Manchester United Signs TeamViewer As Principal Shirt Partner

Manchester United has signed a new five-year agreement with the global technology company TeamViewer as its principal shirt partner.

The partnership will begin with the 2021/2022 season.

The agreement will bring together one of the world’s most popular and successful sports teams with one of Europe’s fastest-growing software companies.

The partnership will harness the power of Manchester United’s unrivalled global platform to showcase the unique capabilities of TeamViewer to transform the way the world works and interacts. With its name on the front of the most iconic shirt in sport from the start of next season, TeamViewer will build worldwide awareness of its technology enhancing workplaces and daily lives.

The partnership will introduce Manchester United and its 1.1 billion fans and followers around the world to exciting new technology drawing on TeamViewer’s expertise in remote connectivity services. TeamViewer will enable Manchester United to bring its fans even closer to the team they love through ground-breaking AR solutions and remote access to the Theatre of Dreams.

Germany-based TeamViewer has been installed on over 2.5 billion devices, has nearly 600,000 subscribers, and operates in almost all countries globally. The company’s ambitions to harness technology to build bridges among people and businesses, and enable digital progress for everyone, makes it the ideal fit for a football club which has created a global community of fans spanning cultures and continents.

Richard Arnold, Managing Director, Manchester United, said: “We are tremendously proud to be establishing this partnership with one of the most exciting and dynamic global software companies. The ability to connect and collaborate has never been more important to the world and our community of 1.1 billion fans and followers. We are looking forward to working with TeamViewer to bring to life our vision for a partnership built on smarter ways of connecting people and businesses.”

Oliver Steil, TeamViewer Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very excited about this partnership, as it will significantly expand our brand positioning and it will help us to market our comprehensive solutions portfolio to all customer segments globally. With Manchester United and TeamViewer, two global winning teams join forces: Together as Team United we can bring the fan experience in the legendary Theatre of Dreams to a new level. We are extremely proud Manchester United picked us as partner in their ongoing technology journey.”

TISSOT To Be The Official Title Sponsor Of Grand Prix Of Doha

Dorna Sports has announce that TISSOT, the Official Timekeeper of the FIM MotoGP World Championship, will be the title sponsor of the Grand Prix of Doha in 2021.

The event, which is the second to be held at Losail International Circuit this season, takes place from the 2nd to the 4th of April and will be named the TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha.

Founded in 1853, Swiss luxury watchmaker TISSOT became Official Timekeeper of MotoGP™ in 2001 and has become a longstanding partner of the sport. Over more than two decades of collaboration, TISSOT’s expertise has taken on an ever more vital role as competition reaches new heights and mere thousandths of a second separate hero from zero. As part of the collaboration, TISSOT also creates incredible timepiece and watch collections that take inspiration from the world of MotoGP™, all designed to reflect the shared passions of excellence, accuracy and precision.

TISSOT also took top billing at a Grand Prix in 2020 as title sponsor for the second event held at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli and will now add another blue riband event to its partnership with MotoGP™. That’s in addition to a trackside presence throughout the calendar, ensuring the TISSOT name remains one of the most emblematic in the paddock as this important partnership celebrates 20 years of collaboration.

Sylvain Dolla, CEO of TISSOT: “Tissot is proud to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the partnership with MotoGP. As Official Timekeeper of the most breath-taking races around the world we are looking forward to another season of exciting emotion ahead of us, with the TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha.”

Pau Serracanta, Managing Director of Dorna Sports: “We’re delighted to see TISSOT title sponsor another Grand Prix this season. As Official Timekeeper and Watch of MotoGP, TISSOT are a vital part of the sport and I’m proud to add another agreement to our longstanding partnership. This season marks 20 years since our collaboration began and to see TISSOT take top billing at the Grand Prix of Doha makes for a perfect celebration of these two decades together.”

NFL Agrees Broadcast Deals With Amazon, Fox, NBC, ESPN And CBS

The NFL has signed long-term agreements with media partners Amazon, CBS, ESPN/ABC, FOX and NBC to distribute NFL games across television and digital platforms, along with additional media rights.

The agreements will commence at the start of the 2023 season and run through the 2033 season, broadening the league’s digital football to a larger audience while preserving its custom of keeping all NFL contests on over-the-air-television.

“These new media deals will provide our fans even greater access to the games they love. We’re proud to grow our partnerships with the most innovative media companies in the market,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Along with our recently completed labor agreement with the NFLPA, these distribution agreements bring an unprecedented era of stability to the League and will permit us to continue to grow and improve our game.”

The new agreement will also see the Super Bowl air on four networks.

From 2023 through 2033, three Super Bowls each will be hosted by CBS (2023, 2027, 2031), FOX (2024, 2028, 2032) and NBC (2025, 2029, 2033), while ABC (2026, 2030) will carry two.

Also part of the agreements will be an increased flexibility for Sunday Night Football and, now, Monday Night Football games in the aim to put the most meaningful games in prime-time slots. MNF did not previously flex games.

Kicking off in the first year of the agreement, Amazon Prime Video will become the exclusive home to Thursday Night Football.

“Most of our fans enjoy NFL football on TV or on their phone, but don’t get to go to the stadium. So having long-term really good partners who can bring football at a high-production value into your household or onto your phone or on your digital device is really important to us,” NFL chief media and business officer Brian Rolapp said Thursday on NFL Network’s NFL Total Access.

“And so when we started these discussions and had the chance to put in some long-term commitment with some really good partners, we worked really hard to do it and I think long-term means a lot of good football for fans for years to come.”

Union Cycliste Internationale Unveils New Brand Identity Ahead Of World Championship

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the organisers of the inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have unveiled their ambitious brand identity for this prestigious new event on the UCI International Calendar taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland in August 2023.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be the biggest cycling event in history bringing together 13 individual World Championships events for the first time with the world’s top cyclists and para-cyclists competing for the coveted rainbow jersey in disciplines including road cycling, track cycling, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, trials and indoor cycling.

The Championships will also be a catalyst for collaboration and positive change across the country through the ‘power of the bike’, inspiring people to ride bikes more often for fun, exercise and to move around.

The new brand identity, which has been created by Glasgow design agency Stand, seamlessly combines the professionalism and credibility of the UCI with the warm, friendly welcome of Glasgow and Scotland – both working in harmony just like a bike and its rider.

The ‘squiggly bike’ as the host identity has been designed to encompass a feeling of playfulness, inclusivity and positivity, acting as a lasting symbol of the event and what it aims to achieve for communities right across Scotland.

It also incorporates the UCI rainbow in its design, which in a first for a UCI World Championships, will remain in place after the event, with the UCI approving the ongoing use of the rainbow colours in support of the wide-ranging policy ambitions of the event to develop cycling in Scotland. This means the people of Scotland can take the ‘squiggly bike’ to their hearts as a lasting inspiration to celebrate the power of the bike long after 2023.

Cabinet Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: “The Scottish Government is pleased to be working with the UCI to host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. Hosting this mega-event is a game-changing opportunity for cycling in Scotland.

“The brand identity being launched today reflects Scotland as a nation – bold, inclusive and innovative. I am sure the ‘squiggly bike’ will prove popular with cyclists across the country and become a widely recognised symbol of cycling in Scotland.

“It is a major endorsement of Scotland and our ambition to be one of the world’s top cycling nations to have approval to continue using the UCI rainbow after the event as lasting inspiration and a continued celebration of the power of the bike.”

The event identity has been developed to uniquely differentiate this new combined UCI Cycling World Championships from the individual discipline UCI World Championships and will be used for the future editions in 2027, 2031 and beyond.

UCI President David Lappartient said: “The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will bring together, for the first time in the history of our sport, several thousand athletes from different disciplines and five continents in an unprecedented celebration of cycling in Glasgow and across Scotland. The event logo and visual identity we are unveiling today illustrates the excellence and universality of the UCI World Championships combined with the expertise, hospitality and vision of our hosts. This unique event will leave a lasting legacy in Scotland for generations to come and will make history in the UCI and our sport in all its forms – competition, leisure and transport.”

While the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will put Scotland’s elite cycling on the map, it will also be about real stories of everyday champions inspired to everyday triumphs.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “As one of the top five ultimate sporting cities in the world, and the UK’s only UCI Bike City, Glasgow is delighted to host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. We’re pleased to see a nod to the city’s famous Squinty and Squiggly bridges in the squiggly bike logo and in the continued legacy of the event.

“Scotland has produced some of the world’s finest elite riders and, while this is an important part of our country’s history, our civic pride comes from building and managing world-class and Olympic sporting venues which are open to everyone from children to adults, and from grassroots level to professional athletes.

“This is the true power of the bike, inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to get out and realise or rediscover the pleasure of keeping fit and healthy – both mentally and physically – in the lead up to and long after the 2023 World Championships.”

Dame Katherine Grainger, Chair of UK Sport, said: “This is a great day for everyone involved with the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships as they reveal their brand identity to inspire people across Scotland.

“UK Sport are investing £4million of National Lottery funding into the Championships to demonstrate our commitment to bring more of the world’s biggest sporting competitions to our shores and how, through world leading innovations and collaborations they can have long lasting positive social and economic impact.

“The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships present an historic first for the sport and it is an honour that Scotland has been tasked with delivering them. We know from experience from working on the biggest sporting events in the country that these Championships will truly make a difference to the communities involved and this is a key moment in engaging with them.”

ELEVEN And Canal 11 Partner To Broadcast UEFA Women’s Champions League

ELEVEN and Canal 11 will partner to broadcast the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the UEFA Futsal Champions League to fans in Portugal for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.

ELEVEN and Canal 11 will deliver simultaneous LIVE coverage of the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, Rosengård-St. Pölten and Olympique Lyonnais make up the last eight in the competition. Portugal fans will be able to follow the fortunes of Portuguese international Jéssica Silva, who plays for defending champions Lyon.

ELEVEN and Canal 11 will also both broadcast the UEFA Futsal Champions League final stages this season. Portuguese clubs SL Benfica and Sporting CP are both present in the last eight of the competition.

ELEVEN Portugal broadcast the final rounds of the 2019/20 UEFA Women’s Champions League in August 2020.

ELEVEN Portugal hold the men’s UEFA Champions League in Portugal, until 2023/24, alongside premium rights including LaLiga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, F1, Nascar, NFL and WTA.

Manchester City Joins Forces With Socios.com

Manchester City, have joined forces with Socios.com to launch the Manchester City $CITY Fan Token.

Socios.com is a fan engagement and rewards mobile app built on the Chiliz blockchain. Manchester City fans across the world will be able to use $CITY Fan Tokens to access VIP rewards, Club promotions, games, AR-enabled features and voting rights in certain binding and non-binding Club polls on Socios.com.

The launch of the $CITY Fan Token also creates a new layer of digital engagement for Manchester City’s global fanbase, bringing them even closer to the club they love.

The great news for City fans is that all existing registered Cityzens will be eligible to receive a free $CITY Fan Token.

Stephan Cieplik, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships Sales, City Football Group, said: “We are excited to launch the new Manchester City Fan Token, which will provide another opportunity for our fans all over the world to get even closer to the Club they love. Fans will have access to fantastic competitions and VIP experiences and be able to vote on Club initiatives.

“Every existing registered Cityzen will also be eligible for a free token so they can access the full range of benefits and rewards.

“We recognise the significant interest in blockchain and the opportunity it provides us to engage further our global fanbase and we are confident that the Manchester City Fan Token will prove a popular addition to our digital line-up. We’ve been extremely impressed with how Socios.com have led the way in this space with other European clubs, and we are confident that we have the right platform to succeed and grow together.”

Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Chiliz and Socios.com, said: “Manchester City are leading the race for this season’s title, but they’ve already been honoured as the most innovative sports team in the world this year.

“The Club have proven they are ahead of the pack in embracing innovation and will enhance that status further through the $CITY Fan Token.

“Socios.com and $CITY Fan Tokens will be hugely complementary to City’s global approach, providing fans around the world with unprecedented engagement opportunities, as well as unique digital, and – once restrictions are lifted – real-life rewards and experiences.”

Hampshire Cricket Signs New Balance As Official Kit Partner

Hampshire Cricket have announced a new long-term partnership with New Balance.

The agreement will see the global athletic footwear and apparel brand become Hampshire Cricket’s official kit partner, with New Balance supplying all of the Club’s playing and training kits across all youth, development and senior sides, including the men’s and women’s first team squads.

The partnership is New Balance’s first in county cricket and all teams featuring at The Ageas Bowl, including England, Southern Vipers and Southern Brave, now share a partnership with the global sports giant.

The partnership has been launched with the unveiling of Hampshire’s new training kit for the 2021 season. A new online store allowing fans to purchase replica training wear is also now live as part of the launch, whilst a new look on-site store will re-open at The Ageas Bowl this summer.

Hampshire’s playing kit designs for the 2021 season will be released shortly with supporters having the opportunity to purchase replica playing wear, as well as other items from new merchandise ranges in the coming weeks.

Giles White, Hampshire Director of Cricket, said: “New Balance have outstanding experience in producing world-class apparel and their long-standing support of the game is something that we are really excited about. We’re confident that our new kits will be loved by fans and players alike.”

Liam Burns, Head of Cricket for New Balance, said: “We are thrilled to become the Official Kit Partner of Hampshire Cricket. This new teamwear partnership marks our first in county cricket and is one we’re very excited about. We’re also looking forward to working with the Hampshire Cricket Foundation supporting its work in the community at grass roots level.”

Aurora Media To Broadcast Super League Triathlon Globally

Super League Triathlon has appointed Aurora Media Worldwide as its global broadcast partner.

Aurora will help Super League to drive further innovation and build on the success of both its Championship Series and the SLT Arena Games.

Specialising in the development and production of live, premium global sports events such as Formula-E and Extreme-E, Aurora Media is recognised as a creator of innovative, formatted international live broadcasts, which are widely distributed around the world.

The contract covers multiple years and territories, beginning immediately with Aurora producing the SLT Arena Games Powered by Zwift at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on March 27.

Super League Triathlon CEO, Michael D’hulst, said: “We are very excited to be working with Aurora Media Worldwide. Super League and Aurora share a vision for the future of triathlon and the ways in which we can continue to evolve our sport into a true broadcast and digital product to be more engaging and accessible to audiences both of the sport and beyond.”

 

Lawrence Duffy, Managing Director of Aurora Media Worldwide said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Super League Triathlon. Their innovative format is a great fit for Aurora in a very dynamic sport.  We are particularly pleased to be producing content across broadcast, digital and social platforms as viewer habits continue to evolve.” 

Super League Triathlon held its first race in 2017 and has enjoyed rapid growth ever since, with eight world class Championship Series events already held and the founding of the innovative SLT Arena Games, a unique blend of in real life and virtual racing.

Super League puts audiences at the heart of everything it does, with short, sharp and exciting race formats featuring the best triathletes in the world, immersive data, and stadium like courses.

World Rugby Appoints Alan Gilpin As CEO

World Rugby has announced the appointment of Alan Gilpin as the international federation’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Gilpin, 47, has performed the role of Interim Chief Executive following Brett Gosper’s departure in January, and is highly regarded within the rugby and wider sport’s business community.

Gilpin has a broad and intimate understanding of World Rugby’s business operations having performed the dual role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Managing Director of Rugby World Cup since 2016, after joining the international federation to run the portfolio of Rugby World Cup properties in 2014.

His leadership expertise, ability to assemble strong delivery teams and focus on innovation, along with the fan and player experience have played a strong role in the hosting of the most successful men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups to date. He has also transformed the future hosting model to broaden interest and impact.

Commenting on the appointment, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Alan is well known and very well respected by the rugby family through his roles as Managing Director of Rugby World Cup and Chief Operating Officer of World Rugby, and I have long admired his passion, energy, innovation and leadership skills.

“I am excited by Alan’s vision for the future of the organisation and the moves the sport needs to take to become truly global and drive sustainable growth in new, key markets. His intimate knowledge of the business of the sport, the opportunities and challenges we collectively face as a family and his excellent leadership and stakeholder relations skills make him the stand-out and right choice for this role at an important and exciting time for the sport globally.”

World Rugby Vice-Chairman Bernard Laporte added: “Alan Gilpin’s appointment is excellent news for World Rugby. There were a number of excellent candidates, including Alan, but I am delighted for him – he is the right person to lead the organisation forward and I look forward to working with him, especially on our upcoming World Cups in 2022 and 2023.”

Gilpin has rugby and sport in his DNA. With a legal background, he spent nine years at IMG where he was responsible for the commercial rights negotiations across the Rugby World Cups in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Then, in a leadership role with a joint venture between Sodexo and Mike Burton Group, he oversaw the award-winning hospitality programme for the London 2012 Olympic Games and was instrumental in the delivery of a record Rugby World Cup 2015 official hospitality programme.

Having overseen the delivery of record-breaking men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups and played a significant role in the transformation of the international federation’s business operations in recent years as COO, Gilpin is fully focused on the future.

“I am immensely proud and honoured to take up the role as Chief Executive of World Rugby, and to lead an organisation that is at a really exciting stage in its history,” he said. “With a new Strategic Plan ready to launch, considerable talent within the organisation, and an executive board that has ambitious goals for the next few years, it is set to be a pivotal period in the growth of the sport.

“I am also well aware of the challenges that we face as we emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic and seek to get rugby back on the field in many parts of the world. Working with our members and partners, we will continue with our mission to grow the global rugby family, while furthering welfare and injury prevention for players at all levels. Attracting and engaging new audiences and delivering compelling and competitive international tournaments remains at the centre of our strategy, along with investing in participation growth with our member unions and regional associations.

“Rugby World Cup 2023 in France will be a spectacular tournament, marking the 200th anniversary of rugby, while the Rugby World Cup 2021 tournament in New Zealand (now postponed to 2022) is at the core of our increased commitment and investment in the growth of women’s rugby. We are already in discussions with potential hosts for the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031 to ensure that we have long-term hosting certainty for our pinnacle events, to drive revenue growth and allow ever-increasing investment.

These events, combined with rugby sevens in the Olympic Games and our annual HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, provide a vital aspirational pathway for girls and boys playing rugby all over the world.”

IMG Partners Kieser To Become Title Partner Of Great Ocean Road Running Festival

IMG has signed a new agreement with international physiotherapy, rehabilitation and strength training company Kieser to become the title sponsor of its Great Ocean Road Running Festival, which is set to reunite runners in Victoria, Australia on 15 – 16 May 2021.

The Kieser Great Ocean Road Running Festival 2021 will also welcome continued support from the Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund to drive visitation to the surf coast region, which leads to ongoing positive economic impact for some of Victoria’s hardest hit regional tourism operators and local businesses. More than just a running event, the festival offers a great opportunity for families and groups of friends to experience the natural beauty and attractions of the region alongside the challenge of the race, with many extending their stay.

The annual event was impacted by COVID-19 in 2020, but still saw thousands of runners from around the globe participate in two virtual race events staged by IMG in May and August.

“Participation in the event has been growing each year, with runners especially responding to the challenging course and extraordinary views that only the Great Ocean Road can offer,” said Brad King, Event Director at IMG. “We are confident we will see strong numbers for 2021 after a year off as Australian’s take advantage of the incredible events and experiences on offer in their own back yard.”

The running festival offers something for everyone with seven different running or walking events across Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 May 2021, from a 60km Ultra Marathon to a 1.5km Kids Gallop and everything in between. Runners are challenged along the elevated coastline courses between Lorne and Apollo Bay, accompanied by the oceanic scenes, scents and sounds that make it all the more spectacular.

Kieser Australia CEO, Brett Long said supporting an active community is a core belief of the company which operates a network of integrated physiotherapy, rehabilitation and strength training clinics across the country.

“In 2020 we were all reminded how important our health is, so to be supporting a sport like running is a great opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to keeping our community healthy,” he commented.

Whether an experienced runner or a novice exploring the sport, Kieser’s leading scientific expertise will keep participants running by both treating and preventing injuries through their unique combination of physiotherapy and strength training.

“Research tells us every Australian will be healthier through strength training – including runners who will reduce their overuse injuries by 50 percent through the right program. We see all types of runners every day at our clinics and are looking forward to supporting recreational runners and elite athletes involved in the Kieser Great Ocean Road Running Festival.”