The MP & Silva agency has acquired the exclusive global media and sponsorship rights for the first two editions of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Premier 12 tournament.
The competition will feature the world’s 12 leading national baseball teams and stands as the sport’s highest-ranked international competition.
Under the partnership, MP & Silva has secured the exclusive worldwide rights to distribute the 2015 and 2019 editions of the Premier 12 across all media platforms, along with full global sponsorship rights.
MP & Silva previously distributed the World Baseball Classic in 2013.
Marco Auletta, MP & Silva’s chief executive, said: “WBSC-sanctioned international baseball competitions, such as the inaugural Premier 12, are sports properties that continue to gain in prestige and attractiveness to broadcasters, commercial partners and spectators. We foresee an accelerating trend of positive audience growth and commercialisation of international baseball content in traditional markets across the Americas and Asia, as well as new and emerging markets, such as Europe and the Middle East.”
WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari added: “Partnering with MP & Silva represents a major coup for the Premier 12 and immediately raises the profile and marketability of the Premier 12 brand ahead of its rolling out next year.”
The inaugural Premier 12 is set to take place in November 2015 and will feature Japan, USA, Cuba, Chinese Taipei, Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Canada, South Korea, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Italy and Mexico.