Bundesliga Again Hits Record Revenues

 

Germany’s Bundesliga generated record revenue for the 14th year in a row in 2017-18, according to the German league’s latest annual report. With revenue at €3.81 billion, the Bundesliga has doubled its revenue in the space of seven years.

The total revenue of the two professional leagues (including Bundesliga 2) exceeded €4 billion for the second time. The record figure of €4.42 billion represents a year-on-year increase of 10.3%.

A large growth was thanks to a substantial rise in the national media rights with the new four-year contracts running through the 2020-21 season having an impact for the first time.

During the 2017-18 period, 17 Bundesliga clubs generated annual revenue in excess of €100 million. In 2014-15, it was only nine.

Christian Seifert, CEO of the DFL, said: “German professional football has continued its positive development. This is driven in particular by revenue from the current national media contracts, which are reflected in the balance sheets for the first time.”

He continued: “Digitalisation and globalisation will open up new opportunities for German professional football in the coming years. In order to create the optimal environment for the clubs and existing and potential partners alike, the DFL is working consistently to enhance the conditions. This includes expanding its innovation leadership in the area of new technologies as well as its presence on international markets.”

Optus Will Stream Live UEFA Matches On YouTube And Twitter

Australian telecommunications company Optus has reached a deal with YouTube and Twitter to livestream a selection of UEFA Champions League and Europa League soccer matches.

As part of the deal, a total of 10 matches will be shown on the platforms between February and April with six Europa League games to be simulcast on Twitter and four Champions Leagues matches broadcast on YouTube.

Corin Dimopoulos, Head of TV and Content at Optus, said: “These exciting collaborations with YouTube and Twitter mark a major opportunity to leverage the world’s biggest international club competitions and amplify our incredible live programming of these tournaments.”

“Optus Sport is illustrating continued innovation by opening our Optus Sport broadcasts through our YouTube and Twitter channels. We will continue to showcase our exceptional live productions and at-ground presence which we have successfully delivered since securing the rights of these two competitions this season.”

Optus, a wholly owned subsidiary of Singtel of Singapore, is Australia’s second biggest telco. Its rights portfolio includes the English Premier League and it will offer the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off this June.

Formula 1 Taps CYBER1 To Provide Security

Formula 1 has signed a five-year partnership with CYBER1 to provide cyber security services and solutions.

Being an Official Provider, CYBER1 will work with the Information Technology department at Formula 1 to deliver key projects including: consultancy, implementation and advisory.

Nick Viney, CYBER1 CEO, said: “CYBER1 is delighted to announce this exclusive five-year worldwide partnership with Formula 1 for cyber security services and is honoured to partner with them after having undergone a competitive tendering process. Both CYBER1 and Formula 1 share the same vision in terms of cyber resilience and product innovation, in conjunction with initiatives such as empowering diverse work forces, through our mutual drive to increase more female role models in both motorsport and cyber security.”

Chris Roberts, Head of IT Infrastructure at Formula 1, said: “Formula 1 is thrilled to bring on board CYBER1 as our global cyber security provider. Together we are going to bring a step change to the cyber security landscape at Formula 1. Information technology is a key enabler in our drive to bring the fans closer to the action and IT security underpins all of those services.”

“CYBER1 are uniquely placed to bring the expertise, innovation and agility that will help us to secure those systems. From trackside and extending to our ever-growing digital estate, CYBER1 will leverage next-generation technology to increase resiliency as we mature our digital engagement programme.”

Williams Racing Names ROKiT As Title Partner

Williams Racing has named global telecommunications company ROKiT as title partner in a multi-year agreement.

As part of the deal, ROKiT will receive branding the new Williams Mercedes FW42 race car, race suits and helmets of Williams’ race drivers, plus all trackside personnel team kit.

The branding will mark its debut on March 17th at the season-opening Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia,

Jonathan Kendrick, Chairman of ROK Brands, said: “With ROKiT launching in 2019 we wanted a global platform that would help us tell our story of innovation. Williams Racing is the perfect partner. With them we can bring F1 to audiences in new and pioneering ways.

“Through our glasses-free 3D technology and our Wi-Fi capabilities, we aim to make Formula One even more accessible for all. Williams Racing exists purely to race in the top echelon of motor racing and we see the exciting partnership of ROKiT Williams Racing as the beginning of an ambitious and exciting road back to the podium.”

Based in the West Midlands of England, ROKit was founded by mobile technology pioneer Kendrick and American entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria, the man behind the Paul Mitchell range of hair care products.

Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal, ROKiT Williams Racing, said: “We are delighted to welcome ROKiT to our team as our title partner for the 2019 season and beyond. We share many similar values and aspirations with ROKiT; primarily putting engineering and innovation at the core of everything we do in our pursuit to be the best – the perfect platform from which to start a partnership.”

Also In The News…

  • Cashless experience provider tappit, has renewed support for Dallaglio RugbyWorks programme in UK schools and the Dallaglio Cycle Slam event. The two-year contract will see tappit support the charity through a series of initiatives culminating in headline sponsorship of the 2020 Dallaglio Cycle Slam, founded by former England rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio. The 2018 edition of the cycling event raised about £1 million.
  • AS Roma has agreed a partnership deal with social media platform Giphy which will see the Serie A outfit become the first Italian club to have its own verified channel on Giphy.

Also In The News…

  • Cashless experience provider tappit, has renewed support for Dallaglio RugbyWorks programme in UK schools and the Dallaglio Cycle Slam event. The two-year contract will see tappit support the charity through a series of initiatives culminating in headline sponsorship of the 2020 Dallaglio Cycle Slam, founded by former England rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio. The 2018 edition of the cycling event raised about £1 million.
  • AS Roma has agreed a partnership deal with social media platform Giphy which will see the Serie A outfit become the first Italian club to have its own verified channel on Giphy.

Bleacher Report To Set Up Caesars Palace Studio

Turner Sports is partnering with casino operator Caesars Entertainment to create gaming-themed programming and launch a Bleacher Report-branded studio.

As part of the agreement, a Bleacher Report website and its B/R app out of Caesars Palace sportsbook will be unveiled in the coming months.

Lenny Daniels, President of Turner Sports said: “Gaming content will be a key driver for increasing fan engagement across all platforms, including time spent watching live sporting events and other criteria that impact television viewership.”

“We’re excited to form this groundbreaking relationship with Caesars, a proven leader in sports gaming, as we collaborate to deliver the best gaming-themed content experiences for our fans.”

Mark Frissora, President and Chief Executive Officer for Caesars Entertainment, said: “Aligning with one of the most influential brands in all of sports media allows Caesars Entertainment to amplify its sports-gaming experience for guests across our global empire and also reach millions of fans who engage with Bleacher Report for premier content every day.”

Taekwondo Nails Down Betting Partnership

GB Taekwondo has agreed an official partnership with online betting brand 12Bet for the World Taekwondo Championships in Manchester between May 15-19, 2019.

12Bet was earlier also partner for the World Taekwondo Grand Prix and World Para Taekwondo Championships, staged at London’s Copper Box Arena in 2017.

The world championship tournament will be televised extensively around the world.

Matt Archibald, CEO of GB Taekwondo, said: “We are delighted that 12Bet have decided to extend the partnership to a third major event. Their support for taekwondo has been extremely valuable during the Tokyo Olympic cycle.

“Home advantage has helped our athletes gain valuable Tokyo ranking points. This deal further demonstrates that we can help brands access both domestic and international markets”.

12Bet CEO (Europe) Rory Anderson said: “We have previously sponsored two taekwondo grand prix events in the UK and we have seen the benefit so it’s great that we are now an official partner of the world championships. Taekwondo is an exciting sport and has a global audience that our customers are a key part of”.

NBA G League Expands Twitch Connection

The NBA G League has expanded its partnership with the esports livestream platform Twitch.

All streamers on Twitch will now be able to take up the co-streaming option for every game in the G League (the NBA’s minor league organisation) on the platform across Fridays and Saturdays.

Twitch is also adding a further dedicated commentary-free broadcast for all users to provide their followers with an alternative take on G League games via their own channel with greater interaction.

There will also be a Twitch MVP of every match, to be chosen by fans, and they can view stats during games and earn points for tuning in.

The G League (the G stands for main sponsor Gatorade) made its initial streaming deal with Twitch at the end of 2017.

The league consists of 27 teams, all of which are either affiliated or owned by an NBA team.

 

 

 

Inter And AC Milan Share Salami Deal

Serie A rival clubs Inter and AC Milan have signed a partnership with local meat products company Beretta, maker of a wide range of cold cuts, including Milano salami.

As part of the deal, the 200-year-old company, based in metropolitan Milan, will become an official partner of AC Milan and an official supplier of Inter. The clubs will integrate the Beretta brand at the San Siro stadium, where both teams play their home games.

Inter CEO Alessandro Antonello commented: “This is a prestigious partnership. One that unites the two solid and historic entities of this city. We are proud to start this journey with Beretta, to whom we thank for today’s special visit.

“Milanese territory offers excellence and we are certain that by working together, we can achieve very important results. Beretta’s hospitality does not go unnoticed, nor does their ability to work as a team, something that we know very well. I am certain this new partnership will be a winning one.”

AC Milan President Paolo Scaroni said: “Beretta boast over two centuries of passion, excellence, tradition and innovation. They are values that our club and fans fully identify with. I am pleased that Beretta can be at our side for the next three years. It’s a sporting association that embodies our DNA and one that unites us in transferring the values of Milan and Italy to the entire world.”