Shorts: Newcastle, Viaplay, 188bet
Premier League football club Newcastle United has named Darren Eales as the club’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Eales joins from US Major League Soccer (MLS) club Atlanta United, where he has been President and Chief Executive since the team was founded in 2014.
On his appointment, Eales said, “Newcastle United is both a giant of a club, and the heartbeat of its community. Every time I have visited St. James’ Park, I’ve been overwhelmed by the passion of the fans.
This is a club with an amazingly rich heritage, and I am delighted to be joining for this new chapter in its long history. I am grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to working with the rest of the team to help this storied club fulfil its potential.”
Swedish media and entertainment company Viaplay Group and Polish pay-TV operator Canal+ Polska have agreed a DTH distribution partnership in Poland that will make the Viaplay streaming service available to Canal+ Polska’s premium DTH subscribers across the country. The deal will see Viaplay sublicense selected Premier League matches to Canal+ Polska for the next three seasons.
The matches will be available on Canal+ Polska’s channels from the beginning of August, when the Premier League season kicks off.
Kim Poder, Viaplay Group Chief Commercial Officer, commented, “Poland is a key market for Viaplay, and we want as many viewers as possible to try our unique service for themselves. This long-term agreement with one of Poland’s largest pay-TV operators will expand our addressable market significantly over the years to come and is therefore an important step towards realising our high ambitions.”
The news follows recent reports that Viaplay is reportedly in talks to acquire UK pay-television broadcaster Premier Sports, as it looks to build its presence in the UK.
World Table Tennis (WTT) has announced a new agreement with Isle of Man-headquartered 188BET.
Under terms of the new agreement the betting company will serve as the official international betting partner of the inaugural WTT Champions event.
English Football League (EFL) League One side Cheltenham Town FC has announced a multi-year extension to its deal with principal partner Mira Showers, meaning that the Cheltenham-based global shower manufacturer will have appeared on the club’s shirts for over 15 years.
It will also become headline sponsor of Cheltenham Town Ladies FC.
Richard Morris, Head of Commercial at Cheltenham Town Football Club, commented, “Partnerships with this amount of longevity in professional sport are few and far between and its testament to both Mira and the club that this partnership continues to deliver value 15 years on from its inception.”
