SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
Charlotte Motor Speedway locked in its race name and distance for its NASCAR playoff race weekend for the Sept. 28-30 Bank of America ROVAL 400 race weekend, which will mark the first playoff road course races in NASCAR history. “This is history in the making, and it marks the next chapter in our legacy of providing innovative, show-stopping entertainment that’s never been seen before,” said Marcus Smith, the president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. “Like NASCAR’s first 600-mile race and the first superspeedway race at night, the inaugural Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 is going to be a can’t-miss event that fans will remember forever. We’re about to witness a dramatic, historic, unforgettable race weekend Sept. 28-30.”
Canadian Pacific, Golf Canada and the LPGA Tour announced that CP extended its title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open for five years, beginning in 2019 through 2023. In addition, CP is extending its role as a premier partner of Golf Canada’s National Team Program and the Young Pro Squad which supports emerging Canadian professionals in their transition to the LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR.
Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals released the 2018 All-Star Week youth, community initiatives & cultural schedule, which includes All-Star Legacy project ceremonies that will be unveiled throughout the week, starting today. The effort includes community improvement projects designed to leave a lasting impact throughout the Greater Washington community and beyond, including youth baseball field renovation and facility.
DIGITAL & STREAMING
ESPN kicked off its 14th Annual ESPYS Auction benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research on eBay with bidding open through July 18. This year’s auction will feature 80+ experiences including exclusive opportunities with celebrities, athletes and coaches, as well as behind-the-scenes experiences with ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, Bomani Jones, Alex Rodriguez, Stephen A. Smith, and more. For the past 24 years, ESPN has been assisted the search for the cure for cancer by fundraising over $80 million.
Minor League Baseball inked a long-term agreement with ISM Connect—a provider of data metric smart screen engagement technology built to promote enhanced live event experiences—to form a new digital network to connect MiLB teams, partners and fans across the country. ISM Connect’s network of high-definition LCD smart screens will provide select MiLB stadiums with innovative technology and data capabilities. Fans will be able to engage with unique and custom content, digital marketing, and more.
ESPORTS
Foundry IV and MGM Resorts International are deepening ties, inking a partnership that will now include a slate of “Suite Series" esports events, the development of a battle royale genre game, as well as the addition of a "competitive gaming system" created specifically for casino play. In addition, Foundry IV is also expanding the role of its ownership group from simple franchise model to a cohesive federation entitled the "New Sports Federation" in order to “inspire growth in digital competitive entertainment and create products that increase its value with gamers, brands, and media.” The new "Suite Series" will pit athletes, celebrities, and influencers against each other as they represent a variety of MGM Resorts owned properties with participants that include traditional sports athletes, DJs, celebrity chefs, and more.
OpTic Gaming team captain Peter “ppd” Dager is spearheading the launch of the North American Dota Challengers League in a move to create a semi-professional league within North America. The NADCL is an in-house league designed to showcase upcoming players and semi-pro teams and give them a chance to stand in the spotlight in a competitive league.
Season one will launch in Oct., following the first Valve minor qualifier and will continue throughout the year while avoiding any conflicting dates with the DPC qualifiers. The league will be restricted to unsponsored teams for aspiring professional players.
ROSTER MOVES
Hania Poole was promoted to Senior Vice President of NCAA Digital and General Manager of Bleacher Report Live. In her expanded role, Poole will continue to oversee all aspects of NCAA Digital – including Turner’s award-winning NCAA March Madness Live (MML) – and the recently launched B/R Live. Poole’s responsibilities also include oversight of the day-to-day relationship with league partners at the NCAA.
CSI Entertainment named Richard Katz as VP of Operations, where he will bring his experience and oversight to their distribution of over 200 operators via satellite, fiber and iptv as well as their syndication business. He previously served as NBC Universal VP of Operations & Engineering.
Excel Sports Management tapped Jason Miller as a Senior Vice President & Head of Property Sales. Previously with Premier Partnerships, Miller will lead Excel’s efforts in third-party commercial sales, naming rights, marquee partnerships, sponsorship strategy and valuation services for leagues, teams, venues and other sports properties.
THE MAIN EVENT
France/Belgium at 8a on FOX and Telemundo.
