Bundesliga partners with Nagra to step up anti-piracy defence

The German Football League (DFL) has agreed a partnership with content protection provider Nagra to help step up its fight against illegal streams of Bundesliga fixtures.

The governing body will use Nagra’s services during the 2017/18 season to deter the illicit sharing of video of first and second division games.

Frédéric Guitard, Vice President Anti-Piracy at Nagra, said: “Piracy today takes on many different forms, in particular with plug-and-play, Kodi add-on-based devices capable of streaming content to the big screen. A new approach is required to fight illegal online content distribution and return viewers to the legitimate video value chain.

“We are excited to partner with DFL and provide them with the latest tools and strategies to limit the impact of piracy on their business and preserve their content investment.

“Nagra’s unique combination of forensic watermarking, takedown capabilities, technical countermeasures, legal actions and global network provides DFL with the right foundation to beat piracy at its source.”

The news follows the Premier League successfully obtaining a High Court Order that will require UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block servers that host illegal streams of matches.

Aleksander Ceferin reflects on first year of UEFA Presidency

Celebrating the first anniversary of his UEFA Presidency, Aleksander Ceferin casts an eye back on some of the most significant accomplishments he has overseen at the helm of European football’s governing body and looks forward to the challenges ahead.

Ceferin was elected as the new president of UEFA in 2016, beating Michael van Praag in the race to succeed Michel Platini.

UEFA’s chief already has clear priorities for his second year in charge, ranging from understanding how to identify the best ways to reach a competitive balance among clubs and strengthening Financial Fair Play.

Q: How would you describe your first year in office?

A: You know I honestly can’t believe that a year has already passed! It was so intense, with so much work and so many trips… I have to say that it was a very rewarding year and I am really pleased with what this organisation has accomplished in the last 12 months.

From governance reforms to improvement of our relationship with key stakeholders to structural changes at UEFA, a lot was done.

Q: What achievement are you most proud of so far?

A: To have strengthened the relationships with key stakeholders in the game and get the football family united and working together for the greater good of football. I am also very pleased with the good governance reforms that have been introduced and which make UEFA a stronger and more transparent organisation.

Q: What was the most challenging moment over the last 12 months?

A: I would have to say it was the UEFA Europa League final in Stockholm, which was played just after the horrendous Manchester attacks. It was very difficult for everyone to organise and play a football match at such a time.

Our thoughts and those of the players were with the victims and their relatives. But in the end, everyone agreed it was our common duty to show the world that we would not surrender.

Q: In your manifesto, you spoke about achieving the perfect balance. Is this easier or harder than you thought it would be?

A: I never thought this would be easy. However, nothing of significance ever is. I believe it is necessary to fight for this perfect balance and I use this motto on a day to day basis as I aim to make important decisions for the promotion, protection and development of football in Europe.

Q: What was the best match you attended or watched last season?

A: My heart would balance between the UEFA Champions League final in Cardiff and the Women’s EURO final in the Netherlands. Both were spectacular and played in a tremendous atmosphere, with attacking football and excitement. Those are the two matches that come to mind.

Q: And speaking of the Women’s Euro, what were our feelings about the tournament that took place in the Netherlands?

A: It was fantastic. The stadiums were full, the players were really talented and the passion was clearly palpable around the whole country. Records were broken across the board on TV audiences around Europe and that was amazing. Women’s football has a bright future, I am sure.

Q: And what about your second year, how much have you thought about it? What is the priority?

A: I always have to think of what is ahead, it’s part of the job. There are many goals that we have as an organisation for the upcoming year. For example, we need to identify ways of tackling the issue of competitive balance and further strengthen financial fair play.

These are crucial for the sustainability of our sport and for making sure it stays open to everyone. Increasing participation in youth and women football will also be one of our key long-term aims.

Tove Okunniwa appointed Chief Executive of London Sport

Tove Okunniwa, former Chief Executive of Havas Sport & Entertainment and Head of Marketing for BBC Sport, has today been announced as London Sport’s new Chief Executive. Tove, who also serves as deputy chair of England Boxing, will take up her post from 18 September 2017.

An experienced commercial executive, Tove has served as an independent consultant since 2015, advising clients on commercial and marketing strategies.

Previously, she led the Sports and Entertainment division of global marketing consultancy Havas, and was Managing Director of WPP agency, MEC Access, during which time the agency was twice named Consultancy of the Year at the Hollis Sponsorship Awards.

Tove’s long-standing expertise in sport includes a five-year stint with BBC Sport, latterly as Head of Marketing, before moving to the organisation’s Digital arm.

A passionate advocate for diversity and equality, Tove brings substantial commercial acumen and a firm belief in the importance of empowering people’s lives through physical activity and sport.

Tove said: “I am delighted to be joining London Sport, an organisation that combines my passion for the role of physical activity in promoting inclusion and equality with my love for the city I have lived in for over 30 years. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of Londoners.

“Physical activity and sport are critical to the health and wellbeing of our great city, and I look forward to doing whatever I can to help achieve London’s vision of becoming the most physically active city in the world.”

Richard Barker, Vice-Chair of London Sport, said: “In a highly-competitive selection process, Tove’s experience, passion and exceptional understanding of the power of sport in London shone through.

“Tove’s track record with major organisations like the BBC, and her clear belief in physical activity and sport’s capacity to improve people’s lives, will be decisive factors in supporting our work now, and in the future.

“This is a critical time for our organisation, and I, and the Board of London Sport, are thrilled to welcome Tove on board at this exciting time for sport in the capital.”

Tove joins London Sport as the organisation marks the official opening of House of Sport, the new workspace established by London Sport to enable collaboration and creative thinking across the sport sector.

With the organisation currently on-track to achieve its target of getting 1,000,000 Londoners more physically active by 2020, Tove’s experience in developing new partnerships will play an important role in bringing together stakeholders across the capital to support the growth and development of London through physical activity and sport.

The Jockey Club and Betfair extend Betfair Chase and Tingle Creek Chase partnerships

Jockey Club Racecourses today announces that Betfair has extended its sponsorship of two of Jump racing’s most significant races for an additional three years.

The bookmaker has sponsored The Betfair Chase at Haydock Park since it started in 2005 and The Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown Park since 2015. An extension to those partnerships will now see Betfair continue as the sponsor of both races for a further three years, to include the 2019 renewals.

Paul Fisher, Chief Executive of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “As a major supporter of British Racing we’re delighted Betfair is continuing to partner with us on two of the biggest days of Jump racing in the calendar.

“ABP may have finished following the reform of the levy, but we remain extremely grateful to Betfair, not only for the role they played as a founding partner, but also for the ongoing support they offer to racing.

“The Betfair Chase and The Tingle Creek Chase have been won by some of the greatest Jumps horses in history and we are proud to stage these races at Haydock Park and Sandown Park.”

Barry Orr, Head of Media at Betfair, said: “We are once again delighted to back two of the most exciting and iconic races in the National Hunt calendar.

“This will be the 13th renewal of the Betfair Chase and we are extremely proud to have helped establish the race as a premier target for top chasers and young pretenders alike. It is a race with a rich history which continues to be a strong and sound platform to chasing success.

“The Betfair Tingle Creek is an exhilarating race synonymous with speed, accuracy and brilliance. And with the magnificent Altior pencilled in for the race there is a lot to look forward to this National Hunt season.”

Betfair was a founding Authorised Betting Partner of British Racing and became the first betting operator to sign a commercial partnership with Jockey Club Racecourses after it was announced the Jockey Club would only enter into agreements with ABPs – those who make a fair contribution to the sport. The ABP scheme has now concluded following the reform of the levy.

Betfair Chase Day is staged this year on Saturday November 25th. The three mile Grade 1 race is the first leg of the Jockey Club’s Chase Triple Crown and has been won three out of the last four years by the Colin Tizzard-trained Cue Card. Previous winners of the race include Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti.

The Betfair Tingle Creek Chase is an established flagship event in the 2m chase division since being upgraded to a Grade 1 contest in 1994. Previous winners of the race include Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre, Sire De Grugy and last year’s victor Un De Sceaux. This year the race takes place on Saturday December 9th.

Mobile app goes live for SportAccord Convention 2018 – a ‘vital networking opportunity for the sports business community’

SportAccord Convention, the biggest global gathering for all the international sports federations and sports industry, is delighted to unveil the latest release of its smart mobile app for the Convention set to take place from 15 – 20 April 2018 in Bangkok.

Designed to keep attendees informed and connected at all times, with up-to-the-minute news ahead of and during the Convention, the easy-to-use mobile app is also a critical networking tool for delegates.

A popular app at SAC2017 with well over one thousand downloads, Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark, whose organisation were also co-hosts for the Convention in 2017 said:

“SportAccord Convention is a vital networking opportunity for the sports business community. With a packed official schedule, and around 1500 high-profile delegates in attendance during the Convention in Aarhus Denmark in 2017, the mobile app was instrumental in helping delegates access and connect with people on the delegate list, set-up meetings, plan and organise what they want to do ahead of the Convention, and receive the latest information during the Convention. The mobile app is a great networking tool for delegates.”

Registered delegates can send meeting invitations to other attendees as well as review their profiles. In much the same way as email meeting requests are made, recipients can choose whether to accept or decline, and any confirmed meetings are added to their mobile phone calendar.

The new version of the mobile app for the next SportAccord Convention includes a go-to Virtual Conference Bag enabling delegates to bookmark important information, keep track of conference sessions they wish to attend or share with colleagues at a later date, as well as favourite speakers, delegates and content.

Other new features include a social media function enabling delegates to share their experiences with everyone within their social networks. The user-interface has also been updated and is more visually intuitive to include a clear tile icon design for easy navigation.

The official version of the SportAccord Convention mobile app can be downloaded in the Apple and Google Play stores with delegates up and running in less than a minute.

To network and connect with #SAC2018 delegates including all the international sports federations, anyone involved in the business of sport can register for the SportAccord Convention in Bangkok and join the world sport and business summit as a delegate, partner and exhibitor.

Organisations and sports business leaders who are considering attending #SAC2018 can gain insights from last year’s Convention in Aarhus, Denmark and watch highlights in the SportAccord Convention Video Gallery, where many of the conference sessions are also relevant to this year’s Plenary conference which will examine how sport and sponsors can unite a complex global audience for the future.

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

ITF and Sportradar announce new live streaming platform

The ITF, in partnership with Sportradar AG, has today announced its new live streaming platform for Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas.

The platform will ensure fans worldwide can follow tennis’s premier team competitions across a range of devices, starting with this weekend’s Davis Cup World Group semifinals and play-off ties on 15-17 September.

The ITF’s global media rights partner beIN Sports have released the streaming rights in order to enable this platform to go live. Sportradar, the Swiss-based sports data and content specialists, will use its OTT solution to produce and deliver the live and on-demand Davis Cup streams.

Fans will have the ability to purchase coverage ranging from individual ties to a whole round of ties, or an annual package covering all rounds of Davis Cup.

In parallel, the ITF has been working with Sportradar to launch a desktop live scoring centre and redesigned dedicated mobile app for Davis Cup. Thanks to the addition of more in-depth statistics across all ties, the second screen experience will be even richer and more engaging.

The live streaming platform, live scoring centre and app will be available for Fed Cup in the coming weeks. This weekend’s semifinals see Belgium host Australia in Brussels and Serbia travel to Lille to face France to contest a place in the Davis Cup Final in November, with eight World Group play-off ties also taking place.

The new streaming platform will also be available for November’s Fed Cup Final in Minsk between Belarus and the USA. The live scoring centre and live streaming platform will further enhance Davis Cup and Fed Cup in line with the goals of ITF2024, the organisation’s strategic roadmap.

Today’s announcement builds on the long-standing relationship between the two organisations, which has seen Sportradar support the ITF in bringing data and content from more tournaments to more tennis fans worldwide.

ITF President David Haggerty said: “The ITF’s goal has always been to bring Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas closer to every tennis fan, no matter where they are in the world or what device they are using.

“Sportradar AG continues to fulfil our growing expectations in a developing sports marketplace. Through our streaming and digital media offering, they are helping us grow our fan base, deliver engagement and insight and ultimately enhance the largest annual international team competitions in sport.”

Sportradar CEO Carsten Koerl added: “Davis Cup and Fed Cup bring together the most committed tennis players, the most exciting matches and the most passionate tennis fans. It is a privilege to be able to help the ITF deliver premium content across the globe.

“With many years of our recently extended partnership still to go, and with our unique ability to mix audiovisual content with data and data visualisation solutions across devices and channels, we look forward to working together on future developments for the sport.”

In addition to live coverage of over 50,000 ITF Pro Circuit matches per year through its umpire technology, Sportradar remains the ITF’s official data rights partner and preferred streaming partner for the ITF Pro Circuit. Sportradar launched the ITF Pro Circuit app back in 2015 and has also increased live streaming of ITF events together with the ITF’s member nations.

Brett Gosper and Adolfo Bara confirmed as speakers for iSportconnect’s Dubai Summit

iSportconnect is delighted to announce that we will be staging our second-ever Summit in Dubai on November 29th 2017.

Brett Gosper, CEO of World Rugby, and Adolfo Bara, General Manager Marketing & Sales at LaLiga, have been confirmed as guest speakers.

The Summit represents a breakthrough opportunity for up to 150 top-tier executives in sport and entertainment to experience and enjoy the unique learning and networking benefits of iSportconnect’s exclusive invitation-only event concept.

Further speaker announcements and a venue will be confirmed in due course.

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

Dates will soon be announced for a Beijing and Singapore Summit as part of a ‘World Tour’ of iSportconnect Summits in 2018.

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.

Paris & LA to host 2024 & 2028 Olympic Games respectively

Paris and Los Angeles have tonight been confirmed as hosts of the 2024 and 2028 summer Olympic Games respectively by the IOC.

Both cities wanted to host the 2024 event, but LA subsequently agreed to wait an extra four years after receiving guarantees on funding.

“Congratulations to Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028! This historic double allocation is a ‘win-win-win’ situation for the city of Paris, the city of Los Angeles and the IOC,” said the IOC President, Thomas Bach.

“It is hard to imagine something better. Ensuring the stability of the Olympic Games for the athletes of the world for the next 11 years is something extraordinary.

“These are two great cities from two great countries with a great Olympic history. Both cities are very enthusiastic about the Games and are promoting the Olympic spirit in a fantastic way,” he added.

The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said: “Today I am delighted to invite you to join the great family of Parisians, a family which belongs to the world.

“With this team, I am very proud and moved to bring the Games back to Paris. At the heart of these Games, we will place young people, who represent our present, our hope and our pride.”

Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles, added: “Bringing the Olympics back home to LA gives us the chance to imagine what our city will look like a decade from now.

“LA is a city where the Games are not a barrier to making progress; we know that they are an accelerating force to re-envisioning a better city and a better world in the days ahead as we welcome you back to the City of Angels.”

Formula E and Jaguar to launch support series in 2018

Jaguar has today unveiled plans for a fully-electric support series to run alongside select races in the FIA Formula E Championship from season five – titled the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY.

The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY would be the first production battery electric vehicle racing series, featuring cars based on Jaguar’s first battery electric vehicle – the Jaguar I-PACE performance SUV, which hits the road later next year.

Modified Jaguar I-PACE cars will have the opportunity to compete on the same weekend at select Formula E events, using the same circuit layout as the stars of the electric street racing series – with the planned schedule consisting of a practice and qualifying session, followed by a 30-minute race.

Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said: “Jaguar has been a welcome addition to Formula E and a fantastic advocate for electric street racing. I’m delighted that in addition to the Panasonic Jaguar Racing team competing on the Formula E grid, we’ll also be adding to our race day schedule with a competitive new support series for season five – the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY.

“The competition will offer more entertainment for fans in-between sessions and is further testament to the advances in battery technology and exciting electric performance. I hope Jaguar will allow me to bring my race suit and helmet and maybe get behind the wheel myself!”

Gerd Mäuser, Chairman of Jaguar Racing, said: “Jaguar returned to racing in 2016 with the mission ‘Race to Innovate’. With the launch of the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY, we’ve strengthened our commitment to battery electric vehicles, international motorsport and Formula E.

“As a British team, we’re proud to announce today the launch of the world’s first production battery electric vehicle championship. We’ve always said we want to prove our electrification technologies on the track – this is the proof.

“I’m looking forward to seeing a full grid of Jaguar I-PACE race cars in late 2018, soon after the first Jaguar I-PACE hits the road in Europe. Ultimately, this innovative series will enhance the technology in our future electric vehicles and benefit our customers.

“Formula E has grown exponentially since we joined as the first premium manufacturer last year, with recent commitments from Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.”

Sky to stream midweek EFL games as part of new five-year £600m TV deal

Sky will be able to stream midweek matches after agreeing a new £600m five-year television rights deal with the English Football League (EFL).

All 72 EFL clubs will be able to stream midweek fixtures on their respective websites – if Sky opt not to broadcast them live. Sky will also have the right to stream the same Championship fixtures to subscribers across their interactive and digital services.

However, matches played between 14:45 BST and 17:15 BST on Saturdays will still not be available to live stream.

EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “These negotiations came at what was an incredibly challenging period in the sale and acquisition of sports rights in the UK.

“Having fully tested the market, we believe that not only has a significant increase in value for our clubs been achieved, but also the very best deal, with the best partner has been delivered.

“The new opportunity for EFL Clubs to live-stream their matches through a direct to consumer service in the UK is a revolutionary and exciting step forward for football broadcasting rights in the UK and we will monitor its progress closely to determine how this model can be considered for future EFL rights cycles.”

Barney Francis, Sky Sports Managing Director, commented: “This is great news for EFL fans and our viewers, with more live games than ever before and more opportunities for fans to watch their teams live.

“With a new dedicated football channel, newly enhanced digital platforms, adding more games means Sky Sports is getting even better for football fans.”

The deal is set to run from 2019-2024 and Sky will also continue to broadcast the Carabao Cup, Checkatrade Trophy and play-offs until May 2024.