Saudi city of NEOM reboots its sponsorship strategy with Mercedes EQ team deal
This weekend's Diriyah E-Prix offers an opportunity for Saudi future-city project NEOM to reboot its sponsorship strategy after it lost two key deals in the esports sector. But will a partnership with the Mercedes EQ team succeed in repositioning the Kingdom? Ben Cronin talks to sports partnership director Neal Coupland.
Webinar replay | The opportunities for private equity in European football
Private equity houses have been examining a host of league investment opportunities across European football with Serie A, Bundesliga and La Liga all reported to be examining the idea of selling stakes…
Haggerty | ITF to review betting sponsorship following investment in integrity
International Tennis Federation president David Haggerty talks about the federation's decision to review its stance on gambling sponsorship, the impact of Covid-19 on its commercial agreement with Kosmos Holdings for the Davis Cup and plans to introduce a new skill rating system for players. Ben Cronin reports.
Insurance policies and corporate health focus help to mitigate Infront mass participation losses
Hans-Peter Zurbruegg, senior vice-president of Infront's personal & corporate fitness unit describes how the agency responded to a year in which the Covid-19 pandemic laid waste to the mass participation sector and expresses his confidence that a new focus on health and wellbeing will help to chart a path out of the crisis. Ben Cronin reports.
Wimbledon plans to split commercial and marketing roles when Desmond retires
Mick Desmond, outgoing commercial and media director for the All England Lawn Tennis Club, talks to SportBusiness about his plans to retire at the end of the 2021 championships and his hopes that his successor will respect his commercial legacy.
Ben Cronin | Mission accomplished for Agenda 2020?
The IOC recently declared 85 per cent of the recommendations laid out in Agenda 2020 have been achieved. Ben Cronin asks if the programme has succeeded in its core objective of controlling the cost of the Olympics
EFL’s iFollow experiment unlikely to inform future media strategy, says commercial chief
Ben Wright, chief commercial officer for the English Football League, explains what the league has learnt from streaming more games on its iFollow service and how the league has targeted the fast-food sector to shore up revenues during this year's lockdown
De Vos seduced by Oregon’s sport-centric model for World Athletics Championships
Former UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos talks about his new role as executive director for the Oregon 2022 World Athletics Championships, and explains how the event is trying to pioneer a more cost-efficient and athlete-centric hosting model.
Ben Cronin | Masters needs to come up with football reforms before they are forced upon him
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is being assailed on multiple fronts as the UK government threatens a systematic review of football governance and clubs plot European competition reform.
Lockdown dampens Brentford FC’s new stadium celebrations
Brentford FC’s plans to open a brand new 17,250-capacity stadium this autumn have been thwarted by the Covid pandemic. Chief executive Jon Varney describes how the club is coping with the lockdown and its plans to compete on a more even commercial footing in the English Championship.
AEG’s O2 Arena targets April comeback for London live events
Paul Samuels, executive vice-president of global partnerships for live sport and entertainment company AEG, says the company is targeting a full schedule of events at London's O2 Arena from April next year. Ben Cronin reports.
Ben Cronin | Rights-holders need to show caution in use of virtual advertising
Closed-door sport has prompted an upsurge in virtual advertising but a new report cautions against using the technology indiscriminately.