Shorts: Hamilton, Bbc, Chelsea FC

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton’s Extreme E team, X44, has announced a new title partnership with Vida Carbon Corp, a Canadian carbon credit investment firm.

According to a statement, the title partnership brings together Vida Carbon and X44 in a ‘shared ambition to bring awareness to climate change and positively impact the future of the planet.’

The title partnership will be in effect from Round 4 of Extreme E’s second season, seeing the team renamed the X44 Vida Carbon Racing team.

Jamie Keech, Executive Chairman at Vida Carbon, commented, “Around the world, we are all feeling the direct impacts of climate change. Traditional motorsports have long been associated with having a negative impact on the environment, and though many series are taking encouraging steps towards a more sustainable future, Extreme E is unique in the way it approaches this issue.”

“Our partnership with X44 is proof that sustainable practices and a net zero future are possible. Vida Carbon and X44 are working towards that future.”

The Football Association of Wales and BBC Cymru Wales have announced a new broadcast partnership which sees the BBC acquire the rights to broadcast Cymru’s international Women’s Football games for the next five years. 

This includes the remaining qualifying games for the FIFA World Cup finals, hosted in Australia and New Zealand, the next European Championship campaign as well as the 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Rhuanedd Richards, Director BBC Cymru Wales, said, “I’m incredibly pleased that we’ve signed this latest deal to bring Wales’s Women’s football to our screens, and I know audiences will be delighted that they can continue to follow the team, free to air on the BBC for the next five years.

“Our commitment to reflect women’s sport is unwavering and we’re looking forward to building on the success of our coverage of the World Cup qualifiers.” 

EA SPORTS, a division of US game developer Electronic Arts, has announced the renewal of its contract with Liverpool-based fan engagement software company Monterosa.

Monterosa will continue to power EA SPORT’s Player of the Month voting experiences across three European football leagues, including the Premier League. The Player of the Month experience facilitates voting and integrates sharing and competition stages to increase audience reach and boost data capture. 

Tom McDonnell, CEO, Monterosa commented, “I‘m thrilled to continue our partnership with EA SPORTS on Player of the Month. At Monterosa, we strive to create Experiences that deliver exceptional results, with a focus on generating value within owned and operated platforms.

“Our work with EA SPORTS has had significant impact in this area to date, with huge potential for further growth and I’m looking forward to our ongoing collaboration to take fan engagement to the next level.“

London-headquartered global sports entertainment platform DAZN has joined forces with Luxembourg-based international media conglomerate RTL Group to secure long-term media distribution agreements with the NFL for the German market.

The broadcast groups’ multi-year collaboration with the NFL will start with the 2023/2024 season.

DAZN has also confirmed the renewal its NFL broadcast rights in Canada and DACH, the markets where it remains the only platform to provide live of access to every single game in the NFL season.

Gallagher Premiership rugby union club London Irish has confirmed that UK-based financial firm Equals Money will continue as official sponsor of the club’s membership scheme – the London Irish Executive Club – following a partnership renewal.

Jean O’Grady, Head of Partnerships at London Irish, said, “We are very happy to be welcoming back Equals Money as the Official Sponsor of the Executive Club for the upcoming season.”

Premier League football club Chelsea FC has appointed it’s new Commercial Director, with Damian Willoughby leaving his role at EA Sports to join the West London club.

Most recently serving as VP, Partnerships at EA Sports, Willoughby has also worked as the CEO of the City Football Group’s Indian division, and as Head of Global Partnership Sales at Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The former International Sales Manager at Inter Milan Rubén Guillem has been appointed Head of Sales at Entourage Sport & Entertainment, the UK-based global sponsorship and talent management agency.

Rubén, who begins at Entourage in September 2022, said, “I am delighted to be working with Entourage, a leading agency in the sports industry. I have always liked and identified myself with their strategic approach to brands and clubs, so, I really think it is the right step in my career. I look forward to giving my best and to helping the team.”