Shorts: Rooney, Weareninety, Wigan Warriors

Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has partnered with London-based film and production company Lorton Entertainment on the creation of an upcoming TV project.

The deal, which also includes Rooney’s wife Coleen, follows the Rooney and Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story documentaries.

The new, yet-to-be-named show or series is likely to screen late next year or early in 2025. 

Julian Bird, Founder and CEO, Lorton Entertainment, said, “Lorton Entertainment is delighted to have agreed this deal with the Rooney’s. Over the next three-to-four months, our focus will be on developing the many possibilities for the project. Although we have already been approached by a number of streaming companies, any scheduled release should not be expected until late 2024, or early 2025.” 

Sports marketing specialists WeAreNinety has added Scotland and Manchester United footballer Scott McTominay to its roster.

The agreement will see WeAreNinety work alongside Murdock Sports Group on Scott’s off-field partnerships, marketing and social media.

Charlie Weir, Founder at WeAreNinety, said, “Scott has been in fine form for both club and country and we look forward to building on that momentum over the winter months and into the much-anticipated EUROs next year.”

Wigan Warriors has announced Cadena Global Ltd as its new sleeve partner for the men’s first team playing kit for the upcoming 2024 season.

Bill Alty, Global Director of Cadena, said, “We at Cadena Global are proud to be a Wigan based company run by Wigan people providing the best service we possibly can to a truly international client base. We procure world class British designed and British manufactured engineering equipment, and deliver in a timely fashion to customers located throughout the world. Our customers demand a first class service, they want the best, and we strive at all times to provide that high level of service and quality of product.”

Geoff Warburton, Head of Commercial at Wigan Warriors, added, “We are pleased to welcome Bill Alty and Wigan-based Cadena Global to the partnership family, initially for the 2024 season.

“We have known Bill for a good few years as a long term supporter and season ticket holder, so it is great to see him take the leap into increasing his involvement for 2024 and placing his brand on our First team kit. The whole Club look forward to working with Bill, and the team will proudly carry his brand in the 2024 season.”

DAZN has unveiled its broadcast plans for the 2023/24 UEFA Women’s Champions League, which begins a shift away from streaming its coverage on YouTube.

The first two years of the broadcaster’s four-year global rights deal with UEFA excluding (China and MENA) had seen DAZN show its coverage free on YouTube as well as on its own platforms.

This has resulted in growing viewing figures, with the group stage drawing over 20 million viewers last season, an increase of six million on the 2021/22 campaign.

This time round, the first four matchdays will be shown on YouTube, with the action then moving to DAZN platforms.

Hannah Brown, Co-Chief Executive Officer of DAZN, said, “The Women’s World Cup this summer captured the attention and imagination of millions around the world and DAZN recognises that women’s football is a once-in-a-generation growth opportunity. DAZN has shown early leadership with its media rights acquisitions to date. We are building a unique global women’s football business showcasing the best clubs in the world, engaging a global audience season-long across our platform and channels.”

The Irish Football Association and Visit Belfast, the city region’s destination marketing and management organisation, have partnered in an aim to ‘maximise sports tourism.’

The three-year deal also aims to boost the development of female participation in the sport.

Graham Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer of Irish FA, said, “Our five-year corporate strategy to 2027 covers every aspect of football across Northern Ireland, from improving performance and participation levels to improving facilities, generating revenue, engagement, women’s and girls’ football and corporate social responsibility.

“Ambitious, forward-looking and passionate about the game and the many social and economic benefits which grassroots football brings, we’re delighted to confirm a strategic partnership with Visit Belfast to support us in delivering our goals and to maximise the local, global and international opportunities which this will bring.”

The Boat Race Company, the organiser of the annual Oxford versus Cambridge boat race, has appointed The PHA Group to manage its media relations.

The agreement will see the PHA Group manage the press office for the race as well as raising the profile if the student athletes making up the teams.

The 2024 edition will take place on Saturday 30th March, with the 78th Women’s Race to be followed shortly after by the 169th Men’s Race.

Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of The Boat Race Company, said, “With 194 years of intense rivalry between the university boat clubs of Oxford and Cambridge, we are proud that The Boat Race is now synonymous with British tradition and excellence. We look forward to working closely with The PHA Group in the build up to next year’s event.”

Tom Inskip, Director of Sport and Fitness at The PHA Group, added, “As one of the oldest and most famous amateur sporting events, it is brilliant to be working with The Boat Race Company to tell the stories of human endeavour that underpin this great rivalry between the UK’s top two universities.”

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