NFL rolls out enhanced ‘Game Pass’ OTT service across Europe

Ahead of the 2017 season, a newly enhanced NFL Game Pass subscription streaming service is rolling out across Europe.

It will stream every NFL game live in HD with fully-integrated, real-time game data and statistics and new multi-stream capabilities that allow fans to watch on as many as five devices simultaneously.

The new multi-stream option is one of dozens of enhancements and features created using extensive fan research and feedback for NFL Game Pass.

“NFL Game Pass has become the destination for our avid NFL fans outside the United States who look to connect with the sport they love when, how and where they want,” said Michael Markovich, Vice President of International Media & Business Development for the NFL.

“Digital engagement – both streaming and on-demand – is a key connection point for the NFL and our fans and will become increasingly important as we look to grow the NFL fan base in Europe and beyond. We are excited to work with OverTier to take the Game Pass business to the next level.”

In addition to all the live action, fans will have access to the 24/7 home of the NFL, NFL Network, as well as NFL RedZone which brings fans live look-ins to every touchdown and all the big moments from every Sunday afternoon game across the NFL and hundreds of hours of on-demand shows, series and specials including the award-winning NFL Films productions A Football Life and Hard Knocks.

NFL Game Pass in Europe is licensed by OverTier; a joint venture between Bruin Sports Capital and WPP, in partnership with the NFL.

Andrew Parsons appointed as new International Paralympic Committee President

Andrew Parson was elected as the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) new President today, 8 September, following the voting at the 18th IPC General Assembly in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Parsons was chosen ahead of fellow presidential candidates Patrick Jarvis, John Petersson and Haidi Zhang. He succeeds Sir Philip Craven who stood down after 16 years in the role.

“I am absolutely delighted and I don’t know what to say. I would like to thank the IPC membership for their trust” said Parsons, who becomes the third President in IPC’s history.“

“Throughout my campaign, I think I have explained what I plan to do as IPC President and the membership understood and gave me their support. Now it is time to roll up the sleeves and work really hard with the membership and the new Governing Board.”

For the role of vice president, Duane Kale was elected in a close race which 160 members voted in. The New Zealand four-time Paralympic champion polled 81 votes while John Petersson polled 79.

“It is a little bit surreal but I am elated. It will take time to sink in,” said Kale. “This has to be one of the most wonderful things to happen to me life-wise. I am very emotional.

“I am really looking forward to working with the new President. I think we will make a fantastic team and I think that is important for the Movement.”

The President was elected by secret ballot by the IPC membership which is made up of National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, International Organisations for the Disabled and Regional Organisations.

In the first round, 162 members voted and Parsons secured 84 votes, having needed an absolute majority of 82 to win.

“Going forward the relationship with the IOC is going to be key. We have some very important decisions ahead; sport is at a difficult moment at this time and we have many things in common that we have to fight for,” Parsons added.

“It is fundamental that we work together, co-operate and I am sure we will do that.”

Brighton & Hove Albion announce JD as first ever shirt sleeve sponsor

Sports fashion retailer JD have become the first shirt sleeve sponsor of Brighton & Hove Albion as the south coast club take part in their first ever season in the Premier League.

JD’s logo will feature on the left sleeve of Albion’s home, alternate and third kits, with this season being the first where top flight clubs can create brand partnerships to advertise on player shirt sleeves.

The JD logo will feature on the sleeve for the first time when the Seagulls host West Bromwich Albion this weekend on the south coast.

Albion Chief Executive Paul Barber said: “This is another exciting partnership for the club and we are delighted to welcome JD as our first ever shirt sleeve sponsor in the Premier League.

“JD is an instantly recognisable brand amongst football fans and we are looking forward to seeing their logo on our shirts for the first time this Saturday. They join our list of high-profile partners at the club, and we are excited to be working with them over the coming season.”

JD Group Marketing Director Stephen White added: “JD are delighted to become their first shirt sleeve partner of Brighton & Hove Albion. Off the pitch JD lives on the shoulders of our customers across the UK through our iconic duffle bag and we hope to have the same effect with the Seagulls’ shirt sleeve.

“Through our partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion, we’ll be a major part of their debut season in the Premier League and connect with fans in the city and beyond.”

JD will receive a host of marketing rights around the American Express Community Stadium, online and social. The sports retailer have a heavy presence in Sussex with stores in Brighton, Worthing, Horsham, Eastbourne, Crawley and Bognor Regis and will look to closely integrate their brand on a local level throughout the season.

Eurosport expands Guinness PRO14 broadcast partnership

Eurosport today announced it has secured the rights to show this season’s Guinness PRO14 in 62 countries and territories across Europe and Discovery-owned Rugbypass and Setanta in Asia.

Now in its second season as a broadcast partner of the competition, the agreement will see Eurosport and Eurosport Player show all home and selected away games – if locally produced – featuring Italian teams in the Guinness PRO14, underlining its strategy to showcasing premium content exclusively live for millions of passionate sports fans.

Eurosport Italia will have exclusive rights to the competition.

The 2017-18 season kicked off last weekend (1 September) with Eurosport showing Munster’s defeat of Benetton Rugby in Cork and will continue this weekend when Benetton host Ulster. Eurosport will also broadcast Scarlets’ trip to the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi to take on Zebre on Sunday.

Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton said: “At Eurosport we are committed to giving our viewers the very best in premium sporting content and we are thrilled to once again be a part of the Guinness PRO14 after coming on board last season for the first time.

“We have had a taste of this competition already and were royally entertained and we cannot wait to build on what we delivered last season by adding the option to watch games on the Eurosport Player. The expansion of the Championship into South Africa brings a truly unique dynamic to the Guinness PRO14.”

Martin Anayi, CEO of PRO14 Rugby, said: “To have Discovery Eurosport on board once again is fantastic news for our fans in Italy as well as across Europe and Asia. As a broadcast partner we were delighted to see what Eurosport could bring to the table during the last campaign.

“This year, Eurosport will broadcast even more games to supporters across Europe and Asia and we’re particularly excited that Guinness PRO14 games will be made available on the Eurosport Player. From a digital perspective sports fans are incredibly savvy and they are pushing the market to deliver more and more products like the Eurosport Player and it’s great to know that fans in over 60 countries will be able to access that.”

Birmingham chosen over Liverpool to lead England’s bid for Commonwealth Games 2022

Birmingham has today been chosen over Liverpool for England’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has backed the West Midlands city, whose plan to create the UK’s largest permanent athletics stadium was central to its bid.

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: “While both bids were of high quality, Birmingham’s bid was considered particularly strong on its management of risk, its high quality existing venue infrastructure and its plans for a long term sporting legacy.

“The government will look at the final bid proposal from Birmingham and decide if a formal bid will be submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation.

“We need to be completely satisfied that the bid offers overall value for money from hosting the Games and that a strong economic and sporting legacy can be delivered from it.”

Ian Ward, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bid Committee, has welcomed the decision: “This is a great endorsement by the UK Government of Birmingham’s credentials to host the Games and recognition of the city’s resolve to deliver a memorable event.

“We appreciate that it was a very close decision and that Liverpool pushed us all the way with a very compelling proposal. This is not the end of the journey and we look forward to working with the Government as it makes its final decision to support a UK Candidate City.”

Victoria Square in Birmingham City Centre showing the Council House and the River artwork by Dhruva Mistry.

Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands, added: “The regional support of the Midlands was a key determining factor and I want to thank all those regional agencies and organisations that have worked hard over the last six months to get us to this position. We will make the Commonwealth proud.”

Malaysian city Kuala Lumpur is expected to be Birmingham’s main rival. Durban was initially awarded the event in 2015 but the Commonwealth Games Federation stripped the South African city of the right to host in March.

Five top class London venues for networking focused Betting on Sports

Betting on Sports 2017 (12-15 September) will deliver an unrivalled source of networking and business opportunities across five top class London venues.

Starting with a pre-registration event at Hilton Olympia Hotel on Tuesday 12 September, which includes networking drinks and Champions League football, #boscon2017 delegates can take advantage of the full industry gathering with numerous opportunities to learn from the brightest minds, generate new business leads and reignite existing relationships.

Following the first full day at Olympia Conference Centre on Wednesday 13 September, a venue chosen in part for its lively 1,768 sqm networking and exhibition area, there will be networking drinks from 16:30 to 19:00 before the 1,200 senior executives in attendance move on to one of two spectacular capital city venues.

The world-class Altitude 360, located on the 29th floor of Westminster’s tallest building, has been selected as the host venue for the official networking party on Wednesday 13 September, while Skyloft, another of the amazing Altitude London venues in Millbank Tower, has also been booked by SBC Events for its renowned dinners on the same night.

It’s back to Olympia for the second full day on Thursday 14 September, where delegates can continue to execute an organised networking and conference schedule via the official Betting on Sports app, available for download via iOS and Android (Please note: Download links only work on your phone). There is no need to chase people up if you’ve set aside meeting times and places with the right people for your business, all from your mobile phone.

The fifth and final venue for this year’s event will be Under the Bridge, a nightclub positioned underneath Stamford Bridge, the home of reigning Premier League champions Chelsea FC. Roman Abramovich’s favourite London venue, recently refurbished at a cost of £30 million, will host the official closing party on Thursday 14 September.

Mark McGuinness, Chief Marketing Officer at BetOlimp, said: “Betting on Sports is the only go-to marquee event for sports betting globally. Full stop. It’s a must attend event.”

Riccardo Mittiga, CEO at ASAP Italia, added: “It’s the best opportunity in the UK to meet the leaders in the betting and sports industry for networking and business opportunities.”

Right now, tickets for the event are available at a fantastic 25% Group Discount when buying 3 or more – get them HERE.

Tottenham reveal plans for ‘world-first’ dividing retractable pitch at new stadium

Tottenham Hotspur have revealed the dividing retractable pitch they plan to install at their new stadium.

Sheffield engineering specialist SCX has been selected to supply the pitch at the “ground-breaking” arena.

The fully retractable grass surface will be used for football fixtures while the artificial pitch underneath will be capable of staging NFL matches, music concerts and a wide range of other events.

Matthew Collecott, Director of Operations & Finance, Tottenham Hotspur, said: “We are pleased to confirm SCX as our official Retractable Pitch Supplier.

“SCX has a proven track record in delivering innovative solutions and this bespoke pitch mechanism will allow our new stadium to host a range of major events in addition to Tottenham Hotspur matches, as we strive to create a venue that is a hive of activity all year round.”

SCX’s has implemented similar engineering technology to win contracts for the retractable roofs at both Centre Court and Number One Court at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon.

SCX managing director Simon Eastwood said: “We have a solid reputation for problemsolving in bespoke circumstances that involve moving and lifting huge structures at sporting venues. All of the mechanical and control system engineering skills are in-house and genuinely world class.”

Danny Pickard, SCX’s lead engineer, added: “Our expertise and heritage enables us to push the boundaries of moving structures and precision engineering.

“This latest pitch technology embodies everything we strive for and care about – delivering precisely what the client needs, with the engineering flair that has become a hallmark of SCX. We are so very proud to deliver this engineering world first.”

GAISF launches new logo and brand identity

GAISF, the Global Association of International Sports Federations, has unveiled a vibrant new logo and fresh brand-style marking the beginning of a new chapter in its history.

The new logo was commissioned following the unanimous decision of members at the General Assembly in Aarhus to change the name of the organisation from SportAccord to GAISF.

After considering designs from a number of leading agencies, the brief was awarded to José Miguel Tortajada Aguilar, the highly regarded Barcelona-based designer whose work for many well-known brands has won leading international advertising industry awards.

His simple but highly effective design makes a powerful impact and instantly identifies the organisation – the prime purpose of any logo.

GAISF President Patrick Baumann said: “In a world of instant communication there’s more truth than ever in the saying that ‘you never get a second chance to make a first impression’ and I think this really hits the mark!

“The new brand identity represents the beginning of a new era for GAISF but it is important to remember that the changes in our organisation go beyond the visual to the very heart of our mission.

“I believe GAISF today has a clear sense of purpose and is structured, organised and resourced in a way that makes it even more effective as a service provider to members at a time of great change in the world of sport and beyond.”

Designer José Miguel Tort Jada Aguilar explained his aim was to create a logo which is striking, memorable and practical for use in all situations and in many types of media.

“GAISF is a truly global organisation which represents bodies with members on every continent. It is also an organisation which is entirely focused on its role and mission in international sport.

“The logo reflects that globality and sense of purpose. It is built around the simplicity of the GAISF acronym but rendered in colours which reflect the wide world of sport. These will be familiar to the Olympic Movement and recognise the inclusion and importance of the non-Olympic sports which are GAISF members.”

Sam Jones named CEO of OverTier

Sam Jones has today been named CEO of OverTier, the joint venture between Bruin Sports Capital and WPP that runs the NFL’s OTT business throughout Europe.

The venture was formed earlier this year as part of a strategic, long-term agreement with the NFL to lead the expansion of NFL Game Pass throughout Europe, a key driver for the league’s International growth strategy.

Jones said: “Bruin and WPP have built an organisation that will lead the change in how we watch live sports, informing the future of TV over the next five years.

“The NFL is an iconic and data driven sport which is perfectly placed to lead all others in the OTT experience for its fans. I’m proud to lead OverTier and the team into a hugely exiting and high growth future.”

George Pyne, CEO of Bruin Sports Capital, added: “Sam is a visionary with an outstanding track record of shaping businesses to capitalize on consumer demand across all digital channels to become long-term growth enterprises.

“His acute perspective on the nexus of the shifting tides of digital consumption and entertainment will be a driving force in taking the NFL Game Pass to completely new horizons. We are proud to have him on the team.”

NFL Game Pass debuts this week, having been completely reimagined by Jones, the leadership team, the NFL, Deltatre, Two Circles, MEC and Ogilvy.

iSportconnect adds Alfredo Bermejo, Steve Carter and Roberto Rosetti to Lausanne Summit lineup

iSportconnect is delighted to confirm that three additional guest speakers have been added to the lineup for the Lausanne Summit on September 27. The event will be held at the Olympic Museum.

Alfredo Bermejo, Head of Digital Strategy at LaLiga, Steve Carter, Managing Director at Hawk-Eye and Roberto Rosetti, Retired World Cup & Champions League referee, will take part in a series of presentations and panel discussions, offering delegates a unique insight into the sports industry.

Already confirmed to speak at the event are Etienne Thobois, CEO of the Paris 2024 Bid Committee, Balázs Fürjes, Government Commissioner for Major Budapest Developments, Marisol Casado, International Triathlon Union President & IOC Member, Ben Morel, MD & Sr Vice President EMEA at National Basketball Association, Patrick Baumann, President of the International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission, Paul Barber, Chief Executive at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Peter Hutton, Chief Executive Officer at Eurosport, Guy-Laurent Epstein, Marketing Director at UEFA, Jeff Haas, Chief International Officer at DraftKings, Claude Ruibal, Executive Director at Infront Sports & Media AG, Timo Lumme, TV & Marketing Director at IOC, Lorenzo Stoll, Vice President at SWISS Executive Committee and Ralf Reichert, CEO at eSports company ESL.

David Dellea, Head of Sport Business Advisory at PwC, will also present attendees with the results of PwC’s Sports Survey 2017. Ornella Desirée Bellia, Head of Legal Affairs at the Association of European Professional Football Leagues, will act as a moderator.

The event’s content programme will bring together an elite group of leaders from premier rights owners and other sports industry stakeholders to discuss and debate issues impacting the future of the global sports business. Topics are set to include the struggling image of sport, the challenge of hosting major events and digital disruption.

The Summit represents a breakthrough opportunity for top-tier executives in the Olympic Capital to experience and enjoy the superb learning and networking benefits of iSportconnect’s exclusive invitation-only events.

Content programme:

Panel 1 The image of sport: irreparably damaged?

The connection between the image of sport and the brands associated with it is critically important. With the reputation of sport under pressure on various fronts, this relationship has become increasingly strained. Where do rights holders, brands and other stakeholders in the world of sport stand on this issue of huge strategic importance?

Panel 2 The challenge of hosting major events

In times of austerity, the competition between cities to host major events is not what it used to be. At the same time, the potential impact of hosting can be difficult to resist. Where does the balance lie? How can event organisers and cities find a better path to staging their events while serving the needs of cities?

Panel 3 Never-ending digital disruption: what’s next?

How do sports organisations plan and thrive in an environment where the old media models are fractured and it is close to impossible to predict the next big thing to engage consumers?

The format of the Summit will differ to our traditional Directors’ Club events. Proceedings will last for a full day and feature a combination of panels and interviews with 100 plus senior executives in attendance.

Confirmed guest speaker list:

Ben Morel, MD & Sr Vice President EMEA at National Basketball Association

Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary-General, President of the Global Association of International Sports Federations and Chairman of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Paul Barber, Chief Executive Officer at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club

Peter Hutton, Chief Executive Officer at Eurosport

Guy-Laurent Epstein, Marketing Director at UEFA

Jeff Haas, Chief International Officer at DraftKings

Marisol Casado, International Triathlon Union President and IOC Member

Claude Ruibal, Executive Director at Infront Sports & Media AG

David Dellea, Head of Sport Business Advisory at PwC

Timo Lumme, TV & Marketing Director at IOC

Lorenzo Stoll, Vice President at SWISS Executive Committee

Ralf Reichert, CEO at ESL

Etienne Thobois, CEO of the Paris 2024 Bid Committee

Balázs Fürjes, Government Commissioner for Major Budapest Developments

Steve Carter, Managing Director at Hawk-Eye

Alfredo Bermejo, Head of Digital Strategy at LaLiga

Roberto Rosetti, Retired World Cup & Champions League referee

Further speaker announcements will be confirmed in due course.

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

In partnership with world leading professional service firm PwC’s Sports Business Advisory Practice and with the support of ThinkSport