Juventus Signs Konami Deal For PES 2020

Juventus has named Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. as a long-term and exclusive partner.

The partnership with Konami will see the eFootball PES series have exclusive use of Juventus intellectual property within console football video games, including the team name, the crest, and official kits. In addition, the development team has been granted in-depth access to the players themselves, via full-body 3D scan, in order to recreate their likeliness in the game as accurately as possible.

The Allianz Stadium will also be granted full and exclusive access in the eFootball PES 2020, in order to recreate the stadium and its football fans to such a degree that the level of detail will not go unnoticed.

Juventus Chief Revenue Officer, Giorgio Ricci said: “We are particularly proud of the partnership signed with Konami. This agreement sees two global football and entertainment icons, PES and Juventus partnering together for the next three years, and it will allow us to easier identify with our younger fans, as well as increase our appeal to both sports fans and those of e-sports.”

Jonas Lygaard, Senior Director Brand and Business Development at Konami Digital Entertainment said: “Our comprehensive partnership with Juventus FC, one of the greatest teams in the world, is a clear statement of intent for eFootball PES 2020 – the only console game where you can play as the Italian giants. With eFootball PES, playing is believing and we’re proud to have Juventus FC believe in us and our exciting future together.”

 

Rugby Football Union Partners Tixserve For Digital Ticket Services

England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) have joined forces with ticketing platform Tixserve for secure digital ticket delivery services for Twickenham stadium.

As per the agreement, Tixserve’s mobile-based, patent-pending technology will allow fans to receive their tickets via the official Twickenham Stadium app which will enable the RFU to gather data to create personalised fan experiences.

The deal was done after a competitive tender process and extensive trials during several events at the home of English rugby union in London,

Pat Kirby, Tixserve’s managing director said: “We are delighted to have secured such a prestigious flagship client as the RFU, especially after such an exhaustive tender process. The close working relationship developed means that we can provide the best secure digital ticketing solution for the RFU and its clubs, sponsors and supporters, as well as concert promoters and music fans who also use the world-famous Twickenham Stadium.”

Simon Massie-Taylor, the RFU’s commercial officer, said: “This is an important strategic agreement for the RFU as more and more fans now expect the convenience of being able to use their mobile devices to access events. They will also receive the information they need about each event, such as travel, things to do at the stadium, and exclusive content direct to their mobile device. We believe this service will greatly enhance the experience at Twickenham Stadium. We look forward to working with Tixserve to create a world-class, secure digital ticketing solution for all our customers.”

 

MLS And Adidas Signs Development Partnership With DFB

Major League Soccer and Adidas have signed a partnership with the German Football Association (DFB / Deutscher Fußball-Bund) that provides MLS academy goalkeeper coaches and young goalkeepers with training through a series of immersive development courses.

Through the partnership, MLS academy goalkeeper coaches will be guided through the same player training methodologies implemented by the world’s elite goalkeeper instructors. MLS has invited coaches from every club in the league to participate in the program which is based off the German method of goalkeeper coaching education, a staple of the DFB program since 2011.

The program will commence with a secondary weeklong training in North America where the mentors will place candidates through final classroom and field instruction sessions as part of their development period.

MLS Vice President and Technical Director Fred Lipka said: “Major League Soccer continues to be at the forefront of player development, and this innovative partnership with DFB and adidas ensures an important learning opportunity for both academy coaches and players. With both coaches and players engaging in this challenging environment, we expect this to have a tremendous impact on the future of goalkeepers in our country and we cannot wait to see the bright future in store for the participants.”

Head of DFB Goalkeeping Marc Ziegler said: “We are very proud to partner with MLS. Germany is worldwide known for its goalkeeper pedigree and tradition, everybody remembers the great saves of Oliver Kahn, Manuel Neuer or Marc-André ter Stegen. We always improve our goalkeeping program to reach the highest level and to support our coaches and talents. I am so delighted that we have the opportunity to share our knowledge with MLS and to learn from each other. We will have an inspiring time collaborating together.”

iSportconnect Announces Three Events For September 2019

iSportconnect, the world’s largest global private network of sports business executives, is pleased to announce that its 2019 Brands and Partnership Masterclass,  Lausanne Summit and the Annual Regatta will take place in September.

The Brands and Partnership Masterclass will look at the integration of sport and brands, providing an exclusive opportunity to engage with thought leaders in a challenging and fast-changing global business, hearing from expert speakers sharing their experiences of communicating with their target audiences.

In partnership with PwC for Lausanne summit, iSportconnect has assembled a content programme that will bring together thought leaders from premier rights owners and brands to discuss and debate strategic issues impacting the future of the global sports business.

With topics covering digital engagement and content strategies, the future of rights, globalisation of data and the commercial challenges faced by federations, the iSportconnect Lausanne Summit promises to be a must-attend event for the sports business community.

To register your interest for all the events, please contact Emma at info@isportconnect.com.

Manchester City Unveils Its New OTT Platform

Manchester City has launched its new OTT platform called Man City for TV.

The OTT platform will have access to exclusive Manchester City content before anyone else – with a 30-day free trial. Fans will also be able to access the latest Club interviews, press conferences, purpose made CityTV documentaries and behind-the-scenes footage as well as live matches of the Women’s and Academy teams and highlights from key moments in the Club’s history.

As part of the launch, City has also unveiled a four-part mini-series, ‘Fight ‘til the end’, documenting the final 30 days of the Club’s 2018/19 season. Manchester City’s pre-season games in Hong Kong and Yokohama will be live streamed as well as Women’s and Academy matches

Nuria Tarre, Chief Marketing Officer at City Football Group, said: “We want to provide our global fanbase with new, flexible ways to watch our content, so we’re excited to be adding yet another option to our portfolio. We are launching with some fantastic content – our City TV team have captured the run-in to last season’s Premier League Title race, one of the greatest ever. Fans will get a never seen before, behind the scenes, insight into how the team prepared for and celebrated our Fourmidables season.

“By becoming a central hub for Manchester City content, as with so many of our media initiatives in recent years, we want Man City for TV to push the boundaries in technology and sports consumption and provide an immersive entertainment experience for our loyal fanbase, wherever they are.”

Flamengo Signs Sportsbet.io As Digital Sponsor

Brazilian football club Flamengo has signed sports betting brand Sportsbet.io as digital sponsor.

The one year deal with Flamengo will see Sportsbet.io branding at the club’s training ground, the Ninho do Urubu, and digital advertising across social channels.

The deal with Flamengo follows Sportsbet.io’s signing of World Cup-winning former Brazil player Denilson as a brand ambassador earlier this year.

Joe McCallum, Director of Sportsbook, Sportsbet.io, said: “Flamengo is one of the biggest names in Brazilian football and as a forward-looking, global club, it was the perfect match for Sportsbet.io. We are committed to delivering fun, fast and fair action to players around the world, and Flamengo’s history, ethos and commitment to the beautiful game will help us achieve precisely that.

“Brazilian football fans are among the most passionate in the world, and that makes this partnership another important milestone for us, both in Brazil and beyond.”

Maurício Portela, Marketing Director of Flamengo, added: “We were hugely impressed by Sportsbet.io’s approach to gaming and how it has quickly grown to become one of the most innovative and exciting brands in the space.

“Sportsbet.io immediately understood the passion and importance of football to supporters of Flamengo and we are proud to enter a partnership that will bring immense value to both our club and our fans.”

The Clipper Round The World Yacht Race Partners ATPI Sports Events

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has named ATPI Sports Events as the Official Travel Supplier to the 2019-20 edition of the event.

As part of the agreement, ATPI Sports Events will deliver a seamless travel experience for the Clipper Race organisers, Race Crew and their supporters.

ATPI Sports Events will support the Clipper Race team with its own travel arrangements for the staff travelling to deliver each stopover. As well as providing a dedicated Travel Desk for Clipper Race Crew and supporters to ensure that they can focus on what really matters to them.

In addition ATPI Sports Events will look to create hospitality experiences for other Clipper Race partners, focusing on the race arrival and departure in a number of the international stopovers.

Adam Knights, Regional Managing Director, UK, France, Benelux, ATPI Group, said: “The Clipper Race is one of the world’s furthest travelling sports, covering 40,000 miles divided into eight legs.

“Our passionate team has great experience in managing the complex needs of leading sports events and organisations and looks forward to becoming an integral part of the Clipper Race. We are committed to providing event organisers, crew and supporters with unified, seamless and cost-effective travel expertise.”

William Ward, Clipper Race CEO, said: “The new partnership with ATPI Sports Events is a strong addition to the Clipper 2019-20 Race, for the organisation, the Race Crew and their supporters. The Clipper Race also offers a great opportunity for ATPI Sports Events, the Official Travel Supplier, to build relationships and showcase their services to the highly diverse international race crew and global partners of the event.”

International Canoe Federation Unveils A Chinese Livestreaming Platform

The International Canoe Federation ( ICF) has launched a dedicated Chinese-based live streaming platform.

The live streaming platform will stream this year’s Stand Up Paddling World Championships and will include local language commentary.

The ICF has engaged Lausanne-based H&A Media to help launch and manage the new platform, which will cover a strong roster of major international canoeing events and those scheduled to take place in China.

Canoe marathon, stand up paddling, dragon boat and canoe slalom are just some of the disciplines which the ICF will take to China in 2019 and 2020.  It reflects the exciting growth of canoeing in the region, in the build up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Li Xin, Chinese Canoe Association secretary general said: “With the full support of the State Administration and the international governing body, Chinese Canoe Association will host several ICF World Championships in the near future. We appreciate ICF’s confidence and support in the China market and look forward to delivering world class events.”

H&A Media director Guy Horne said: “The partnership with the ICF will help build a solid platform for canoeing in China, one of the fastest growing sport markets on the planet. Live-streaming offers immediate and accurate audience feedback on the popularity of international sport properties into the China market.

“Between our Lausanne and Beijing teams, Huya TV and ICF event organizers, we have created a model which should generate long-term growth for canoeing.”

 

Movistar+ Secures Exclusive Davis Cup Rights In Spain

Telefónica has secured exclusive rights for the Davis Cup in Spain.

Footballer Gerard  Piqué’ s Kosmos Group facilitated the agreement which will see Movistar+ exclusively broadcast the Final Phase of the Davis Cup.

Gerard Piqué , president of the Kosmos Group said: “It is a historic competition. With 119 years of history. A few years ago, watching the tennis scene, we saw more and more that there were fewer players participating. The calendar was very hard for them. Participate in 4 weeks disconnected between them and with change of surface, with risk of injury, and with very long trips, it was not the best.

“The change of format is to achieve your participation. We are convinced that all those who are classified will participate. The fact that it is a reduced format of a week will help attract the great players. The competition deserves it.”

 

NBA Strikes A Strategic Partnership With Nex Team

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has signed a strategic partnership and equity stake with NEX Team Inc., a mobile artificial intelligence company and the developer of HomeCourt, a mobile basketball training application.

The partnership will leverage HomeCourt’s technology to develop and train players at all skill levels and will be an integral part of the NBA’s youth basketball development initiatives around the world.

NBA MVP Steve Nash said: “Our group of athlete investors all wonder what we could have done with this type of technology when we were learning the game, and are excited to help the next generation of aspiring basketball players reach their potential with HomeCourt.”

Amy Brooks, President, Team Marketing & Business Operations and Chief Innovation Officer, NBA said: “NBA teams and players have already found HomeCourt to be an important training platform and we believe this technology is critical to the development of players of all levels. HomeCourt is not only an engaging channel for youth basketball players, but will also be a valuable tool for the NBA to identify talent globally.”