Industry Shorts: Bury, England Rugby, NBA Crossover
Bury FC have been expelled from the EFL, while League One side Bolton Wanderers have had a suspension on a notice of withdrawal lifted, giving the club a two-week deadline to avoid the same fate.
On Friday, a takeover bid from C&N Sporting Risk precipitated an extension of Bury’s deadline to 17.00 BST on Tuesday 27th August. After completing due diligence, the group decided not to go ahead with the deal, and the deadline passed without a resolution.
The league has also confirmed that, after Bury’s expulsion, League One will comprise 23 teams for the remainder of the 2019/20 season. There will be three relegation places instead of the usual four, while the normal set of four promotions from League Two will still take place to ensure the league has 24 teams again next season.
A decision will be made at the next EFL board meeting in September to discuss the impact this will have on League Two places for the 2020/21 season and beyond.
England Rugby has launched its latest Warrior Camp initiative aimed at getting women into rugby. Over 100 ‘Warrior Camps’ will be set up around the country and will run throughout September. The free initiative for women is designed to teach newcomers the skills and techniques of the game while bringing a new wave of participants into the sport.
The governing body says that 18,000 women have attended a Warrior Camp since its launch in 2017, with female participation in the sport increasing 185% in the last seven years.
The NBA has announced that the NBA Crossover will return to London in September and will feature two-time NBA Champion Kenny Smith.
The event, which will take place from 20-22nd September, will focus on how music, style, art, and entertainment have influenced basketball, and the league has teamed up with brands like Foot Locker, Tissot and Gatorade as well as NBA 2K to give NBA fans in London the chance to participate in games and experiences as well as winning prizes and giveaways.
Digital ‘buy now pay later’ payment provider Klarna has launched a football shirt designed to link the brand to Video Assistant Referees, which have made their debut in the Premier League this season.
The Swedish financial services provider has teamed up with agency 72andSunny Amsterdam to design a new shirt with the message that Klarna ‘is the VAR of online retail, helping shoppers to get their decisions right off the pitch’.
The limited edition shirt has been sent to influencers and personalities, while the brand will partner with COPA90 and Mundial magazine to promote the shirt at the crossroads of football, fashion and culture.
Ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, which tips off in China next week, FIBA Media has announced that the worldwide coverage will feature enhanced features such as augmented reality, referee audio and a daily wrap-up show available within hours of the last game of the day.
Fans will be able to hear audio from the lead referee when calls are reviewed as well as in other selected moments during the Final Phase of the tournament. The FIBA Media production team will be assisted by CCTV, Tencent, Gearhouse and Mediapro.
