SportsPro Magazine - October 2014 Edition

Page 1

SPECIAL REPORT: THE NFL IS BACK AND UNDER REVIEW www.sportspromedia.com

October 2014

OCTOBER 2014 | Issue 70

On the ground at Live@Wimbledon Page 60 The business of sports memorabilia Page 82 Can the Indian Super League cut through? Page 112

“Sport is the most epic of non-fiction programming” @SportsPro

THE AGE OF DISCOVERY JB Perrette’s plan to super-charge Eurosport

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CONTENTS | OCTOBER 2014 - ISSUE NUMBER 70

Contents Cover Story 52 Eurosport’s age of Discovery Discovery Communications completed its 51 per cent acquisition of pan-European broadcaster Eurosport at the end of May. The American giant has been on a onetracked mission to grow its audience share since Discovery Channel itself launched in 1985, and as newly-installed president of Discovery Networks International JB Perrette explains, it has exactly the same plan for Eurosport.

Insights 32 Mini Insights 38 Ryder Cup: Fairway to heaven

Features 42 Rights of appeal A record-breaking US Olympic contract, a new National Football League (NFL) package, turf wars over rugby and sales success for start-up properties have all marked out the year so far, but, when it comes to generating broadcast revenues in just about every corner of the world, soccer continues to hold a unique power. 60 On the set at SW19 When the All-England Lawn Tennis Club decided to revamp its inhouse broadcast services around the Championships, the third Grand Slam of the tennis year, it turned to IMG Media. On day four of Wimbledon 2014, SportsPro was granted an exclusive look behind the scenes of Live@Wimbledon. 68 The producer Jeff Gowen is a 32-year veteran of sports broadcast production and one of the most senior live event producers on the books at Fox. His current roster of work includes Major League Baseball games, college football and basketball. Here he explains what it takes to make it as a producer in one of the most intense live event environments in the broadcast industry.

52 74 Eye on Oceania Australia and New Zealand are both territories with a rich sporting heritage and unique broadcast media landscapes. The sports rights markets in both 78 European gains The inaugural European Games will join a crowded continental sporting calendar in summer 2015 and even within the sports industry, few are sure quite what to expect. Baku 2015 commercial director Charlie Wijeratna is enjoying the challenge, and excited by what is to come in the Azeri capital.

82 Paying the price Worth countless millions of dollars globally yet largely unregulated and rife with fraud, the sports memorabilia market is as murky as it is lucrative, with some US$500 million thought to be lost every year to fake collectibles. 102 Gross’ domestic product Major League Lacrosse has been at the forefront of the sport since the turn of the millennium. Rising revenues and impressive media distribution have given the league a solid footing in one of sport’s most competitive markets, as commissioner David Gross explains.

SportsPro Magazine | 3

CONTENTS | OCTOBER 2014 - ISSUE NUMBER 70

Contents Company ProďŹ le 118 UIPM heads to university Earlier this year modern pentathlon was included as a new sport of the International University Sports Federation in the world university programme. More than 32 sports had expressed an interest in joining the programme, but with over 60 sports already present in the FISU family, just two were chosen.

Regulars 6 8 10 12 14

96

18 20 22 28 30 126 128 130

Editor’s Letter Notes and Observations The Martyn Ziegler Column Digest Thought Leader: Alex Inglot Premature Facts Movers and Shakers Gallery SportsPro World Market Watch Index From the US Bureau Jottings

Deals 108 Silver lining As the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) hits a quarter century, Sir Philip Craven, president since 2001

history, offers his considered assessment on the past, present and future of parasport. 112 Indian summer The Indian Super League is the latest attempt to revive the fortunes of the world’s most popular sport in its second most populous country. All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das outlines aims for the commercially focused concept to work in tandem with grassroots initiatives, addressing years of neglect to create a new future.

Special Report: Football

120 Deals Review 122 Sponsorship Deals

88 Season’s greetings As the National Football League gets underway in the US, SportsPro reviews the major talking points from this off-season and previews some commercial storylines which look set to run throughout the new season. 96 Creatures of habit What motivates a fan to support a particular National Football League (NFL) team and how has fandom changed in the digital era? These are two questions which sports, music and entertainment marketing agency Octagon has set out to answer in its latest research.

SportsPro ( ISSN 1756 5340), (October 2014 edition) is published monthly by SportsPro Media Ltd and distributed in the USA by Mail Right Int., 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SportsPro, SportsPro Media, C/o 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway NJ 08854

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EDITOR’S LETTER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David Cushnan EDITOR James Emmett

A toast to one and all

FEATURES EDITOR Eoin Connolly DIGITAL EDITOR Michael Long US CORRESPONDENT Ian McPherson EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Finlay Hutchison ART DIRECTOR Daniel Brown PHOTOGRAPHIC AGENCY Action Images MEDIA PARTNER Press Association MANAGING DIRECTOR Nick Meacham COMMERCIAL CONSULTANT Richard Partridge BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS Jon Abraham, Bobby Hare, Joseph Smith SUBSCRIPTIONS Bhav Sahota BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER YĂŠwandĂŠ ArulĂŠba

Executive search partner:

SportsPro magazine is published by: SportsPro Media Ltd 5 Prescot Street, London E1 8PA, UK Tel: +44 (0) 207 549 3250 Fax: +44 (0) 207 549 3255 Email: info@sportspromedia.com Web: www.sportspromedia.com (SportsPro Media Ltd is part of the Henley Media Group Ltd - www.henleymediagroup.com) NOTICES: September 2014 Issue No 69 SportsPro Magazine !"#$ %&' * * * +*&

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s chance would have it, this edition of SportsPro coincides with an unusually large number of sports industry anniversaries. There’s a fair chance you’ll be reading this, our annual sports broadcast special edition, in or around the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco at Sportel. The annual symposium and media rights marketplace has become the must-attend event for rights sellers, buyers and watchers and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Headlining the edition is a feature interview with JB Perrette, president of Discovery Networks International. The Discovery Channel, and its growing wider business, reached European shores at around the same time as Monegasque journalist Georges Bertellotti was convincing Prince Rainier III and Prince Albert II to push the button on his sports TV market project. Discovery has thrived under one, singleminded purpose: to grow audience share. Having just bought a 51 per cent stake in Eurosport, another business celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Discovery holds that same ambition for the pan-European

the topic, Perrette explains just how he and his team intend to go about doing it. Perrette and his new Eurosport Sportel this year, transformed players in an ever-evolving industry. Also likely to be taking more meetings at Sportels of the future are representatives from the International Paralympic Committee. Celebrating its, you guessed it, 25th anniversary this year, the organisation has thrived under the leadership of Sir Philip Craven, who explains just how far the Para-sports movement has come elsewhere in these pages. Thomas Bach will never make it to his 25th anniversary as president – the IOC, after all, isn’t Fifa – but the German did celebrate one year in sport’s most powerful position this September. And what a year

it’s been. The German has brought an energy and determination to the role rarely seen in the leadership of his predecessor, ! " numbers are, quite frankly, astounding. In the 12 months since his election in Buenos Aires last September, Bach has travelled the world to meet 81 heads of state and government. He has presided over two Olympic Games - the largest ever winter edition in Sochi, and a sporadically lavish Youth Olympics in Nanjing. He has signed 13 broadcast and sponsorship deals worth a total of US$10 billion, including a hugely

#%&' '* /;< that will see US Olympic rights stay with the Peacock until 2032. There have been well-documented problems with the preparations for the next summer Games in 2016, and some very public concerns expressed by a usually reticent Olympic movement. But one gets the impression that Rio presents a challenge that Bach won’t succumb to without a hell of a lot of personal endeavour on his part. So far, at least, he’s taking it all in his stride. Our man in LA As a magazine that prides itself on its truly global outlook, it’s about time we had a permanent writer stationed away from SportsPro HQ in Europe. Ian McPherson is that permanent writer, having moved to Los Angeles to set up shop for us there. As our new US correspondent, Ian will be writing a new monthly column, debuting this month on page 128, and should be in a position to ensure that our American sports industry coverage is the most authoritative in the market.

James Emmett Editor

Interview with Stefan Kßrten, Director of Sports & Business, European Broadcasting Union What services does the EBU/ EUROVISION offer to rights holders and sports events? For decades, the EBU represents broadcasters and has forged close ties with the federations helping both to bridge their challenges with their needs. We provide media rights acquisition, contract management, event monitoring and through EUROVISION as its operational arm one-stop broadcast media solutions – everything from production, through our subsidiary Eurovision Production Coordination (EPC), to distribution services on all platforms

for federations and rights holders. In what ways have new media and other broadcast innovations inuenced the public’s consumption of sports content? The development of new technologies has drastically changed the way in which sports content is consumed. The ‘any sport, anytime, anywhere, any device’ paradigm is becoming a reality for sports fans. They distinguish between platforms and demand content in line with their preferences. A single feed only across multiple platforms is no longer attractive enough. New media offers audiences a richer experience and gives them a voice. Viewers have become consumers and active followers. Not only do they consume, but they also create and interact.

Nevertheless, I am convinced that the business of sport is, and will always be, driven by the live broadcast of top events on all platforms.

What key trends are you currently witnessing in the sports media rights marketplace? The most obvious trend is that audiences can access sports information from a range of platforms. This gives

the broad visibility, relevance and

sports in Europe. Another important development is the growing presence of global players in the media and sports !

the traditional players. What are some of the EBU’s major success stories from the past 12 months? One of our big projects this year was the successful distribution of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ worldwide, "

circuits. On the sports rights front, we have acquired for many territories the ! #

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biathlon. Another two recent events deserve mention. The European Athletics Championships and the European Swimming Championships attracted outstanding ratings across Europe, as well as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, where EBU was not only a rights partner, but also acted as host broadcaster via EPC.

What does 2015 hold for the EBU and which events are you particularly excited about? &

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In winter sports, 2015 will be an extremely busy year for us with the Nordic and the Alpine World Championships in Vail, Colorado, USA, where the EBU is holding the media as

host broadcaster. Further highlights will be the Biathlon World Cups and World Championships as well the World and European + % / *

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are concerned we will be excited to deliver a new season of the top international sport events worldwide, *

What’s the EBU message to the marketplace? The role sport plays in building a cohesive society must be protected and developed through strong free-to-air exposure. $ !67

solid and reliable partner for all rights holders and event organizers. This is of particular importance during these times of economic and political uncertainty.

Photo credits: Stefano Santucci

www.eurovision.net

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

In safe hands Michael Long

L

ate last year I used this column to highlight the challenge the ATP faces as it enters a potentially tricky transition period following an era of unprecedented domination by four (or, more accurately, three) individuals in men’s tennis. The tour, I wrote, would need to ‘begin marketing the next generation of up and coming stars sooner rather than later to ensure that daunting changeover passes as smoothly as possible’. Now, however, it appears that transition may not be as daunting as From Stan Wawrinka’s January triumph in Melbourne to September’s #% = Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori – the > % X

[ out, since the 2005 Australian Open that has not featured at least one of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic – this season has provided plenty of evidence to suggest that things are changing at the top of men’s tennis. In addition to Nishikori, the likes of \ ! X > ] ^ > assaults on the world’s top ten whilst becoming consistent crowd-pleasers in their own right. Some, incidentally, have rubbished the notion that a changing of the guard is imminent. Federer (and no doubt Djokovic and Nadal) is amongst them and they certainly have a case. It should not be forgotten that Federer, Nadal 8 | www.sportspromedia.com

and Djokovic shared three of the four _ = Wimbledon this year, while the trio

Masters 1000 events so far in a year in which Federer’s own resurgence has been one of the standout stories. Still, as one era bleeds inescapably X `"{ [ from the ongoing debate. For the casual fan tired of seeing the major trophies engraved with the same names year after year, the prospect of a new generation coming to the fore has sparked new life into the tour. Commercially speaking, as the ATP continues its foray into Asia and the region’s burgeoning consumer markets, boss Chris Kermode will be licking his lips at the emergence of Nishikori, the Japanese who has done more than most to upset the establishment. Likewise the ever-growing ! and Dimitrov, both of whom reached | } [ X will reassure the Briton that the future of the ATP’s on-court product is in safe hands heading into the next round of media rights negotiations. From a tournament promotion and broadcasting perspective, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are still the unrivalled draws but the ATP may not be so reliant on its established stars after all. November’s ATP World Tour Finals will offer a taste of things to come as the old guard faces off against the new in London and far from posing a daunting marketing challenge, the tour’s generational battleground is more likely to present the very storyline that sustains the tour for some time to come. It is, as the many column inches devoted to the subject illustrate, building into a compelling narrative already. Long may it continue. No end in sight One of the many talking points wafting

% > Convention in Manchester was whether

or not Fifa should adopt term and

| Executive committee member Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan and Concacaf president Jeffrey Webb both came out in favour of the idea during the conference, just hours after Fifa president Sepp Blatter declared his intention to run for a [ ~ €€ that he would not stand again. They weren’t the only ones. Blatter, now 78, has already been president of Fifa for 16 years. If the main concern is not that he is standing again but the inevitability that whoever stands against him next year will lose, the wider Fifa family must take a long hard look at what constitutes the old adage ‘for the good of the game’. Foregone conclusions, in sport as in politics, are never a good thing. In an ideal world, Fifa’s members would welcome Blatter’s intention to stand before deciding whether or not to vote for somebody else. Sadly, though, the dubious Fifa establishment loyal to Blatter has failed to foster anything close to an ideal world. In this one-party regime, there is no somebody else. In Blatter’s fantasy, there is only him. It is lamentable that the world’s bestloved game has got to a point where its most powerful man is so disliked by so many. When David Stern’s 30-year reign as NBA commissioner was coming to an end last year, people were rightly crying out for him to continue, such was his ability to command universal respect and enact fairness whilst in power. That Blatter’s insistence upon standing again has much of the soccer world up in arms is the best indication that the deluded Swiss’ “mission�, whatever he claims it to be, is an impossible task. But then Blatter is well aware of that.  `

X‚

X  X‚ ƒ that there is no end in sight to this unceasing tragedy. Twitter.com/_MichaelLong

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THE MARTYN ZIEGLER COLUMN

On the beat with Martyn Ziegler Press Association’s chief sports reporter looks ahead to the Rugby World Cup in England next year and finds a comparison to be drawn between the revenue-generating methods of the IRB and their counterparts at Fifa.

T

he 2015 Rugby World Cup will be the biggest world sports event of next year: good news for those suffering indigestion from the rich and constant round-ball diet, great news for the growth of rugby in England

} [| the International Rugby Board (IRB). All international federations use their

to drive their sports, but many must look at the IRB, the ruling body soon to be re-named World Rugby, with envious eyes when they study its model for handing out the hosting rights. Unlike football and the Olympics, where Fifa and the IOC help fund the operation of the tournament via sponsorship and broadcast income, the IRB keeps all that money, plus the hospitality income, and for good measure demands a cash payment of tens of millions of pounds from the hosts. England RWC 2015 have to pay the IRB a guaranteed UK£80 million for the privilege of hosting the tournament, and that will rise to UK£95 million for the 2019 tournament in Japan. By comparison, the International Olympic Committee provided around UK£800 million to London 2012, who were also able to raise further money through ticket sales and sponsorship. Fifa retained all responsibility for ticket sales, sponsorship and TV rights for this year’s World Cup in Brazil, but covered the entire budget of the local organising committee which will total around UK£1.25 billion by the time the accounts

Of course, rugby does not enjoy the same sort of broadcast rights values that football and the Olympics do, so perhaps understandably there is more focus on the IRB cashing in when it can. There is still one problem with that however: England 2015’s only source of income is from ticket sales, so there is little 10 | www.sportspromedia.com

[ [ Any room for manoeuvre by the organisers was further constrained by a cut in the total number of tickets from the 2.9 million envisaged in the bid to around 2.4 million, due to changes in venues - for example, one of the biggest proposed stadiums, Old Trafford, pulled out of hosting games. The organising committee has to raise UKÂŁ250 million from just under 2.4 million tickets: so simple mathematics says that the average price per ticket will be UKÂŁ105. The average ticket price for the London Olympics was UKÂŁ50, and for the 2010 soccer World Cup it was UKÂŁ63 - Fifa

[ from 2014. So for anyone querying why the cheapest adult ticket for any England match is as much as UKÂŁ75, the answer is fairly obvious: the organisers have little choice but to charge top dollar. Critics say that just serves to maintain the status quo of rugby union being perceived as a middle-class sport catering for the well-off. To give him his due, Brett Gosper, the chief executive of the IRB, does a decent job in defending their position, pointing out that countries were falling over themselves to host 2015 and 2019, and are already jostling for position for 2023. He told me in an interview: “That’s the model we have currently, and at the end of the day we are looking to ensure the event is seen by as many people as possible with the best promotional shop window we can have - and every penny we get is reinvested into the game across the world.  " } Cup are huge and bids are always hotly contested.â€? There will be some more affordable tickets for next year’s tournament - as cheap as UKÂŁ7 for a child and UKÂŁ15 for

|

[ how many of these will be made available, but organisers will have to weight the distribution towards the upper price end if they are going to hit their revenue target. Gosper argues governments should consider stepping in and paying the guarantees directly to provide more [ X [ | independent analysis has estimated 2015 will have a UKÂŁ2 billion positive impact on the British economy. He adds that ticket prices are in line with other major sporting events such as Wimbledon tennis and soccer World Cups, while the commercial success of the RWC - which generates 90 per cent of the IRB’s revenues - has seen increased funding to individual unions. “England believe they will make a [ #„†‡ million, and there are huge possibilities to promote the game in England,â€? he said. The IRB of 2014 is certainly not a governing body afraid of new ideas - as illustrated by the decision to change its name after 128 years to try to escape the image of being solely a regulatory body and have a new brand that does what it says on the tin. But a comparison with the IRB’s tournament income to Fifa’s highlights just why rugby will do everything it can to

ˆ only stand to make a surplus of UKÂŁ150 million from the Rugby World Cup and that is from TV, sponsorship, hospitality and the guarantee combined. Fifa, meanwhile, will have generated

sum, UKÂŁ1.3 billion, from the World Cup in Brazil. The Rugby World Cup may be the goose that lays the golden eggs, or at least golden egg-shaped balls, and woe betide anything that stops her laying.

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS FEDERATION

OPENING OF THE BIDDING PROCESS FOR THE 2021

WINTER & SUMMER UNIVERSIADES NT

E V E G N I T OR P S T S E T R THE SMAOR YOUR CITY ! F

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DIGEST | OCTOBER 2014

Everything else can go right, but if the timing of an event is wrong it can have a serious detrimental effect. Flushing Meadows’ Monday blues This year’s men’s US Open

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12 | www.sportspromedia.com

Friday night? Lights out. ! [ƒ % / _ [ ~ Š "‰

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Life after sport - Mike Tindall

LETTERS / DIGITAL POSTBAG Follow SportsPro on Twitter @SportsPro www.sportspromedia.com

SOCIAL MEDIA REMARKS Michael Payne [ ›

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CONTACT US: Letters should be addressed to James Emmett, SportsPro Media, 5 Prescot Street, London, E1 8PA, UK or via email to editor@sportspromedia.com

Then: Rugby World Cup winner with England Now: UFXMarkets ambassador and horse trainer \[

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THOUGHT LEADER | GOVERNANCE

Flash Boys and ghost games: what does it all mean? Alex Inglot

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Malaysia: A Truly Sporting Destination with Diversity

With its strategic location, excellent infrastructure, and reputation as a value-for-money destination, Malaysia is showing no signs of letting up, with more global events being staged in the country…

Malaysia has been no stranger to being the centre of international sporting events – a facet of the nation which has grown in leaps and bounds over the last decade, making it a multi-billion dollar industry locally. The country has become a big part of the international sporting arena with a strong track record of hosting a myriad of international sporting events held in the country annually. Ranked as one of the best value destinations in the world, Malaysia is very affordable for potential event participants and an attractive business proposition for organizers. This translates to a comparatively lower overall expenditure for organizers and the potential to attract a much broader range of international participation in sporting events. In line with the government’s aspiration and under the Prime Minister’s Economic Transformation Programme to further strengthen and promote Malaysia as a destination for international events, Malaysia Major Events (MME) was initiated in 2011, as a division of Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia. Malaysia Major Events is a dedicated department focuses on identifying and supporting international event bids especially on sports, arts and culture and lifestyle events. It also complements the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia’s attribution in amplifying and promoting its sporting events, identifying and assisting home grown and home hosted events with potentials to attract global publicity and international arrivals to the country and acts as a conduit between the government and the industry to create conducive environment for sporting events.

Since its inception, Malaysia Major Events has successfully attracted a number of international events owners to stage their events in Malaysia, and similarly assisting in promoting home grown and home hosted events a way to showcase Malaysia’s potential as an international venue for major events globally. This includes music festivals, sporting championships, touring events and lifestyle showcases, from triathlons to international diva in concerts, extreme sports even to debating forums.

Malaysia Major Events Roles: t *EFOUJGZ BOE TVQQPrt bids for major sports, arts, lifestyle and entertainment events t 1rovide key information for facilitating procedures and processes t -JBJTF XJUI various event stakeholders to ensure event success t Assist and promote home grown sports, arts, lifestyle, and entertainment events t .FBTVre, monitor, analyse event results, participation and spectatorship t Advise and assess on feasibility and viability of event projects t Forge partnerships with relevant parties

Bids Won for Year 2013

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of attendees

expenditure

A true testament to Malaysia’s competency as an international sporting hub came in March this year, when the country was chosen as the venue of the 15th Laureus World Sports Awards. Generally, Malaysia offers a host of venue options to cater to a wide variety of sporting events. The natural landscape, terrain and climate within the country, such as that in the island of Langkawi and Putrajaya, also provide the ideal environment for outdoor events. It is also evident that these events are not concentrated in one geographic locality, but spread out in various parts of the country, including Kuala Lumpur and Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Langkawi hosted the 2014 IFMA Muaythai World Championship, which saw the participation of competitors from over 100 Langkawi LangkawiIsland Island countries. Then in September, the island also witnessed yet another world class event, the Ironman Malaysia. The competition, incorporating elements of running, swimming and cycling, made a much anticipated return to Langkawi, taking athletes on a truly Malaysian cultural journey through tropical, hilly and demanding terrain passing through villages, mangrove clusters and rainforest vistas. Earlier in the month of May and for the first time ever, Malaysia hosted a leg of the Redbull Air Race World Championships, the world’s premier low-level acrobatics flight race competition. It was held in the Federal Administrative capital of Malaysia, Putrajaya. Putrajaya proved to be an equally scenic course for the competition with 13 hangars specially built onsite near the circuit. Whilst in Sarawak, the city of Kuching has recently hosted an annual Kuching Marathon 2014 (KM2014) that measured up to international standard of 42.195km full marathon. In 2015, the state of Sabah will play host venue for Sabah Adventure Challenge, a multi-day, multi-sport, 3-day course adventure race overlooking the highest peak in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu. These are but just few of the many international sporting events which take place in Malaysia and supported directly and indirectly by Malaysia Major Events each year. Malaysia is well on its way to being a world-renowned sporting destination, and it is not showing any signs of slowing down. With strong support from the government, close collaboration with organisers, excellent infrastructure and Malaysia’s reputation as a value-for-money destination, the industry is certainly poised for more growth, greater heights and even further achievements.

PREMATURE FACTS

Trying something new

J

ustin King, the former chief executive of British supermarket giant Sainsbury’s, has been linked several times with a move into the sports industry and did little to quell any speculation while giving a thoughtful outsider’s perspective on soccer at September’s Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester. The 53-year-old (left), who went straight to ! _ } < % [ƒ [X David Davies and his audience that he had one last challenge in mind before retirement.

Nothing but net gain

T

he National Basketball Association (NBA) is a step back from the other US major leagues in its domestic media rights cycle but recent reports suggest its new deals will be worth the wait. According to SportsBusiness Journal, talks are progressing well enough with ESPN and Turner Broadcasting that eight or nine-year agreements from 2016/17 worth an annual US$2 billion – doubling the NBA’s current income for similar packages – could be announced in time for this season’s tip-off at the end of October.

Circuit of wails

M Inking a deal

D

anish sportswear brand Hummel has made a point of not taking on the sector’s big boys on their own turf in recent years, instead seeking its own space to innovate. Its latest endeavour is another indication that it is a different kind of brand into a different kind of branding: a partnership with Tattoodo and tattoo designer Ami James (above). It could make an indelible impression.

The Spanish expedition

T

he LFP, the body which governs Spanish soccer’s La Liga, has shown it means business with its international activities in the past 18 months. Staggered kick-off times and a new trade commission-backed pre-season tour have been introduced ahead, perhaps, of a collective TV rights tender after next year. League executives will convene a meeting with a select group of Chinese companies around El Clåsico – Real Madrid versus Barcelona – in the Spanish capital in October, with a global sponsorship deal

18 | www.sportspromedia.com

otoGP may be going round in circles on the subject of its British Grand Prix base. Operator Dorna surprised some |[ deal from 2015, with an option for a further X < } ` X given that the UKÂŁ280 million Ebbw Valley venue does not yet have a completion date. Donington Park has already been contracted by the new host to stand in for next year’s edition and may be kept on for 2016. Funding is also an issue, with some suggesting government grants to the construction of the venue represent illegal state aid and Silverstone, which staged the race until 2014, claiming their bid to retain it was the “maximum sensible offerâ€?.

F E D E R AT I O N I N T E R N AT I O N A L E D’ESCRI M E

F E D E R AT I O N I N T E R N AT I O N A L E D’ESCRI M E

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OFFICIAL SPONSORS

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Movers and Shakers: August 2014 Rob Manfred

Peter O’Reilly

Major League Baseball’s (MLB) team owners have elected Rob Manfred as the tenth commissioner in the history of the league. He will replace Bud Selig, who has held the role since 1992 but

[ X [ \ [ \‹;

competition from Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner and from Tim Brosnan, the MLB executive vice president of business who dropped out before voting began.

The National Football League (NFL) has named Peter O’Reilly as its new senior vice president of events. O’Reilly takes the role having spent the past nine years as the NFL’s vice president of fan strategy and marketing. He replaces Frank Supovitz., who announced in May that he was leaving the league to form his own events company.

Tom Fox

Vinai Venkatesham

English soccer team Aston Villa have appointed Tom Fox as chief executive. The American joins from Premier League rivals ` X X

X club’s sponsorship portfolio, playing a key role in landing the ‹ ƒ #%&~* { [X

well as a US$250 million renewal of their major partnership with Emirates in November 2012.

Premier League soccer side Arsenal have replaced outgoing commercial director Tom Fox with Vinai Venkatesham. The former Locog executive steps up from his role of sales and marketing director at the north London club.

Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell Garry Cook Garry Cook, the former chief executive of Premier League soccer club Manchester City,

of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Cook left City in September 2011 and joined the UFC a year later as executive vice president and managing director in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Andy Loughnane Major League Soccer (MLS) side Columbus Crew have ` [ ‹

operations, replacing the title of president in the process. Loughnane, 40, arrives from the Detroit Pistons where he oversaw all sponsorship and media sales initiatives for the National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise.

Doug Scott WME | IMG has hired Doug Scott as its new executive vice president of marketing and brand solutions. Scott, a ‘branded content programme’ specialist, will be based [ƒ / š

David Itskowitch ! [|¤Âƒ ! / % [

Golden Boy Promotions executive David Itskowitch as chief

than 18 years’ experience in boxing, having spent time with HBO Sports and the DiBella Entertainment agency before moving to Golden Boy in 2007. He most recently served as chief = ] ‹ ’ [ ƒ X

[

[ 20 | www.sportspromedia.com

Nascar has promoted Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell, who both take on leadership roles at the stock car series’ Charlotte { X /

X

ƒ operations in uptown Charlotte. O’Donnell, meanwhile, assumes leadership of Nascar’s research and development centre in Concord, North Carolina.

Tarquin McDonald English rugby union side Bath Rugby have [ Tarquin McDonald to the role of managing director. McDonald’s appointment, which is effective immediately, comes as Bath’s owner ; < < [ be taking on the title of executive chairman at the Aviva Premiership club, while former chief executive Nick Blofeld has now taken on a wider role at the ownership group.

Karen Brodkin IMG has hired Karen Brodkin as president of business affairs. Brodkin, formerly vice president of business and legal affairs at Fox Sports Media Group, will oversee IMG’s global business affairs from its Los `

Suresh Letchmanan German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund have appointed % ‹

% Singaporean Letchmanan, 41, will oversee business operations | €* = premises owned by Dortmund’s principal partner Evonik.

Executive search partner:

Dr Harvey Schiller Dr Harvey Schiller, a former president of the International Baseball Federation and a sports industry veteran, has been appointed as commercial commissioner for the 35th America’s Cup. Schiller will be ‘responsible for supervising, managing and protecting the commercial interests’ of the Cup, according to an America’s Cup statement.

Piotr Pietrzak { { ‘

| % { } | ` ‘ { ‘[ X “�|[ | { ‘ the international sports marketing agency’s Polish business. He began in his new post on 1st September.

Mark Shapiro IMG has appointed Mark Shapiro to the % X joins the agency from his role as executive producer at Dick Clark Productions, returns to the world of sport nine years after leaving ESPN.

Jon Franklin Glory Sports International, the parent company of the Glory X

_

chief executive. Franklin will oversee the company’s global operation having spent many years overseeing the production, programming, sponsorship, and logistics involved in Glory’s American events. He replaces Andrew Whitaker, who has moved to an advisory role as a consultant for business development.

Mover of the month Dr Harvey Schiller Commercial commissioner, 35th America’s Cup What’s the single biggest responsibility in your new role? I think obviously it’s a new appointment, and there’s a lot of things to determine in the future but basically it’s to ensure that the commercial interests of all of the competitors, as well as the organising committee, work together in unison for the best possible business outcome for the event. How will you look to stamp your own footprint on the role? Basically, it’s to spend as much time as possible with not just the organisers of the event but with the individual teams and their representatives, so that, whether it’s the television production or the activation of sponsorships, everything works "

in its success, winning Emmys, the LiveLine, the online things as well but in general I think there’s a lot to move ahead X | ƒ [ sponsors get their true value to the branding of the event itself.

Aleksandra Marciniak International sports marketing agency Havas Sports & Entertainment has appointed a new boss of its Polish division. Aleksandra Marciniak becomes the new managing director of Havas Sports & Entertainment Poland and will be responsible for overseeing daily business operations and client relations. She replaces Piotr Pietrzak, who has left the company to lead the { % [

How do you measure success? I think it’s a combination of things but I think if one was to measure at the end of the event, it would be that everyone would say that all of the commercial aspects were successful and obviously that’s a high goal to attain. What we’re hoping to do is move forward not just with this event but with future events so this will be commercially successful well into the future.

Horacio Muratore Horacio Muratore has been elected as the new president of the ;

_ ÂŞ_ ;`ÂŤ \ ƒ |

_ ;` World Congress in Spain ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup there. The Argentinian succeeds Frenchman Yvan Mainini

|[ X ~ €Š ` Muratore, the FIBA congress elected 13 individuals onto the

ƒ | < ;

This is an edited selection of appointments made in the weeks before publication. For daily updates on the movers and shakers in the sports industry, visit www.sportspromedia.com Please email industry appointments to: info@sportspromedia.com

What was your dream job as a child?

[ | ƒ on the water! What experiences from your career to date will you draw on in this newly-created role? ’ |

events, everything from the Olympics to international and national baseball, I think they all meld together. You get

| ƒ you can point to any one in particular but if there’s one it mimics most it’s probably the integration of the national Olympic committee rights with the International Olympic Committee rights and how those work together. This is through to the end of the 2017 period and whatever the future will hold is really up to the winner of the next Cup. SportsPro Magazine | 21

A lavish opening ceremony in the Nanjing Olympic Stadium kicked proceedings off

Former IOC president Jacques Rogge turns up

UN sec-gen Ban Ki-moon receives a gift

IOC president Thomas Bach in another selfie

Bach has the edge over this young fencer

Bach and Rogge chew the fat in the stands

Bach having fun on a rowing machine

Bach even tried his hand at rugby sevens

Before posing with some participants

The diving venue made for spectacular shots

SportsPro Gallery

The Youth Olympic Games The Chinese city of Nanjing hosted the second summer Youth Olympic Games from 16th to 18th September. Spectators and oďŹƒcials got a taste of the future of the movement, with around 3,600 athletes competing in 222 events across 28 sports.

22 | www.sportspromedia.com

The stage is set in the great hall in Chelyabinsk’s Traktor Ice Arena

A packed arena takes in the action from two tatamis in the final stages

Japan’s Mashu Baker delivers in the team event

The exterior of the Traktor Ice Arena

IJF president Marius Vizer presses the flesh

Vizer and Russian president Putin on billboards

Rows of dignitaries take in the action

Vizer, Putin and IIHF president René Fasel

The victorious Japanese men’s team

Fasel and Putin hold an impromptu meeting

Judo World Championship The global judo community descended on Chelyabinsk, Russia for the Judo World Championship from 25th to 31st August. The Traktor Ice Arena welcomed 712 competitors from 118 nations and there were some famous judokas looking on, too.

SportsPro Magazine | 23

Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center under lights

Maran Cilic hoists the men’s singles trophy

Caroline Wozniacki and her conquerer

Billie Jean King waves to the crowd

Michael Jordan marvels at a Mirka Federer shot

Eva Longoria’s headgear cuts through

Robert Redford has a beer and a laugh

SportsPro Gallery

Serena Williams, the queen of New York again

US Open New York’s Flushing Meadows was the centre of the tennis world for the US Open from 25th August to 8th September. Croatia’s Maran Cilic was the shock winner of the men’s singles but there was no stopping 18-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams in the women’s tournament.

24 | www.sportspromedia.com

Model Heidi Klum looks on

Around the grounds

Kei Nishikori fans react as their man goes down

Longoria likes what she sees

Actor Alec Baldwin wore a suit and watched

Film director Spike Lee in orange

Another famous Flushing Meadows sunset

Jordan shows his appreciation

Fireworks for the national anthems

Will Ferrell spots himself on a screen

SportsPro Magazine | 25

Stade Michel d’Ornano in Caen hosted events

The French vaulting team claim bronze

160km endurance ride winner Sheikh Hamdan

A full house in Caen

FEI president Princess Haya opens the Games

The Stade d’Ornano bathed in Norman sun

A Dutch team self-taken photograph

Alltech spent US$10 million as the title sponsor

SportsPro Gallery

Princess Haya receives the Legion d’honneur

Zara Phillips and High Kingdom gallop clear

FEI World Equestrian Games The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games took over Normandy from 23rd August to 7th September. The British and the Dutch dominated an event which saw 15 countries take medals across the full spectrum of riding disciplines.

26 | www.sportspromedia.com

SPORTSPRO WORLD | HOSTINGS AND HAPPENINGS

SportsPro World

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Conferences 1

Mexico City, Mexico Delegates from over 20 countries will gather at the Sala Telefรณnica Centro Cultural Roberto Cantoral in Mexico City on 23rd and 24th October for the Sports Innovation Summit. The event will focus on innovation across eight different areas, including broadcasting, athlete performance and public policy. 2

New York, USA The 16th edition of the NeuLion Sports Media & Technology conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Times Square in New York on 5th and 6th November. ย

traditional and digital media will attend, with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White (right) set to take the stage for a feature interview. 28 | www.sportspromedia.com

3

Lausanne, Switzerland The World Union of Olympic Cities % < ยก % Summit in Lausanne from 5th to 7th November. The conference will explore ways to develop the sporting life of a city, whether through putting on major events or encouraging general participation. Decorated swimming coach Bob Bowman and experienced sports journalist Mihir Bose are among the lead speakers.

4

Paris, France City Events will head to Paris this year on 13th and 14th November. The Hotel Salomon de Rothschild will be the setting for a conference which connects representatives from city authorities with those from sporting federations and promoters. 5

Durban, South Africa The Soccerex African Forum will take place in Durban, South Africa on 18th and 19th November, bringing together key stakeholders from across the continent for discussions about the major issues affecting soccer in the region. The Moses Mabhida Stadium, which was originally built to stage games during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, will be the venue.

The new velodrome at Saint Quentin en Yvelines, near Paris, will host the 2015 edition of the UCI World Track Cycling Championships in February

Hosting A

New Orleans, USA The operators of the Verizon Indycar % > Prix of Lousiana in April 2015. The new race, to be managed by Andretti Sports Marketing, will take place /=‹` Motorsports Park outside New Orleans.

C

Saint Quentin en Yvelines, France The International Cycling Union (UCI)

% ¢ Yvelines, on the south-western outskirts of Paris, will host its World Track Cycling Championships in 2015. The new national velodrome, completed in 2013, will stage racing from 18th to 22nd February.

B

New Jersey, USA > ƒ {>` "

~ €' { ƒ < X pits a US team against a collection of the best golfers from the rest of the X [ < [ƒ ‹ [ National. The match will be played from 25th September to 1st October

{>` Tour events at the venue over the course of a 25-year partnership.

D

Libya Libya has withdrawn as the host of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, the ƒ X the country hampering the construction of key venues and creating security concerns. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will invite replacement bids until the end of September.

E

Philippines The Philippines is set to bid for the 2019 edition of the Fiba Basketball World Cup. Telecoms tycoon and Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) president Manny Pangilian told the Philippine Star that the country, which hosted the Fiba Asia Championship in 2013, was “strongly making a push� for the event

` [ _ April 2015. F

South Korea The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has awarded the 2016 edition of } ƒ ;

} < % „ " [ ƒ #~€ ;

} < will head to Sinoloa, Mexico, with the U15 event in Japan. SportsPro Magazine | 29

MARKET WATCH | BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Market Watch UKÂŁ

Aston Martin has hired Andy Palmer, the head /

ƒ [ X as its new chief executive. Palmer will be replaced in his role at Nissan by Philippe Klein, an executive with Renault – Renault owns a 43.4 per cent stake

CNYÂĽ

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has handed a US$3.2 billion credit line to the already-giant Shanghai Media Group to, according to the China Daily newspaper, help build the company into ‘the most innovative

in Nissan and Nissan owns 15 per cent ! X Palmer oversaw the brand’s increasing _ = X

a partner, then as title-sponsor of the world championship-winning Red Bull Racing team.

group in China’. SMG already has 15 television stations, 15 pay-television services, nine print titles and 11 radio stations in its portfolio, but is targeting services.

INR

Mozilla, the company which created the Firefox internet browser, has become the latest company to move into the smartphone space, revealing plans for a low-cost device in India. The handset, which is available exclusively on an Indian shopping portal called Snapdeal, costs just US$33. The device will have a capacity of four gigabytes and has been designed to tap into the growing market of lower-cost, internet-friendly handsets across many Asian territories.

US$

Twitch, a platform which allows the user to watch other people playing video games in real-time, has been acquired by Amazon for US$970 million. The service currently has around 55 million users and had attracted interest

from major online platforms including YouTube in recent months. Amazon’s acquisition of a streaming site has been interpreted as its latest attempt to compete with the likes of established online video

š " /

CAN$

Fast-food giant Burger King announced in August that it was in talks to take over Tim Hortons, the Canadian coffee and doughnut company, for around US$11 billion. The deal, though, is already mired in controversy as it has been structured to allow Burger King to move its 30 | www.sportspromedia.com

headquarters to Canada, where the level [ [ lower than the United States. The socalled ‘tax inversion’ structure has drawn the ire of the US government. The new, combined Burger King/Tim Hortons company will have annual sales of around US$23 billion should the deal go through.

JPYÂĽ

The Japanese economy has

X € ‡ contraction in the period between April and [ fall since 2011’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear alert at Fukushima. Japan’s economy [ € * the year, but the sharp contraction has raised further questions over the government’s economic plans.

MXN$

Mexico’s president Enrique Pena Nieto has announced plans to construct a new six-runway airport just outside Mexico City. The project will cost some US$9.2 billion in total, with many local and international companies set to compete for the design and building rights – nine Mexican companies have already formed a consortium and will bid. Mexico City is currently served by an international

JPYÂĽ airport which is the second busiest in Latin America. The new facility will be built next to the current one. “The new airport will be our country’s biggest infrastructure project in recent years and

X‚ /

 " [ the nation’s biggest metropolitan zone; it will be a meeting point for Mexicans from all regions and the most important [ \ ‚

In a sign that the print media industry might not be spiralling towards oblivion after all, Tyler BrĂťlĂŠ sold a minority stake in Monocle, the lifestyle and current affairs magazine he founded in 2007, to Japanese publisher Nikkei Inc. at the start of September. The transaction, precise details of which were not made public, values the monthly magazine at around US$115 million.

UKÂŁ

UKÂŁ

Meanwhile in London, mayor Boris Johnson’s ambition for a new hub airport to be built in the Thames Estuary have been quashed, after the UK’s Airports Commission, formed to examine how best to expand airport capacity in the country, rejected the plan. The Thames Estuary proposal, dubbed ‘Boris Island’ in some quarters, would have included four runways. “The economic disruption would be huge and there are environmental hurdles which it may prove

impossible or very time-consuming to

X‚

% ’ Davies, the commission chairman. Plans to expand Heathrow and Gatwick, which both currently operate on two runways, will now move forward, although Johnson (above) said the commission had been short-sighted and “set the debate back by half a century and consigned their work to [ aviation expansion that are gathering dust } ‚

Advertising giant WPP has reported a 1.5 per cent rise | X #%&‡‡~ X |[ ~ €Â?X were released in August. Once currency X that rose to a 15.6 per cent increase, prompting WPP founder Sir Martin Sorrell (below) to say that “the strength of sterling has ravaged‌our revenue

‚ He added that “when you look at our [ ƒ [ ‚ Revenues were up by 2.7 per cent to UKÂŁ5.47 billion.

SportsPro Magazine | 31

MINI INSIGHTS | ARCHITECTURE/OLYMPICS/DATA

HOK returns to sport with 360

360 Architecture was responsible for the MetLife Stadium in New York (left) and is currently working on a new home for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons (right)

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MINI INSIGHTS | FEDERATIONS

IFs showcase sports at worlds

The National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland was packed to the gunwales with a crowd of 62,000 for the opening game of the volleyball world championship

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Normandy hosted the World Equestrian Games

Spanish star Pau Gasol meets former king Juan Carlos at the Basketball World Cup in Spain

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SportsPro Magazine | 35

MINI INSIGHTS | ATHLETICS

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Fairway to heaven Golf’s elite converge on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles from 23rd September for the 2014 edition of the Ryder Cup. Along with the Rory McIlroys and Phil Mickelsons of the world, global businesses will also be hoping to make a name for themselves in Scotland. By Finlay Hutchison

The home of golf has waited 41 years for the return of the Ryder Cup. The last time the event was held in %

€Š'“ \ % then, a number of changes have been made to the tournament, although the Ryder Cup match format remains the same. The biennial event consists of 12 players from the USA and Europe competing against one another over three days of competition. Teams play four X [ Sunday to decide the victors. There is no prize money, only the iconic Ryder Cup trophy for the winners. As this year’s Ryder Cup is held in Europe – the right to host alternates between the two competitors - it is the European Tour’s responsibility to organise and run the event. When the tournament is held in the United States, the PGA of America takes control of the reins. For the European Tour in particular, the competition has grown into a key driver of revenue. The 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club in Ireland generated revenue in

the region of UKÂŁ50 million, of which just over UKÂŁ10 million was declared as % " [ \ X < Manor, invested around UKÂŁ50 million to host the 2010 edition at his course in Wales. For the European Tour, the main source of income comes from its television rights deal with Sky, which runs until at least 2018, but the Ryder Cup rights are bundled with the rest of the tour package. In terms of commercial set-up, the PGA of America tends to reserve a cleaner course with fewer sponsors. For the upcoming event at Gleneagles, there are 38 sponsors in all, categorised into ˆ X X Richard Hills, the European Ryder Cup director since 1994, explains that commercial growth has come about after the European organisers adopted an Olympic-style category-based sponsorship model. “When I started way back in the 1980s we had the privilege of working when

Gleneagles MD Patrick Elsmie and Diageo’s Peter Lederer flank Alex Salmond and Richard Hills

38 | www.sportspromedia.com

the match was originally sponsored by Bell’s and then Johnnie Walker,â€? says Hills. “That model was changed to a programme not dissimilar to the TOP programme in the Olympics where we now have a family of partners in and around the match who’ve all been very good in their activation this time round.â€? Rolex, BMW, Standard Life Investments, EY and Diageo are this year’s top-tier Assessing the success of the event for all stakeholders is a process that Hills says takes some four months to complete. Studies indicate that the last European Ryder Cup in Wales in 2010 generated an economic impact of UKÂŁ82.5 million. Stakeholders in the Gleneagles event, particularly VisitScotland, anticipate more X be delivered by Hills’ team, alongside % % Hallam University, in early 2015. At the time of this interview, a month out from the event in late August, Hills

progressing smoothly. “The buildup started around six weeks ago, the team has been on site putting in all the infrastructure,� says Hills. “There’s an awful lot that goes on underground before the tent and structures start to go upwards, so a lot of

the ground and has done for many years.â€? “For me,â€? he continues, “a successfully delivered Ryder Cup match is one where every spectator has been able to attend in a safe and secure manner and has had a spectator experience that they have enjoyed and valued.â€? To that end, it is not only the course at Gleneagles that has been redeveloped. The Gleneagles train station has undergone a UKÂŁ7.4 million remodel for the Ryder Cup, in order to cope with the footfall for the event. More than 240,000 visitors

The Ryder Cup trophy is delivered to Gleneagles via helicopter on 10th September; Scotland is hosting the event for the first time since 1973

walked through the gates at Medinah, Illinois, for the last edition of the Ryder Cup in 2012. New waiting rooms, lifts and toilets have been built in order to cater for the many golf fans that will pass through the station on their way to the Jack Nicklaus designed course in Perthshire. As for the future of the Ryder Cup, with Europe having replaced Britain and Ireland as America’s opponents in 1979, continental Europe is due to host more matches. Only once, in 1997 at

Valderrama in Spain, has the tournament been hosted there. The Ryder Cup in 2018 will be played at the Le Golf National outside of Paris and in addition to this, Hills adds, “A big process has opened now for 2022. The applications thus far have been from continental Europe and we would encourage that.� A few days after Hills’ interview, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey all submitted their intention to bid for 2022.

47-year-old Irishman Paul McGinley will captain the Europeans at the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland

The Sponsors EY =

Ernst & Young (EY) were announced

` ~ €~ " ‹

back of the Commonwealth Games, where it was the professional services advisor. In the upcoming two years, EY will provide the same service at the IRB Rugby Wold Cup in late 2015 and the Rio 2016 Olympics Games. Despite this, the Ryder Cup represents something different for the company. “The Ryder Cup sponsorship is really

X‚ says Tom Kingsley, director of brand, marketing and communications for EY. “A central plank of our strategy as a through high performing teams,� he says. “The Ryder Cup is the premier team golf event and we are very clear, not that EY does golf, but EY does high performance teams and leadership.� For EY the focus is not solely on the 12 players and the two captains during the course of the event. Their specially created tournament website instead homes in on the team behind the team SportsPro Magazine | 39

} +* ; * * %*

INSIGHT | GOLF

McGinley speaks at a pre-tournament EY event

X from the Gleneagles green keeper to the European team psychologist. "

own, 12-person Ryder Cup roster, in preparation for the event. Those who successfully negotiate the internal staff management programme are awarded one of the 12 positions to work at Gleneagles. “We’ve been able to work with [European captain] Paul McGinley and really be able to explore the overlap between leadership in sport and leadership in business which has been incredibly successful,� explains Kingsley. As for the result on the course: “it would be nice from an EY perspective if Europe could bring it home. Ultimately it doesn’t matter because we have almost as many international clients coming as we do European so what we want to see is a closely fought match that goes to the 17th or 18th hole. From a personal perspective, I think Europe will win.�

aside and for that one week they are all in Glenmuir shirts and sweaters so we are very proud to create that bonding experience,� he says. “We put Seve Ballesteros on the sleeve on the last day at Medinah and it was great that a lot of the players were pointing and kissing the logo,� he continues. “It was almost like that inspiration got created from the clothing because of course we put the Seve logo there.� For many of the 2014 Ryder Cup sponsors, the result is immaterial. The same cannot be said for Glenmuir. “Europe winning impacts on sales,� says Ruia. “If Europe win, people want to buy a winning shirt not a losing shirt so that is a big deal for us.� Europe has won seven of the last nine Ryder Cups and Glenmuir will be hoping this recent success can continue at Gleneagles despite lingering doubts. “Five or six weeks ago I had a nightmare there were some newspaper headlines with an image of Rory McIlroy trying to rip off his left sleeve saying ‘Glenmuir ruined Ryder Cup Victory’. I woke up in cold sweats at 4am and straight away emailed my designer. The next day we went through all the specs

[ ‚ He adds: “There are some things you can’t plan for but if they do happen we know how to react, we have been there and done that in the past.�

Glenmuir =

+ &%% + Y The partnership between Glenmuir and the Ryder Cup is one of the longest X [ in golf but in all of sport. Founded in 1897, the Scottish based company has designed and produced clothing for Team Europe since 1987 and will continue to do so until at least 2018. With the consumer side of golf worth millions, the kit on show at Gleneagles will be under close scrutiny from stylists and shoppers alike. Mikhel Ruia, managing director of Glenmuir, explains how the unique aspect ![ < ˆ “The teamwear really bonds the players, players put their other sponsorships 40 | www.sportspromedia.com

One of Team Europe’s Glenmuir-designed shirts

Nespresso =

&%%

Olazabal joins Nespresso’s Stephane Detaille and the European Tour’s Tim Shaw for a coffee

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for the 2014 Ryder Cup last year, Nespresso boasts JosĂŠ Maria Olazabal, the 2012 Ryder Cup captain, as its golf ambassador. The Swiss based company

event was held in Europe in 2010 and sponsor other unique sporting events such as sailing’s Americas Cup. According to Stephane Detaille, sponsorship and marketing manager for Nespresso, the company’s sponsorship strategy is built on three layers, the top of which is labelled the ‘ultimate event’. “Ultimate events are what we consider the ultimate events in the sports category and for us, that is what we consider the Ryder Cup to be in golf, because of the history, the values, the team spirit and the atmosphere.� For this year’s Ryder Cup, Nespresso will have more than 450 machines on site at Gleneagles and are expected to sell over 250,000 coffees over four days. “It is our biggest event ever in terms of coffee set-up. We put a lot of effort into how we set up the machines, the way we offer the coffee and we have been working with catering companies, with the European Tour, to build all those logistics on site.� The company have also created their own Ryder Cup website with a ‘perfect shot’ promotion, endorsed by Ryder Cup ambassadors Jodie Kidd and Marvin Humes. Three winners will be given a pair of VIP tickets to the event. On site, Nespresso will have four coffee bars including one that will house a social wall and a picture exhibition showcasing

JosĂŠ Maria Olazabal’s Ryder Cup memories. “Of course we will measure our success if our visitors are happy with the coffee experience, that is very important,â€? he adds. “The key aspect on site is the product experience and the way we will serve and display our coffee at the event.â€? As for the ideal outcome on the course, “the perfect result for us is that the best team wins, I’m hoping the Nespresso coffee will give a bit of a push to Europe.â€? Standard Life Investments =

Standard Life Investments are the Ryder < ƒ ” [ partners of both Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA of America. The Edinburgh

a lucrative deal with Scotland’s Andy Murray in June and will also sponsor the Ryder Cup in Minnesota in 2016. “Europe and the USA are two of Standard Life Investments’ important regions which makes the sponsorship a perfect match for us in terms of our client base,� says Nuala Walsh, head of global client relations at Standard Life Investments.

Sponsor

Designation/ Category

Rolex

OďŹƒcial Partner

BMW

OďŹƒcial Partner

Johnnie Walker

OďŹƒcial Partner

EY

OďŹƒcial Partner

Standard Life Investments

OďŹƒcial Partner

Canon

OďŹƒcial Supplier of Imaging Solutions

ClubCar

OďŹƒcial Supplier of Golf Cars and Golf Utility Vehicles

Fedex

OďŹƒcial Supplier of Shipping, Courier and Logistical Services

Galliford Try

OďŹƒcial Supplier for Construction Works

Highland Spring

OďŹƒcial Water Supplier

Moet & Chandon

OďŹƒcial Champagne Supplier

Mouton Cadet

OďŹƒcial Wine Supplier

Nespresso

OďŹƒcial Coee Supplier

NVT Group

OďŹƒcial Supplier of Technology Services Integrator

RBS

OďŹƒcial Supplier of Banking Services

Toro

OďŹƒcial Turf and Landscape Supplier

Xirrus

OďŹƒcial WiďŹ Supplier

Canali

OďŹƒcial Team Supplier

Glenmuir

OďŹƒcial Team Supplier and Licensee

Level 4

OďŹƒcial Team Supplier and Licensee

ProQuip

OďŹƒcial Team Supplier and Licensee

Abacus

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Footjoy

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Titleist

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Adidas

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Baxter

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Druh

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Galvin Green

OďŹƒcial Licensee

American Eagle Associates

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Peter Millar

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Ralph Lauren

OďŹƒcial Licensee

LochCarron

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Harris Tweed Hebrides

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Hawick

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Veritas

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Bolle

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Bushnell Golf

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Walker Slater

OďŹƒcial Licensee

Standard Life Investments exec Nuala Walsh

With EY and Nespresso promoting the game through captains past and present, Standard Life has also embraced this trend. “We have been working with former Europe and US Ryder Cup captains Sam Torrance and Curtis Strange, who have contributed to an exclusive series of

video content, hosted across our digital channels,� explains Walsh. The series, named ‘Ryder Cup Decisions’, sees the two discuss their experience as captains in 2002, with team management and decision-making two of the most prominent topics.

“The Ryder Cup is more about the team and commitment to performance excellence rather than the choice of the sport itself,� Walsh continues. “As one of the most prestigious team events, the partnership is an exceptional platform to connect with our clients, consultants and our people.� SportsPro Magazine | 41

FEATURE | BROADCAST

Rights of appeal A record-breaking US Olympic contract, a new National Football League (NFL) package, turf wars over rugby and sales success for start-up properties have all marked out the year so far, but, when it comes to generating broadcast revenues in just about every corner of the world, soccer continues to hold a unique power. By David Cushnan

42 | www.sportspromedia.com

SportsPro Magazine | 43

FEATURE | BROADCAST

Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring against St Etienne in a Ligue 1 game in August; rights to the French league have been retained by BeIn Sport

B

illions of pounds, euros and dollars have changed hands between broadcasters, sports properties, federations and agencies in 2014 as broadcast rights are distributed and acquired, but, in the UK at least, it is an agreement struck last November which continues to reverberate. BT Sport’s acquisition of the exclusive rights to the Uefa Champions League, a property which time and time again lures viewers, advertisers and subscribers, for precisely €1,075,981,484 from 2015/16 to 2017/18 may yet change the UK sports rights market for ever. Fuelled by sport, Sky has dominated the UK pay-TV market for two decades. BT’s surprise acquisition of Premier League rights in 2012 saw it become BSkyB’s most threatening challenger yet. The Champions League rights steal underlines that. What has followed, over the past few months, is a series of tit-for-tat moves by the two broadcasters, the warm-up for the next Premier League rights battle which is expected to kick-off come New Year. European soccer federations are also ;" % 44 | www.sportspromedia.com

added German national team games and coverage of the DFB Cup to its existing live Bundesliga rights in July, and struck a deal to show Portugal’s Primeira Liga. The deals were interpreted as a reaction to Sky’s decision in June to launch Sky

Sky lost its Uefa Champions League rights to BT

Sports 5, a channel entirely devoted to European soccer. The channel launched in August, with new live coverage from the Dutch Eredivisie slotted in amongst Sky’s existing rights, Spain’s La Liga, # ^ ~ ® and, for one more season, Champions League. The UK rights to La Liga, a division which boasts the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Neymar, are up at the end of this season and are expected to be hotly contested. The rivalry extended beyond soccer. After a protracted and political battle, the ^ [ [ clear in April when BT and Sky, which had each laid claim to European rights as interminable discussions over the future of the Heineken Cup and the formation of the European Champions Cup played out, unveiled a deal to share coverage. Each will show 35 games per season for the next four years. Rugby has become a key battle ground: BT has live Aviva Premiership rights, while Sky is now broadcasting the Guinness Pro12, which features teams from Wales, Ireland and

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HASSAN ALTHAWADI

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YASMIAN AL-SHARSHANI

Secretary General, Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, Qatar

CEO, Formula E, Spain

President & Professionnal Golfer Qatar Golf Ladies, Qatar

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ATO BOLDON

Paralympic Champion, Triple Jump, China

Olympic Champion, Track ÇETINKAYA & Field & Presenter, NBC, TV presenter, Champion Trinidad and Tobago Rally Driver and Red Bull Athlete, Turkey

CRAIG HEPBURN

JACKIE JOYNERKERSEE

Global Director, Digital & Social Media, Microsoft Mobile, United Kingdom

Olympic Champion and Director, USA Track & Field, United States

BURCU

JOHANN KOSS Olympic Champion & CEO, Right to Play, Canada

SEBASTIEN CHABAL

H.E. SHEIKH SAOUD BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL-THANI

MARC AUDRIT

JAE CHALFIN

Former Rugby Player and Member, Champions for Peace, France

MARION

VP, Global Brand, Western BARTOLI Union, Ireland Tennis Champion and winner, 2013 Secretary General of the Wimbledon Qatar Olympic Committee, Championships, Qatar France

CEO, Sports New Media, United Kingdom

LINFORD CHRISTIE

LORD COE

Chairman, London Olympic Champion, Track Organizing Committee & Field, United Kingdom for the Olympic Games, United Kingdom

TEGLA LOROUPE

FRANCESCA ROSSI

CLAUDE RUIBAL

BILL SQUADRON

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Champion Marathon Runner, Kenya

Head, Cycling AntiDoping Foundation, Italy

Global Head of Sports Content, YouTube, United States

President Bloomberg Sport, United States

BORIS BECKER

SHAHEEN BI

Tennis Champion & Coach, Novak Djokovic, Germany

Special Advisor, Muslim Sport’s Council, United Kingdom

MICHAEL DOLAN DAVID Former Chairman & CEO, DOUILLET IMG worldwide, United States

Judo Champion & Former Minister of Sport, France

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MEL YOUNG

CEO, USA Triathlon, United States

Founder & CEO, Homeless World Cup, United Kingdom

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FEATURE | BROADCAST

The BT vs Sky rights battle: acquisitions of the last 12 months Sky Dutch Eredivisie

soccer

new

Scottish internationals and Scottish Cup

soccer

renewal

US Open

golf

renewal

The Masters

golf

renewal

LPGA Tour

golf

renewal

PGA Tour

golf

renewal

European Rugby Champions Cup

rugby union

new

French Top 14

rugby union

new

Women’s Rugby World Cup

rugby union

renewal

British and Irish Lions

rugby union

renewal

National Badminton League

badminton

new

GAA

Gaelic sports

new

Sri Lanka internationals

cricket

renewal

IPL

cricket

new

Super League

rugby league

renewal

Elite League

speedway

renewal

WWE

wrestling

renewal

German internationals and DFB Pokal

soccer

new

Portuguese Primeira Liga

soccer

new

German Bundesliga

soccer

renewal

Uefa Champions League

soccer

new

Caribbean Premier League

cricket

renewal

BT

European Rugby Champions Cup

rugby union

new

NBA

basketball

new

Formula E

motorsport

new

World Rally Championship

motorsport

new

LTA pre-Wimbledon tournaments

tennis

new

Glory

kickboxing

new

Revolution Series

cycling

new

Scotland. Sky also snatched the UK rights to France’s Top 14 rugby from BT. "

[ rivalry has impacted upon other UK broadcasters. ITV’s coverage of Indian Premier League cricket has ended, as Sky picked up exclusive rights – ITV, incidentally, also lost when BT secured Uefa Champions League rights, the free-to-air network losing its live game from each matchweek. Elsewhere, Sky has spent 2014 shoring up many of its existing rights, including PGA Tour golf, the Masters, the US Open, British Lions tours, rugby league’s Super League, 46 | www.sportspromedia.com

international cricket and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). All eyes are now on the next cycle of live Premier League rights, which generated UK£3.018 billion from Sky and BT in June 2012, and have traditionally driven subscriptions to Sky like no other property. Across the Atlantic, the upstart national cable sports networks - NBC Sports Network is now in its third year and Fox Sports 1 and 2 are bedding in following last year’s launch – continue to pursue the traditional king of the jungle, ESPN. After ESPN bade farewell to its long-time leader George Bodenheimer

in May, it broadcast its last Fifa World Cup for the foreseeable future – the rights for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 were acquired by Fox in 2011. ESPN did pick up a package of Uefa Champions League rights, sub-licensed by Fox Sports, ~ €'œ€‡X X [X continued its longstanding relationship with Major League Soccer until the end of 2022: in May, ESPN, Fox Sports and Univision agreed a seven year deal, from 2015, to broadcast the league for US$630 million. ESPN and Fox will pay an average of US$70 million per year. The soccer standard in the US, both in production and viewership terms, though, remains NBC, now in its second season of covering the Premier League. 4.9 ` [ of the 2013/14 season in May, while the audience for the opening weekend of the current season in August was 23 per cent up on last season’s average. With Major League Baseball and Nascar all tied into new, billion-dollar plus, long term broadcast contracts prior to 2014, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) about to sign-off on its new deal, there was much focus early in the year on how the National Football League (NFL) would go about selling the new package of network rights – 16 games in total – on a Thursday night slot which had previously been the sole domain of the NFL Network. In February, CBS, which has an existing deal with the NFL until 2022, agreed a deal for a single season worth between US$250 million and US$300 million for X currently being simulcast by the NFL Network. The US sports rights landscape is inevitably shaped by the big beast leagues and, given the audiences and revenues the Games command, the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In May, following a negotiation which was admirably kept under wraps by everyone involved, the IOC announced that NBC had added 12 years to its current deal and sewn up Olympic rights in the United States until 2032. Under the terms of the new deal, following the 2020 Games in Tokyo, NBC will pay an increased #%&~ ** = [ cycle. Over the 12 years between 2020 and 2032, NBC’s total outlay will

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FEATURE | BROADCAST

The International Olympic Committee tied up an important TV deal with the Japan Consortium

Rights agents for the new Formula E motorsport series have been busy selling for the past year

48 | www.sportspromedia.com

be US$7.65 billion, with an additional ‘signing bonus’ payment of US$100 million which will be used by the IOC to promote Olympic values from 2015 to 2020. In 2014, the IOC also sealed major broadcast contracts in Latin America, with Fox Sports, for February’s Sochi Games and Rio 2016, and a US$1 billion deal in Japan, with the Japan Consortium, for the 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 Games. Few properties are as established as the Olympic Games, but in broadcast agreements for start-up championships and tournaments have pockmarked 2014 so far. In particular, the new club-run pan-European ice hockey Champions Hockey League, which began in August, and Formula E, the new electric motorsport series, have hoovered up deals where they can. After securing a wide-ranging Fox Sports deal, covering 80 territories, late in 2013, Formula E’s ITV in the UK, China’s CCTV, Sky Deutschland in Germany, Japan’s TV Asahi, Canal Plus in France and Mediaset % X ; X midway through September – several were negotiated by MP & Silva, Formula E’s media rights agency of choice. The CHL, meanwhile, entrusted the sale of

% ¥ \ ; face-off in August, Infront had secured deals with the likes of Germany’s Sport1, Switzerland’s Teleclub, L’Equipe 21 in France, MTV in Finland and Premier Sports in the UK. With Sky Deutschland maintaining a stranglehold on many of the major rights in Germany – although July’s

;% [; [ UK$4.9 billion to acquire 57.4 per cent of Sky Deutschland and full control of Sky Italia may have longer-term implications on rights and production strategies – France has remained one of the most competitive major sports rights markets in mainland Europe. The arrival of Al ‘ X ; % X [ changed the market forever. In April this year, the company and Canal Plus retained Uefa Champions League rights in France until 2017/18 for ₏144 million, a 30 per cent uplift on the current deal. In the same month, Canal Plus retained its place as the lead domestic broadcaster of Ligue 1, securing the two most

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Serious Fun

COVER STORY | BROADCAST

Eurosport’s age of Discovery Discovery Communications completed its 51 per cent acquisition of pan-European broadcaster Eurosport at the end of May. The American giant has been on a one-tracked mission to grow its audience share since Discovery Channel itself launched in 1985, and as newly-installed president of Discovery Networks International JB Perrette explains, it has exactly the same plan for Eurosport. By James Emmett. Photographs by Graham Fudger.

I

n very broad terms, there are two types of corporate takeover in the

[ " type, increasingly popular as the numbers in sport continue their upward trajectory, is the private equity buy. The X X aim to wait it out while their investment ; [X X " the same even if the level of continued investment and the growth strategy (or asset-strip) can vary. There are both positives and negatives associated with this type of takeover. On the plus side, management teams are often left in place, sometimes even with a higher X a mandate of ‘business as usual’, as long as there’s growth. The negatives, however, can eke their way out in the communication strategy; it becomes X sets the strategy, especially when private [

ΠX [ top, the business is essentially always for sale. Both Formula One, owned by CVC, and Infront Sports & Media, owned by Bridgepoint Capital, are in this boat. The second type of takeover is the media-on-media buyout, where company A buys company B in order to grow its own overall business, rather than to sell it on later. There is more scope for largescale change in this type of takeover, likewise more chance of insecurities and job losses. Nevertheless, they are far more interesting. Two such transactions went through to bridge 2013 to 2014: X ] X }\^ top in the bidding for IMG. Then, in [X ] [ <

^ Fortunately for industry observers, neither acquisition was carried out under the cloak of corporate anonymity. And, judging by the moves made by each

Eurosport has built a strong, pan-European position for itself in sports like road cycling and tennis

52 | www.sportspromedia.com

business since, the strong personalities in key leadership positions, that cloak will stay in the cupboard at both. ` ] [ that it had taken a 51 per cent stake in ^ X “€ 20 per cent stake it initially bought from "_€ > ] ~ €~ valuing the business at US$1.2 billion, it appointed JB Perrette as the president of its international business. And, on paper at least, there couldn’t be a better executive to usher in a new era for ^ X

company in more ways than one. ^ X |^

with a strong French core, has carved a niche for itself where no niche existed before. 25 years old in 2014, it is one of | ^

television networks. Gone are the days when it was the home of truck racing and wood-chopping, but its solid rights portfolio is grounded in a look, feel and atmosphere that would be familiar to ^ the early days. Perrette, on the other hand, is a thoroughly modern media executive. He ] [ ~ €€ name for himself over an 11-year career

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Discovery Networks International president JB Perrette pictured in the control room of the company’s London facilities on Wednesday 10th September

the group’s most challenging roles. “JB has X‚

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appointment, “strong strategic vision, operational expertise and exceptional teambuilding skills.� A French speaker (JB stands for ‘JeanBriac’, the ‘Jean’ after his father, and the ‘Briac’ after the town in France his family are from), Perrette has an easygoing manner about him that belies the fact he has spent his career succeeding in the corporate maelstrom of American media. /

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^ ‚ ] [

~~ ‹ of a hub, at least in communication terms. Perrette is already keeping odd thither, but that too he is prepared for, this time by the fact that his two young daughters have taught him how to operate effectively on very little sleep. The only thing he lacks is sports industry nous, but for that he is happy to [ ^ Fresh eyes, a mindset and a corporate strategy uninhibited by the habits and preconceptions that can build up within a close industry, should serve to ^ “Any new owner is going to walk into a house, and it’s not that the house is ugly or bad, but they’re going to have a view on things that they want to redesign,� says Perrette of the interior decoration

project he is currently engaged on with ^ Â }

and our own views.� { ^ X particularly chief executive Jean-Thierry Augustin, are in contact on a near daily basis. Almost every other week there is a face-to-face meeting either in Paris or ‹ " X { says, “have a shared international history�, ] [ ^

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SportsPro Magazine | 53

COVER STORY | BROADCAST

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| programming worldwide. In 2013 alone, the group completed the acquisition and %;% / X "‹< #„X [ ~* internationally and topped it off with the ^ “I’m spending a lot of time on ^ [X‚ { “Partly because there’s an ongoing conversation about how we bring the two organisations together most effectively, but obviously sports is a new genre of content for us.â€? Perrette is happy to accept that, to X a natural one, but the strategy behind the initial investment is sound. “A lot of people scratch their heads when they ] [ X but as I like to say, in many ways sports is [ | given the drama, the emotion, the passion that exists for sports content, it’s one | content so programmatically we don’t look at it that differently,â€? he says. “It’s adrenaline, it’s action, it’s even aspirational and a lot of our core bread and butter has a lot of those same qualities. The amount of kids that watch sport and go, ‘I want to be‌.’. A lot of our shows inspire that same thing: ‘I’d like to be out on ; % ƒX then they have a reality check and realise they don’t want to be on the Bering Sea, they just want to be sitting on the couch watching it!â€? Programmatic synergies aside, there are more pressing reasons for a

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] [ get into sport, which remains one of the 54 | www.sportspromedia.com

| | programming in the television industry. “The world is changing,� says Perrette. “Viewership is changing and non-linear behaviour is obviously becoming more and more important. In that vein, diversifying our portfolio of content } ƒ historically played in the sports category in a meaningful way, but it’s an incredibly important content genre today. It’s musthave content which we think has great where we’re trying to drive promotion, audience awareness of content in a timely fashion, provide timely vehicles for advertising partners and provide real value to our distribution partners, who are obviously looking to grow their subscriber bases.� } { \ !

X former media advisor to Al Gore and ] [ƒ corporate affairs and communications, ‹

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can begin in earnest. A process of consolidation is already underway across certain business areas and geographic  } ƒ links between some of our subsidiaries in territories like Italy, Spain, Poland and in Scandinavia,â€? explains Augustin. “And we’ve been working for one year already on a joint sales organisation.â€? The increased channel options have

[ } ! / _ = [ X % regulation dictated that exclusive Spanish [|"‰

^ | | to-air broadcaster. After striking a ‘deal’ ] [ \ X ^ œ] [ ~ per cent share of Spanish TV audiences “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,� says Perrette of a process that will see the two organisations run through their

relationships with distribution partners or sales representatives in various market. “The sequencing and timing is being phased in as soon as it can be, but it’s country by country and these things

can’t take place all at the same time,� says Perrette. “But generally the concept that is effective today is that we want to go to market as a portfolio.� And while the dialogue between ] [ {

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able to achieve that ongoing goal through a variety of methods, most of which can be categorised as ‘investing in content’. ] [ across its portfolio caters to passionate audiences of “super-fans�. The various content and programming divisions across

Rafael Nadal hits a powerful ground stroke in this year’s French Open, rights to which Eurosport sub-licensed to Discovery Max in Nadal’s native Spain

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|  } cent share in the US, we now have an 11 per cent share of pay-TV,� says Perrette. “And that’s just by re-tooling, re-jiggering, re-investing in content in more and more [ } the second quarter of this year our biggest ever ratings quarter for the international businesses. Continue to invest in content, strengthen our brands, and by doing that, grow our audience share. That’s our north

# X ƒ [ out how we work with more distributors, how we continue to foster our creative talent and relationships to develop the best creative, and then how to think strategically about other organic or inorganic opportunities that may exist.

“Strategically, we know what we want to do. It’s always the same thing. Now we have ƒ that in time we’ll bear fruit on it.� The strategy for Eurosport “It’s not like we’re thinking of calling ] [ % X‚

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incredible job and frankly one of the reasons we wanted to be owners of this business is because of what they’ve done, and so it’s not as though we look at this as an overhaul. They add an additional breadth to our portfolio for advertisers and for distributors, but with one investment, one acquisition, we could have

an incredible brand, and live production know-how in over 55 countries.� ^ ƒ greatly impressed Perrette and the rest ] [ } the two networks operate in the same

^ X ^ ƒ strategy, by and large, has been to |^ X

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central hub in Paris, and to complement locally as and when the opportunities

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emphasis on localisation, placing full teams on the ground in individual markets. “The team has done an incredible job of being very smart and scrappy,�

[ { ^ ƒ “Their technical operations and their SportsPro Magazine | 55

COVER STORY | BROADCAST

The view from Paris “

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asically, not much has changed with my role,� says Jean-Thierry Augustin, who took over as chief executive ^ ` ~ €“ “I think joining one of the top media groups in the world brings a lot more opportunities. It’s a portfolio of sports channels joining a wide portfolio of | } make the combination more powerful. My role has been in getting that new vision and putting that into motion, with ] [ ‚ 2014 was an anniversary year for ^ X | „ [

Australian and French Opens in tennis performed well, and the group’s events division landed a coup by attracting serial } ! [ < %

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“It brings our events division into the limelight,� says Augustin (above). “It’s important sometimes to own content; we are challenged sometimes on rights, so it’s good to have some in house.

The 2014 Australian Open tennis event, won by Stan Wawrinka, was a ratings winner for Eurosport

production capabilities for so many markets on a local basis for the cost that they do it on is frankly second to none. } ƒ X [ [ } graphics packages we can look at?� A look and feel update is part of a three-pronged strategy that also includes investment in rights and a potential brand repositioning. Underpinning those objectives is a general goal to slowly but 56 | www.sportspromedia.com

[ ^ ] [ corporate cultures, and a shift of emphasis towards the local markets.  } ^ X‚

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” we believe in the asset, we believe in the brand, and we are operators. For us this is about selectively and smartly reinvesting X ^ X [ ways to improve and increase its position in each of the markets it operates in. = ^

} ƒ ~* [ ^ ƒ because it’s a landmark anniversary and we’re starting a new phase in the life of ^ ; [ X ƒ extremely well in digital. I think in July we broke the eight million mark for users on our website and mobile site on a single [ } [ ~ ‡ day. Obviously we are still very in line |^ ]X ƒ ] [ number of territories in order to deepen our roots and complement our portfolio

} see more is where we’re working a lot together, we have the same experience of ^ ƒ [ happy to bring JB to get to know more people in the sports industry. I think it’s good for us to go together and do things with a fresh angle.�

foremost securing the rights we have and selectively looking to add more; looking to enhance the on-air look and feel to keep the channel as cutting edge as any other sports channel that’s in the market; and thirdly, looking at the brand from a positioning standpoint, for the audience, so that is feels as fresh, contemporary and popular as ever.� ^

handful of sports in recent years, notably cycling, tennis, motorsport and winter sports. Those positions, Perrette insists, will be maintained, even if the communication around them might begin to change. “I think sometimes too much is sold to make it sound like these are fringe sports,� says Perrette. “These are not fringe sports, they’re popular sports of which we are fortunate to have some great franchises - in the tennis, cycling and winter sports and athletics categories in } * watching the French Open this year and that’s a huge number.� Perrette says that he, personally, will have an increasing presence in the sports rights market in the coming months and [ Œ [ ƒ % part of that process - alongside newly-

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COVER STORY | BROADCAST

Days after Discovery’s acquisition of Eurosport, the European broadcaster put in a bid of at least ₏705 million for a package of Serie A soccer rights

^ Yitz Shmulewitz. Zaslav and the USbased leadership will also have input into the rights acquisition plans. But in terms of the nitty gritty, Augustin and his team, particularly director of rights acquisitions and sales Laurent Prud’homme and deputy managing director for international communications, marketing and external relations Geraldine Filiol, will continue to take care of business. So far, Perrette has limited himself to meetings on the “bigger franchisesâ€? and there have been one or two of those on the horizon of late. Arguably the most important recent deal for Eurosport came with the extension of its Roland Garros deal in November. The new deal will run to 2021 and includes a host of new exclusive rights, including in key territories such ad Italy and Spain. This year, though, soccer has been on the agenda. Just a few days after the acquisition went through, a report on Bloomberg declared that Eurosport was bidding for Serie A soccer rights in Italy. The package included 132 games and had a starting price of â‚Ź705 million – a different ^ Ultimately the rights went to Sky Italia and Mediaset, but the speculation is now mounting as to where Eurosport will turn next. In January, Zaslav gave an interview suggesting that Eurosport’s UK channel would be given particular attention, and all rights, including those of the English Premier League, were not out of the question. “We will be selective,â€? Zaslav said. “We will look at opportunities to take bigger swings in certain markets.â€? 58 | www.sportspromedia.com

Nine months on and Perrette is saying broadly the same thing, but he is happy to address the speculation that followed his chief executive’s comments. “The speculation about us bidding on these rights or those rights is frankly completely unfounded at this point,� he says. “To be clear, Discovery’s success has been built for 30 years on being very smart and very disciplined about how it invests in content and making sure it gets a return on its content. That business operating model is going to continue. We will remain disciplined, we will remain smart. We’ll look at a lot of stuff, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to play in everything. We

Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav

want to try to enhance and improve the content that’s on the networks, but most importantly it’s not that Discovery has arrived and Daddy Warbucks is here and somehow the vaults have opened. “But I also think it’s important to remember that while there’s a lot of talk of Eurosport being in this tier two, we had a record French Open, we [ #% Open, we have a lot of cycling, we have Bundesliga rights in parts of Eastern Europe. We have some Premier League rights in parts of Eastern Europe. So Eurosport is in high, premium, strong franchises. I think there’s a lot of focus, [X European football franchises. And those are clearly very important, very valuable. But the world doesn’t only revolve around those things.� Caught between urging caution and declaring ambition, Perrette is able to state one thing without caveat: “In three [ X ^ than it does today.� The natural extension, he explains, of an investment in rights and upgraded graphics package and on-air look and feel is a tweak to the brand. “How do you position it in the eyes of the viewer so that this is not your grandfather’s Eurosport. That’s the natural evolution: [ X [ ƒ have to do the third. The teams there are enthusiastic and excited about now having clarity and an owner that wants to try to invest in the business moving forward.� Discovery’s investment has only just begun.

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FEATURE | BROADCAST

On the set at SW19 When the All-England Lawn Tennis Club decided to revamp its in-house broadcast services around the Championships, the third Grand Slam of the tennis year, it turned to IMG Media. On day four of Wimbledon 2014, SportsPro was granted an exclusive look behind the scenes of Live@Wimbledon. By David Cushnan. Photographs by Tom Lakeman.

I

t’s ten to midday on a bright and humid Thursday morning in June, day four of Wimbledon 2014. The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is already busy, spectators milling around, bagging their positions as the early skirmishes take place on the outside courts. The weather forecast is good, the mood relaxed. Below ground, in the international broadcast centre which sits underneath The Championships’ media centre, this classic British sporting summer scene is still visible, albeit only through a bank of TV screens and monitors. The mood in here – the gallery for Live@Wimbledon, Wimbledon’s online television channel – is also relaxed, but the room is buzzing, full of people tapping at keyboards, moving faders up and down or discussing plans for

1

the early part of the seven-hour broadcast which is now just minutes away. There are around ten people here in all, several installed behind a wall of monitors showing courts, previously recorded interview clips, players practising or arriving and other images from around the grounds. Ben Simister settles into his seat. This windowless room will be his home until 7pm, when the day’s broadcast will conclude – unless, of course, a major story requires extended coverage. As the producer, he is effectively in charge of the broadcast, ensuring the day’s events are covered in full, that no stories are missed and that the programme itself runs smoothly. In front of him are two screens, one showing scores, the other

[ } itself. They will point the way until 7pm.

In his ear is presenter Cara Robinson, who is located on the broadcasters’ roof in the open-air studio constructed specially for Live@Wimbledon. The broadcasters’ roof is utilised by many of the rights holders – no surprise given it provides an unmatched panoramic view of the grounds, Henman Hill and Court One. Live@Wimbledon’s, however, is the only studio up here. Kei Nishikori, Japan’s rising star, can be heard below on court 18, in the early stages of his second round contest, but Robinson, a regular IMG Media presenter, is understandably more concerned with how this afternoon’s broadcast will begin. Simister, meanwhile, has been distracted by news that boy band One Direction are paying a visit to Wimbledon today: they are ideal fodder for a broadcast

2

3

60 | www.sportspromedia.com

played. “That’s more people than we have in Sweden,� replies Wilander, eliciting

[ Live@Wimbledon’s tone: relaxed, even a touch irreverent and conversational.

Championships as tell the story of the day’s tennis, and the necessary requests are put in place to try and get one of the two roving reporter crews at Live@ Wimbledon’s disposal in position to try and secure an interview. A voice gives the countdown, minute by minute, to the gallery. Graphics are being prepared and increasingly there are eyes for only one screen, that marked ‘LIVE PGM’ – live programme. A hush descends. At 30 seconds to go, silence. 20 seconds: “Standby, please. Good luck, everyone.� The next voice is Robinson’s. “Hello and welcome to Live@Wimbledon,� she says. The day’s broadcast is safely underway. Robinson and co-presenter Mats Wilander begin with a discussion of the day’s weather – this is Wimbledon, after all – as pictures of the grounds, recorded earlier are played in, including shots of the front of the queue marching through the gates at 10.30am on the dot, an All-England club tradition. “What would the Swedes do?� Robinson asks of Wilander as the quintessentially British queue footage is

****** 2014 is the third year of Live@ Wimbledon, which is produced on behalf of the All-England Club by IMG Media. Online, it is a seven-hour daily

Wimbledon, reducing to three or four [ | when there are fewer matches to cover. “We did it at the Open Championship, with @TheOpen, in 2010,� explains Tim Lacy, an executive producer for IMG Media. “Wimbledon saw it and really liked it. The Open didn’t have any live rights to carve out, but Wimbledon saw it and realised that in their contract with broadcasters they’d retained some of their live rights. They suddenly saw this great X and part live content – a third each – and

“You’re floating around the grounds, bringing studio guests up, and getting all the colour and features the club wanted us to produce.� 4

5

6

" live element gave it a real value.� To ensure rights holding broadcasters’ own digital rights are not impinged upon, the live element is not “overcooked�, as Lacy puts it. Live@Wimbledon is contractually allowed to broadcast one game, per match, per match hour from any of the nine televised courts. It makes

Wimbledon particularly busy, as singles matches take place throughout the day on every court.  " [ [ and I think Wimbledon wanted us to create a Soccer Saturday experience,� Lacy says, referring to Sky Sports’ popular Saturday afternoon soccer score update programme in the UK, which, in the absence of any live action, relies on pundits watching games and describing what they are seeing. [ X ‹ ›} broadcast was split into sections and " live broadcast over seven hours was introduced in year two. “We have roving reporters not only offering fans a news update of what’s going on around the X

ƒ set point or a tie-break, counted as a game in the rights allowance – the contract didn’t stipulate otherwise,� Lacy explains.  š ƒ X

The gallery (1), located deep in the bowels of the All-England Lawn Tennis Club, is the heartbeat of Live@Wimbledon’s daily output. Producer Ben Simister (2) calls the shots from there every afternoon from midday until 7pm, overseeing a team of technical operatives, audio engineers and editors (3) whilst keeping a close eye on the latest scores. In an office two doors down from the television gallery lies the Live@Wimbledon radio production studio, another IMG Media operation which broadcasts from 9am until 10pm every day of the Championships. The list of which reporters and commentators are assigned to each match (4) is the most important document of the day, and constantly updated as play progresses. Live@Wimbledon’s television service, meanwhile, can switch to any of the nine televised courts across the grounds (5) for one game, per match, per match hour. The technical set-up, for radio and television, is unsurprisingly complex (6).

SportsPro Magazine | 61

FEATURE | BROADCAST

1

2

bringing studio guests up, and getting all the colour and features the club wanted us to produce. “I think the club was nervous about ƒ year-on-year in the same venue, but it’s just unbelievable how this championship throws up so many stories, and interesting editorial pieces and live reactive stuff.� ****** Back in the gallery, Simister is sizing up

} play set to begin on the show courts at € X Ž [ are slightly more structured than the following six hours, providing a look ahead to the day’s key matches and day’s talking points. “I try and build up what our story is, because each day we are producing a seven-hour story,� says Simister, who is up at 5am each day of Wimbledon, at the grounds by 9am and straight into a team meeting to discuss the upcoming broadcast and where the two roving reporters should be sent. By today, day four, he is well into the swing of things, pointing to Rafael Nadal’s second-round match with Lukas Rosol, two years after the Spaniard was knocked out by the then-world number 100, as an obvious

62 | www.sportspromedia.com

“Then we’ll start moving around different courts and from there it’s a moveable seven hour story, but the big stories of the day are the foundations. “We have our crews, we have our presenters, a combination of our studios, our VTs, our roving reporters – it’s a huge jigsaw puzzle that we have to get into place and its always moving.� After the team meeting, Simister – who is joined in the gallery by a director, a sound supervisor, two EVS production system operators, a graphics operator and an editor – puts in interview requests to both the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for the day. These interviews will take place either out on the broadcast roof or in the open-air studio. “I think the best interviews I’ve ever done were in here,� says Annabel Croft, the former British number one player who has carved out a successful career as a tennis broadcaster, as she prepares later for her afternoon presentation stint. “They are so relaxed up there.� The studio, a relatively simple setup according to those of a technical

X

X

what is effectively Wimbledon’s in-house broadcast. “The club wanted to create a feeling of open-air and to put a studio ƒ the event,� Lacy says. “When you’re up there, you can hear all the applause, you can hear the roars from number one court

– it’s very informal and the position is the envy of all the broadcasters.� It is not just the players, either. Anyone connected to the world of tennis – be they coaches, family members or former players – is welcomed onto the broadcast, as are Wimbledon’s celebrity guests, although on this Thursday One Direction ultimately prove a touch camera shy. “We’re not here trying to compete with ESPN or the BBC, we are very much a behind-the-scenes look at Wimbledon,� Simister points out, before turning his attention back to the broadcast. “We’re here to provide the so-called ‘secondscreen experience’ for viewers around the world. It’s their channel, it’s their club, but we’ve got a remit to provide that behindthe-scenes element.� ****** Two doors down, in another underground | | X ‹ ›} Radio team have already been on the air for three hours by the time their television colleagues go live. As presenter Mary Rhodes anchors the early action from the rooftop, describing its panoramic location to listeners and running through the order of play, Marcus Buckland, best known as Sky Sports’ tennis presenter, is preparing his notes quietly in the production ;

[ | this morning, presenting the two-hour

3

Former British number one player Annabel Croft (1) has become a respected and accomplished tennis broadcaster. She presents four hours a day with Mats Wilander from Live@Wimbledon’s openair studio (2) located on the All England Club roof, a position which allows for a panoramic view of the grounds. 4

Live@Wimbledon’s daily broadcast is one-third studio discussion, one-third roving reporters and one-third live action. On day four of the 2014 Championships, Kei Nishikori’s early match on court 18 (3) was one of the initial talking points. The Japanese player would visit the Live@Wimbledon studio later that afternoon to dissect his winning performance. In the gallery (4) and radio production office (5), meanwhile, the Live@Wimbledon team don’t miss a technical beat as the hours tick by.

5 3

morning preview show from 9am. He will shortly head for the Centre Court commentary box, from where he will € Ž Live@Wimbledon Radio, which is broadcast online and around the grounds on portable radios, was rebranded three years ago, having been known for 21 years simply as Radio Wimbledon. Like the online television service, it is produced by IMG. “They were ahead of us,� says Tim Lacy of his radio counterparts. “They sent in their pitch before the TV element and were already talking to the club about taking over their old, existing channel and freshening it up and turning it into Live@ Wimbledon. We actually piggybacked off them when Wimbledon thought they’d bring the TV and radio together in one concept – they are very keen we work together in partnership and it’s all under the same production hat.� Steve Tebb is the editor of the radio service. He works closely with Simister. “They’re constantly swapping ideas and X‚ ‹ [ The daily radio coverage runs from 9am until around 10pm and is available for around 10 miles around the AllEngland Club, via a short-term local frequency, 87.7 FM. In 2014, coverage could also be heard via ESPN Radio on Sirius XM in the United States. Aside from the ‘around the courts’ coverage, a bespoke commentary service is provided

for Centre Court and Court One, which the main service dips in and out of throughout the afternoon. " [ radio coverage has reporters stationed across the club. A producer, eyeing the early scores on a screen, informs Rhodes where the next move will be. Another long day of play – another long day of coverage – has begun. ****** By the time 2pm arrives, the sun is happily blazing in SW19 but Rob Walker shows no sign of wilting under it. The broadcaster, perhaps best known for his enthusiastic commentary for the BBC on a variety of Olympic sports, is a bundle of energy as he darts through the crowds, camera crew in tow. There are two roving crews available to Live@Wimbledon. They have a mandate to either go where X ` / and the crowd on Centre Court, not to mention those working in the gallery and broadcasting in the studio, sense the beginnings of another shock, Walker and his team of three – a cameraman, assistant producer and runner – are deployed to Court Three, where Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic is playing former } | – ‹ the spectators, Walker and his crew must

wait outside until a changeover allows access. Occasionally, Walker will break off from chatting as he waits, to interpret and respond to a message from the gallery through his earpiece. Once on the court, Walker sets up camp at the back of the stand and waits

Ž|� €| X Walker must wait to relay the news to viewers because, as many on Court Three have noticed by glancing at the scoreboard visible beyond the stand on the outside of Centre Court, Nadal and Rosol are locked in a second set tie-break. Finally, as Nadal evens up his match, Walker gets his cue, whispering news of Ivanovic’s march towards round three as the players rest between games. Half an hour later Walker has taken up a position outside the Court Three players’ entrance, ready to do a ‘walk and talk’ with Ivanovic, who has polished off the second set and the match in [  % [ X sometimes they don’t,� Walker says as he waits, before the doors pop open and X [ [ X makes her way to the main players’ area. She is not hanging around, as the inevitable crowd gathers. Walker moves X backwards, and squeezes in a couple of questions and some instant reaction, before Ivanovic departs the scene. SportsPro Magazine | 63

FEATURE | BROADCAST

The Live@ model: where next?

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arely ten days after Novak Djokovic lifted the Wimbledon trophy, many of the IMG Media production crew who produced Live@Wimbledon found themselves at Hoylake, near Liverpool, for @TheOpen Live, covering the 2014 Open Championship. The annual golf operation is the same mix of studio comment and debate, roving reporters and live coverage as Live@Wimbledon, although the live component was introduced for the [ [ " Œ the 13th, 14th and 15th – were made available to @The Open Live, part of a ten-hour per day continuous broadcast. IMG Media executive producer Tim Lacy believes the idea of a complementary broadcast service could and will be rolled out at other sporting events. “It’s very suited to tennis or golf events, or rallying, or motorsport, or cricket, where you’ve got an allday event,� he suggests. “It’s harder to actually do the same project across matchdays because you’ve got to try and create a point of difference with the main broadcaster.� `

Tim Lacy, an executive producer at IMG Media

duration, those with a large social element, such as the annual Henley Regatta in London or Austria’s Hahnenkamm downhill race at Kitzbuhel, are on the radar, as are the > % = side, a sport like horse racing is not ideal given that current rights holders

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have plenty of time in between races for analysis, interviews, discussion and betting updates. Lacy, though, is certain that in the era of ‘second screen’, Live@Wimbledontype services should be on event organisers’ radars, despite potential  Âƒ thing and federations have to have some faith that they’re going to commercialise it and make some money to justify it,â€? he says. “Wimbledon want to create a commercial model but equally they don’t want to litter it with commercials, so they keep it pretty clean. They just want to create a fantastic experience for fans to get this news service and to get a < ‚ Choosing his words a little carefully, when asked how long the IMG Media deal runs for, Lacy says that Live@ Wimbledon is a “longer-termâ€? project for the All-England club. The club, of course, has a long and successful history with IMG in all sorts of areas. “If they don’t think they can justify doing it, they won’t do it,â€? he points out, before adding: “Once you offer it, it’s [ ÂŒ [ ƒ good, because people expect it.â€?

Walker and his crew wait for word from the gallery as to where they will be heading next. The footage is played out to viewers a few minutes later, as live. ****** Across the grounds, up on the roof in the studio, Annabel Croft has replaced Robinson as the presenter for the afternoon stint from 2pm to 4pm. The pair will swap again before the broadcast has concluded, while Walker also does a stint in the studio each afternoon. Seventime Grand Slam champion Wilander, though, does six of the seven hours each day from there. He is very much the star of the show. “It was crucial that we found somebody like Mats,� says Lacy. “He has just got an unbelievable knowledge and passion for the sport. He can just talk. You can throw anything at him. He has the players’ perspective, the depth of knowledge of a world number one, who knows the game and the players inside out.� Croft and Wilander, in particular, have developed an on-screen chemistry over many years working for Eurosport

" [ hours of the day together. “There’s no script so it’s very spur of the moment,� Croft says. “It’s very fast-moving compared to what I would do normally – a seat of the pants way of doing it. I love the

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style of it and I see my role as asking the questions that bring out Mats’ knowledge, because he has a fantastic record.� In the studio, Croft’s earpiece is attached by a producer. Once seated behind the desk, she has a screen in front of her showing the current scores and another showing the broadcast as it happens. A highlighter pen is essential, she says, to be used on the pages of notes, including the order of play and those provided daily by the WTA and ATP on-site media teams, which will be called upon during the broadcast. “Having done live TV for many years X � about tennis – that’s a good thing, a security blanket to have,� Croft says. “But preparation is still important, especially in the early days at a Grand Slam when you have 128 women and 120 men – you have to be across a lot of players.� ` < ƒ | a close, Kei Nishikori is shepherded up the two or three steps into the studio by a suited ATP representative. Croft and Wilander are immediately in their element, questioning the Japanese player about his performance down on Court 18 earlier in the afternoon. Questions from viewers, via Twitter and other channels which form part of Wimbledon’s comprehensive social media output, are passed on to presenters,

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so proactive like that,â€? says Simister from the gallery. “They’re brilliant at social interaction and we’re almost an extension of that now. They’re driving that: at heart, we realise it’s their channel.â€? ****** Down in the gallery, Simister is already plotting the next moves in the broadcast, piecing together the jigsaw. “It’s like a swan,â€? he says. “Serene on the outside but underneath‌ As long as you’re 30 seconds or a minute ahead, so the presenters are always aware of the next thing you’re going to – a minute is a lifetime in TV.â€? By 4pm, Nadal has eventually exacted revenge on Rosol, winning in four sets and Live@Wimbledon’s daily broadcast is already more than halfway through.  ƒ [ X‚ Simister muses, pausing for a moment.  " [ a sudden, before you know it, four hours have gone by.â€? He hasn’t moved from his seat in the gallery and probably won’t until 7pm. Moments of relaxation during an intense seven hours of concentration, whilst rare, are essential and Simister has been doing this for long enough to see them coming. “When we know there’s a tie-break,â€? he says, “that’s the time to have a sandwich.â€?

Freelance broadcaster Rob Walker and his roving team (1), made up of cameraman, assistant producer and runner, make their way through the Wimbledon crowds. The gallery (2) is in constant touch with them and has pointed them to court three, where Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic is playing China’s Xheng Jie. Walker is soon on the scene, relaying information to viewers in a live report (3). Shortly afterwards, once Ivanovic has completed a two-set victory, Walker prepares for a ‘walk and talk’ (4), as Ivanovic leaves the court and walks through the grounds to the main players’ area. Annabel Croft and seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander have developed an on-air chemistry after years of working together for various broadcasters. They team up for the final three hours of each day’s broadcast and welcome a series of guests - including, on the opening Thursday, rising star Kei Nishikori - into the open-air studio (5) for in-depth conversations.

SportsPro Magazine | 65

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FEATURE | BROADCAST

The producer Jeff Gowen is a 32-year veteran of sports broadcast production. Beginning his career at ESPN in 1982, he was a field producer for SportsCenter, covering events from the Super Bowl to the World Series, the NBA Playoffs to sailing’s America’s Cup. As an event producer, he covered college football, basketball, baseball and the NFL draft for ESPN before joining Fox Sports in 1994. Initially the coordinating producer for NFL Europe, producing NFL games at home in the US as well, he is now one of the most senior live event producers on the books at Fox. His current roster of work includes Major League Baseball games, college football and basketball. Here he explains what it takes to make it as a producer in one of the most intense live event environments in the broadcast industry. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail Baseball, basketball and football all have their own preparation time. Baseball, there’s a game everyday so whatever you do on Wednesday might not be true on Saturday. It’s an ever-evolving process of preparation in baseball and you can’t really grab hold of what the storylines are going to be until the day of the game because something happened last night between these two same teams that will affect it. Football is one game per week and because of that there’s more information cranked out by both teams and the leagues and the conferences because they have time to do it. There’s more information intake that’s read. And there’s also more information regarding strategy. Football is an interpreted sport. What you see on one play I might see differently. We both see the result, but how it happened is up for discussion. I think the defence messed up, you think it was a great play by the offence. We encourage our announcers to watch footage of the teams from prior games, then describe to myself and our director what they see strategically so we can get together and contemplate how we’ll cover that on TV. You have to do the most diligent preparation for football and, for me, it all starts two weeks out from kickoff. We realise that these teams have busy schedules and even games that are coming up before ours, but I like to work two weeks in advance. Even in this electronic age you still need time to sort out all the logistics involved. I’ll reach out to the teams themselves to 68 | www.sportspromedia.com

ask them when would be an appropriate time for myself and our announcers to convene with the team head coach, the offensive and defensive coordinators and a prominent player or two. That meeting is usually two hours long and is for the ƒ with the director too. We like to look the participants in the face, hear them speak, read their body language. We get information on the starting line-ups, the coaches’ overall philosophies as well as their philosophy for this particular game, the players, any back stories, interesting tidbits, injury information [ everyday newspaper. It’s where we get our best pieces of information and we’re all there taking notes. It’s a free-form conversation but I’ll usually start it with the introduction. We usually split up our announcers’ roles into play-by-play and analyst. This is the analyst’s meeting. I want him to get all the information he needs so he’s comfortable with being able to size up each team’s strategy for both of them, and all of us, to have knowledge about who’s playing in the game, so we have enough background information not only to call play-by-play but to be able to analyse the strategy and interject interesting biographical information about the players as individuals. This week I’m producing a game between two college teams; I happen to live in Colorado and it’s a game between the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. It’s a local derby, as the English would say. It’s convenient because I don’t have to get on a plane to go do this game.

The game is on Friday, tomorrow. The announcers and the production crew arrive two or three days in advance of the game. When they’re onsite the technical crew goes to set up our mobile unit, our OB. I would then convene with the announcers to proceed with our preparations and meet the teams. We have a day of preparation in our mobile unit today, setting up the trucks, as well. I don’t like to waste the announcers’ time with stuff that only I need to deal with so I peel off down to the OB once the announcers’ meetings are done. During our preparations on game day, I’ll ask both teams to send a representative to our TV area so they can look at the graphics. We’ve got a lot of graphics with the kids’ faces on them and I want to make sure the faces and the names match. A producer has to be a stickler to detail; you don’t want someone’s grandmother sitting at home all proud of her grandson seeing the wrong information on there. It could ruin a moment for a family. We have to be professional and I’m not into double checking, I’m into triple checking. That’s the life of a producer; we have to be detail people; we have to be on time, logistically sound and that goes right down to the graphics going on the air. Marshal your team and set the tone on game day To put it into sports terms, on game day I’m the coach. Tomorrow we have a total group of around 50 helping to put this game on the air, which includes around ten in the production area – the announcers, director, graphics people etc. I’ll call a

Fox Sports producer Jeff Gowen at the console in the OB unit for the production of the college football game between Colorado and Colorado State

meeting at 9am on game day and we’ll go over what our production priorities are. We’ll go over what we’re looking for, so the commentators can share with the entire group all that they’ve learned and their opinions as to what they expect in today’s game. That manifests itself positively later on in the day when the director passes that information on to the cameramen so they know what to look for. In the production meeting, we’ll show video of some of the elements, opening X [ X past games; we’ll discuss what we’re going to talk about when we come on the air and the video and audio support they need for it. So if they want to talk about the quarterback we’ve got to have a shot of the quarterback; we need to orchestrate everything that’s going to go on the air before the kick-off during our opening. And then we’ll discuss the elements during the game, not only coverage, which is our top priority, but other responsibilities: commercials, graphics, sponsored elements – the Budweiser this or the Buick that which we often have to put in the game. We

talk about all that and have a viewing of the graphics. One of my main goals is to make sure that nothing goes on the air without the announcer seeing " ” announcers will go back and rest up for a couple of hours, the rest of us go off to the stadium. So we’re there at the game probably seven hours in advance of the | ƒ ƒ

set-up, making sure everything works, testing out our microphones, testing out our communication system within the production area; I’m touching base with both teams again in case there are any late line-up changes or developments. I believe I’m a lightning rod for the whole crew. If I’m down, even if my voice is low or my shoulders slump, people feed off me. I know the announcers have to feed off me and my energy; it’s not manufactured believe me, when you know what’s at stake and you’re excited about the sport and what you do for a living. The producer is the coach: he does the schedule, works through the practices, gets the players ready, and when

it’s game time you’re the guide, you’re the light, when they need you they turn to you and you’ve got to be there for them. I’m primarily responsible for the content of the telecast and the announcers. So I’m on headset with them all night. During commercials we’re talking about what just happened and what’s coming up. I’m the guy who has to get in their ear and say, ‘come on, let’s pick it up, you guys are losing some energy out there, let’s go,’ or ‘calm down, take it easy, take a deep breath, it’s just a game, this is not life or death.’ So we have to be psychologists as we read our announcers during the games; we have to ride them, make them comfortable but also giving the viewers their best effort and most of the time they appreciate when I give them a suggestion. At the end of the game we turn and we shake hands with those we worked with so intimately and through such an intense situation. If there are areas I feel we need to improve, or people that need coaching or reminding of how we do things better, I take those people aside individually. I’m not big on making a public scene on a SportsPro Magazine | 69

FEATURE | BROADCAST

person. Immediately after the game I’m casting off a good impression: ‘nice job everybody; we worked hard, thank you for your efforts.’ I like the variety of producing different sports, but there’s something special about having a team like we have in football. We travel together, share opinions, know each other’s tendencies. The quality of whatever you’re producing is best when you have chemistry, and chemistry is developed over time. Channel the adrenaline, and keep a clear focus Last year I produced one baseball game a week for 26 weeks, then I went right over to college football and did one game a €� up my baseball season this year; I start my 13 weeks of football tomorrow, and go right over to college basketball. On game day, if you look at it in human terms, I’ve been up and at it for 12 hours and now we’re starting the game. It is a physical grind and you do have to take care of yourself. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays you can do things that you can’t do Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I’ve been doing this for 20 years but there’s still adrenaline in every game. In the control room I’m sitting next to the director, who is sitting next to the X the switcher. It’s such a fast paced activity

X the fewer people bunching up in one area the better. So we just have three people across the front of the console in our truck, and we’re all in headsets. The director sitting next to me is literally calling the camera shots; he’s saying, ‘camera three, give me number 83 white; camera two give me this‌’. And I will have the replay opportunities in front of me so I will tell them where we’re going for a replay while communicating that on headset with the commentators. For example, a play is a ten-yard pass; the director will say, ‘ready to take two, here’s the pass that’s completed’. I will say ‘replay coming from this machine,’ while at the same time telling the announcer through a headset, ‘here’s your endzone angle; watch number 83 white,’ and that’s how hopefully they get that message across like they saw it. We’re down there helping them see things, and then I’m telling the announcers what’s coming up next. The director is covering the action as it’s happening and together we meld with backing the announcers by giving them the shots when [ƒ [ The most challenging aspect of the job is remaining in a constant mindset } mistakes, I’ve got to keep my head about } X crazy, bombastic plays, I’ve got to keep an even keel so we don’t get too excited. In

baseball I produced what we call a perfect game before, where a pitcher doesn’t let anybody on base the whole game; it’s very infrequent. It’s history whenever anybody does it. And when we get down to it, towards the end of the game, I had to keep everybody calm when they’re trying to get excited. Or, in a 14 to 2 game, I have to get everybody excited – ‘we still have three minutes to go in this game people, let’s go’. At the end of the games I’m on the when we’re going to throw it back to them and whether there’s going to be a postgame interview onsite, and then whether the studio show is going to throw it back to us. The logistics of this are occurring even before the game ends. A fair per cent of the time I know who wins and whether it’s a close game but oftentimes I don’t After a day game people are usually looking to get to the airport and get / X so we usually convene back at the hotel and have an adult beverage or maybe more. But it’s such an exhausting day that it’s a way to come down from the excitement, a way not only to get your initial thoughts out while they’re fresh in your mind with your comrades, but also you couldn’t go right to sleep with your brainwaves going so fast during a night game. It’s a way to downshift to get back to your normal biorhythms.

Gowen will produce one college football game a week for 13 weeks; his preparations for the Colorado game began with a meeting with the coaches

70 | www.sportspromedia.com

Seattle Mariners pitcher FĂŠlix HernĂĄndez is doused after throwing a ‘perfect game’ in 2012, an event which presented broadcast production challenges

Understand how your production fits into the network’s style I’m in constant contact with senior management back at the network. It’s part of the job. They have a channel in my headset that I have turned on for the entire game and a couple of hours before. Ideally they don’t bother me much because I have a lot to do onsite but they are there for advice 100 per cent of the time. I usually use the two minute mark in the second quarter and the fourth quarter to call them during a commercial time out and say, ‘ok, what do you guys want us to do at half time and when this game ends?’ The person will come on and say, ™ X “ it to commercial promising our studio on the other side,’ or, ‘you’re going to be throwing it directly to Jim who’s going to be in our studio with John and Jesse.’ You become intimately familiar with styles of producers and directors as individuals. I’ve been doing this at Fox for 20 years. I know everybody who does them for Fox, and most of the people who do them for our

competitors. I was at ESPN for 12 years before Fox; most of the people I grew ^%{/ the industry in prominent roles. I can tell when it’s them doing a game. That said, Fox has a mantra and I agree with it. Since the beginning, when Rupert [Murdoch] started the whole thing up in 94, the mantra was, ‘attitude’. = the NFL in 94 was, ‘the NFL on Fox: same game, new attitude’. Fox was a late joiner to the traditional group of networks - ABC, NBC, CBS - so we had to be something a little bit different. I’ve always been encouraged to be different, to take chances. There’s a difference between risks and chances, and we have [ _ and I do carry their mantra with me in every game I do. Review, learn, improve I still watch every game I do back again. I think it’s important. Not only am I the primary feedback person for the announcers, the graphics people, the

director and every aspect of the telecast, but I also feel I’ve never produced the perfect game. I’m always trying to learn, to improve. I also have to compose a producer report after the game where the bosses would like to know the positives and the negatives that occur each game. And at my age it’s much better to review the game than just go on memory! I’ll do that usually on Monday, two days after the game. I like to have a little bit of time in between. I like to watch the game, take notes of it, but also watch the game as the people at home would, where it’s not my right-up-against-the-monitor-wall feeling, it’s what’s it like to have it on in the house when you might be doing other things. I don’t touch the buttons that go on the air; I don’t speak the words that go on the air. I’m the facilitator behind all that. But when all that happens in a good way, and we have a good telecast, a close, competitive and exciting game, and we feel as though we were mistake free and we were on top of our strategy, and the announcers were happy and the directors were happy, and the subordinates are happy, that’s when I can be happy. SportsPro Magazine | 71

FEATURE | BROADCAST

Eye on Oceania Australia and New Zealand are both territories with a rich sporting heritage and unique broadcast media landscapes. The sports rights markets in both countries are in a state of flux. By David Cushnan and James Emmett

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etwork Ten did the multisports double in 2014, broadcasting both the winter Olympic Games from Sochi and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow back to Australia. But it won’t happen again for some time. Before Ten’s head of sport Dave Barham and his team of 80 landed in Glasgow, Seven Network had already signed a deal to take back the Olympic rights they held for so long until 2008. And almost as soon as Barham had landed back in Australia after the Commonwealths came news that Seven had struck again, agreeing to pay a reported AUS$40 million for the exclusive domestic media rights to the Gold Coast ~ €‡ > Seven has broadcast a Commonwealth Games since Manchester 2002. The chopping and changing of rights to the major multi-sport events sums up the competitive, but sometimes volatile, Australian television marketplace. Since Seven’s last Olympic broadcast in Beijing 2008, the rights have passed from Nine Network and Foxtel, which paid just over US$100 million to broadcast Vancouver 2010 and London 2012, to Ten, which reportedly paid just US$20 million for the rights to Sochi after the International Olympic Committee’s decision to split the rights, and now back to Seven. Ten and Nine reportedly withdrew from the Rio 2016 bidding citing a weak advertiser market and an unfavourable timezone in Brazil. Seven stepped in and will pay some AUS$200 million (US$187 million) for the rights to Rio, PyeongChang 2018 74 | www.sportspromedia.com

and Tokyo 2020. The IOC reportedly wanted closer to US$250 million for the rights in a market it has found more challenging than most. “We took a value position,� Ten’s Barham says of his company’s Olympic calculations. “We had to take a value position on what we thought was good value. We love the Olympics and we loved doing the Sochi Olympic Games – it was fantastic – but it is 16 days, so you’re constantly confronted with these sorts of decisions in sports rights negotiations.

“The Olympics effectively, is a lot of money for six weeks, seven weeks – it’s an enormous amount of money for six or seven weeks over six years. You can buy an AFL season, an NRL season, invest in the A-League for a lot less than that and get 30 weeks every Friday night in prime time.� " % | to-air broadcasters in play in Australia, alongside the largest pay service, Foxtel and its Fox Sports channels. At the top level, the major domestic leagues, the AFL and NRL, are in the middle of

Australia’s hockey teams won gold at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on Network Ten

lucrative broadcast contracts which, when negotiated in 2011 and 2012, generated

" `_‹ |[ Channel 7, Foxtel and Telstra worth AUS$1.253 billion (US$1.36 billion) and the NRL secured AUS$1.025 billion ª#%&€ ‡  [ Channel Nine and Foxtel. A tier below, international and domestic T20 cricket and A-League soccer rights fees also spiked after the most recent negotiations – Cricket Australia is receiving AUS$590 million (US$590.7 million) from Channel Nine and Ten in a

[ X Football Federation of Australia sold its A-League and national team games for AUS$160 million (US$166 million) over four years in November 2012. “If you’re a sporting body it’s very healthy,� says Barham, asked to assess the Australian sports rights landscape as it stands. “If you’re a television station, it’s not quite as healthy. I think what’s happened in Australia is the big sports are getting well rewarded – AFL, NRL, we were part of the cricket deal; we bid a lot of money for cricket. It’s not the same for the lower sports and there are probably examples of this in other countries. “At the end of the day, you can only write so much revenue in commercial television – there’s only a certain amount of hours and only a certain amount you " [ can spend before it becomes ridiculous.� Ten’s re-shaped sports portfolio is now anchored by the Big Bash League, Australia’s Twenty20 competition and, by all accounts a ratings winner. Barham suggests it is a model for other sports to take note of. “Smaller sports are going to have to be cleverer,� he says, “and it’s going to be challenging: they have relied on rights fees for a long time and I’m not sure they’re going to be there – they’re not there at the moment and it must be really hard for those sports. There’s a Catch 22: you want rights fees and you want freeto-air exposure so there’s a real decision to be made with a lot of sports about what’s more important and what brings them more value at the end of the day. Does the A-League now sit back and say ‘we got a good rights fee but we’re totally on pay TV’? How is that decision viewed now, compared to Big Bash cricket where

Cricket Australia rights are now the foundation that Network Ten’s sporting future will be built on

Cricket Australia said they really wanted it on free-to-air TV and it’s turned into a phenomenal success with three and a half times the audience it had on pay TV – and you also get the enormous groundswell of other things that are good for your sport: kids, families, crowds, sponsors. That’s where it’s tricky for the sports.� New Zealand The New Zealand sports media market is beset by two not inconsiderable challenges. The country’s population of 4.5 million is only slightly under the 4.6 million that currently live in Ireland and a touch over the 4.1 million that live in Oman. And, 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 17 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, its timezone is, to say the least, isolating. It is no surprise that domestic sport, as well as

the myriad options from near-neighbour Australia, drive the sports broadcast market in New Zealand. Sky TV is the dominant pay-TV service [ X

[ X had 865,100 subscribers. All Blacks rugby, by far the most popular sports property in New Zealand, is a Sky Sport staple. New Zealand Cricket, New Zealand Rugby League, and the Olympic Games up to and including Rio 2016 are also tied up with Sky, along with a host of international sports properties. But Sky, which has no connection to \ | bear the same name across Europe, has encountered stiffer challenges in the rights acquisition market of late. Sommet Sports, available on free | X [

[ a suite of rights, some of which it SportsPro Magazine | 75

FEATURE | BROADCAST

The All Blacks perform their famous haka before a game against Australia in Sydney this August; NZRU rights next come on the market in 2015

had pinched from under the noses of its established competitor. MotoGP, which had long been aired on Sky, was a landmark launch property for Sommet, and joined the likes of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, the World Endurance Championship, the NFL, and the Bundesliga, the Europa League, and Football League soccer. In a move that perhaps signalled Sky’s strategy for competing with new platforms in the future, Sommet and Sky signed a three[ `_‹ [ this year. So far, Sommet has tended to target non-core rights. That has not been the case with another of Sky’s pretenders. In

[ X [| < Sports Media struck a deal with global rights agency MP & Silva to take the next three years of English Premier League soccer rights in New Zealand, outbidding Sky to do so. Coliseum’s plan was an innovative one: rather than screen selected matches from their package on expensive TV platforms, as Sky had done in the past, Coliseum put together a pay-per76 | www.sportspromedia.com

view service – PremierLeaguePass.com – powered by US technology company NeuLion, that would provide coverage “‡ { ‹ per season. Partnering with national broadcaster TVNZ to keep one Sunday game on free-to-air each week, Coliseum Sports Media chief executive Tim Martin was bullish: “This gives a chance for all of New Zealand to see the English Premier League and not only half of it. We’ve got three years [contract] and we’re going to give it a real go. We want to make access to these sorts of sports more accessible for New Zealanders. This will be a new experience for Kiwis. The advances in technology allow us to achieve this. It’s been a long time coming.� One year in, and the service is now being rolled out in Taiwan, another territory for which MP & Silva held the rights, with prices set at US$49 for a season, US$5 for a month, and US$3 for a week. The service has intrigued rightsholders dealing in the New Zealand market. In early September, Sky was moved to issue a release announcing that it had failed in

its negotiations to renew golf rights deals with the PGA Tour, the European Tour, and the Asian Tour. Though a company spokesman insisted that those rights had only accounted for 1.1 per cent of the network’s output over the last year, and that the Ryder Cup, the Masters, the British Open and Australian Open would remain on Sky, the suggestion was that the three golf tours wanted to try their luck with a direct-to-customer approach in the market along the same lines as Coliseum’s soccer service. % [ "‰ #%&€~� [ “ ~ €�X but it will be counting its pennies ahead of a crucial set of negotiations later this [ ~ €* [ |[ agreement worth anything up to US$30 million a year between Sky and the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) through Sanzar, the body which operates Super Rugby and the Rugby Championships. Coliseum have so far said a bid from them for what would be breakthrough rugby rights is “unlikely�, but it remains to be seen for how long.

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Susan Sawbridge Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development E majorevents@ aucklandnz.com M +64 21 227 7032 aucklandnz.com

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FEATURE | EUROPEAN GAMES

Baku, the Azeri capital, is “an amazing city; a hidden gem; a very beautiful place,� according to Charlie Wijeratna, Baku 2015’s English commercial chief

European gains The inaugural European Games will join a crowded continental sporting calendar in summer 2015 and even within the sports industry, few are sure quite what to expect. The event has been put together in a hurry but Baku 2015 commercial director Charlie Wijeratna is enjoying the challenge, and excited by what is to come in the Azeri capital. By Eoin Connolly

R

ecent growth in sporting events has tended to happen in one of two ways. Either there is a yoking together – a commercial rationalisation – of a string of existing competitions, or there is a push into an underexploited or niche market. Rarer altogether, these days, is a venture like the European Games. < ] ~ €~ [ European Olympic Committees (EOC) – which will act as owner, regulator and co-organiser of every edition – ^ > quadrennial, continental multi-sport X [ [ summer Olympics. On the one hand, the

78 | www.sportspromedia.com

X as it is to the like of the Asian Games and the Pan-American Games. On the X [ ^ ƒ plethora of decades-old single-sport championships, not to mention the rest of its international calendar. " ^=<ƒ ^ ƒ ˆ ; X `‘ X €~ ~‡ ~ €* " ; ~ €* ^ > = < ÂŞ;^>=<ÂŤX

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on the actions of its powerful president Ilham Aliyev and the treatment of human rights campaigners. For all that, the European Games is

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Baku 2015 commercial director Charlie Wijeratna

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[ was what the sporting programme would look like. After all, Europe is hardly wanting for continental championships in its most popular sports and for the likes of soccer and athletics, the calendar is already full enough. SportsPro Magazine | 79

FEATURE | EUROPEAN GAMES

The Baku 2015 organisers have ramped up their preparations, readying the venues, such as the National Gymnastics Arena (centre), and the branding

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[ } ƒ SportsPro X " [ƒ /"‰ % picking up a package for seven hours of 80 | www.sportspromedia.com

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really get going.� " underway in earnest within the country

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[ }  ; ƒ [ ‚ SportsPro Magazine | 81

FEATURE | MEMORABILIA

Paying the price Worth countless millions of dollars globally yet largely unregulated and rife with fraud, the sports memorabilia market is as murky as it is lucrative. Some US$500 million is thought to be lost every year to fake collectibles and, ultimately, it is the industry itself which is paying the price. By Michael Long

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rawling through the seemingly outlets purporting to sell

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A1 Sporting Memorabilia founder Terry Baker with his wife Freda and soccer star Wayne Rooney

82 | www.sportspromedia.com

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FEATURE | MEMORABILIA

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Game-used items from legendary athletes like Babe Ruth represent the top of the memorabilia market; Ruth’s game-worn 1920 Yankees jersey sold for US$4.4 million at an auction in 2012

84 | www.sportspromedia.com

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ƒ SportsPro Magazine | 85

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UNDER REVIEW:

The NFL 88 | www.sportspromedia.com

SportsPro Magazine | 89

SPECIAL REPORT | FOOTBALL

Seattle Seahawks’ Ricardo Lockette gets the season underway with a touchdown for the defending champions against Green Bay on 4th September

Season’s greetings As the National Football League gets underway in the US, SportsPro reviews the major talking points from this off-season and previews some commercial storylines which look set to run throughout the new season. By Ian McPherson

W

hen the juggernaut that is the National Football League (NFL) rolled into Seattle on Thursday 4th September for the Seahawks’ seasonopener against Green Bay, America got its television pastime back. It is seven long months since the Seahawks were crowned Super Bowl champions in New Jersey and, for many, September could not come quickly enough. Although the Fifa World Cup might have provided a temporary – and somewhat novel – scratch for fans’ sporting itch earlier in the summer and college football starts slightly earlier than the professional game, nothing 90 | www.sportspromedia.com

quite compares to the size, scope and razzmatazz of the NFL. Of course, much of the focus will

[ X rosters are settled and young prospects scooped up during May’s Draft - such as quarterback Johnny Manziel in Cleveland - look to make their mark on ; also been busy. In San Francisco, for instance, the 49ers opened their new Levi’s Stadium to considerable fanfare. The US$1.3 billion project, with its much-trumpeted ‘green’ credentials, ^^] > X grass roof and solar-panelled pedestrian

bridges, encountered a series of teething problems during early games. X surrounding roads and, most pressingly, the state of the turf came to light during exhibition soccer matches and preseason football games in August and September, leading some to question whether an emphasis on state-of-the-art technology infrastructure might have overshadowed more practical considerations. Meanwhile, on the east coast the Jacksonville Jaguars opened the latest instalment in their US$63 million EverBank Field renovation project: a two-tier hospitality deck featuring two

swimming pools and 16 poolside cabanas. The Jaguars’ ownership removed 9,500 seats to make space for the new areas, which can be rented out for around US$12,500 per game and are part of

ƒ fan experience under the leadership of franchise owner Shahid Khan. Elsewhere, there have been more

|

\ where revelations about a culture of locker room bullying have plagued the Dolphins’ offseason. A 144-page report commissioned by the NFL was released in February after allegations of racist and sexist abuse directed at offensive tackle Jonathan Martin and at least one employee emerged late last year. Ringleader Richie Incognito was subsequently suspended for three months and, at the time of writing, remains a free agent, while offensive line coach Jim Turner and head athletic trainer Kevin O’Neill were struck off upon the report’s release. The issue marred much of the Dolphins’ 2013 campaign but, as more disturbing details are gradually released, it could well overshadow the start of their 2014 season, too. The Washington Redskins have also continued to face pressure about the racial insensitivity of the franchise’s nickname, considered to be a slur by Native Americans. The US Patent and Trademark =

! as a result of the controversy, while a host of US news outlets and television stations have decided to stop using the name in a protest against its negative connotations. The franchise also posted a 35 per cent slump in merchandise sales in the latest quarter as pressure builds on team owner Daniel Snyder to go back on his vow never to change the name. But perhaps the biggest storylines this season will be familiar ones. Firstly, the issue of player safety continues to simmer menacingly below the surface, with issues around concussion and testing for performance enhancing drugs such as human growth hormone (HGH) a cause for concern and debate among players, management and fans alike. Whether the issues will come to the boil this year remains to be seen but, with concussion in particular, they will certainly not go away. Indeed, the league might be in the fourth year of its ten-year collective

Controversy rages over the ‘Redskins’ name

bargaining agreement (CBA) with the NFL Players’ Association (NFLPA), but concerns over player welfare may disrupt the current state of labour peace. The other familiar and long-running storyline concerns professional football in Los Angeles - or the lack of it. Commissioner Roger Goodell has publicly acknowledged the importance of having an NFL franchise in America’s second-biggest television market and it will be intriguing to see how the story develops between now and February’s Super Bowl showpiece. The Los Angeles plot took a twist in August when Tim Leiweke, the chief executive of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in Toronto, announced his intention to step down from his role by the end of June or until a successor is appointed. Leiweke, who previously headed up sports and entertainment giant AEG’s operation

in Los Angeles, is one of the most [ well have his sights set on a return to southern California. He was heavily involved in the Farmers Field NFL stadium project, set to sit alongside the Staples Center and LA Live complex in downtown Los Angeles, during the latter stages of his AEG tenure and could well be a driving force behind any campaign to lure a franchise to the city. The St Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers are often among the rumoured pack of relocation candidates, although

[ [ on relocation plans. Rebuilding Baltimore As custom dictates, champions Seattle | franchise this offseason. An extended playing schedule, victory parties and parades, and a trip to meet the president make for an exceptionally hectic offseason for the Lombardi trophy winners every year. But, while the Seahawks ride high on their Super Bowl success, the reality of life after being crowned ‘world champions’ has set in in Baltimore, where it is two years since the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans in Super Bowl XLVII. In English soccer, they call it ‘second season syndrome’; the tendency for teams who exceed expectations in one season - often thanks to a combination of energy, enthusiasm and a strong squad - to struggle the following year, when

Dick Cass, president of the Baltimore Ravens since 2004, led the franchise to the 2013 Super Bowl

SportsPro Magazine | 91

SPECIAL REPORT | FOOTBALL

fatigue kicks in and standout players often move on to pastures new. And in the NFL, a similar phenomenon appears to exist. “I wouldn’t call it a hangover,� says Dick Cass, the Ravens’ president since ~ �X

ƒ | fortunes the season after winning the Super Bowl. “You play into February and a lot of teams are done at the end of December, so you have an extra month of playing, which means your offseason is shortened. Then on top of that you have a lot of celebrating to do. You get invited to the White House, you have a party to hand out the Super Bowl rings. There’s a lot of distractions that go with winning the Super Bowl. “Also,� he continues, speaking from his Baltimore base in early September, “when you win the Super Bowl some of your veteran players decide that it’s time to retire and go out on top. So it’s a combination of factors that make it hard to repeat.� Winning the Super Bowl is without question the pinnacle of any football player’s career, but its impact is also felt much higher up in the organisation. For Cass, it was a matter of validation: “The impact of winning the Super Bowl is to really validate a lot of the decisions everyone has made in the years preceding the Super Bowl. The plans we had been implementing had resulted in getting to [ [ hadn’t won a Super Bowl, we hadn’t won a conference championship. Once you win it, it just validates a lot of the plans you have been implementing over the prior years and makes you think, ‘OK, we had a good plan and the plan worked, now we’ve got to go do it again’.� And for the Ravens, who relocated from Cleveland under hugely controversial circumstances in 1996, validation is an especially relevant concept. Former owner Art Modell’s decision to up sticks caused shockwaves throughout the league at the time and, predictably, led to major unrest among = ’ X of hindsight it seems a shrewd move; the Ravens are now the NFL’s tenth most valuable franchise according to Forbes with a price tag in the region of US$1.5 billion; they have won two Super ; ~ [ 92 | www.sportspromedia.com

straight playoff appearances between 2008 and 2012. The franchise’s commercial and on

[

given that Baltimore is the 27th largest media market in the US. “The advantages of being in Baltimore are: it’s a very good sports town, I think people would identify it as a football town,� says Cass when asked about the strength of the local market. “We have one other professional sports team in town, [Major League Baseball’s] Baltimore Orioles, so we have a good fan base. It’s a good sports town with a tradition of supporting professional football. “The downside of Baltimore is it’s a small market,� he continues. “We also do not have any Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the Baltimore metropolitan area so we don’t have a large corporate base of companies who have their headquarters in our market, and that’s a disadvantage. When you’re in a smaller market it does tend to have a downward effect on your sponsorship revenue and on your local media revenue, and it can have a downward effect on your ability to sell premium seating and suites, but it has not had that effect in Baltimore. We do very well in terms of ticket revenue and suite revenue. The size of our market has not affected our gate in a negative way.� Today the Ravens are one of the NFL’s strongest franchises, but why relocate in •  it means it has failed in its home market and that’s not a good thing,� explains Cass. “The league certainly does not encourage relocation and relocation to me is a last resort when a team is facing deep work in its own market. “If you look at the history of relocation in the NFL I think one of the major factors in most relocations is the inability the home market. That was the case in Cleveland where the Browns tried to have the city and/or the state help them build a new stadium but they just couldn’t get it done. If you read what the Modell family said at the time, they left because they were [ [ ƒ [ could make it in the NFL without a new stadium, and they didn’t believe Cleveland would build them a new stadium.�

Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs readies himself for battle in pre-season

SportsPro Magazine | 93

SPECIAL REPORT | FOOTBALL

The Ray Rice story

W

hen news broke in February that Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice had been arrested for an altercation with his wife, the franchise made headlines for all the wrong reasons. “It was embarrassing for the organisation and obviously a negative for us. We heard it from our fans and we’re trying to respond to our fans’ concerns about what we do and how our players behave. It was very concerning and very embarrassing for the organisation,� says Ravens’ president Dick Cass, speaking on 4th September, at which time Rice was serving a twomatch ban imposed by the NFL. Cass went on to point out that Rice would be open to rejoin the Ravens playing squad after the ban and was expected to be a “major contributor� throughout the 2014 campaign. However, four days after Cass spoke to SportsPro, shocking video footage was leaked online of Rice’s brutal attack of his wife in a hotel elevator and things changed again. The Ravens subsequently decided to terminate the 27-year-old Super Bowl winner’s contract, while the

Ray Rice and his wife Janay face the media

NFL announced he had been suspended [ ` Rice issue appears to be a long way off at the time of writing, but many are

Roger Goodell for the league’s seemingly | instance. The Ravens have also come under pressure for not dealing with the Rice issue with more force internally. Rice, meanwhile, could look to appeal the suspension under the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which, in turn, could put the National Football Players’ Association (NFLPA) in the ! Damage limitation is clearly the name of the game for the Ravens at present and

The Baltimore Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium under snowfall for a game against Minnesota in 2013

Baltimore has certainly proved to be a secure market for the franchise compared to Cleveland and, based upon a number 94 | www.sportspromedia.com

of metrics, the Ravens are on steady ground: the playing staff are performing well and could be playoff contenders

one of the management’s big offseason moves from a commercial standpoint was | House of Ruth to their list of partners. “We’ve wanted to build a partnership with a domestic abuse organisation in part because we had the Ray Rice incident,� Cass explains. “It made sense for us to learn from that experience.� “We heard from a couple partners about it,� he adds. “We explained the situation, we explained what we [

with the explanation. They obviously didn’t condone what Ray did, nor do we, but they understood what we were saying and they are looking to see that we follow through on what we said we were going to do. “Every sponsor has to be concerned about the reparation of the team with which they are associating, and we obviously want our sponsors to feel pride in associating with the Baltimore Ravens and we want our fans to feel that way. We want our fans and our

|

organisation, and obviously this incident did not help us.�

again this year; ticket and sponsorship sales are healthy, highlighted by a ten-year, US$60 million naming rights extension \ÂĄ" ; \ [” touches have just been put on a US$35 million stadium renovation project. Regardless of current stability, Cass and long game: “For a team like the Ravens, when you’re in a smaller market and you’re a relatively young franchise, the long-term goal is to build a franchise that is sustainable even if you have a series of years where you have a sub-par record,â€? he explains. “Sustainable in the sense of being able to sell all your tickets, sell your suites and maintain your sponsors. That’s the longterm goal for me. If you can do that for the long-term, you’re a viable franchise in the NFL. If you can live through a number of subpar years and still keep your revenues strong so you can be competitive, that’s the goal.â€?

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Creatures of habit What motivates a fan to support a particular National Football League (NFL) team and how has fandom changed in the digital era? These are two questions which sports, music and entertainment marketing agency Octagon has set out to answer in its latest research. By Ian McPherson

96 | www.sportspromedia.com

T

he Buffalo Bills made four straight Super Bowl appearances between 1991 and 1994 - and they lost all four. % \ ‹ [ in NFL history to lead a team to four consecutive Super Bowls, the Bills have " [ playoffs since 1999 and, last season, they Ž|€ ; X

| decline, this is the NFL and the Bills are still a billion-dollar franchise. A US$1.4 billion franchise to be exact, if the most generous reports are to be believed. Terry Pegula, the natural gas and real estate billionaire who already owns the Buffalo Sabres and Rochester Americans ice

hockey teams and the Buffalo Bandits

X

Bills’ prospective new owner in early September after seeing off rumoured interest from Donald Trump and Jon Bon Jovi. The purchase, pending approval from from the rest of the NFL owners at the time of going to press, marked the highest price ever paid for an NFL " \ ] ƒ ~ ‡

X which came with a US$1.1 billion price tag, had previously held the record, while the Cleveland Browns changed hands for around US$1 billion four years later. Shortly after the Buffalo takeover news broke it was announced that the Bills’ ~ €�

X '“X

! } % on Sunday 14th September to watch the Bills host the Miami Dolphins. But why '“X | [ “ of the city’s population - pay top dollar to support a team who have not produced a

~ �• " X unsurprisingly, is far from straightforward. Octagon’s ‘Passion Drivers’ research is an attitudinal segmentation based upon 12 dimensions of fandom, designed,

% } X [ƒ [ X better understand “why fans are fans�. The dimensions were created through a series of focus groups held all over the world and range from ‘love of the game’, ‘nostalgia’ and ‘lifestyle’ to ‘TV

The Buffalo Bills, the latest NFL team to change hands, play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a pre-season game on 23rd August

Regardless of their on-field decline, this is the NFL and the Bills are still a billion-dollar franchise.

SportsPro Magazine | 97

SPECIAL REPORT | FOOTBALL

Today’s NFL fan has a plethora of media through which to consume the league’s product; Seahawks fans prefer mobile at an event on opening day

ƒ ™ [ [ƒ " intention: to understand more about the key emotional connections that connect fans to sport. “In the case of the NFL, the number

X‚ } says, speaking from Las Vegas in September. “It’s a factor created from a number of different attributes that all looked at the loyalty and devotion that fans feel to their team.� Four secondary factors - namely ‘personal indulgence’ (watching sport as a reward); ‘allconsuming’ (the sport’s ability to “suck you in�); ‘love of the game’ (enjoying the sport regardless of who is playing); and ‘talk and socialising’ (sport’s ability to create discussion and social interaction) also play a fundamental role in explaining why NFL fans keep coming back season after season. But the rules that apply to NFL fans do not necessarily apply to all sports. In fact, the same rules are not even universally applicable throughout football. } devotion is the primary passion driver in the NFL - as it is in the National Hockey League (NHL) and, to a certain degree, Major League Baseball (MLB) - the importance of team devotion in the US [ in comparison to more ‘tribal’ sports. “Across all of these American sports 98 | www.sportspromedia.com

the importance of team devotion is nowhere near as dominant as we see for our European soccer fans. One could argue that [European fans] don’t have relationships to soccer, it’s just all about club and country. It’s that connection to their team. American sports are somewhat tribal but nowhere near as tribal as we see in Europe or South America for that matter.� The reason a Manchester United or Boca Juniors soccer fan might display more ‘tribal’ support for their team than a Buffalo Bills fan comes down to choice. “One of the conclusions that we drew was the role that soccer plays in society in Europe and South America; it’s so pervasive. It’s the back page of the paper, it’s front page of the paper. But Americans are doing more jumping from the NFL season to the NBA season to the Major League Baseball season. I think that’s part of it. “Another is the rivalries that we see in those soccer arenas helps engender and feed that tribalism. America is just such a big country that we don’t see as much of that.� Octagon’s research also found that the motivating factors for NFL fans were quite different from the factors affecting college football fans, for whom ‘gloating’ is a key }

[

sheer number of college teams compared to the small amount of NFL franchises, limiting the opportunity for the in-state rivalries which feed fan passion in college sports. “Clearly the rivalries and grudge matches are creating almost a Europeanstyle connection to their team,� he says. So fans are fans for a cocktail of reasons depending upon the sport or the ; } ƒ differentiates between male NFL fans and their female counterparts, who today account for roughly 45 per cent of the league’s fanbase and 33 per cent of its viewing audience. “One of the surprising things is [female NFL fans] actually look more like European soccer fans than the male fans. The reason for that is those secondary factors overall tend to have a much larger contribution for male fans than they do for female fans.  } [ X much more centred on their team while those secondary factors have much smaller contributions in terms of why they care about the NFL. It is in part because it is a [ [ ™} ƒ Cowboys family or a Patriots family’, and that is almost part of that family identity. I think ‘mom’ is using the NFL in a different way than the male fans.� The second wave of Octagon’s research, ‘Passion Shifts’, drills down into “how

fans are fans�. By looking at the way we consume and engage with sports, } spectrum of interactivity which categorises fans according to their behaviour, with ‘couch potato’ on one end and ‘super fan’ on the other. “Back in the day, you fed your passion for the sport either by watching it on television, reading about it, listening to it on the radio, going to an occasional game if you were lucky,

[ [ [ X‚ }  " really it ten or 15 years ago.� But with the explosion of digital and social media, the landscape changed beyond recognition and now “rather than consuming sport when sport is being served to you, you have the opportunity to basically indulge whenever you want, wherever you want.� Octagon’s methodology, which has

[

€‡ X * sports fans in the US use a second screen during live sports broadcasts, according to a project spanning 12 sports earlier in ~ €� \ X attendees across the sports were using a mobile device when attending a live event. “This used to be a niche activity and it has totally become mainstream X‚ }

[  " ƒ [ recent phenomenon. If you go back two or three years that was very much a minority activity, but now smartphones have become so ubiquitous and central to the fan experience that it’s now a very mainstream activity. The days of the couch potato are dead.� } ƒ [ around 25 per cent of sports fans now fall into the ‘couch potato’ category - that is, traditional, passive viewers - and an

The Octagon research indicates females behave differently as fans from their male counterparts

increasing number of fans are migrating up the interactivity scale. And for the brands that operate around sports, that  }

more interactive a fan you are, the more likely you are to support the sponsor,� he explains. “It’s actually a better predictor of likelihood to switch purchase behaviours than self-reported avidity. “You can ask people how avid a fan they are and historically the perception has been if you focus on the avid fans those are the ones more likely to switch. But what this research demonstrated was, yes, that’s true, but the interactive | “ continuum of interactivity - are actually [ | reported avid fan.� <

[ X } that, in passion driver terms, not much is

likely to change in the coming years. But

[  } [ you’re an NFL fan now is probably pretty darn similar to why you were an NFL fan three years ago and why you’ll be an NFL fan in three years’ time,� he speculates.  } [ are evolving is on the passion shifts side and how fans are feeding their passion. “The level of consumption that fans have and their ability to drill down will probably be great news for things like the NFL. I think the lesser sports might struggle because when you have the ability to take one passion and consume X the portfolio of sports that a fan ends up focussing on becomes a smaller subset of what they might have been following four [ ƒ for those smaller sports.�

Juan RomĂĄn Riquelme celebrates with Boca Juniors supporters, whose passion is more closely matched by fans of college teams like Michigan State

SportsPro Magazine | 99

SPECIAL REPORT | FOOTBALL

The NFL’s media challenge – keep the fans consuming

T

he NFL has by far the highest average game day attendance of any sports league in the world and domestic TV

‹

[ NFL game was attended by more than Ž'X X "‰ of plus-ten million viewers for regular season games were commonplace. Every passing year seems to bring with ~ €“ƒ record-breaking opening Monday Night Football (MNF) doubleheader dominated both cable and broadcast networks and €Ž *~ { ƒ ““|~' }

" % ; X wrecking ball that won’t slow down, drew 111.5 million US viewers to Fox this February, making it the most-watched transmission in US broadcast history. ; /_‹

ƒ built its product into the most valuable sports property on the planet by resting on its laurels, and there are tweaks to the media strategy, updates to the distribution format, experiments, trials and improvements rolled out on an annual basis. Alarmingly for Brian Rolapp, Steve Bornstein’s successor as the head of NFL Network and the most powerful media X ~ €�

" \/_ game of the year, the Detroit Lions’ 35-14 defeat of the New York Giants, €“ '“ X [ ~ €“ "

% [ X | ~ €� /;<ƒ % [ / _ (SNF), was also down, with the Denver

CBS moved The Big Bang Theory to Mondays

100 | www.sportspromedia.com

ESPN’s season-opening Monday Night Football programme had lower ratings than last year

Broncos 31-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts drawing 21.2 million viewers, nine per cent down on the equivalent game between the Cowboys and the Giants last year. Not disastrous declines by any stretch of the imagination, but drops that don’t augur well for one of the NFL’s key areas of focus in the media market this year: Thursday Night Football (TNF). Already earning US$3 billion a year in free-to-air TV rights fees from CBS, Fox, and NBC, and a further US$2.9 billion from separate deals with ESPN and DirecTV, the NFL carved out another package of rights for this season, signing a deal in February that will see CBS take up the Thursday evening slot. The agreement gives CBS a further eight early season games in the Thursday night slot, six more later in the season, and two late-season Sunday games. Previously broadcast on the NFL Network, a platform which Rolapp himself had pioneered, the Thursday games averaged

*

[ X league’s other primetime evening slots. CBS has shifted its best-performing show, The Big Bang Theory, to an unfamiliar Monday slot to accommodate the new NFL package and the NFL will " X #%&“ million, is for one year only and it is fair

to assume that the CBS executives will have made the decision to extend or not [ Relative ratings performances will also play a key role in Rolapp’s thinking as he looks to advise his colleagues on the much-mooted issue of playoff expansion. } commissioner Goodell is poised to push the button on an expanded playoff

~ €*X system out from 12 teams to 14, adding one wild-card team per conference. A vote on the proposal is expected at an owners meeting in Phoenix on 22nd March, but much debate on commercial implications is likely to come, both behind closed doors and publically, in the interim. ESPN already has a commitment to take

[ #%&€ million apiece. Last season’s least popular wild card game, a Saturday game between the Chiefs and the Colts, still drew an

~' ÂŽ } X expansion had seemed like a foregone conclusion. Not so, however, if a recent brief interview between SportsBusiness Journal’s John Ourand and Rolapp is to  } playoffs is still out there,â€? Rolapp said. “I’m not sure if we will expand them. That’s a big story.â€? JE

FEATURE | LACROSSE

Paul Rabil in action for the Boston Cannons MLL team

102 | www.sportspromedia.com

Gross’ domestic product Formed in 1999 to capitalise on lacrosse’s growing popularity in the US, Major League Lacrosse has been at the forefront of the sport since the turn of the millennium. Rising revenues and impressive media distribution have given the league a solid footing in one of sport’s most competitive markets and, as commissioner David Gross explains, the professional product has never been better.

By Michael Long

Credit: Getty Images

D

avid Gross is a happy man. Sitting in the Boston headquarters of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), ƒ

cheerfully on what he calls “a really strong year for lacrosse�: a season brought to a thrilling climax just days previously thanks to a dramatic Championship Game which saw the Denver Outlaws overcome a | ! ! €~|€€ “For the product that we had on the X ƒ X‚

[ >

X \‹‹ƒ

~ �  " games all basically came down to the ” [ previous years, you could look at a game

[X ™=„X win,’ and you had a pretty good chance of " [ X [ they could have picked 55 per cent of the winners they’d be making it up.� With the excitement of the league’s €�

relative quiet of the off-season, Gross \‹‹ story so far. _ €ŠŠŠ growing demand for lacrosse in the US, by some margin the sport’s dominant market, MLL’s inaugural season was [ ~ € ` expansion saw the league grow from six [ ~ Ž

commercial revenues rose in parallel with

the sport’s growing popularity. ;[ ~ ŠX X

" " ‹ ` X / [X { and San Francisco had folded due to X

franchise relocations and name changes had threatened to further undermine the league’s early progress. ; / ` ƒ lacrosse league is nothing if not resilient. Enduring at a time when other upstart sports leagues were ceasing operations

X \‹‹

[ and has since regained a degree of stability. Eight teams – albeit not the same eight teams – have competed for the past three years and the ambition now, under Gross’ guidance, is “to have a couple ‚ [ ~ €Ž “helping those that already exist to be a little more stable�. Yet establishing a league in one of sport’s most competitive markets will

[ ` organisation faces, Gross knows that no amount of overtime drama can guarantee sell-out stadiums, sponsorship dollars and television audiences. “Breaking through the clutter is obviously a grind and a challenge,� X ` “What’s most important is we have great ownership groups involved in this league that understand no sports league has SportsPro Magazine | 103

FEATURE | LACROSSE

Lacrosse’s ‘Million-Dollar Man’

{

What do you make of the progress being made by Major League Lacrosse? " ƒ

[

~ ‡X [ league attendance, sponsors - endemic and non-endemic – and the overall { the struggle in the pro game is a lot like /_‹

[ X where most guys had to supplement their wages with additional occupations. You have guys that are committed at home to their family, they have their commitment to their team and their training and their

" things take time and it’s a patient group. " [ think the growth of the sport is still the tip of the iceberg.  " in the country playing lacrosse, but it’s growing each year at about a ten €~ standpoint and there’s no sign of that slowing down.� Youth participation in the US is estimated to have increased by 77 per cent

~ Ž published by US Lacrosse, the country’s national governing body for the sport, put

�~‡X ` \‹‹ slightly over the past eight years but have [ *X “Our audience is relatively small compared to the bigger sports but the net 104 | www.sportspromedia.com

Credit: Getty Images

! X the Boston Cannons in the outdoor Major League Lacrosse (MLL) and the { } / ‹

‹ ª/‹‹X is undoubtedly his sport’s biggest ’ ~ ‡

MLL’s number one overall draft pick, ~‡|[ |

endorsement portfolio that includes the } X ! ; > { / = [X

[

million dollars in endorsement earnings.

Paul Rabil, of the Boston Cannons and Philadelphia Wings, is the undisputed star of US lacrosse

X [ to their alternative job which helps support their income.

X

on the priority list but now, with the way the game has grown and the amount of revenues that are starting to come forward into the sport and opportunities for athletes, the professional game, for the players, has been propelled into their

number one work priority. When you X [ off-season: the training, the competitive spirit and the desire to win. Each year it’s gotten noticeably more competitive.

worth of our fanbase is off the charts,� suggests Gross, who served as the general manager of the league’s Boston franchise prior to taking the commissioner post.  ƒ [ partners that it’s not so much the number of eyeballs but the value of the eyeballs that you are able to get in front of either on-site or through broadcasting.  " <^= Championship Game was staggering this

X [ people that we are the golf demographic with the family atmosphere.� Lacrosse may not be widely played X

/ ` ƒ

X [ / ` and a modern version of the sport was subsequently adopted by elite universities

€Š [ / [ X [ [

`

[ truly shrug off its perception as an elitist X

recent scandals involving players has only perpetuated the stereotype that lacrosse is a sport played by rich white kids who party and drink too much. Such stigma, coupled with the sport’s relative obscurity, has done little to endear pro lacrosse to the corporate community. Besides Coca-Cola, whose multi-year deal centres on its calorie-free Coke Zero brand, MLL’s current partners are predominantly equipment companies, with the likes of Warrior, Brine, Cascade, %"–X \ X ` additional suppliers all represented in the league’s core sponsorship category. " [ the way MLL has had to adapt to survive Â

two years, we have opened up a whole

MLL’s ambition is to expand again in the near future. Do you see that as a viable plan given the problems of the past?

One thing that the league can hang their hat on is during the economic recession ~ ‡X [ " we’ve been able, whilst contracting teams and moving certain clubs to different ownership groups, to maintain the core competency of the MLL says a lot about lacrosse and the sport’s growth especially in the US. continually be done strategically, by

[ it’s not just about having deep pockets and owning a team, it’s about rising to that ownership and making sure you’re marketing your team, making sure you have your team sales force, making sure you’re invested into winning and " ƒ the past have owned a team as a passion play – that’s never successful. You’ve been described as the ‘LeBron James of lacrosse’. How do you shoulder that kind of responsibility to your sport? ! [X | ƒ there’s anyone who puts more pressure on [ " X

What do you make of the perception of lacrosse as an elitist sport in the US? "

[ ”

associated with me that may not be true. " ƒ ;

[X ~ ‡

country, very few people knew that

" [

ƒ

[X ™ [

Xƒ [ ™} X ƒ ƒ / X [X

[ [

X ˆ ™_ •ƒ " ƒ big step for me in terms of recognition of the sport. If you were made MLL commissioner tomorrow, what

a fragmented sport. One of the things we

[ [ [ ˆ ™! we have a small pie. We shouldn’t all be focused on how we control our little piece

Credit: Getty Images

equipment category and brought in most of the major players in the industry and we really like working closely with everybody,� says Gross. “We can’t have lacrosse being

X

[ best player on the planet and so having recognition or succeeding at certain levels only makes that desire greater. ƒ [ [

ƒ [

The Denver Outlaws celebrate their last-minute win over the Rochester Rattlers for the 2014 title

improvements would be at the top of your agenda? \ X ƒ [ [ ÂĽ "

[ restrictions but, if resources weren’t an

X

relates to continuing to get our games on

[ X the spring, play on Sundays or Saturday nights after college games. [ is marketed in terms of creating a little bit more alternative lifestyle into the game. While lacrosse is a team sport, it’s a very crowded space in the US with the /_‹X \‹;X /;`X /’‹X \‹% ƒ [ [ leverage that we have in lacrosse but put an alternative spin to it, just to get more mainstream viewers. _ [X [

[

[ challenge is capturing the ball better on television, whether that’s a colour change for the ball or if it’s a camera angle š ƒ

[ƒ

” to make the pie as big as possible.’� } ' ƒ revenue derived from sponsorship, Gross is keenly aware of the need to tailor the league’s assets to meet the an approach which, while nothing new within sport, is nevertheless illustrative of the league’s commercial aspirations. “We’re not rigid whatsoever, so we [X‚ >

[ X adding that sponsorship at the league level

~“

 } Moe’s Southwest Grill sponsored the ` |% > X [ a local Moe’s and roll burritos for fans and then sit with the fans during the lunchtime period and chat. We’ve had other opportunities where you get access to the players that you really can’t get in any other league. SportsPro Magazine | 105

MLL commissioner David Gross presents an honorary contract to a veteran at the title-deciding game

“~X subscribers and well over seven million views in total. ; [ [ X Gross believes digital will prove to be “a major component to growing the sport, the league, the players’ personal brands� in future, and the logical next step, he

[ X

| channel “where we can go into greater depth and tell the stories and show who these guys are beyond a helmet that they’re wearing�. " [X [ [ but examples of athletes transcending the boundaries of lacrosse are few

" { ! X | ™‹ ;

ƒ

Credit: Getty Images

 X < X

\‹‹ players with our partner Warrior and had players in their suites. While the fans were watching the game they were all just talking to the pro players they had with ` ˆ • ` ƒ create something around that.� Despite its size, MLL punches above its weight when it comes to media reach and content distribution. Gross cites it as one of his greatest successes as commissioner. = ƒ Ž |

X ~� [ [ <;% % / X “ | \‹‹ ‘

` ~� X X were syndicated to a network of regional broadcast partners spanning the entire US.  ƒ our size that has the broadcast reach that we do,� says Gross. “We were able to cobble together a network that put us in

ÂŽ~ X working with a lot of the Fox Sports X ` X \%> [ "

distribution and when you couple that <;%X [ [ "‰ there’s always MLL.� = �� [ televised games, MLL aired the remaining €Ž [ š " [ " ƒ š " X which also offers clips and highlights

Credit: Getty Images

FEATURE | LACROSSE

Thanks to partners like Coca-Cola, MLL sponsorship was up 23 per cent this year according to Gross

106 | www.sportspromedia.com

[

million dollars in endorsement earnings, many in the MLL earn less in a year than what their counterparts in the mainstream major leagues take home in a day, and almost all are forced to work second jobs. ! [ whilst improving their earning potential is therefore a chief concern for everybody involved in lacrosse, not just the players themselves. “When you look at this, there are so many more headaches that come with this being not a full-time job for [ X‚

[ >

 " ƒ ” [ X [ [ [ ” [ ” you don’t have the guys in-market enough to help market the team.  would be a full-time job for the players, we’d be thrilled at the league level, the players would be thrilled, and we’d be adding a lot more games to the season. } ƒ €Â? ” ƒ [

~ } ƒ [ from that happening but everyday we tinker and say, ‘What could be the magic bullet to get us there faster?’  the fans want these guys to be full-time [ " [ [ because it feels bigger-time to the fans. We remind everyone to look at Major ‹ ;

€Š' ˆ guys still had other jobs and that league € [ already. So it takes time for this. We’re making strides but it’s not happening tomorrow, unfortunately.�

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FEATURE | PARA-SPORT

Silver lining As the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) hits a quarter century, Sir Philip Craven, president since 2001 and the most important figure in its history, offers his considered assessment on the past, present and future of para-sport. By David Cushnan and James Emmett

T

he International Paralympic Committee (IPC) celebrated its 25th anniversary on September 22nd. While para-sports [ ΠParalympic Games, featuring 600 athletes, took place in Rome, in 1960 while the birth of the para-sports movement dates back to the Stoke Mandeville Games of 1948 Рthe birth of an organisation dedicated to providing a united front was [ " are those, however, who argue that what happened 13 years later, in December 2001, was equally, if not more, vital in the development of the Paralympic Games and the wider para-sports movement. Although the man himself is far too modest to admit as much, the election of Sir Philip Craven, an energetic and amiable British Paralympian, as president of the IPC changed the organisation

forever. Over the past 13 years, on his X {<

ˆ have been bigger and bigger editions of the Paralympic Games, increased recognition of top athletes, breakthroughs in commercial sponsorship and broadcast coverage and, across several territories, a much greater awareness and understanding of disability issues driven by elite para-sport. Now 64, Craven is part the way through

of the IPC. He defeated three other candidates to succeed Canada’s Bob Steadward in 2001 and was subsequently re-elected unopposed on two occasions, in 2005 and 2009. Last November he defeated British challenger Alan Dickson, the president of the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA), to retain the presidency.

Sir Philip Craven delivers an address in the Kremlin in the wake of the Sochi Paralympics this year

108 | www.sportspromedia.com

€~ [ X Craven watched the early development of the IPC from a distance as the president of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation – as a player > ; Paralympic Games between 1972 and 1988. “What I’d always looked upon the IPC as needing to be was a purely international sports organisation,� he says, “and that wasn’t easy because it was the brining together of different disability sports organisations that had only really met up to talk about organising the Paralympic Games once every four years. This was a new organisation presenting a united front on para-sport to the world. That was the key intention in 1989, and I think it took time to bring this about.� The origins of the IPC can be traced back to 1964, four years after ! >

British sprinter Jonnie Peacock surges ahead, delivering a gold-standard performance to win the 100m final at the London Paralympic Games in 2012

as the Paralympics. 16 countries were represented in the formation of the International Sport Organisation for the Disabled (IOSD) that year. The idea was to offer opportunities to athletes with disabilities not part of the International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation’s (ISMGF) remit. By 1982, IOSD, ISMGF and two other organisations, CPISRA and the International Blind Sports Federation, had formed the International Coordinating Committee Sports for the Disabled in the World, or ICC. Momentum, slowly but surely, was being generated. Seven years later, the expanding ICC effectively became the IPC. A year earlier, in 1988, the summer Paralympic Games were held in the same city as the summer Olympic Games ~� [ X model which continues today. The winter Games followed suit in 1992. “One of

the main and key areas of success, prior to me becoming president, was the start of the relationship with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its thenpresident Juan Antonio Samaranch,� Craven recalls. “That was the start of a relationship that has led to the Paralympic Games becoming an integral part of this amazing festival of sport which involves the Olympics and Paralympics.� While Craven cites Barcelona 1992, where he was a technical delegate for the wheelchair basketball tournament, as “the Games that made the biggest difference� and Sydney 2000 as where he “built his vision and my aspirations�, it is undoubtedly the most recent summer and winter Games, London 2012 and Sochi 2014, which have moved the para-sport needle most extensively. In London, 2.7 million tickets were sold, the Games were broadcast in 100 countries and given

blanket coverage by Channel 4 in the host nation, and generated 1.3 million tweets. Earlier this year, Sochi broke most winter Paralympic Games records with 316,200 ticket sales and extensive television coverage resulting in a cumulative global audience of 2.1 billion people,

{<ƒ

" statistics were endless but the sense of breakthrough palpable. “It was just mind-blowing what went on if you were in any of those stadiums in London,� Craven says, before X terms, of Channel 4’s surprise decision not only to acquire the rights to the 2012 Paralympics, but then to provide extensive live coverage and commission a range of wider programming covering disability issues. In the two years since London, the broadcaster has extended and expanded its coverage to include SportsPro Magazine | 109

FEATURE | PARA-SPORT

Sir Philip Craven’s personal presidency highlights “

I

think I had a great thrill when

speak to the membership, and for the membership of the IPC As a president, it can be a lonely place even if you’re having some success, and ƒ are going mainly in the right direction;

more Paralympics and other IPCsanctioned para-sports competition. “It was absolutely fundamental in the way a relatively small but dynamic television organisation in Channel 4 took over the Paralympics and did with 2012 what they did.� Craven says. Channel 4, he adds, has been “very happy� to act as consultant to other rights-holding broadcasters around the world, with Japan’s NHK “incredibly interested in doing something similar but probably on an even bigger scale for Tokyo 2020�. Increasing the level of coverage has taken more time elsewhere, but the largest Olympic broadcaster, NBC, criticised for its lack of coverage of London’s Paralympics, committed to more hours in Sochi. “What Channel 4 did was so groundbreaking but the great thing is it wasn’t a oneoff,� Craven adds. “It’s something they

they’re never always going in the right direction. “To be president at Games such as London and Sochi is very tiring in one way but the energy banks are constantly being recharged by meeting up with different people. I come back to that moment in London when Jonnie Peacock quietened the crowd and went

on to win gold, but, and I’m a little bit biased, I would also say for me the greatest performance in London was undoubtedly Patrick Anderson leading the Canadian men’s wheelchair basketball team to victory over Australia – the manner in which he did that showed for me that he was an even greater player than Michael Jordan.�

passionately believe in and it’s something that they’re following through.� The IPC of today has 200 members, a staff of 70 at its headquarters in Bonn and is the international federation for nine sports, overseeing world championships and other events in alpine skiing, athletics, biathlon, ice sledge hockey, cross-country skiing, powerlifting, shooting, swimming and wheelchair dance sport. “I see us having three key objectives going forward,� Craven says. “One is to maintain the momentum with the Paralympic Games; two is to increase greatly the number of participants in Paralympic sport throughout the world, and our intention is for that to happen primarily through our Agitos Foundation; thirdly, we want > " ƒ our partners are asking for, whether that’s sponsors or television companies – they

want far more para-sport on the screens and therefore it is very important that we’re putting a lot of effort into promoting and improving the standard, the quality and the athlete experience.� Recent European championships in athletics, which took place in the Welsh city of Swansea, and swimming, in Eindhoven, Holland have been positively received and broadcast much more extensively than previous editions. The next major IPC competitions are the athletics worlds in Doha and the swimming equivalent in Glasgow, which are both scheduled for next year. As part of the IPC’s 25th celebrations, its members will gather in Germany to, as Craven puts it, “frame� the strategic plan which will underpin the organisation’s activities between 2015 and 2018. Further development of the Agitos Foundation, the IPC’s development and education arm Agitos means ‘I move’ in Latin - which launched at London 2012, is a priority, as is the continued development of the Paralympic brand. WPP founder Sir Martin Sorrell’s comment in Sochi that, when it comes to the Paralympics, corporate social responsibility had been replaced by corporate social opportunity has also struck a chord. “I fully back that up,� Craven says, “and I think if you look at that and look at the other strategic objectives, where we’re looking to enhance our partnerships and to improve our internal structures, so we’re more capable of managing and developing our opportunities, I think we’ve done a pretty good job. But we’re not an organisation that rests on its laurels, and we’re looking to the future based on what’s happened in the past.� A silver celebration, then, in the middle of the IPC’s golden era.

The agitos, symbols of the Paralympic movement, now have an IPC foundation named after them

110 | www.sportspromedia.com

18 SPORTS CONFERENCES 1 COMBINED EXHIBITION ALL AT 1 VENUE

WORLD’S LARGEST SPORTS CONVENTION IN 2014

December 10-11, 2014 Palexpo, Geneva www.geneva2014.com info@sdmworld.com www.internationalsportsconvention.com

Event Organiser

FEATURE | SOCCER

Indian summer The Indian Super League is the latest attempt to revive the fortunes of the world’s most popular sport in its second most populous country. All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das outlines aims for the commercially focused concept to work in tandem with grassroots initiatives, addressing years of neglect to create a new future.

By Eoin Connolly

H

istory only seems inevitable on the second reading. In 1950, fresh from a promising display at the 1948 Olympic Games in London, the Indian national soccer team turned down a place at the Fifa World Cup in Brazil. Legend has it that a mercurial side was withdrawn after being denied the right to play barefoot; the more prosaic retellings suggest the All India Football Federation (AIFF) misjudged the value of the competition against the penury of long-haul travel. Either way, India never earned the right to go back. Today, sport in India means cricket – or, at least, the sports industry does. Cricket World Cup glory in 1983 ignited a potent mixture of national pride and latent post-colonial aspiration. When the game commercialised in the 1990s and

early 2000s, it went stratospheric. The present-day status of cricket as one of the world’s richest sports owes almost everything to the obsessive interest of the billion-strong, media-savvy subcontinent. The world’s richest sport, soccer, took the opposite journey, but its decline was as much to do with fecklessness as fate. “They actually won the Asian Games gold medal twice, in ’51 and ’62, but what happened after that is that the other countries – south-east Asian countries like Japan and Korea, and some of the Middle Eastern countries – put in place a very robust youth development plan which helped them create better players,� says Kushal Das, the general secretary of the AIFF. “India, for now, was unable to put that plan in place, and for quite some time we carried on with the same structure, where

ISL players were selected in a draft, rather than the auction used in cricket’s Indian Premier League

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it was essentially competitions but no real development programme being carried out. The consequences were that over that the years, the quality of the players who were coming through the system went down drastically and, as a result, the national team were unable to perform too well. “Because of that and because of the general fall in the standard of football – as compared to the other countries, especially with the European leagues being telecast here in India – people felt that Indian football was not really up to the mark. So a lot of viewership went away from Indian football and obviously, therefore, the money also dried up and

} in a situation where we needed money to develop Indian football and at the same time the money would only come in if they saw a better Indian side or football in the country was developing. So it was a chicken and egg situation.� The answer to that apparently insoluble problem may have come in the form of IMG-Reliance, a joint venture created in the spring of 2010 by the global sports and entertainment agency and the

Youngsters take part in a soccer training camp in Kolkata: the AIFF hopes that the Indian Super League can help infuse the game with life at the grassroots

Indian conglomerate. It was seeking new sporting investment opportunities in the country and quickly decided that soccer had considerable potential for growth. The secret of soccer in India is that its popularity never disappeared, but became increasingly diffuse. While satellite television has given most supporters a foreign focus for their interest, there are still pockets of local fanaticism. The century-old Kolkata derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, for example, remains one of the most keenly watched Π|

" curiosity, IMG-Reliance hoped to bring resources and expertise. In December 2010 it entered a 15year, US$155 million development partnership with the AIFF. The national governing body could now address the grassroots of the game, which had withered with neglect. Rob Baan became ` __ƒ in October 2011. Academies were launched, coach education programmes X [ X

“What we felt was also necessary was something at the top of the pyramid to bring in the visibility, to bring in the money.� implementing such projects across India’s vast and diverse system of states. The other end of the structure also needed urgent attention. The I-League, a typical domestic competition “played [ home and away basis, with relegation, promotion�, had grown moribund,

interest. It would not be able to provide the AIFF and IMG-Reliance on its own. “What we felt was also necessary was something at the top of the pyramid to bring in the visibility, to bring in the money,� recalls Das, “and our partners felt that at this point in time it would be good to have a short league which would try and get some of the better players in the world.

“It’s a big challenge, as we all know, because leagues across the world are happening at that time, but we felt that if we could at least get some good players and create a package which is more attractive, automatically it would help Indian football. There would be a trickle-down effect across Indian football, would get the resources required for the development of Indian football.� The eventual result was the Indian Super League (ISL), a short, sharp, franchise-based competition which borrows self-consciously from cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL), in which IMG was a founding party. Set to launch in the coming months, the ISL will feature eight teams in cities across the country. Player line-ups formed mostly of local SportsPro Magazine | 113

FEATURE | SOCCER

AIFF general secretary Kushal Das is “fairly confident the game is improving� in India, citing uplifts in development and governance as evidence

talent will be leavened by international X | ‘marquee’ signing apiece, with the stars of Bollywood and Indian cricket set to appear pitchside to draw the attention of the mass media. The ISL was announced in October 2013 when broadcast giant Star agreed a deal for a one-third stake – alongside IMG-Reliance and the AIFF – and ten years of media rights for a reported sum of US$324.7 million. The individual franchises were put out to tender earlier this year, with the ` Bidders were required to put forward a US$1 million bank guarantee to enter with a base price for each franchise set at an annual US$2 million. Franchises were sold in eight of the nine listed cities – with Chennai a late entrant after Bangalore’s withdrawal in August – with a smorgasbord of owners including media ‰ > X from business and banking, cricketing legends Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, and Bollywood icons Salman Khan and John Abraham. Speaking to the SportsPro website in April, IMG Media senior vice president for global business development in football Jeff Slack said the organisers were “thrilled� with the winning franchise bids. “If you took our dream list, this would be it,� he said. “It’s an amazing combination of some very strong industrial, commercial entities with a who’s who of Indian sports and Bollywood.� 114 | www.sportspromedia.com

He added: “What we were trying to do was create a situation of partnership with these owners. I think we’ll manage this differently from the IPL. We know we need these guys to make the sport successful. This is not cricket.� The bid evaluation process was managed by EY, formerly Ernst & Young, while the commitment to transparency was such that tender documents were published in national newspapers. “We had 30 groups come and pick up our bids,� said Slack. “We answered over 200 questions from those bids; we tried to answer every single question. And if somebody asked a question we sent that and our answer to everyone who picked up a bid.� Once certain criteria were met, the new ISL teams and owners were chosen in part on their business case and in part on the interest in soccer in each city. “So we have places like Goa, where probably the market is not so developed but it is [ X‚ ]

“Kolkata is both, because it has a market and it’s a huge footballing state.� Commercially, at least, the initial signs have been promising. In July, Hero Motorcorp agreed a three-year deal to become the title sponsor of the ISL for

]

 [ more than probably any sporting property in India except for cricketâ€?.  Â‹ [X‚

[ X  good thing is they’ve moved out of cricket; they’d like to concentrate on football, which is good news for us. In fact, Mr Brijmohan Munjal, who is the

chairman and managing director of Hero, recently met Mr [Sepp] Blatter in Brazil and he indicated that they would like to be associated with football in a big way and especially Fifa as a property, mentioning the U17 World Cup.� ]

 Â‚ associate partners to prop up the

’ [ promoting the tournament. The primary advocate for the league, though, will be broadcaster Star. “Star is very well known for promoting the events and very well known for the quality of its production. The quality of football production in India hasn’t been too good so far – mainly because it’s a

” €~| | and do a good production requires money Which is not the case here. “We have strong partners like IMG, Reliance and Star together – money is probably not such a huge constraint. So we expect the quality of the production to be very good compared to the level of international football. We think that the promotional strategy that Star is going to adopt will certainly bring in the necessary eyeballs. “ What remains uncertain is the appeal of the action on which those eyeballs are trained. There are high-calibre individuals taking part, particularly among the marquee players, like French World Cup winners Robert Pires and David Trezeguet, and the former England

goalkeeper David James. But there is no disguising the fact that these are talents whose primes have long since passed. Das accepts that this is one of the risks attached with launching any new league, but believes that while they may be slower in step, they can carry the ISL forward. “Some of them are legends and Indians like history and like to watch legends,� he says, “so I think we are reasonably watch. You know, this system or this practice of getting some slightly older players from around the world to come has been done fairly successfully in Japan and even in Australia. So we also think that we will be successful in this model.� The ISL is set to run from 12th October to 20th December. Its start date has been pushed back on more than one

X the latest move made to accommodate the Champions League T20 cricket tournament in September and a brace of India friendlies in a Fifa-mandated window in early October. Wary of their “new baby� being “stillborn�, Das says, the organisers were keen to ensure they were neither taking on a major bat-andball event nor setting off without Indian international footballers. The ISL experience is one which could prove valuable to domestic players. Its place in the wider context of Indian soccer has not been forgotten. “There is a very, very onerous developmental aspect to it which has been cast upon the franchisees,� says Das. “They have to

[ the grassroots, starting from year one, and from the third or fourth year they have to set up their academies.� For the time being the ISL will coexist with the more established I-League, serving as its lead-off event in the Indian domestic calendar. Certainly, one of the central challenges in spiriting the ISL into being was making sure that clubs in the I-League, which was itself only relaunched a few years ago, were not scared off or disenchanted. “Initially, there was resistance, I’ll be honest about it,� says Das. “Because most of the I-League clubs felt that this was a product which was competing – and maybe they are right, in a way. In some ways, this is a product which is competing with another product owned by us called the

The ISL teams and owners Team

City

Owners

AtlĂŠtico de Kolkata

Kolkata

Former cricketer Sourav Ganguly, Harshavardhan Neotia, Sanjiv Goenka, Utsav Parekh, AtlĂŠtico Madrid

Delhi Dynamos FC

Delhi

DEN Network

FC Pune City

Pune

Bollywood actor Salman Khan, Wadhawan Group

Goa

Goa

Videcon Group, Dattarao Salgaocar, Dempo

Kerala Blasters FC

Kochi

PVP Ventures, former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar

Mumbai City FC

Mumbai

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, Bimal Parekh

NorthEast United FC

Guwahati

I-League team Shillong Lajong, Bollywood actor and producer John Abraham

Team Chennai

Chennai

TBC

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and Bollywood actor Salman Khan are backing ISL teams

I-League. But when we explained to them the whole basis and rationale behind it, I think the response was turned round quite

[

[ ‚ Such has been the turnaround, in fact, that six of the ten I-League clubs already have links in place with ISL franchises, ranging from technical tie-ups to – in the case of Shillong Lajong and Guwahati’s NorthEast United FC – an ownership stake. The Kolkata clubs, East Bengal and Mohun ; X  [ quantitiesâ€? to their local franchise. More exciting to Das, however, is the identity of a minority shareholder in that team. AtlĂŠtico de Kolkata will be partly owned by the champions of Spain, AtlĂŠtico Madrid. “That, I think, might be a big gamechanger for Indian football,â€? he suggests.

“I understand, although I’m not 100 per cent sure, that the Kolkata team is going to go to use the facilities of AtlĂŠtico Madrid to train and practise for a month. Now, something like that can change the whole dynamics for the Indian players, especially their exposure, their learning. Something like this is what we’ve always wanted. We’ve always wanted this to happen and the good news is that it has happened – over a limited outcome but we’re sure it can happen in a much bigger way.â€? There are other adherents to this nascent trend, although no other foreign teams have yet taken equity stakes. “The Delhi Dynamos are tied up with Feyenoord from Holland,â€? reveals Das. “The Pune franchise are tied up with Fiorentina.â€? Team Chennai have a technical collaboration in place with Inter Milan. SportsPro Magazine | 115

FEATURE | SOCCER

The Fifa U17 World Cup

T

he autumn of 2014 may prove auspicious for the All India Football Federation as it launches the Indian Super League, but there is another date ahead

the national development of the sport. ~ €'X tournament for international teams, the Fifa U17 World Cup. “It’s a very young nation, and the youth of the country will be very, very excited about the U17 World Cup happening in India,� says AIFF general secretary Kushal Das. “It will

Such partnerships may prove the most logical and effective way of exploiting Indian interest in European leagues but, primarily, the hard work will have to be done at home. Alongside initiatives to grow the sport at the grassroots have come measures to further professionalise the club game, with a licensing system for I-League teams proving particularly effective. “They are now concentrating on fan development, they’re concentrating on youth development, on marketing their clubs,� says Das, who cites the activities of Indian champions Bengaluru FC, with

Fifa president Sepp Blatter greets Praful Patel, his AIFF counterpart, in India in March 2012

their branded team plane, as evidence of the value of the new regulations. Bengaluru FC won the I-League at the

“These are innovations which are happening in Indian football which [ is improving,� Das adds, “and it’s only a matter of time before we take it to the next level.� What level that will be is open to conjecture. Das believes other sports in India must continue to be “realistic� in the face of cricket’s dominance, though

One-time Premier League stars David James and Robert Pires are among the older players who have been persuaded to put off retirement and add a touch of name recognition to the ISL project

116 | www.sportspromedia.com

[ popularity of the game. So I think it’s a very important aspect. And on top of that, it puts pressure on us to improve the infrastructure – the stadiums, the training ground, etc – and prepare a very competitive U17 World Cup team. “If you look at it, this team – the U17 World Cup team in 2017 – if developed properly, can also go on to play in the U20 World Cup in 2020. And I’m hoping that we would be successful in making a bid for the U20 World Cup in 2020. It’s a clear pathway from the U17 to the U20 and then to the senior team.�

he does see grounds for encouragement in the relative success of franchise leagues in badminton, hockey and Kabbadi. He also sees a model in the Board of Control for Cricket in India, particularly in the way it has spread its abundant wealth around the state associations. India refused to set off for one World Cup in Brazil and could barely have been further from reaching the other one. A few weeks on from this year’s tournament the world’s second most populous nation stood a mighty 150th in the Fifa rankings, level with Malta, one place behind Antigua and Barbuda. But this could yet prove a pivotal decade for Indian soccer. By the end of it, Das hopes the country will be a force in the Asian game again, with a major domestic competition – the I-League, the ISL or some combination of the two – worthy of the description. India will host the Fifa U17 World Cup in 2017, something Das believes will be “a very, very important milestone.� The senior World Cup may be somewhat further down the road but it is at least a destination the AIFF wants to reach. “People keep asking me,� chuckles ]

X

India, “and, I have to be honest, I think ƒ [ question right now because there’s such a long way to go. “But I would think, realistically, maybe after 2026. If we make it to the 2026 World Cup, it’ll be great, but perhaps after that is something we can really target.�

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COMPANY PROFILE

UIPM heads to university Earlier this year modern pentathlon was included as a new sport of the International University Sports Federation in the world university programme. More than 32 sports had expressed an interest in joining the programme, but with over 60 sports already present in the FISU family, just two were chosen.

Scenes from Nanjing’s Youth Olympics: laser shooting in the combined event; athletes meet IOC president Thomas Bach; women’s winner Zhong Xiuting

T

he Union de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) is the world governing body for the Olympic sport of modern pentathlon and all its sub-sports. In Ancient Greece the pentathlon, which consisted of running the length of the stadium, jumping, throwing the spear, throwing the discus and wrestling, was €‡ = [ ' ‡ ;< of unique importance in the Games. It was considered to be the climax, with the winner ranked as victor ludorum. Admiration for the ancient pentathlon was fully shared by the founder of the = [ X ; { < X €Š€~ modern pentathlon – consisting of the X X swimming, horse riding and running – at the Olympic Games in Stockholm. He believed that this would best “test a man’s moral qualities as much as his physical resources and skills, producing thereby the ideal, complete athlete�. Today, modern pentathlon is practised worldwide The International University Sports Federation (FISU) is responsible for the supervision of the summer and winter Universiade, as well as the } # [ < X 118 | www.sportspromedia.com

as the governing body of worldwide competitions for student-athletes between €' ~‡

€Š�Š values and encourage sports practice in harmony with and complementary to the university spirit. FISU has member

regions. Development that is not only intellectual, but also moral and physical, is a fundamental objective for FISU. The recognition and inclusion of modern pentathlon within FISU prompted a long-term project worldwide. A variety of educational and competition activities will strengthen and promote both federations’ global goals. Modern pentathlon and its sub-sport programmes are implemented at selected universities. Educational material, equipment, knowledge and guidance – especially for the challenging combined event, which consists of running and shooting – are provided. New technologies are shared. The current format includes four series of ‘eco-friendly’ laser shooting, split up [ ‡ To establish a series of international competitions is another important step, } # [ < ~ €‡ ` X UIPM will be part of the International

# [ ; > ] ~ €Â? \ ÂłX ; ‘ Modern beach triathle will be the selected sub-sport, consisting of swimming, running and laser shooting. The following [ international modern pentathlon event – _ %# } # [ \ { < ÂŒ  me proud and is an honour to have the opportunity to compete as an athlete with students from all around the world at the highest level,â€? said GĂŠoffrey Megi, and international pentathlete and student. However, the collaboration goes [ [

share a common interest in education and development towards ‘excellence in body and mind’. Merging the educational spirit in sport and academic careers are mutual commitments for both FISU and the UIPM, as Shiny Fang, the general secretary of the UIPM, reiterates: “Merging the educational spirit in the sport, educating students through the sport was, is and will be more underlined by UIPM through different sport formats and all kinds of physical and mental training.� For more information, visit www.pentathlon.org

DEALS

DEALS REVIEW Sports industry deal-making highlights from August 2014 NBA star Durant dealt bumper Nike renewal Reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant has extended his current shoe deal with Nike for an estimated ten years. Rival sports brand Under Armour had offered Durant, 25, between US$265-285 million but this offer was matched by Nike, who exercised their right to meet any outside offer for the star. It is believed that the power forward will make more in the next two years from his Nike deal than the US$41.2 million he is set to earn in wages from his current club, the Oklahoma City Thunder, during the same period. The overall value of Durant’s contract

with Nike could reach over US$300 million, if his stock continues to rise. According to SportsOneSource, Nike’s signature KD shoe generated US$175 million in sales in the last year alone. Omar Saad, senior managing director of ISI, insisted: “For Nike, this was nothing to them. They could easily build Durant’s business enough, assuming normal margins, where they could

#%&Ž a year.� Nike also boasts deals with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, making it the clear frontrunner in terms of NBA player endorsements.

IMG confirms NFL media deal in Asia \>

National Football League (NFL) that will see the agency market media rights in

parts of Asia for the next three years. IMG has been licensing NFL TV ^

years, and has been selling in Asia ahead of the 2014/15 NFL season, which began last night. “IMG has proven to be a successful partner for us in Europe and we are pleased to expand our business with them into Asia,� said the NFLin a statement announcing the agreement. “We believe IMG will help expand our reach in the region offering market expertise and building bridges for us with local networks.�

“We have developed an excellent relationship with the NFL and an understanding of their property as a global sport which has helped maximise revenue, expand coverage and increase awareness of the brand worldwide,� said IMG senior vice president and head of media, North America, Hillary Mandel. “Therefore we are delighted they have extended our partnership into the Asian market, where we have vast experience and local market expertise through our ‚ < X territories within Asia, were not released.

Shield, Senior Shield, FA Cup and Playoffs will be monitored each season. The agreement was signed at the Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester, where the Hong Kong FA’s chief executive Mark Sutcliffe (above left) and Sportradar’s director of integrity Darren Small (above  |

“It has really been impossible to ignore the credibility and reputation of Sportradar’s Security Services both in the region and internationally,� said Sutcliffe. “So to have the FDS monitoring all our professional level football is reassuring and to have that in place for three seasons underlines our own commitment to keeping our competitions safe. “Soccerex is the forum where football meets and to be able to put pen to paper here in Manchester and to be able to show our resolve to our fellow football | this morning was an opportunity the Hong Kong FA could not miss.�

Hong Kong FA to employ Sportradar’s Fraud Detection System The Hong Kong Football Association has entered into a long-term monitoring partnership with betting fraud detection specialist Sportradar. Under the agreement the governing body will utilise London-based Sportradar’s Fraud Detection System (FDS), which is designed to provide intelligence on global betting patterns. The Hong Kong FA will use the system to monitor over 100 games per season, with the partnership initially running until July 2017. Games from Hong Kong’s Premier League, League Cup, Community 120 | www.sportspromedia.com

Dortmund announce share issue as Signal Iduna extends naming rights contract German soccer giants Borussia Dortmund have announced a share issue intended to raise up to â‚Ź114 million (US$152 million) in extra capital, with three of the club’s main corporate backers agreeing to buy the majority of the shares. The Bundesliga club said it would create around 24.5 million additional shares at a price of â‚Ź4.66 per share in Evonik Industries, the club’s main shirt sponsor, kit supplier Puma and Signal Iduna Group, which holds the naming rights to Dortmund’s home ground, have agreed to purchase up to 17.6 million of the shares. “We are delighted that Evonik, Puma and Signal Iduna, the three most important sponsors of Borussia Dortmund, have decided to take a stake,â€? said Dortmund chief executive HansJoachim Watzke. “Borussia Dortmund in turn will not [ [ alliances but is looking forward to

Las Vegas MLS plan boosted after city agrees stadium deal Plans to take Major League Soccer (MLS) to Las Vegas have taken a major step forward

an agreement to construct a new soccer stadium in the Nevadan desert city. The 24,000-seat stadium, designed

[ \‹% X

in the city’s downtown Symphony Park area, according to the deal announced by the city of Las Vegas, The Cordish Companies and Findlay Sports & Entertainment.

intensive networking both at home and abroad.� Buying into the club’s holding company, Borussia Dortmund KgaA,

bolsters the already substantial investments all three companies have in the eight-time German champions. As well as purchasing shares Signal Iduna has also elected to extend its naming rights deal until 30th June 2026. The company has held the rights to the 82,720-capacity Signal Iduna Park since October 2005. Financial terms of the renewal were not released. Evonik, meanwhile, acquired a nine per cent stake in Dortmund in June and, at the same time, prematurely extended its kit sponsorship contract until 30th June 2025. Puma’s long-term supply deal, signed in 2012, runs until 30th June 2020. It is thought to be worth ₏6-7 million per year. In a statement, Dortmund said they intend to use around ₏40 million of the gross proceeds generated from the share sale to pay off debts. The new share issue will go some way to bridging the gap between the club and their arch rivals Bayern Munich, the reigning Bundesliga champions who themselves have previously sold stakes to commercial partners Adidas, Audi and Allianz.

A non-binding term sheet covering the key points of the agreement will be put to a Las Vegas City Council vote on 1st October. If approved, a binding development agreement would then be put to the council in December. The total project cost for the team and stadium including interest on bonds over the next thirty years is US$410 million. Of that, 69 per cent would be privately funded and 31 per cent would come from public sources such as taxes collected from tourists and public infrastructure funds. A statement from the project overseers said the venue would only be built if the Findlay-Cordish partnership is awarded an MLS team. The partnership would be responsible for all costs associated with the franchise, including the design and construction of the city-owned stadium. Once the stadium is open and operating, the Findlay-Cordish partnership would

cover any operating losses during the next 30 years. The team would also sign a longterm lease and agree to stay in the city for the same period of time. The Findlay-Cordish partnership is split 50/50. Findlay Sports & Entertainment, founded with the sole intention of taking MLS to Las Vegas, is a locally owned company, while Cordish Companies is one of America’s largest real estate It is estimated that the proposed venue would generate more than US$9 million in annual tax revenue for the state, county, city and other local entities. It could create more than 1,200 jobs, including 525 in construction and 700 permanent jobs. As well as hosting an MLS franchise, the stadium would also be used for other community events and would feature state-of-the-art concession and fan entertainment experiences.

For more information on these deals and daily updates from across the sports industry, visit

www.sportspromedia.com SportsPro Magazine | 121

DEALS

DIRECTORY OF SPONSORSHIP DEALS SIGNED IN AUGUST 2014 Juventus agree US$136 million Fiat extension Italian Serie A soccer champions Juventus have renewed their longrunning deal with carmaker Fiat. The " |

six-year extension to its front-of-shirt sponsorship, which will now run until the end of the 2020/21 season. The new deal will come into effect from the 2015/16 season and is worth around â‚Ź17 million (US$22.75 million) per season, with additional performancebased bonuses available. Fiat will also

[ X who won their third successive Serie A title in 2013/14. Juventus and Fiat are both controlled by the Exor group of companies owned by the family of Juventus president Andrea Agnelli. In a continuation of the current agreement, struck in April 2012, the Jeep logo will be branded on the front of the club’s shirts. Jeep is owned by American car group Chrysler, a global strategic partner of Fiat. The previous contract was said to be worth ₏35 over three years. Length of contract: 6 years Annualised value: US$22.75 million Overall value: US$136.5 million Sport: Soccer Xfinity replaces Nationwide as series sponsor /

tier championship will be known as the – [ % [ – [ / start of the 2015 season, the insurance % 2013 that it would not be extending its deal after a seven-year association. SportsBusiness Journal – [ will spend US$9 million per season as a pure rights fee, down from Nationwide’s US$10 million, but has committed to a major package of activation and media spending which could take its total outlay to around US$200 million. Length of contract: 10 years Annualised value: US$9 million Overall value: US$90 million Sport: Motorsport 122 | www.sportspromedia.com

Algerian FA to land support from Mobilis The Algerian Football Federation ÂŞ_`_ÂŤ

[ | year sponsorship deal with Mobilis. The Algerie Telecom subsidiary, which is already the title sponsor of the top ` X replace Kuwaiti-based Ooredoo as the lead partner of Algeria’s men’s, women’s, under-20 and under-18 national teams. Its branding will appear on the team’s playing and training kits. In addition, Mobilis will sponsor the country’s ` La Tribune newspaper, Mobilis comprehensively outbid Ooredoo and another Algerian telecoms brand, Djezzy, in an open tender for the sponsorship. Mobilis is said to have committed DZD2.4 billion (US$30 million), far in excess of Ooredoo’s DZD900 million offer and the DZD410 million put forward by Djezzy. Length of contract: 5 years Annualised value: US$6 million Overall value: US$30 million Sport: Soccer Cannondale replaces Garmin-Sharp American bike manufacturer Cannondale

sponsor of the US top-tier cycling team currently known as Garmin-Sharp. Cannondale has signed a three-year deal with the team’s management company, Slipstream Sports, and will act as both sponsor and bike supplier to the team from next year. The deal includes an option to extend for a further three years. Garmin, the global positioning system manufacturer that has sponsored the team since 2008, will continue as a partner but at a lower level. The deal is likely to be | year, with Slipstream Sports retaining the right to sell another title sponsorship slot. Garmin-Sharp are currently supplied bikes by Cervelo. Length of contract: 3 years Annualised value: US$7 million Overall value: US$21 million Sport: Cycling

3M swaps Roush Fenway for Hendrick 3M will adjust its Nascar sponsorship strategy for 2015 and beyond, after striking a deal with Hendrick Motorsports to back Jeff Gordon’s car. The company will sponsor Gordon, a four-time Nascar Sprint Cup champion, at 11 Sprint Cup races in each of the next three seasons. " [ on Gordon’s car for 2015, with Axalta signed up for 10 races and the Drive to End Hunger programme re-signing last week for 13 Sprint Cup events. The remaining four races will be split equally between Pepsi and Panasonic. 3M is [ > ; ƒ Roush Fenway Racing team car, but that deal is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2014 and will now not be renewed ; ƒ [ the team next season. Based on similar Nascar Sprint Cup primary sponsorships, the deal could be worth up to US$5.5 million per season to Hendrick. Length of contract: 3 years Annualised value: US$5.5 million Overall value: US$16.5 million Sport: Motorsport Kimberly-Clark extends Allmendinger deal Kimberly-Clark Corporation will continue as a major sponsor of driver AJ Allmendinger’s JTG Daugherty Racing car in the Nascar Sprint Cup until 2017. The company will use the sponsorship to promote several of its brands, including Scott, Viva, Kleenex, Cottonelle and Huggies. The deal is believed to be for 10 races per season over the next three years. The agreement could be worth up to US$5 million per season to the team. Allmendinger is in the middle of his

"> ] [ Nascar’s top tier. The deal was announced ahead of August’s race at Watkins Glen, ` ƒ % < [ 213 starts. Length of contract: 3 years Annualised value: US$5 million Overall value: US$15 million Sport: Motorsport

Philadelphia Union agree Bimbo extension Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union have extended their shirt sponsorship agreement with Bimbo Bakeries for a [ { [ |

Bimbo, whose logo has appeared on the team’s shirts since 2011, will pay a total of US$11 million over the deal’s |[ X in the Philadelphia Business Journal that cited ‘outside sources’. Bimbo is the US offshoot of Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo and operates more than 60 bakeries in the USA under a number of brands. Length of contract: 5 years Annualised value: US$2.2 million Overall value: US$11 million Sport: Soccer Take-off in the top flight for 1. FC KĂśln " `

airline of German soccer club 1 FC KÜln for the 2014/15 season. The association will be promoted through branding at the RheinEnergieStadion and through activities on social media and other channels. Financial terms were not released but the deal, brokered by Infront Sports & Media, is likely to be | ! in Germany in the spring had linked Turkish Airlines with a front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with 1 FC KÜln before retailer Rewe renewed its existing partnership. 1 FC KÜln won the 2. Bundesliga last season to earn promotion Length of contract: 1 year Annualised value: US$850,000 Overall value: US$850,000 Sport: Soccer Nascar: Arris to sponsor Edwards at JGR Nascar driver Carl Edwards is to join the Joe Gibbs Racing team for 2015 and will be sponsored by telecoms technology ` " “*|[ | team’s number 19 entry next year with Arris serving as his primary sponsor in 17 of the 36 scheduled Sprint Cup races. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed but based on other deals in Nascar, it could be worth in the region of US$8 million. Length of contract: 1 year Annualised value: US$8 million Overall value: US$8 million Sport: Motorsport

Jeep owner Chrysler has renewed its shirt sponsorship deal with Italian soccer champions Juventus

Leinster Rugby bank on ₏6 million renewal Leinster Rugby and the Bank of Ireland |[ renewal worth an estimated ₏6 million (US$7.9 million). The current Guinness Pro12 champions’ deal with the Irish bank was set to expire at the end of the upcoming season, with the bank given until October to renew its sponsorship. Nearly ₏1 million (US$1.3 million) of the funds generated from the deal will be used to promote the amateur game across the Irish province. Length of contract: 5 years Annualised value: US$1.58 million Overall value: US$7.9 million Sport: Rugby Rutgers to pocket US$5 million from new sponsors Rutgers University’s athletics department has struck sponsorship deals worth around US$5 million with a pair of local ! } # [ Hospital and AmeriHealth New Jersey, a local health insurance provider, will become major sponsors of the NCAA ] [ ; by IMG College, the deals reportedly include naming rights to the main gate at Rutgers’ HighPoint Solutions Stadium, along with additional signage and access to athletics facilities. Length of contract: 5 years Annualised value: US$1 million Overall value: US$5 million Sport: College sports

Caixa renews with Brazilian women’s soccer Brazilian state-owned bank Caixa Econômica Federal has renewed its sponsorship of the Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino soccer competition for a second edition. The deal, worth, as it was last year, a reported R$10 million (US$4.4 million), will see Caixa effectively bear the costs of the 20-team competition - notably the teams’ travel, accommodation and medical expenses. Women’s teams from familiar clubs such as Vasco and Botafogo compete in four "

between Caixa and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which sanctions the tournament. Length of contract: 1 year Annualised value: US$4.4 million Overall value: US$4.4 million Sport: Soccer BeMobile renews with Botswana league The Botswana Premier League has extended its sponsorship deal with Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) for a further three years. BTCL, through its BeMobile brand, has sponsored the country’s top soccer division since 2008. Local reports suggest the new deal could be worth US$3.3 million over its threeyear term. Length of contract: 3 years Annualised value: US$1.1 million Overall value: US$3.3 million Sport: Soccer SportsPro Magazine | 123

DEALS

Independiente cash in with new bank sponsor Top-tier Argentinian soccer side Atletico Independiente have signed a sponsorship deal with Banco Ciudad de Buenos Aires. The deal will last for the duration of the 2014/15 season and will see the bank’s logo emblazoned on the back of the club’s playing shirts. The bank will launch an Independiente-themed credit card for the club’s fanbase and will also have logos on static boards at the Libertadores de America stadium. Independiente are one of the biggest teams in Argentina, but spent last year in the second division, Length of contract: 1 year Annualised value: US$1 million Overall value: US$1 million Sport: Soccer India’s upcoming home cricket series against the West Indies are to be title sponsored by Micromax

Micromax to title sponsor India series Consumer electronics giant Micromax has secured title sponsorship of the Indian cricket team’s upcoming home series against West Indies, after taking the rights to all India internationals played on home soil in 2014/15. The deal follows an open tender issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in which Micromax was the sole bidder. The major domestic competitions, including the |

! " [X of Rs180.18 million (US$2.97 million). Length of contract: 1 year Annualised value: US$2.97 million Overall value: US$2.97 million Sport: Cricket

Singapore’s SEA Games secure fourth partner Communications and design specialist Kingsmen Creatives has been unveiled as the venue planning partner for next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. The deal is said to have a value of S$3 million (US$2.39 million), made up of in-kind services such as overlay works, venueplanning services, sales of advertising in venues, and site inspections. Singapore’s SEA Games will be held from 5th to 15th June next year, with more than 8,000 athletes set to compete in more than 400 events across 36 sports. Length of contract: 1 year Annualised value: US$2.39 million Overall value: US$2.39 million Sport: Multiple sports

Darlington renews Sprint Cup deal Darlington Raceway’s Nascar Sprint Cup event will be sponsored by Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n’ Biscuits until 2019, continuing a relationship which began in 2012. The event will continue to be known as the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Bojangles is also a sponsor of other events held at Darlington Raceway, including annual cook-offs, car shows and the Darlington Marathon. The Nascar portion of the deal could be worth up to US$2.5 million until 2019, with Sprint Cup race sponsorships tending to sell for around US$500,000. Length of contract: 5 years Annualised value: US$500,000 Overall value: US$2.5 million Sport: Motorsport

FC Augsburg renew with Stadtwerke Bundesliga club FC Augsburg have retained Stadtwerke Augsburg, the local public works company, as a sponsor for the new German soccer season. The deal

[ % X ƒ marketing partner. Stadtwerke Augsburg has signed a three-year contract, which will

ƒ home stadium, the SGL Arena. Fans with match tickets will continue to be able to use public transport to get to the stadium for free. The deal is likely to be worth a | | Length of contract: 3 years Annualised value: US$600,000 Overall value: US$1.8 million Sport: Soccer

124 | www.sportspromedia.com

Oral-B has brush with Atlanta Nascar race Oral-B served as the title sponsor of the Nascar Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The 2014 event, held over Labor Day weekend on 31st August, was known as the Oral-B USA 500. It was the penultimate race of Nascar’s regular season, before the beginning of the Chase % < " of the deal were not released but race title sponsorships in the Sprint Cup are typically worth around US$500,000. Length of contract: 1 year Annualised value: US$500,000 Overall value: US$500,000 Sport: Motorsport South Africa’s Platinum Stars seal deal Acelli is replacing Umbro as the technical sponsor of top-tier South African soccer club Platinum Stars. The deal will run for three years and see South Africa-based Acelli supply all kit to the Premier Soccer ‹ #

team’s kit for the previous two years. According to South African reports, the deal is likely worth around R$3 million (US$280,000) in total. “There has been a culture of not being transparent in football in South Africa and as Platinum Stars we want to break that culture and announce the value of our sponsorship with Kevro Sport [Acelli],� club chairman Ratanang Nke told Kickoff.com. Length of contract: 3 years Annualised value: US$93,333 Overall value: US$280,000 Sport: Soccer

IVY SPORTS SYMPOSIUM FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 | PRINCETON HYATT | PRINCETON, NJ

100+ SPEAKERS

500+

ATTENDEES

15+ PANELS

Some of our past and present speakers include:

7HDPV Wyc Grousbeck 0DQDJLQJ 3DUWQHU *RYHUQRU Boston Celtics Derrick Hall 3UHVLGHQW &(2 Arizona Diamondbacks Scott O’Neil &(2 Philadelphia 76ers & New Jersey Devils Lon Rosen (93 &02 Los Angeles Dodgers Mark Wilf 2ZQHU 3UHVLGHQW Minnesota Vikings Brett Yormark 3UHVLGHQW &(2 Brooklyn Nets & Barclays Center /HDJXHV Gary Bettman &RPPLVVLRQHU NHL Bill Daly 'HSXW\ &RPPLVVLRQHU NHL Joel Litvin 3UHVLGHQW /HDJXH 2SHUDWLRQV NBA Marc Reeves ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &RPPHUFLDO 'LUHFWRU NFL Heidi Ueberroth )RUPHU 3UHVLGHQW NBA International 0HGLD Bob Bowman 3UHVLGHQW &(2 MLB Advanced Media Tracy Dolgin 3UHVLGHQW &(2 YES Network Steve Hellmuth (93 2SHUDWLRQV DQG 7HFKQRORJ\ NBA Jon Litner *URXS 3UHVLGHQW NBC Sports Group Doug Perlman )RXQGHU &(2 Sports Media Advisors Russell Wolff (93 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU ESPN International 0DUNHWLQJ 6SRQVRUVKLS Lisa Baird &02 United States Olympic Committee Kathy Carter 3UHVLGHQW Soccer United Marketing Steve Tseng &KLHI 6DOHV 2IÄ&#x;FHU Women’s Tennis Association Mark Waller &02 NFL Michelle Wilson &02 WWE

$JHQFLHV Phil de Picciotto )RXQGHU 3UHVLGHQW Octagon David Falk )RXQGHU &(2 Falk Associates Management Enterprises Michael Levine &R +HDG CAA Sports George Pyne )RUPHU 3UHVLGHQW IMG Sports & Entertainment Jeff Schwartz )RXQGHU 3UHVLGHQW Excel Sports Management Arn Tellem 9LFH &KDLUPDQ 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU 7HDP 6SRUWV Wasserman Media Group %UDQGV Danielle Maged *OREDO +HDG %XVLQHVV 'HYHORSPHQW 3DUWQHUVKLSV StubHub Peter Moore &22 EA Sports Scott McCune )RUPHU 93 *OREDO 3DUWQHUVKLSV ([SHULHQWLDO 0DUNHWLQJ The Coca-Cola Company Jennifer Storms 693 *OREDO 6SRUWV 0DUNHWLQJ PepsiCo Greg Via *OREDO 'LUHFWRU 6SRUWV 0DUNHWLQJ Gillette &ROOHJLDWH $WKOHWLFV Sandy Barbour 'LUHFWRU RI $WKOHWLFV Pennsylvania State University James Delany &RPPLVVLRQHU Big Ten Conference Burke Magnus 693 3URJUDPPLQJ $FTXLVLWLRQV ESPN Mike Slive &RPPLVVLRQHU Southeastern Conference Greg Shaheen )RUPHU 693 %DVNHWEDOO %XVLQHVV 6WUDWHJLHV NCAA (PHUJLQJ 3URSHUWLHV George Daniel &RPPLVVLRQHU National Lacrosse League Will Dean )RXQGHU &(2 Tough Mudder Jonathan First 3UHVLGHQW United World Sports David Gross &RPPLVVLRQHU Major League Lacrosse Nigel Melville 3UHVLGHQW &(2 USA Rugby

REGISTER NOW AT SPORTSSYMPOSIUM.ORG 6SRUWV 6\PSRVLXP ,QF LV D QRQ SURÄ&#x;W RUJDQL]DWLRQ WKDW SURPRWHV WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI \RXQJ OHDGHUV WKURXJK DFFHVVLEOH VSRUWV EXVLQHVV HGXFDWLRQ 6SRUWV 6\PSRVLXP SURYLGHV D SODWIRUP IRU LQGLYLGXDOV SDVVLRQDWH DERXW WKH VSRUWV LQGXVWU\ DQG HQDEOHV WKHP WR VKDUH UHVRXUFHV EXLOG UHODWLRQVKLSV DQG FUHDWH RSSRUWXQLWLHV (QYLVLRQHG LQ E\ &KULV &KDQH\ DW 3ULQFHWRQ 8QLYHUVLW\ 6SRUWV 6\PSRVLXP ,QF KDV HYROYHG WR HQFRPSDVV HQJDJLQJ FRQWHQW IRU FDUHHU EXLOGHUV RI DOO DJHV

INDEX

Index of companies and people @THEOPEN

60

Bolt, Usain

82

DALLAS COWBOYS

96

Gerrard, Steven

82

360 ARCHITECTURE

32

Bon Jovi, Jon

96

Das, Kushal

112

GLENMUIR

38

A1 SPORTING MEMORABILIA

82

Bornstein, Steve

96

Davies, David

18

Goodell, Roger

90, 128

BOSTON CANNONS

102

Davies, Sir Howard

30

GOPRO

102

Botham, Sir Ian

82

DELHI DYNAMOS

112

Gordon, Josh

128

BP

78

DENTSU

32

Gosper, Brett

10

BRINE

102

DENVER BRONCOS

96, 128

Gowen, Jeff

BROOKLYN NETS

82

DENVER OUTLAWS

102

Graca, Ary

Brule, Tyler

30

Detaille, Stephane

38

90, 128

BSKYB

42

DFB

42

GREEN BAY PACKERS Gross, David

102

GUINNESS

42

Hadid, Zaha

ABC

68

Abraham, John

112

ADIDAS

32, 78

ADRENALINE

102

AEG AGITOS FOUNDATION AL JAZEERA Aliyev, Ilham ALL INDIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION ALTITUDE

90 108 42 78 112

BT SPORT Bubka, Sergey Buckland, Marcus

102

AMAZON

30

Anderson, Patrick

108

Asimakopoulos, Makis

BT

78

BUFFALO BANDITS BUFFALO BILLS BUFFALO SABRES

42 42 32 60 96 96 96

BBC

60

82

James, Ami

18

Heinlein, George

32

James, David

112

EREDIVISIE

42

ESPN

18, 42, 60, 68, 96, 130

Ho, Yang Song

130

Jeter, Derek

82

ESPN RADIO

60

EUROPEAN TOUR

38

EUROSPORT

6, 52

CDFM²

32

EY

38, 112

42

CEG TEK INTERNATIONAL

42

FANATICS AUTHENTIC

82

CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE

42

FANDUEL

130

42

CHANNEL 4 CHINA DAILY

30

CITIBANK

13

Clegg, Simon

78

CLEVELAND BROWNS

90, 96, 128

90

FC BARCELONA

18

FEI

32

FIBA

32

FIFA

38

BENGALURU FC

112

CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID

Berelloti, Georges

6

COCA-COLA

102

Blatter, Sepp

112

Coe, Lord Sebastian

32

BLOOMBERG SPORTS

32

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

68

BMW

38

CPISRA

108

78

FARMERS 108

BELL’S

BOA

32

82

BEIN SPORT

90

HEINLEIN SCHROCK STEARNS

90

78

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

60 18

EVERBANK

112

60

130

Djokovic, Novak

42

BEGOC

Ivanovic, Ana

HARVICK, KEVIN

CCTV

BCCI

82

42

42, 68, 96, 102

90, 128

42

HARRODS

38

CBS

BALTIMORE RAVENS

ITV

Hills, Richard

90

90

108

130

102

Cass, Dick

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

ISGMF

HANWHA EAGLES

JAPAN CONSORTIUM

102

38

32

James, LeBron

CASCADE

Ballesteros, Seve

32

Hanse, Gill

112

78

Bale, Gareth

ISAF

HERO MOTORCORP

Capralos, Spyros

Baker, Terry

42

78

78

32

32

10

IRDETO

EOC

CANON

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION

IRB

32

42

6

108

Hellmouth, Mike

CANAL PLUS

Bach, Thomas

IOSD

42, 52, 128

130

130

10, 32, 42, 108

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Busch, Kurt

AXIS 10

IOC

EBAY

32

42

52

32

30

ATLANTA FALCONS

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

6

108

68

INTERNATIONAL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL FEDERATION

42

128

52

DISCOVERY

108

78

BURGER KING BURNLEY FC

Augustin, JeanThierry

Dickson, Alan

38

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS BROADCASTING

BUNDESLIGA

30

60

DIAGEO

32

32

DORNA

ASTON MARTIN

ATP

Diack, Lamine

INTERNATIONAL SAMBO FEDERATION

Craven, Sir Philip

112

108

BOCA JUNIORS

96

Croft, Annabel

60

Bodenheimer, George

42

CVC CAPTIAL PARTNERS

52

126 | www.sportspromedia.com

10, 18, 42, 112, 128

FILA

32

Filiol, Geraldine

52

FIORENTINA

112

HOK

32

HOK SPORT VENUE EVENT

32

HOUSE OF RUTH

90

Hoyer, Paul-Erik

32

Humes, Marvin

38

HUMMEL

18

IAAF

32

ICBC

30

ICC

108

JOHNNIE WALKER

38

Johnson, Boris

30

Johnson, Dan

42

JON TIBBS ASSOCIATES

32

Jordan, Michael

108

Katsuyama, Brad

14

Khan, Salman

112

Kidd, Jodie

38

King, Justin

18 112 38

IJF

32

KINGFISHER EAST BENGAL FC

IMG

52, 60, 112

Kingsley, Tom

IMG-RELIANCE

112

Incognito, Richie

90, 128

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

112

INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE

112 96

Klausner, Eduardo

32

Klein, Philippe

30

L’EQUIPE 21

42

LA LIGA

42

Lacy, Tim

60

Lalovic, Nenad

32

Leiweke, Tim

90

FIVB

32

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

FORBES

82, 90

INFINITI

30

LEVI’S

90

FORMULA E

42

INFRONT SPORTS & MEDIA

42, 52

Levy, Marv

96

Lewis, Michael

14

Inselberg, Eric

82

LFP

18

INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE

6, 108

LI NING

32

LIGUE 1

42

FORMULA ONE

52

FOX SPORTS

42, 68, 102

Ganguly, Sourav

112

LIVE@WIMBLEDON

60

Lofthouse, James

13

Logano, Joey

130

Lundov, Lars

32

M&T BANK

82

MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE

102

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

42, 102

MANCHESTER UNITED FC

96, 130

NESPRESSO NETFLIX NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS NEW YORK GIANTS

Manning, Eli

82

Manziel, Johnny

90

Martin, Jonathan

90, 128

MAVERIK

102

MCDONALD’S

NBC

90

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS

MBC

NBA

NEW YORK YANKEES

18, 42, 68, 96, 102, 130 6, 42, 52, 68, 96, 108, 128 38

130

Pires, Robert

112

POPULOUS

32

PREMIER SPORTS

42

PRO 12

42

82, 96

Prud’homme, Laurent

52

82

42 32, 42, 68, 82, 90, 96, 102, 128

PSV EINDHOVEN

130

Putin, Vladimir

32

Rabil, Paul

102

RADIO WIMBLEDON

60

Rahimov, Azad

78

REAL MADRID CF

18

SKY

90 18

38

TURNER BROADCASTING

SKY DEUTSCHLAND

42

TV ASAHI

42

SKY ITALIA

42, 52

TWITCH

30 42

UMBRO

82 68

Rhodes, Mary

60

Sorrell, Sir Martin

30, 108

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

Rice, Ray

90, 128

32

UPPER DECK AUTHENTICATED

82

Robinson, Cara

60

SPORT EVENT DENMARK

42

112

96

SPORT1

VIDEOCON GROUP

ROCHESTER AMERICANS

VINE

42

ROCHESTER RATTLERS

102

32, 42, 68, 90, 96, 102

OAKLAND RAIDERS

90

Rodriguez, James

42

OCTAGON

96

Roethlisberger, Ben

128

Modell, Art

90

Olazabal, José Maria

38

Rogge, Jacques

6

MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL

102

OLYMPIC BROADCASTING SERVICES

78

Rolapp, Brian

96

ROLEX

ONE DIRECTION

60

ORLANDO MAGIC

130

Ourand, John

96

Ozanian, Mike

82

Palmer, Andy

30

102

60

96

Tuner, Jim

90

90

NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE

SIRIUS XM

Trump, Donald

18, 130

O’Neill, Kevin

42, 130

32

SOCCEREX

78

NASCAR

SINOPEC

Snyder, Daniel

60

MILLA

78

60

82

32

Nishikori, Kei

82

NAR MOBILE

52

Simister, Ben

112

TRI-STAR PRODUCTIONS

30

O’Neil, Scott

82

Shmulewitz, Yitz

Trezeguet, David

REUTERS

38

Naismith, Dr James

32

112

RENAULT

Mickelson, Phil

60

TOYOTA

SHILLONG LAJONG FC

42

78

Nadal, Rafael

38

13

NTV SPOR

130

78

SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY

UFXMARKETS

112

NAC BREDA

42

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC

30

30

60

TOP 14

SNAPDEAL

NORTHEAST UNITED FC

Murray, Andy

30

112

NISSAN

112

SHANGHAI MEDIA GROUP

RELIANCE

32

Munjal, Brijmohan

78

UEFA

METLIFE

42

TISSOT

TWITTER

42

128

42, 52

112

Messi, Lionel

Mueller, Robert S.

13

SERIE A

42

42, 52

MTV

Tindall, Mike

Slack, Jeff

MEDIASET

102

30

32

SKY SPORTS

30

MSG NETWORKS

TIM HORTONS

SEIKO

30

NIKKEI INC

30

90, 128

RED BULL RACING

6

MOZILLA

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

108

McPherson, Ian

18

60

NHK

96, 102

MOTOGP

82

THE ALL-ENGLAND LAWN TENNIS CLUB

102

NHL

30

TESCO

14

RED BULL

38

MONOCLE

32

SD PONFERRADINE

90

McIlroy, Rory

MLB

Schrock, Brad

NFLPA

112

90, 96, 128

PHILIPS

82, 96, 128

MCDOWELL’S MOHUN BAGAN AC

MIAMI DOLPHINS

102

42

Neymar

78

PHILADELPHIA WINGS

PRIMEIRA LIGA

130

42

96

30

Newman, Ryan

NFL

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Palmer, Janay

128

Payne, Michael

32

Peacock, Jonnie

108

SPORTACCORD

32

SPORTEL

6

VISITSCOTLAND

38

Vizer, Marius

32

Voyce, Tom

13

SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL

18

Squadron, Bill

32

VTB

32

ST LOUIS RAMS

90

Walker, Rob

60

STANDARD LIFE INVESTMENTS

38

Walrath, Gary

32

38

Walsh, Nuala

38

Romero, Manolo

78

STAPLES

90

Wardle, Simon

96

Ronaldo, Cristiano

42

STAR

112

WARRIOR

102

Rooney, Wayne

82

STATS

32

90, 96

Rosol, Lukas

60

Steadward, Bob

108

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Russo, Michelle

52

STEINER SPORTS

82

Welker, Wes

128

Ruth, George ‘Babe’

82

Steiner, Brandon

82

Wijeratna, Charlie

78

Saha, Louis

130

STX

102

Wilander, Mats

60

SAINSBURY’S

18

Wilkinson, Jonny

13

108

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

82

Samaranch, Juan Antonio

WME

52

TATTOODO

18

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

90

32

WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT

42

TDK TEAM CHENNAI

112

WPP

30, 108

Tebb, Steve

60

WTA

60

Pegula, Terry

96

Pele

82

Pena Nieto, Enrique

30 6, 52

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

90, 128

Perrette, JB PGA

42

SAUDI ARAMCO

130

TELECLUB

42

Xheng, Jie

60

PGA OF AMERICA

38

SC FREAMUNDE

14

Tendulkar, Sachin

112

YOUTUBE

30, 102

SportsPro Magazine | 127

FROM THE US BUREAU

From the US Bureau:

+ / 4 This summer has been one of new business and bad press for the National Football League ! " # games comes to a close, it was announced that the Green Bay Packers-Seattle Seahawks curtainraiser was watched by nearly 27 million viewers on NBC, marking a seven per cent increase on 2013. It was a headline-grabbing launch for the network’s new NFL coverage - part of the league’s bumper US$27 billion set of television contracts which come into effect this year - but off % % then. Firstly, the Miami Dolphins’ long-running locker room bullying scandal has reared its ugly head once again. Richie Incognito’s racist and homophobic harassment of fellow Dolphins player Jonathan Martin has been a thorn in the NFL’s side for almost a year now. And although Incognito’s three-month suspension and Martin’s move to San Francisco had seemed to put the issue to bed, old tensions have resurfaced as Martin &' colours and Incognito - who became a free agent after his Miami contract ended - looks for a new team. The case split opinion when ! * side of the fence was a group who argued Martin - a 6’ 5�, 312-pound Stanford graduate was not adhering to football’s macho code by ringing the bullying bell. As a fullygrown, well-educated man, Martin should have stood up for himself and dealt with the problem personally, rather than running

128 | www.sportspromedia.com

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was suspended indeďŹ nitely at the beginning of September to senior management, or so the theory goes. On the other side of the fence, meanwhile, another school of thought - which counts NFL commissioner Roger Goodell among its most esteemed alumni - believed Incognito deserved the harshest penalty possible. Bullying has no place in football, they argued. NFL stars are role models and, as such, Incognito needed to be made an example of, they said. And, given Goodell’s allegiances in this case, Incognito did indeed feel the full force of the NFL’s disciplinary procedures. However, Miami’s bullying culture did not receive renewed attention at the start of the season purely because of Incognito and Martin’s new teams (or lack thereof). It also served as a poignant counterpart to the Ray Rice case, which took a series of disturbing twists in early September. Most importantly, a video of the

running back’s thundering left hook to the jaw of Janay Palmer in a casino elevator was leaked online, instantly sparking a media brouhaha and forcing the NFL and Rice’s Baltimore Ravens to rethink their original sanctions. Rice has now been cut by his team and suspended the damage was well and truly done from an NFL and Ravens publicity standpoint. A question now frequently asked is: why was Incognito handed a three-month suspension, forced to face hours of questioning by legal professionals and put in the awkward position of consider a relatively innocuous misdemeanour, while Ray Rice was initially banned for just two games for knocking unconscious

full extent of Rice’s attack was not known when the original

punishment was handed down, although rumours are circulating at the time of writing that at least one NFL employee had seen the elevator footage as far back as April). And, remarkably, it seems a straight answer could be forthcoming after former FBI director, Robert S. Mueller III, was appointed to investigate the league’s handling of the incident. But, whatever the outcome, the Rice crisis will join a long list of questionable disciplinary decisions by the NFL. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, for instance, is currently serving a season-long ban for failing a marijuana test, while Wes Welker of the Denver Broncos is sitting out a four-game ban for testing positive for performanceenhancing amphetamines. Ben Roethlisberger, meanwhile, had his six-game ban for sexual assault allegations cut to four in 2010, although he never faced criminal charges. There have been some odd calls; some apparent errors of Y of hindsight, the NFL would no doubt change. But has this brand of crisis mismanagement had commercial consequences for the ] % which spend millions of dollars each year to partner with the 4 Have fans started to vote with

Former Miami Dolphins oensive tackleJonathan Martin

their feet and stop attending 8 above would appear to be no. The NFL, the most watched sport in America, has shown no signs that this much negative publicity will affect its bottom line. After all, the NFL’s revenues have risen from US$6.5 billion in 2006 - the year of Goodell’s 44 % 9;<' billion today. It is a moneymaking machine and as the new television contracts kick in, it will continue as such for the foreseeable future. In economics, price elasticity refers to the relationship between the demand for a product or service and its price. Electricity, water, fuel: consumers have very little option but to buy these products and, as such, they are price ‘inelastic’. That is, an increase in price does not result in a drop in sales because consumers need water, they will always have to heat their homes and, particularly in a sprawling city like Los Angeles, they will probably have a car. And the same pattern - albeit on a slightly different scale - applies here. NFL television rights will always sell, sponsors will always back the league and fans will always buy tickets because, quite simply, there is no alternative. The NFL, much likes soccer’s world governing body, Fifa, offers a product fans cannot get anywhere else and, consequently, no amount of negative publicity, bad decision-making or, = > corruption will permanently deter fans. The rule even applies more directly in price terms. In England, for instance, the price of an average ‘entry level’ season ticket in the Premier League rose by 6.5 per cent ?@K&QKV coming in at just over US$850.

The Richie Incognito saga continues to divide opinion

Perhaps more tellingly, newly promoted side Burnley played in front of capacity crowds at Turf Moor stadium for their two opening home games of the season, despite hiking their lowest-priced season ticket 44 &X 4 ! Meanwhile, football fans in the US face a similar conundrum: 4 Y % 9;<Z& % for an NFL ticket (or a US$122 average if you support the New England Patriots, the league’s most expensive-to-watch team) or stop going to games. The opening weekend of the NFL season has shown many football fans are more than willing to do the former. Put plainly, fans have no option but to keep coming back. They will always need life’s necessities, whether it be food, water, electricity, fuel or access to their favourite sport. While applying the price elasticity model to the NFL % 4 it begs the question: if football fans will continue backing the sport no matter what, is there any real imperative for the NFL to address its issues or for brands to stop pumping corporate cash the NFL integrity

Ian McPherson is SportsPro’s Los Angeles-based US correspondent. Twitter.com/iomcpherson

SportsPro Magazine | 129

DIARY

by The Scribbler

Still in the game The Scribbler enjoys mixing with retired footballing greats at Soccerex as much as the next slightly jaded hack but, it must be said, a handful are there mainly for the free drinks and company. Chapeau, then, to the former France international striker Louis Saha, who was in indefatigable form establishing his consultancy, Axis 10, at the recent Global Convention. Not only did the one-time Manchester United man deliver a talk about his new endeavour, he was networking at the company’s exhibition stand until the bitter end, chatting away

[

Sport’s new powers

Getting real

Oil giant Saudi Aramco is building 11 stadiums in two years, according to reports from Saudi Arabia, but even that plan for creating a new sporting power is not the most ambitious aired in recent / „ š % Ho told a rare cross-border meeting in Seoul in August that the state “has put forward sports as an important project in achieving the prosperity of the country and nation�. For all that sport can do, that might be a little much to ask.

The rise and rise of the fantasy league may be testament to the lengths a sports fan will go to avoid changing the subject, but it is also generating very serious business. New York-based FanDuel became a sponsor of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Orlando Magic in August, and its reported US$2 million a year deal makes it the team’s third-biggest backer. One could say the sector is going from fantasy to‌ well, you get the point.

Why-Fi?

The 51st state

Technology bods are ceaselessly talking up improved in-venue internet connections as a route to greater ‘fan engagement’ but, while that has its place, the Scribbler has been to all too many sporting events where mobile-toting fans have seemed, well, a little disengaged from the action. It seems he is not alone in this impression. Supporters of Dutch soccer club PSV Eindhoven responded with angry protests to plans for an improved wireless system at the Philips Stadion. Some carried a banner to August’s 6-1 win over NAC Breda which read: ‘Fuck Wi-Fi, support the team.’ With apologies for the language, but not the sentiment‌

It may lack the international appeal of other major motorsport series but the Scribbler has always been impressed by Nascar’s ability to connect with the American heartlands. It was cheering to see the | |

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the Cup posted to the farthest corners of North America for their media tour: Kurt Busch to San Antonio, Joey Logano to Talladega, Ryan Newman to Martinsville, and Kevin Harvick to‌ ESPN?

130 | www.sportspromedia.com

Rebuilding the fanbase Of course, if PSV die-hards’ habits are incompatible with 21st century technology, they could always be upgraded. Korean baseball’s perennially unfortunate Hanwha ^ � [ but won a huge cult following in the process. Now, the team’s owners have hit ‘ |

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