magic CEO Alex Martins said: “The Orlando Magic take great pride in creating legendary moments and identifying opportunities to enhance the fan experience.

“We are so excited to announce this partnership with Uber that will help make getting to and from Amway Center easier. Through our combined efforts with Uber, fans and visitors alike will have a seamless experience before and after games.”

Uber General Manager, Florida, Kasra Moshkani, added: “We are proud to be part of the Orlando Magic family through this partnership.

“Our mission is always focused on connecting people and enhancing their lives. This partnership is another great example of what we can achieve with a great partner in the Orlando community.”

National Lacrosse League agrees Facebook Watch deal

The National Lacrosse League (NLL), the largest men’s professional lacrosse league in North America, has announced a streaming partnership with social media platform Facebook.

As part of the agreement, the NLL’s ‘ReLax’ programme will be shown on new video platform Facebook Watch.

The weekly show will focus on insights, reactions and analysis of each weekend’s games and will be broadcast on Mondays at 6pm ET.

The deal will see the NLL enhance their digital presence, having previously agreed a live streaming deal with Twitter to cover the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Facebook Watch is geared towards episodic content and predictive audiences, with a number of major sporting organisations having already agreed deals to produce content specifically for the platform.

READ MORE: What next for Facebook’s live sports strategy?

Aston Villa FC integrates chip and pin technology into season ticket cards

Championship football team Aston Villa has become the first club in the world to integrate pre-paid contactless and chip and pin payment technology into their season and member cards.

The new technology will enable supporters to use season and member cards in the same way as any pre-paid payment card, including contactless payments up to £30.

As part of the scheme, fans will be able to use their cards to enter Villa Park and purchase items at all of the stadium’s payment terminals, the ticket office and official club shop.

Traditionally season and member cards have been restricted to stadium access and online benefits but the new system will allow the club to build up a personalised understanding of each season ticket holder.

Cards will soon also allow fans to purchase on the high street at a host of affiliate retailers, who will be announced in due course. The technology behind the system is being provided by FortressGB.

Julius Baer agrees deal to become title sponsor of Formula E’s Zurich E-Prix

Julius Baer – a leading Swiss private banking group and global partner of the FIA Formula E Championship – has today been announced as the title sponsor of the 2018 Zurich E-Prix.

The electric street racing series is set to bring circuit racing to Switzerland for the first time in over 60 years, with the inaugural Julius Baer Zurich E-Prix set to take place on June 10.

Gian A. Rossi, Head Switzerland at Julius Baer, said: “Formula E is an investment in our society’s future. The racing series serves as a test bed for innovations advancing the future of mobility and ‘smart cities’.

“We firmly believe that in a country whose flair for innovation is the secret of its success, the racing series will generate great interest and underscore the image of Switzerland as a hotspot for technology.

“The decision to pick Zurich to stage the race is the right one – after all, it is a flagship for research and innovation as home to ETH, one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, as well as being the country’s largest city.”

Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, added: “It’s only fitting that at such an historic moment in the championship and for motorsport in general, one of the main protagonists in bringing racing back to Switzerland for the first time in over 60 years, has put its name to the first-ever Julius Baer Zurich E-Prix.

“Since even before the first race in 2014, our global partner has believed in the concept of electric street racing and has been instrumental in making the championship what it is today.

“Formula E makes history at every race, but on June 10, Formula E becomes the first category to bring back professional circuit racing to Switzerland – none of this would have been possible without Julius Baer and the vision of electric racing.”