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Over-the-top (OTT) service DAZN has announced the remaining major sports rights for its launch in Italy.
English soccer’s FA Cup; European club rugby union tournament the Heineken Champions Cup; the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC); Matchroom Boxing; Showtime Boxing; Bellator MMA; and the World Rally Championship (WRC) have all been confirmed as part of DAZN’s Italian offering.
DAZN launched in Italy off the back of securing a premium rights package for Serie A, the top flight of soccer in the country. It later announced the addition of Spain's La Liga and France's Ligue 1. The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) national team tournament, South America’s Copa Libertadores and the English EFL Cup domestic knockout competition were also reported. Outside of soccer, rights to North America’s Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Hockey League (NHL), along with PDC darts events, have all previously been linked with the Perform-owned platform. These have all now been officially confirmed.
At the launch of the platform in Milan, James Rushton, DAZN chief executive, said: “After months in the making, we’re proud to unveil a hugely compelling line-up of content, all in one place, for one affordable monthly fee and no long-term contract. Guided by our fan-first philosophy, we already have a stellar track record in our existing markets by creating a better and fairer way to watch top sport that is tailor-made for modern viewing habits.”
Sponsorship
The National Football League's (NFL) Seattle Seahawks have renewed their long-standing partnership with soft drinks brand Coca-Cola.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division one college Clemson has announced a 10-year extension to their all-sport partnership with Nike valued at more than US$58 million.
Bristol Sport, owners of English second-tier soccer club Bristol City and top-flight rugby union side Bristol bears, has confirmed thart Showcase Cinema de Lux, Cabot Circus will continue its partnership into the 2018/19 season.
English second-tier soccer club Middlesbrough have renewed their shorts sponsorship deal with Cornerstone Business Solutions, a local IT company.
In the third tier, MK Dons have announced local IT solutions company CMC Communications as their new official technology partner.
Austrian top-flight soccer club Austria Wien have secured a five-year partnership with Gazprom that sees the Russian energy firm become the main sponsor of all of the club's youth sides, including the Young Violets, who play in the professional domestic second-tier. The deal also covers naming rights to the entire academy set-up as a whole.
Irish Pro14 rugby union club Connacht has entered into a three-year kit sponsorship deal with the Bank of Ireland.
English country cricket club Lancashire have announced a new and enhanced three-year agreement with Thomas Cook Sport, which has become their official team logistics partner.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games has secured a new third sponsor in parking services provider Park24.
Unibet has extended its sponsorship of the Champion Hurdle at annual British horse racing festival Cheltenham until 2023.
Media Rights
Dutch pay-television broadcaster Ziggo has strengthened its soccer rights portfolio by adding the Italian top-flight Serie A, as well as the English club knockout tournament the FA Cup through 2021.
Movistar Plus, the pay-television platform of Spain's Telefónica, has acquired rights to the Uefa Super Cup soccer showpiece – the annual meeting between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League, for the next three editions. The same network has also secured the rights to French soccer's top-tier Ligue 1 and the domestic second tier Segunda Division.
Chinese netowrk PP Sports has signed a three year deal with French soccer's governing body to secure the exclusive domestic digital live and on-demand broadcasting rights to Ligue 1, the French League Cup and the Champions Trophy.
Personal Endorsement
Sports management agency IMG Reliance (IMGR) has confirmed signing of multi-year deals with Indian cricketers Jasprit Bumrah and Krunal Pandya.
Jamaican cricket star Chris Gayle has signed up with online gambling site Adda52 as a brand ambassador.
Bidding & Hosting
The NFL has confirmed that the 2019 Pro Bowl will return to Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, with telecommunications giant Verizon signing on as presenting sponsor.
Boiler of the Day
West Brom marked their official return to English soccer’s second tier on Saturday with the unveiling of new mascot 'Boiler Man', part of a two-year deal with Hull-based company Ideal Boilers.
As well as the company securing primary shirt sponsorship and training kit, Ideal is also providing its own mascot. Said Mascot is literally a boiler.
About as Brass Eye as you can get – @WBA’s new mascot, Boiler Man. pic.twitter.com/6ftARFkCc8
— Highbury Harold (@BlackScarfAFC) August 4, 2018
Our industry digest will update throughout the day as deals break so check back to make sure you do not miss a story
DAZN confirm full rights portfolio for Italian launch
DAZN
