Sky and BT’s new channel deal could put damper on Premier League TV rights fever
December 21 – The Premier League’s broadcast rights auction looks like losing some of its heat after BT and Sky struck a deal to carry each other’s channels.
Football Marketing
FIFA scores World Cup final hat-trick in China with Mengniu joining sponsor roster
December 20 – FIFA has added a fifth sponsor for the Russia 2018 World Cup, the third from China. Chinese dairy products manufacturer the Mengniu Group will be designated the Official drinkable yoghurt and pre-packaged ice cream.
Romai in ruins: Umbro join Jamaica for $4m, Puma seal Senegal for $3m
December 20 – UAE-based kit supplier Romai has lost deals with Jamaica and Senegal in the space of a week after what has been described as disastrous relationships with the two national federations.
Burnley cash-in with higher profile and one-year TeleTrade forex deal
December 20 – Premier League Burnley agreed a one-year sponsorship with online broker TeleTrade, who become the ‘Official Forex Trading Sponsor of Burnley FC’. No figure for the deal value was given.
Pillow talk. Spurs put Mammoth deal to bed
December 20 – Tottenham Hotspur have signed a deal North East health and wellbeing company Mammoth Mattresses, who will become the Official Mattress and Pillow Supplier of the Premier League Club.
Marketing agency Infront splits summer sports and football businesses
By David Owen
December 15 – The Chinese-owned Infront sports marketing company is splitting its summer sports and football businesses.
Man City scores first with Facebook Messenger striker game
December 14 – Manchester City has launched a Manchester City Football Striker instant game on the Facebook Messenger platform, the first Premier League club to embrace the gaming opportunity of the Messenger platform.
IMG on hunt for joint lead sponsor for NI, Scotland and Wales FAs
December 13 – Sports rights agency IMG has been given the job of finding a headline sponsor partner for the home nation associations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
LaLiga adds telecom giant Irancell to regional partner roster
December 13 – LaLiga has added Iranian telecommunications company Irancell as a new regional partner. Irancell has more than 230 million customers in 22 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Chinese web giant NetEase returns to football with French deal for Russia 2018 World Cup
December 12 – The French Football Federation (FFF), has inked a content agreement with Chinese media company NetEase Media Technology.
Spurs launch 360 degree video experience of White Hart Lane on web
December 12 – Spurs fans nostalgic for their old White Hart Lane stadium can now revisit the stadium via a 360 degree video on the web titled ‘The Lane 360’. It is the first football club video of its kind celebrating the dismantled stadium and allowing users to immerse themselves in a journey through the old ground, including watching archive footage.
Premier League issues TV tender with more live games and a simulcast option
December 11 – The Premier League’s tender for its domestic broadcast rights package for 2019-22 has seen the league boost the number of packages available to seven with a total of 200 live games (up from 168).
Inter top 7 million Facebook likes as content build starts to pay off
December 8 – Inter Milan, who have invested in building their content division via their new Inter Media House facilities, are seeing an immediate benefit with the club announcing they have passed the seven million fans mark on Facebook.
French gear up with Volkswagen for a long journey in Russia and through to 2023
December 4 – The French Football Federation (FFF) have prolonged their commercial partnership with automotive manufacturer Volkswagen until June 2023.
Oulala partners with Bravio to take DFS to the Indian market
December 4 – Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operator Oulala is looking to expand its platform into India via its new partnership with Australian technology firm Bravio Gaming which provides online digital entertainment solutions on a B2B and B2C basis.