SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
Skechers USA is on-board to sponsor Victor Espinoza ahead of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday with brand marks included on Espinoza’s riding apparel as he races Gormley from Churchill Downs. “Skechers is excited to be back at the racetrack alongside Triple-Crown winning jockey Victor Espinoza,” said Michael Greenberg, President of Skechers. “We love partnering with elite competitors in any sport and thinking outside the box. Victor was riding California Chrome when we sponsored the thoroughbred during his exciting run at the Belmont Stakes in 2014. Now we’re partnering with the man himself as he seeks to achieve his fourth Kentucky Derby victory.”
Qatar Airways unveiled a sponsorship with Formula E to serve as the official airline partner of the Paris ePrix and title sponsor of the 2017 Qatar Airways Paris ePrix which takes place on May 20. The airline will also be named the official airline partner of the first-ever New York City ePrix from July 15-16.
AIBA locked in an exclusive global marketing agreement with alisports and includes significant investment into AIBA competitions, media and digital platforms, as well as the creation of an AIBA internet TV channel. According to the announcement, the deal will leverage alisports’ capacity for increasing the digital and social engagement of AIBA events, developing and marketing the AIBA assets including WSB competitions and includes contributions in TV and digital global rights and new merchandising concepts. Meanwhile, alisports will develop and operate boxing esports and fitness boxing for AIBA.
Olympic Channel is adding Groupies to the mix, announcing plans to showcase the new show with profiles of “some of the most dedicated and passionate sports fans from around the world who go to extreme lengths to support and cheer on their Olympic heroes”. The new five-episode original series premieres today.
As Phoenix Raceway gets an overhaul, race fans will now be able to keep continuous track of the construction progress through www.NewPhoenixRaceway.com, as the modernization project’s webstream camera goes live. The DC Solar Construction Cam will allow fans to keep tabs on the progress of the track on a daily basis. Additionally, three time-lapse cameras now in place throughout the property will complement the webstream camera, documenting the continuous change that will be coming as the project progresses.
The NBA 2K esports league announced its lineup of teams who will participate in the debut season, which is slated to begin in 2018. Among the NBA teams participating will be: the Celtics, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Pistons, Warriors, Pacers, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, Knicks, magic, 76ers, Blazers, Kings, Raptors, Jazz and Wizards. “This is the first step in what promises to be an extraordinary league, bringing together the world’s best gamers and showcasing elite competition on an international stage,” said NBA 2K esports league Managing Director Brendan Donohue. “Our teams have expressed tremendous enthusiasm for esports, and we are looking forward to forming something truly unique for basketball and gaming fans around the globe.”
McLaren announced a new esports motor racing competition, with the winner set to be offered a position as one of the team’s official F1 simulator drivers. The format is titled ‘World’s Fastest Gamer’ and pits the best gamers in the world across multiple racing platforms as they battle each other to discover the ultimate ‘champion of champions’ and offered a one-year contract to work with engineers at both the team’s UK factory and at Grand Prix circuits across the world to develop and improve the machinery driven by Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne.
The ESA and E3 are teaming with Geoff Keighley to launch the E3 Coliseum at this year’s event, described as a spectacular main stage that brings video game fans closer to their favorite games and creators from June 13-14. The experience will see fans, developers, and special guests come together and go behind the scenes of E3’s biggest new announcements, and special guests will celebrate video games’ role in influencing their work and popular culture. Programming will include appearances by game creators as well as talent from the film, TV, music, and other entertainment industries. Publishers scheduled to host panels include Activision, Bethesda Softworks, Microsoft, Gearbox Publishing, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square-Enix, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Speaking of E3, the PC Gaming Show will return this year as part of the official E3 conference schedule with Intel serving as presenting sponsor. The event take place live from The Theatre at Ace Hotel in LA on Monday, June 12 at 10a PT and hosted by Sean “Day[9]” Plott, featuring exclusive announcements, trailers and discussion from many of the most exciting developers and projects on the platform.
Ryan Howard has a new title for his resume, and will serve as a Partner for venture capital firm SeventySix Capital, which invests in innovative seed and early stage consumer-facing tech, retail, sports and wellness companies. Led by Managing Partners Wayne Kimmel and Jon Powell, Howard will leverage his knowledge and relationships to source new opportunities for the firm and take portfolio companies to the next level and work closely with entrepreneurs and investors who share in SeventySix Capital’s commitment to building game-changing companies. “At SeventySix Capital we don’t just invest in ideas, we invest in people,” said Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner at SeventySix Capital. “For us, it’s about passionate, smart and nice entrepreneurs who create companies that change the world for the better, and Ryan Howard embodies those traits.”
Independent Sports & Entertainment announced that Lucinda K. Treat has joined the company as EVP and general counsel. Treat will now oversee all aspects of ISE’s legal affairs and human resources. She will be based at ISE’s New York City office and report to ISE Chief Executive Officer and President, Hank Ratner.
Spurs/Rockets on ESPN at 9:30p.
