Nike named presenting partner of NBA London Game 2018

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Nike have announced an expansion of their existing partnership that will make the sportswear company the presenting partner of the NBA London Game 2018.

The regular-season game is set to feature the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, who will face off at the capital’s O2 Arena on January 11.

NBA EMEA Vice President, Global Marketing Partnerships & Emerging Markets, Marc Armstrong, said: “The NBA London Game 2018 presented by Nike is a great showcase of our game and provides Nike with an excellent opportunity to connect with NBA fans in the UK and across the region through a range of exciting in-arena, media and retail promotions.

“We look forward to expanding our partnership with Nike as we welcome the 76ers and Celtics to London.”

In addition to being the presenting partner of the NBA London Game 2018, Nike will receive prominent brand exposure, including event logo inclusion, on-court and in-arena signage, along with hosting several fan activations and promotions leading up to and during the game.

Ben Morel, Managing Director and Senior VP – EMEA at NBA, is part of the guest speaker lineup at iSportconnect’s Dubai Summit – click here to register your interest in the event.

Ben Nichols joins Commonwealth Games Federation as Director of Communications and Public Affairs

Ben Nichols has today been appointed as the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Nichols most recently led communications for the Athletics Integrity Unit, and is the former World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Senior Manager of Communications and Media Relations.

David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ben to our team at such an important time for the Commonwealth Sports Movement.

“All our efforts are focused on bringing our vision to life and transforming the reach, impact and unique brand personality of our Movement; through Commonwealth athlete, citizen and community engagement in everything we do. This exciting new role will take the stories of our Movement to new audiences in new ways across and beyond the Commonwealth.”

Nichols added: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Commonwealth Games Federation at what is a hugely significant time for the movement, with the forthcoming Gold Coast Games and the process of securing a host for 2022.

“I’ve long been a passionate advocate of the Commonwealth cause, and believe now is the ideal moment to help raise the profile of the CGF, and showcase sport as a force for good amongst the 2.4 billion citizens and athletes across the Commonwealth.”

Nichols takes up the new role on Monday 6 November.

Wahoo Fitness announces official partnership with Six Day cycling

Wahoo Fitness has today announced an official partnership with Six Day London and Six Day Berlin.

As a partner of the cycling organisation, Wahoo’s products will support both the recent Six Day London (24th – 29th October, 2017) and upcoming Six Day Berlin (25th-30th January) events.

This includes the dual-band TICKR X Heart Rate Monitor, RPM SPEED cycling sensor and the BLUE SC, a wireless solution for gathering both speed and cadence.

Used during last week’s Six Day London event, Wahoo’s TICKR X Heart Rate Monitors and RPM SPEED cycling sensors gave a unique insight to spectators by providing riders’ live speed and heart rate statistics.

Commenting on the partnership, Colin Eustace, General Manager – EMEA at Wahoo Fitness, said: “Since its return to London in 2015, the iconic Six Day Series has become one of the highlights of the track cycling calendar’. We are extremely proud to announce this partnership.

“It’s long been Wahoo Fitness’ mission to support the performance of athletes at all levels, and our product ecosystem is uniquely positioned to provide a truly comprehensive, connected training experience for discerning weekend warriors and elite track cyclists competing at the Six Day Series who demand nothing but the absolute best.”

Müller expands NBA partnership ahead of London Game 2018

Müller and The National Basketball Association (NBA) have announced an expanded partnership that will see Müller Rice launch a packaging promotion during the build-up to next year’s NBA London Game.

The NBA London Game 2018 will feature the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, who are set to play a regular-season game in England’s capital in January 2018.

Fans will have an opportunity to win a trip to New York as part of the on-pack promotion, while codes will be able to be redeemed for an NBA-branded mini hoop and basketball set. Promotion at the O2 arena will also include signage and concourse sampling.

Marc Armstrong, NBA EMEA, vice president, global marketing partnerships & emerging markets, said: “The NBA is delighted to expand our partnership with Müller Rice ahead of our annual regular-season game in London.

“Müller Rice has been a fantastic partner in recent seasons, and we look forward to working together on this extended range of promotions with both Müller Rice and FRijj, as well as activities to engage NBA fans and grow the game of basketball in the UK and Ireland.”

Müller chief marketing officer, Michael Inpong, added: “Müller is incredibly proud to support Britain’s love of sport, and we’re delighted to be taking our partnership with the NBA to another level.

“Last year thousands of Müller Rice consumers collected their mini hoop and basketball, and we’re really excited to bring further inspiration to the category with our on-pack FRijj and Müller Rice promotions.

“Long-term partnerships with sport will help us to empower consumers to make active and healthy lifestyle choices, and it’s a pleasure to work with one of the most recognisable and exciting sports brands in the world.”

Taisho Pharmaceutical named official sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2019

World Rugby has today announced the appointment of Taisho Pharmaceutical as an official sponsor of the Rugby World Cup 2019.

Taisho Pharmaceutical will showcase its market-leading energy drink Lipovitan D during the tournament, which will be played across 12 venues in Japan.

Lipovitan D has a long-standing association with rugby in the host nation as Japan men’s national team jersey sponsor and the Rugby World Cup deal will help to further promote the profile of the brand both domestically and internationally.

World Rugby Chairman, Bill Beaumont, said: “World Rugby is delighted to be welcoming Lipovitan D to the Rugby World Cup commercial programme family for the first time as an official sponsor.

“Lipovitan D is a significant brand in Japan and a supporter of rugby in the host nation since 2001.

“The appointment of another market-leader to the Rugby World Cup 2019 commercial programme portfolio reaffirms the attraction and prestige of one of the world’s biggest and best-loved major sports events.”

Taisho Pharmaceutical Chief Executive Officer, Shigeru Uehara, added: “2019 is the year when Japan will host Rugby World Cup, and it is also the 120th anniversary of Japanese Rugby and we are therefore honoured to be able to participate in this global celebration as an official sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2019.

“There is no doubt that this event will further the appeal and popularity of rugby in Japan and we look forward to playing our part.”

Olympique Lyonnais sign Chinese esports partnership deal

Olympique Lyonnais announced a partnership with Chinese esports organisation Edward Gaming (EDG) and the creation of its Chinese esports team.

The French club has now four FIFA Online 3 top-player professionals in China: Feng Rui, Song Di, Xu Qingmu and Sun Jiangfeng.

With the creation of this team, Olympique Lyonnais will become the first foreign football club to participate in esport in China.

Lyon enters the Chinese esport market with the intention of showing the true potential of the Chinese electronic sports market and of the FSL League.

The club will also participate in the investment fund IDG Capital who took a 20% stake in OL Groupe’s capital holding. This collaboration was accompanied with a joint venture called ‘Beijing Lyon Xingzhi Sports Culture Co., Ltd’ along with Xingzhi Sports, an affiliate of IDG Capital and OL Groupe.

The purpose of this joint venture is to develop the creation of football schools, consulting services, sponsoring and sports tourism.

“Creating this esports team fits into the club’s project to expand its activities throughout different areas and to get closer to the Olympique Lyonnais community by sharing online experiences around the world,” said Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas.

iSportconnect adds NFL to Dubai Summit speaker lineup as agenda is finalised

iSportconnect is delighted to confirm that Alistair Kirkwood, Managing Director at NFL UK, has been added to the lineup for the Dubai Summit on November 29.

Kirkwood has been with the NFL for over 15 years in various capacities and took up his current position in 2006, having also previously served as the Vice President of Strategic Planning & Business Development and the Director of Business at NFL International.

Kirkwood’s inclusion bolsters a stellar lineup of speakers and he will take part in a series of discussions as part of the Summit’s fourth and final panel, which is set to offer delegates a unique insight into the sports industry.

The American Football specialist will be joined by the likes of Brett Gosper, CEO of World Rugby, NBA’s Ben Morel – and others – to assess the importance for rights owners to be active on the ground with live events within the globalised digital market.

Other panel topics set to be dissected include broadcasting and the digital audience, a debate on what brands want from sport in regards to sponsorship and partnerships, plus detailed insight from Adolfo Bara into LaLiga’s Brand Partnerships.

Ample break-out sessions on the day will give an intimate capacity of 150 top-tier executives an opportunity to take part in captivating conversations, build new relationships and – crucially – discover the local market.

The event will be held in the lavish surroundings of Address Boulevard; the newest lifestyle address located in the prestigious Downtown Dubai area.

The hotel will also host a networking reception on November 28, allowing delegates and speakers to relax and engage with their high-ranking peers.

Confirmed speaker lineup:

Murray Barnett, Head of Global Sponsorship & Commercial Partnerships at F1

Jerry Newman, Sport Partnership Lead – EMEA at Facebook

Ben Morel, Managing Director and Senior VP – EMEA at NBA

Sanjay Raina, General Manager & SVP, Fox Networks Group/National Geographic – Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan

Aarti Dabas, Head of Media Rights, Broadcast & Digital at International Cricket Council

Brett Gosper, CEO of World Rugby

Adolfo Bara, Marketing Director at LaLiga

Nuala Walsh, Chief Marketing Officer at Standard Life Aberdeen

Alistair Kirkwood, Managing Director at NFL UK

Further speakers will be announced in due course.

Content Programme:

28th November

6pm onwards: Networking Reception

29th November

09:30 – Delegate Arrival

10:30 – Welcome

10:45 – Opening Keynote: Adolfo Bara, LaLiga – Building a Global Strategy

11:15 – Panel 1: Inside LaLiga’s Brand Partnerships

Spain’s globally popular football league is delivering more value than ever before for its partners. This special opening panel will bring together key decision-makers from the inside LaLiga’s brand relationships to explore how the league and brands work together to engage fans, innovate and optimise ROI for partners.

Adolfo Bara, LaLiga

Moderator: James Pearce, BBC

12:00 – Case study by Engage & Sport 360

12:20 – Panel 2: From Sponsorship to Partnership: What do brands want from sport?

With over 50% of marketing budget being invested in digital in many markets, are sports bodies offering a relevant and effective mix of engagement opportunities? Is there still too much reliance on classic sponsorship models? How much flexibility and trust is required between sports and brands to create authentic content? How can they collaborate most effectively in using data? How can they work together to protect the credibility and image of sports properties?

Felicien Dillard, PwC
Nuala Walsh, Standard Life

Moderator: Casey Harwood, Engage

13:00 – Lunch

13:45 – Case Study: Wildmoka

14:10 – Panel 3: Broadcasting & the Digital Audience  

How is the strategy of sports broadcasters in the Middle East and elsewhere changing with the growth of the digital market? How can sports and broadcasters use multiple platforms, digital tools and social media to extend reach and engagement? What are the commercial opportunities and challenges? What is the outlook for new digital sports channels?

Jerry Newman, Facebook
Cristian Livadiotti, Wildmoka
Sanjay Raina, FOX Sports
Aarti Dabas, ICC

Moderator: Ben Barker, Monterosa

14:50 – Networking Break

15:10 – PwC Survey Results by David Dellea

15:30 – Panel 4: Global Sports, Local Fans, Local Events

In the globalised digital market, fans around the world can follow the same international sports attractions no matter where they live. How important is it for the rights owners to be active on the ground with live events and other programmes? What are the challenges to becoming truly global? What are the prospects for the Middle East?

Brett Gosper, World Rugby
Ben Morel, NBA 
Alistair Kirkwood, NFL
Murray Barnett, F1

Moderator: David Dellea, PwC

16:15 – Wrap-up by James Pearce

16:30 – Close & After Event Drinks

There is limited space for this exclusive event so please email Chris Edbrook (chris@isportconnect.com) to confirm your interest in attending.

What makes the iSportconnect Summit so special?

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

Beckers-Vieujant and Baumann to chair Paris 2024 and LA 2028 IOC coordination commissions

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has appointed Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant to chair the IOC coordination commission for Paris 2024 and Patrick Baumann as chair of the IOC coordination commission for Los Angeles 2028.

The collaboration between Paris and Los Angeles will build on the principles of Olympic Agenda 2020, and the Games Management 2020 initiative, recently established by the IOC to further reduce the cost and complexity of hosting the Olympic Games.

Beckers-Vieujant said: “The Commission members will mobilise all their energy and technical expertise to support Paris 2024 and help them achieve their vision.

“We will work with the Paris 2024 Organising Committee to ensure the successful delivery and the positive legacy of the Olympic Games, in line with the priorities of Olympic Agenda 2020.”

Baumann added: “Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 now share a strong bond, a common history and are embarking on an exciting journey together.

“This history and the success of both Games have become inextricably intertwined. Having the honour of playing a role on both Commissions, I am looking forward to contributing, with my colleagues, to the success of these two remarkable cities and of the Olympic Movement.”

The first visit of the IOC Coordination Commission Paris 2024 to the French capital has been scheduled for mid-2018.

Nic Coward appointed Chairman of ECB’s newly formed Regulatory Committee

iSportconnect member Nic Coward has been appointed Chairman of The England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) newly formed Regulatory Committee.

Coward is currently non-executive chair of England Golf, having previously served as CEO of the British Horseracing Authority and General Secretary of the Premier League, and has been a member of the ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission since 2015.

In his new position, Coward will oversee an eight-strong committee which will include three independent members sitting alongside two senior ECB executives, a non-aligned ECB Board Member, and two appointees drawn from the wider first class and recreational game.

Speaking on Coward’s appointment, ECB Chairman Colin Graves said: “Nic is a highly respected figure with a strong background in legal and regulatory affairs and he will bring a wealth of wider experience across the sports industry to this role.

“He and the committee will have a major role to play in ensuring that we follow best practice in all areas of governance and sporting integrity – and continue to place a special emphasis on the vitally important issue of safeguarding.”

Set to come into effect from January, the committee will be appointed by the ECB Board but be wholly independent and have full oversight of all ECB’s rules, regulations and procedures.

Rugby World Cup Board recommends South Africa as RWC 2023 host

The Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Board has unanimously recommended to the World Rugby Council the selection of South Africa as Rugby World Cup 2023 host. The World Rugby Council will now meet on 15 November in London to consider the recommendation and vote on the next host.

World Rugby and Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “This is the first Rugby World Cup host selection to take place following a complete redesign of the bidding process to promote greater transparency and maximise World Rugby’s hosting objectives.

“The comprehensive and independently scrutinised evaluation reaffirmed that we have three exceptional bids but it also identified South Africa as a clear leader based on performance against the key criteria, which is supported by the Board in the recommendation.

“I would like to congratulate South Africa on a superb bid and all the bid teams for their dedication and professionalism throughout the process to date. Our colleagues on the World Rugby Council will now meet on 15 November in London to consider the Board’s recommendation and vote to decide the host of Rugby World Cup 2023.”

Independent auditors will oversee the process and the vote on 15 November, which will comprise a total of 39 votes, with a simple majority required to select the Rugby World Cup 2023 host.