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Data deal adds new dimension to Stats Perform’s WTA agreement
SportBusiness speaks to Alex Rice, chief rights officer at Stats Perform, about the sports data and analytics company's recent deal with the Women's Tennis Association, and what the agreement aims to accomplish.
Kevin McCullagh | Asian industry set for a more local complexion as Western power wanes
There is evidence that the sun is setting on a Western-dominated era for the sports industry in Asia, and that the coming years will be much more locally-driven, SportBusiness Asia senior analyst Kevin McCullagh says.
Eric Fisher | Disney stands at center of sports industry turbulence
SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher explores how the American media and entertainment giant is at the fulcrum of large-scale change across the sports industry
Canelo’s split with Golden Boy and DAZN was written in the stars
Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez has departed his deal with Golden Boy Promotions, tearing up his 10-fight deal with DAZN in the process after only two events. Callum McCarthy explores how the boxer made himself a free agent.
Pandemic pushes sport to double down on data-driven business
SportBusiness speaks with Asia-Pacific industry insiders about the increased urgency of sport adopting data-driven business practices in the Covid and post-Covid worlds. Tom King reports.
PGA Tour-European Tour ‘alliance’ includes ETP minority shareholding
Golf’s European Tour and PGA Tour have announced a “Strategic Alliance” involving working together on international media rights sales and the acquisition of a minority stake in European Tour Productions by th…
Kenyan Rugby Union signs free-to-air domestic deal with Mediamax
The Kenyan Rugby Union has agreed a new five-year domestic rights deal with media group Mediamax Networks, boosting national coverage
Serie B approves formation of new broadcast rights company
Lega Serie B, the organising body for the second tier of Italian club football, has unanimously approved the formation of a new media company that will manage the sale and marketing of television rights…
Eurosport, Ford create motorsport content series in digital marketing tie-up
International sports broadcaster Eurosport has teamed up with Ford to launch ‘Bring on Tomorrow’, a new digital content series that will investigate future innovations in motorsport as part of a wider mar…
Ingrid Silver | Rethinking media deals and capturing value as we adapt to the new world order
Ingrid Silver, partner in the global entertainment and media industry group of international legal firm Reed Smith, predicts the sports that could command a commercial premium following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tennis Channel looks to become “Netflix of tennis” with domestic, international expansion
The Sinclair-owned outlet continues its rapid rise by becoming the exclusive home of the ATP Tour in US and debuting an international streaming service. Bob Williams reports.
Yahoo Sports looks to operate at center of emerging sports industry trends
Verizon-owned digital sports media outlet looks to be aggressive in areas such as legalized wagering, 5G mobile networks, and virtual reality. Yahoo Sports general manager Geoff Reiss discusses the company's efforts with SportBusiness US Editor Eric Fisher
Martyn Turze | Premier League PPV – the Publicis Sport & Entertainment ‘office’ debate
Martyn Turze, consumer research account director at Publicis Sport & Entertainment, highlights 11 key points from the agency's internal discussions on pay-per-view Premier League matches conducted via the team’s Whatsapp group.
ESL’s latest deals show that esports and traditional media can work in harmony
The influence of traditional sports executives is growing at esports rights-holders, leading to deeper partnerships with legacy media companies. Callum McCarthy reports.
ISL still targeting profitability within three years despite Covid ‘disaster’
The International Swimming League is still targeting profitability “within three or four years” despite being heavily impacted by the pandemic, its managing director and head of commercial operations, Hubert Montcoudiol, tells SportBusiness.
Kevin McCullagh | Every second counts
SportBusiness' Kevin McCullagh looks at the shifts in consumer behaviours and the value of sport as a media product
Matchday revenue is just one small piece of the Premier League PPV puzzle
The £14.95 price point of pay-per-view Premier League matches led to dismay from fans and sports industry executives alike, as the Premier League, Sky and BT scrambled to protect the value of pay-television. Callum McCarthy reports.
Broadcast deals help NFL maintain UK presence despite London games cancellation
Despite the cancellation of the NFL International Series this year, the league has managed to boost its presence in the UK with the renewal of its deals with Sky Sports and the BBC and new partnerships with Channel 5 and MTV. Adam Nelson speaks to NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood.
Neil Gane | Southeast Asia is beginning to get a grip on sports video piracy
Neil Gane of the AVIA Coalition Against Piracy says there have been encouraging signs in the past year that Southeast Asian authorities are getting to grips with the growing piracy threat in the region.
‘It’s attracted partners and investors’ | Leeds United’s Amazon documentary
Take Us Home: Leeds United has spent two years documenting the club's attempts to return to the Premier League. Chief executive Angus Kinnear tells Adam Nelson how the series has helped to attract sponsors and investors as well as engage new fans.
US RSNs face extended programming drought with upcoming league offseasons
With the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, and Major League Baseball all approaching their offseasons at the same time due to Covid-19, US regional sports networks are facing an extended programming drought of live pro team sports during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Covid-19 accelerates move into challenging new era for sports media-rights business
SportBusiness gathered a panel of experts at the All That Matters Online 2020 conference to discuss the challenges being faced in the sports media rights sector.
ESPN ready to hit ground running as Bundesliga partnership in US kicks off
ESPN is putting on major marketing effort to promote its new media-rights deal with German top flight league while also focusing on wider long-term content initiatives. Bob Williams reports
Premier League takes pride of place on Peacock as NBCU’s key weapon in streaming wars
NBCUniversal is actively looking to utilize NBC Sports' premium properties to attract subscribers to its new streaming service and help differentiate the platform from its rivals in the crowded and competitive direct-to-consumer marketplace.
Francis: OTT streaming operators have struggled to provide lockdown service
Barney Francis, the former managing director of the UK division of Sky Sports, has suggested the Covid-19 crisis has exposed the business models of some of the OTT streaming services operating in the sports sector but says there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the industry. Ben Cronin reports.
US television viewership data set for historic changes with enhanced out-of-home reporting
After years of industry debate and development, Nielsen this month is beginning widespread measurement of out-of-home television viewership in the US, a move set to create significant changes across the sports industry
Chris Russo | What’s next for sports betting and media deals?
Chris Russo, chief executive of boutique consulting firm CRX Sports & Gaming, looks ahead to deal trends set to emerge in 2020's fourth quarter
NBA draws on Microsoft partnership to reshape virtual fan experience
The NBA has taken fan engagement in the wake of Covid-19 to a new level by allowing at-home viewers to be seen and heard by their favorite players in Orlando. Bob Williams reports