By Paul Nicholson
March 10 – A sign that the broadcast sales of sports rights is shifting away from traditional platform sales to embrace the digital distribution options more fully can be seen from the partnership just announced by MP & Silva with Simplestream.
By Mark Baber
March 4 – US sportswear giant Nike is reportedly prepared to offer Barcelona €85 million a year, plus bonuses bringing the total up to €100 million to extend the current sponsorship contract which expires in 2018.
By Ben Nicholson
March 4 – En route to becoming a leading world soccer league, the MLS is innovating by placing microphones on coaches during nationally televised TV games so that viewers can hear the words coming from the horse’s mouth.
By Paul Nicholson
March 3 – While international interest in China has generally been inward looking with big name players from Europe making big money transfers to Chinese clubs, the Chinese Super League (CSL) itself is also looking outward and has appointed IMG as the exclusive sales agent for its global TV rights outside of China.
By Samindra Kunti
March 3 – This summer’s centennial Copa America tournament in the US, the first time CONMEBOL has held the tournament outside South America and which will feature six teams from CONCACAF, has signed three high profile sponsor partners in Coca-Cola, Sprint and State Farm.
March 3 – It appear Manchester United fans like motor vehicles and the club likes motor manufacturers as global sponsors. Chevrolet are the club’s shirt sponsor, and sit alongside Japanese industrial Yanmar who have extended their deal to become the club’s first Agricultural Vehicles Partner.
March 2 – The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has unveiled a new crest, which it says respects the past and represents the future. USSF revealed the crest by sending packages to its Members and encouraging them to share the news and merchandise on social media platforms.
By Mark Baber
February 26 – Barcelona have extended their agreement with UNICEF to 2020, continuing a key relationship which has endeared the Catalan club to supporters around the world and helped them ride out the storm over their breaking the regulations aimed at preventing the child trafficking of young footballers.
By Ben Nicholson
23 February – The Bank of Montreal (BMO) has added ten years to its agreement with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), operators of Toronto FC, for the naming rights to its recently renovated stadium.
February 23 – Sunday’s big London derby FA Cup clash between Spurs and Crystal Palace – two of the teams that have shown they have the capability to upset the traditional old order in the Premier League – was a battle between two clubs that are investing deeply in players and stadium infrastructure to achieve their improved status. But as well as sharing an ambition to change the accepted English club hierarchy, they also have another commonality in that they either had or have a sponsor relationship with online casino Mansion.
By Mark Baber
February 22 – English Football Pools owner Sportech plc is in talks with its former chief operating officer Ian Hogg over a proposal to set up a new London stock market isted company to buy the institution for £100 million.
February 19 – Manchester United overtook Arsenal today to become the English Premier League club with the most Twitter followers. Having overtaken them, they soared to a lead of more than 500 followers within hours.
By Mark Baber
February 19 – Nike has won plaudits for ending its relationship with Manny Pacquiao, but its ongoing sponsorship of Nigerian football shows its apparently principled stand against homophobia is little more than a marketing device.
By Paul Nicholson
February 18 – Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City have both announced digital media upgrades with Liverpool relaunching their social portal via Vixlet, and City Football Group (CFG) shifting three of their club brands to web development platform Wix.com who become the clubs’ Official Website Design & Hosting Partner.
By Samindra Kunti
February 16 – The Brazilian FA CBF and sponsor Michelin have parted ways as the CBF’s crisis continues well into 2016.