SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
LeBron James is teaming up with Walmart in a move designed to provide better education, fight hunger and improve local communities through the brand’s “Fight Hunger. Spark Change” campaign. “LeBron cares about his community and making it a better place,” Walmart chief customer officer Janey Whiteside said in the announcement. “He cares about making a difference, and together we can both make a bigger difference. We share a commitment to improving the communities where we live and work. We’re excited that together we are investing in education, fighting hunger and helping people live better.”
In a move to “celebrate people on Facebook who participate in groups and encourage others to find a new group,” Facebook unveiled a new marketing campaign titled More Together and spotlighting how people from different backgrounds come together in Facebook Groups over shared interests and experiences. The campaign will include a few new television spots — with one focused on Major League Baseball. In the spot, entitled “Game Day,” a pair of New York dads share their passion for baseball with their daughters at a Mets/Yankees game and connect with each other through a “Dads with Daughters” Facebook group.
Saint Peter's University announced a long-term partnership naming Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment as its exclusive agent for campus-wide strategic partnerships, athletic sponsorships and multimedia rights. Working with the University's leadership, Van Wagner will explore, develop and execute opportunities that drive business relationships benefiting the community and the University, its students and faculty representing Peacock Athletics in sponsorship negotiations and executing corporate partnerships around properties including in-venue signage, on- and off-campus promotions, rights to athletic marks and gameday hospitality packages.
DIGITAL, DATA & TECH
Fantasy sports investment gaming platform The Crown League announced its newest franchise in the Chicago Hogmollies, led by fantasy experts Rotoworld Senior Football Editor Evan Silva and Sports Illustrated Fantasy Sports Editor Michael Beller as GM and co-GM. Other regions set to be represented will include Los Angeles, New York, Texas, New England, Seattle, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Florida and Denver, with the 12th location voted by the fans.
ESPORTS
Overwatch League announced that OWL Stage 2 Playoff and Finals delivered a new viewership high for the season with an average minute audience of 545,000, according to Nielsen. The finals rank as the best performing esports telecast of all time across ABC, ESPN and Disney linear channels.
Complexity Gaming announced the launch of its proprietary Mind Gym through its partnership with Mamba Sports Academy and HyperX inside the org’s new headquarters. The Mind Gym will focus on the development, training, and improvement of core cognitive functions for esports athletes and feature six interactive stations designed to facilitate team and private training sessions under changing environments.
OverActive Media opened the doors to a live events production division following the acquisition of Toronto-based esports events company MediaXP, titled OAM Live. Ken Silva, Founder of MediaXP, now joins OverActive Media’s team in Toronto. “This is yet another step forward in our effort to build a world-leading, global esports platform that will redefine the future of sports and entertainment,” said Chris Overholt, President and CEO of OverActive Media. “The launch of OAM LIVE will progress our business growth by providing future partners, publishers and brands with an end-to-end solution for gaming events and esports broadcasts.”
ESPN puts the spotlight on University of California, Irvine’s League of Legends varsity team as it pursues a second straight collegiate championship and a shot at redemption on the international stage in a docu-series, Good Game: UC Irvine. Bonnie Bernstein served as showrunner with the first three episodes debuting May 21 at 8p on ESPN2. “Good Game is another great example of our continued efforts into narrative storytelling for our linear audience,” said John Lasker, vice president of digital programming. “New fans as well as core esports fans will enjoy a look at UC Irvine’s remarkable season and the increasing popularity of collegiate esports.”
INDUSTRY/ROSTER MOVES
The World Pro Ski Tour announced the appointment of Jon J. Franklin, former Winter Sports Vice President at IMG Media, as the new Tour Chief Executive Officer, where he is charged with leading a new era for the WPST. Franklin served as CEO of Glory Sports International, “We are leading the charge to revitalize the World Pro Ski Tour,” said Franklin, “to provide opportunities for ski racers and to re-energize dual format ski racing globally.”
THE MAIN EVENT
Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race on Saturday at 8p on FS1.
