Shorts: Sir Chris Hoy, E1 Series, Southampton

Sir Chris Hoy, Britain’s most decorated Olympian, has joined The Bigger 180 campaign, created by Paddy Power in partnership with Prostate Cancer UK.

This initiative aims to raise awareness of prostate cancer by encouraging men to take a 30-second risk checker and breaking the silence around men’s health.

The campaign donates £1,000 for every 180 scored during the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, with a £180,000 bonus for every perfect nine-dart leg. All funds will support the TRANSFORM Trial, which aims to improve prostate cancer screening.

As the tournament kicks off on 15th December, every 180 scored will be a step toward saving lives.

“This isn’t about medals or records; it’s about saving lives,” Hoy said.

“If sharing my story gets one man to check his risk, it’s all been worth it.“

All-electric powerboat racing championship E1 has revealed PIF as its presenting partner.

The series has also announced Miami as the host city for the finale of the 2025 season.

Slated for November 2025, the E1 Miami GP will mark the championship’s debut in North America and take place on Virginia Key, adjacent to the historic Miami Marine Stadium.

The Miami Marine Stadium will serve as the focal point for the event, supporting restoration efforts for the stadium and surrounding coastal areas.

The Miami GP aligns with the championship’s mission to promote sustainable marine mobility while showcasing electric racing innovation.

Nine teams will compete in purpose-built electric RaceBird boats, with male and female pilots sharing driving duties. Team owners include high-profile figures such as sporting icons Tom Brady and Rafael Nadal, singer Marc Anthony, and Hollywood star Will Smith.

Miami joins a lineup of iconic global host cities for 2025, including Monaco, Jeddah, and Doha, with additional locations to be revealed.

Alejandro Agag, Chairman of E1, said, “Hosting E1 in Miami and the US was always a dream for us, and through our partnership with PIF, we’re excited to bring the future of racing on water to Floridians and the world and showcase the power of the electrification of sport.” 

Southampton and Southampton City Council have unveiled plans to redevelop St Mary’s and Itchen Riverside.

Southampton and Southampton City Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the redevelopment of the St Mary’s Waterfront area, aiming to create a premier sports, leisure, and entertainment destination on the South Coast.

The partnership focuses on expanding St Mary’s Stadium, developing the surrounding areas to accommodate growth, and improving transport infrastructure for better accessibility.

The vision also includes creating a mixed-use community with commercial, residential, leisure, and public spaces, all while aligning with sustainability goals. This collaboration is part of the broader Southampton Renaissance strategy to attract investment and boost the local economy.

Phil Parsons, CEO at Southampton, said, “For the club to thrive and survive in the Premier League, we must increase our revenue streams, and developing the St Mary’s Waterfront area is central to achieving that.

“In turn, a successful football club at the highest level brings enormous benefits to the city, including increased tourism, investment, and civic pride.”

IMG’s Sport 24 has secured Ligue 1 highlights rights through a new agreement with LFP Media.

For the first time, a 26-minute weekly highlights program featuring the best moments from each matchday of Ligue 1 McDonald’s will be available to passengers on select airlines and cruise lines.

This three-year agreement takes effect from the 2024/2025 season, and showcases the excitement of French football with millions of passengers globally.

This partnership marks LFP Media’s first venture into the in-flight entertainment market, reflecting its ambition to expand the league’s international visibility.

Sport 24’s partner airlines and cruise lines, including Etihad Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruise Line, will offer passengers an engaging connection to one of Europe’s top football leagues.

Martin Aurenche, Chief Media Officer of LFP Media, said,“This partnership with Sport 24 is a great opportunity to connect with fans worldwide and introduce new audiences to the flair and excitement of Ligue 1 McDonald’s.“

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