Industry Shorts: Sky Sports, Speedo, Formula E

Sky Sports has announced that its 2020/21 Premier League and EFL coverage will form its ‘Season of Sustainability’ as part of its Sky Zero campaign.

Aiming to become net zero carbon by 2030, Sky Sports says the matches shown this season will be certified as sustainable by albert, the BAFTA-backed consortium set up to tackle the environmental impact of broadcasting.

Kicking off at Anfield on 12th September, Liverpool v Leeds United will be the first live Premier League broadcast to achieve the certification.

Speedo has partnered with the Black Swimming Association (BSA), in a joint mission to help address barriers faced by BAME communities when it comes to swimming.

Speedo will provide support to upcoming BSA projects, along with providing swimwear and equipment which will be used to support organisations working with the BSA to facilitate greater participation in swimming.

The announcement comes after the pair worked collaboratively on the launch of ‘A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim’ – which highlighted the challenges and barriers faced by the black community in swimming.

Maya Jama has teamed up with Formula E to become the organisation’s first judge on its Open Talent Call for Presenters campaign.

The DJ joins the single-seater motorsport series’ campaign to discover aspiring young presenters and commentators and give them the opportunity to join the Formula E team for the 2020/21 season.

Parkrun has announced plans for October return to events in England.

The organisation’s Global CEO, Nick Pearson, confirmed that, following ‘detailed conversations’ with DCMS, Sport England, and Public Health England the organisation aims to reopen its events in England toward the end of October. 

However, due to differences in governance in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, England will be the first Home Nation to see events reopen.

LaLiga has announced that it will make two matches a week available on free to air TV in UK.

FreeSports will carry LaLiga matches on the Saturday 3pm slot for the next two weekends, while LaLigaTV will continue to broadcast at that time while the UK’s ‘3pm blackout’ restrictions remain relaxed.

More than two million people tuned in to watch BBC’s Women’s Football Show on the opening weekend of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League season.

The figures were announced the programme’s producers, Whisper TV, and marks a strong return to action for the WSL, which was curtailed in June and saw Chelsea crowned champions.

Premium running shoe brand HOKA ONE ONE has appointed global live entertainment agency KruLive as its sole staffing partner.

The agency will be responsible for casting, training, managing and retaining a team of running ambassadors skilled in product know-how for the brand across its 2020/21 retail and experiential program.

Sports bra brand Shock Absorber has extended its partnership with Bristol Sport, which will see it continue as the front of shirt sponsor for Bristol Bears Women, and as the sleeve sponsor of Bristol City Women.

The brand says it will use the partnership to educate both Bristol Sport’s female players and their fans on the importance of wearing a proper sports bra. 

The Institute of Sports Humanities (ISH) International has announced the appointment of Shaun Springer to its Board. 

Formerly of Sky and most recently as Head of Brand, Sponsorship and Global Entertainment for MasterCard, Springer is also a Partner at 5Oceans Partnership. In his role with ISH, he will assist the organisation in strengthening its inclusion and diversity strategy by working with leading sports organisations to address barriers and increase opportunities in leadership positions for BAME individuals. READ MORE