Taruka Srivastav, Author at iSportConnect

Sportradar Appoints Former Bloomberg CMO Deirdre Bigley To The Board Of Directors

Sportradar, a leading global provider of sports betting and sports entertainment products and services announced that Deirdre M. Bigley has been appointed to the Sportradar Holding AG (“Global”) Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Deirdre Bigley has been Chief Marketing Officer of Bloomberg, the world’s primary distributor of financial data, since 2014. Bigley has been responsible for designing and launching the first global marketing department at Bloomberg and building marketing strategies for all business units across the company. Bigley joined Bloomberg in 2009 as the Global Leader of Marketing Communications. Prior to her career at Bloomberg, Bigley held numerous leadership positions at IBM, including Vice President of IBM Brand and Vice President of Worldwide Advertising and Interactive.

Jeff Yabuki, Chairman of Sportradar Global Board of Directors, states, “Deirdre brings strong knowledge of building brands and working with businesses focused on complex data. She has been instrumental in driving the Bloomberg brand globally, establishing a digital first marketing department, and recognizing the intrinsic value that technology and innovation brings to customers through its products and services. We are pleased to add an experienced director who understands both the opportunities within a high growth business, as well as the scale needed to further extend our industry leadership by delivering long-term growth and value for our stakeholders.”

Sportradar Group CEO Carsten Koerl states, “We’re thrilled that Deirdre is joining our Global Board of Directors as we draw upon her vast experience leading marketing strategies for some of the world’s most well-known technology companies. We are pleased to leverage Deirdre’s data and analytics insights as Sportradar drives innovative solutions that support the success of our customers.”

“This is an exciting time to join Sportradar as it continues to demonstrate its leading sports data capabilities and drive innovation that changes the way the world experiences sport,” said Bigley. “I look forward to working closely with Jeff, Carsten, and the team as Sportradar continues to differentiate itself as the leader in powering sports data and analytics around the globe.”

Bigley currently serves on the Board of Directors of Shutterstock (NYSE: SSTK), Wix.com (NASDAQ: WIX), Slice, Recorded Future, and MAKERS. She has also been awarded a number of professional honors over the course of her career including AWNY Top 50 Women in Advertising, the Gertrude Crain Award for Top Women in Business Marketing, B2B Magazine’s Top Marketer and Top Integrated Campaign, and Working Mother Magazine’s Top “Established Mom” Award. Bigley holds a B.A. in English Literature from West Chester University.

UEFA Approves New Format For Club Competitions From 2024

The UEFA Executive Committee approved a new format for its club competitions as of the 2024/25 season.

The reforms come after an extensive consultation across the football family and received unanimous backing from the ECA Board and the UEFA Club Competitions Committee (made of a majority of club representatives) last Friday.

The changes made are designed to secure the positive future of European football at every level and meet the evolving needs of all its stakeholders. Unequivocally confirming joint commitment to the principle of open competition and sporting merit across the continent, the common purpose has also been to sustain domestic leagues.

Commenting on the new format, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, said:“This new format supports the status and future of the domestic game throughout Europe as well. It retains the principle that domestic performance should be the key to qualification and reconfirms the principles of solidarity right through the game and of open competition.

“This evolved format will still keep alive the dream of any team in Europe to participate in the UEFA Champions League thanks to results obtained on the pitch and it will enable long-term viability, prosperity, and growth for everyone in European football, not just a tiny, self-selected cartel.

“Football is a social and cultural treasure, enriched with values, traditions and emotions shared across our continent. As the governing body and responsible stewards of the European game, it is UEFA’s role to safeguard this legacy while leading positive future development of football in Europe for national associations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans at every level. This is why we had an extensive consultation process over the last two years which led to the unanimous backing of our proposal and we are convinced that these reforms achieve those objectives”.

Further decisions regarding matters such as the rebalancing of the access list, match dates, seeding system, format for the finals, coefficients and financial distribution will be made by the end of the year and potential adjustments to the format approved today could still be made if necessary.

At the same time, UEFA will also reaffirm its strong financial commitment to the whole of European football and initiate steps to ensure that greater financial solidarity will be delivered to a wider spectrum of clubs who do not participate in UEFA club competitions. This will reinforce the solid foundation on which the game in Europe is built.

UEFA will also open a dialogue with all relevant stakeholders with a view to proposing safeguards and protections for players’ health across competitions at all levels.

Format details

Taking the total number of teams from 32 to 36 in the UEFA Champions League, the biggest change will see a transformation from the traditional group stage to a single league stage including all participating teams. Every club will now be guaranteed a minimum of 10 league stage games against 10 different opponents (five home games, five away) rather than the previous six matches against three teams, played on a home and away basis.

The top eight sides in the league will qualify automatically for the knockout stage, while the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to secure their path to the last 16 of the competition.

Similar format changes will also be applied to the UEFA Europa League (8 matches in the league stage) and UEFA Europa Conference League (6 matches in the league stage). Subject to further discussions and agreements, these two competitions may also be expanded to a total of 36 teams each in the league stage.

Qualification for the UEFA Champions League will continue to be open and earned through a team’s performance in domestic competitions.

One of the additional places will go to the club ranked third in the championship of the association in fifth position in the UEFA national association ranking. Another will be awarded to a domestic champion by extending from four to five the number of clubs qualifying via the so-called “Champions Path”.

The final two places will go to the clubs with the highest club coefficient over the last five years that have not qualified for the Champions League group stage but have qualified either for the Champions League qualification phase, the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.

All games before the final will still be played midweek, recognising the importance of the domestic calendar of games across Europe.

Haslam Sports Group Elevates Greg Rush To CFO, Hires Michele Powell As VP

Haslam Sports Group (HSG) announced that it has elevated Greg Rush to Chief Financial Officer and hired Michele Powell as Vice President of Event Development Rush is in his 15th year with the Browns and HSG, while Powell joins the organization from Monumental Sports and Entertainment.

David Jenkins, HSG Chief Operating Officer said: “Haslam Sports Group is dedicated to acquiring and developing top talent in all areas, and we are confident Michele and Greg will provide incredible leadership in these positions.

“Michele is an important addition to HSG in this recently created role, which will significantly enhance our opportunities to attract marquee events to Northeast Ohio and Columbus. During our thorough research process, she clearly displayed an expertise in booking major events, as well as an extensive network of relationships with key stakeholders across the sports and entertainment industry.

“Throughout his time with the Browns and HSG, Greg has always been extremely reliable and a consummate team player. He has and will continue to excel as his role expanded in recent years, including his efforts overseeing FirstEnergy Stadium operations last season and our comprehensive plan to responsibly host games and fans in 2020.

Michele Powell, HSG Vice President of Event Development said: “Haslam Sports Group has been dedicated to showcasing Northeast Ohio and Columbus by hosting many major events, in addition to Browns and Crew SC games, and I am excited to help expand upon those efforts. We have an exceptional opportunity to highlight both cities and our incredible sports and entertainment venues, as well as welcome even more international events and fans to Ohio.”

Greg Rush, HSG Chief Financial Officer said: “During my 15 years with the Browns and HSG, I have been fortunate to work with many great leaders, including the Haslam and Johnson families and Dave Jenkins, as well as to call Northeast Ohio my family’s home. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to continue to advance our organization’s goals across Ohio, including making a significant impact in our community efforts.”

Saracens Strikes Multi-Year Deal With Shawbrook For Rugby And Netball Teams

Saracens has entered into a multi-year deal with Shawbrook, a specialist bank.

Shawbrook will be featured on the back of the playing shirts of the Saracen’s Men and Saracens Women rugby teams as well as on the back of the Saracens Mavericks playing dresses, the club’s Vitality Superleague netball franchise. Shawbrook will become Saracens’ Official Banking Partner and will also become a partner of the club’s charitable arm, the Saracens Foundation.

The partnership has been struck 10 years since Saracens won their first league title and a decade since Shawbrook was founded. Since 2011, Shawbrook has grown to become a leading specialist lending and savings bank – serving over 300,000 customers, providing £7.1bn of loans and managing £6.9bn of deposits. With a focus on making a difference in the specialist banking market and to the UK businesses and consumers it supports, Shawbrook is aligning itself not just with one of the world’s leading rugby brands but the wider Saracens family – including all three professional teams and the Saracens Foundation.

Following the recent announcement of its four-year partnership with StoneX, this is a further vote of confidence in Saracens during a challenging time for the sport due to COVID. Whilst we await the return of crowds to sports events these partnerships take on added importance, providing strong commercial foundations that will support the high aspirations of Saracens on the pitch and court and off it. Shawbrook’s support of the Saracens Foundation will also ensure that the club can continue to bring about positive social change within the surrounding community.

Neil Rudge, Managing Director at Shawbrook, commented on the news, “Like Saracens, Shawbrook is an ambitious organisation and one committed not only to thinking differently in the way we work, but also to making a difference – to our customers, our people, those professionals we work alongside and to the communities in which we operate. This alone is powerful, but there are so many other elements which make this partnership so exciting both on and off the field.

We know how vital it is for organisations like ours to champion inclusion and work to encourage diversity from the ground-up. In addition to sponsoring all three of Saracens’ successful and high profile teams, putting our shoulder behind the incredible work done in support of local and regional communities by the Saracens Foundation is also something that aligns with our own values, and that will resonate with our staff and broad network of partners.

At what is a hugely exciting time for both organisations, we look forward to the difference we can make together over the coming months and years of our partnership.”

Lucy Wray, Saracens CEO, said, “We are delighted to complete this new partnership with Shawbrook. We both consistently strive to be the leaders in our respective fields and we share a deep commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Following the recent announcement of the StoneX partnership, this is another great milestone for the Saracens family as we look towards an exciting future. We look forward to the rest of this season as we hope to return to some normality and push towards end of season goals across all three teams.”

Formula 1 To Race In Miami For Ten Years From 2022

Formula 1 is delighted to announce that the Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL will join the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship under a ten year deal. The exact date of the race on the 2022 calendar will be sent out at a later time.

The circuit will be 5.41km, have 19 corners, 3 straights and potential for 3 DRS zones with an estimated top speed of 320km/h. Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, will sit at the heart of the circuit. Formula 1 and the FIA will be liaising closely with the promoter, who is working to build a brand new track that will provide high speed straights, multiple overtaking opportunities and exciting racing while meeting the highest safety standards.

Miami will be the 11th location Formula 1 has raced in the United States since the Championship began in 1950. Since that time Formula 1 has raced at Riverside, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix, Indianapolis and Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

The race will provide an additional tourist boost and economic impact to local businesses in the greater Miami region. Formula 1 and the promoter will be working closely with the local community to ensure an allotment of discounted tickets for Miami Gardens residents, ensuring they have the opportunity to experience the thrill of the sport.

Additionally, there will be a programme to support local businesses and the community to ensure they get the full benefits of the race being in Miami Gardens, including a STEM education programme through F1 in Schools as well as the opportunity for local businesses to be part of the race weekend.

Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said: “We are thrilled to announce that Formula 1 will be racing in Miami beginning in 2022. The US is a key growth market for us, and we are greatly encouraged by our growing reach in the US which will be further supported by this exciting second race. We will be working closely with the team from Hard Rock Stadium and the FIA to ensure the circuit delivers sensational racing but also leaves a positive and lasting contribution for the people in the local community.”

“We are grateful to our fans, the Miami Gardens elected officials and the local tourism industry for their patience and support throughout this process. We are looking forward to bringing the greatest racing spectacle on the planet to Miami for the first time in our sport’s history.”

Tom Garfinkel, Managing Partner, Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix said: “The Hard Rock stadium entertainment campus in Miami Gardens exists to host the biggest global events to benefit the entire greater Miami region and Formula 1 racing is as big as it gets. We have worked with specialist designers to create a racetrack that we, Formula 1 and the FIA believe will provide great racing and we hope to create best-in-class unique fan experiences that are reflective of the diverse and dynamic nature of Miami.”

“I want to thank Formula 1 and the Miami Gardens and Miami Dade County elected officials for working to bring this hugely impactful event here for years to come.”

Scuderia Ferrari Renews Fitness Partnership With Technogym

Technogym – world leading brand in fitness equipment and digital technologies and Official Supplier to the last 8 Olympic Games – has just renewed its long-term partnership with Scuderia Ferrari.

The company has been Supplier of Scuderia Ferrari for over 20 years, supporting drivers and the entire team in their athletic performance training.

The Italian company has created a bespoke program for Ferrari that includes the most innovative connected smart fitness equipment, training programs, services specifically designed for the athletic preparation of the best athletes and teams in the world.

Technogym has supplied a comprehensive range of fitness equipment to the in-house training facility at Fiorano, which has been developed to ensure that the Scuderia Ferrari Team train at the highest level through a managed and structured training programme and one corporate training area in Maranello Village, with its most innovative solutions for cardiovascular and strength training.

Beside the racing team, the partnership between the two companies also involves the entire Ferrari community: all Ferrari employees can join Technogym’s corporate gym at Maranello Village training center while starting from 2021 Technogym will support also the young drivers of Ferrari Driver Academy, reference point for the drivers of the future, the two brands share the common aim to leave a legacy to the next generations.

The partnership with Ferrari confirms once again Technogym’s positioning as the reference brand for the global sports elite and great, virtuous companies that care about the sports activity/wellness of their employees. The support that Technogym offers to Scuderia Ferrari is not only technical as it includes also a wellness and sports consultancy.

IPC Appoints Colleen Wrenn As Chief Delivery Officer

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has appointed Colleen Wrenn to the newly created role of Chief Paralympic Games Delivery Officer following an extensive global recruitment process.

Wrenn brings to the IPC 20 years of experience in the planning and delivery of major events, including involvement in the 2010, 2012 and 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the 2019 Panamerican and Parapan American Games.

In addition to multi-sport events, Wrenn helped deliver both the World Para Athletics and IAAF World Championships in London in 2017, the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2016, and the Modern Pentathlon World Championships in 2002. In recognition of her contribution to the Organising Committee, she was selected as a torchbearer for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay.

She joins the IPC from TrackTown USA where she was a Senior Director.

“I’m thrilled to join the IPC,” said Wrenn. “I have been fortunate to see first-hand the tremendous impact Para sport has, not just on the athletes participating, but on all those touched by Para events—media, volunteers, spectators, and even community members who may never step foot in a venue but benefit from improved infrastructure and other legacies long after the last medal is awarded. I am honoured and excited to be a part of this transformational Movement.”

Mike Peters, the IPC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said: “When we created this position, we knew successfully filling it would require a rare individual. We could not be any more excited than we are to have Colleen joining our team in this capacity. The Paralympic Games are now firmly established as the one of the world’s largest and most impactful sport events, and Colleen will provide our stakeholders with the strategic direction, innovation and collaboration necessary to further grow and reach new heights with the Games.

“Colleen joins at arguably one of the busiest times in our history with two Paralympic Games taking place almost back-to-back for the first time ever. With her track record and experience, we are confident she will meet the challenge and be a fantastic asset for the team and wider Paralympic Movement.”

Wrenn will begin her new role in the week commencing 24 May 2021 and will lead the teams involved in Paralympic Games Delivery; Paralympic Sport and International Federation Relations; and Protocol, Hospitality and Events.

Her primary responsibilities will include providing executive leadership and strategic direction to maximise and enhance the Paralympic Games and its legacies, overseeing the co-ordination of all Paralympic Games delivery, and acting as primary point of contact for the IOC Olympic Games leadership team and executive and key personnel of Organising Committees. She also will join the IPC executive leadership team contributing to the wider corporate strategy of the IPC with CEO Peters, General Counsel Liz Riley, and Chief Brand and Communications Officer Craig Spence.

How LaLiga Combines Physical And Digital To Support The Growth Of ElClásico

ElClásico is one of the longest-running and heated rivalries in world football but its ongoing popularity does not come from its past.

To maintain the success of its showpiece event, LaLiga commits its range of broadcast technology and global marketing potential to turn the match into a truly global spectacle.

For this month’s fixture, despite the challenges presented by ongoing health restrictions, LaLiga was able to organise a plethora of international actions to bring the ElClásico experience to football fans across the world.

Everton To Strengthen Fanbase In North America As Part Of International Growth Strategy

Everton has announced plans for the next phase of its international growth strategy – which will see the Club further strengthen relationships with its growing fanbase and strategic partners in North America.

Everton’s International Team will be supported by Jurgen Mainka, former CONCACAF Chief Commercial Officer, to further develop the Club’s presence across North America.

Mainka and his team at Miami-based Pulse Sport and Entertainment, which will include a dedicated Brand and Business Development Manager for Everton, will act as an extension of the Club’s UK-based international team and provide an on-the-ground presence across North America. They will primarily support brand and business development projects and the Club’s engagement strategy with its expanding US fanbase.

The Club has delivered a series of activations and digital engagements in North and South America, Australasia, the Far East and the Middle East over the past two years – with expansion continuing despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Everton’s six-pillar international strategy includes fanbase growth, strategic partnership, brand and business development and the launch of an international academy – while continuing retail expansion and international pre-season tour plans for the First Team, Everton Women and Under-23s, guided by the strategy.

Mainka has held senior positions at four Major League Soccer clubs, having worked in the game for more than 25 years. At CONCACAF, Mainka played a key role in the organisation of the Copa America 100th anniversary tournament, held in the United States in 2016.

Before establishing Pulse Sports and Entertainment, Mainka was Chief Business Officer at Inter Miami, where he was a central figure in the Club’s stadium and training facility development and shaped the David Beckham owned club’s commercial and marketing strategies.

Ahead of starting his new role, Jurgen Mainka said: “Everton is a unique club and has a strong familial bond with its fans. It has an illustrious history and an exciting future, with a new state-of-the-art waterfront stadium on the way, and I am proud to be part of telling the Everton story across the Americas.

“Building a deep connection with soccer fans across the US is a key part of Everton’s strategy and while the Club’s US base will be in Miami, we’ll also be keen to meet fans and prospective partners where they are – both physically and in terms of sentiment and understanding of the Club. That personal interaction is what Everton is all about. I can’t wait to get started and I am proud to be part of the Everton family.”

Mainka and his team will build on the significant inroads that Everton has already made into the US over the past few years.

These have included the Club:

extending its strategic partnership with US company Fanatics, a global leader in licensed sports merchandise
delivering partner activations in the US with international brands such as Fratelli Beretta
launching exclusive US and Spanish-speaking Club social media accounts
appointing Everton legend and USMNT hero Tim Howard as an Everton Ambassador in October 2019.

Everton has ensured former player representation at NBC’s Premier League Mornings Live events and has held special fan get-togethers in Washington DC, Boston, Austin and Miami in the past three years.

The Club made a splash in both Miami and New York in September 2020, when it announced the signing of Colombian superstar James Rodriguez on billboards at New York’s Times Square and on an advertising vessel that sailed through Miami Beach, South Beach, Nikki Beach, and round South Pointe Pier on Labor Day.

Richard Kenyon, Director of Marketing, Communications and International at Everton Football Club, said: “We have invested significant time and effort over the last two years researching and devising a long-term international strategy and, despite the ongoing challenges brought about by the pandemic, it has been great to get this underway and to take these steps forward over the last few months.

“North America is one of our key target territories and we are pleased to have reached an agreement to work with Jurgen Mainka who – along with other colleagues working in Miami – will be working with us to secure strategic partnerships and develop associated opportunities.

“At the same time, we are continuing to build our International Club Affiliate network after a successful pilot period and will be launching soccer camps in the North East and Mid-West of the United States for this summer which will see thousands of young soccer fans attending our programmes. We are also looking to expand the programme in our other target countries.

“These important steps are part of a long-term plan for the Club which has North America as a priority region – but other opportunities in other parts of the world have also been developed by our International Team and further exciting announcements will be made soon.”

NFL Signs FanDuel, DraftKings And Caesars In A First-Ever U.S. Sportsbook Deal

The National Football League (NFL) has announced their first-ever U.S. sportsbook partnerships naming three exclusive partners.

As part of the multi-year agreement, FanDuel becomes an Official Sports Betting Partner of the NFL and will have the ability to leverage NFL marks within the sports betting category and activate around retail and online sports betting. The company will also engage with fans through NFL-themed free-to-play games.

FanDuel, becomes the NFL’s newest partner and will have a series of content integrations including both in-game and post-game highlights directly available within its sportsbook and fantasy sports platforms this coming season. The company will have access to footage rights that bring the NFL’s excitement to FanDuel’s owned and produced content across its various platforms and will work with the League on pre-game integration opportunities on the NFL Network for the seven regular season games the network will air in 2021.

“On Superbowl Sunday we got a glimpse at how powerful the combination of the NFL’s excitement and our platform can be in delivering an enhanced fan experience. We are delighted to make that combination official by pairing America’s #1 sportsbook with America’s #1 sports league,” said Matt King, Chief Executive Officer at FanDuel. “This partnership provides our shared customers with a new level of innovation and unmatched premium content directly within our platform ultimately enhancing every gameday.”

Additionally, FanDuel will have the right to integrate relevant sports betting content directly into NFL Media properties including NFL.com and the NFL App. FanDuel will enhance fan experiences with NFL highlights, footage and Next Gen Stats content.

“As the sports betting landscape has continued to evolve in the United States, we have been thoughtful with our strategy and are excited to announce three partners who share the NFL’s vision and goals,” said Renie Anderson, Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of NFL Partnerships.