B.League helps basketball bounce back in Japan
Kevin McCullagh looks at the growth of the B. League, Japan's domestic basketball league, and considers whether it might be the country's biggest sports expansion of the Reiwa era.
Kevin Sim – The Bundesliga’s navigator for the Asia-Pac media-rights market
The Bundesliga’s head of APAC Kevin Sim is deep in talks with potential media-rights partners for the cycle from 2020-21. Kevin McCullagh talks to him about his expectations for the market.
Masa Takaya on Tokyo 2020’s messages of resilience, recovery and hope
In the first of a trio of interviews with the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Kevin McCullagh speaks to Masa Takaya, spokesperson and communications team leader, about what Tokyo 2020 wants to say to the world and how his team is delivering the message.
How oil giant Shell is using Nissan’s Formula E team to reposition itself for the energy future
Kevin McCullagh looks at oil company Shell's entrance into the realm of electric motor racing and how it is marketing its diversification into electric vehicle charging and other ‘new energy’ products.
Thai FA president has arresting ambition for SEA leadership
Thai FA president Somyot Poompanmoung is striving to make Thailand the leading football nation in Southeast Asia
Former police chief is pushing the organisation toward greater commercial sophistication
Asia on the radar
Sportradar is embarking on a series of new partnerships in Asia, as it seeks growth in what will be its third major geographical business region after Europe and the US. The company’s managing director of sports partnerships, David Lampitt, sat down with SportBusiness at the recent All That Matters conference in Singapore to explain the company’s plans for Asian markets.
Chinese mass participation growth a focus for Wanda after IPO
IPO prospectus for parent company of the Infront agency and Ironman triathlon operator reveals strategy to focus on mass participation in China and predictions for the growth of the Chinese sports sector.
Fly on the wall | Sports properties and stars see growing value in letting the cameras in
Documentaries going behind the scenes with sports teams and athletes are riding a wave of popularity. SportBusiness interviewed Mike Antinoro, senior vice-president at IMG Original Content, executive producer on series including Being Serena, First Team: Juventus and All or Nothing: Manchester City, to find out what’s behind the surge in interest and how the shows are put together.
Why focussing on older fans and participants can be beneficial for sports events
The world’s population is ageing, with profound consequences for society and the economy. And yet serving older fans, participants and customers is barely mentioned in conversations within the sports industry. Kevin McCullagh spoke to sports marketers and ageing industry experts to find out why, and what opportunities may be being missed.
The art of a title sponsorship
Title sponsorship is first and foremost a way of making consumers aware of a brand name, putting the brand into the mouths of fans as they talk about a team, competition or other property.
Hackathons: the benefits to sports businesses from staging them
Over the last five years the hackathon has been adopted by several major rights-holders. Kevin McCullagh discusses the impact of hackathons on sports businesses.
US sports tweak rules and presentation to keep audiences hooked
US major leagues are tweaking their rules to make sure fans stay tuned in as concerns build about distracted audiences. Data is playing a critical role, with leading rights-holders employing sophisticated, data-led decision-making to make the changes.