FC Bayern Munich Signs Konami As Platinum Partner

FC Bayern Munich has named video games manufacturer Konami as a platinum partner.

The partnership between Konami and FC Bayern gives the developers of the eFootball PES series access to the stars and legends of the football club, in order to lifelike reproduction of all elements required for production.

With a complete 3D scan of the stadium, eFootball PES 2020 will feature an extremely accurate replica of the Allianz Arena with many small but impressive design details. Even the pros of FC Bayern will be available for eFootball PES 2020 after the completed 3D scan in great detail.

Jonas Lygaard, Senior Director Brand & Business Development, Konami Digital Entertainment BV said: “Konami has a long tradition in football, and we are very happy to become a Platinum Partner of FC Bayern München. Each year our development team exceeds expectations and therefore we are very proud to have the legendary Allianz Arena and all FC Bayern stars appear in eFootball PES 2020”.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge , CEO of FC Bayern München AG, says: “We are very pleased to enter into a long-term partnership with the traditional Japanese company Konami, a world-renowned manufacturer of computer and video games, and our professionals and Allianz Arena will be included in the September reissue of the eFootball PES 2020 football simulation. “

Ironman Joins Forces With Theragun For U.S. Series

Ironman has named Theragun as the official therapy device of the Ironman U.S. Series and which also covers the 2019 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 event series.

Theragun will host key activation and recovery stations at Ironman race transition stations, to alleviate muscle cramps and stimulate muscle recovery to enhance triathlon athlete performance. The 2019 Ironman Triathlon World Championship will take place in Kona, Hawaii on Saturday, October 12, 2019.

Lucy Charles-Barclay said: “Using Theragun for some time now has helped me to be the best I can be in terms of both training and racing. I use it at home and when traveling as an essential part of my preparation, recovery and ongoing maintenance. Whether it’s loosening up my arms and legs before and after I ride or swim or keeping joint pain at bay after a long run, my Theragun has proven to be convenient, easy to use and most importantly effective; it gets me results.”

Theragun founder, Dr. Jason S. Wersland said: “Theragun is quickly becoming a staple for endurance athletes around the world. They turn to the Theragun to warm-up, stay loose and recover – it’s an essential part of their training and race day routine. We support our triathletes by continually educating that community on how to use the Theragun to prevent injury, maximize endurance, and recover faster and more efficiently.”

Liverpool FC Names 1XBET As Global Betting Partner

Liverpool FC has joined forces with gaming company 1XBET.

As part of the deal, 1XBET will become the official global betting partner of LFC. 1XBET will use this partnership to increase brand awareness within key global markets through stadium branding at Anfield and branding on Liverpool’s digital platforms.

Billy Hogan, LFC’s managing director and chief commercial officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome 1XBET to Liverpool FC as our newest partner. I know that their games and special offers will appeal to our fans around the world and we look forward to seeing these as we go into the new 2019-20 season.”

Alex Sommers, 1XBET spokesman, said: “Liverpool FC is one of the world’s most iconic football clubs with a wealth of history and a huge global fanbase. We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with the club to meet our goal of bringing fans closer to the sporting action through our innovative products and supercharged betting experience.

“We’re very proud of the relationship we have with Liverpool Football Club and we’re keen to work closely with fans around the world to bring them exciting entertainment opportunities and unique offers in the upcoming season.”

 

AC Milan And Inter To Build A New Stadium For €1.2 Billion

A.C. Milan S.p.A. (AC Milan) and F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. (FC Internazionale) filed with the Municipality of Milan the “Technical and Economic Feasibility Study” for the new Milan stadium and its multifunctional district.

The total cost is expected to foresees private investments of over 1.2 billion euros. The project aims at enhancing the San Siro area with the realization of:

– a new modern stadium, of approx. 60.000 seats, in the area adjacent to the existing Meazza (owned by the City of Milan and currently given in concession to the two Clubs)

– a multifunctional district in the area where the Meazza currently stands, dedicated to sports, entertainment, and shopping, that will become a vibrant destination for citizens, fans and tourists 365-days/year, creating jobs for over 3,500 people.

The request made today by AC Milan and FC Internazionale to the public administration aims at obtaining the declaration of public interest from the Municipality of Milan. Only thereafter, the Clubs will proceed with the filing of a definitive plan, which will include all architectural components. In this regard, a competitive process will be launched to select architects among the best international firms specializing in the design of sporting infrastructure.

The Clubs also aim at establishing an open and constructive dialogue with the local community, with the idea of optimizing the project by taking into consideration their needs and aspirations for the San Siro area.

The choice of AC Milan and FC Internazionale is based on a careful and in-depth analysis, carried out over the last few months, of the different available options (including the restructuring of the current Meazza stadium). It is inspired by the best benchmarks of international stadia and entertainment districts (almost all made ex-novo) around the world, as well as by Italian culture and the unique character of the City of Milan.

This analysis shows that the construction of a new building is from all perspectives the best possible solution both for the Clubs and for the city of Milan: it guarantees the best user experience, sustainability, adequate security, safety and accessibility standards, and honours Milan’s reputation for innovation and internationalization.

The Feasibility Project explains in detail the reasons why the construction of the new stadium is preferred to the renovation of the Meazza: the current structure presents a series of technical issues, of which the solution would have required a complete refurbishment, with enormous execution risks, possible cost overruns and unpredictable complications.

In addition, there would have been organizational issues linked to the simultaneous management of football matches, longer construction timings, revenue loss connected to the temporary reduction of the available capacity to even less than 45,000 seats, safety concerns and the need to hold home matches outside the city of Milan.

 

World Surf League Signs Content Partnership With Pilgrim Media

World Surf League (WSL)’s studio arm WSL Studio has signed a landmark deal with production company Pilgrim Media Group.

The partnership will involve live and non-live unscripted projects, as well as a range of distinct scripted opportunities.

Pilgrim, a Lionsgate Company, and WSL Studios have two major undertakings in the pipeline already – a feature documentary and a fresh nonscripted competition format for which the parties partnered with the UFC’s Dana White – with several other programs in active development.

The venture will feature traditional surf content like contests and clip shows, and will also shed light on surf culture – spanning its roots to the worldwide emergence of its own language and literature; music, film, fashion and other art; lifestyle; social impact; as well as environmental and conservation efforts.

WSL President of Content and Media, Erik Logan said: “Pilgrim’s talent for producing top-notch unscripted programming, particularly when it comes to emerging sports, and their unmatched ability to capture the inaccessible for audiences around the world make Pilgrim an incredible partner for the WSL.”

Pilgrim founder and CEO, Craig Piligian, added: “This collaboration embodies the true intent of media in breaking ground and erasing boundaries. It’s about bringing to new audiences a sport and a way of life that has been geographically confined to ocean coastlines. We’re really excited to collaborate with WSL in this truly unique space.”

Faze Clan Agrees A Global Partnership With Wix

Esports organisation Faze Clan has signed a global partnership with website development platform Wix.com

As part of the agreement, Wix and FaZe Clan will create opportunities for fans through integrated social and digital content. Wix branding will also be featured on the official FaZe Clan team shirt, and will serve as an official supporter of FaZe Clan’s Professional Fortnite team.

Omer Shai, CMO at Wix said: “Esports is wildly popular, with a growing and enthusiastic audience, and we are always looking for the best places to connect with current and future customers. We have pursued sports marketing partnerships for many years as we feel that this is a great way to build our brand.

“The partnership with FaZe Clan marks our first esports sponsorship and we believe it is a perfect fit. Plus, the opportunity to create dynamic content for FaZe Clan’s brand and their millions of fans is exactly the kind of engagement we love.”

Erik Anderson, Head of Esports at FaZe Clan said: “Wix has all of the elements of energy, style and speed that our players embrace and are symbolic of the FaZe Clan brand. Together, with Wix, we’re committed to creating content we know our fans will love.”

FIFA Unveils A New Initiative To Strengthen Child Safeguarding Measures

FIFA has unveiled FIFA Guardians which is a new initiative to help member associations and confederations around the world introduce stronger child safeguarding measures in football.

Developed by FIFA together with its Child Safeguarding Expert Working Group, this new initiative aims at providing practical guidance to support the 211 FIFA member associations (MAs) in reviewing their existing safeguarding measures, to help prevent any risk of harm to children in football, and to appropriately respond if concerns arise.

The FIFA Guardians programme will be rolled out in the coming months through a series of training modules and workshops to promote global awareness and its implementation in all FIFA MAs and by working together with the confederations.

FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, said: “FIFA’s vision is to promote the game of football, protect its integrity and bring the game to all. In realising this vision, we aim to ensure that involvement in football, in any form, is a positive experience for all children. Furthermore, as the world governing body of football, FIFA has a duty and responsibility to ensure that those who play football can do so in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment.

“Today’s launch is a landmark step for FIFA and the world of football in general, and I am confident that the FIFA Guardians programme will help to mobilise action and guide our 211 member associations around the world in reviewing and implementing their own safeguarding measures to keep children safe in football. FIFA believes this to be every child’s right.”

Joyce Cook, FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer, added: “Whilst some member associations have well-developed policies and procedures in place, it is clear that many others are just starting out on their safeguarding journey.

“FIFA’s new child safeguarding toolkit builds on the confidential reporting structures and safeguarding frameworks FIFA already has in place, and provides clear and practical guidance for our member associations and their stakeholders. We will be rolling out the FIFA Guardians programme over the coming months, starting with a series of workshops and training modules to help address the needs of our members, as well as assisting them in developing partnerships with expert agencies and statutory authorities on the ground.”

Eleven Sports To Broadcast International Champions Cup In Belgium

Eleven Sports has secured exclusive rights for the International Champions Cup in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The pre-season tournament gives Belgian fans the opportunity to watch local heroes including Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku among others. The tournament includes 18 games in total and features some of the world biggest clubs including Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich.

Guillaume Collard, Managing Director of Eleven Sports Belgium and Group Head of Acquisitions said: “With exclusively live action from LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1, we are the number one choice for football fans in Belgium and Luxembourg. This star-studded tournament is set to raise the curtain on what will be an action-packed 2019/20 season on Eleven Sports. We are delighted to expand our rights offer for football fans during the summer period as the excitement builds towards new season.”

London Set To Host FIFA eWorld Cup 2019

FIFA has named London as the host city for FIFA eWorld Cup 2019.

FIFA eWorld Cup will be live-streamed on FIFA’s and EA’s digital platforms and provide fans with the chance to experience the broadcasted event on-site at The O2 on 4 August.

The total prize money for the FIFA eWorld Cup has also been increased compared to last year’s final, and a total of USD 500,000 will be distributed among the 32 competitors.

Christian Volk, Director of eFootball & Gaming at FIFA said: “After the incredible success of the tournament last year at The O2 in London, we are excited to once again host the FIFA eWorld Cup at such an iconic venue and to create a one-of-a-kind EA SPORTS FIFA event for the community.

“With the increased prize money and a world title on the line, the tension will be higher than ever before and will create an incredible atmosphere. This season, we have seen a great appetite for content consumption of the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series and we are excited to give more fans the chance to witness the greatest competitive FIFA event to date either on-site or at home, as we crown the ultimate champion at The O2 after an exciting season.”

Man City Renews Global Partnership With Tecno Mobile

Manchester City has extended its global partnership with Tecno Mobile.

As part of the renewal, Tecno will continue as Official Global Tablet and Handset partner and will continue work with the Club to grow its strategic marketing and advertising campaigns across the globe.

As part of Tecno Mobile’s ‘Expect More’ campaign, the collaboration will deliver engaging fan-led content including a football-themed photography competition and will continue to be the presenting partner of the ‘Shot of the Game’ series which connects fans with the most memorable moments on a match day.

Damian Willoughby, Senior Vice President of Partnerships at City Football Group, said: “Manchester City prides itself on partnering with ambitious, pioneering and creative organisations, so we are thrilled to be announcing the extension and expansion of our highly successful partnership with Tecno Mobile. During the past three years, we have collaborated on a number of exciting initiatives that has engaged, connected and entertained our global fanbase, particularly in India and supported the impressive growth of the Tecno business and brand.

“Tecno have consistently demonstrated their love of football, creating some unique experiences for fans and this is evidenced with more than 40,000 people signing up to the Tecno Race to Manchester City. This country-specific initiative is a fantastic example of two partners working together and we’re delighted to be continuing this successful partnership.”

Stephen Ha, VP of TRANSSION HOLDINGS and Managing Director of Tecno Mobile and TRANSSION India, said: “The partnership with Manchester City Football Club, the Premier League champions, will help further boost our brand recognition and name value as a leading mobile device company around the world. With a history of business relationships in elite sport, Tecno is delighted to partner with City, a club who we feel shares similar values.

“Providing our consumers with an unparalleled mobile experience is a top priority for Tecno Mobile and we share many similarities with Manchester City when we look at their commitment to delivering a premium match day and digital experience for their fans.”