SPONSORSHIP AND PROMOTION
Relevent Sports Group has retained Excel Sports Management’s Properties division as its third-party sales agency for its varied soccer properties, including the International Champions Cup globally, and LaLiga, Spain’s top circuit in Spain, in the U.S. and Canada. Excel will develop marketing solutions for brands looking to associate with futbol. Among the available assets: the first title partnerships for the ICC, the Women’s ICC, the ICC Futures and other RSG properties.
The Rooftop at Pier 17 in Manhattan will be converted into the ESPN House on June 5 and feature a live concert from 2 Chainz, followed by fan experiences and music from DJ Vashtie and DJ mOma during Game 3 of the NBA Finals live on ABC. ESPN NBA commentator Richard Jefferson will host the event, with the sports network and ABC providing live concert look-ins during the Toronto-Golden State matchup.
ESPORTS
BITKRAFT is partnering with Roundhill Investments, a registered investment advisor and exchange traded fund sponsor, on the first Esports-specific EFT. The Roundhill BITKRAFT Esports & Digital Entertainment ETF is designed to offer investors exposure to Esports and digital entertainment by providing tracking, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Roundhill BITKRAFT Esports Index. The index comprises globally listed companies, actively involved in the competitive video gaming industry, including game publishers, streaming network operators, tournament and league operators/owners, team owners, and hardware developers. Roundhill’s methodology first screens all potential companies and confirms that they meet minimum market capitalization and liquidity criteria. “More than just launching and operating the ETF, the Roundhill team is taking a next-generation approach on marketing and storytelling of the product tailored to a digitally-native target audience that is increasingly seeking out ways to invest in investment themes they see shaping their world,” said Roundhill CEO Will Hershey.
Newegg and Allied Esports will host the Triple Crown Royale at HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas on June 22. The event will pit participants in Apex Legends, Fortnite and PlayerUnknown’s Battleground. The competition is open to the public with select participants vying against professional players from Counter Logic Gaming, including Marksman and Psalm from the CLG Fortnite team, and Emy and GooseBreeder from the CLG CS:GO Red team.
DIGITAL AND STREAMING
NASCAR has chosen Amazon Web Services as its standard for cloud-based machine learning and artificial intelligence workloads. NASCAR will use the AWS technologies to build cloud-based services and automate processes, including a new video series on NASCAR.com called This Moment in NASCAR History powered by AWS.
Deloitte and the USGA have launched a new augmented reality app to provide 3D insights into player performance at next week’s U.S. Open from holes 6, 7 and 18 at the Pebble Beach Golf Links. The app provides a virtual map, enabling users to follow the action in real-time, compare current player performances on the signature holes, and relieve memories from tournaments past involving Jack Nicklaus in 1972 and Tiger Woods in 2000.
ROSTER MOVES
Kicking off in 2020, the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl will play in the state-of-the-art Las Vegas Stadium and will match a Pac-12 Conference team with a squad from either the SEC or Big Ten Conference. Running through the 2025 game, the bowl will move to a post-Christmas slot and will feature the No. 2 selection, after the College Football Playoff selection, from the Pac-12, a position it will share with the Holiday Bowl.
New York Mets analyst, MLB Network studio analyst and TBS postseason broadcaster Ron Darling, who has been sidelined since April as doctors diagnosed him with thyroid cancer, is feeling better. With the cancer stabilizing, Darling returned to the SNY booth June 4 calling the Amazins’ action against the San Francisco Giants.
Actor and comedian Tracy Morgan will host the 2019 version of the ESPYs. Morgan, who currently stars on TBS’ critically acclaimed The Last O.G., will lead the proceedings at the awards show that will be held July 10 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and air live at 8p on ABC.
THE MAIN EVENT
Game 3 of the NBA Finals between Toronto and Golden State airs at 9p on ABC.
ON THIS DAY in 2005: Rafael Nadal tops unseeded Mariano Puerta to win the French Open singles title and his first Grand Slam championship.
In the Know: Which are the four NBA teams that won their only championship during the 1970s? (Email chris-sports@cynopsis.com with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city.)
Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question: Monday was the first day of the MLB Draft. Who was the first player ever taken in the Amateur Draft, in 1965? Answer: Rick Monday. Congrats: Mike Seidel CSI Sports, Jersey City, Marc Wollis, Cadent TV, NY, David Westberg SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union, Burbank, Michael Ritz Northwestern Mutual, NY, David Sabino ESPN, Bristol, Jack Neumann University of Calgary Alumni Development, Alberta, Synda Kollman Charter Marketing Group, Boca Raton, Jim Bernard PRG, Los Angeles and Brian Robin Pechanga Resorts Casino, Temecula,
Later – Chris
