BT Sport agrees deal for weekly results show to be streamed live via Twitter

BT Sport Score, the football results show, will be available to anyone using Twitter in the UK, following an agreement between the sports broadcaster and Twitter for it to be live streamed on the social media platform.

The agreement allows Twitter’s millions of UK users to sample a key highlight of BT Sport’s weekend line-up at no cost – providing potential subscribers an opportunity to sample the broadcaster’s approach.

It is the latest move by BT Sport aimed at making its content available as widely as possible: BT made last season’s UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League finals available for free to as many people as possible, on YouTube, the BT Sport website, BT Sport channels and the app, underlining BT’s commitment to make televised sport more accessible to fans.

The show will be streamed via @btsportscore on Twitter each Saturday afternoon. BT Sport Score will still be broadcast on BT Sport channels every week. The programme keeps viewers up to date with the action from all the matches taking place across the UK.

Simon Green, Head of BT Sport, said: “We’re delighted to be showing BT Sport Score live on Twitter. This provides Twitter users a great chance to sample our strong programming, who will be able to watch football news and scores as they come in, whether they are at home or on the move. Innovation is at the heart of BT and we look forward to working with Twitter.”

Theo Luke, Director of EMEA Sports Partnerships, Twitter, said: “BT Sport’s innovative approach continues to transform the experience for fans on Twitter, a place where football conversation is happening live in real time every day. We’re extremely excited to collaborate with them to ensure fans on Twitter don’t miss a moment of the Saturday afternoon action.”

Serie A announce ManBetX as Presenting Partner for Asia

ManBetX has been named as the International Presenting Partner Asia for Italy’s Lega Serie A, which kicks off the new season this weekend.

The international gaming group’s brand will be featured in match graphics, idents and virtual goal-mat advertising in all live Serie A matches broadcast across on all platforms throughout Asia.

In addition, ManBetX will also have the use of extensive on and offline assets with Lega Serie A and activation programs across many Asian countries.

A spokesman for ManBetX said: “This is a hugely exciting time and we are delighted to partner with Serie A, one of the world’s top football leagues. Italian football is very popular in Asia and we look forward to engaging with the league’s ever-growing fan base in the region.”

The package is delivered by Interregional Sports Group (ISG) who developed a ground-breaking approach to in-event branding.

“We are delighted to have reached this agreement with ManBetX’ said ISG joint CEO Tony Ragan. “Delivering regional audiences to our brand partners through globally popular sports events is at the core of our business.”

The ManBetX relationship with Italian football got underway in the Super Cup which saw Lazio beat Juventus 3-2.

Mobile telecom operator Zain Sudan becomes LaLiga’s latest regional partner in Sudan

The companies have signed a three-year deal under which they will join forces to promote Spanish football in Africa, which is a strategic market for LaLiga

An agreement was unveiled today under which Zain Sudan will serve as LaLiga’s regional partner in Sudan for at least the next three seasons. This deal sees LaLiga team up with the leading Sudanese telecom operator, which boasts 13 million customers in the country and is a pioneering company that was among the first to offer mobile telephone services in North Africa.

The presentation ceremony was held in Spain and attended by: the LaLiga president, Javier Tebas; Gregory Bolle, LaLiga’s head of Global Partnership; María Barberá, head of international Marketing, Osama Abdalla Abdo Kahin, the chief operations officer (COO) at Zain Sudan; Khalid Gaffar Ibrahim, Zain Sudan’s chief commercial officer (CCO); and Salih Mohammed Ali Omer, Zain Sudan’s corporate communication senior director, Khalid Abdelmoneim, Director Commercial Department; Eltayeb Ali Farah, Manager Media Communications.

They all posed together in the Hall of Flags at LaLiga’s headquarters in Madrid and highlighted the importance of this agreement between two cutting-edge international institutions that have achieved excellence in their respective fields. Fernando Sanz, General Director Middle East & North Africa and International Sports Projects and LaLiga Ambassador and Fernando Morientes, Ambassador of LaLiga, also attended the presentation.

LaLiga, which is at the forefront when it comes to technological innovation and has a global audience of more than 2.5 billion people, is joining forces with Sudan’s biggest mobile telecom operator. Over the next three years, they will work together to promote the LaLiga brand in the African country.

Africa as a whole represents a strategically important market for Spanish football’s organising body, which has two offices in the continent: one in South Africa and the other in Nigeria. Indeed, this agreement consolidates LaLiga’s presence in Africa as part of the organisation’s ongoing internationalisation process, which is driven by a firm commitment to getting closer to its fans all over the world by linking up with leading companies in every domain.

Zain Sudan Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Elfatih M. Erwa welcomed this groundbreaking agreement between Zain Sudan and LaLiga which is going to give the opportunity for the Sudanese people to have different experience of the Spanish football.

“Africa has a huge potential for growth and is a very important continent for us. Working with Zain Sudan will help us to achieve our goal of consolidating our position in Africa. Working with a telecommunications company will help LaLiga to connect directly with fans,” said Gregory Bolle, LaLiga’s Head of Global Partnership.

“We are the best league in the world and once again we are creating partnerships to move as close as we can to our fans all over the world,” added Maria Barberá.

“We hope that this partnership will support the Sudanese ongoing efforts to return Sudan to excellence in football and sports, Sudan is one of the four founding members of CAF which was born on February 8, 1957 in Khartoum. Sports and football in particular have always helped in uniting the Sudanese people, this partnership ties well with Zain Sudan objective of developing youth and provide them with the opportunities to keep up with what happening in the world,” added Zain Sudan Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Elfatih M. Erwa.

The two institutions will also collaborate in areas such as marketing, commercial promotion and social media, and on corporate social responsibility activities through the LaLiga Foundation.

Formula 1 Powerboat racing set to return to London in 2018

Formula 1 Powerboat racing is set to return to the River Thames for the first time in 30 years.

Chinese sports promotional company Tianrong Sports has announced that they will host a Grand Prix around London’s Royal Victoria Docks in June 2018.

The event will feature 24 drivers, with racing speeds of up to 140mph. The London Grand Prix will form part of the F1H20 World Championship season that includes races in Abu Dhabi, Miami and Harbin, China.

Li Haojie, chairman of Tianrong Sports, said: “London has a great sporting tradition and was a natural choice to showcase Formula 1 Powerboat racing.

“We look forward to the opportunity to expand our global fan base in London and give spectators the chance to experience one of the most electrifying live sporting events in the world.”

Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK.

International Surfing Association secures television deal with Eleven Sports

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has secured a new television deal with global broadcaster Eleven Sports, which will see multiple World Championships event highlights broadcast in the USA, Belgium, Luxembourg, Singapore and Chinese Taipei.

The deal was struck with the support of the ISA’s media distribution partner, Broadreach Media, and will continue the ISA’s drive to grow the visibility and reach of world class surfing events for national teams around the world, following the landmark decision to include Surfing on the Olympic Sports Programme for Tokyo 2020, and will see elite Surfing and SUP competition broadcast in new territories.

ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said: “We are delighted to partner with Eleven Sports to bring exposure and visibility to ISA events in new territories and regions of the world. Following on from our landmark inclusion on to the Olympic Programme for Tokyo 2020, our sport has continued to benefit from increased interest and attention from broadcast media and we’re very pleased to welcome Eleven Sports to the global surfing family.

“We are excited to be showcasing our sport’s high performance and youthful energy to new and global audiences, and offering a glimpse to those around the world of the unique atmosphere we will be bringing to Tokyo 2020.”

Danny Menken, Group Managing Director, Eleven Sports, added: “We are very pleased to add more top international content across multiple markets from a contemporary sport at the forefront of youth engagement such as Surfing.

“We are committed to providing great content for millennial viewers that they can relate to and feel a part of. Our partnership with the ISA helps us achieve this goal and we are looking forward to working with them to grow their reach and fanbase across our markets.”

As part of the agreement, Eleven Sports will broadcast highlights of the following events:

  • 2017 ISA World Surfing Games, 21-28 May 2017, Biarritz France
  • 2017 ISA World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship: 1-10 September 2017, Vorupør & Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 2017 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship: 23 September – 1 October, Hyuga, Japan
  • 2017 ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship: 30 November – 3 December, La Jolla, California, USA

Betway agrees three-year deal to become Werder Bremen’s official betting partner

Betway has signed a three-year deal to become the official betting partner of Bundesliga club Werder Bremen.

Already a betting partner of four Bundesliga 2 outfits – St. Pauli, Union Berlin, Eintracht Braunschweig, Dynamo Dresden – the leading online bookmaker has extended its involvement in German football by tying up a deal with Alexander Nouri’s side, who finished eighth last term.

The new agreement is part of Betway’s commitment to drive brand awareness with major football teams across Europe, plus its high-profile status in the UK where it has been the principle sponsor of West Ham United since 2015.

Christian Rauhut, Sales Director of Werder Bremen, said: “Betway are one of the leading online bookmakers in Europe and we’re trhilled to be partnering with them.

“It emphasizes the power of our brand that Betway have selected Werder Bremen as a partner, as they take the next step in the highest German league.We are really excited about the co-operation.”

Betway’s Anthony Werkman, Marketing and Operations Director, said: “We are really happy to announce our latest partnership with Werder Bremen. The Bundesliga is at the forefront of world football and we’re delighted to be a part of it.

“With a number of football sponsorships in place, the season ahead is a very exciting one for us. We’re very much looking forward to increasing our involvement in German football, especially with a top club like Bremen as they head into the 2017-18 campaign.”

Exhibition booths snapped up for Sport Accord 2018

Just over six weeks after registration opened for the SportAccord Convention set to take place at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Thailand from 15 – 20 April 2018, over twenty organisations have already signed-up for the #SAC2018 exhibition with many more organisations about to sign.

The only annual sports business convention where all the international sport federations (IFs) are guaranteed to attend, these exhibitors include six international sport federations as well as ten cities and regions.

Showcasing Melbourne as the “Ultimate Sports City” at the SAC2017 exhibition in Aarhus Denmark, Damien de Bohun, General Manager of Major Events at Visit Victoria, said: “Melbourne is the sports capital and has sport in its DNA, we have wonderful people who run great sporting events, incredible facilities and a great city. When it’s
all said and done, people just love coming to Melbourne and love enjoying the sport that we host.”

International sport federations, cities, and any organisation involved in the business of sport, can book an exhibition booth online or discuss their requirements and options with the sales team (sales@sportaccordconvention.com).

The SportAccord Convention format for 2018 has been designed to increase networking opportunities for both exhibitors and delegates with access to the conference auditorium and official meeting rooms via the Exhibition Zone which are all on one level.

Exhibitors will also have access to the SAC networking mobile app to contact delegates, arrange meetings, and keep up-to- date with the latest news at the Convention.

Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention, said: “The SportAccord Convention exhibition is always a popular draw and sells out year-on- year and with over 20 exhibitors already signed-up, this is a great start.

“With no price increase for 2018, having more featured zones as well as more booths facing directly onto a bigger SAC Café, we’re expecting the exhibition to sell-out even sooner.

“Everyone with a vested interest in sport is here under one roof at SportAccord Convention and exhibitors see SportAccord Convention as an opportunity to connect with sporting business leaders.

“It goes without saying, having a booth enables exhibitors to highlight their products, services or sport and in the case of cities and regions, an exhibition booth provides a meeting point for international federations and sponsors to discuss future events and opportunities.”

Due to the overwhelming popularity of ‘enhanced’ booths at last year’s Convention, this is the ‘go-to’ booth for #SAC2018 with even more booths being made available. Entry-level booths will start at 6m² and include 4 delegate passes (increasing with booth size), graphics, TV, chairs, table, information counter, Wi-Fi, power, lights and carpet).

Organisations will also be able to purchase floor space and build bespoke booths such as the award-winning FEI booth in 2016 and the outstanding FINA World Championships booths in 2016 and 2017. The exhibition zone will also feature a special ‘Thai Pavilion’ to include local Thai attractions.

Registration for SportAccord Convention 2018 is open and organisations are encouraged to take advantage of the limited number of early-bird delegate passes on offer at CHF1,500 (a saving of CHF1, 000).

Exhibitors are also encouraged to take advantage of the preferential rates negotiated with Official Logistics Provider DB Schenker who have partnered with SportAccord Convention for many years, for the transportation of booths and marketing materials to Bangkok. Please refer to this news story to connect to the DB Schenker team responsible for Bangkok.

The SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit provides a unique platform for Leaders from international federations and industry to meet and discuss the business of sport. The annual 6-day summit also includes an extensive Conference programme, and is host to all the Stakeholder General Assemblies attended by their Members. The Convention also offers many other social and networking opportunities as part of its Official Schedule.

For media enquiries, please email Jenny Edmondson, Media Relations Officer: jenny.edmondson@sportaccordconvention.com

GB Athletics and USA to inaugurate new athletics competition

GB Athletics and USA Track & Field (USATF) have announced that they will battle each other in a new format, one-day athletics competition next year.

‘The Meet’ will take place on Saturday 21st July 2018 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London.

The fresh, fast-paced format is designed to appeal to new audiences as the sport seeks new ways to engage with younger fans.

The competition will last a total of two hours and will feature a series of running, jumping, hurdles and relay events. Athletes will compete and score points for their respective countries in nine events.

Niels de Vos, Chief Executive officer, British Athletics, said of the event launch: “’The Meet’ will provide audiences with a fantastic head-to-head match between British Athletics and USA Track & Field, and promises to be one of the biggest events in athletics in 2018.

“We are delighted to host Team USATF here in London, in an event that will excite spectators in the best athletics stadium in the world.

“This event will thrill a whole new generation of athletics fans who have attended the London Stadium in their hundreds of thousands for the Muller Anniversary Games, World Para Athletics Championships and IAAF World Championships. Fans can register their interest in attending this fantastic new event now via the British Athletics website.”

USATF CEO Max Siegel said: “USATF is thrilled to collaborate and innovate with British Athletes on ‘The Meet’. Team competition captures the attention of fans in a way that brings excitement, attention and focus to our sport. ‘The Meet’ will bring track and field back to the future by reviving dual-meet team competition in a way that caters to modern fans.”

Specific format and participants will be announced in early 2018.

ATP launches new PlayerZone to enhance digital experience for players

ATP, the governing body of men’s professional tennis, in association with Infosys, a global leader in consulting, technology and next-generation services, today announced the launch of a new ‘PlayerZone’ app and website.

The revamped PlayerZone, an extranet portal for ATP players, allows users to engage with each other and access information across a wide range of operational aspects related to life on Tour.

The PlayerZone is developed with best-in-class technology to be intuitive and more convenient, offering biometric login on the app. It also provides information on tournament entries and withdrawals, automated updates on match scheduling and results, rules and regulations, all the way to hotel information, transportation and visa requirements.

Besides simplifying the life of players on Tour, PlayerZone will also feature new prize money and tax data to ease tracking of earnings and facilitate compliance.

The new app will increase engagement with the next generation of players, provide a central portal of information as players’ progress through different stages of their career, as well as offer a forum to engage with the players’ support teams in a private and secure digital environment.

“The ATP World Tour is a truly global business, taking place in over 30 countries across six continents, and with players from over 100 countries,” said Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman & President.

“We live in a world where immediacy and connectivity are integral to the success of our daily operations. With that in mind, we’re delighted to launch the new PlayerZone, in partnership with Infosys, which will not only greatly enhance our direct communication with our players and their support teams, but also help players navigate the demands of everyday life on Tour in the most efficient way possible.”

Rajesh Murthy, president of Infosys, added: “Over the last two years, innovation has been a key part of the Infosys-ATP partnership. It started with re-imagining 25 years of tennis data and 12 million data points, and today we are using best in class digital technology to power the PlayerZone portal.

“We are delighted to have successfully launched this portal, a first in the digital space in the sports industry for us. This was no mean task as players have specific requirements, and the ATP has numerous rules which needed to be incorporated.

“As part of our partnership, we developed a joint vision for ATP to become one of the most innovative and digitalized sporting organizations in the world and we are excited to be enabling them in this time of change.”

Tottenham Hotspur announces Leagoo as official mobile partner

Tottenham Hotspur today announced that LEAGOO, a China-based smartphone and technology provider, will become the club’s Official Mobile Phone Partner for five years from the start of the 2017-2018 season.

The partnership was launched at Hotspur Way. Johnson Zhuang, CEO of LEAGOO was joined by Tottenham Hotspur first-team players Harry Kane, Victor Wanyama, Eric Dier and Kieran Trippier for an official announcement.

The club’s continued international growth is a key attraction for LEAGOO as it looks to increase awareness of its business across China and South-East Asia, as well as other key markets in the Middle East and North Africa.

As part of the partnership, LEAGOO will have a presence at Tottenham Hotspur’s home matches, on the club’s digital channels and will create stylish co-branded smart phones and accessories that Spurs fans across the world will have the opportunity to purchase.

Fran Jones, Head of Partnerships of Tottenham Hotspur, said: “We are delighted to bring such an exciting and ambitious company as LEAGOO on board as a partner.

“We look forward to working with them in the long-term to help grow their presence across the world, particularly in Asia, an area where the Club continues to increase in popularity.”

Johnson Zhuang, CEO of LEAGOO added: “We are proud to become an official partner of Tottenham Hotspur; a club with an extensive worldwide fan base that will provide us with the opportunity to widen our reach.

“We are looking forward to working with Spurs and we are also excited to create a new handset for the Club and its supporters.”