Industry Shorts: Tiger Woods, Pfa, Reset
Game developer 2K has signed an exclusive partnership with Tiger Woods which will see the US star return to golf video games.
The partnership includes rights for his name and likeness to appear in the PGA TOUR 2K franchise, while he will also become an Executive Director and consultant with PGA TOUR 2K. The deal also sees 2K partner with Woods’ TGR Foundation, which provides STEM curricula and college-access programs to offer underserved students.
2K also announced that it will acquire privately-held HB Studios, developers of the PGA TOUR 2K21 game, as well as The Golf Club franchise.
The Professional Footballers’ Association has announced that Maheta Molango is set to replace Gordon Taylor as its CEO.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion player – who has served as CEO of Spanish club Real Mallorca – has not yet been formally appointed according to the organisation, but an independent advisory panel, in conjunction with an external recruitment agency, has recommended him for the job.
Taylor, who has led the organisation for the last 40 years, announced in November 2020 that he would step down at the end of the season.
The Co-Founders of executive search agency SRI, a former Minute Media Chief Revenue Officer, and a former Spotify executive have launched a new esports consultancy, Reset.
The consultancy, Co-Founded by SRI Chris Jordan and Charlie Stebbings, Duncan McMonagle, and Ben Brown, will aim to help gaming companies ‘turn their investments into stable businesses, provide organisational design and interim operational support’, as well as helping brands activate in gaming.
The Reset team has already worked with the likes of Samsung, Kia, BT and Duracell, as well as esports teams London Spitfire and Ellevens, and tournament operators including BLAST and FACEIT in the last year.
The consultancy has also already made key hires starting with former Head of Gaming & Esports at Minute Media, Mike Murphy O’Reilly, who joins as Reset’s new Commercial Director.
NOW TV has unveiled a rebrand, with a new look and feel as well as a name change to ‘NOW’ and a new ‘streamlined identity’, featuring a green colour palette.
The platform is home to the broadcaster’s entertainment and film output, but also houses OTT access to its Sky Sports suite of channels
The Guinness PRO14 has announced that its final will take place on Saturday 27th March at the RDS Arena in Dublin.
The match will see the winners of both pools face off to crown a winner, with defending champions Leinster facing Munster.
The game will be broadcast on Premier Sports in the UK, in addition to DAZN’s coverage in Italy, SuperSport’s in South Africa and eir Sport and TG4 in Ireland.
Gymnastics equipment manufacturer Gymnova has been appointed as the first World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022 sponsor.
The company will provide equipment and technical support for the competition, which takes place between 29th October and 6th November.
More than 500 gymnasts from 75 countries are expected to compete at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, making it one of the largest international sporting events ever to be held in the city.
Championship football team Bournemouth has announced a new partnership with hydration brand iPRO.
The deal will see the brand supply the men’s, women’s and academy teams with its range of drinks, while iPRO will also become an Official Partner of the club.
