How the NBA embraced the OTT Model

The Over-The-Top (OTT) market is becoming increasingly popular with seemingly every company – sports or otherwise – offering an online video platform.

One of the front-runners in this market is the NBA who have provided fans of the sport with NBA LEAGUE PASS, allergist where they can access – in addition to games – unmatched library content and NBA studio shows.

With other rival sports having their own OTT formats – whether that be NHL NETWORK or EUROLEAGUE TV.

Xavier Bidault, medicine is Senior Director of Digital at the NBA EMEA, he explains what they have to do to stand out as on OTT platform.

He said: “We don’t compare NBA LEAGUE PASS to any other products but rather concentrate on how we can improve our offering to fans on a constant basis.”

“Since we were one of the first professional sports leagues to offer a subscription product internationally we have been able to improve over the past couple of years based on the experience we have been able to gather.

“For example, we made a lot of progress with the different packages we offer.

“We have also refined how we market the service with free preview windows at key moments of the season, promotional packages around big events such as a NBA All-Star package or a Christmas Day pass and price discounts throughout the year.”

The control that the NBA has over creating its own OTT product means it can offer these deals, packages and passes exclusively to benefit their fans and increase demand and uptake in their LEAGUE PASS model.

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Bidault; as an expert in the field, explains the benefits of the model to the fanbase.

He added: We have up to 1,300 NBA games per season and up to 15 games per day so our TV partners can only show a fraction of that.

“The main benefit for fans is the ability to watch every game played during the entire NBA Season.

“Another benefit is the flexibility NBA LEAGUE PASS offers to fans. Games are available live or on demand for up to 3 seasons.

“Once subscribed, you can access NBA LEAGUE PASS on computers, tablets, mobile phones and connected devices.”

According to Kris Nagel, a Senior Vice-President at payment service provider Vindicia, one of the most important factors in creating a successful OTT product is the personalisation of the product.

This is something he believes the NBA have used successfully.

Nagel

He said: “The thing about OTT services is the competition is absolutely intense, the adoption rate is accelerating but so are the number of players in the market and the number of choices for customers on where they spend their viewing hours.

“Offering personalisation is very key; Over the Top TV is wonderful for giving you the data to make better business decisions.

“NBA has been providing an OTT offering and they own their rights to stream, but they have modified the ways users can purchase a particular game in a particular market at a particular time.

“They’ve done a wonderful job of evaluating their data from the video platform and billing platform to determine what offers to give to customers.”

But what does the future hold for the OTT market and particularly for the NBA LEAGUE PASS model?

 

Bidault continues: “We are always looking to improve our product offering.

“That is why every year we send a survey to our fans to get their opinion about the service and see what we can improve.

“Next year we are planning to re-launch our NBA app to make it truly local and customized.

“We are also looking to make NBA LEAGUE PASS to more platforms and improve its customization by offering more local payment solutions and more local content.”

With the increased platforms and increasing demand for OTT, it appears the market will continue to grow, through personalisation, financial deals and free tasters bringing in new customers. As the next generation grow-up in a multi-platform and on-demand world, surely OTT can only continue to expand.

GL Events to Provide Hospitality Facilities at 2014 Ryder Cup

Ryder Cup Europe has signed a partnership with GL Events Owen Brown for the temporary structure provider to create the hospitality facilities at The 2014 Ryder Cup in conjunction with Scottish partner Field & Lawn. 

Owen Brown, part of the newly-formed GL Events UK Group, will build a trio of hospitality suites at the start of the action on the first hole of the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles Golf Resort, Scotland. 

The state-of-the-art single-, double- and triple-deck structures from its Absolute range will offer hospitality guests views of The Ryder Cup’s first tee atmosphere as Europe embarks on its quest to retain the famous trophy against the United States.

Edward Kitson, Europe’s Ryder Cup match director, said: “We are delighted to continue to work with GL Events Owen Brown on The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Having worked with them at several European tour events and previous Ryder Cups we have a strong relationship with them and we are certain they will deliver a high-quality product befitting the stature of The Ryder Cup.”

Scott Hayward, managing director of GL Events UK Group, added: “We’re thrilled to be working with The Ryder Cup organisers again and at such an auspicious venue.”

GL Events’ partner Field & Lawn will supply the infrastructure for the public facilities such as walkways, courtesy bus terminals and the waiting areas for the park and ride facilities.

New Designs Unveiled for Qatar 2022 Stadium

Designs for a new 60, price cheap 000-seat stadium for the 2022 Qatar World Cup have been unveiled.

The stadium , vcialis 40mg which is a proposed semi-final venue for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, have been launched in Al Khor.

Early works have started on the stadium and surrounding precinct, to be officially known as Al Bayt, Al Khor City, and the project is due to be complete in 2018.

Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), said: “The launch of Al Bayt Stadium & Precinct will honour Qatar’s past while fully embracing the country’s global future. The launch of the design for our second proposed stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is another milestone of progress, demonstrating our deep commitment to delivering an amazing experience in 2022 and beyond.”

A modular design, it includes an upper tier of removable seats. After the 2022 World Cup, the tier will be removed and the capacity of the stadium will be reduced to 32,000 seats. In consultation with FIFA and the global football community, the removed seats will be reconfigured and donated to other countries to leave a legacy for international football development.

Surrounding the stadium, a new precinct will serve the wider Al Khor community.

In addition to retail space and restaurants, the precinct will include landscaped paths for residents to use as horseriding, cycling and jogging tracks. There will also be dedicated women-only facilities.

Hilal Al-Kuwari, president of the Aspire Zone Foundation, said: “Just as Bayt Al Sha’ar continue to remain central to family life in Qatar today, the precinct surrounding Al Bayt Stadium – which will include space for local businesses and restaurants as well as landscaped paths for the community for exercise – will become a focal point of community life long after the 2022 FIFA World Cup has concluded.”

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MP & Silva Acquires Global Distribution Rights to Kuwait National Soccer Team

Sports rights media agency MP & Silva has signed a worldwide rights distribution deal until 2019 with the Kuwait Football Association.

The exclusive package comprises friendly and qualifying home matches of the Kuwait National Team for all international competitions including the preliminary qualifying matches for the World Cup 2018 in Russia and 2019 AFC Asian Cup and all friendly and other matches by the National Team U2 and the National “A” Team

MP & Silva has a strong media rights portfolio in MENA and Asia that includes Asia Football Confederation, patient the Gulf Cup and the Olympic Council of Asia.

Peter Hutton, MP & Silva Joint-CEO, said: “We are very happy to extend our relationship with the Kuwaiti football association, and look forward to working together to improve their international profile and to assist the association to grow football in the country”.

Also as part of the deal, MP & Silva will be the exclusive distributor of the Kuwait Football Association rights across cable, satellite, betting, terrestrial, Web TV, IPTV and mobile platforms.

Baku Set to Host F1 Race in 2015

Azerbaijan is set to host a Formula 1 race next year in Baku according to reports.

The country’s Youth and Sports Ministry spokeswoman Samaya Mammadova revealed the deal is set to be signed at the end of May. 

“Formula One will be held in Baku in autumn 2015,” she told The Associated Press.

Mammadova said the race will be held shortly after Baku hosts the inaugural European Games multi-sports event in June. Baku has hosted sports-car racing on a street circuit every year since 2012. 

Azerbaijan joins Russia as the second ex-Soviet country to hold an F1 race after the inaugural Russian Grand Prix this October in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The 2014 F1 calendar will contain 19 races, and additional events in New Jersey, Mexico and India have been proposed for next season which could take the total of races next season to over the record of 20 races in a season, set in 2012.

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Worcestershire Cricket Reveal Surplus for Fourth Consecutive Year

Worcestershire County Cricket Club have announced today a pre-tax surplus of £59,833 for the year ending 30th September 2013.

In that year the club saw the Australian touring team in July and the opening of the Club’s new “View” conference and banqueting facilities in mid-September.

Chief Executive David Leatherdale commented “We are delighted to show a surplus for the 4th consecutive year despite considerable disruption during the construction of the now completed “View” development scheme.

“5 winter floods and the coldest March for many years severely affected the early construction phase resulting in a 3 month delay and a shortfall against budgeted revenue of in excess of £500,000. This was particularly noticeable across the catering and commercial areas due to the expected new facilities and seating being unavailable for our key 4 day Australia tourist match in July and the whole of the home T20 campaign.

“However, The launch of our new membership packages for the 2014 season in September 2013 saw the new elite “View” membership facility sell out in less than 4 weeks and with the recent opening of the adjoining 120 bedroom Premier Inn hotel expecting in excess of 35,000 visitors per year, it is fair to say we now have facilities to admire which will be of real benefit to members, spectators and the City alike.

“This can only help the Club achieve our aim of being a truly 365 day a year business generating new and sustainable cricket and non-cricket revenue which can be re-invested back in the team and the club over the years to come.”

Indianapolis Colts Ease Blackout Fears after Revealing Sellout

The Indianapolis Colts have avoided a local TV blackout for their playoff game against Kansas City Chiefs after selling their remaining tickets for Saturday’s game.

They sold their allotted allocation after Meijer, a corporate sponsor, purchased the final 1,200 tickets to the Colts’ game and has donated them to local military families, the team said in a statement. 

The NFL has a blackout policy that states that a home game cannot be televised locally if it is not sold out 72 hours prior to its start time. The Colts were granted a extension yesterday by the NFL while the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers still have Friday to meet the ticket-sale deadline extension from the NFL.

The Colts have now sold out 138 of their past 139 games.

The Packers were granted a second extension by the NFL on Thursday after they came up about 3,000 tickets short of selling out 80,750-seat Lambeau Field for Sunday’s NFC wild-card playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.

A Packers spokesperson said the league gave them until 5 p.m. ET on Friday to sell the remaining tickets and avoid a television blackout in their home market, which includes both the Green Bay and Milwaukee areas.

The Packers began the week with 40,000 tickets available.

The Bengals have until 4 p.m. ET Friday to sell the remaining tickets to Sunday’s first-round AFC playoff game against the San Diego Chargers.

Late Thursday afternoon, there was no official word as to how many Bengals tickets were left. The team’s Twitter account accidentally floated the number 3,500 before being quickly deleted. Team officials later said they weren’t able to provide an exact figure, only noting that it was low enough for an extension to be granted.

Many of the Bengals tickets purchased Thursday came from local businesses that are planning to donate them to local military families. By the end of business Wednesday, Bengals director of sales and public affairs Jeff Berding said about 8,000 tickets remained.

Maria Sharapova Named Richest Sportswoman in the World

Maria Sharapova has been named the richest sportswoman in the world during the past year, according to Forbes.

Sharapova earned $29m (£18.9m) ending June this year while the American magazine also placed seven of the 10 richest sportswomen in the world as tennis players

The Russian secured majority of her money off the court in endorsement deals worth $23m dwarfing the $6m she collected in prize-money.

Much of her income came from sportswear manufacturers Head and Nike, while the 26-year-old has also launched her own brand of sweets called Sugarpova.

Second in the list of leading female earners was Serena Williams of the United States ($20.5m), followed by China’s Li Na ($18.2m) and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus ($15.7m).

Other tennis players in the top 10 are Caroline Wozniacki ($13.6m), Agnieszka Radwanska ($7.4m) and Ana Ivanovic ($7m).

The only three non-tennis players in the women’s top-10 are American Nascar driver Danica Patrick ($15m), South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna ($14m) and US golfer Paula Creamer ($5.5m).

Sharapova earned more than male tennis counterparts Novak Djokovic ($26.9m) and Rafa Nadal ($26.4m).

However, her yearly earnings were bettered by 21 men, with American golfer Tiger Woods the highest paid athlete on the planet with $78.1m of which $65m came from endorsements.

Swiss tennis player Roger Federer ($71.5m) is second followed by American bastkeball player Kobe Bryant ($61.9m).

Overall, only three women – Sharapova, Williams and Na – made the overall top-100.

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StubHub Becomes Official Secondary Partner of Staples Center after AEG Deal

eBay Inc. through their subsidiary StubHub have announced a global partnership with AEG to facilitate multiple venue sponsorships and technology integrations, order designed to create a constantly evolving showcase of world-class digital technologies for the live event experience for fans across the world.

A variety of eBay companies and initiatives will be included in elements of the multi-year partnership.

StubHub will become the exclusive secondary ticketing solution for AEG venues and AXS Ticketing, medic the innovative ticketing platform launched by AEG in 2011. StubHub will also serve as the Official Secondary Partner of STAPLES Center, the 2012 Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings (NHL) and the LA Galaxy starting with the 2013-14 seasons for each franchise. Globally, the deal will look to integrate with a number of major venues across Europe as StubHub continues to expand internationally.

Global commerce leader, PayPal, will become one of AXS Ticketing’s new methods of payment, providing to their fans in the United States and United Kingdom access to tens of thousands of events on any given day. AEG’s industry leading music merchandise company, BandMerch, will also begin to extend its rosters of over 135 artists to the eBay Marketplace. As the multi-year partnership continues, further integrations will take place between eBay Inc.’s portfolio of businesses and AEG’s collection of assets, which includes more than 100 of the world’s preeminent facilities.

“Technology is revolutionizing commerce, and eBay Inc. is working with leading companies around the world to use our platforms to bring innovative new experiences to consumers,” said Devin Wenig, president of eBay marketplaces. “Integrating our technology platforms with AEG is a natural fit for eBay Inc., and allows our companies to give fans nearly unprecedented access to the events, performers and athletes they love.”

“eBay is one of the most complete and well-rounded ecommerce and technology companies in the world and pairing our combined capabilities and global reach is an exciting opportunity” said Tim Leiweke, president and CEO, AEG. “This partnership will help bring even deeper digital resources and online marketing reach to the AXS Ticketing platform and will allow us to continue to transform the live event fan experience.”

As the exclusive secondary ticketing partner for AEG’s ticketing platform AXS Ticketing, StubHub will provide a barcode cancel/re-issue solution for the seamless transfer of tickets between buyers and sellers. Additionally, StubHub will become the Official Fan-to-Fan Ticket Marketplace for more than 30 AEG facilities worldwide, including such iconic venues as STAPLES Center (Los Angeles), Sprint Center (Kansas City, MO), BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston), The Warfield (San Francisco), Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and Best Buy Theater (Times Square), as well as additional AEG venues throughout the world, which will be announced at a future date.

With activation beginning in January 2013, StubHub will be designated as one of 11 “Founding Partners” of STAPLES Center, receiving a variety of customized signage and activation components including prominent interior and outdoor marquee signage, in- game/event branding elements and enhanced online presence. It will also create the ability to offer StubHub Fan Rewards members with opportunities to experience the venue in a whole new way – with seat upgrades, behind-the-scenes tours and access to exclusive VIP hospitality opportunities such as STAPLES Center’s Hyde Lounge and Lexus Club. The agreement also provides StubHub with additional marketing assets at L.A. LIVE as well as opportunities with the LA Kings.

AEG’s industry leading music merchandise company, BandMerch, will begin to extend its online storefronts to the eBay marketplace, bringing seamless payment options and integrated access to eBay’s tens of millions of customers to its roster of 135 world-class bands and performers.

The companies will collectively explore additional, future opportunities for innovative solutions to better serve fans for their entertainment needs.

ISAF Brings Back Windsurfing for Rio 2016 Olympics

Windsurfing is back on the Olympics schedule after the International Sailing Federation decided to retain the discipline for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The plan had been to ditch the discipline for Rio and replace it with kiteboarding, but the ISAF has opted to overturn their previous decision.

The Royal Yachting Association have been among those campaigning for windsurfing, and RYA performance director John Derbyshire said: “This is what the membership of the RYA asked for – we have a very strong youth pathway and some 10,000 windsurfing members of the RYA, so on their behalf we are delighted with the decision.

“We obviously have great compassion towards the kiteboarding community, with whom we have been working very closely, and I am sure that they will continue to work very closely with both the RYA and ISAF families with a view to gaining inclusion for the discipline in future Olympic Games.

“We can now look forward to preparing for Rio 2016 with the clarity that this decision brings.”

Also ISAF announced Carlo Croce of Italy as their President.The President chairs the Council which consists of seven Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer (non-voting) who is yet to be confirmed, 28 representatives of ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs) and one representative each from the the athletes’ commission, ISAF Classes, Offshore sailing and Women’s sailing. Britain’s Chris Atkins was elected as one of the Vice-Presidents. Representatives for Group A – United Kingdom and Ireland are Dick Batt (GBR) and John Crebbin (IRL).