US Figure Skating announced that Bridgestone Americas will serve as the naming rights sponsor of 2017 Bridgestone Skate America, the annual International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series event held in the US. 2017 Bridgestone Skate America will feature 60 of the top skaters from around the world and is scheduled to take place Nov. 24-26 in Lake Placid, New York. “We are honored to have a company of Bridgestone’s stature associated with Skate America and as a partner of U.S. Figure Skating,” U.S. Figure Skating Executive Director David Raith said. “We have been impressed by Bridgestone’s commitment to supporting the Olympic movement and we look forward to working closely with them to showcase our great sport and dedicated athletes to the world.”
The CAA Sports division of Creative Artists Agency is picking up Barrett Sports Group, according to the LA Business Journal. In announcing the acquisition on Monday, the agency said operations of Manhattan Beach-based BSG, founded in 2000 by Daniel S. Barrett, would be joined with its Icon Venue Group, an owners’ representative and project management business. The new division will be known as CAA Icon. Tim Romani will lead the division.
Euroleague Basketball and G2 Strategic announced the launch of a new department, Euroleague Business Operations & Club Services, described as the first club services division among all European professional sports leagues and modeled after similar service departments that have been implemented that likes of the NBA’s Team Marketing & Business Operations. BOCS will assist its 16 clubs across all commercial areas, in an effort to improve the customer experience, optimize fan engagement, and achieve long-term economic growth.
DraftKings is partnering with TuneIn to drive the fantasy sports user experience and will now be able to give customers direct play-by-play access to original, live and on-demand sports content through Draftkings.com and the DraftKings’ apps. Additionally, customers will have access to DraftKings’ own fantasy sports podcasts including, “The Edge” and “The Pat Mayo Experience.”
ELEAGUE locked in its playoff plans for the ELEAGUE Premier starting Oct. 10 with a lineup of final teams that include G2 Esports and FaZe Clan in addition to North, Cloud9, Heroic, Astralis, EnVyUs, and Fnatic. Competition will feature two days for the quarterfinals, a day for the semifinals, and then the championship on TBS on Oct. 13.
Nielsen Sports announced the appointment of Jon Stainer as Managing Director for the Americas. Stainer will move to the US in January to oversee the growing business in the US, Canada and Mexico. Stainer will be supported by Scott Horowitz, who is being promoted to SVP Revenue & New Business, Americas for Nielsen Sports. Additionally, Stephen Master will take on the newly formed role of Global Head of Federations, and will be charged with the growth of the federations business for Nielsen Sports around the world. Peter Laatz will be leaving the business at the end of 2017 to pursue new career opportunities.
Octagon announced the addition of digital media expert William Mao to the agency’s Global Media Rights Consulting group. Mao previously served as Head of College Sports for YouTube, where he established digital video partnerships with the NCAA and major college conferences including the Pac-12 and ACC.
Longtime PGA TOUR executive Charlie Zink,announced his retirement, after fulfilling his role as Chairman of the recent Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City. Zink initially joined the TOUR as Chief Financial Officer, eventually rose to Co-Chief Operating Officer.
Major League Soccer announced that Diego A. Moratorio has been named General Manager, MLS Canada – a new position at the League and its commercial arm, Soccer United Marketing (SUM). Moratorio will be based in Toronto and will report to SUM President Kathy Carter.
Twins/Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game on ESPN at 8p.