Industry Shorts: Premier League, Efl, Asics, Real Madrid
Josh Smith has been appointed as the Premier League’s new Global Head of Media Sales.
Smith, who currently serves as Director of Television Services at FIFA, football’s global governing body, will take up his new role at the beginning of October.
Smith will be tasked with developing the Premier League’s media-rights strategy and leading its sales process across multiple international markets.
Attendances across the English Football League (EFL) during the 2018-19 season surpassed 18.3 million – the highest figure since 1959 and a 1.5% increase on 2017-18.
It marks the third consecutive season that cumulative attendances in the Championship, League One and League Two have broken the 18 million barrier. The average gate across all three divisions in 2018-19 was over 11,000.
Collective totals incorporating figures for the Carabao Cup and the EFL Trophy reached almost 20 million.
Japanese sportswear manufacturer ASICS has posted strong growth in Q1 of 2019 across direct-to-consumer channels.
Sales across ASICS retail channels increased on a currency-neutral basis by 17% and in ecommerce by 130% year-on-year. ASICS also posted an increase in sales in key emerging markets, although consolidated net sales in EMEA in Q1 declined on a currency-neutral basis by 9%.
ASICS’ new category management programme delivered successful results in owned stores and for wholesale customers. The programme will now be rolled out in DTC and wholesale stores across EMEA in 2019.
Real Madrid has signed a long-term extension to its partnership with German sportswear manufacturer Adidas.
The new eight-year deal will see Adidas continue to supply the LaLiga club’s kit until June 2028. Adidas has provided Real Madrid’s kit since 1998 and the club has since won six UEFA Champions Leagues and six league titles.
Financial terms of the new agreement were not disclosed but reports have suggested the deal is worth €1.1bn.
KPS Capital Partners has reached an agreement with Brunswick Corporation to acquire its fitness business and related brands, including commercial fitness equipment manufacturer Life Fitness.
Under the agreement, KPS will pay approximately $490m in cash to acquire the fitness business and its brands.
The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2019, following receipt of regulatory approvals.
Swim England has partnered with the Royal Life Saving Society UK in a move designed to make it easier for swimming teachers and lifeguards to access high-quality training.
The partnership, which is being showcased at the Elevate event at London’s eXceL today (Thursday), will aim to provide easier access to a range of qualifications.
Together, the two organisations have trained more than 85% of all swimming teachers, coaches and lifeguards working within the industry.
