The DataPOWA view on the most important talking points in the worlds of sport sponsorship and digital.
FORBES MONEY: TEAM OF THE DECADE – WARRIORS
When Joe Lacob and Peter Guber paid $450 million for the Golden State Warriors in 2010, the sports world was left scratching its head. The first major team purchase for the venture capitalist and Hollywood producer, who outbid billionaire Larry Ellison, then the world’s sixth-richest person, set a record price for an NBA franchise. It was hardly anyone’s idea of a crown jewel. Forbes valued the team at $315 million seven months earlier, No. 18 in the league. The team had been to the playoffs just once in the prior 15 years and had inconsistent attendance at its 44-year-old arena.
For more on this story, please visit Forbes
SPORTSTECH 2019 REVIEW AND 2020 PREDICTIONS
A review of SportsTech & Media in 2019, and some predictions, listening, watching and reading for 2020. Hugely grateful of contributions from sports industry titans, including DataPOWA
For more on this story, please visit SportScore
JIM RATCLIFFE: TEAM INEOS ARE NEXT LEVEL
Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Team Ineos has taken sport and science to a new level in cycling, as he explained his reasons for taking over the British WorldTour team. British billionaire Ratcliffe appeared on a podcast hosted by Ineos riders Luke Rowe and Geraint Thomas to discuss his motivation for saving the squad earlier this year. Ratcliffe’s chemical company Ineos stepped in to take over the team earlier this year, after long-time back Sky announced it would be ending its sponsorship after a decade in cycling.
For more on this story, please visit CyclingWeekly
IOC SPEAKS ON SPONSORSHIP RULES
A controversial rule in the Olympic Charter limiting athletes’ sponsorship opportunities during the Games is benefiting thousands more athletes who do not have major financial backers, the International Olympic Committee said on Thursday. Rule 40 of the Olympic charter states that Games athletes cannot allow their “person, name, picture or sports performances to be used for advertising purposes during the Olympic Games”. It is aimed at protecting the rights of the International Olympic Committee’s own Olympic sponsors who contribute billions of dollars to the organization of the Games.
For more on this story, please visit Reuters
LIVERPOOL FC’S NIKE DEAL SPARKS COLLABORATION TALK
As Liverpool officially announced its new kit deal with Nike this week, LeBron James reminded his millions of followers of his links with the club, which will only become stronger thanks to the Nike connection. The Los Angeles Lakers forward is a minority shareholder at Liverpool thanks to a partnership struck in 2011 between Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and James’ marketing company LRMR, which he set up with business partner, Maverick Carter.
For more on this story, please visit Forbes
INTEL CHIEF TALKS YOUNGER FANS DEMANDS
Younger Sports Fans Want to Be a Part of the Narrative, Says Intel Sports Exec
At a press conference held Monday ahead of the official opening of the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Intel presented its take on the future of sports viewing. After slow motion, reverse angel, hover cameras, and 360-degree views, Intel’s new technology will let each viewer—on a television set, a tablet, or a smartphone—become a part of the game and watch it from an angle of their choosing. Say you feel like watching a game through the eyes of soccer player Lionel Messi; dunk a basketball with LeBron James; or score a touchdown with Tom Brady—all you have to do is remember the phrase volumetric video.
For more on this story, please visit CTech
GOOD SHOUT
FORBES: Revealed, the Theme Parks Beating The World’s Top Sports Leagues In Attendance
MCFC YOUTUBE: A Little Bit Quick | A KDB, Walker and Gündoğan Production!
CITY AM: 2020 Vision: What to expect from sport this year, by industry insiders
AXIOS: Stadiums are the new department stores
NPR: Corporate Sponsorship Is Still Strong For College Football’s Bowl Season
UNOFFICIAL PARTNER PODCAST: Arron Shepherd – The Goat Agency