Juve keep Chinese deals flowing with Ganten renewal
December 16 – Juventus have extended their Official Water deal with Chinese mineral water firm Ganten for another three years, taking them through to 2023.
Football Marketing
China’s state TV channel drops Arsenal game after Ozil condemns muslim crackdown
December 16 – In an unprecedented move that illustrated the country’s sensitivity over human rights issues, China’s state broadcaster pulled Sunday’s Arsenal-Manchester showpiece fixture from its broadcast schedule after Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil criticised Beijing’s brutal crackdown on ethnic Muslims.
Konami adds RCD Mallorca to PES club partners with graphic boost
December 16 – Japanese eFootball gamemaker Konami has added LaLiga’s RCD Mallorca to partner clubs. Mallorca will feature in the 2020 edition of the game.
Digital primer: Seven League’s 7 trends and impact points for 2020
December 13 – Digital sport consultancy Seven League has released its 2020 Digital Trends for Sport report, and for anyone on the business side of sport grappling with their own digital strategy it is a focussing read.
Amazon to deliver more live football with Champions League package for Germany
December 13 – Online retail and delivery business turned entertainment streaming giant Amazon has taken another step into the live football rights market securing the rights to show selected Champions League matches in Germany.
Pixellot brings low cost, high volume content solution to football markets
By Paul Nicholson
December 12 – The five-year deal between Scotland’s SPFL and sports betting content hub IMG Arena will see a big step forward for sports broadcast technology company Pixellot in the European football market.
Canal+ and beIN Sports partner to counter threat of US streaming giants in France
December 10 – With the threat of broadcast disruption from the broadcast streaming giants and sports ambitious social networks looming over the traditional broadcast industry, and pay tv networks in particular, a distribution deal between Canal+ Group and beIN Sports in France could indicate a trend towards a new pathway for established rights holders.
EBU grabs rights to Women’s 2021 Euro, futsal and youth competitions
December 10 – The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has acquired the rights to the Women’s Euro 2021 for more than 50 European territories.
Marathonbet double up on Man City with training kit branding deal
December 9 – Manchester City has built on its partnership with its official betting partner Marathonbet making the online bookmaker the club’s first training kit partner in what is reportedly an eight-figure deal.
UEFA to open tender process for official match ball and equipment for 2021-24 cycle
December 9 – UEFA is set to launch a new tender for official match ball and equipment supplier status for its club competitions. The period covered is the commercial cycle 2021 to 2024.
Man Utd join Alibaba for major content-driven foray into China
December 6 – Manchester United have unveiled a partnership with Alibaba Group that will see club content on Alibaba’s digital platforms for the first time in China.
Lagardere in African limbo as CAF contract dispute heads for Swiss courts
By Osasu Obayiuwana
December 5 – The consequences of the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to terminate its $1 billion, 12-year marketing contract with Lagardere Sports (LS) continue to reverberate at the French company, with staff of its Africa Division uncertain of their future.
Mediapro take UEFA court over TV deal-making with beIN and Canal Plus
December 5 – Spanish TV group Mediapro are taking UEFA to court for allegedly altering submission bids for the Champions League for 2021-2024 in favour of France’s Canal Plus and Middle East broadcasting giant beIN Sports.
Ooredoo connects for local sponsorship of Club World Cup
December 4 – Qatari telecoms company Ooredoo has become a local sponsor of the Club World Cup which kicks off on December 11 in Doha, Qatar.
Juve and Socios.com launch $JUV fan token with a song
December 4 – Juventus fans are being given the opportunity to vote on the new goal celebration song that will be played when their team score at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.