Golfer Martin Kaymer and his management team have agreed a representation deal with global management and marketing company, IMG.

As part of the deal IMG will work together with manager Philip Kaymer, coach Gunter Kessler and PR-agent Dirk Schimmel to manage Kaymer’s worldwide affairs.

More info HERE.

While the sudden resignation of controversial SportAccord President Marius Vizer following a recent attack on the IOC in Sochi has stunned the sports world, Michael Pirrie, who attended the recent Sochi SportAccord summit in Russia, traces the key developments that led to the downfall of the outspoken critic who had lost the support of world sports leaders.

By Michael Pirrie 

Early on as the newly elected President of SportAccord, Marius Vizer identified “Visibility” of SportAccord as a key objective. His speech attacking the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Agenda 2020 and on President Thomas Bach himself, certainly achieved that. He had taken Sport Accord’s visibility to record, even viral, levels, but sadly for him and his organisation, it was for all the wrong reasons.

As SportAccord’s “visibility” soared to new heights, it was also simultaneously in a downward spiral – membership dwindled and withered to next to nothing, prompting questions about the future and about the raison d’être of the SportAccord organization itself, and of the man who wanted to make SportAccord a dominant player in the sports world.

The Vizer attack speech and in particular his continuing outbursts prompted an unprecedented boycott of his SportAccord power base by the sports world, especially the Olympic sporting federations (more than 20), and representative sporting bodies and events owners and governing bodies including the IPC and Commonwealth Games Federation, amongst others.

Paradoxically, the very vehicle invented to facilitate the business and future of sport for the federations had only succeeded in driving the Federations away.

The Association of International Olympic Winter Federations (AIOWF) was just one of the key organizations to recently suspend its cooperation “with immediate effect and until further notice.” It joined its stable-mate ASOIF whose President Francesco Ricci Bitti told Vizer, “I urge you politely to refrain from speaking publicly on behalf of the International Federations as they do not feel represented by Sport Accord and more importantly do not agree with the position or views that you have taken.”

Two other hammer blows for Vizer were the cancellation of the Combat Games which was to have been one of the flagship events of Sport Accord – followed by the strong criticism from ANOC that once had seemed like an ally.

In a statement Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, a key power player in the politics of world sport, clearly distanced himself from Vizer. And significantly, also demanded an explanation from Vizer about “how Sport Accord shares its income with the International Sports Federations.”

Later, the Recognized Federations ARISF joined the rush for the exit doors, its President Rafaela Chili expressing his “growing concern and disappointment” with the SportAccord President’s lack of prior consultation with the SportAccord Council. “Furthermore,” he pointed out, “it was gravely noted that no such consultation took place with the ARISF Council.”

And it only worsened for Vizer amid speculation his controversial speech reflected his own personal views, as these views and positions were clearly working against the best interests of SportAccord’s constituent federations.

All this controversy emanating from the same room and same podium used a short time after Vizer at SportAccord by Russia Federation president Vladimir Putin, no doubt hoping to bask again, if even only briefly, in the global Olympic spotlight after the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, the location for the SportAccord convention.

Future doubts

The international chorus of protest over the Vizer attack and doubts it triggered about the future of Sport Accord also may have had serious implications for plans and hopes harboured in the Putin administration to hold future editions of Sport Accord in Moscow, St Petersburg and back in Sochi again to help establish a new base for international sport and influence in Russia, which is feeling increasingly isolated over sanctions imposed by Europe in response to Russia’s opposition to Ukraine’s fight for independence.

Vizer was also feeling increasingly isolated as the non-Olympic sports began to cut ties with SportAccord, including karate, korfball, orienteering and motor racing while badminton had become the 22nd Olympic federation to deregister.

Orienteering even noted: “It was clear at Sochi that many members of SportAccord did not support the approach, in principal or in detail, that you were taking. It was also clear that unlike Agenda 2020, there had been no attempt to consult with federations on the SportAccord stance”

Rather than seizing the day and inspiring the convention in Sochi with a speech outlining a vision to bring the worlds of sport and business closer together to help different sporting bodies and federations to plan, finance and develop their sports, athletes, supporter base, sponsors, and other key stakeholders, Vizer decided instead to attack IOC President Thomas Bach and IOC policies at the opening of the Sport Accord General Assembly.

Weeks later, Vizer’s SportAccord speech and attack on Thomas Bach as IOC President was continuing to dominate discussion in world sporting circles, amid swirling speculation about the possible motives, implications and circumstances surrounding the speech and the future direction and focus of Sport Accord itself.

Russian sports officials supporting and financing the SportAccord Convention and its future in Russia were understood to be concerned by the walkouts and the need to realign and reset relations with the IOC following Vizer’s speech, especially given the need for a high level Olympic presence and participation at SportAccord to draw key high profile delegates, experts, thought and opinion and industry leaders and especially sponsors for a successful SportAccord convention.

Vizer’s attack on the IOC President was so unexpected that it threw the SportAccord Convention into chaos, setting back the crucial task of building bridges, relations, and strategic partnerships and alliances between the different coalitions and networks of sporting bodies, federations and other key stakeholders involved in the business of world sport and doing business in the world of sport.

The world of sport was clearly not in accord, but a state of discord, and as uncertainty surrounding SportAccord continued to grow in wake of Vizer’s controversial comments, pressure was also growing for urgent action to stem the flood of federation resignations, and to resolve the future of SportAccord or to replace it with a new model – or even more likely with a new president.

Departures

The scale and impact of the SportAccord boycott and its inevitable outcome had been partly concealed by federations resigning on an individual basis over an extended period, rather than en masse as part of any coordinated or orchestrated protest.

Other Olympic federations that resigned or temporarily suspended membership from the SportAccord Association included Athletics, Boxing, Canoe, Equestrian, Weightlifting, Hockey, Wrestling, Modern Pentathlon, Rugby, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Archery, Triathlon, Basketball and Volleyball, along with winter Olympic sports such as Bobsleigh, and Curling.

The only key exception was Vizer’s own International Judo Federation, and even here some members were muttering quietly that they had not been consulted and that he was not speaking for them.

It was now easier to count the number of organizations that remained in Sport Accord than those that had left.

This was an alarming situation of for world sport, as the federations involved in the SportAccord walkouts were among the best, biggest and most creative in world sport, and have developed their sports, gold medal winning athletes, revenue streams, fan bases, junior, elite and community competitions and world championships over many decades of hard work, and in association with the Olympic Games and Olympic Movement.

The scale of the exodus reflected a vote of no confidence in Vizer, and while the combined Summer and Winter Associations of Olympic Sporting Federations own 50 per cent of the SportAccord Convention, the exact role and involvement of the Olympic federations at SportAccord in the future was uncertain and unclear, a highly threatening and toxic combination of conditions and circumstances for such a global convention and association as SportAccord.

While a SportAccord-style Convention enables the international sporting federations to engage with the ever widening spectrum of specialist businesses and suppliers involved in world sport, SportAccord itself, to be commercially viable and relevant, truly needs the support and involvement of the Olympic federations and non-Olympic federations with money to host  events to attract the high value, big spending exhibitors and delegates, potential host cities, government officials, tourism, hospitality, IT, major event suppliers, infrastructure and venue operators and providers, and especially, the big international sports event owners and governing bodies, and there are none bigger than the Olympic Games and Family.

The federation walkouts were not designed to destroy SportAccord but to highlight an urgent need for SportAccord to review its operations and priorities.

Agenda 2020

Vizer’s attack on IOC President Bach had puzzled and disappointed world sporting leaders. Especially since Vizer was fully involved in the Olympic Agenda 2020 reform process, taking part in Working Groups and even invited to the top level Olympic Summit, but remained silent, neither offering ideas nor criticism.

And after Bach’s highly successful push for new reforms and processes enabling new sports to win a place on the Olympic sports competition schedule, the goal of just about every sport in the Sport Accord Association – it seems few were now ready to side with Vizer and his supporting base was collapsing and shrinking by the day.

Bach’s own Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms have revived the Olympic Movement, and reversed the growing number of cities withdrawing from the Olympic Games applicant process- triggered by budget concerns in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games – and are attracting top flight cities back to the 2024 Olympic bid, while also reassuring sponsors of the enormous value and returns on investment from commercial associations and partnerships with the Olympic Games.

The self-inflicted damage that Vizer’s attack was causing to the Sport Accord brand, turned the spotlight on leadership from Bach to Vizer himself, raising important questions about the legitimacy of Vizer’s mandate to speak out on behalf of the sporting federations, and SportAccord’s mission, activities, and governance and management, especially in relation to the viability of Vizer’s World Games concept and duplication of Olympic styled services, and bureaucracy in SportAccord.

Meanwhile, amid the controversy and uncertainty of Sportaccord, the business of sport continued to grow and expand in new directions and sectors, providing new business opportunities and investment for sport and the business of sport, crucial to the interests of the federations and SportAccord.

These include the world’s first private equity fund by Massive Capital in London that will focus exclusively on the global sports industry.

The range of different sports being played is also increasing, and sports that were once considered niche are becoming more mainstream and such as skateboarding.

This all clearly demonstrates the need for a well-organized and managed SportAccord-style body to facilitate essential business services and investment opportunities for sport federations with the worldwide growth of sport and related business activity.

The only question that needed urgent answering in the wake of the Vizer crisis was whether SportAccord was the best equipped organisation moving forward to do this?

The Olympic movement has survived world wars, global financial crises, drugs and bribery scandals, and terrorism, and it was always clear that it would survive the attack by Marius Vizer. But could SportAccord – and Vizer – survive without the support of the Olympic Family and Federations.

Vizer ultimately answered that question himself with his own resignation in Shakespearean style and circumstances.

—

Michael Pirrie is a major events and communications strategist and advisor, who managed international communications and media relations and liaison with the IOC executive office on planning for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Struggling Formula One team Marussia has gone out of business, doctor their administrators FRP have announced.

FRP failed to find a new owner for the team who entered into administration last week.

Marussia will now cease trading and all staff will be made redundant. Over 200 jobs are believed to be lost at the team’s Banbury headquarters in the UK.

Geoff Rowley, joint administrator, said: “It goes without saying that it is deeply regrettable that a business with such a great following in British and world motorsport has had to cease trading and close its doors.

“Whilst the team made significant progress during its relatively short period of operation, operating a F1 team requires significant ongoing investment.

“The group was put into administration last month following a shortfall in on-going funding and the administration process provided a moratorium to allow for attempts to secure a long term viable solution for the company within in a very limited time-frame.

“Sadly no solution could be achieved to allow for the business to continue in its current form. We would like to thank all the staff for their support during this difficult process.”

Marussia and Caterham were both included onto the F1 entry list for next season, which was a sign that both teams may survive and compete next season under new ownership.

Rowley added: “The team will not be participating in the two further rounds of the 2014 championship remaining, in Sao Paulo and Abu Dhabi.

“The joint administrators will continue with their statutory duties to realise the assets of the business in the best interests of all the creditors.”

Read the latest iSportconnect Discussion: What Does the Future Hold For Formula One as a Sport?

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George O’Grady has announced he will step down as the chief executive of golf’s European Tour.

The 65-year-old will remain in charge until a successor is found as the board of directors on the tour begin the search for a replacement.

This will end O’Grady’s 40 year association with The European Tour where he has played an instrumental part in developing the sport, drugs which included the growth of the Ryder Cup, apoplectic securing key TV and sponsorship deals and also helping with the process of golf being reinstated into the Olympic Games.

George O’Grady said: “In the aftermath of what I believe to have been the best presented Ryder Cup since my first involvement in the contest at Royal Lytham in 1977, I felt this was the right time to ask the board to begin the search for my successor.

“It is my firm belief that, coming towards the end of what has been another incredibly successful season, we are now seeing the green shoots of recovery across Europe and I am pleased that this coincides with all our building blocks, in terms of key television and sponsorship contracts, being in place.

“I have agreed with the board to stay not only for the time it takes to appoint a new CEO but also for sufficient additional time after that to see them properly settled in. The board also agreed that, at that stage, I will take up a role as president of International Relations which will see me represent the European Tour through the Olympic Games in 2016.”

David Williams, chairman of the European Tour, said: “On behalf of the board and all of the members of the European Tour I would like to thank George for his contribution to the European Tour and professional golf generally over the last 40 years.

“The European Tour and its players are admired throughout the world of golf and George has played a key part in building global relationships and developing the tour. He has always respected the traditions of the Tour and built on the strong foundations put in place by John Jacobs, Neil Coles and Ken Schofield.

“The tour is now embarking on a new phase in its development and that is why George has considered that it is the right time to ask the Nominations Committee to find his successor.”

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The owners of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres have appointed a high-profile investment banker to run their potential bid for the NFL franchise, cialis the Buffalo Bills.

Owners Terry (pictured) and Kim Pegula have made the move to get Steve Greenberg of Allen & Co., who are often involved in the sales of sports teams, according to reports on the ESPN NFL website.

The Pegula family has not confirmed whether they will even make a bid for the NFL team, which is up for sale after owner and founder Ralp Wilson died in March.

Their potential bid was reported by the Associated Press, after documents were allegedly sent to potential buyers from a law firm representing Wilson’s estate.

Greenberg has been involved in purchases of the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Astros.

The Bills were last valued by Forbes at $870m but the sale price could be far higher because of the rarity of NFL teams going on the market.

A committee formed by the Brazilian government will monitor prices of hotel rates and plane tickets during the World Cup next year to prevent abusive price hikes.

The group was formed by President Dilma Rousseff and is comprised of members of different ministries. Its formation follows numerous complaints from consumer advocates and reports of huge price increases from the tourism industry for next summer’s tournament. 

A study by the Brazilian tourism board found that rate will rise by up to 500% in some hotels offered by the FIFA-appointed agency MATCH Services. Brazil’s largest newspaper also reported that a 45-minute flight from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo on the day of the World Cup final would almost cost as much as a flight to New York or Paris. 

The tournament is expected to attract three million local visitors and 600,000 foreign tourists, many of whom will primarily fly around the huge country to follow the tournament, which makes the price of flights a particular concern.

Gleisi Hoffmann, President Rousseff’s chief of staff, said: “We don’t set prices and we won’t set prices, but we won’t allow abuses. We will use all of our available instruments to defend the rights of consumers, whether they are Brazilian consumers or international consumers.”

The new committe is expected to meet for the first time next week. 

Brazil sports minister has pledged there will be “zero tolerance” for hotels that charge abusive prices and that doing so would hurt Brazil’s image around the world. Hotel prices became a controversial topic during last year’s Rio+20 UN conference, when the average hotel in Rio cost almost $800 a night, leading to the entire European Parliament delegation cancelling their trip.

Brazil’s tourism board, Embratur, has officially told FIFA and hotel operators to negotiate lower prices during the World Cup. It has also notified the justice ministry department that is reponsible for consumer rights issues.

Embratur president Flavio Dino said: “This measure by President Dilma and Minister Gleisi is essential to safeguard the image of Brazilian tourism abroad. Our monitoring of the international media shows that we can’t allow this image that the Brazilian government will not act against abuses.”

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Cape Town will host the first stopover on the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 route and will replace Recife in Brazil.

The decision to go to South Africa for the tenth time in 12 editions means the teams will only make one stop in Brazil, buy with Recife’s place being connected with a team from Pernambuco.

Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad said: “It is of course disappointing not to go to Recife in this edition but Brazil is very well represented in this race including a stop in Itajaí.”

Cape Town has significant history with the race and first appeared in the 1973-74 edition of the race, allergist which was the inaugural race known as the Whitbread.

Frostad added: “Cape Town is an iconic city and the sight of Table Mountain on the horizon as you approach the port at the end of Leg 1 is something every ocean racer looks forward to.”

Councillor Grant Pascoe, ampoule the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events & Marketing, said he was delighted the City of Cape Town and the V & A Waterfront would host the event once more.

“Not only does this race offer worldwide marketing exposure for Cape Town and raise the City and V & A Waterfront’s profile as a top leisure and events destination, it also provides a valuable boost for the many local industries through visitor and organiser spend,” he said.

Organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race did confirm that Recife would be considered for future editions and had ‘the potential to be a good stopover’ in later races.

By Rupert Pratt

UK Athletics recently stated that the IAAF’s sponsors would much prefer a World Championships in London! Whilst supporting the event would certainly assist build relationships with the Qatari Government and key stakeholders, the London 2017 UK bid offers the sponsorship community a more balanced international B2B and B2C marketplace.

Qatar has a very small population so from a consumer sponsorship perspective offers a very low ROI for sponsors. This is why the Qatari bid looked to match funding by supporting IAAF events elsewhere.

There is no doubt that the sport in the UK in the run up to 2017 will be crowded with major sporting events (2012, RWC, Glasgow 14), but this will create a nice stepping stone. Both 2012 and Glasgow 2014 also have the opportunity to suck new sponsors into athletics so I see it as a real advantage. RWC 2015 will be popular with sponsors but highly competitive amongst an already defined Rugby marketplace.

The continuity from London 2012 to 2017 is a major bonus for UK Athletics, the London 2017 bid was a genuine coup for London 2012’s legacy promise and Athletics in the UK. UKA now needs to plan long term and build its commercial infrastructure.

Qatar wants to use athletics as a way developing and growing an economy that comes with hosting major games, as well as using the event as a catalyst for infrastructure development, showcasing their country and creating a stepping stone for other major event bids. Major sponsors need the right mix between existing and developing economies and London 2017 offers international sponsors a platform in a consumer and commercial hub.

Rupert Pratt
Managing Director
Generate Sponsorship
Co-Founder / Managing Director of one of the UK’s top sponsorship agencies
Rupert oversees the day to day running of the business  and its service divisions (Consultancy, Activation / PR, Events and Sales) as well as the agency’s expansion and development. He also manages its relationships with partner offices in Atlanta, Paris, Doha, Beijing and Shanghai
Generate is one of the fastest growing agencies year on year and Rupert is a regular contributor to sponsorship conferences, articles, forums and best practice (visit www.generatesponsorship.com<http://www.generatesponsorship.com> to understand more)

Visit Rupert Pratt’s

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