Bayern Unveils Multi-Club Digital Partnership

German top-flight football champions Bayern München has announced a new digital partnership with Bundesliga 2 side Dynamo Dresden, Swiss title holders Basel and Austrian outfit, FK Austria Wien.

Under the terms of the agreement, the three clubs will now be relying on the services and infrastructure of Bayern’s media subsidiary.

FC Bayern Digital & Media Lab GmbH, which launched six months ago, has already built up an impressive portfolio of several European football partners. Commenting on the new partnership, it’s Managing Director, Stefan Mennerich, said: “Our media subsidiary will invest all its efforts into offering our partners the best possible service.”

München Chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, added: “We’re delighted that three well-known and traditional clubs are counting on our know-how and have put their faith in us.”

Everton Reveal Record Revenues For Second Year Running

English Premier League (EPL) side Everton has posted record revenues for the second successive year.

The football club’s final figure of £189m ($239.64m) is an increase of 10 per cent on 2017.

Everton enjoyed a successful season off the pitch, posting an increase of 16 per cent on gate receipts and reaching a record of 31,282 season ticket members.

Combined with gate receipts, sponsorship and other commercial income increased by 45 per cent from last year.

Everton Chief Executive Officer, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, commented: “For the second consecutive year the club has generated record revenue. Gate receipts, sponsorship and other commercial income increased significantly by 45 per cent and the continued and quite magnificent support of our fans meant that Season Tickets reached the cap with more than 10,000 on a waiting list.

“This commercial growth demonstrates our progress and we have a vision for the club that is shared on and off the pitch by our Majority Shareholder, Chairman, our Board of Directors, the Everton Leadership Team, our Director of Football and Manager.”

AS Monaco Unveils Betting Deal For Asia

Ligue 1 club AS Monaco has announced a regional betting partnership with Yabo Sports.

“Creating unique experiences for our fans and developing our digital strategy have always been at the forefront of our developments,” said Vadim Vasilyev, Chief Executive Officer of AS Monaco.

“Yabo Sport’s expertise and innovative entertainment content will enable us to expand our footprint in China. We look forward to developing some exciting initiatives together for both AS Monaco and football fans in China.”

“We are very happy to work with AS Monaco and believe that the quality of service provided by Yabo Sport will serve the fans well and further enhance the popularity of both parties,” said Sunny Xu, CEO of Yabo Sport.

“After the signing of the partnership agreement between Yabo Sport and AS Monaco, we will carry out together a series of activities benefiting sports fans through brand building, online entertainment, sports welfare and other fields.”

Over the two years since launch, the number of Yabo Sport users has gradually increased, and it is now ranked among the top online betting websites in Asia.

 

Qatar Unveils Design For Stadium To Host 2022 World Cup Final

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) unveiled the final design for the last of the eight stadiums proposed for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The showpiece Lusail Stadium, a 80,000-seat venue to be completed in 2020, will host the opening and final matches of the tournament taking place in four years’ time.

“It has now been eight years since we won the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and we told the world to expect amazing,” said SC Secretary General HE Hassan Al Thawadi. “With this stunning design of our showpiece stadium, I am proud today to once again be delivering on that promise.”

He underlined that the stadium is situated at the heart of a whole new city.

“Lusail is a city for the future, and once the World Cup is over it will, like each of our other seven stadiums, form a crucial part of the legacy of the tournament as it transforms to become the heart of a brand new community.”

FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “I am delighted to see Qatar’s continued commitment to excellence in the spectacular Lusail Stadium.”

“Qatar’s stadiums are among the most eye-catching ever seen and the venue proposed for the final is absolutely gorgeous. I particularly enjoy the fact that Middle East culture is reflected in Lusail’s and several other designs and look forward to seeing football fans from all over world discover the culture and history of this region.”

In 2017, Khalifa International Stadium became the first proposed venue to be ready, while two more stadiums are scheduled to be completed early next year, Al Wakrah Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium.

 

IOC Launches Online Store For Chinese Fans With Alibaba

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and global partner Alibaba have unveiled the launch of the first-ever Olympic store for Chinese fans.

The new Olympic store will be initially available on Alibaba’s Tmall marketplace for brands and retailers in China, and there are plans in development to create a global e-commerce platform for fans around the world.

Timo Lumme, IOC TMS Managing Director, said: “The launch was made possible thanks to the support of our Worldwide Olympic Partner Alibaba’s technology and expertise, as well as our partnership with the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2022.”

“The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 will be a landmark moment for China and the Olympic Movement, and from today we look forward to offering the latest exciting Olympic products to Chinese Olympic fans through our new Olympic store on Alibaba’s platform.”

Chris Tung, Alibaba Group Chief Marketing Officer, said: “We are proud to leverage Alibaba’s technology and ecosystem to provide more opportunities for Chinese fans to celebrate the heritage of the Games and join in the excitement for Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022.”

“We look forward to our continued collaboration with the IOC to connect more fans in China and from around the world to the Olympic Movement in the digital era.”

The project has been launched as part of the new IOC Global Licensing Strategy, which aims to engage and connect with fans seeking official Olympic branded merchandise, in line with Olympic Agenda 2020.

It is a step in activating the long-term strategic partnership of Alibaba Group and the IOC unveiled in January 2017 with the aim of helping to transform the Olympic Games for the digital era.

 

Inter Milan Names New Co-CEO

FC Internazionale Milano today announced the appointment of Giuseppe Marotta as Chief Executive Officer Sport.

He will begin his role immediately, and will be responsible for the whole sports area of the Serie A club.

Inter is thus adopting a co-CEO model, in which Marotta will work alongside Alessando Antonello, appointed as Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for all the corporate activities.

Both CEOs will report to the club’s President, Steven Zhang, who commented : “This is an important change for the club in line with our objective of becoming a winning football club and a successful company.”

“Beppe is one of the best executives in the football industry and will help us to achieve our goals. Outside of the pitch Alessandro will ensure the enhancement of our off-pitch performance, the successful completion of the Club’s strategic projects, and the promotion of our values inside the organisation.”

On his appointment, Giuseppe Marotta said: “President Steven Zhang has an ambitious project and I am looking forward to becoming an active part of that. I want to thank Chairman Zhang and the Suning Group for their trust in me and I am sure that together we will make Inter successful again.”

Marotta previously served as Sporting Director for reigning Serie A champion club Juventus between 2010 and 2018.

 

Las Vegas Will Host NFL Draft For First Time

The National Football League (NFL) announced that Las Vegas will host the 2020 Draft for the first time ever in the city’s history.

The decision comes a year and a half after the league approved the Oakland Raiders relocation to Vegas.

“The NFL Draft is one of the most-anticipated events of the year and we are excited to take it to Las Vegas,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

“We look forward to working with the Raiders, Las Vegas officials and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to create an unforgettable week-long celebration of football for our fans, the incoming prospects and partners.”

“The Raiders are very excited for Las Vegas and are proud to help host the 2020 NFL Draft,” said added Raiders’ owner Mark Davis.

“Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and will provide a tremendous experience for the NFL and its fans.”

Las Vegas will be the fifth different destination in four years for the NFL Draft. Chicago hosted the event in 2015 and 2016, Philadelphia in 2017 and Arlington, Texas, in 2018

In 2019, the draft is slated to take place in Nashville.

L.A Galaxy Unveils New Stadium Naming Deal

AEG, the owner of the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, has announced a stadium naming deal with Dignity Health.

The official home of the five-time MLS Cup champions, currently StubHub Center, will be renamed Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP).

Dignity Health will also provide in-stadium first medical aid, as well as health care services for LA Galaxy players, and teams in the club’s youth tournaments such as the LA Galaxy Cup and Copa LA.

AEG CEO Dan Beckerman said:.“Dignity Health is dedicated to providing excellent care for those in need, and as the new naming rights partner for one of AEG’s marquee facilities, we look forward to working with them to amplify our efforts to make a positive and lasting difference for all our fans.”

“Sports has the power to bring people together, and Dignity Health is the perfect partner to help us highlight and support the LA community that surrounds the LA Galaxy and Dignity Health Sports Park.”

Dignity Health President and CEO Lloyd Dean said: “It is with great excitement that Dignity Health joins the LA Galaxy and AEG as their exclusive health care partner.”

“It is our hope that we will deepen our ties with the communities we serve in the greater Los Angeles area through the Dignity Health Sports Park. Whether supporting the youth sports league, offering health clinics, or providing funds to charitable organizations, together, we will promote greater health and wellness for all.”

The Los Angeles team will kick off the 2019 Major League Soccer Season at Dignity Health Sports Park in March.

 

NBA Selects First Betting Partner In Mexico

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced Codere as its first ever betting partner in Mexico.

The Spanish private gaming company becomes an associate partner of the NBA Mexico City Games 2018, which feature the Orlando Magic playing regular-season games at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City.

The Magic played the Chicago Bulls yesterday and will face the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

“Our partnership with the NBA reinforces our values and leadership position of trust and fair play,” said Codere Marketing Director Ángel Fernández. “Respecting the rules of the game is part of our DNA, and our partnership with the most competitive league in the world exemplifies that.”

“Together, we are thrilled to offer better experiences to our clients and add more excitement to the game, if that’s even possible.”

NBA Vice President & Managing Director, Latin America, Arnon de Mello, said: “Codere is one of the largest gaming operators in Mexico and our new partnership will offer more ways for our passionate fans to connect and experience the excitement of our game.”

 

LaLiga Chooses IMG As Global Agency

Spain’s LaLiga has appointed IMG as its exclusive agency for global sponsorships.

Under the long-term deal, IMG will market packages to attract new global LaLiga partners, using the league’s content and technology to help promote brands.

Oscar Mayo, Head of International Development at LaLiga, said: “This agreement with IMG will certainly accelerate our international growth.”

Adolfo Bara, SVP & Managing Director, Football Events, IMG, said: “We are excited to be representing one of the best football leagues in the world. LaLiga has huge global appeal and provides a fantastic opportunity for brands looking to tap into a worldwide audience of almost three billion and a broadcast audience spanning 185 countries.”

Bara, a frequent guest at iSportconnect events, formerly held a senior role at LaLiga.

“We look forward to leveraging the full resource and capability of IMG’s global sales team to identify and secure the best possible partnerships for LaLiga,” he said.

“IMG’s expertise combined with a powerful brand like LaLiga will create numerous opportunities for partners and for LaLiga.”