Carl Frampton signs sponsorship deal with JD Sports ahead of homecoming fight in Belfast

Northern Irish boxer Carl Frampton has signed a multi-fight sponsorship deal with leading sports retailer JD. ‘The Jackal’ joins an illustrious list of fighters within the JD boxing stable, and will be looking to kick things off with a win on Saturday as he returns to his home city Belfast for a WBC eliminator showdown.

JD’s logo will appear on the fight week kit of Frampton and his corner team, as well as Frampton’s fight night shorts. Through the partnership, JD receive exclusive access to Frampton’s training camp, and all the footage can be seen on JD’s social media channels, as well as in upcoming #JDUndisputed episodes.

Saturday’s fight will see Frampton pitted against Mexican fighter Andres Gutierrez who, like Frampton, has only one professional defeat to his name.

This will be The Jackal’s first fight back in Belfast after four fights on the road and his first fight since losing the WBA (Super) Featherweight title to Léo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas last January. Fans are expecting an electric atmosphere at the SSE Arena, as tickets for the homecoming sold out within seconds of going on general release.

Carl Frampton said: “I am delighted to partner with JD at such an exciting time in my career. They have showed continued support for British boxing, and I look forward to working with them as I make my comeback fight in Belfast.

“It was a tough loss to take in Las Vegas, but I am ready to get back on track on Saturday and kick off the partnership with a win in front of my hometown fans.”

JD Group Marketing Director Stephen White said: “We are delighted to add Carl Frampton to our growing stable of JD fighters. He is a gifted fighter with great character and has demonstrated his ability to perform in world title fights on multiple occasions.

“We are looking forward to Saturday’s fight, and are proud to associate with Carl as he makes his way back to the top of world boxing.”

Georg Seiler confident German GP will be a ‘highlight’ of 2018 Formula 1 calendar

Georg Seiler, Managing Director of the Hockenheim-Ring GmbH, believes the German Grand Prix will be one of the highlights of the 2018 Formula One calendar.

Germany was dropped from the 2017 championships due to the Nurburgring circuit’s financial troubles, meaning it was unable to fulfill the country’s biennial swap deal and host a F1 race.

But Hockenheim is set to host next year’s event and will place greater emphasis on attracting a younger audience, courtesy of reduced ticket prices for junior fans.

Seiler is delighted to welcome back the motorsport and is keen to embrace the changes ushered in by new owners Liberty Media: “I have been following this season’s developments with great interest.

“The technical advances and changes to the regulations have helped to make the contest more exciting than ever with fans being treated to some amazing battles on-track between the drivers. F1 is clearly alive and well.

“In addition, the new approaches to fan engagement have helped to create an even more immersive live experience for all Grands Prix visitors.

“I am confident that our race weekend will be a real highlight of the 2018 calendar and, alongside Formula 1’s new owners, Liberty Media, I am excited to welcome back the biggest motorsport event in Germany in 2018.”

Fulham Football Club announces Grosvenor Casinos as main team partner

Fulham Football Club announced Grosvenor Casinos as main team partner, in a two-year deal that will see the grosvenorcasinos.com logo displayed on the playing shirts worn by the club’s first team and PL2 side.

Grosvenor Casinos is a UK licensed online casino and sports betting provider, offering over 300 casino games, live casino tables and a substantial range of in-play betting markets. The brand has been operating for over 40 years and is the UK’s biggest casino operator, entertaining and exciting players across the nation.

The brand has been operating for over 40 years.

As well as the presence on the playing shirts, the grosvenorcasinos.com branding will appear around Craven Cottage on the club’s LED system, as well as exclusive branding at the Putney End stand.

Fulham FC’s media and social media platforms will help enhance awareness of the Grosvenor Casinos brand, to both domestic and international football audiences – as well as assist Grosvenor Casinos, raising the profile of its sports betting, online casino and online poker products.

Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer of Fulham FC said:

“I am delighted to welcome grosvenorcasinos.com as Main Team Partner. We are thrilled to have a partner on board which matches our ambition of delivering a first class service and experience and we look forward to working together.”

Henry Birch, Chief Executive of The Rank Group plc, owners of grosvenorcasinos.com, said:

“Grosvenorcasinos.com is delighted to be part of Fulham FC’s charge back to the Premier League as Main Team Partner. Both the Club and Grosvenor Casinos have strong brands and proud histories and we look forward to working together and supporting the Club and fans.”

Tokyo to host 2019 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final

Tokyo will host the 2019 UIPM World Cup Final and the competition will double as an official Test Event for the 2020 Olympic Games, the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) announced today.

The event will take place in June 2019, 13 months before t pentathletes return to the capital of Japan for the Olympic Games.

It will allow the Tokyo 2020 organising team to create a “dress rehearsal” for the Olympic Games, where the Modern Pentathlon will take place for the first time in a venue – Tokyo Stadium – that can host all five disciplines in one day.

UIPM President Klaus Schormann said: “This a reality UIPM achieved together with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games organising committee in 2013. Now our Modern Pentathlon community can look forward to a great opportunity to visit Tokyo in 2019 for the UIPM World Cup Final.

“Not only am I confident this will be a very well-prepared World Cup Final that lives up to the standard that has been set in recent years, I believe we will also be presented with a clear vision for the wonderful Modern Pentathlon that will take place in the Tokyo Stadium – with all five disciplines in one venue – during the Summer Olympic Games 2020.”

Noriyuki Nakamura, Modern Pentathlon Competition Manager for Tokyo 2020, said: “The Modern Pentathlon Test Event in Tokyo in 2019 will be an important part of preparations for the Olympic Games and we are pleased that the event will double as the World Cup Final, which is such an important fixture in the sporting calendar.

“We are working very closely with UIPM to deliver a wonderful Olympic Modern Pentathlon and this test event will give sports fans in Japan and around the world a glimpse of what is in store in 2020.”

iSportconnect adds Tim Hunt and Ali Russell to Brand Marketing Masterclass guest speaker list

iSportconnect is delighted to confirm two additional guest speakers for our Brand Marketing Masterclass on September 11.

Tim Hunt, Head of Marketing at PGA European Tour, and Ali Russell, Media and New Business Director at Formula E, have been added to our distinguished list of industry thought leaders.

James Young, Head of Partnerships at Lucozade Ribena Suntory, Adolfo Bara, General Manager Marketing & Sales at LaLiga, and Fiona Taag, Head of Global Sponsorship & Europe Marketing Communications at DHL, will also speak at the event, which will be staged at the offices of Pinsent Mason in central London.

Brands are at the heart of the business of sport and the all-day event will offer an exclusive opportunity to discuss a challenging and fast-changing global business with industry experts.

Debates will be stimulating and the networking opportunities second to none, with current topics and challenges of tomorrow set to be on the agenda throughout a series of panels and keynote speeches.

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

Further details on discussion panel topics will be announced in due course.

This event is open exclusively to senior executives at brands, governing bodies and sport teams. Please contact Dimitrios (dimitrios.syrmis@isportconnect.com) to register your interest.

Confirmed speaker list:

Tim Hunt – Head of Marketing at PGA European Tour

Ali Russell – Media and New Business Director at Formula E

James Young – Head of Partnerships at Lucozade Ribena Suntory

Adolfo Bara – General Manager Marketing & Sales at LaLiga

Fiona Taag – Head of Global Sponsorship & Europe Marketing Communications at DHL

HOST PARTNER

Cricket has ‘no chance’ for Olympic inclusion in 2024 and 2028

Two International Olympic Committee (IOC) members have claimed that cricket is unlikely to be included in the Games before 2032.

IOC members Sir Craig Reedie and Adam Pengilly believe cricket’s road to an Olympic return will be long and filled with obstacles.

“I don’t think cricket has any chance in 2024 or 2028 because neither of the hosts, Paris and Los Angeles, will be very interested and the sport isn’t top of the list of those waiting for a chance,” Reedie told Sky Sports.

“That said, India is the biggest reason for bringing cricket in and the Games are driven by television, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility but I would suggest 2032 is a more realistic timescale.”

The last time that the sport was included in the Games was in Paris in 1900, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) are reportedly close to announcing a formal application to join the programme for 2024.

Earlier this year, ICC chief executive David Richardson said the “time was right” for cricket to make a push for Olympic inclusion.

However, Pengilly believes the sport will struggle to make a valid case for inclusion: “I think there are still too many factors working against cricket: it’s not global, it’s not particularly ‘youth’ and it doesn’t meet many of the key Olympic themes.

“If the next host was Australia, it might have a chance. But France and the US don’t play much cricket, and I can’t see there being much support in countries that don’t play cricket.”

Tour de France television audience ratings on Eurosport jump 10%

Eurosport continues to be the go-to destination for cycling fans across the continent after reporting a series of stunning audience numbers for this year’s Tour de France, cementing its status as the true ‘Home of Cycling’.

Just days after announcing it will show every minute of every Tour de France until 2023, Eurosport recorded an average viewing number of 785,000* over the 21 stages, a 10% increase versus 2016 – a figure all the more impressive by the fact 25 more hours of live coverage was available to fans in 2017.

Significant year-on-year growth was recorded in Germany (+37%), Spain (+32%), Italy (+17%), Denmark (+8%) and Romania (+6%) while Norway enjoyed an astonishing 411% average audience increase compared to 2016, a figure that contributed to its best-ever Tour de France.

This year’s Tour de France was also the most-watched edition in Romania as well as Spain since 2009 – when local hero Alberto Contador claimed the honours.

Moreover, stage 13 between Saint-Girons and Foix represented the most-watched stage on Eurosport since 2013, with an average of 1.203m viewers tuning in to see Warren Barguil become the first French rider to win a stage on Bastille Day since 2005.

Across Europe, viewers watched a total of 3.8 billion minutes* (+45% versus 2016) of a thrilling Tour de France that, as well as the live action on the road, featured unique analysis and insights from the likes of cycling icons Greg LeMond, Juan Antonio Flecha and Sean Kelly.

Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton said: “We have been overwhelmed by the number of messages from fans across the continent praising our coverage of this year’s Tour de France and these figures are testament to those sentiments.

“At Eurosport we firmly believe we are now the undisputed Home of Cycling and aim to not only show what is happening, but why is it happening. Whether it be via insights from our expert analysts or short-form content such as the excellent sport explainers, we aim to have every angle covered.

“With every minute of every Tour de France now confirmed on Eurosport screens for the next six years, we are all excited by the challenge to further improve our coverage of one of the most compelling events on the worldwide sporting calendar.”

As well as the Tour de France, Eurosport’s enhanced agreement with Europe Broadcasting Union and Amaury Sport Organisation covers all three of the Grand Tours, plus 25 UCI World Championship events, including all five monuments.

Clipper Race renews partnership with PSP Logistics

The relationship between the Clipper Race and PSP Logistics is set to continue for a third consecutive race.

PSP Logistics, the global freight forwarder and international boat transportation company, will return as a Team Partner in the Clipper 2017-18 Race, following campaigns in the 2013-14 and 2015-16 editions.

PSP Logistics will also return for the fifth consecutive time as the Official Logistics Supplier.

As well as providing general sea and air freight services to clients all over the globe, the British based PSP Logistics specialises in project shipping, which includes large out-of-gauge cargo such as yachts and wind turbines.

“We are very happy to have PSP Logistics back, both as a Team Partner and Official Supplier, for the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race,” said Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

“PSP Logistics is a great example of a British business which operates globally and uses its Team Partner status to create new global opportunities.

“As our Official Logistics Supplier, PSP Logistics also plays an integral role in supporting the successful operations of the Clipper Race. Throughout the 40,000 nautical mile long race, PSP Logistics transports vital maintenance equipment that is essential to keep the fleet going.”

The decision to become a three-time Team Partner was an easy one for Frank Dixie, the Founder and Managing Director of PSP, who says the company just can’t get enough of the Clipper Race.

“It’s the willingness to grab a challenge with both hands that aligns us with the race and makes us the perfect partner for its logistics,” Dixie said.

“The last two races have proved to be an amazing opportunity to build our profile on a global platform as a Team Partner while supporting something very important to us.”

 

Premier League obtains High Court Order to combat illicit streaming devices

The Premier League has today obtained a High Court Order that will require UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block servers that host illegal streams of matches ahead of the 2017-18 season.

The Order is set to allow the organisation to combat the use and sale of illicit streaming devices as it steps up its anti-piracy efforts by targeting pre-loaded IPTV and so-called ‘Kodi’ boxes.

Kevin Plumb, Premier League Director of Legal Services, said: “This blocking Order is a game-changer in our efforts to tackle the supply and use of illicit streams of our content.

“It will allow us to quickly and effectively block and disrupt the illegal broadcast of Premier League football via any means, including so called ‘pre-loaded Kodi boxes’.

“The protection of our copyright, and the investment made by our broadcast partners, is hugely important to the Premier League and the future health of English football.

“The ability that clubs have to develop and acquire talented players, to build and improve stadiums, and to support communities and schools is all predicated on being able to market, sell and protect commercial rights.

“We are pleased the Courts have recognised this with the granting of this significant blocking Order.”

A number of apps and add-ons offering streaming services have been closed down in recent years while a similar Order obtained for the final two months of the 2016-17 was deemed to be highly effective.

The Premier League is the most commercially successful division in world football, with their current three-year TV rights deal with Sky and BT Sport worth £5.136bn.

 

Mercedes-Benz announces plans to enter Formula E for 2019-20 season

Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to enter the FIA Formula E Championship for the 2019/20 season – extending the original option agreement to join the electric street racing series in season five.

The Stuttgart-based car manufacturer initially reserved an entry prior to the season-opener in Hong Kong last year, but Mercedes has chosen to extend the option for a further year and commit to race in Formula E for season six – joining the growing list of brands shifting focus to electric.

Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said: “Today is a great day as we welcome Mercedes to the Formula E family – adding to the increasing number of manufacturers joining the electric revolution.

“This shows how much the world is changing, not only in motorsport, but the whole automotive industry. We’re witnessing a transformation that will first change our cities, and then our roads. Formula E is the championship that embodies that change, and together with all our teams and manufacturers we’ll keep pushing for technologies, to have better and more affordable electric cars.”


FIA President Jean Todt added: “I’m very happy to see yet another manufacturer committing to the FIA Formula E Championship.

“Mercedes-Benz has been competing in motorsport since the very beginning, and in joining this newest chapter of racing history – Formula E – it shows that the vision and concept of the championship is aligned with how manufacturers want to develop electric vehicle technologies, and bring these innovations to audiences around the world.”

Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, said: “In motorsport, like in every other area, we want to be the benchmark in the premium segment and also explore innovative new projects. With Formula 1 and Formula E, we have achieved exactly this balance.

“Formula E is like an exciting start-up venture – it offers a brand new format, combining racing with a strong event character, in order to promote current and future technologies. Electrification is happening in the road car world and Formula E offers manufacturers an interesting platform to bring this technology to a new audience – and to do so with a completely new kind of racing, different to any other series.


“I’m pleased that we were able to extend our entry option for one year to the 2019/20 season. This gives us time to properly understand the series and to prepare for our entry in the right way.”

Dr Jens Thiemer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz explained: “Mercedes-Benz will market future battery-powered electric vehicles using the EQ label.

“Formula E is a significant step in order to demonstrate the performance of our intelligent battery-powered electric vehicles, as well as giving an emotional spin to our EQ technology brand through motorsport and marketing.”