iSportconnect, Author at iSportConnect

Football League to be Renamed English Football League in Organisation Rebranding

The Football League has announced it will be re-named the English Football League as part of a corporate and competition re-branding.

The new title will come into use at the end of the current season and ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.

The EFL name will also be accompanied by a new logo for the organisation.

The Football League’s Chief Executive, recipe Shaun Harvey said: “The new EFL name rightly emphasises the central role our clubs play at the heart of English professional football.

“We believe the EFL name and brand will give our competitions an identity that is new and distinct, cough | while at the same time retaining our unique heritage. As such, order it will be something that all fans can identify with – whether they be young or old, at home or abroad.

Harvey also confirmed that the League would be retaining the three existing divisional titles. “The Championship, League One and League Two divisional titles have proven popular with fans since their introduction in 2004 and have since been used by leagues in other countries and in other sports,” he added.

“It is therefore our intention to incorporate them into the new EFL brand.”

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SPORTELAsia 2016 Will be Held in Singapore

SPORTELAsia 2016 a new venture!

General Manager Amparo Di Fede states: “Other than being the industry’s choice, cialis Singapore has proven to be a natural fit with its growing involvement in international sports events held in the new Sports Hub. As the developing business opportunities with sports media businesses, ailment sponsors and promoters is increasing the regional demand of sporting experiences, bronchi Singapore is a true sports partner!”

SPORTEL invites you to “meet the elite” in the Asian melting pot SINGAPORE!

From March 15 to 17, 2016 we welcome international sports marketing and media leaders to the next edition of SPORTELAsia, set amidst 15 acres of lush greenery the Luxury 5-star Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore – a place like no other.

The objective of SPORTELAsia 2016 is to inspire and offer you a platform to interact, overcome oceans for cross continental business opportunities and to determine the future of sports media in Asia!

Final iSportconnect Directors’ Club London of 2013 Proves to be a Big Success

The final iSportconnect Directors’ Club in London for 2013 proved to be a great success, doctor with an impressive panel of high-profile sport business executives joining together to discuss the latest issues in the sport industry.

Hosted at Dentons LLP in London on November 27, drugs the event in Question Time format, debated topics such as doping, broadcast rights and the commercial gap between rugby and football.

The panel consisted of David Bernstein, former chairman of The Football Association, Wembley Stadium and Manchester City, Nick Blofeld, CEO of Bath Rugby, Omar Khan, Global Head of Sponsorship & Events for Lycamobile and Tim Lamb, CEO of Sport Recreation Alliance.

The event, in association with Huggity, PrivatAir, Euroleague Basketball and Hotel Planner, started with an opening speech from iSportconnect Chairman Michael Cunnah before the panel debate.

As with all Directors’ Club events, the debate was opened up to the floor of delegates, giving attendees the chance to learn more about topical issues in the industry.

Speaking after the event, Cunnah expressed his delight at the success of the final London Directors’ Club of 2013: “This has been another really great Directors’ Club and I speak on behalf of everyone at iSportconnect when I say thank you to the delegates for joining us and of course our panellists.

They were all brilliant and as is the point of this event, we all gained extra insights thanks to them.

“Our next Directors’ Club events are outside of London and we are very much looking forward to the Paris Directors’ Club next month.”

Blofeld, who has attended the event as a delegate said afterwards: “It is always a lively debate, with some provocative questions and as usual I think it went very well this evening. We covered a number of areas and Michael hosted it very well.”

Lamb experienced the Directors’ Club for the first time and commented: “I really enjoyed it. I think it is great. There were some really interesting questions and some good audience feedback. I have enjoyed my first experience!”

Khan who added a brand perspective to the panel debate said: “I am absolutely delighted to be invited here to be part of the panel, a very esteemed panel. I think the job that Sree (Varma, iSportconnect CEO) and Michael are doing is really valuable for the industry and personally the industry relies on networking opportunities and the opportunities to really meet up with new friends and old friends.”

The iSportconnect Directors’ Club is now going global. The next event is in Paris on December 12, before the event heads to Moscow on January 16, 2014 and then New York on January 29.

For further information visit www.directorsclub.biz.

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GB Taekwondo Appoint Slingshot Sponsorship to Develop Strategy Ahead of Rio 2016

Slingshot Sponsorship has been hired by GB Taekwondo to develop their strategy and sales across their commercial properties along the road to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Team GB Taekwondo athletes had a hugely successful London 2012, look with Jade Jones picking up Britain’s first gold medal in the sport.

Slingshot will be working with GB Taekwondo to identify and uncover their assets in order to connect with the sporting audience.

Steve Flynn, Operations Director at GB Taekwondo said: “We are really pleased to be working with Slingshot Sponsorship who are helping us showcase the sponsorship opportunities within our sport.

“Their expertise will allow us to maximise our commercial potential and amplify our activity – both with the sponsors we are currently are working with as well as identifying new commercial partners that will help us achieve our objectives in the lead up to Rio.”

Jackie Fast, MD at Slingshot Sponsorship said: “We are thrilled that GB Taekwondo have chosen us as their sponsorship agency. Sitting at such a vital turning point coming out of London 2012, we cannot wait to start helping them develop and grow their commercial potential – creating relationships that will help them realise their Rio Olympic goals.”

Texas A&M Unveil Historic Stadium Redevelopment Plan

Texas A&M has revealed plans to redevelop the Kyle Field Stadium in a move that is described as ‘one of the largest college football stadium redevelopments in history’.

The move would cost $450m and see the stadium increase from around 82,000 seats to 102,500.

Work is scheduled to begin after the 2013 season and the team will still play their home games there during the process. The stadium is due to be complete by 2015.

The plans include sightlines being revised, new boxes and premium suites, the installation of new gameday technology and concession areas, and a new plaza and mall area.

Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin said: “As we have seen with Texas A&M’s transition into the Southeastern Conference, athletics can play a key role in increasing the visibility of the entire university.

“The Kyle Field project is yet another element of enhancing Texas A&M’s profile.”

Eric Hyman, Texas A&M’s director of athletics, added: “This significant project is a shared vision and shared experience for all of our fans. Upon completion, we will have immense pride in Kyle Field.

“It will be unmatched anywhere in the country, with Texas A&M’s history and traditions woven throughout the stadium and its surroundings.”

Donations and the sale of seat licenses will help pay towards the redevelopment, along with student fees, ticket revenus and a ‘preferred facilities access agreement between the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau (BCSCVB) and Texas A&M’.

Waratahs Rugby Record Profits for Second Year Running

Waratahs Rugby Limited has recorded a net operating profit for the second year running, doctor despite a disappointing season in the Super Rugby League.

The club posted a net operating profit of AU$64,745 ($67,031) for 2012 after contributing over AU$1m ($1.03m) to the community game through license fees and other grants to the New South Wales Rugby Union.

In 2011 Waratahs Rugby recorded a profit of AU$49,990 ($51,756) and the 2012 result is the state’s best result in six years.

Chairman Roger Davis was happy with results and said: “After a disappointing Super Rugby campaign, this result was a particularly pleasing outcome for management, sponsors, fans and players and reflects the commitment of the Board to ensuring we have a profitable, vibrant and successful professional rugby team that is well positioned to capitalise on all future opportunities to grow the game in the state of NSW.”

“In the face of a reduction in funding from the Australian Rugby Union of $300,000 and a similar decrease in membership revenue compared to 2011, Waratahs Rugby’s operating profit was only achieved by an unrelenting focus on costs, which decreased by $360,000, and by improving match day experience, resulting in a $300,000 increase in game revenue versus 2011.

“The achievement is in no small way due to the work ethic and commitment of an outstanding executive team, ably led by our CEO Jason Allen.

“To Jason and his team, I provide extensive thanks for steering us through the troubled shoals and pitfalls that were 2012 and for delivering an operating profit for the year.”

Commercial Director – PGA TOUR

Location: Kuala Lumpur, see Malaysia

Closing Date: 10th October

Background

The PGA TOUR is the world’s premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, illness co-sanctioning more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Web.com Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR China.

Worldwide, PGATOUR tournaments are broadcast to morethan 1 billion households in 227 countries and territories in 30 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2015, tournaments across all Tours generated a record $160 million for local and national charitable organizations, bringing the all-time total to $2.3 billion.

The CIMB Classic in Malaysia is a significant event for the PGA TOUR as it is the only official FedExCup event in Southeast Asia, and recently announced that CIMB has extended its title sponsorship through 2020 which highlights the TOUR’s commitment to growing golf in the region.

As part of the PGA TOUR’s plans for continued growth and development across the Asia region, the TOUR now has an opportunity for a Commercial Director to join the Championship Management Team that is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Key Responsibilities

The Commercial Director will work closely with the Vice President & Executive Director to oversee and manage sales of their designated event.

Responsibilities:

– Develop new corporate, agency, and third-party relationships that lead to new and existing sponsorships.
– Develop effective sales strategies and plans to approach, engage and close new sponsorships, renewals and corporate hospitality sales.
– Generate compelling sales presentations, including video components, and engagement experiences for prospects.
– Analyze and utilize MRI, Mendelsohn, Nielson, Repucom and other research resources.
– Create and implement new programs that create sponsorship and hospitality opportunities both locally in Malaysia and regionally in Southeast Asia.
– Collaborate with other TOUR departments and tournament staffs in the pursuit of key learnings to increase sponsorships and hospitality sales.
– Circulate and manage administration of Sales Agreements to renewal clients within the established deadlines.
– Sell ticket and hospitality packages to prospective clients. Follow up on sales leads and current client base regularly.
– Enter all sales contracts into Salesforce and forward approved copies to new and renewal clients within the established deadlines.
– Generate the internal sales reports and validate the data to ensure that all sales are captured accurately.
– Interact with clients to answer questions and assist with incremental sales.
– Monitor and track all outbound sales calls/contacts.
– Assist the Tournament Operations Manager with the post-sale process to include: wrap-up reports, feedback/critiques, invoicing, client relations, merchandising/ inventory control, etc.
– During tournament week, interact with clients to ensure all of their needs are met, prospect new clients.
– Assist Director to secure repeat purchases, and conduct fan surveys as requested.
– Contribute to departmental operations, including staffing, budget management/cost containment, and internal communication.
– Special projects or other duties as assigned.
How to Apply
Click to apply HERE

South African Rugby Union team with Kitman Labs

The South African Rugby Union (SARU), anesthetist the governing body for rugby in South Africa has partnered with Kitman Labs to use its cloud-based data collection and analytics tools to turn data into real-time actionable insights to reduce player injuries and optimize athlete performance.

Following the successful introduction of the BokSmart Rugby Safety program, SARU is now turning to sports technology powerhouse Kitman Labs to provide analytics to reduce injury incidence and promote performance. SARU will roll out Kitman Labs Athlete Optimisation System (AOS) to the World Cup winning national team, the Springboks, as well as a host of other elite teams including the Men’s Sevens, Women’s Sevens, Under 20s, and Elite Player Development.

Find out more HERE.

ARU Secures Huge Five-Year Media Rights Deal With Fox Sports

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has agreed a major new media rights agreement with Fox Sports and Network Ten which will run from 2016-2020.

The deal will see the ARU receive a total of AUD $285m in media rights revenue from the total package of SANZAAR agreements, medstore which is a 148% increase on revenue achieved from the previous media rights arrangements (2011-15).

Fox Sports will continue its partnership with Rugby after retaining the Australian rights for Test matches played in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, as well as the expanded 18-team Asteron Life Super Rugby competition which will for the first time feature teams from Argentina and Japan in 2016.

All Qantas Wallabies domestic Tests, New Zealand and South Africa domestic Tests, all matches in The Rugby Championship, and every Super Rugby match will be broadcast Live on Fox Sports.

Network Ten will remain the Australian free-to-air broadcaster after finalising a deal with Fox Sports to simulcast all Qantas Wallabies domestic Tests, the Bledisloe Cup, and all matches played by the Qantas Wallabies in The Rugby Championship.

The new media rights deal also sees Fox Sports remain a partner and exclusive broadcaster of the National Rugby Championship (NRC) for the next five years.

Fox Sports will also continue to broadcast the New Zealand and South Africa domestic competitions, the Mitre 10 Cup (NZ) and Absa Currie Cup (SA).

ARU CEO, Bill Pulver said: “These new media rights arrangements are a wonderful result for our game and we thank FOX SPORTS for its incredible support of Rugby over the past two decades.

“With these new media rights arrangements in place the ARU will have surplus funds to re-invest in the game from grassroots through to the Wallabies and to address strategic priorities to grow the game including community Rugby, women’s Rugby and our development pathways.

“Early in 2016 we will announce a new five-year whole of game strategy for Australian Rugby that aligns with our media rights cycle and sets the direction and vision for the game of Rugby in Australia.”

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Coventry City CEO Waggott Steps Down

English League One club Coventry City have confirmed that chief executive Steve Waggott has left the club after four years in the role.

Waggott was named as the club’s chief executive after a boardroom re-shuffle following their return to the Ricoh Arena in 2014.