International Olympic Committee considering esports for future Olympic Games

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is open to the possibility of including esports in future Olympic Games.

The Paris 2024 bid team said in August that it was keen to discuss the introduction of esports with the IOC, thanks in part to the rapid growth of the competitive video games industry.

The full 2024 sports programme will be shaped in 2019, while a decision on what sports will be on show in the French capital will be taken after the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

Esports has already secured a place at the 2022 Asian Games and could be a part of future Games – if it complies with IOC’s rules and regulations.

“Esports are showing strong growth, especially within the youth demographic across different countries, and can provide a platform for engagement with the Olympic movement,” a statement released after Saturday’s IOC summit said.

“Competitive esports could be considered as a sporting activity, and the players involved prepare and train with an intensity which may be comparable to athletes in traditional sports.

“In order to be recognised by the IOC as a sport, the content of esports must not infringe on the Olympic values. A further requirement for recognition by the IOC must be the existence of an organisation guaranteeing compliance with the rules and regulations of the Olympic movement.”

Anthony Joshua signs partnership with JD

Anthony Joshua has signed a multi-fight partnership with JD, who become the heavyweight boxer’s official sports retail partner.

Joshua is set to spearhead JD’s investment in British boxing which sees the high street sports fashion retailer support the sport from grassroots to the biggest world title fights.

JD will receive exclusive branding, content and activations with AJ and his team. The reigning IBF and WBA champion will also feature in JD’s boxing magazine show JD Undisputed.

Joshua said of the agreement: “I’m buzzing to partner with JD. I have been a customer since I was a kid. I’m really looking forward to working with the guys on a range of projects to help young people achieve their full potential whether that be in boxing, music or whatever their passion is.

“I can’t wait to put on a show for the team Saturday night.”

The deal with AJ and JD comes ahead of this weekend’s bout against Carlos Takam at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff.

JD Group Marketing Director, Stephen White, added: “JD are delighted to announce our sponsorship of Anthony Joshua, MBE and support his journey to become the undisputed world heavyweight king. AJ is the perfect ambassador for JD.

“The brand is in his veins. He personifies what we are all about and specifically what young people can achieve with their swagger, hard work and dedication. JD is a unique brand, rooted in our communities and we believe that working with AJ we can do something really special that will help inspire and give opportunities to the next generation.”

IRFU agrees three-year retailing and sponsorship deal with Intersport

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Intersport have announced a new partnership that will see the sports store become the official sports retailers to the IRFU for the next three years.

Intersport Elverys have also been announced as the official sponsors of the Ireland Sevens teams.

The new jersey will be worn by the Ireland Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams during the  2017/18 season for both sides.

IRFU President Philip Orr said: “The IRFU warmly welcome Intersport Elverys as new sponsors and are delighted they are sponsoring the Ireland Sevens international teams. The Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams have a big season ahead, culminating in both teams competing in the Sevens Rugby World Cup in July.

“Intersport Elverys have a great rugby tradition, sponsoring Connacht Rugby and being the official retail partners to the IRFU for a number of years. We are looking forward to working together and are excited by the opportunities ahead.”

Patrick Rowland, CEO of Intersport Elverys, said: “Our sponsorship of the Ireland Sevens teams was a huge opportunity for us to get involved in rugby at another level and create a strong partnership with the national organisation.

“We have been involved with Connacht Rugby for a number of years so it seemed fitting that we get involved with our national Sevens teams especially since Men’s and Women’s Sevens rugby continues to grow at an enormous rate both internationally and nationally.

“Both teams made history this summer by making it to next summer’s Sevens Rugby World Cup, so it’s clear the game is on the rise in Ireland. This will be an amazing sporting occasion and will be great for us to be on board as proud sponsors.”

ESPN set to take X Games to Australia in 2018

ESPN is bringing for the first time ever its X Games to Sydney, Australia in 2018.

Featuring Skateboard, BMX and Moto X competitions, the event will take place at Sydney Olympic Park on 19-21 October 2018.

Produced by Seven West Media, Australia’s integrated media company, the event will also be feature a music and arts festival as part of a strategy to target the millennial audience.

Seven chief revenue officer Kurt Burnette said: “We are proud to be bringing the X Games to Australia. We have a terrific relationship with ESPN and we look forward to delivering an outstanding event.”

ESPN X Games vice-president Tim Reed said: “Australian athletes have played a huge part in the history of X Games, earning 138 medals and providing many memorable moments. We’re thrilled to bring the event to their backyard.’’

X Games Sydney 2018 sports and disciplines are:

  • SKATEBOARD
    • Big Air
    • Street (Men’s & Women’s)
    • Vert (Demo Only)
  • BMX
    • Big Air
    • Dirt
    • Street
    • Vert (Demo Only)
  • MOTO X
    • Best Trick
    • Best Whip
    • Freestyle
    • Step Up

Prism sharpens focus on audience engagement in Sport & Entertainment with new management team

Prism has appointed a new management team and is reshaping its offering as a leading, brand-centric, sport and entertainment agency with a sharp focus on helping brands engage audiences in those arenas.

Dominic Grainger, CEO of the WPP Sports Practice, is appointed Prism Chairman. Jamie Copas, Global Client Leader of Team Aston Martin, will take the role of Group General Manager. They both continue in their existing roles.

“We believe there is now a real opportunity to shout about why Prism is the best choice for brands invested in the world of sport and entertainment. With over 25 years’ experience, we are experts in engaging audiences whether that be through digital, print, broadcast or experiential,” said Copas.

Reflecting the convergence of the worlds of sport and entertainment, how audiences engage with them and how brands can profit, Prism’s new positioning emphasises five key capabilities:

• Strategy, Insight and Analytics
• Partnership Negotiation and Management
• Planning and Creative
• Brand Content and Communications
• Brand Experiences and Events

“Prism’s new management team, led by Jamie, brings a wealth of knowledge which will create greater value for our clients than ever before. Prism’s refocused offering as a leading brand engagement agency in sport and entertainment will also have the ability to draw upon other WPP capabilities as required,” Grainger said.

Prism’s new positioning complements the award-winning work on existing clients such as Aston Martin, as well as the recent win from Fast & Furious Live. Its rich client roster also includes Subway, INFINITI, Avon, Tata Consultancy Services, Ford, IHG and Mazda.

Copas added: “It is an exciting time at Prism. Our new positioning and team culture are real competitive advantages for brands looking to truly engage with audiences in sport and entertainment. We are a high energy business and enjoy collaborating with clients and agency teams to drive high returns on investment for our brands.”

FIFA Council approves enhanced bidding regulations for 2026 FIFA World Cup

  •  Prize money for the 2018 FIFA World Cup participating teams increased to USD 400 million
  •  Enhanced Bidding Regulations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup approved
  •  Strategic body also decides on the establishment of a FIFA Foundation

The FIFA Council convened today in Kolkata, India, and decided on a few important elements related to the FIFA World Cup – for both next year’s edition in Russia and the future of football’s showpiece competition.

FIFA’s strategic body approved an increase in the prize money for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia to a total amount of USD 400 million — 12% up from the USD 358 million of the 2014 edition.

The FIFA Council also ratified the decision of the Bureau of the Council of 6 September 2017 to approve the enhanced Bidding Regulations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and appointed the members of the Bid Evaluation Task Force.

According to the Bidding Regulations, the Task Force must be composed of the chairpersons of the Audit & Compliance Committee and the Governance Committee – in this case, Tomaž Vesel and Mukul Mudgal respectively – as well as a member of the Organising Committee for Competitions (Ilčo Gjorgioski was appointed), together with experts from the administration: Deputy Secretaries General Zvonimir Boban (football) and Marco Villiger (administration).

The meeting in Kolkata covered a wide array of topics and saw the FIFA Council passing a number of important decisions, including the following:

Establishment of the FIFA Foundation, with the purpose of providing a solid legal and institutional basis for FIFA’s social development initiatives.

One of the core intentions of the FIFA Foundation will be to institutionalise a commitment of the FIFA Legends to engage in such activities and act as promoters of FIFA’s aims and objectives related to social development.

The FIFA Foundation should be operational by the first quarter of 2018 and will initially comprise the FIFA President and two members of the FIFA Council, Sonia Bien-Aime and Kwesi Nyantakyi.

Later in the year, the FIFA Council will appoint a selection of respected personalities –from football and other areas of society –as additional members of the Foundation Board.

Decision to engage in a consultation phase to discuss a review of FIFA’s women’s, youth and club tournaments. A number of different draft formats will be submitted for discussion with the member associations at the FIFA Executive Football Summits as well as with the confederations and other relevant stakeholders.

Final concepts are planned to be submitted to the FIFA Council for approval during the body’s next meeting, on 15 and 16 March 2018 in Bogota, Colombia.

Approval of the following FIFA tournament dates:

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018: 5 to 24 August 2018

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018: 13 November to 1 December 2018

FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018: 12 to 22 December 2018

FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™: 7 June to 7 July 2019

Adoption of the International Match Transfer System for professional women’s football as of 1 January 2018. The regulatory mechanism will enable FIFA to monitor the international movements and transfer market, bringing more transparency to the women’s game and enhancing its level of professionalism.

Recognition of all European and South American teams that won the Intercontinental Cup – played between 1960 and 2004 –­­ as club world champions.

J SPORTS expands commitment to FIA World Touring Car Championship

J SPORTS will increase its commitment to the FIA World Touring Car Championship by broadcasting qualifying and the Manufacturers Against the Clock team trial live from WTCC JVCKENWOOD Race of Japan, on Sunday 29 October.

J SPORTS is already broadcasting all 20 WTCC races live this season and will also show the opening race and main race as they happen from Twin Ring Motegi on J SPORTS 3.

J SPORTS is adding live coverage of qualifying and WTCC MAC3 for its home event.

“J SPORTS is the channel for motorsport in Japan and has done a really good job in making the WTCC even more popular with its live coverage of the races this season,” Honda team driver Ryo Michigami said.

“By showing qualifying and WTCC MAC3 live, fans will get more opportunity to enjoy the track action and gain a further insight into this spectacular form of motorsport.”

François Ribeiro, head of Eurosport Events, WTCC promoter, added: “The WTCC has clearly been a big success for J SPORTS and that’s reflected by its extra live commitment for WTCC Race of Japan at Twin Ring Motegi, which always delivers plenty of action and overtaking.”

As well as its live output, J SPORTS will replay the races next week and viewers are advised to check local listings for details.

Ed Warner appointed chairman of the British Equestrian Federation’s new board

Ed Warner has been named as the chairman of the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) new board.

Warner stepped down as UK Athletics boss four months ago, having run the national governing for a decade and chaired the organising committee for the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

In a statement, Warner told PA Sport: “The new board and I will work with our members to achieve a secure and positive future for the BEF, where compliance with the sports governance code, across all its requirements, will form part of business as usual, not simply a box-ticking exercise.

“Our interest is in supporting the entire equestrian world with integrity and objectivity, from our multi-medal winning Equestrian Team GBR to a child having their first riding lesson; from team sponsors to fans; from volunteers to charitable donors.”

Warner succeeds Joanne Shaw and he will be joined on the board by three independent non-executives, four council-elected directors and four members nominated by the BEF’s ‘founder’ member associations.

PSV announces Wellbet as their Official Asian Betting Partner

mPSV announced an agreement with an Asian-focused online bookmaker Wellbet.

Wellbet will serve as PSV Asian Betting Partner for three seasons, from 1st January 2018 until June 2020.

By establishing this partnership, Wellbet aims for growth across the Asian market.

PSV’s CEO Toon Gerbrands, said: “It is generally known that PSV has been exploring sponsorship possibilities from the sports betting market for some time. In addition, this shifts our sponsor strategy to markets outside Europe, and Asia is undoubtedly a very interesting market.

“That’s why we got in touch with Wellbet. We are delighted to welcome Welllbet as our official Asian betting partner and look forward to this pan-Asian co-operation.”

Wellbet’s Director of Communications Mark Lu, said: “We faithfully believe that the co-operation between PSV and Wellbet will be a perfect alliance.

“Wellbet and PSV share the same corporate colour identity, this synergy is perfect proof of our common understanding and passion for the game of football. Wellbet is a top-ranking brand in the field of sport and entertainment in Asia.

“We recognize PSV’s rich history of success in Holland and European club football and also acknowledge that PSV is often the breeding ground for many future stars of the game. Together, we look forward to this exciting partnership.”

WWE and SPORT TV announce multi-year broadcast rights agreement

WWE and SPORT TV, Portugal’s sports broadcaster, today announced a new multi-year agreement to broadcast WWE’s Raw and SmackDown, starting 31st October.

SPORT TV channel SPORT.TV5 will air with Raw at 7pm on Tuesdays and SmackDown at 7pm on Wednesdays.

In addition, SPORT.TV+ will broadcast a one-hour edition of Raw at 6pm on Thursdays and a one-hour edition of SmackDown at 11am on Saturdays.

“SPORT TV is thrilled to welcome back WWE, now exclusively on our networks in Portugal,” said Nuno Ferreira, director of SPORT TV.

“We are certain that the partnership between these two renowned brands will be a success going forward.”

Michelle Wilson, WWE chief revenue and marketing officer, added: “SPORT TV shares our vision and passion for engaging and entertaining our fans.

“This partnership to televise WWE programming in Portugal allows us to expand our reach and deliver our unique blend of action-packed, family-friendly entertainment to WWE fans throughout the country.”