Google signed on as an official support of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games with the organizing committee announcing that the company is partnering on the third domestic tier of the program in the ‘internet-based information and navigation services’ sponsorship category. The deal brings the total number of Tokyo 2020 domestic partners to 64, including 15 gold partners, 32 official partners and 17 official supporters.
Serena Williams is finally gracing the cover of Wheaties with General Mills announcing the addition of the multi-time Grand Slam champion to its historic lineup of athletes. “I am so excited to be on the cover of the next Wheaties box,” Williams said in the announcement. “I have dreamt of this since I was a young woman and it’s an honor to join the ranks of some of America’s most decorated athletes. I hope my image on this iconic orange box will inspire the next generation of girls and athletes to dream big.”
Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering the favorite orders of soccer stars Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle online and in the Chipotle app for a limited time while they seek a championship at the Women’s World Cup. Items include: the Julie Ertz Salad: brown rice, black beans, half steak, half chicken, fajita veggies, extra roasted chili corn salsa, lettuce and chipotle-honey vinaigrette; Lindsey Horan Salad: black beans, chicken, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa, tomatillo green-chili salsa, roasted chili corn salsa and guac; and the Rose Lavelle Bowl: brown rice, black beans, chicken, fresh tomato salsa, roasted chili corn salsa, lettuce and guac.
FuboTV gave a new sports platform a soft launch with the debut of Fubo Sports Network, a live, free-to-consumer TV network for U.S. sports fans offering event coverage, news, and exclusive programming. The platform will initially be distributed through free, ad-supported service Xumo, according to Variety, For the June 27 launch, existing FuboTV Network content will migrate to Fubo Sports Network, including “The Football Report.”
Universal Tennis released its mobile tennis application in the App Store. The new UTR app is free with features that allow players to get a free global tennis rating, post a score, register for events and connect and message with UTR’s community. “Universal Tennis is committed to creating a platform with opportunities and products that make it easier for every player worldwide, regardless of their skill level or age, to connect and have a great tennis experience,” said Mark Leschly, Universal Tennis Chairman & CEO. “The new, free mobile app makes it even easier for players to connect within the world’s largest tennis community to find and play tennis where they want, when they want, and how they want.”
Marvel’s newest team is Team Liquid, courtesy of a new partnership between the two organizations, which also marks Marvel’s first deal in the esports space. The deal was unveiled when Team Liquid’s champion League of Legends lineup took to the Rift Rival stage with custom designed Captain America competitive jerseys. Over the next few months, Team Liquid and Marvel reveals future collaborations that span from exclusive merch drops to content crossovers beginning with hero inspired esports battle wear on Team Liquid’s webstore. Merchandise includes a Team Liquid x Marvel Captain America Jersey, Team Liquid x Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame Quantum Realm Jersey, Team Liquid x Marvel Iron Man Jersey and a Team Liquid x Marvel Logo Tee.
OverActive Media tied up a deal with Bell that sees the Canadian communications behemoth pick up a minority stake in the esports organization. In addition, Bell becomes the organization’s first founding marketing partner. The deal covers team sponsorship, content integration and traditional and online advertising.
Hornets Sports & Entertainment unveiled its new NBA 2K League team slated to debut in 2020 and known as Hornets Venom GT. Along with the name and logo, Hornets Venom also launched their social media sites on Twitter (@HornetsVenomGT), Instagram (HornetsVenomGT) and Facebook (HornetsVenomGT), along with a Twitch channel (HornetsVenomGT). As part of the team’s identity announcement, 20 sidewalk stencils with the Hornets Venom logo and social handles have been placed throughout Charlotte. Fans posting photos from the locations of the stencils today will be entered to win Hornets Venom prize packs.
Twitch Prime Day continues to add new elements, including the introduction of the Twitch Prime Crown Cup, a “multi-city star-studded tournament” for Apex Legends. The action gets underway on July 3, when Prime members can unlock an exclusive Legend skin and weapon skin for Apex Legends. On July 13, celebrities, top streamers, and Prime members will hit London and Las Vegas for Twitch Prime Crown Cup tournaments featuring Apex Legends and a top EA SPORTS game for an eight-hour livestreamed marathon. The London stop will feature Sir Mo Farah, legendary footballer Thierry Henry, and five-time X Games gold medalist street skateboarder Leticia Bufoni whereas Vegas will see multi-platinum music producer Murda Beatz and global platinum-selling DJ Dillon Francis.
The American Cancer Society and Skillz are teaming up in a year-long partnership, featuring a series of charity esports tournaments to support ACS in the fight against cancer. Mobile gamers worldwide can compete in games powered by the Skillz platform and donate proceeds to ACS with the first tournament running June 29-30. “Partnering with Skillz is a new and exciting way for the American Cancer Society to engage a wider and younger mobile-first audience,” said Sharon Byers, Chief Development, Marketing and Communications Officer of the American Cancer Society. “When the mobile gaming community rallies together, it can be an incredible force for good, flexing the power of modern technology to tackle persistent health challenges like cancer.”
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, NetherRealm Studios and Intersport named Roadrunner Records as the Official Music Partner of the Mortal Kombat 11 Pro Kompetition 2019/2020. Roadrunner Records will provide unique theme songs from its extensive artist lineup for every tournament within the Mortal Kombat 11 Pro Kompetition, with signature music to be played throughout breaks. Additionally, Roadrunner Records will curate an official Spotify playlist for the Mortal Kombat 11 Pro Kompetition which will also be integrated into ‘listening’ feature on the official Mortal Kombat Discord channel.
The XFL announced that Grady Raskin, most recently Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the NHL Dallas Stars, has been named President of the XFL team in his native Dallas. Raskin will be responsible for the team’s fan engagement and business operations, including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, marketing, content, communications, community relations, and game day experience.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment announced the promotion of Abby Blomstrom to executive vice president and general counsel. Randall Boe, who previously served as executive vice president and general counsel at MSE, has been named commissioner of the Arena Football League. In her new role, Ms. Blomstrom will be responsible for all legal affairs for the organization, including strategic and commercial transactions, league matters, litigation, privacy, intellectual property and corporate governance matters.
Riptide Partners, a newly launched consulting business for sports teams and venue operators, named veteran executive Neil Davis as its first head of sales. Davis has more than 30 years of business and most recently executive vice president at Pac-12 Networks/Conference.
Poker Central announced the hiring of Aaron Casillas, senior director of product, and Tyler Champley, vice president of marketing and audience development. Casillas is charged with managing all aspects of Poker Central’s owned and operated products, notably the PokerGO subscription video service, and the development of future products to be released by the company. Tyler Champley leads all marketing efforts, paid and organic, for Poker Central across current and future properties including PokerGO.
US/France on FOX and Universo at 3p.
