SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
Univision Communications is set to relaunch its multi-platform sports media brand and leading cable sports network as TUDN on July 20. According to the company, the TUDN brand identity will serve as “Your Sports Network” with the tagline, “Vivimos TUPasión,” which translates to “We Live Your Passion.” Univision Deportes Network will become the 24-hour television home of TUDN in the U.S. and also will also extend to sports telecasts on other Univision networks, including Univision Network, UniMás and Galavision. “Upon its debut, TUDN will be the largest Spanish-language sports media brand in the world,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, President of Sports for Univision and Televisa. “With a bold new content slate built around live programming and the best team of experts in the industry, this new powerhouse identity will resonate with futbol fanaticos throughout North America and raise the bar for coverage of the world’s most beloved sport.”
Twitter reports that Nike was the most-discussed brand on Twitter during the FIFA Women’s World Cup globally. Budweiser and Visa rounded out the top three to join the conversation.
The 2019 Citi Open this month will see fans offered a new fan experience showcasing D.C.’s “most innovative” culinary fare in the new hospitality settings. Levy will be the exclusive food and beverage partner for the long-running tennis tournament. Levy will rebrand concessions and VIP hospitality fare throughout the tournament grounds with customized menus from Chef Jose Andres and favored local D.C. eateries.
Porsche Cars North America has been named the Exclusive Automotive Partner of the Western & Southern Open. The sports car manufacturer is the exclusive partner in the automotive category of the tournament with the deal including official sponsorship of the exclusive Draw Party, branding of the on-court serve speed signage, and the provision of courtesy vehicles for players. In addition, Porsche will have on-site vehicle displays, Porsche racing simulators for patrons to experience during the tournament, and branding on all digital and printed tournament draws.
Minor League Baseball today announced its list of Top 25 teams in licensed merchandise sales for 2018, with the combined totals of all 160 teams setting a Minor League Baseball record with more than $73.8 million in retail sales. The $73.8 million total marks a 4.2% percent increase over 2017’s record total. The Top 25 list includes: Albuquerque Isotopes, Charleston RiverDogs, Charlotte Knights, Columbia Fireflies, Columbus Clippers, Corpus Christi Hooks, Durham Bulls, El Paso Chihuahuas, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Gwinnett Stripers, Hartford Yard Goats, Indianapolis Indians, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Nashville Sounds, Pawtucket Red Sox, Portland Sea Dogs, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Rochester Red Wings, Sacramento River Cats, Salt Lake Bees, San Antonio Missions, Tacoma Rainiers, Toledo Mud Hens and Trenton Thunder.
DIGITAL, DATA & TECH
PGA of America, European Tour and NBC Sports Group are teaming up for a new, global Ryder Cup digital-media relationship that will see NBC Sports develop a multi-platform Ryder Cup presence, including a comprehensive website that serves fans of both the U.S. and European teams and a new app that will enhance both the onsite and overall viewing experience. The long-term relationship begins in advance of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin (Sept 25-27, 2020). The PGA of America and the European Tour will lead the sales process through their Global Partner Program, and NBC Sports will develop and execute customized digital activations for partners. Digital content for these Ryder Cup platforms will be provided by all three organizations, as well as NBC Sports’ colleagues at Sky Sports.
Monumental Sports Network announced that it is partnering with Sportradar to drive the network’s latest digital platform enhancement. The final deal will include live scoring updates as well as real-time betting odds tracking as Monumental will integrate real-time data feeds provided by Sportradar that will include the following league-wide data packages: NHL, NBA, WNBA, NBA G League and AFL. A feed will also be procured to deliver real-time betting lines. Additionally, Sportradar will provide a functionality in the network’s platform that has the ability to hide betting-related content and materials in the event a user chooses to opt-out of gaming content.
Tunity Analytics Top Five Out-of-Home Sports Programs for the week of July 1.
Show, Network, Date/Time, (000’s)
- WWC - US vs. England, Fox, 7/2/19, 3 PM, 8540
- WWC – US vs. Netherlands, Fox, 7/7/19, 11 AM, 6930
- FIFA Women's World Cup Today, Fox, 7/2/19, 5 PM, 2699
- FIFA Women's World Cup Postgame, Fox, 7/7/19, 1 PM, 2625
- Gold Cup – Mexico vs. US, Fox Sports, 7/7/19, 9 PM, 2159
Source: Tunity Analytics. Viewing estimates are derived from Tunity mobile app usage. OOH viewer impressions are calculated using Tunity Analytics proprietary estimation model.
ESPORTS
ESPN locked in a lineup of esports pros and streamers, athletes, celebrities and ESPN talent who will compete in the first-ever EXP Pro-Am Apex Legends Presented by The Real Cost on July 11 at 9p, featuring squads of three and competing across three rounds of play, with a total prize of $25,000 donated to the V Foundation for Cancer Research on behalf of the winning squad. Among the names on deck will be DrDisrespect, Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen, electronic musician Dillon Francis, The Vamp’s bassist Connor Ball, Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker, YouTube creator Nick EH 30, ESPN host Maria Taylor, 3-time X Games gold medalist Ryan Decenzo and Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart.
Major League Baseball is reportedly launching an esports tournament in China for the league’s game MLB The Show, according to Sohu.com. MLB will invite eight top Chinese esports teams to form the new league, which is slated to launch later this year.
Lagardere Sports is being tapped to serve as the exclusive agent to market commercial rights for the PlayerUnknown’s BattleGrounds’ 2019 PUBG Nations Cup as well as the 2019 PUBG Global Championship. Lagardere Sports will look to market the commercial rights for the events and develop new business opportunities
INDUSTRY/ROSTER MOVES
The National Lacrosse League Board of Governors announced a contract extension for Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. Sakiewicz took over the role in 2016 with the contract now running through the 2022 season. “Over the past three years Commissioner Sakiewicz’s leadership of the NLL enterprise and his strategic vision for professional lacrosse has produced unprecedented fan engagement, franchise growth and exceptional commercial results for our League and the game of lacrosse. His many years of experience with Major League Soccer’s incredible journey to success has provided the National Lacrosse League with a similar blueprint for professional sports relevance,” said Brad Brewster speaking on behalf of the NLL Board of Governors.
Disney and ESPN Media Networks today announced that Ryan Blood has joined the team as vice president, Affiliate Sales. In this role, Ryan leads the Burbank, Calif.-based sales team overseeing national distribution accounts that include AT&T, DISH, and Hulu, among others. Most recently, Ryan served as director of content strategy and programming acquisitions for Verizon’s Fios TV, Media Services and Wireless
THE MAIN EVENT
2019 MLB All-Star Game at 8p on FOX.
ON THIS DAY in 1877: The first-ever Wimbledon tennis championship begin.
In the Know: The Philadelphia Eagles entered the NFL following the demise of which other team? (Email cpursell@cynopsis.com with your answer and be sure to include your company and city).
Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question: This third baseman holds the record for most HRs all-time in the Home Run Derby with 91. Who is he? Answer: Todd Frazier. Kudos: Tim Overmyer-20th TV/Atlanta; Mike Seidel-CSI Sports/Jersey City; Synda Kollman-Charter Marketing Group/Boca Raton; Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank
Later--Chris
