Eleven Sports secure live rights to Serie A TIM in Italy

Global sports provider Eleven Sports has secured live rights to Serie A TIM in Italy.

The platform is set to show three games live every match week on mobile, tablet and online as part of a pay offer for fans across the country.

The partnership commences on October 1st with live on-pitch action set to be supplemented by in-depth, pre and post-match analysis from former players, football experts and journalists.

The matches will be priced aggressively with individual games set to be made available for as little as €1.99.

Danny Menken, Group Managing Director, Eleven Sports, said: “Our model of acquiring smaller rights with economically viable production costs and widespread appeal amongst domestic fans in Italy has proved very successful and we are thrilled to take our coverage of football to the next level by delivering top Serie A action for the fans.

“We are looking forward to working in partnership with Serie A to help them reach and grow their fan-base across Italy by providing access to the biggest and best teams and players at an affordable price.”

Italy became Eleven Sports’ seventh market when the company acquired national OTT platform Sportube in May 2017.

The acquisition of Serie A matches in Italy builds on Sportube’s success in the market, which has steadily grown through the production and delivery of all Serie C games through a dedicated online platform, ensuring supporters are able to follow every one of their favourite team’s matches.

USA Cricket launches new brand to take step towards creation of federation

Cricket in the United States has taken a step closer towards the creation of a new federation with the launch of the USA Cricket brand.

The brand and the new USA Cricket social media platforms represent a new chapter for the sport in the USA. It is the first step towards getting a new Governing Body up and running, until which time the sport will continue to be delivered by the ICC Americas USA Project team and the Local Advisory Groups.

The creation of a membership database that will facilitate a transparent election process will now follow with the focus on creating a federation that can represent and unify the whole cricket community in the USA. A new Board is expected to be in place by April 2018.

ICC Americas USA Project Manager Eric Parthen said: “It is a very exciting day for cricket in the United States as we celebrate the past and look to the future. It is a fresh start and we are hugely encouraged by what we have been hearing from the cricket community.

“The conversations and progress we have made are on track to unifying as one body for cricket in the USA. The launch of the USA Cricket brand and the social media platforms are the first step in achieving our goal and we have produced an exciting look and feel for the federation.”

Speaking on behalf of the creative development, Dan Price, President of Adrenalin, said: “The launch of USA Cricket is the first step to introducing the sport of cricket to millions of new fans as well as providing structure and guidance to participants, old and new, across the country. We are thrilled with the new mark and look forward to the impact USA Cricket will have on the sport worldwide.”

Dorna Sports introduces new MotoGP live 360 OnBoard technology

New four-camera system pioneers the future of motorsport viewing

The future of motorsport viewing is set to take another step forward as MotoGP has revealed live, OnBoard, 360 degree coverage.

The new 360 live feed can take fans on a spectacular pillion ride, on board with the world’s fastest motorcycle racing championship.

The technology is a pioneer in the field and takes OnBoard viewing to a new level. Dorna has named the project and four-camera system Zoetrope, the name of a pre-film animation device originating in the nineteenth century, which comes from the Greek for life – zoe – and turning – tropos.

The idea was born from the concept of allowing fans to ride as a passenger with the world’s fastest motorcycle riders, with live 360 a key focus of Dorna’s long-running and ongoing commitment to OnBoard technology.

Fans will have access to the new development via motogp.com and on the Official MotoGP app while footage will also be made available to broadcasters.

Arsenal extend Vitality partnership until 2020

Premier League club Arsenal have extended their partnership with Vitality until 2020.

Vitality will continue in its role as the Gunners’ official health and wellness partner and has also agreed a deal to become an official partner of the Arsenal Women team.

As part of the agreement, Vitality – and its parent company Discovery – will have access to both the men’s and women’s first-team players as well as club legends to develop promotional and marketing activities.

Vinai Venkatesham, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal Football Club, said: “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Vitality for a further three years and excited about the additional rights they now have with our Women’s team.

“Their innovative approach of rewarding those who adopt a healthier lifestyle has been extremely popular with our fans. We look forward to developing even more creative campaigns to strengthen an already successful partnership.”

Nick Read, Commercial Director at Vitality, added: “We believe in the power of sport to help inspire people to live a healthy life, which is why we partner with leading sports figures, teams and events to help us spread the Vitality message.

“We’re delighted to renew our partnership with Arsenal, and to extend it to include the Women’s team as part of our key focus to support and raise awareness of women in sport. Our collaboration with some of the top teams in the country, including Arsenal, helps in our goal to change the game when it comes to people’s health.”

Showtime secures US broadcast rights for Joshua-Pulev title fight

Showtime has secured the US broadcast rights for Anthony Joshua’s upcoming world heavyweight title bout against Kubrat Pulev.

Joshua is set to defend his WBA and IBF titles when he faces the Bulgarian at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on October 28th.

Undefeated WBC champion Deontay Wilder’s clash with Luis Ortiz on November 4th will also broadcast on Showtime as part of a ‘double header’ of heavyweight boxing.

Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports, said: “There’s so much to be excited about in the sport of boxing, and it all comes to a fever pitch on consecutive Saturdays this fall on Showtime.

“This has been a great year for boxing. More specifically, it has been a great year for Showtime boxing. There’s no better way to end it than with two major heavyweight world championship events.

“We are proud to be in business with the two biggest punchers in the sport, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, and the rest of the talented and hungry heavyweight challengers of today.”

Nottingham Forest Football Club signs Healthspan deal

Championship football club Nottingham Forest have today signed a deal with vitamins and supplements manufacturer Healthspan.

The agreement sees Healthspan become the club’s official vitamin and supplement supplier for the 2017/18 season, covering both first team and Academy players.

Healthspan’s roster of trusted athletes and partners includes Team Sky, Southampton FC, Scottish Rugby and the British Sailing Team.

Nathan Beardsley, Nottingham Forest’s first team Sport Scientist, said: “Healthspan’s products will be used for a number of reasons, including building player strength and aiding recovery.

“Another key role will be in the prevention of player illness. A player with cold or flu can potentially miss two or three games in a week and can spread illness through the squad. You can’t underestimate the importance of illness prevention strategies in football.”

Chris Fisher, Healthspan’s head of sports nutrition, added: “We are extremely proud to be working with Nottingham Forest and we hope we can contribute in a small way on the club’s journey back to the Premier League.

“We’ll also be working closely with the club to find innovative and exclusive ways to positively impact the health of Forest fans.”

South Africa, Ireland and France present Rugby World Cup 2023 bids to World Rugby Council

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont has hailed the Rugby World Cup 2023 bids as ‘exciting and impressive’ after the candidate unions presented their vision and plans to World Rugby Council in London today.

The bid teams from France, Ireland and South Africa were each given 30 minutes to present their hosting proposition to Council members before fielding questions from them.

Beaumont said: “Today represented an important and exciting milestone in the host selection process for Rugby World Cup 2023. It’s clear from the presentations that we have three exceptionally strong, impressive and exciting bids with full government support. Each, I believe, is capable of hosting a superb Rugby World Cup.

“I would like to thank our friends from the respective union bid teams for their hard work, commitment and for sharing their vision and detailed hosting plans.

“My Council colleagues and I have much to consider and we look forward to the outcome of the thorough and independent evaluation process next month before we consider and select the Rugby World Cup 2023 host union.”

A key phase in the three-stage host selection process, the presentations follow the submission of detailed bids for detailed evaluation and analysis by World Rugby and independent experts.

Within their submissions, the candidates were required to outline their vision and mission for hosting rugby’s global showcase event.

This included confirmation of guarantees from governments and other appropriately empowered entities, the hosting agreement and detailed responses to core hosting requirements in line with World Rugby’s seven hosting objectives:

  • Venues and infrastructure commensurate with a top-tier major event
  • Comprehensive and enforceable public and private sector guarantees
  • A commercially successful event with a fully funded, robust financial model
  • Operational excellence through an integrated and experienced delivery team
  • A vision that engages and inspires domestic and international audiences and contributes to the growth of rugby at all levels
  • An enabling environment of political and financial stability that respects the diversity of Rugby World Cup’s global stakeholders
  • An environment and climate suited to top-level sport in a geography that allows maximum fan mobility

All bids are currently being reviewed in detail by a specialist technical review group, evaluated against weighted criteria and will feature independent economic, financial and commercial assessment by expert advisors. The Sports Consultancy is independently assessing the group’s application of the evaluation criteria to ensure a fair and consistent approach to the decision-making process.

A recommendation will then be made by the Rugby World Cup Board on 31 October, before Council votes to select the host union for Rugby World Cup 2023 at its 15 November meeting.

LA Lakers agree jersey patch sponsorship deal with Wish

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced a multi-year partnership with e-commerce platform Wish.

As part of the partnership, Wish’s logo will be featured on Lakers jerseys from the start of the 2017-18 season. Wish’s logo will be on a patch stitched into the Lakers jersey on the front left shoulder opposite the Nike logo.

The partnership is set to include a large-scale integrated marketing program, including in-arena fan engagement, plus social and digital activation.

Peter Szulczewski, CEO of Wish, said: “We are incredibly pleased to partner with the NBA’s most iconic brand.

“The Lakers epitomize a legacy of excellence and worldwide success. This partnership symbolizes our shared focus to reach all fans, not only within the LA community, but across every continent.”

Tim Harris, President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Wish as a new partner of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“When it came to the jersey patch, knowing its prominent placement, our goal was to partner with an innovative and ambitious global company.

“Wish more than checks that box. They are a leader in e-commerce and are constantly striving to grow and improve their brand and how they connect with their consumers. In addition, and most importantly, we are excited to partner with a company that shares our commitment to giving back to the community.”

The deal is worth $12 million to $14 million per year, according to CBS Sports.

Zurich added to 2017/18 Formula E calendar

The FIA Formula E Championship will bring circuit racing back to Switzerland for the first time in over 60 years, with the inaugural Zurich E-Prix set to take place on June 10 2018.

Zurich has been added to an exciting list of new destinations on the 2017/18 schedule – joining fellow venue debutants Santiago, Sao Paulo and Rome.

Racing had previously been forbidden in Switzerland for decades, with the last event taking place at Bremgarten circuit in 1954. However, a law change in 2015 lifted restrictions on fully-electric racing and paved the way for next year’s event.

FIA President Jean Todt, said: “I am very pleased that circuit racing is returning to Switzerland next year with the FIA Formula E Championship event in Zurich

“To be able to reintroduce this discipline to a country where it has been absent since it was banned in 1955 is an exciting prospect and the achievement of an important goal for the FIA.

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making it a reality, as it is important for us to continue to bring motor sport to new audiences around the world. Together with the other new events on the calendar in Santiago, Sao Paulo and Rome, I believe we have a very strong season of Formula E ahead of us.”

Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, added: “The calendar for next season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet with four new venues – including Zurich.

“I’m thrilled that Formula E is bringing racing back to Switzerland for the first time in over 60 years. This wouldn’t have been possible without the core fundamentals of Formula E – driving the electric revolution and sustainable mobility.

“Following the recent law changes this race was also made possible with the instrumental support of our Swiss partner, Julius Baer. I would like to express our gratitude to their CEO, Boris Collardi, and his entire team for their continued belief in Formula E – we’ve again been able to break new grounds in the world of motorsport.”

Juventus announce Asia-focused partnership with Costa Cruises

Serie A club Juventus has announced a regional partnership in Asia with Costa Cruises, part of the Carnival Corporation & Plc group, the world’s leading cruise ship.

The new agreement is set to ensure the two Italian companies can be exported to a key territory for both parties while the launch of the partnership will incorporate three events in the ports of Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin.

Giorgio Ricci, Juventus Co-Chief Revenue Officer & Head of Business Partnership, said: “This partnership represents the meeting of two Italian forces of overseas excellence: Juventus and Costa Cruises.

“This deal is testimony to the great attention of our Club to a fast-growing market like Asia, where the passion for football and for the Bianconeri colours is constantly on the rise. Costa Cruises is definitely an ideal Partner with whom to develop joint entertainment activities.”

Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Group Asia, added: “As a pioneer in the cruise industry in Asia, Costa Cruises continuously strives to create new and exciting onboard experiences that delight our guests and exceed their expectations.

“Our Regional Partnership with Italian football giant Juventus not only enriches our onboard offerings, but also further accentuates Costa Cruises’ Italian DNA. We look forward to exploring innovative partnerships with other iconic Italian brands to bring Italian culture to life for our guests.”

Costa Cruises and the reigning Siere A champions will collaborate to offer guests a series of entertainment experiences on board, including a Juventus museum, access to official merchandise and themed television content.