SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
For a 12th consecutive year, ESPN’s V Week for Cancer Research will look to drive awareness and funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, this year spanning Nov. 27-Dec. 8, and running across ESPN platforms. The 2018 V Week will feature three new initiatives to raise funds for the V Foundation: Kicks to Beat Cancer, which will see ESPN commentators and professional athletes donate a signed pair to be auctioned off; Craig Sager Style Day from Nov. 29-30 and seeing ESPN, NBA on TNT and NBA TV on-air commentators will wear jackets and clothing that capture Craig’s signature “Sager Style”; and WeRateDogs “h*ck cancer” Campaign. Additional V Week programming will once again see Jim Valvano’s ESPYS Speech Roadblock, along with the “Cancer Is” Campaign.
Paris-Saint Germain renewed their sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola, with the new deal spanning until 2021. “We are very proud to be one of the historic partners of Paris Saint-Germain and to renew our commitment to the club. Paris Saint-Germain are France’s favourite club and one of the most popular clubs in the world, something we have in common, always very close to our consumers. We love Paris, its prestigious club and its fans, wherever they come from. This partnership is very important for Coca-Cola, and our strategy of uniting, despite our differences,” said Francois Gay Bellile, President of Coca-Cola France.
Minor League Baseball locked in an agreement with ECHO Incorporated that will see the brand serve as the “Official Outdoor Power Tool of MiLB” and the “Official Outdoor Power Tool of Copa de la Diversion.” In select ballparks beginning in 2019, MiLB and its teams will help showcase ECHO’s range of powerful products through pregame “Power Hour presented by ECHO” events to reach potential customers.
Riddell and The Alliance of American Football inked a multi-year partnership to bring football helmet technology and protective equipment to the new league and its players. Riddell will serve as the official protective equipment partner of The Alliance through the 2021 season.
DIGITAL & STREAMING
DAZN is looking to introduce ad models to help pay for its recent rights deals, according to the Wall Street Journal, with John Skipper, executive chairman at DAZN Group, telling the publication that the company will introduce its ad model in the next six to eight months,
Twitter is celebrating hockey with a recently-launched #Hockey Twitter content series that includes a launch video featuring NHL stars and actor/superfan Jay Baruchel, unique new hashtag-triggered #HockeyTwitter emoji and more. The celebration comes on the heels of the October announcement of the new weekly #IceSurfing Twitter show in partnership with SportsNet Canada.
ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell is reportedly leaving the company to join the Action Network, a start-up media company dedicated to sports gambling, according to CNN. A deal could be finalized this week, and potentially as soon as Monday.
ESPORTS
After being accepted into the LEC, Team Vitality announced that it had locked in around $22.7 million in financing led by entrepreneur Tej Kohli. The investment will be used to develop “state-of-the-art facilities,” as well as a store, office, and training centers.
Nintendo unveiled plans to organize a Japan East and Japan West League that will showcase Super Smash Bros Ultimate in 2019. Play will serve as part of a tournament series for the upcoming title that will be known as the Smash Ball Cup. The West League will be located in Osaka while the East League will be located in Tokyo.
THE MAIN EVENT
Golden Knights/Blackhawks on NBCSN at 8p.
