CBF signs with Konami, but looks to launch a virtual Brasileirão for gamers
August 31 – The Brazilian FA, the CBF, and Japanese video games maker Konami have struck a two-year partnership deal for the Pro Evolution Soccer video game.
Football Marketing
Banc of California grabs LAFC stadium naming rights
August 30 – Los Angeles’s new MLS franchise LAFC will kick off with a $100 million naming rights sponsor for its $350 million new stadium. The 15-year deal with Banc of California is a record naming rights deal for soccer in the US.
Man Utd top Twitter growth chart, almost doubling against Arsenal
August 25 – Manchester Utd stretched their lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League Twitter followers ranking by more than 38,000 followers last week. Their additional 85,700 followers was more than double that of third placed Chelsea, almost triple fourth placed Liverpool, and more than fives times local rivals Man City.
Bayern launch new apps and tap into club video content for global audience
August 25 – Bayern Munich have launched their new apps for the 2016/17 season. The German giants have been increasingly embracing digital platforms and recently launched their season on their Facebook platform rather than via a more traditional TV broadcast based media day.
Betway break West Ham sponsorship records, Brady promises cash will go into squad
August 24 – Premier League West Ham United have extended their main sponsorship with online bookmaker Betway for a further three years in what the club says is the largest sponsorship in its history.
LeSports test PPV model for Serie A in China
August 24 – Chinese broadcaster LeSports is testing the pay-per-view model on broadcasts of some of Italy’s Serie A matches in China.
Football takes gold in the Twitter Olympics
By David Owen
August 23 – Football has emerged with the gold medal in the Twitter Olympics, with Neymar Junior’s decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out against Germany generating more Tweets per minute than any other piece of Rio 2016 sporting action.
West Ham beat Man Utd to top attendance table but not all is bubbly at Olympic Park
By Paul Nicholson
August 23 – West Ham topped the attendance chart for Round 2 of the Premier League season in the first league fixture at their new 60,000 all-seat stadium. Well, almost all-seat.
Thai broadcaster quick to extend AFC broadcast deal to 2020
August 22 – Thai broadcaster Bangkok Broadcasting & TV Co. (BBTV) has extended its deal with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for exclusive terrestrial broadcast rights from 2017 to 202 for AFC competitions.
Inter book in HotelPlanner for season long deal
August 19 – Inter Milan has signed a one-year partnership with HotelPlanner for the 2016/17 season, making the online booking service the club’s Official Hotel Reservations Partner.
Tempobet expands in UK adding Middlesbrough sponsorship
August 18 – Online sportsbook Tempobet has increased its Premier League sponsorship portfolio with a deal to become a partner of newly-promoted Middlesbrough. The company is already a regional partner of Manchester City.
Man Utd storm Premier League Twitter table as all clubs show huge gains
By Paul Nicholson
August 17 – What a difference a year makes in the Premier League Twitter world. Both Arsenal and Chelsea had more followers than Manchester United at start of last year but now the Manchester giants have taken a substantial lead.
Konami signs 3-year deal with Liverpool for PES17
August 17 – Konami Digital Entertainment has signed a deal with Liverpool for the video game maker’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 that will see the club’s players digitally reproduced in its newest game to be released September 13/14.
Man City target India with VEQTA digital content deal
August 16 – Manchester City is continuing to set the pace in the digital media space, with its latest move being a content deal with India’s VEQTA to broadcast content on its sports platform.
LA Galaxy partner with Laduma for first steps into VR content world
August 16 – MLS team LA Galaxy has signed a multi-year partnership with Virtual Reality firm Laduma to create original 360-degree 3D VR content experiences around the club and its star players.