Shorts: Bbl, Reading, Blackburn
The British Basketball League has extended its broadcast partnership with Sky Sports.
In the fourth consecutive season of the partnership, Sky Sports and NOW will show live action from the British Basketball League (BBL), as well as the key fixtures during the season including the men’s and women’s Trophy Final, All-Star Game and the end of season Playoffs, including the Final at The O2.
Mani Gill, Head of Broadcast at the BBL, said, “The League is delighted to once again be partnering with Sky Sports for a fourth consecutive season to continue to bring the best of the action from the Men’s and Women’s League’s to fans across the country. Sky has given us a platform to help basketball grow exponentially in recent years, it’s great to have their continued support and we know fans will be thrilled with the broadcast experience they’ll enjoy this season.
“Fans can expect the highest quality broadcast presentation throughout the season, with a star-studded line up of talent on hand to present, analyse and commentate on the thrilling on-court action from across the men’s and women’s league.”
Helen Falkus, Director of Multi Sports at Sky Sports, added, “Domestic basketball continues to go from strength to strength and so we’re delighted to be able to continue to bring our viewers more of the action from both the men’s and women’s competitions. We’ll continue to showcase the men’s and women’s British Basketball League on our linear channels as well as YouTube as we look to continue to grow the game in the UK.”
EFL League One club Reading FC have been deducted three points after the club failed to comply with the order of an Independent Disciplinary Commission (IDC).
The IDC required the Royals to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the club’s forecast monthly wage bill in a designated account by 12th September 2023.
The IDC had determined the club had breached EFL Regulations relating to the club having failed to pay its players’ wages on time and in full on or around 31st October 2022, 30th November 2022, and 28nd April 2023.
EFL Championship Club Blackburn Rovers has appointed Mr. M Sreenivasa Rao as a new Director at Ewood Park.
Associated with VH Group for over 35 years, Mr Rao has a wealth of experience working in commercial and financial sectors.
Currently the General Manager of Finance for Venkateshwara Hatcheries Private Limited, ‘his experience and expertise as head of finance in the VH Group will be of great benefit to the club moving forward.’
International sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE and virtual advertising company Supponor have extended their partnership.
The technology of London-headquartered Supponor enables the monetising of marketing rights for clubs and rights holders by generating virtual advertising inventory to serve partners and advertisers.
The extended partnership, which first began in 2017, will see the two organisations expand into Germany and will incorporate SPORTFIVE’s partner clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, FC Union Berlin, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, FC Augsburg and VfB Stuttgart, among others.
Massimo Magri, Managing Director EMEA at Supponor, said “We are delighted to renew our partnership with our longest-lasting client on the German market, SPORTFIVE, a company that shares our vision for the potential of virtual advertising. Since 2017, our collaboration has helped to evolve the landscape of sports advertising in the Bundesliga. This extension is a testament to the success we’ve seen thus far and will ensure our solutions continue to deliver unparalleled value to advertisers, rights holders, and fans alike.”
Kai Rippe, Senior Vice President Rightsholder Business at SPORTFIVE, added, “At SPORTFIVE, we value innovation and adaptation, especially when it provides exciting opportunities for our clients, and our collaboration with Supponor is a great example of this philosophy in action. Through our partnership, we’ve been able to give brands access to the global Bundesliga audience, allowing them to create powerful connections with fans worldwide. This partnership extension signals our commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of sports advertising.”
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