“We Wanted To Reset The Way People Not Only Recovered But How They Lived Their Daily Lives”

Therabody has recently become a prominent name in sports business after revealing it’s latest partnerships with the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Arsenal. iSPORTCONNECT spoke with Dr. Jason Wersland, the company’s Founder and Chief Wellness Officer, to find out more.

Tell us more about Therabody’s products and what the company does?

Therabody’s mission is to provide effective and natural whole-body  wellness solutions backed by science and research to help people feel better and continue doing the things that move them.

“We wanted to reset the way people not only recovered but how they lived their daily lives.”

We started out as Theragun, the first hand-held percussive massage therapy device, but as we grew and evolved, we knew that our mission was much broader than a single-device.  We wanted to reset the way people not only recovered but how they lived their daily lives by providing a tech wellness system that allows everyone a different way to address the tension, aches, and pain we all have. 

Tell us about your recent partnerships with Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Arsenal among others. How can these sports partnerships benefit you?

First off, it’s a dream to be working with the best athletes in the world and even better to be working with the training staff and the rest of the “team” that takes care of the team.

Sports is part of how we do things. It has been a part of Theragun from early on. I would treat golfers, track athletes — many different types of athletes with varieties of different movements and they all loved how they felt.

As I learned more about this new percussive therapy it took me many places in the world and I was blessed to meet many wonderful healers. Through the years we’ve supported each other and become a great source for each other. Some of these new partnerships we are announcing are a result of bonds created in those early days in the sporting world. 

Explain to us how your products help athletes to maximise their performance?

Elite athletes are looking for that 1% difference. Teams and athletes spend a lot of time recovering because they know this is when the body gets stronger.  Getting the proper recovery due to time constraints is a pain point with a lot of us so we usually don’t get adequate recovery.

“Our research at Therabody found that 2 minutes of Theragun Percussive Therapy on a muscle is like getting a 7 minute manual massage.”

Our research at Therabody found that 2 minutes of Theragun Percussive Therapy on a muscle is like getting a 7 minute manual massage.  This type of science clearly makes a measurable difference when you add Theragun throughout the athletes training; before, during and after, the results are felt.   

Is it just physical health or are you also looking at the mental wellness of athletes?

All aspects of wellness have to be in balance for an athlete or something will eventually give out physically.  Mental fitness is an essential part of wellness.  Wellness, to us, is the state in which your mental, physical, and spiritual health are in harmony. Therabody’s natural solutions empower everyone to take care of themselves — mentally, physically, and spiritually.

How do you chart the success of your partnerships? 

“We’re looking forward to exploring new markets and creating widespread impact globally.”

The way we approach our partnerships is a little unique in that we are actually providing something for athletes to get better versus a name they wear on their jersey. We see the success by the way the team and trainers are constantly using Therabody products, before, during and after training. And on the airplane. And in the car. On the bus. In the locker room. 

Any expansion plans? Do you have goals to reach markets globally through these partnerships?

We are available in more than 60 countries, and we’re just grazing the surface. We’re looking forward to not only engaging with communities across Europe, Japan, the U.K. and Australia, but we’re looking forward to exploring new markets and creating widespread impact globally.

Comcast Becomes Founding Partner Of LA28

Comcast expanded its longstanding commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Games by extending its partnership with Team USA through 2028, teaming up with the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games as its newest Founding Partner.

“Supporting Team USA is one of our greatest honors, and we are proud to extend this special partnership and begin the exciting journey toward the LA28 Games,” said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation.

“Every Games year, our company comes together to share the extraordinary moments and stories of the world’s best athletes and celebrate their hope and resiliency. It is truly a privilege to be able to bring that inspiration home to America for years to come, and we’re looking forward to doing just that this summer in Tokyo.”

As a Founding Partner, Comcast will work with LA28 over the next several years to drive lasting social change and build a more equitable and inclusive society, including by championing the Paralympic Movement as Los Angeles prepares for its first-ever Paralympic Games. These efforts will support LA28’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Collective, raising awareness for underrepresented communities.

“Our journey to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games is fueled by limitless possibility,” said Casey Wasserman, LA28 Chairperson. “As we look to inspire and connect with the next generation of fans across Los Angeles and around the world, we will share thousands of stories of sport, creativity and inclusion. Comcast is the perfect partner to bring those stories to life and we look forward to working together over the next eight years to create real, sustainable, positive change in our communities.”

For decades, NBC has been home to the incredible stories and inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games for millions of Americans, a legacy Comcast embraced when it acquired NBCUniversal in 2011 and has secured the U.S. broadcasting rights from the International Olympic Committee through 2032.

LaLiga Partners Swerve Soccer For First UK Football Training Project

LaLiga will teach the Spanish brand of football to young players in the United Kingdom through LaLiga Camps UK, a football development project in partnership with Swerve Soccer and Bede’s Summer School.

Opening in the south of England in July 2022, LaLiga Camps will offer an immersive youth football experience for players from around the world aged 12-17. Combining LaLiga’s coaching methodology with first-class facilities and unique linguistic and cultural immersion experiences, players will be able to enhance their footballing ability within a 360° training environment.

LaLiga Camps UK will be run by UEFA Pro-certified LaLiga coaches alongside former professional players and advanced high-performance trainers. English and Spanish-language education will be offered, as well as a chance for selected players to attend a 10-day training programme with the youth team of a LaLiga club in Spain.

Allowing participants to enjoy the best of Spanish and British culture, LaLiga Camps residential attendees will also take part in various additional cultural excursions, including city visits and stadium tours, that create unforgettable lifetime experiences.

Óscar Mayo, LaLiga Head of Revenue, Marketing, and International Development said: “We are proud to open LaLiga’s first sporting development project in the birthplace of football, the United Kingdom. Together with our partners Swerve Soccer and Bede’s School, we look forward to providing world-class opportunities for players to develop and learn from Spanish football coaches using the LaLiga methodology”.

Oliver Davies, Swerve Soccer Director said: “We are delighted to join LaLiga as a prestigious partner offering unique opportunities for young footballers, as part of our commitment to high-quality training programs for aspiring professionals all whilst positioning Spain as an attractive destination for players from across the globe”.

Through LaLiga Camps UK, LaLiga continues to expand its sporting project footprint across the globe, including eight full-time academies across Europe, Asia and the Americas. In total, LaLiga has organised nearly 400 sporting projects in 38 countries across five continents since 2015.

Said Juan Florit, LaLiga’s Head of Sports Projects: “This initiative is a big step forward in LaLiga’s strategy of developing youth players and supporting football’s global expansion. In addition, LaLiga Camps will offer immersive training opportunities in Spain for selected footballers via our showcase events”.

LaLiga Camps UK will be hosted by Bede’s Summer School, one of England’s premier international summer boarding schools. Accredited by the British Council and a member of English UK and Quality English, Bede’s was founded in 1895 and currently offers elite summer school experiences, in addition to year-round education.

Danny Kenward, Bede’s Assistant Director goes on to say: “This programme is a huge step in the right direction for Bede’s Summer School and a clear display of the diversity we aim for within our international prospectus”.

Valorant To Represent LDN UTD In All Competitions & Create Engaging Content

LDN UTD the esports organisation that uses gaming and esports to address social issues has signed a Valorant roster to represent the organisation in competitive Valorant.

Comprising Adam “Jesse” Čtvrtníček, Geoff “M1sfit” Woodward, Josh “Neph” Munro, Ondřej “Monsteerr” Petrů and Jack “Kpiz” Pragnell, some of whom have been playing under the “Unsigned” banner, the players have been recognised on the Valorant scene for their potential that has been demonstrated in recent events.

Already in their short careers, to date, Kpiz has won Versus Legends, LVP – Genesis Cup Sombras, and along with Neph has also won 2 x Valhalla Invitational; Jesse, M1sfit, and Neph have won the RIX GG Kick Off Community Tournament; whilst youngsters Monsteerr and Jesse are players with promising futures.

Going forward, the roster will be aligning with LDN UTD’s values on wellness and nutrition, and can be expected to appear in regular content streams and LDN UTD campaigns to raise awareness of LDN UTD’s values.

In tandem LDN UTD will use the roster to assist in discovering and training grassroots talent and spearhead the strategy to discover, develop and nurture LDN’s promising grassroots Valorant talent, whilst ensuring that we encourage women, minorities, and the under privileged to participate in gaming.

By signing this roster, LDN UTD has affirmed its long term commitment to being a stakeholder to work alongside others to develop the UK Valorant scene, and will be announcing further activities and content creators in due course.

M1sfit said, “It is no secret that we have been free agents for some time, and looking to find the right organisation we believe can support us, with the right infrastructure and develop our potential. LDN UTD may not be known in the Valorant community, but their credibility in the campaigns they have held, and their existing talent, convinced us they would be a good home for us. We’re all excited to represent LDN UTD and of course encourage the grassroots talent to join LDN UTD and learn from us”.

Oliver Weingarten, CEO of LDN UTD, said “Given the explosive growth of Valorant, we have been looking at entering Valorant for some time. However we always needed the right opportunity, that made sense for LDN UTD. Having gotten to know Jesse, M1sfit, Neph, Monsteerr, and Kpiz, we have been impressed by their drive to succeed but also recognition of what LDN UTD stands for and wanting to help us grow our mission to raise awareness of the issues we address, and encourage gamers of all backgrounds to engage with us.”

FloSports And Infront Agree On Rights For Tour De Suisse, Tour Of Flanders And Others

Infront and video streaming service FloSports have reached a wide-ranging agreement for the rights to some of the world’s top cycling, triathlon and athletics events.

The multi-year agreement covers a range of sports and properties including the Tour de Suisse, Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race, Tour de Pologne, World Triathlon Championship Series, World Athletics Continental Tour and World Athletics Indoor Tour.

Amikam Kranz, Vice President Media Sales and Operations said: “FloSports has vast experience bringing the very best events to sports fans across both North America and Australia. This broad agreement ensures cycling, athletics and triathlon supporters from both regions have access to some of the best action in the world and we are delighted to be working alongside FloSports.”

Ryan Fenton, Director, Global Rights Acquisition, FloSports said: “FloSports’ partnership with Infront represents our ongoing commitment to the investment in global sports like cycling and track & field. We look forward to collaborating with the Infront team to bring these world class events to fans throughout North America and Australia.”

The Tour de Suisse and Tour de Pologne will appear exclusively on the streaming service in both North America and Australia whilst the Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold Race will be co-exclusively broadcast in Australia by SBS. The agreement for all properties runs from 2021 until the end of 2024.

FloSports will also carry events from the World Athletics Indoor Tour exclusively in North America and Australia from 2021-2023, World Athletics Continental Tour exclusively in North America and Australia from 2021-2023 and World Triathlon Championship Series co-exclusive with World Triathlon in U.S. only from 2021-2024.

FIFA Unveils Global Integrity Programme To Prevent Match Manipulation

FIFA, in collaboration with the United Nations on Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has launched the Global Integrity Programme – a comprehensive international programme aimed at providing all 211 member associations with enhanced knowledge and tools to fight and prevent match manipulation.

In line with FIFA’s overall vision of making football truly global, as well as its ongoing commitment to protecting and promoting the integrity of the game, the FIFA Global Integrity Programme is designed to improve education and build integrity capacity within all 211 member associations by sharing advanced know-how and resources with integrity officers.

The programme also reflects the UNODC’s objective of supporting governments and sports organisations in their efforts to safeguard sport from corruption and crime.

With the objective of setting up successful and sustainable integrity and anti-corruption initiatives at local level, the new programme is organised regionally per confederation and includes a series of three-module virtual workshops to be delivered to all FIFA member associations.

The first edition of the programme, dedicated to the member associations from the Asian Football Confederation, started with the first module on 4 March and will continue with the second module on 16 March.

Speaking about the FIFA Global Integrity Programme, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Match-fixing is an issue that is very real and threatens the integrity and credibility of football in many countries around the world.

“Working in close collaboration with experts at the UNODC and alongside other ongoing efforts that FIFA is taking, the FIFA Global Integrity Programme is another important step by FIFA to protect the integrity of football and will play an important role in educating and building capacity within member associations to help fight match-fixing at a local level.”

Alongside the FIFA Global Integrity Programme, FIFA has also announced today that it will shortly be launching the FIFA Integrity Officers Community Platform. This will be the first-ever community-driven online platform dedicated exclusively to integrity officers across all member associations and confederations worldwide.

Birmingham 2022 Aims To Offset Carbon Footprints With Severn Trent Alliance

Birmingham 2022 has formed a new partnership with Severn Trent which will become its Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter.

Severn Trent will be responsible for delivering a series of initiatives that help offset the carbon generated by the Commonwealth Games and hopes to leave a positive social and environmental legacy of sustainability in the West Midlands.

Two of the standout initiatives that Severn Trent will be delivering on behalf of Birmingham 2022 include the creation of 2022 acres of forest, as well as 72 tennis-court-sized mini forests, to be built in urban areas across the West Midlands. Each mini forest will be linked to one of the nations and territories competing at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. The 2022 acres of forest, intended to be based in the West Midlands, will feature native species, and will not only help local people reconnect with nature, but will also help offset the carbon generated by the Games.

Improving the natural environment has a positive impact on natural water sources, which is why alongside already pledging to be a net zero carbon organisation by 2030, Severn Trent has committed to planting 1.3 million new trees and enhancing 5,000 hectares of biodiversity as part of its existing Great Big Nature Boost initiative.


Ian Reid, Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022 said: “We have always had strong ambitions to set new standards in all we do with these Commonwealth Games and make significant progress in areas that matter.

“Our plan not only outlines how we will continue to support the regionwide economic recovery, but also demonstrates how we will leave a credible piece of social and environmental legacy.

“Our new partnership with Severn Trent is incredibly important to achieving these ambitions, and it sets a compelling benchmark for how we deliver on all aspects of sustainability over the next 18 months. Our commitment to become the first carbon-neutral Games is a significant one, and this marks just the start of our journey to make these Commonwealth Games the most sustainable to date”.

Liv Garfield, CEO of Severn Trent said: ‘’We’re delighted to be partnering with the Commonwealth Games and to play a leading role in helping make Birmingham 2022 the most sustainable games ever. We’re passionate about making a positive impact on the communities and the environment where we live and operate, and to the lives of everyone that we serve.

“And that’s why we just had to be involved. Through this exciting partnership we’ll build on our existing work and ambitions to deliver lasting social and environmental change by creating new green urban spaces, further enhancing biodiversity, promoting plastic-free thinking and ultimately delivering a carbon neutral legacy for generations to come.’’

Commonwealth Games Federation President, Dame Louise Martin said: “Birmingham 2022’s plan to stage the first ever carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games is an historic moment for Commonwealth Sport. It reinforces our commitment to ensure that the Games leaves a positive social and environmental legacy for generations to come.

“The creation of 2022 acres of forest, as well as 72 new urban forests in the West Midlands, is an inspired initiative that will provide numerous benefits for the local community.

“This will set a long-term blueprint for future Commonwealth Games that will make our event a global leader when it comes to staging sustainable, environmentally-sound sporting competition. I would like to give special recognition to our excellent team at CGF Partnerships (CGFP) in securing Birmingham 2022’s Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter. Severn Trent is the perfect partner to help us deliver a carbon neutral legacy and we are delighted to be working with them.”

AC Milan Bolsters Partnership Portfolio With DoDo Deal

AC Milan has signed jewelry brand DoDo as its latest partner.

The new deal between the Club and the leading Italian brand in the world of jewelry seals the partnership of two excellences of Made in Italy with a global vision and is built on shared values driven by passion, sustainability, inclusion and elegance.

The two brands are going to launch personalised and exclusive initiatives, content and products like the new sustainable bracelets, in recycled plastic, that is is linked to the DoDoUNITED project. The collection features green products enhanced by silver DoDo charms decorated with red and black enamel to celebrate the great Rossoneri passion that binds all AC Milan fans together.

“We are delighted to collaborate with DoDo, a brand that represents the Italian style and elegance”- commented Casper Stylsvig, AC Milan Chief Revenue Officer. “Our brands share values like passion, sustainability, inclusion and elegance and we firmly believe that this partnership is going to offer our fans the possibility to wear this passion and to share the sense of community we feel.”

“A DoDo jewel tells the story of the person who wears it” said Sabina Belli CEO Pomellato and DoDo Group “this is the mission of a much-loved unique brand leader with a strong green identity. The project with AC Milan gives voice to the passion for sport and to the Milanese roots of the brand and, just like the Rossoneri team,it is going to connect fans all over the world. A passion to be told and to wear in the DoDo-mood.”

Camelot Becomes Official Partner Of ParalympicsGB & Supporter Of Team GB

With under six months until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, National Lottery operator, Camelot, has thrown its support behind Team GB and ParalympicsGB in the build-up to two of the world’s most globally recognised sporting events.

The National Lottery has always been a fantastic supporter of Olympic and Paralympic sport and now its operator, Camelot, will play a key role in helping to ensure athletes arrive at the biggest sporting moment of their lives in the best possible shape.

Team GB and ParalympicsGB have undertaken a comprehensive review of their operations following the March 2020 postponement to ensure athletes are met with Covid-secure environments to prepare for the Games – and Camelot’s vital support will play a key role in making this happen.

The Team GB investment will cover a range of Covid mitigation measures, from cutting-edge hygiene technology to a comprehensive testing programme, which aims to protect the Team GB delegation prior to and during the Games. For ParalympicsGB the investment will deliver safeguards including lateral flow testing across all prep camps, the Athlete Village and out-of-village locations, as well as Covid-secure transport and dining at athletes’ pre-Games camps in Tokyo. Every detail has been considered before the teams arrive in Tokyo.

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Camelot CEO, Nigel Railton, said: “We’re delighted to support TeamGB and ParalympicsGB during what has been an extraordinary period for the whole of the UK. Throughout the pandemic, the safety and wellbeing of our employees has been our number one priority – so it seems fitting that this partnership will not only help ensure that the nation’s athletes are met with Covid-secure environments as they prepare for the Games, but will also give our employees further opportunity to be at their best every day.”

British Paralympic Association CEO, Mike Sharrock, said: “Like so many organisations the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the British Paralympic Association and this partnership with Camelot will help ensure we can deliver world class preparation and Games time environments to empower our athletes to achieve their goals this summer.

“Tokyo 2020 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and we are confident ParalympicsGB can help unite and inspire the nation once again.

British Olympic Association CEO, Andy Anson, said: “The nation has been heavily impacted during the last 12 months and the Tokyo Games provide an amazing opportunity to generate a positive message.

“The support of Camelot is timely in ensuring that we’re able to maintain the world class environment for our athletes in Tokyo whilst incorporating the vital additional infrastructure to make sure our facilities are Covid-secure for our athletes and to allow them to reach the ‘start line’ in the best possible condition.

“We’re also excited to work with Camelot and their staff on our innovative wellness programme and share the lessons learned from the success of Team GB.”

MotoGP Signs Spark Sport As Broadcast Partner In New Zealand

Spark Sport has been named as the new and exclusive broadcast partner of MotoGP in New Zealand.

A new three-year agreement will give fans in New Zealand unrivalled coverage of the sport, streaming every race of the FIM MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ World Championships live from 2021 to at least 2023.

Spark Sport has fast become the go-to destination for motorsport fans in New Zealand, with MotoGP™ proving a top tier addition to the service’s impressive portfolio of sports and events. This three-year agreement includes live broadcasting of each and every Grand Prix – including the Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes – as well as on-demand action including full race replays, a magazine show and race highlights, making sure Kiwi fans don’t miss a minute of the world’s fastest motorcycle racing Championship.

Jeff Latch, Head of Spark Sport: “MotoGP and Formula 1 are the world’s premier motorsport competitions so Spark Sport will be providing New Zealand motorsport fans with the very best international motorsport content available.

“We’re very excited about our new partnership with MotoGP. Our ambition is to stream the world’s best sporting competitions and MotoGP definitely fits into that category, so we are incredibly proud to be in a position to bring NZ viewers live coverage of the championship.”

Manel Arroyo, Managing Director of Dorna Sports: “We’re very proud to announce Spark Sport as our new broadcaster for MotoGP in New Zealand and begin an exciting new partnership. Their track record gives us great confidence that our coverage in the territory will be better than ever, giving our fans the best experience possible and helping to grow our audience.

“MotoGP fans have a lot to look forward to in 2021, with a new Champion in Joan Mir trying to defend his crown in one of the most competitive eras the sport has ever seen, and fans are also hoping to see the return of eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez from injury – adding another new element of anticipation to the incredible, unpredictable racing we’ve been enjoying in the last few years. The stage is set for it to be another season of stunning action, and I’m very happy that fans in New Zealand will be able to enjoy such quality racing on Spark Sport.”