Fulham FC Signs World Mobile As Front Of Shirt Sponsor

Fulham FC has signed World Mobile as its new Official Principal Partner and front of shirt sponsor.

World Mobile, the first mobile network built on renewable energy, the sharing economy and blockchain technology, partners the Club for three years, starting from this forthcoming 2021/22 season.

The partnership will see the World Mobile logo feature on the front of shirts of the Men’s, Women’s and Academy U23 & U18 teams.

World Mobile aims to bridge the digital divide by 2030 and will connect the continents with the highest demand for WIFI, starting in Africa. So far, World Mobile has sponsored connectivity initiatives within several educational institutions and a smart village in Zanzibar, which previously had no Internet access. Now, they are rolling out across Zanzibar, followed by Tanzania and Kenya.

Once the initial groundwork is laid down, the company will sell affordable network nodes to local business owners to own and run the network on their own. Once a user signs up for World Mobile WIFI services, they’ll gain a decentralised digital ID, powered by Cardano’s Atala Prism, which can be used to access digital banking and economic freedom.

Fulham FC, founded in 1879, is the oldest professional football club in London. It’s charitable arm, the Fulham FC Foundation, offers an array of community programmes designed to improve social mobility, employability, health and wellness, education and social inclusion.

During the three-year agreement, World Mobile and Fulham FC will collaborate and create powerful content that helps with World Mobile’s mission to connect the unconnected by sharing ownership of the network with its users.

“We are so excited to begin this partnership with Fulham FC,” says Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile. “It’s crucial to us that we share the same values as our partners, and we’re confident that based on Fulham FC’s history, we have a shared viewpoint. This partnership will help spread the word on our mission to connect Africa and beyond, giving everyone an opportunity to get involved.”

CEO of Fulham FC, Alistair Mackintosh, added: “Fulham FC prides itself on its community-driven spirit, as seen with the incredible work that continues to be carried out by our Fulham FC Foundation. We support World Mobile’s vision to improve connectivity in lesser developed areas. Keeping the world connected is the future, and we look forward to working with World Mobile during the three-year term of our partnership and assisting them, by using our club platforms, to publicise and amplify their fantastic work.”

AC Milan And RoInvesting Renew Partnership

AC Milan and ROInvesting have announced the renewal of their partnership.

The Rossoneri welcomed online trading broker ROInvesting to its family of commercial partners in April 2020, and the two brands will now continue their journey together for the third consecutive football season.

The partnership renewal comes after a successful year for both brands, which saw AC Milan qualifying for the UEFA Champions League with its male and female team and ROInvesting’s client base fast rising. The joint efforts also included off-the-pitch community work on initiatives such as the Fondazione Milan’s support for frontline Covid-19 personnel.

Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer at AC Milan said, “As a Club, we are delighted to continue our journey with ROInvesting. They have proved to be a fantastic partner with a keen eye for off-the-pitch community work, supporting Fondazione Milan’s initiatives in response to the Covid-19 pandemic at a time of need.”

“We are very excited to announce the renewal of our partnership with AC Milan. Our goal from day one was to create a strong, long-lasting relationship between the two sides and we are delighted to see it take shape.” said Constandinos Zavros, ROInvesting Spokesperson.

ROInvesting has been enabling individuals in Italy and around Europe to explore their trading passion on a technological platform that brings the global financial arenas to their fingertips. A regulated broker with desktop and mobile interfaces, ROInvesting offers unmatched trading tools, educational materials and data security, while continuously expanding their offering to match the pace of the financial world, which seems to go faster than ever.

Bruin Capital Acquires Sports Technology Company Full Swing

Bruin Capital has reached an agreement with North Castle Partners to acquire controlling interest in Full Swing (FS), the Carlsbad, CA-based sports technology and performance company.

North Castle will remain a shareholder, and the new alliance will accelerate FS’s global expansion and the introduction of new consumer products and gaming businesses in golf and other sports. It comes as on and off-course golf participation is growing at record levels and as more fans are turning to interactive sports training and entertainment experiences overall.

Bruin Capital, an international investment and operating company founded by George Pyne, acquires controlling interest in Full Swing, the industry’s largest producer of multi-sport simulators for commercial, residential, and entertainment venues.

Full Swing simulators are also the centerpiece of long-term exclusive relationships with the PGA TOUR and Golf Channel. In addition, you’ll find FS simulators in Topgolf Swing Suites nationwide through another long-term partnership. What differentiates FS simulators from others is its patented dual-tracking technology, software that delivers instantaneous data analytics, and best-in-class graphics.

“Full Swing set the standard for authentic simulator experiences in golf. With great vision, the team also developed leading-edge software and technological capabilities that will translate into more in and out-of-home product lines across more sports for all levels of athletes, enthusiasts, and casual fans. In doing so, Full Swing is very well-positioned to capitalize on the exploding interest in compelling, interactive experiences and subscription-based gaming services,” said George Pyne, Bruin Capital Founder & CE0 – @GFPyne on Twitter.

“We at Full Swing pride ourselves on delivering the most authentic and accurate golf experience indoors and soon to be outdoors in the world. We couldn’t be more enthusiastic with the investment, partnership, and most of all experience that Bruin brings to the table as we look to expand our product portfolio and global reach,” said Ryan Dotters, Full Swing CEO.

“We are excited to be part of the new Bruin – Full Swing partnership. We believe Bruin’s expertise in this industry coupled with Full Swing’s extraordinary management team and our knowledge and network will continue to drive growth through innovation and excellence,” added Alison Minter, North Castle Managing Partner.

NFL Partners With Hawk-Eye Innovations To Improve Replay Procedures

NFL is partnering with Hawk-Eye Innovations to improve replay procedures.

Hawk-Eye is best known for providing visual tracking aids for tennis matches, which help quickly determine whether a ball is in or out of bounds. The company won’t be doing something similar for the NFL, but will be providing the league with camera systems that will offer additional angles for more accurate replay review.

In theory, more angles means a higher chance of finding the most optimal view to properly judge a play upon review. This is important for accuracy purposes, and while on its surface, one might interpret more camera angles as being less efficient, it should produce the opposite result. If officials can identify an optimal angle, they’ll be able to review the tape in a shorter amount of time and communicate accordingly between on-field officials and replay officials/officiating department, delivering a call in an amount of time that doesn’t affect the pace of play.

“The replay official now has more that he can do as far as he can review the play as it goes along,” Garafolo said during Thursday’s edition of NFL NOW. “This is all about having the comforts of replay but also doing it as quickly as possible. So that’s what this partnership is with Hawk-Eye. Do not expect anything that you’re going to see on the broadcast. It’s all for internal use, but all to allow the NFL to keep the game moving while also reviewing things as well as they possibly can.”

Fans’ main concerns with replay boil down to two points of contention: accuracy and timeliness. The NFL is aiming to address both with this new partnership, starting with the 2021 season.

Tennis Australia Launches Venture Capital Fund To Help SportsTech Startups

Tennis Australia is set to follow the lead of America’s top sporting organisations NFL, NBA and MLB by launching its own venture capital fund to help advance SportsTech startups from the very beginning of their journey.

Wildcard Ventures invests in early stage companies that focus on technologies that will benefit the sports, health and entertainment industry. In a world-first, the opportunity is open to investors to join a syndicate alongside some of the biggest names in tennis.

“We’ve been on a journey of innovation for a number of years now as we work to increase our connection with fans across the world by looking at new ways they can play, compete in and consume our sport,” Tennis Australia CEO & Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.

“Wildcard Ventures gives us the opportunity to identify new sports, health and entertainment technologies at the earliest stages, so we can lend our vast experience and global events platform to test and mould these start-ups into companies that will benefit all sports in the long run.

“By setting the fund up as a syndicate opportunity, it allows us to team up with like-minded investors who are also looking to advance the world of SportsTech so we can have a broader impact.”

The core Investment team comprises Techstars Managing Director Todd Deacon, Tennis Australia Head of Innovation Dr Machar Reid and Finance Business Partner Lauren Coridas. The team will be responsible for identifying early stage technology companies from around the world with ambition and the will to succeed in sports and entertainment.

The Wildcard Ventures Advisory Committee includes partners from some of the biggest venture capital firms such as Techstars, Greycroft Partners, Foundry Group, Blackbird, TDM Growth Partners and Rampersand to advise on the viability of the opportunities identified.

“Last year’s inaugural Techstars SportsTech Melbourne Accelerator demonstrated Tennis Australia’s experience in identifying and adopting cutting-edge SportsTech and I jumped at the opportunity to join the Advisory Committee of Wildcard Ventures,” Techstars Co-Founder & Chairman David Cohen said.

“My focus has always been on identifying early stage companies in the consumer internet and mobile communications markets and I’m really looking forward to working with Tennis Australia on Wildcard Ventures to bring an entertainment lens to SportsTech,” Greycroft Partners Founding Partner Dana Settle said.

H.I.G Capital Completes SPORTFIVE Acquisition

H.I.G. Capital has acquired the minority stake of 24.9% owned by Lagardère, resulting in SPORTFIVE now being 100% owned by H.I.G. Capital.

This step is pivotal in the development of SPORTFIVE and sends a strong signal into the market and further positions the agency as one of the global leaders in sports business and sports marketing.

Stefan Felsing, CEO SPORTFIVE said: “I am delighted that we were able to complete the transaction. It is our ambition to further develop and grow SPORTFIVE fully backed by H.I.G. Capital who support our endeavors.”

Birmingham 2022 Appoints Rosterfy As Workforce Management Systems Provider

Rosterfy, one of the world’s leading volunteer and workforce scheduling software companies, has been appointed as the Official Workforce Management Systems Provider for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The technology provided by Rosterfy will support the 13,000 volunteers required to deliver a world-class Games. Rosterfy will deliver an end-to-end solution to provide a more connected, consistent and engaging experience for volunteers across a diverse range of backgrounds.

Rosterfy will be applying relevant experience from many previous events, including the UEFA Euros 2020, the Super Bowl and Dubai Expo 2020, to ensure Birmingham 2022 not only delivers a world-class event, but also a memorable experience for the volunteers. With a mission for Birmingham 2022 to be a Games for all, Rosterfy will provide a tech savvy solution to connect with and engage volunteers to ensure a seamless experience.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will see around 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories compete in 19 sports across 14 competition venues from 28 July until 8 August 2022. As the biggest event ever to be held in the West Midlands, it is expected to attract more than one million spectators to the city and have a global TV audience of 1.5 billion.

Shannan Gove, Co-Founder of Rosterfy said: “The team at Rosterfy are thrilled to have been selected as the Official Workforce Management Systems Provider for The Games. We are excited to work alongside the entire workforce team to ensure a world class experience for their volunteers and workforce.

“At Rosterfy we’re passionate about connecting communities to events and causes they’re passionate about. COVID-19 has kept the world in lockdowns and away from experiences that they love for more than a year now and we can’t wait to see the people of Birmingham supporting their city on the world’s stage.

“Time and time again, we continue to see large scale events create a robust volunteer programme only to let it dissolve once the event formally concludes, which isn’t sustainable. We’re excited to be working with Birmingham 2022 to ensure an ongoing legacy of volunteering, where volunteers can be engaged throughout the city for years to come.”

Adrian Corcoran, Chief Information Officer at Birmingham 2022, said: “It is fantastic to have Rosterfy join us as our Official Workforce Management Systems Provider for Birmingham 2022. They have a strong track record in large scale events, making them the ideal company to provide comprehensive management of our volunteer workforce.

“Our Volunteers will be at the heart of these Games and will shape the experience of those competing and attending. I have no doubt that Rosterfy will help us engage with them and allow them to connect with each other so we can deliver a memorable Commonwealth Games for all.”

Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin said: “I am proud to welcome Rosterfy to the Commonwealth Games Family. Rosterfy is a world leader in their field so we are delighted to have their expertise to help us recruit, train and support our 13,000 Commonwealth Collective volunteers.”

Virgin Bet To Sponsor Ayr Gold Cup

Virgin Bet is to sponsor Scotland’s most famous flat race, the Ayr Gold Cup, and will also have naming rights for the three-day Ayr Gold Cup Festival which runs from Thursday September 16th through until Saturday September 18th.

Ayr Racecourse and Virgin Bet, the UK’s fastest growing sportsbook, unveiled the exciting new sponsorship deal during racing at the track (today) Monday.

The Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup will be run on Saturday September 18th and will be the highlight of ITV Racing’s live television coverage on the day.

In addition to the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup, the sportsbook will sponsor seven other races during the week. On Saturday, this includes the Ayr Silver Cup, the Firth of Clyde Stakes (Scotland’s only Group race), and the Doonside Cup Listed Race. Virgin Bet will also sponsor Thursday’s Kilkerran Cup and the Ayr Bronze Cup on Friday.

David Brown, Managing Director of Ayr Racecourse , said : “I am thrilled that Virgin Bet have chosen to sponsor the Ayr Gold Cup which is not only Scotland’s premier flat race but one of the most prestigious sprint handicaps in the racing calendar.

“It is exciting for the team at Ayr to welcome Virgin Bet as sponsors of both the Ayr Gold Cup and as headline sponsors of the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Festival, along with several other races over the three days.

“Sponsorship has never been as important to racing that it is now in these difficult times, so it is with great pride we announce Virgin Bet as title sponsors of the Ayr Gold Cup. Virgin Bet is an exciting brand and I hope we can work together at Ayr for many years to come.”

James McKay, Sportsbook Director at Virgin Bet added : “We are excited to announce Virgin Bet’s new partnership with Ayr Racecourse, one of the great brands in UK racing. As one of the UK’s fastest growing sportsbooks, we know how much our customers enjoy the excitement of premier racing events at the most historic racecourses. The Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup will be a big moment in the flat-racing season, and we can’t wait to play our role over all three days at the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Festival.”

Euroleague Basketball, ELPA Signs Historic Collective Agreement

Euroleague Basketball and the EuroLeague Players Association (ELPA) announced the completion of a landmark collective agreement that reinforces the commitment between the league, clubs and players to a clear, unified and safe framework of cooperation among all parties.

The EuroLeague Framework Agreement (EFA), a first of its kind in pan-European basketball and team sports in general, will last until the end of the 2023-24 season. Both sides expect this historic step forward to boost the growth of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and to reinforce the players’ role as main protagonists and business partners in the competition.

Negotiations on the agreement began shortly after ELPA was formed in 2018 and focused on providing both sides with a predictable and stable relationship going forward into the future.

Among many upgrades in their job conditions, players will be assured of minimum renumeration according to the length of their EuroLeague service, salary payment safeguards, and cooperation in different areas such as season calendar, health and safety protocols, doping tests and rules of the game.

In the wake of the worldwide pandemic that saw fans kept away from arenas and games canceled, there is now a precise system in place which will provide protections for both sides in case clubs will be financially impacted by force majeure situations in the future.

Dispute resolution mechanisms, regulated image and commercial rights, limits on the length and duration of training camp and practices, monthly days off and medical services improvements are among the other features of the agreement. Additionally, Euroleague Basketball will carry out league-wide team-by-team meetings with the players to present rules and guidelines before each new season and to discuss any open issues.

The parties have agreed to a Standard Player Contract which will serve to regulate the club-player relationship across the league.

The EFA, which is a compulsory minimum standard for all participating EuroLeague clubs and players, will operate to the extent that it does not contradict mandatory laws and regulations within the countries of the clubs.


“After talking together with ELPA consistently over the last years, the confirmation of this agreement today makes it clear to everyone that our clubs and players are now stronger partners than ever in growing this sport we both love,” Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President and CEO, stated. “It is crucial to note that when the league, the clubs and the players know what we can count on from each other, year to year, all of us can concentrate that much better on our primary mutual goal, which is to offer to our fans one of the most dramatic sporting spectacles on the planet.”

“Since ELPA’s establishment in 2018, it has been our priority to reach a collective agreement, which would standardize the relationships between players and clubs across the EuroLeague,” Bostjan Nachbar, ELPA Managing Director, said.

“This has been a long and challenging process that required a lot of time and effort on both sides. Our members, especially the Players’ Board, have unselfishly dedicated their time for the betterment of working conditions of all current and future EuroLeague players. I believe we now have a solid base to work on even more improvements in the future, while at the same time players will have the opportunity to have their careers grow together with the league itself.”

William Hill Becomes Title Partner Of Racing League

Racing League has signed global bookmaker William Hill as title partner of the inaugural Racing League, which gets underway at Newcastle Racecourse on Thursday 29 July and concludes at the same venue on Thursday 2 September.

Run over six consecutive Thursday evenings at four racecourses, including Newcastle, Doncaster, Lingfield Park and Royal Windsor, Racing League is a new and innovative team-based horseracing competition, comprising 12 teams and 36 handicap races, with £1.8million prize money at stake on the racetrack, plus £200,000 in bonuses for the winning team and top three jockeys.

Founded in the UK in 1934, William Hill is a recognised and trusted brand in the global sports betting and gaming market. While it has a number of large partnerships within the sport, Racing League showcases William Hill’s commitment to invest in and support the innovation of horseracing.

Commenting on the announcement, Liam McKee, Head of Sponsorship and Media at William Hill, said: “At William Hill, racing is part of our DNA, and the Racing League is a truly unique and innovative project that we are delighted to be involved in. Bring on next Thursday!”

The partnership includes all branding and naming rights of the William Hill Racing League, including the four host racecourses.

Each of Racing League’s 12 teams will ride in striking, bespoke colours and will consist of 2-4 trainers working together, three jockeys, stable staff and a squad of 30 horses. A £150,000 winner-takes-all prize will be up for grabs for the team that accumulates the most points over the League’s six meetings.

Oli Harris, CMO of Racing League, commented: “William Hill is one of the biggest names in the sports industry, and will help take Racing League to the next level in terms of our profile. We are very much looking forward to working with the team at William Hill to maximise this relationship. With a week to go until our first event, it’s a very exciting time for Racing League.”