Eurosport extends broadcasting deal with US Open

Eurosport has reached an agreement to broadcast the US Open across Europe, excluding the UK and Ireland where Eurosport had historically sub-licensed the rights, for a further five years.

The new deal runs until 2022 and ensures that fans will be able to watch tennis’ showpiece events – the four Grand Slams from Melbourne, Paris, Wimbledon and New York – on Eurosport TV channels and Eurosport Player throughout the year.

Eurosport’s suite of analysts includes tennis legends Mats Wilander, Chris Evert, Barbara Schett, John McEnroe as well as coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Eurosport Germany, meanwhile, has already confirmed Boris Becker will be back in 2018 to offer his own perspective during its local coverage of the Grand Slams.

Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton said: “The US Open is always a special occasion, an invitation to the world to join a two-week party to conclude the story of the Grand Slam year.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with the USTA until 2022 and strengthen our position as the place for fans in Europe to follow every thrilling moment of Grand Slam action.

“The agreement maintains our focus on premium must-have content, delivering locally relevant coverage through dedicated country-specific production and talent.”

Lew Sherr, USTA chief revenue officer, said: “Eurosport is a deeply-valued broadcast partner that has significantly invested in high-quality production and proven they can grow the audience for the US Open.”

“We are very pleased to extend our relationship with them for another five years.”

Sports Technology Awards Announces Chinese Expansion

Today 15th November 2017, it was announced that The Sports Technology Awards – dubbed ‘the Oscars of sports tech’ – has entered into a relationship with leading Chinese sports agency, CoSports, to expand the brand across Asia, starting in China.

The Awards, already a global competition which recognizes tech-led innovation in sports, will work with CoSports to create multifaceted events, that will both inform the market and introduce brands from the west to leading Chinese sports organizations.

The first ceremony will take place in China in 2018.

Rebecca Hopkins, CEO of The Sports Technology Awards Group, said “Our collaboration with CoSports comes at a very exciting time for sports and technology in China. These industries are priorities within the government’s Five Year Plan and the passion for both sectors – amongst consumers and Chinese businesses – is evident throughout the region.

“It bears saying that the Sports Technology Awards Asia Pacific (STAAP) does not duplicate our London ceremony as that remains a globally unique entity.

“Instead, with CoSports, we will create a wider proposition which adheres to our values of informing, recognizing and celebrating tech-led innovations in sport.

“CoSports’ track record in China makes this an industry-changing partnership, a prospect which excites us both.”

Yibo Feng, CEO of CoSports, added ‘The Sports Technology Awards enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide, so it made sense to engage with its management team when we decided to expand further in this sector.

“We have a wealth of initiatives planned throughout the whole country, creating a very compelling proposition for companies in the west targeting the Chinese market, as well as Chinese and Asian brands, and business leaders seeking to elevate their profiles.”

World Rugby selects France as host of Rugby World Cup 2023

The World Rugby Council awarded Rugby World Cup 2023 to France, which was selected following two rounds of voting during a meeting in London.

France received 24 votes to South Africa’s 15 in the final round of voting. In the first round, France received 18 votes to South Africa’s 13 and Ireland’s eight.

Following today’s vote, France will be hosting rugby’s showcase men’s event for the second time and hosting the 10th edition of the event 200 years after William Webb Ellis gave birth to the sport.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Congratulations to France on being elected Rugby World Cup 2023 host. They presented a very strong and comprehensive bid, which clearly resonated with the Council today.

“We had three outstanding host candidates, who raised the bar and overwhelmingly demonstrated that they were all capable of hosting an exceptional Rugby World Cup. There was very little to choose between the candidates and this was reflected in the independently-audited evaluation report.

“We now look forward to working in partnership with France to deliver what I am sure will be a very successful Rugby World Cup in 2023.”

CSM Live appointed as Wembley Stadium branding partner

CSM Live announced a new three-year contract with Wembley Stadium, which will see the event branding and live experience specialists design, produce, install and remove branding in and around the National Stadium.

As well delivering the look and feel for Wembley Stadium, CSM Live are equipped to enhance the fan experience through creative technology and innovations, such as LED offerings and innovations that enable measurement of fan engagement.

The deal will cover all England home games, Emirates FA Cup Semi-Finals and Final, FA Non-League Finals Day and the FA Community Shield.

Alastair Bewick, CSM Live CEO, said: “Wembley Stadium is one of, if not the most famous stadia in the world and so for CSM Live, this is an opportunity that we are very proud and excited to take on.”

Youtube agrees deal with FIH to broadcast Hockey World League Finals

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has today announced a commercial partnership with YouTube, who will provide broadcast coverage of the 2018 Hockey World League Finals.

Fans in countries without broadcast agreements will be able to access matches via a Pay Per View YouTube system.

The agreement will give access to billions of sports fans looking to tune in to all the action from the Sentinel Homes Women’s Hockey World League Final in Auckland (17-26 November) and the Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneswar (1-10 December) 2018.

FIH TV and Broadcast Director, Andy Oram, said: “We are delighted to engage with the biggest provider of online video content who are actively engaged and committed to growing the game.

“YouTube is a valuable addition to our existing partners and provides FIH with the opportunity to reach a global audience, attracting a new generation of fans to the sport through a wide range of devices that hockey can now be viewed on.”

YouTube’s Head of Sport for Europe, Middle-East and Asia, Tomos Grace, added: “YouTube provides a flexible platform for content owners to reach sports fans worldwide.

“We’re very happy to see innovative partners like the FIH make full use of this flexibility by combining YouTube’s free-to-air and PPV live functionality in their key target markets.”

European Tour to stream Dubai Hero Challenge on Twitter

The European Tour has announced that the Hero Challenge in Dubai will be exclusively streamed via Twitter.

The new agreement with the social media platform is another milestone in the European Tour’s drive to transform global golf through innovation.

Its broadcast distribution strategy aims to develop new, short-form golf entertainment events that make the game more accessible to fans, while also exploring new broadcast platforms to bring the stars of the European Tour to wider audiences.

Rufus Hack, Chief Content Officer at the European Tour said: “We have been working successfully with Twitter through its Amplify and Amplify Open products over the past 18 months and see the Hero Challenge Live Agreement as the next step to expand our relationship.

“This will be the fourth edition of the Hero Challenge and the third in 2017, so we are excited about the prospect of streaming one of our new, innovative formats to a global audience across the Twitter platform.”

The third and final Hero Challenge of the 2017 season will witness the introduction of another exciting new concept, with players competing in a target golf competition to a floating green off the Nasimi Beach in the iconic Atlantis, The Palm Resort.

To add to the entertainment, they will also be surrounded by atmospheric pyrotechnics and smoke, with their target illuminated by a spectacular runway of lights in the ocean.

ATP and Rolex extend partnership until 2020

The ATP and Rolex have today announced a multi-year extension of their partnership until 2020.

The new agreement sees Rolex continue as the ‘official timekeeper’ of the ATP World Tour, as well as the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 in London.

Rolex has a long-standing relationship with tennis, promoting precision, excellence and innovation in the sport for more than 40 years.

The Swiss watch brand is a sponsor of many of the leading tournaments, and counts Roger Federer – the longest-standing No.1 in the history of the sport – among its family of Testimonees.

Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman & President, said: “Rolex is a brand that is steeped in the history of professional tennis.

“They have been a valued partner of our season-ending finale since 2005, and to the ATP World Tour since 2013, and their commitment to our sport speaks volumes. We’re delighted to extend our successful partnership.”

Ocean Holidays partners with NFL team Jacksonville Jaguars

Ocean Holidays has today agreed a two-year partnership to become the official travel supplier for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the UK.

Customers of Ocean Florida – Ocean Holidays’ Florida specialist – will be able to buy Jaguars ‘NFL holidays’, which include tickets and transfers to see the Jaguars play at their home stadium during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

The new agreement marks the first time such an offer has been made available by a UK holiday provider. The Jaguars are currently the only NFL franchise team to have made a multi-year commitment to play fixtures in the UK.

Hussain Naqi, senior vice president, international development for the Jacksonville Jaguars, added: “This partnership illustrates exactly what the Jacksonville Jaguars are about – collaborating with like-minded transatlantic businesses to create new experiences and opportunities that excite our fans.

“The unique service Ocean Holidays provide means that there’s no better way for Jaguars fans from the UK to sample the best that Jacksonville has to offer, and to experience the energy of a game day at EverBank Field.”

Harry Hastings, co-chief executive of Ocean Holidays, said: “We are thrilled to announce this exciting partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The popularity of the NFL is increasing exponentially in the UK, and this deal will give NFL fans unparalleled access to tickets and experiences both in the UK and USA.”

Alistair Kirkwood on NFL UK’s future, a London-based franchise and Tottenham’s new stadium

Alistair Kirkwood is part of the guest speaker lineup at iSportconnect’s Dubai Summit – click here to register your interest in the event.

Subaru agrees deal to become sponsor of Wales rugby ‘away’ kit

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has announced a shirt sponsorship deal with Subaru, whose logo will feature on the team’s ‘away’ kit for the next two years.

Meanwhile, Isuzu’s logo will still feature on the team’s home jersey until 2021, having agreed a four-year deal last summer.

The switch to Subaru is possible because the WRU’s partnership is with the automotive importer IM Group and incorporates both the Isuzu and Subaru brands.

WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips, said: “We took a new and innovative approach to our latest shirt sponsorship negotiations and looked at ways to maximise value for our partners and increase exposure for our teams on a global scale.

“Switching between Isuzu and Subaru for our home and change kit is an exciting twist on the traditional way of doing things and we expect both jerseys to be extremely popular with supporters around the world.

“To associate with two hugely significant Japanese brands in this way as we build towards the Rugby World Cup in 2019 in Japan is a major coup for Welsh rugby and will pay dividends as it further improves the global appeal of our national game.”

Paul Tunnicliffe, Managing Director of Isuzu and Subaru in the UK, added: “Through our Isuzu brand we have an excellent relationship with the WRU. The pick-up brand will always be the lead focus for this project, but when the WRU came to us with a proposal that allowed us to include Subaru, we immediately agreed.

“Subaru has a strong customer base in Wales, where its no-nonsense fitness for purpose and exceptional off road capabilities really chime with the rural communities, and we look forward to seeing our customers at Principality Stadium.”

Warwickshire CCC signs partnership with MensTweedSuits.com

Warwickshire County Cricket Club has named MensTweedSuits.com as its first official suit/formal wear partner until the end of 2019.

The deal has seen MensTweedSuits.com – a Birmingham-based online fashion retailer – release a made-to-measure, navy blue, single-breasted Warwickshire CCC suit, which the players recently unveiled at the club’s end of season dinner.

Gareth Roberts, Commercial Director of Warwickshire CCC, said: “Having recently signed a new partnership with PlayerLayer for the team’s playing kit, we’re delighted to secure this new partnership with MensTweedSuits.com and ensure that the team will look equally as impressive off the field.

“We’ve been very impressed with the MensTweedSuits.com team, not only for providing a suit that looks fantastic, but in its work with the players on measurements and fitting. It has been great to show these off for the first time at our recent End of Season Dinner.”

In return for providing players and club management with a new Warwickshire CCC suit, MensTweedSuits.com will receive pitch side perimeter branding at Edgbaston throughout the 2018 and 2019 cricket seasons.

It will also receive tickets for Edgbaston 17-day programme of major match cricket during the two-year term and player appearances for promotional events.

Ravi Bains, Chief Executive of MensTweedSuits.com, added: “We are very pleased to be entering into a new partnership with the Bears, Warwickshire CCC and Edgbaston Stadium – some of the most iconic and well-known brands across the UK and our shared focus on delivering moments of joy, make this a great fit.

“We are thrilled they have chosen to work with us in what is their first partnership in formal attire.”