FIFA grows World Cup 2022 sponsors with UPL deal
October 27 – Global provider of agriculture products UPL Ltd has become a regional supporter of the 2022 World Cup.
Football Marketing
Neville labels social media an out of control ‘cesspit’ for the lowest of the low
October 27 – Former England international defender Phil Neville, who now works in the United States, says social media pressure on football bosses has got “out of control” with nothing done about it.
Illegal broadcasts cost LaLiga €231m in 2020, but pirates are being made to walk the plank
October 26 – A study by broadcast research specialists GfK has estimated that illegal access to digital content cost the Spanish economy €682 million in 2020. Piracy is estimated to have cost Spain €5.34 billion since 2012. The equivalent of 130,000 direct and indirect jobs in the industry.
Chinese dairy business Mengniu doubles up with Qatar 2022 sponsorship
October 26 – Chinese dairy product giant Mengniu, has signed up for its second World Cup partnership, becoming an Official Sponsor of Qatar 2022.
FIFA’s chase of $1bn+ from EA Sports license could cost them $150m a year
October 25 – The cost to FIFA of losing the EA Sports license for the exclusivity over use of the FIFA brand in its videogame is reportedly put at $150 million annually.
ELEVEN and OneFootball agree bundled media rights deal for nine European Leagues
October 22 – Nine European leagues, members of the Association European Leagues Association, have agreed a joint international broadcast deal with ELEVEN and OneFootball that includes both live rights and highlights.
Man City plug in Midea global partnership for another term
October 21 – Manchester City has extended its global partnership with consumer appliances producer Midea for a third season.
UEFA issues tender for Champions League cryptocurrency partner
October 20 – UEFA has opened up a new cryptocurrency rights category, inviting bids for the licensing rights to the Champions League for the 2021-24 cycle.
FIFA strips Globo of digital rights as it opens up its Brazilian media packages
October 20 – Brazilian broadcast giant TV Globo has lost exclusivity to the digital rights for the 2022 World Cup, with FIFA breaking out streaming rights and offering packages to Youtube, Facebook and TikTok.
UEFA Nations League finals smash TV viewing and social media records
October 19 – UEFA is reporting that its just completed Nations League final tournament in Italy delivered a 30% growth in TV audience figures from the inaugural edition in 2019, helo in Portugal.
Monaco mine Russian base for Liga Stavok deal
October 15 – Russian owned Ligue 1 club AS Monaco has announced a partnership with Russian sports betting firmLiga Stavok, who will become a regional partner for the 2021-22 season.
Lazio join Italian crypto club revolution with €30m+ Binance deal
October 14 – Serie A’s Lazio has struck a €30 million deal with Binance that will see the cryptocurrency exchange giant become the club’s main shirt sponsor as well as launch the $LAZIO fan token.
Qualtrics joins as Man City partner with mission to improve fan experience
October 14 – Manchester City today have partnered with Qualtrics who will become the club’s official Experience Management Software partner.
UEFA to ‘evolve’ its commercial model with landmark sales and marketing tender
By Paul Nicholson
October 13 – UEFA has issued an open tender for a partner to market the commercial rights to its men’s club competitions in what the European governing body says is an ‘evolution’ of its approach to marketing and sales of the properties.
MLS and Continental Tire stay on the same road
October 8 – The MLS has renewed its sponsorship with Continental Tire for a new multi-year term. The tyre brand has been an MLS partner since 2010.