SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
MSG Networks and sports book operator William Hill locked in new comprehensive sponsorship for New Jersey Devils broadcasts on MSG Networks. The deal includes a mix of in-game integration, branded content and commercial spots that will air during MSG Networks’ Devils game broadcasts, as well as in the in Devils pre- and post-game shows. With the partnership, William Hill has now officially secured both team and media sponsorship rights for the Devils.
DIGITAL & STREAMING
Amazon served up a breakdown of streaming habits for Thursday Night Football so far this season, with the 7 NFL games on Prime Video and Twitch combined reaching 14.7 million total viewers in over 200 countries and territories and all 50 states, up 22% over this time last year. The average-minute audience watching NFL games on Prime Video for at least 30 seconds topped 450K. Meanwhile, Tom Brady was the most viewed player on the X-Ray for FireTV Thursday Night Football experience followed by Kirk Cousins.
Whistle unveiled an expansion of its content production capabilities in a move to dive deeper into the creation of mid- and long-form premium content. In addition, the company has signed with Creative Artists Agency for representation, and will have access to the agency’s global resources in all areas including television, motion pictures, digital media, sports, and beyond.
NBC Sports puts the Vegas Golden Knights under the microscope in an exclusive digital series entitled Desert Gold presented by MGM Resorts International. Episode 1 debuts across NBCSports.com, YouTube and Facebook Watch on Nov. 27, ahead of Vegas’ road game against the Chicago Blackhawks at 8p on NBCSN. This is the first-ever digital sports series of which MGM Resorts has been a presenting partner.
ESPORTS
Allied Esports announced a deal with HyperX for an exclusive naming rights partnership and multiyear agreement that will see Allied Esports’ flagship property, located at the Luxor Hotel & Casino, renamed as the HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas. The partnership is comprised of co-branded experiences and events that will include unique opportunities with HyperX’s personalities, esports athletes and influencers; co-branded content and collateral in-venue, online and on social platforms; marketing, promotion and product activations; and a prominent retail presence in Las Vegas. HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas branding will be integrated across all social media platforms starting today. As part of the partnership, HyperX will be sponsoring events at HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas from Jan. 9-12 during CES.
Overwatch League expansion team saw another new franchiser locking branding elements ahead of the upcoming season as the Hangzhou Spark were introduced by team owner Bilibili Esports. Pink is the primary color in the logo and the main color of the brand, with white and blue as secondary colors. The logo depicts a spark element shooting from a hand.
NASCAR, 704Games and Allied Esports teamed up for the NASCAR Heat Champions Road to Miami Finals presented by Xfinity during the Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The winner-take-all virtual race, featuring 12 competitors battling for more than $15,000 in prizes, will take place Sunday at 10:30a on board mobile esports truck Esports Arena DRIVE and will be live streamed on NASCAR.com. The winner will also have a shot at $500,000 by correctly guessing the official race time of the Ford EcoBoost 400 within five seconds.
ROSTER MOVES
Major League Baseball clubs voted on Thursday to extend the contract of Commissioner Rob Manfred through the 2024 regular season. Manfred was elected Commissioner in August 2014, taking over from Bud Selig in January 2015.
NESN named Rick Jaffe as Vice President of Programming & Production. Jaffe most recently he served as Executive Producer at Vegas Stats & Information Network.
THE MAIN EVENT
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship is determined at the Ford EcoBoost 400 on NBC on Sunday at 3p.