Eleven Sports secure exclusive broadcast rights to Laver Cup in Belgium and Luxembourg

Global sports provider Eleven Sports has secured live and exclusive rights to the inaugural Laver Cup in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The new three-day tennis tournament will see team Europe take on a team from the rest of the world at the O2 arena, Prague, from 22-24 September 2017. Each team will be comprised of six of the world’s best players including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, John Isner and Nick Kyrgios.

They will be led by team captains; Björn Borg (Europe) and John McEnroe (USA).

“The Laver Cup is an innovative concept and we are looking forward to working with the organisers to help unlock the potential and develop the reach of this exciting event among sports fans in Belgium and Luxembourg,” said Danny Menken, Group Managing Director, Eleven Sports.

“This is a fantastic addition to our very strong offer and a wonderful opportunity to showcase more thrilling sport in countries where Tennis is very popular.”

The location of the Laver Cup will rotate between Europe and the rest of the world cities each year. In 2018 the event will be played in the USA.

Eleven Sports subscribers in Belgium and Luxembourg will have access to every match from the 2017 Laver Cup in addition to several ATP 250 tennis events, premium football action including La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1, world-class MMA from UFC and Cage Warriors and other sports that are popular in the local market including Euro Hockey League, Champions League Handball, Premier League Darts and the World Cup of Darts.

Singapore extends contract to host Formula One night race until 2021

Formula 1 has today announced together with Singapore GP Pte Ltd and Singapore Tourism Board that the Singapore Grand Prix will continue to be part of the motorsport’s calendar for four more years.

The new deal will run from 2018 to 2021 and is set to continue to be complemented by a strong line-up of entertainment and lifestyle offerings within the circuit and throughout the city.

Singapore’s night race has become one of the most attractive dates on Formula One’s calendar, having secured year-on-year 19% growth in ticket sales since its inception in 2008.

Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO, Formula 1, said: “The Singapore Grand Prix is a signature Formula 1 race and therefore we are very pleased that it will continue to feature on the calendar for a further four years.

“The first ever night race in this sport is one of the most thrilling events of the year, taking place against the stunning backdrop of Marina Bay.

“The Singapore Grand Prix, the Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Government have all done an excellent job of making this an event that involves the whole city. We are looking forward to offering our continued support to make the next four years even more spectacular and exciting.”

WATCH: Murray Barnett, Head of Global Sponsorship & Commercial Partnerships at F1, discusses the organisation’s plans for the future

S. Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), added: “The F1 Singapore Grand Prix has generated significant benefits for our economy as well as the Formula 1 franchise. With its global viewership and media coverage, the race has reinforced Singapore’s image as a vibrant and innovative city to a wide international audience.

“It has also created good opportunities for Singaporeans and the local business community. We look forward to the continued support of all Singaporeans as we work with Formula 1, Singapore GP, and all stakeholders, to ensure the F1 Singapore Grand Prix remains an event that we can all be proud of.”

Mr. Ong Beng Seng, Singapore GP, said: “Since 2008 we have enjoyed a close working relationship with Formula 1 and all of its key players. We believe this has been a beneficial partnership for all parties, for our city and for the sport, and we look forward to building on that foundation with F1’s new owners.”

Vice Media agrees NBA digital programming deal

Vice Sports has agreed a deal with the NBA to produce original digital programming about the professional sport.

Vice’s sports channel is set to produce a number of projects that will be targeted towards an international audience.

The first original series will be titled ‘The Way We Ball’, featuring home courts where current star players began their careers.

“The NBA has done a great job of positioning itself at the forefront of global sports, both on and off the court,” said Vice Sports publisher Will Kiersky.

“As we continue to expand our content offering in the sports space, it’s an incredibly exciting league to partner and grow with. Exploring global youth culture and sports through the lens of NBA players will make an amazing series.”

Jeff Marsilio, VP global media distribution at the NBA, added: “We’ve already begun shooting and feel that this is exactly the type of content that will engage existing fans while attracting a new wave of basketball lovers.”

New Balance becomes official kit supplier to FC Rubin Kazan

New Balance has today announced that it has agreed a deal to become the official kit supplier of FC Rubin Kazan.

The agreement includes match and training kits for both the team and coaches, with the new range set to be officially unveiled later this month.

New Balance also has partnerships with a number of prestigious European clubs including Liverpool, Celtic, Porto and Sevilla.

Richard Wright, New Balance Global Football General Manager, said: “New Balance, as a brand, is growing globally and plans to become one of the top three athletic brands in the world.

“New Balance performance products are utilised by top athletes in athletics, football, tennis, cricket, baseball, ice hockey and other sports.

“We believe that a technical sponsorship contract with FC Rubin Kazan will be the first step in the development of the New Balance football culture in Russia and will also contribute into further global brand expansion in Football.”

Rustam Sayakhov, General Manager of FC Rubin Kazan, added: “FC Rubin Kazan is happy to work with such a strong global sports brand such as New Balance. There have been several changes in the club recently, including in the technical sponsorship area.

“Every detail matters when ambitious targets are set, and the club needs to win. We are confident that, with the new structure and with the high quality of New Balance match and training kits, we will have every chance to meet our goals in the coming football season.”

Wildmoka announces new partnership with MBC GROUP

Wildmoka today announced a new partnership with MBC GROUP, the largest and leading private multimedia company in the Middle East & North Africa region.

MBC selected Wildmoka for its next- generation, live video editing and publishing platform. MBC will use Wildmoka’s ‘Moments Studio’ platform to instantly clip and edit highlights from live broadcasts, and publish them to social media.

MBC GROUP owns various leading online digital platforms like SHAHID #1 Premium Arabic VOD service in the World, mbc.net the #1 local entertainment portal in MENA among many others in addition to their 20 television channels, and a very significant social media footprint, it is already quite advanced on digital topics.

“We started investing time and resources in the middle-east region earlier this year,” said Cristian Livadiotti, co-founder at Wildmoka.

“We discovered a region with very advanced technologies and platforms, and a strong push towards digital. The partnership with MBC is one of our first in MENA, and the stepping stone for our growth in the region.”

Thomas Menguy, co-founder, added: “Interacting with MBC team has been a pleasure. They are very professional and their workflow and processes are very advanced. We’re very proud that one of our first customers in the region is the largest media company of this area.”

Fadel Zahreddine, Group Director of Brand Management & Digital Businesses, said: “At MBC, we are at the forefront of adopting new trends, with the steadfast aim at getting closer to our users on all available platforms.

“The choice is a clear one for us in that our digital strategy has always been about offering instant publishing and live clipping as an essential and scalable solution in today’s digital publishing environment.”

2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup will help attract global clubs to India, says Jaime Yarza, Head of FIFA Tournaments

The 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup kicks off in India later this year – and the eyes of the footballing world will be watching.

Kolkata, Kochi, New Delhi, Navi Mumbai, Guwahati and Margao are all set to host matches as India seeks to establish itself as a major event organiser.

iSportconnect spoke to Head of FIFA Tournaments, Jaime Yarza, to discuss how the tournament, plus improved infrastructure, could help to attract global super clubs.

How will the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India change the face of football?

“Football is closing the gap in the world and many changes are happening in Asia, including China. We can expect that the FIFA U-17 World Cup will have a positive impact on Indian football as a continent of almost 1.4 billion people will be cheering for the beautiful game.

“That’s exactly FIFA’s mission, making sure that football is played in every corner of the globe to inspire a healthier and more active way of life. Sport – and in our case, football – is a guarantee for better people and a better future.

“Additionally, through the Mission XI Million project we are also targeting girls in India – they are also the future of the game. We want India to set an example for future hosts, not only because of the exceptional organisation of the tournament, but also for the development of youth football.”

Do you think the improved infrastructure will attract more global clubs to come and play in India?

“We are convinced that the revamped infrastructure and the commercial opportunities will attract national and global football actors to India.

“The FIFA U-17 World Cup in India will be a great opportunity for club administrators, scouts, football association and confederation officials, plus other football stakeholders to visit India, feel and live the passion of the Indian football community and re-think their future strategies in terms of including India in their plans.”

What have been the biggest challenges faced by FIFA in organising a World Cup in India?

“We have faced different challenges, but nothing that cannot be managed thanks to the assistance of the Indian government, the AIFF and the Local Organising Committee.

“The different legislative systems, the infrastructure, the size of the country, and therefore the transport of the teams and delegates pose challenges. That’s why it’s so rewarding to see all the hard work falling into place to make this World Cup the best U-17 gathering in the history of our sport.

“The very positive outcome of ticket sales and the great response to the Trophy Experience confirm that Indian fans are looking forward to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.”

How good has the commercial response been in India?

“The activation of our partners and local companies – the national supporters – has been overwhelming. Not only their financial involvement, but also all the activities they are implementing to promote the competition.

“Obviously, this is just the start of a fruitful cooperation between private business and commercial partners with the world of football in India. In the years to come, we expect to see more and more commercial entities investing in sport, and especially in football.”

Interview by Shantanu Shrivastava

Populous and Egis’ bid for Paris 2024 Olympic Games venues secures IOC approval

Ambitious plans to transform Paris into an Olympic Park for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were officially approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) when it (IOC) named the French capital as the host of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Populous, the International sports and entertainment design practice, and Egis, the Paris-based, international consultancy, engineering and operation group, were chosen in 2016 to collaborate on the Paris 2024 bid and have provided the necessary technical expertise and assistance required to develop plans for no fewer than 38 Olympic and Paralympic venues spread across Paris.

The winning concept of Paris as an Olympic Park will see Olympic and Paralympic events take place against the spectacular backdrop of Paris’ historic buildings, streets and landmarks including the, Champs Elysees and River Seine as well as beach volleyball at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The Games will build on the history and identity of Paris, as well its experience in hosting the climax of the world-renown Tour de France, to create an unforgettable experience.

The architectural design for both new and temporary venues and facilities will seek to shape and integrate sporting spectacles in the city’s urban landscape whist supporting Paris 2024’s commitment to be the most sustainable Games ever.

As part of the bid, Populous and Egis have worked in association with ISC, a sport and culture consulting agency on plans to ensure the existing venues are ready for the scale and needs of Olympic and Paralympic events.

Populous’ involvement with Paris 2024 takes its overall major events experience to 13 Olympic and 7 Paralympic Games including Sydney 2000, London 2012, and Rio 2016. Populous is also the only firm to have designed 3 main Olympic stadiums. It advises on the full design and delivery spectrum, from assisting bid teams with submissions, helping masterplan the major venues and facilities, to the design of the main stadium and hundreds of temporary venues needed to support modern Games.

Populous Senior Principal Ben Vickery said, “We are proud to have played a part in the successful Paris 2024 bid. Bringing people together to enjoy an unforgettable experience is the overriding ambition of Populous in all that we do and is at the heart of the Paris 2024 vision.

“The city of Paris will be a magnificent Olympic Park and transforming some of the world’s most beautiful and historic sites into temporary stunning stages for sport will provide unforgettable images around the globe.”

Populous Principal Francois Clement said, “Paris is one of the leading cities of the C40 focusing on tackling climate change while improving the health and well being of its citizens. Paris 2024 will share with the world an unforgettable and emotional Olympic and Paralympic Games anchored in the core values and ideals of the IOC.

“Populous was delighted to be part of the team turning Paris into an elegant and connected Olympic Park ,delivering stunning venues in one of the most prestigious World Heritage sites. Under Agenda 2020, Paris 2024 shares the rings of success with LA 2028 for a better Olympics and Paralympics Games in a better world.”

Nicolas Jachiet, Egis Chairman and CEO said, “Our Group is proud to have taken part in this Olympic and Paralympic Bid adventure. Our consulting teams have contributed all their expertise, their anticipation capabilities in technical and organizational issues and their project management know-how to help to bring the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics to Paris.

“Egis is an international group with extensive and long-standing experience in designing major sports complexes and sports events. Thanks to the multiplicity of its skills and its cross specialization processes, Egis is now recognized as a major player in the engineering of stadiums and the organization of major events.”

Crystal Palace FC announces Apollo Tyres partnership

Crystal Palace FC announced today Apollo Tyres as the Official Tyre Partner of the Club.

Throughout the partnership with Crystal Palace, Apollo Tyres will have a significant presence at all the Club’s Premier League and domestic cup matches.

The partnership will also provide Crystal Palace with opportunities to further engage its growing global fan base in India.

Apollo Tyres will run a series of campaigns that will include social media, consumer events and exclusive content to further raise its profile as one of the leading tyre manufacturers.

Barry Webber, Commercial Director, Crystal Palace Football Club, said: “We are excited to welcome Apollo Tyres into our expanding partnership portfolio and to build on our recent high-profile announcements by introducing a leading player in the Tyre Industry.

“The continued rate of growth of the Club’s international fan base and reach around the world, combined with Apollo’s expansion and development into new territories, makes this an ideal platform for both parties to continue this growth.

Everyone at the club is looking forward to taking part in what we are certain will be an exciting partnership and a long and successful relationship with Apollo Tyres.”

Marco Paracciani, Chief Retail & Marketing Officer, Apollo Tyres, said: “This association with Crystal Palace FC is an indication of our growing affiliation with football, which is growing as a sport, and allows us to engage with the large fan following, especially the youth, that this sport enjoys.

“Crystal Palace, with its strong fan following in London and with a growing fan base globally, provides us with the opportunity to have a greater visibility in a key city like London and beyond.

“The EPL is the most watched football league in the world and our increased investments towards this support our global growth strategy perfectly.”

iSportconnect announces Media & Communications Masterclass

iSportconnect is delighted to announce that we will be staging a Media & Communications Masterclass on October 10th 2017 following our successful Brand Marketing Masterclass.

The half-day event will be held at Charles Russells Speechlys‘ offices in London and is set to offer delegates a unique insight into a specialist sector of the sports industry.

The event will be co-ordinated in partnership with Adrian Bevington of Adrian Bevington Sport & PR Ltd.

The content programme will consist of four panels, with a variety of topics set to be debated, dissected and discussed within a relaxed atmosphere. Subjects such as how to lead successful campaigns, the power of digital and media engagement are sure to spark intriguing conversations among high-ranking attendees.

Robert Sullivan, Strategy and Communications Director at The FA, Steve Wilson, Director of Communications and International Relations at ITF and Joanna Manning-Cooper, Director of Digital, Marketing and Communications at RFU, have been confirmed as guest speakers.

There will be ample time for delegates to take part in a series of networking sessions and share experiences and best practices with their distinguished peers.

The Chatham House rule will be strictly adhered to, encouraging a free exchange of ideas.

Further speaker announcements will be confirmed in due course. Please contact Chris Edbrook (chris@isportconnect.com) to register your interest.

Content Programme

Panel 1: Leading a Successful Campaign

Panel 2: Harnessing the Power of Digital

Panel 3: Media and Fan Engagement

Panel 4: Internal Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

HOST PARTNER

EVENT PARTNER

Eurosport secures exclusive UCI World Championships broadcast deal

Eurosport has today announced a new four-year deal with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to cement its position as the Home of Cycling.

The agreement, which runs from 2017 until 2020, will see Eurosport broadcast every major UCI event exclusively in 36 countries and territories in Europe across all disciplines, including the UCI Road World Championships, UCI Track Cycling World Championships and the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships.

Along with its unrivalled coverage of every Grand Tour – the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and the Vuelta a España – Eurosport remains the go-to destination for cycling fans across Europe with over 200 days of live cycling and 2,500 hours of coverage across its channels.

Eurosport’s coverage of UCI events starts on the weekend of 17 September when Slovakian Peter Sagan looks to defend the Rainbow Jersey at the Road World Championships in Bergen, Norway.

Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton said: “We’re thrilled to be able to bring even more world-class cycling action to millions of passionate fans on Eurosport. Eurosport remains the place to be to watch their heroes in action – whether it be on TV, streaming or on-demand via the Eurosport Player.

“After a four-year absence from Eurosport screens, we are delighted to have reached an agreement with the UCI for the next four-year cycle. Along with our enhanced production of events such as the Tour de France, we can continue to claim the mantle of the Home of Cycling.”

Stefan Kuerten, EBU Director of Sports, added: “We are delighted to have helped return the UCI Championships to Eurosport, alongside our EBU Members. Thanks to the extensive coverage provided by Europe’s public service broadcasters and Eurosport, viewers throughout the continent will have more access than ever before to these world-class events.”