Gareth Bale to be a ‘big commercial success’ for Real Madrid

The world-record transfer of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid will provide the Spanish giants with huge commercial success according to sponsorship and rights experts.

Bale finally completed his £84.7m ($132m) from Tottenham to Real Madrid on the weekend and people have questioned whether the Welshman will provide the club with the same commercial opportunities that the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo did when he moved to the club in 2009.

Andrea Radrizzani, Group CEO of MP & Silva, a media rights company selling the Premier League abroad said: “While some have their doubts, it is highly likely that Gareth Bale will be a big commercial success for Real Madrid. His lightening pace and spectacular goals have made him one of the most exciting players in the Premier League, which is viewed by 4.7 billion people in over 212 territories around the world.

“I believe Real Madrid and Liga brands will benefit from his presence and especially Asia Pacific where EPL fans will be continuing to follow his career.

“The value of the transfer is just sensational and it can’t be justified by any commercial and marketing plan. Probably only Real Madrid with its big revenues and club ownership structure could effort such investment in a player. “

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Nigel Currie director at brandRapport agreed and said: “I think Bale has a huge opportunity to develop not only his football career but his image and marketability over the next 5 years.

“His performance was outstanding and for a 24 year old he showed great maturity, poise and understanding of the situation. Having trademarked his heart sign goal celebration he can now use that to maximise his earnings from his image rights and it will enable him to create many more marketable opportunities for brand Bale rather than just having to rely on his name and replica shirt sales.”

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Churchill Downs Racetrack to See Venue Improvements

Home of the Kentucky Derby, pills Churchill Downs, drugs is redeveloping the venue’s grandstand area in a $14.5m expansion and improvement project.

The project, sickness which will be call the Grandstand Terrace once completed, will add 2,400 seats to the track in addition to a VIP Garden Terrace overlooking the starting gate. Additionally facilities such as the foot court, restrooms and betting windows will see improvements.

“What it is is the first significant expansion and renovation of our grandstand area of Churchill Downs for Oaks and Derby Day in several decades,” says the vice-president for communications at the track, John Asher.

Asher expressed an interest to diversify the project’s usage and said: “We also think it is a facility that further down the road will lend itself to family gatherings, reunions, and maybe some business meetings. We are looking to create a facility that also has multiple uses throughout the years.”

Since 2001 Churchill Downs has invested $165m in track improvements.

Senior Manager, Operations – Ontario Soccer Association

Location: Vaughn, Ontario, Canada

Closing date: 14th October 2016

Overview:

The Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) is actively searching for talented and ambitious people who are passionate about the field of sport management and education and want to apply their knowledge at Canada’s largest provincial sports organization. Founded in 1901, The OSA is comprised of more than 600 Clubs servicing over 24,000 teams with 430,000 registered indoor and outdoor players, 40,000 coaches and managers, and 10,000 match officials, as well as countless volunteers, parents and supporters who make up a multi-cultural community of over 1,000,000 Ontarians. The OSA develops and delivers exceptional and sustainable educational programs and services throughout Ontario, with the mission of providing leadership and support for the advancement of soccer. This is done in collaboration and cooperation with our membership, partners and other stakeholders, truly unifying the province of Ontario through the game of soccer.

The OSA also operates the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), Ontario’s premier youth development league and League1 Ontario, a provincial professional – amateur men’s and women’s league. The OSA is currently going through a significant time of change as we become more relevant and current to our members and participants. An overall goal of The OSA is to assist with the development of soccer as a healthy lifestyle choice, provide a talented pathway for players to excel to higher levels of the game and encourage community involvement at all levels. We invite you to be a part of the “beautiful game”!

We are looking for an experienced soccer administrator who will manage key operational areas of the organization. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Administration, the successful candidate will be a highly motivated individual that possesses the soft and technical skills needed to work in a dynamic team environment that includes fellow peers and passionate volunteers.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

 1. Operational Planning and Process management

2. Human Resources management

3. Analysis and reporting of budget to actual variances

4. Management of government funding bodies (Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Ontario Trillium, etc.)

5. Risk Management

6. Lead the communication, training and education of District Administrators

7. Operational Committees management

Qualifications:

Experience:

– A comprehensive understanding of the (governance) structure of soccer in Ontario, its key challenges and opportunities

– Minimum five years of proven sport leadership and management experience

– Proven self-starter and collaborator to achieve set goals  

– Management of the budget process (including trend analysis) and the ability to read and understand financial statements

– Operational planning and goal setting with metrics

– Information technology and systems management

– Human resources management

– Experience working with volunteers and understanding of trends and/needs in volunteerism

 

Education and Professional Designations:

– University degree in Sport Management or related field

– Finance and/or Human Resource designation is an asset but not required

 

Skills and Competencies:

– Excellent organizational, communication and presentation skills

– Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends and make appropriate recommendations

– Confident, diplomatic, and personable approach  

– The ability to problem solve, find solutions and communicate change

– Flexible, reliable, and trustworthy

– Able to motivate people

– Computer literate in all Microsoft Office programs

– Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends where required

– Established network within the soccer structure (provincial and/or national)

– Works well under pressure handling multiple priorities and meeting established deadlines

 

How to apply: Please email your CV and covering letter to: jobs@soccer.on.ca

 

Rugby Players’ Association extend ProSport deal

The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) has confirmed ProSport Insurance will continue as the title sponsor of the annual RPA Rugby Open which takes place next Wednesday.

Guy Horchover, symptoms Head of ProSport Insurance, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with the RPA, and support the fantastic work they do for professional rugby players in England.”

“We are fully committed to helping RPA members with their motor and home insurance with the same level of drive and commitment that they display each weekend on the pitch. The RPA Rugby Open is a great event and we look forward to continuing our sponsorship.”

RPA Group CEO, Damian Hopley, added: “ProSport Insurance has been a fantastic partner of the RPA for a number of years and we’re pleased to see them continue as our title sponsor of the RPA Rugby Open. We are looking forward to enjoying another excellent golf event with our players and our guests next week.”

 

Ian Ayre to step down as Liverpool CEO in 2017

English Premier League club Liverpool have announced that Ian Ayre is to step down as chief executive officer at the end of May 2017.

Ayre joined the club in 2007 as commercial director and the club’s board of directors in 2009, ambulance before being promoted to managing director in 2011 and chief executive in 2013.

Commenting on Ian’s decision, principal owner John W. Henry, chairman Tom Werner and president Mike Gordon said: “Ian advised us of his intention to step down as CEO a few months ago.

“Stability is a commodity often under-valued in sporting organisations, but it has been a fundamental hallmark of Ian’s time in charge. Liverpool will reap the benefits of his outstanding work for many years to come.

“We will at some point in the near future begin identifying and recruiting a successor to continue to build on the foundations which have been laid by Ian.”

Ian Ayre added: “If becoming chief executive of Liverpool Football Club was the greatest honour of my professional life, then deciding to step down at the end of my current contract is by far the most difficult.

“Having the privilege to lead this great club comes with huge responsibility and challenge but one which I have relished and I feel proud of my achievements in the role.

“I believe the end of next season is the right time to pass the CEO baton on to a new person, who will take on the challenges and opportunities with a fresh enthusiasm and vigour.”

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Inter Milan Name Le Sports as Broadcast Partner in China

Italian Serie A club Inter Milan have signed a deal with Le Sports, formerly LeTV, to become the exclusive broadcast partner for the club’s TV channel in mainland China.

The two-year agreement covers all platforms, including website and mobile.

More info HERE.

Hamdan bin Mohammed Ratifies Results of Sports Events Ranking System

System aimed at promoting continuous development of benchmarks, says Crown Prince

Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum has ratified the results of the ‘Sports Events Ranking System’, an initiative launched by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) to rank sports events according to 13 criteria and 29 key performance indicators (KPIs), and classify them under specific categories.  

The 2014-2015 Sports Events Ranking System uses a star rating system to rank sports events according to the quality of their event management and organisation.

The System also classifies the events under five major categories: Event Development, Economic Development, Sports Development, Social Development and Brand Development.

The Crown Prince of Dubai appreciated the efforts of DSC’s local associates to create and implement the innovative System, which is the first of its kind in the world: “The new Sports Events Ranking System is part of the UAE’s efforts to set new global benchmarks for excellence in every sphere of life including the sports sector.

The new System is one of the examples of creativity and innovation that Dubai has shown in advancing quality and standards, in line with the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”

DubaiDutyFree_Tennis

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed added: “On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of DSC, we are pleased to present the first set of results of the Sports Event Ranking System, which is primarily aimed at promoting the continuous development of benchmarks in sports events by using relevant and meaningful tools for measuring standards.”

Deputy Chairman of DSC H.E. Mater Al Tayer extended his appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his unlimited support for the development of the sports sector and encouragement in instilling a culture of excellence and creativity in sporting activities in both government and private sectors.

“We are pleased that DSC has taken proactive steps to launch this System as per the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, who advocates the application of best practices in administration and innovation, in order to showcase to the world the high levels of excellence that we maintain,” said Al-Tayer.

“More than 400 local, regional and international events are organised in Dubai every year. The Sports Events Ranking System is launched in such a way that accommodates these events and expects the implementation of the highest standards of transparency and accuracy in work.

DubaiTour

In June 2014, DSC held a workshop for all organisers of sports events in the government and private sectors to explain the details and procedures of the System. Today we are unveiling the results of the first edition of the System covering 87 events, which meet the applicable conditions.

The results include full reports submitted by the Organizing Committee, DSC and of course, the spectators of each event whose voice is the most important,” he added.

This system aims at improving the regulating standards for sporting events in Dubai and aligning the development of the sports industry with the goals of the Government of Dubai and the Dubai Sport Council’s strategy. Sporting events have been classified into international and national categories.

The elements of each category have their own significance according to the overall developments of Event Management, as well as Economic Development, Sport Development, Social Development and Brand Development.

The Events Development are evaluated and classified according to a number of criteria: Event Management, Financial, Logistical and Technological aspects, as well as the extent of female participation.

Each has a score that is taken into account in the classification. The Economic development of the event is measured through factors that have to do with the development of Tourism and Business, each having a score that has an impact on the result. The same applies to Sport Development which includes Sports Performance and Excellence and Sports Participation.

Dubai_WorldCup

The event’s Social Development is measured according to its role in inspiring the community and enhancing an integrated Dubai community, and lastly Branding Development includes Image Development and Media Coverage.

The information concerning the evaluation of each event can be obtained through answering 37 questions concerning the different aspects of organizing an event and its impact on society.

20 of these answers concern the sponsor of the event and represent 54% of the final result, 5 are addressed to spectators and/or participants and represent 16% of the final result, while 11 concern the professional team formed by Dubai Sport Council  and comprise 30% of the final result.

Joint Olympic Bids to be Considered at Agenda 2020

A change in the bidding process for the Olympic Games is one of the main recommomendations for the Olympic 2020 Agenda as IOC President Thomas Bach revealed the 40 proposals.

The IOC is looking towards “a new philosophy” in terms of bidding after six cities dropped out of the bidding for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

With several cities considering bids for the 2024 Summer Olympics, ed the changes from the Olympic Agenda 2020 in Monaco next month will be eagerly awaited.

Bach confirmed one of the proposals was for the bidding process to be an “invitation phase” for potential host cities to outline plans with the IOC.

These plans can include the possibility of joint bids from countries to host competitions in “exceptional cases”.

Recommendation one states: “The organisation of sports and events outside the host city and even, buy in exceptional cases, prostate outside the host country could also be allowed”

“These 40 recommendations are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle,” said Thomas Bach

“When you put them together, a picture emerges that shows the IOC safeguarding the uniqueness of the Olympic Games and strengthening sport in society.”

The future of the Olympic Movement will be discussed and voted on by the full IOC membership at the 127th IOC Session on 8 and 9 December in Monaco.

FIFA Investigator Garcia to Appeal ‘Incomplete’ FIFA Report

Michael Garcia, FIFA’s chief ethics investigator, has said his investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process is inaccurate and will launch an appeal over the findings.

According to Garcia the report contains “numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations”.

The report published earlier today by FIFA included statements by FIFA’s independent ethics committee, Hans-Joachim Eckert, where he cleared Qatar of any corruption dealings in their bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

Garcia however is not happy with the published report, which may lead to calls for his report to be released in full.

In a statement Garcia said: “Today’s decision by the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber contains numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of the facts and conclusions detailed in the investigatory chamber’s report.

“I intend to appeal this decision to the FIFA Appeal Committee.”

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iSportconnect Partner With Growing Mobile Sports Network Mitoo

iSportconnect, medicine the world’s largest private network for sport business professionals, adiposity has agreed an exciting partnership with mobile sports network, pills Mitoo.

The deal sees Mitoo become the Official Grassroots Sports Network of iSportconnect.

From governing bodies and sports associations to leagues, clubs and players, Mitoo provides mobile and web solutions for the whole hierarchy of the sports pyramid in order to grow grassroots participation.

They do this through a cross-platform mobile digital solution that connects everyone involved in the league to the right people and the right information.

Working with governing bodies, brands, sports associations and facilities across the world, Mitoo integrates with sports scheduling and registration systems to better engage players, grow participation and easily track player data.

As part of the partnership, Mitoo will have a one-stop entry to the global business of sports, as it seeks to expand its relationships with rights holders across the globe.

iSportconnect Founder and CEO Sree Varma, said: “We are delighted to partner with Mitoo and to contribute to their growth into the sports business world.”

Mitoo CEO Andrew Crump, said: “We’re really happy to be working with iSportconnect and believe that our partnership will have a huge impact in aiding our mission to transform and increase participation within the recreational sports sector”

About Mitoo

Working with governing bodies, brands, sports associations and facilities across the world, Mitoo delivers mobile digital solutions that better engages players, grows participation and easily tracks player data — all seamlessly integrated with your registration, schedule, website and CRM systems.

Mitoo solves the real problems that we face as players, parents, coaches, managers, league admins and club committee members. Our custom branded mobile apps not only enhance the experience for players, they help you to grow your audience and maximize revenue.

Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Las Vegas and London, Mitoo is solving the problems faced in participation sports on a global level, and in doing so is creating the world’s largest mobile focused sports network.

To learn more about Mitoo visit the website here.

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