G13 Sports Bulletin - 05/04/2024

Welcome to the latest edition of the Global13 Sports Bulletin, where our team of sports experts have collected the biggest news stories effecting the sports industry. The bulletin will review emerging trends, major announcements, and sporting achievements, as well as providing you with insights into what our team at Global13 is getting up to in the world of sport.

SPORTS INDUSTRY NEWS ROUND-UP

In the world of sports, the Women's Six Nations tournament is captivating audiences with England leading the charge after two game weeks Meanwhile, the Indian Premier League (IPL) began last week, with Chennai Super Kings looking to defend their title. Over in the Formula 1 circuit, the Australian Grand Prix thrilled fans with Carlos Sainz emerging victorious in Melbourne, adding another chapter to the adrenaline-fueled season. In football, the Premier League title race is heating up with Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal all vying for the top spot, promising a thrilling battle for the remaining fixtures.

Events

Istanbul awarded 2027 European Games hosting rights

• The European Olympic Committees (EOC) Executive Committee has awarded Istanbul the fourth edition of the European Games in 2027.
• Istanbul's venue plan for the event requires no additional construction, utilising existing or planned venues in the city.
• The decision, following an evaluation report by the EOC, aims to create a perfect stage for Europe's athletes and increase the number of qualification events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

UFC announces card for Saudi debut, and commits to more Perth events

·       The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced its first event in Saudi Arabia on June 22, featuring a main event between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.

·       Additionally, the UFC has revealed a new multi-year partnership with the Western Australian Government to continue hosting events at Perth's RAC Arena, starting with UFC 305 on August 18.

·       This marks the third UFC pay-per-view event in Perth, with the new deal expected to bring another high-caliber event to the region, following the success of UFC 284 and setting the stage for further collaborations with Tourism Western Australia.

Scotland to stage first ever WWE premium live event at OVO Hydro

·       Scotland's OVO Hydro in Glasgow is set to host Scotland’s first-ever WWE premium live event in June.

·       WWE will bring Friday Night SmackDown on June 14, followed by Clash At The Castle: Scotland on June 15, following the success of the record-setting Clash At The Castle in Cardiff, Wales.

·       The event in Cardiff generated £21.8m for the local economy and was the most-viewed international premium live event in WWE history, featuring a castle-themed stadium.

Commercial

Arctos raises US$4.1bn for second sports investment fund

·       Arctos has closed its second sports team investment fund, raising over US$4.1 billion from investors such as pension funds and family offices.

·       This fund, along with their first, now represents the world's largest aggregation of institutional capital focused solely on sports team investments, managing assets worth approximately US$7 billion.

·       Arctos has already deployed about 30% of the second fund's capital, investing in teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Martin F1, and the Utah Jazz, with a unique position as the only firm approved to invest in multiple teams across major US sports leagues allowing private equity.

TNT Sports extends Premiership Rugby TV deal to include every game from 2024/25

·       Warner Bros Discovery’s TNT Sports has secured a two-year deal to broadcast every game of English rugby union’s Premiership Rugby from the 2024/25 season.

·       All 93 matches from the top flight, including selected Premiership Rugby Cup games, will be available on TNT Sports' linear channels and Discovery+ streaming service.

·       The agreement marks the first time fans can enjoy every live match in one place, aiming to provide immersive coverage and bring the sport closer to audiences, building on TNT Sports' history of broadcasting Premiership Rugby since 2013.

ECB “starting to pursue” private investment in The Hundred teams

·       The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is seeking private investment at the team level for The Hundred, the 100-ball, city-based franchise competition.

·       ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould mentioned that the organization is starting to pursue this investment to enable teams to compete on a global scale and attract top overseas players.

·       Despite lower salaries compared to leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), the ECB believes the team-level investment won't hinder the distribution of funds across English cricket, ensuring appropriate investment for optimal returns.

Women’s Sport

Bay FC unveil US$500k Sixth Street Jersey Sponsor

·       Bay FC, the National Women’s Soccer League's new team, has secured significant sponsorship deals with Sixth Street, Visa, Meriwest Credit Union, and Lyft.

·        Sixth Street, the team's majority owner, will have its logo featured on the back of the players' jerseys in a record-setting NWSL deal reportedly worth over US$500,000.

·       Visa, on the other hand, will be on the right sleeve, with commitments to supporting youth, financial equity, and community development, while Meriwest Credit Union and Lyft have also joined as official partners, focusing on gender equality and fan experiences respectively.

NRLW adds Bulldogs and Warriors to expanded 12-team competition in 2025

·       The National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) will see expansion to 12 teams starting from the 2025 season, as approved by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC).

·       The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the returning New Zealand Warriors are set to join the league, with the NRLW regular season extending to 11 weeks.

·       This expansion aims to grow the women’s rugby league competition in Australia and the Pacific, with increased elite pathways for female players and potential international fixtures in the future, including the possibility of showcasing NRLW games overseas.

WSL set for record ‘£9m per year’ Barclays Sponsorship deal

·       The English soccer Women's Super League (WSL) and Women's Championship are nearing a significant sponsorship extension with Barclays, as reported by The Telegraph.

·       The new three-year deal is expected to be worth around UK£9 million (US$11.4 million) solely for the title sponsorship rights, nearly double the amount of Barclays' current agreement from 2022 to 2025.

·       This marks a substantial increase from the original sponsorship fee, with Barclays also committing over UK£30 million (US$37.9 million) to women's and girls' soccer, setting a new record for investment in UK women's sport.

Stadiums & Venues

Birmingham City ‘Acquires land’ for potential new stadium

• Championship football club Birmingham City has reportedly acquired a 48-acre site from Birmingham City Council to potentially build a new "super stadium" in the Bordesley Green area.
•  The club, owned by US investment firm Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance, aims to develop a multi-sport facility on the site.
• This move follows a recent stadium naming-rights deal that renamed St. Andrew’s to St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, marking the largest commercial agreement in the club's history.

 Nottingham Forest boosts fan experience with new stadium museum

• Nottingham Forest has unveiled its new museum at the City Ground, marking a milestone in its fan experience masterplan.
• The museum showcases the club's 158-year history with prized silverware and memorabilia, including Brian Clough's iconic green jumper and match-worn shirts.
• Fans can also enjoy guided stadium tours, Legends Tours with celebrated players like John McGovern, and the new retail store offering best-selling items and retro memorabilia on match days.

Titans unveils retail plans for new stadium amid new fanatics deal

• The Tennessee Titans have chosen Fanatics as their official omnichannel retail partner for both their current and future stadiums, including the upcoming $2.1 billion Nissan Stadium.
• Fanatics will enhance the in-venue shopping experience at the current Nissan Stadium and design the retail footprint for the new stadium, featuring a 14,000-square-foot main store and satellite stores in the concourses.
• This partnership aims to provide Titans fans with a superior retail experience, both in-person and online, through the official Titansteamstore site.

Technology

MLS uses AI to translate commentary in real time and plots live game in Vision Pro

·       Major League Soccer (MLS) is set to broadcast a live match from its developmental league in four languages using AI technology.

·       The game between Orlando City B and Inter Miami II at the 2024 Generation Adidas Cup will feature AI dubbing of English commentary into French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

·       Additionally, other MLS Innovation Lab members will showcase their technologies during the match, including Fitogether's tech-infused vests for player analytics and Stadium US's 5G-powered AI camera for live streaming.

Premier League invests in Rezzil ahead of official VR game launch

·       The Premier League has entered a four-year partnership with Rezzil, a sports technology firm, to create an official virtual reality (VR) video game.

·       Due for release later in 2024, the game will use official Premier League data, allowing fans to immerse themselves in iconic goals and historic moments as their favourite players.

·       As part of the deal, the Premier League will take an equity stake in Rezzil, known for its VR training and athlete performance software used by Premier League clubs and individual athletes.

Belfast Giants’ SSE Arena first in Europe to adopt Amazon’s checkoutless payment tech

·       The SSE Arena in Belfast has become Europe's first indoor venue to adopt Amazon's 'Just Walk Out' checkout-free payment technology.

·       Initially implemented at a single outlet, fans of the Belfast Giants and other visitors can now purchase food and drinks seamlessly by selecting their contactless payment method at the gate, grabbing what they want, and simply walking out.

·       This innovative move aims to enhance the customer experience and speed up transactions during events, making the SSE Arena the first arena in Europe to introduce this checkout-free concept.

Global13 Sporting Moment of the Week

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz stole the spotlight at the Australian Grand Prix with a stunning display of skill and determination. Capitalizing on Max Verstappen's early technical troubles, Sainz boldly took the lead and never looked back. Navigating the circuit with precision, he built a commanding lead over his competitors, ultimately clinching his third Formula 1 victory in style.

Global13 Sports Round up

In a thrilling showdown, Wigan Warriors secured a 20-18 victory against Barrow, showcasing their grit and determination on the field. The match kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moment, with Wigan emerging victorious in a nail-biting finish. Now, the Warriors are gearing up for their next challenge as they face off against the Cardiff Demons this Sunday at the Robin Park Arena.