Eleven Sports announces partnership with ACB Liga Endesa to live stream ‘El Clasico’ on Facebook and Twitter

Global sports provider Eleven Sports has today announced a partnership with ACB Liga Endesa to live stream Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona on Facebook and Twitter this Sunday (12th November 2017).

For the first time ever the showcase ‘El Clasico’ basketball fixture will be streamed live across a number of Eleven Sports markets.

The action is set to be streamed live on Facebook in Belgium, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan and the USA while fans in Belgium and the USA will also be able to watch the action live via Twitter.

The live streams in Belgium, Italy, and the U.S. will feature local language commentary in line with Eleven’s strategy to localise content and all markets will be using their social media platforms to enhance the event experience with clips and posts for fans in each specific domestic market.

Danny Menken, Group Managing Director, Eleven Sports, said: “We have seen some excellent results from our Ivy League Football live streams on Twitter in the US and we are delighted to strike this latest partnership to ensure we continue to deliver exciting content to fans in innovative ways.

“Our aim is to bring sport to fans everywhere in ways that they want to consume it. This partnership helps us achieve that while also providing a fantastic opportunity for Eleven Sports and the ACB to reach new, diverse audiences, including those with a low barrier to entry.”

The announcement of this agreement comes after a successful partnership with Twitter to live stream Ivy League Football in the US in October and November 2017.

Hugo Boss set to switch to Formula E from F1

German fashion brand Hugo Boss is set to end its association with Formula One from next year to move into Formula E, according to CEO Mark Langer.

Hugo Boss has been a partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team since 2015, before which it held a long-term agreement with McLaren.

But Langer has told German magazine Focus that Hugo Boss will switch to the electric-powered racing series in the search of new opportunities.

“Of course Formula One is the top class of motor racing, but Formula E is more innovative and sustainable,” Langer is quoted as saying by Focus.

“The engines, the races in major cities, that’s something a younger audience likes, which offers new opportunities.

He added: “After many years in Formula One, really since (German racing driver) Jochen Mass in the Seventies, we have been thinking what is the next thing?”

Langer also pointed out that the cost of F1 sponsorship had not played a role in the company’s decision.

DraftKings acquires Euroleague live streaming rights

DraftKings announced today its involvement in the streaming of live sports through a partnership with Euroleague Basketball. It’s the first time that a fantasy sports operator acquires live sports rights.

Customers will be able to stream select Turkish Airlines EuroLeague basketball games directly through the DraftKings mobile app and toggle between fantasy contests and live content.

“Our goal is to become the one-stop destination and mobile companion for sports fans globally. Adding a live streaming component allows us to provide the best and most seamless product for our customers. This is what the future of sports looks like,” said Jason Robins, co-founder and CEO of DraftKings.

By the first quarter of 2018, DraftKings will offer US and Canadian-based customers the opportunity to live-stream EuroLeague games on the DraftKings app.

Customers will be able to stream one free game per week or watch multiple games by playing in a $3 and above DraftKings contest. DraftKings will also create original content to support EuroLeague.

“We are proud to be breaking new ground with such a forward-thinking partner as DraftKings,” Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball president and CEO, said.

“Combining fantasy with live-streamed games is a perfect match, not only for the countless passionate EuroLeague fans we have already but for the many new ones who will now discover our unique brand of basketball through DraftKings.”

Racecourse Media Group awarded Meydan production and distribution contracts

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has today been awarded a two-year contract by Meydan Group to provide production and distribution of the full horseracing season at Meydan Racecourse, which starts today and culminates with next year’s Dubai World Cup card.

Timeline Television will provide broadcast facilities and crew to support RMG’s host production and on-course coverage to broadcast the races to audiences around the world.

RMG, which has produced and distributed horseracing from the flagship racecourse in Dubai for the previous two seasons, is offering a number of exciting broadcast rights packages for the 20-fixture season, hosted by the Dubai Racing Club.

Frank Gabriel Jr, Executive Director of Racing at Dubai Racing Club, said: “Racecourse Media Group provided first-rate production and presentation of racing from Meydan for the last two seasons and RMG also took the event to new and increased audiences via their distribution.

The 2017 Dubai World Cup was the first horse race to be broadcast live on airlines and cruise-lines via the Sport 24 channel and NBC Sports also broadcast the card in the US.”

Richard FitzGerald, CEO of RMG, added: “We are delighted that we once again can partner with Meydan and work together in successfully showcasing this world-class racing.”

Jono Yates joins Dugout as new Creative Director

Jono Yates has today been appointed Dugout’s first-ever Creative Director with the aim of driving content with clubs and players, plus grow the company’s social media presence.

Yates previously held the position of Creative Lead at LADbible and also served as Head of the Global Influencer Programme at Red Bull.

Elliot Richardson, Dugout Executive Chairman, said: “This is a great move by Jono and one that I am hugely excited by. Our branded content is a unique structure of Dugout and one that no others have.

“To attract Jono from a company such as LADbible is for us a tremendous validation for Dugout and its success over the last year. We welcome him and look forward to developing the platform further.”

Yates, Dugout’s new Creative Director, said: “I spent my time at LADbible creating viral videos with some of the most famous faces in the world, and the opportunity to do this in a football context is hugely exciting.

“Dugout has a unique relationship with some of the biggest clubs and players across the globe providing unparalleled access which makes the platform unique to any other sport publisher.

“Dugout has been on a journey of amazing growth in its first twelve months, and by using the connections Dugout has, I look forward to driving the company even further forward by creating innovative and engaging football content.”

Manchester City and Amazon announce new Prime Video series

Amazon and Manchester City today announced a new Amazon Prime Video behind-the-scenes multi-part exclusive series following the team through the current 2017/18 season.

The Amazon Prime Original series will offer fans a glimpse into the history of the club, its coach Pep Guardiola and the week-on-week stories that unfold within the lives of the players.

“This new Amazon Prime Original series will give Prime members extraordinary insight into Manchester City, the top English Premier League Football team and one of the most exciting and respected teams globally,” said Heather Schuster, Head of Unscripted, Amazon Originals.

“The story behind the coaches and players is fascinating and we are very excited to work with the Manchester City team to deliver an exclusive all-access experience to our Prime members.”

Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City, said: “We are delighted to begin this strategic relationship with Amazon, one of the world’s leading companies.  Amazon Prime Video is the perfect home for a ground-breaking project that will offer a unique and authentic inside view of Manchester City’s season like never before.

“This is an extremely exciting time for Manchester City and through Amazon’s world-class service, we will be able to share it with football fans all over the world.”

The series will launch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in 2018.  Prime members will be able to stream the series via the Amazon Prime Video app for TVs and mobile.

BeIN agrees MENA broadcast deal with Cricket Australia

BeIN Sport has made its first foray into the cricket space after agreeing a six-year television rights deal with Cricket Australia (CA).

The new Middle East and North Africa (MENA) agreement will cover multiple Indian tours and visits by Pakistan, South Africa and the Ashes of 2021-22.

BeIN will broadcast Australian cricket through a multi-platform network to more than 20 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Morocco.

BeIN has also acquired the media rights for women’s international cricket played in Australia, including the current Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes Series, along with the KFC Big Bash League and the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League.

Cricket Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, James Sutherland, said: “We are delighted to welcome beIN to the cricket family and know their viewers will enjoy the range of quality cricket content on offer in Australia each season.

“The Ashes is the perfect start for their partnership with us, and with the impending introduction of a Test championship and a new ODI league, beIN cricket fans will only benefit from international cricket’s new structure and greater context.”

Deputy CEO of beIN Media Group, Yousef Al-Obaidly, added: “It is important that we deliver on our promise to broadcast the very best global sports and events, and this is yet another significant milestone on this journey.

“The audience for cricket in the Middle East and North Africa is growing at an unprecedented pace, and viewers are rightly demanding better, more comprehensive, in-depth coverage.

“We will guarantee cricket fans across the region access to high-quality cricket coverage.

“This agreement with Cricket Australia is the latest in a series of rights deals that have seen beIN MEDIA GROUP grow its portfolio, win a bigger share of the market and reaffirm itself as the undisputed first-choice sports and entertainment broadcaster for the region.”

Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of Broadcasting, Digital Media and Commercial, Ben Amarfio, commented: “This is the first time Cricket Australia has licensed its media rights directly into MENA.

“We set out to find a partner in this specific region and are delighted to have completed this agreement with beIN.

“Cricket Australia is also the first cricket board to sign with beIN and introduce our great game to their growing audience. We know that cricket is especially popular throughout the region with the expat communities in the Gulf states.”

iSportconnect announces Rory Anderson as London Directors’ Club guest speaker

iSportconnect is delighted to confirm that Rory Anderson, CEO of 12BET, will be a guest speaker at the London Directors’ Club on December 6, 2017.

As a representative of 12BET, a leader in sport sponsorship, Anderson will participate in an individual interview before receiving questions from an esteemed audience of key decision makers within the sports industry.

Andrea Radrizzani, Founder & Group Chairman of Aser, and Owner & Chairman of Leeds United Football Club, is also taking part in the festive event.

The well-respected duo will give those in attendance a unique insight into the industry, with a range of experiences and best practices set to be discussed.

There will also be ample time for delegates to network in style alongside their high-ranking peers, with the evening-only event set to be staged at The Shard, which is widely regarded as one of London’s most prestigious venues.

Chatham House rules will be strictly adhered to, as with all Directors’ Club events, ensuring a free exchange of ideas within a relaxed atmosphere.

What makes an iSportconnect Directors’ Club so special?

  • Events are open exclusively to Director/C-Suite level executives at sports rights holders, sponsorship brands and broadcasters.
  • Capacity is capped at 100, 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.

There is limited space remaining for this event. Please contact Chris Edbrook (chris@isportconnect.com) to register your interest.

BBC extends ATP World Tour Finals broadcast deal up to 2020

The BBC and ATP have today announced an extension to their broadcast deal for the Nitto ATP Finals which will see the tournament broadcast live in 2019 and 2020.

The new agreement is for exclusive free-to-air TV rights for eight singles matches, including a semi-final and the final, and includes the right to stream these matches across the BBC’s online platforms, plus non-exclusive radio rights for the whole tournament.

The deal also includes non-exclusive radio rights to all ATP World Tour Masters 1000 matches.

BBC Director of Sport, Barbara Slater, said: “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with ATP ensuring top class tennis continues to reach the widest possible audience on free to air TV, radio and our live streaming service.”

Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman & President, added: “The BBC has provided a terrific platform for our season finale since we moved the tournament to London in 2009, giving millions of fans in the UK the opportunity to watch the very best in men’s professional tennis.

“We’re delighted to extend our partnership a further two years through to 2020.”

2019 Solheim Cup television production tender process opens

The Ladies European Tour is seeking proposals for the provision of world feed television production services for The 2019 Solheim Cup, which shall be held on the PGA Centenary Course at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, on 9-15 September 2019.

Suitably qualified vendors are invited to apply by 13 December 2017, 12:00 GMT, via the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) website: po.st/P2yQPg

The Solheim Cup is a major international event, the biggest and most prestigious in women’s golf. It follows the same format as the men’s Ryder Cup and was first contested in 1990 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Florida.

Since then this match play tournament has been held biennially alternating between venues in the United States and Europe. The Ladies European Tour (LET) is the governing body of tournament playing female golf professionals in Europe and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2018.

The LET owns the European and International rights to The Solheim Cup when the biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition is played at home in Europe against the United States of America and has appointed Scotland as the host for The 2019 Solheim Cup.

Scotland is widely recognised as the Home of Golf and with each event VisitScotland prides itself on delivering something special and unique. At the core of their bid to bring The 2019 Solheim Cup to Scotland are the themes of equality, experience and innovation.

The LET welcomes bids which will highlight the uniqueness of the world’s most prestigious international women’s professional golf team event compared with other women’s and men’s golf tournaments, including The Ryder Cup.

A successful bid will demonstrate how to raise the profile of The 2019 Solheim Cup while also helping to inspire the next generation of female golfers, which in turn will increase participation levels of the sport.