SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
The National Football League announced that GoUSA TV will serve as presenter of the London Games Kickoff Concert through its sponsorship of the NFL London Games. The concert will feature Jess Glynne and is part of a fan experience highlighting how music, sports, food, and tradition continue to shape American culture and travel. The London Games Kickoff Concert presented by GoUSA TV will take place Oct. 14 at Wembley Stadium.
The NBA tipped off the fourth annual Jr. NBA Week (running through Oct. 15) with the launch of “Her Time To Play,” the league’s new initiative to inspire girls ages 7-14 to learn and play basketball in a positive and healthy way, and increase opportunities for women in coaching and athletic leadership. All 30 NBA teams will host basketball events and programs for local youth and communities to celebrate Jr. NBA Week, including special activities to tip off Her Time To Play.
Arsenal inked a new kit sponsorship deal with adidas which is expected to be worth around $78 million per year and replacing Puma as the club’s partner. Arsenal confirmed the deal on Twitter on Monday, saying it will go into effect on July 1 next year.
Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment and Rider University Athletics announced an agreement granting VWSE Collegiate Services exclusive rights to represent the Rider Athletics to negotiate corporate sponsorships and media sales. In addition to selling and managing Rider’s broadcast and digital media assets, VWSE will negotiate and execute corporate partnerships around properties including the Broncs’ in-venue signage, on- and off-campus promotions, rights to athletic marks and in-venue hospitality packages.
DIGITAL & STREAMING
The NFL reports that - through week 4 - consumption of NFL games on digital is up 65% over 2017 numbers, with an average minute audience of 326,000 viewers per game window on the slate of digital platforms. Growth is anchored by streaming on phones and connected TV devices, where the average audience is up 147% and 54% respectively.
ESPORTS
Overwatch League’s Chinese site reportedly unveiled the schedule plan for season two of the league. Dexerto writes that the site stated that the new season would launch on Feb. 14, which is a month later than the inaugural season last January. In addition, teams will now only play a total of 28 games during the span, less that year one’s 40 matches. The season would still be divided into four Stages, with each running for five weeks, although breaks between stages will be extended. In addition, the Pacific Division will now include expansion teams Vancouver, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou, while Paris, Toronto, Washington D.C., and Atlanta head to the Atlantic Division.
Red Bull Conquest revealed plans for the Red Bull Conquest National Finals in Washington, D.C. and running Nov. 16-18 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena. Top regional fighting game champions from 15 U.S. cities and online will face off in one final battle with contenders from Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, TEKKEN 7, and Guilty Gear Xrd REV2. The fighting game weekend will provide something for competitors and spectators alike, including a way to experience Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, TEKKEN 7 and Guilty Gear Xrd REV2 like never before with special Augmented Reality (AR) activations provided by Artechouse.
Fnatic unlocked a partnership with social VR company Sansar to launch the Fnatic Meta BUNKR, described as a virtual fan hangout designed to enable deeper community engagement. Free to access on PC and VR, the space provides Fnatic fans all over the world a place to gather and connect, host events and meetups, meet popular players and personalities, and earn rewards and prizes.
ROSTER MOVES
ISM Raceway announced the promotion of Kristin Miller to Senior Manager of Partnership Marketing. In her new role, Miller will drive the account management team and continue to assist the sales team in the business development process. Additionally, she will be leading a team that will include the Partnership Marketing Coordinator, a position that is currently open at ISM Raceway.
THE MAIN EVENT
Red Sox/Yankees on TBS at 8p.