SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
Alibaba Group and FIFA announced that Alibaba Cloud – the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group – will serve as Presenting Partner of the FIFA Club World Cup until 2022. Beginning at this year’s edition of the tournament, Alibaba Cloud will design and provide the MVP award as part of the deal. “As one of the world’s leading cloud computing providers, we are striving to make technology more inclusive to benefit more people’s day-to-day life and well-being,” said Simon Hu, Senior Vice President of Alibaba Group and President of Alibaba Cloud. “By becoming a major partner of the FIFA Club World Cup, we hope to show how our technology can bring new aspects of fun and enjoyment to fans of sports, including those people who might have had barriers to access or participate before. For Alibaba Cloud, this is the true meaning of inclusive technology.”
Marriott International locked in a multi-year partnership with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment that makes the brand the preferred hotel company for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Members will be able to redeem points on Marriott Rewards Moments and SPG Moments for unique hockey themed experiences.
Ad Age writes that – despite the controversies surrounding the NFL anthem protests – the league’s in-game ad sales at its five TV partners is up over year-ago numbers. According to Standard Media Index estimates, NFL inventory in October added up to $757 million, for an uptick of 3% compared to the $738 million the networks booked over the same five-week period in the 2016 season.
DIGITAL & STREAMING
The
NFL reports that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is leading fan voting overall for the 2018 Pro Bowl, reeling in 273,367 votes, with Tom Brady in second at 239,989. Fan voting for the 2018 Pro Bowl will continue online and on web-enabled mobile phones at
www.NFL.com/probowlvote until Dec. 14. During the final week of 2018 Pro Bowl voting – December 7-14 – fans will be able to vote directly on Twitter.
Stadium is serving up the final 15 minutes of Saturday’s hypnotic Alabama/Minnesota men’s college basketball game, featuring Alabama being forced to play with only three players due to referee ejections, injuries, etc. The short-handed Crimson Tide nearly overcame a double-digit deficit to win the contest. The game can be accessed on Stadium's Facebook page.
ESPORTS
Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso is testing a new track, launching his own esports racing team, titled FA Racing, in partnership with G2 Esports and Logitech G. The team will participate across a variety of games, console and PC platforms, as well as all current competitions. “Every Formula 1 driver is a gamer at heart,” said Alonso. “Competing on the virtual stage opens a vast amount of possibilities for young drivers that wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to get into racing. For the first time ever, fans are no longer just spectators but can take part in the game and maybe become real sim racers on my team. I cannot think of better partners than G2 Esports and Logitech G to start this up with and I am raring to get going!”
With new franchises confirmed for the North American League of Legends Championship Series, Riot Games is now giving franchises a year to untangle themselves from ownership conflicts, per ESPN. Teams involved include Cloud9, Team Liquid, and the Golden State Warriors with company rules forbidding multiple teams in the league from sharing the same owners, even in minority or passive positions.
Events DC will partner with Moonduck Studios to host its first-ever esports tournament, Captains Draft 4.0 at the DC Armory. The tournament will run Jan. 4-7 and will serve as the only public Dota 2 Minor in the United States planned for 2018. This tournament will feature eight of the top Dota 2 teams from around the world, who will battle it out for $300,000 in prize money.
THE MAIN EVENT
Texans/Ravens on ESPN at 8p.
